“Death takes a Holiday at Pemberley” by Kelly Miller. Review, excerpt + giveaway

Death takes a Holiday at Pemberley by Kelly Miller, what a title, don’t you think? Intriguing at least and scary too. We do not want death around our lovely and loved characters. Just in case anyone may be thinking it, this has nothing to do with Death comes to Pemberley by P.D. James. That is a totally different book from the one I am introducing today.

I am going to do introduce you to Death takes a Holiday at Pemberley in a strange order. First I will let you read an interesting excerpt Kelly Miller is sharing with us. Have fun!

Excerpt

When dinner was over, Darcy fidgeted in his seat as the dishes were cleared away. Elizabeth rose and left them with the stated intention of proceeding to the drawing room.

He waited until the door to the dining room closed behind her. “Graham, I need to speak with you in my study.” Even to his own ears, his voice sounded severe—more so than he had intended.

A slight lift of the man’s brows was the sole inkling of any reaction to his tone. “By all means. Let us go there now.”

_***

Once they were in the study, Darcy directed Graham to a comfortable chair and offered him a glass of brandy.

Upon accepting the proffered glass and taking a sip, he nodded. “This has an excellent taste, Darcy. I thank you.”

He stretched himself into his tallest, most erect position as he stood over Graham. “I want you to tell me why you are spending time with my wife. You said I was to be your guide, not Elizabeth.”

Graham shrugged. “I did say that. I still mean to spend time with you, but it has occurred to me that it makes sense to spend just as much time with your wife. After all, if I am not mistaken, she is a significant reason you are so content. Do you deny that she has a huge effect on the state of your happiness?”

His hands curled into fists, and the muscles along his spine tensed. “I have no wish to deny it! Elizabeth is my wife. She is everything wonderful; I am aware of how lucky I am to have her, and I love her with all my heart. I want you to stay away from her.”

As he continued to take slow, savouring sips of his brandy, Graham peered at him with his head tilted. “My, such a strong reaction. Of what are you afraid? Do you suppose, if she spends too much time in my company, she will fall in love with me?”

Darcy turned away and poured a brandy for himself. Elizabeth would never fall in love with a man such as Graham; that was ridiculous! It was evident she was attracted to him, but that was very different from love. However, it upset his equanimity to have the words said aloud. Attempting to ignore his racing heart, he scoffed, “No, of course not. I trust Elizabeth. It is youI do not trust.”

Graham raised his eyebrows. “What do you imagine I shall do?”

He took a healthy swig of brandy. “I have no way of knowing, but I do know you have powers to do things that should be impossible. You could take advantage of her, scare her, confuse her, or hurt her.”

Graham’s facial muscles tightened, giving him a staid cast. “I can understand your concerns. I am not of your world. Where I come from, we do not follow your rules or laws. However, I know the expected behaviour of a gentleman and give you my word that I shall behave as a proper gentleman at all times with Elizabeth. I shall not hurt her in any way—or your son for that matter.”

His shoulders lost some of their tension at Graham’s assurances. Having the man’s company inflicted upon his family was intolerable, but if he was to be believed, he posed no danger to them. At any rate, it seemed he did not have a choice in the matter.

“Furthermore, I have plans in Lambton for this evening, and I do not expect to return until tomorrow.”

He almost smiled at the promise of Graham’s absence from Pemberley until a possible explanation occurred to him. His breathing grew rapid and shallow. “You—you cannot know anyone in Lambton. Does this mean—is someone going to die?”

Graham grinned and a redness infused his cheeks; the angel was blushing. “No, not at all. I do not mean to work while I am here; this is to be my holiday. I happen to have met a lady today who I anticipate will welcome my company. She was one of a number of ladies I was introduced to this afternoon at the Lambton Inn.”

He frowned. Elizabeth had not mentioned this. “Why were you at the inn?”

With an unstudied air, Graham said, “Elizabeth and I stopped for bit of tea and cake. She was made uncomfortable when all of the ladies in the place stared at us, so I invited all of them to join our table.”

“Indeed?”

Graham gazed out the window with a fanciful expression as if moonstruck. “Oh yes. I met quite a few charming ladies today, but Mrs. Mead stood out as one who could use a friend like me.”

What do you think? Do you know what is going on? Are you totally lost? Who is Graham? I will help you a bit with the blurb of the book:

What will the master of Pemberley do when confronted with the mercurial whims of an all-powerful angel?

Fitzwilliam Darcy’s well-ordered life is about to become a chaotic nightmare. A man of fortune, property, and social prominence, he has everything he could desire. Blissfully married to his wife, Elizabeth, they have a two-year-old son. With so much to live for, Darcy is shaken by a near-fatal riding accident. After a miraculous escape, he is visited by an otherworldly being: an angel of death named Graham. Threatening dire consequences, Graham compels Darcy to guide him on a sojourn in the world of mortals. 

Darcy immediately questions the angel’s motives when he demands to be a guest at Pemberley. Can he trust Graham’s assurance that no harm will come to his wife and child? And why does Graham insist on spending time with Elizabeth? How can Darcy possibly protect his family from an angel with power over life and death?

In this romantic fantasy, the beloved couple from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice must contend with both human and unearthly challenges. Are the fates against them? Or will their extraordinary love conquer all?

Now you know who Graham is, but what about Elizabeth? If it is an angel of death, what does that mean? Is E… or his son going to d…?? What a nightmare?

or not…  😉

Let me introduce you to the author of this romantic fantasy with Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy as central characters.

Kelly Miller discovered her appreciation for Jane Austen late in life, and her love of writing even later. It was the 1995 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice that made her take notice and want to read the actual book. It was many years later that she discovered the world of JAFF. After reading a slew of wildly inventive stories featuring the beloved characters created by Jane Austen, she was inspired to write one of her own. Now, writing is one of her favorite pastimes. When not writing, she spends her free time singing, playing the piano, and working out.  Yes, like Elizabeth Bennet, she is an excellent walker.) Kelly Miller lives in Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter and their many pets.

Follow Kelly on:   Goodreads Author Page     Facebook    Amazon Author Page

Review

On my review there are not spoilers where the plot is totally told or given, but there may be some information that you may not like to read about as it may have small bits of info that can give away very specific details about a character. I would like Kelly to comment and give her opinion. However, I do not think there is any issues with this review.

What would you do if you faced death but in the last second “something” or “someone” saves you? What would you say? Mr Fiztwilliam Darcy does not know what to say either. Therefore, when the following day to a dangerous accident, a handsome man arrives to his home saying that he was the one saving him, Darcy cannot believe his fate but recognises that he was saved. Although he is not very happy with the deal… This “someone”, Graham, wants to spend a whole week with Darcy in order to know what makes Darcy happy. And as JAFF readers that most of you are, what makes Darcy happier than life? Elizabeth Darcy, née Bennet and their two year old son in this case.

Therefore, Darcy is not really glad of having a very handsome man at his home, Pemberley. Kelly Miller has created the perfect anti-Darcy for Darcy (but not like Wickham): he is handsome (I know I said it before), he is well-mannered and outgoing, everyone simply likes him but he is not a scoundrel.

Before getting into a few more details, I would like to write that Kelly combines a lot of different plots within the main story. I believe you would enjoy reading about Anne de Bourgh, one of my favourite subplots, or even reading about Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam, Jane and Charles Bingley, etc. All these plots have two parts in common, on one hand, Darcy and Elizabeth; on the other hand, Graham. How beautiful is everything that Graham does, when he is not annoying Darcy! Is it Darcy’s opinion or is Graham really annoying him? Read the book 😉

Back to Darcy and Elizabeth for a bit… Darcy is actually preparing a surprise birthday party for Elizabeth. She believes that her family and Georgiana cannot come to her birthday, maybe all of them will not be able to come, or maybe yes, or maybe we will even have more uninvited “guests”. Are those guests welcome? What do you think? Perhaps they are not welcome but there may be a turning point for them or even a redemption. I will just say on this respect: LC.

For a short part of the book we “lose” Graham but he is there, somewhere, do not forget about him!

I think Kelly has a really good way of writing stories where the subplots make the main plot be even better as they fill it with more love, more surprises, more to think about.

If you would like to buy this book, you could do it, among other sites and formats, on the following ones:

Amazon UK     Amazon US      Amazon CA      Bookdepository

Blog Tour Schedule

I am honoured to finish the blog tour of Death Tales a Holiday at Pemeberley. I hope you have enjoyed today’s post. Two things before you close the tab: 1st check some of the other posts that share more about this book, you will like them and 2nd keep reading to participate on the giveaway!

June 14th From Pemberley to Milton; Excerpt and GA

June 15th More Agreeably Engaged; Character Interview and GA

June 17th Diary of an Eccentric; Guest Post and GA

June 18th So Little Time…;  Excerpt and GA

June 19th Austenesque Reviews; Guest Post, Excerpt, and GA

June 20th Savvy Verse & Wit;  Excerpt and GA

June 21st Babblings of a Bookworm; Excerpt and GA

June 22nd My Love for Jane Austen; Author Interview and GA

June 24th My Vices and Weaknesses; Review, Excerpt, and GA

Meryton Press is giving away 8 eBooks of Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley for eight different winners.

Click on the link below and follow the instructions. Good luck!

Rafflecopter – Death takes a Holiday at Pemberley