The Lady Must Decide - Giveaway for all 3 books in Mercy's Embrace series

Over the last weekend, I had the very great pleasure of finishing a story that I started reading years ago. Laura Hile's story, Mercy's Embrace is the story of Elizabeth Elliot, Persuasion's Anne Elliot's nasty older sister, and it has been packaged into three books. The third, The Lady Must Decide, was released in August.

I have been waiting for years to find out what exactly Elizabeth decided to do, given her aged state (29 years) and her various suitors, which ranged from the disgusting Mr. Rushworth (post-Maria Bertram) to the smarmy William Elliot to the deceitful but charming Admiral Patrick McGillvary.

I was also curious as to whether Charles Musgrove would really turn out to be a rake, and whether Lady Russell could actually go through with her hopelessly misguided plan to marry Sir Walter. I also wanted to find out just how far Captain Wentworth's patience would stretch when it came to putting up with and bailing out of trouble his Elliot in-laws. I wanted to find out which of her sisters would give Mary the dressing down she so justly deserves.

I was not disappointed. The Lady Must Decide moves at a breakneck pace, as Hile deftly ties up the loose ends of the various threads surrounding the fates and fortunes of the Elliot family members and their friends, spouses, cousins, and enemies. She ties up those threads with characteristic humor, warmth, sparkle, and, of course, romance. I found the ending pitch perfect!

I closed the book with a smile and a promise to myself to reread it again soon, starting, of course, with book 1, So Rough a Course. Congratulations, Laura, on a wonderful Persuasion sequel. I consider Elizabeth Elliot among my favorite heroines these days!



Now, on to the big news.

Laura has generously offered to provide all three books as a giveaway (U.S. only this time, though). Not only that, she has persuaded the dangerously charming Patrick McGillvary to submit to an interview. And knowing Miss Elliot as I now do, I wouldn't be surprised if she popped in to offer her two cents as well. Stay tuned.



All (U.S. only) who leave a comment on this blog post or those that include interviews with either Patrick McGillvary or Elizabeth Elliot are eligible to win all three books in the Mercy's Embrace series. Be sure to include your email address if you wish to enter the giveaway and confirm that your mailing address is in the U.S. Entries for the giveaway will be accepted through midnight Mountain Time on Thursday, October 28. I will announce the winner on Friday, October 29.

To recap, the Mercy's Embrace books are:
So Rough a Course
So Lively a Chase
The Lady Must Decide

Because inquiring minds want to know, here is an interview I did with Laura when I reviewed So Lively a Chase.