Engaging the Earl

A friend recommended Engaging the Earl to me quite some time ago, but as I didn't own it and it wasn't at my library, I kept putting it off for books I had on hand or that I had been looking forward to longer. So this past week I was in a Christian bookstore and I saw this on the shelf... so I bought it... I decided to read it this weekend. Last night I read to page 54- loved it, but had to put it down. Today was a gray day, and after I got home from church I settled down to read. I kept telling myself I needed to take "reality breaks" but once I would finally pull myself away all I could think of was "what's going to happen?" "What is he THINKING?!" "Is his sister EVER going to make her move?" "OK! I better just go read- I don't want the characters doing anything interesting without me, after all!" Needless to say I didn't do much but read today.
Engaging the Earl had a consistent stream of comedy like a Georgette Heyer, a sweet romance like a Jane Austen, and a long-time-coming climax that is frustrating in the extreme, but makes the ending all the more satisfying. (Which reminded me of Louisa May Alcotts "The Inheritance", to a point. All those misunderstandings and me wishing I could slap a few of the characters with their own book! :P) About halfway through I connected that Mandy Goff's first book "Blackmail Bride" precedes this in a series and is about Olivia and Nick... the rest of the time spent reading this book I kept thinking "I MUST get my hands on book 1 with all speed!" Can't wait to read it. Olivia was a GREAT character- I loved her loyal friendship with Emma, and the sister/brother relationship between her and Marcus was adorable. ^_^

Marcus was a George Knightley type hero (and I envisioned him as such- most of the time). He had a level head on his shoulders, a good sense of humor, a desire to keep those closest to him happy, and a sincere love for the less fortunate- and concern for their welfare. I enjoyed the banter between him and Emma, and his habit of scaring off all her potential suitors (particularly Baron Chivers) was highly amusing. ;)

Emma was a heroine with Elinor Dashwoods loyal-to-her-family, sensible outlook, and Elizabeth Bennet's independent, feisty temper. I really enjoyed getting to know her.

There were moments in this story where I laughed out loud, moments I teared up, and moments I squeezed the poor paperback to the point of bending the cover (*sigh* stay calm- it can be flattened out again! o_O) in frustrating and irritation with non-communicative characters! 
Mandy Goff threaded the message of trusting the Lord into her story very well, and I was encouraged! Everything happens for a reason. God has it all under control. (See, I had no need to get all worked up and abuse my poor book.) All will be well and according to His plan in the end.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Sincerely,