I’ve been trying to expand my reading horizons lately, and have (for the most part) enjoyed the change. Still it was a great treat to pick up Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard and come back to one of my favorite eras, 19th Century England.
I was intrigued from the opening lines,
Something would have to be done about Ariana. All winter, Miss Ariana Forsythe, aged nineteen, had been going about the house sighing. “Mr. Hathaway is my lot in life!”
As it turns out, Ariana’s family isn’t quite convinced that Mr. Hathaway, a rector in his late fifties, is God’s plan for her. She soon finds herself in London for a season with her wealthy and widowed aunt. A literal run in with the scheming Lady Covington leads to an unexpected tie with the roguish (handsome, and rich) Phillip Mornay. Can Ariana’s faith withstand her being thrown into the fire of London society?
Pride and Prejudice fans might argue that the Ariana/Phillip romance is a replica of the relationship between Lizzy and Darcy. Certainly, Phillip reminded me of Darcy. However, since I genuinely adore Darcy, I didn’t mind the similarities one bit. And I must admit that the storyline took a turn I didn’t quite expect.
All in all, I thought Before the Season Ends was a delightful read. I’m eager for the sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square to see how the story ends.
Melissa has been captivated by books for as long as she can remember. She resides in Virginia and at her blog, Breath of Life.
Thanks to the wonderful staff at Harvest House Publishers, you have the opportunity to win both books as part of our Summer Giveaway (U.S. addresses only). Leave a comment on this post if you’d like to be eligible to win this book.
Click on the banner above to enter our other Summer Fun Giveaways. All winners will be announced on June 11.
This is actually outside of my normal reading selections, so it would be great to try something new!
These sound great!
Thanks!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I’d love to read these books – please count me in!
Thanks,
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would love a chance to win!
I’ve never read anything by her. I would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
accoupons at gmail dot com
I read the second and enjoyed it. I need to read this one.
These books sound very interesting and would love to read them. Count me in!
I would enjoy these books~
Thanks!
Trying to expand one’s reading horizons can sometimes be difficult. I know. I tend to gravitate towards a certain genre.
Please count me in on this giveaway. I would love to give this book a read.
I love books where the story line takes a turn we don’t expect.
JDSG
visionquest2020 (at) msn (dot) com
These sound great! Thanks for the chance to win.
These sound great to read! THANKS!
Looks like these will both be fun reads. Thanks for the giveaway!
i love 19th century reads, too!
put me in please 🙂
These books sound delightful. I love stories set in 19th century England. Definitely, takes me away…
thanks so much for sharing
ceashark at aol dot com
Definitely would love to win these books. Heard a lot about The House in Grosvenor Square, but the first one. Please enter me in the contest. Thank you. Great summer reading!
I would love to read both books, thanks!
They sound great. Another author I have never heard of and never read one of her books. I hope I win, I could use some new summer reading material.
I love to read historical fiction…I love the feeling of being “taken away” from my current life for a bit!
any book tickles my fancy!
Sounds good – evokes the Pride and Prejudice characters but doesn’t quite imitate…now I’m intrigued!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
Sounds good…I want to read it too.
i definitely want to win [email protected]
I’m in the mood for and Pride and Prejudice type book. I’ll have to look into this one.
My mom would love this.
This sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me.
throw my name in that hat. i want to win this book
These books sound wonderful. Would love to read them. Please enter me.
Sounds like a good read
This book sounds like it’s just my speed! I would love to win a copy-
Enter me in the book giveaway,always willing to try a new genre.
I’d love this!
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I need some summer reading!
Sounds like a good read. Count me in!
I like Regencies, so these would probably be a good addition.
These sound like lovely books. I’d love to win these. Thanks for the giveaway!
Pride and Prejudice with a twist? OK – I’m hooked! Thanks.
I would love to win these! Thanks for the contest <3
another great giveaway…hope i win
Sounds good, I’d like to be in for this please!
I love, love, love historical novels!
I’d love to win! Thanks!
These both sound great!!
my neighbor would love this (after I had a chance to read it!)
This looks like a great book. Thanks for offering!
This sounds like a delightful book-and a chance to win the sequel! Count me in.
southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com