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03 March 2016

Alarmingly Charmed by Debra E. Marvin's Novella - Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels


Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin is a novella in the Austen in Austin Collection. The novella is available in ebook. The complete collection is available in ebook and in paperback from WhiteFire Publishing ( 2016).


This fourth Austen in Austin novella is based on Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. 

 Blurb: As travel companion to her condescending cousin, Philadelphian Kathryn Morton dreamily anticipates a week in the Wild West as the best cure for meekness. After a long rail journey and a steady diet of gothic dime novels, she shivers, despite the Texas heat, at the ghastly tales of the Austin Axe Murderer. Kathryn has little time to fret, given the competing attentions of quiet rancher Harmon Gray and elegant gentleman Jonathan Wellington. With her new-found confidence and her boundless imagination, she sets out to solve the mystery of Hyde Park Cemetery before another student flees Austen Abbey. Only then can she return home to her English-born parents as an independent American woman. A woman in love. But on the stormiest of nights, Kathryn learns that solving the mystery may destroy a future with the man she’s fallen for in a big Texas way. 

Austen in Austin (WhiteFire, 2016)


Absolutely Loved -- Was "Alarmingly Charmed!!!"*
Five Stars *****

(Beautiful covers are from WhiteFire's Roseanna White, the publisher.)

 *I don't want to confuse anyone as to the title but I had fun with my title for this review. Deb Marvin's novella is called "Alarming Charming" and I thought I would be cute and entitle my review with tongue-in-cheek that I was "Alarmingly Charmed" but I don't mean to cause any confusion!

This is a novella you can read in one night AND you will want to, unless you can force yourself to simply SAVOR!!!

 I loved Kathryn and Harmon right away! Debra E. Marvin does a fabulous job of making both the hero and heroine so sympathetic (not at all wimpy, though, don't get that idea!) as well as strong and unique. That is a tough job for an author especially in a novella and she pulls it off fantastically.

 This novella has a full-bodied feel and leaves you satisfied as if you have read a full-length novel. With the uniqueness of the story and the adorable suspenseful twists, I was completely wrapped up in this read and can't wait to dive into Deb's novella Desert Duet (I don't care that it is a Christmas novella, I want to read more of her writing!)

Giveaway: We're giving away an ebook copy of Debra E. Marvin's novella. Answer this question: Which Jane Austen book is your favorite?
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32 comments:

  1. Caryl KaneMarch 3, 2016 at 8:36 AM

    Lovely review CARRIE! My favorite Jane Austen novel is P&P.

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  2. UnknownMarch 3, 2016 at 8:58 AM

    I'm charmed though not alarmingly, by your wonderful review CARRIE! :-) So much so, I went and grabbed a copy! I haven't read any Jane Austen novels although I have seen a few movies. I think I rather enjoyed Emma... But it has been a while!

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  3. Diana FlowersMarch 3, 2016 at 9:21 AM

    Thanks for your charming review, CARRIE! Sense and Sensibility!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 3, 2016 at 12:28 PM

      Thanks Diana! I have several copies of Sense and Sensibility movies!

      Delete
  4. Susanne DietzeMarch 3, 2016 at 12:05 PM

    What a fabulous review, Carrie! I love Deb's story, too. It's just wonderful!

    I am a huge fan of Emma, but when it comes down to it, Pride & Prejudice is far and away my favorite.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 4, 2016 at 8:57 AM

      Thanks Susie, this collection is so good! Pride and Prejudice I love but anything Jane Austin I love lol!

      Delete
  5. Mrs TinaMarch 3, 2016 at 12:21 PM

    Ah Carrie, I was charmed by your review.... ;-)
    I have not actually read any of Jane Austen's books but enjoyed the movie Sense and Sensibility (1995).
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 4, 2016 at 8:58 AM

      I knew you would "get" my wink at the title, Tina!!! The movies are good aren't they?

      Delete
    2. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 27, 2016 at 9:57 PM

      Tina, you've won a copy of Austen in Austin! Congrats!

      Delete
  6. Debra E. MarvinMarch 3, 2016 at 1:07 PM

    goodness. I've never been able to pick a favorite. But now I will have to propose that my favorite is Northanger Abbey!
    I also like Mansfield Park and Ms. Price

    Carrie, you've really blessed me with this review! I agree (not to be prideful), because I think it's a fun read for an evening that should make the reader laugh and sigh.

    Right now, the single novellas are not available by paperback, so Ebook only at this time! sorry!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 4, 2016 at 9:00 AM

      I love Northanger Abbey, too! And I love your novella!!! Mansfield Park...all of Jane Austin's books are sigh-worthy good! No, I don't think this is prideful to say your own book is a fun read for an evening--it means you wrote a good book and you can be glad in the story God gave you!!! Hugs!

      Delete
  7. justcommonlyMarch 3, 2016 at 1:16 PM

    Great review Carrie! My favorite is Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion! Love them! I can't wait to get my hands on this! No need to enter me. I have a copy coming my way. Just saying hello!

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    1. Debra E. MarvinMarch 3, 2016 at 2:19 PM

      I sure hope you enjoy them. Each story is just a bit different, but we've pulled them together as a lovely collection!

      Delete
    2. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 4, 2016 at 9:01 AM

      Hey Annie! I had trouble at first reading my advance copy but I overcame the oddities of the file and got through it. For Susie's review I bought the Kindle copy because I just couldn't adjust. I agree with Deb's assessment that each story is unique and it is a great collection!

      Delete
    3. justcommonlyMarch 4, 2016 at 11:54 PM

      Thanks Debra! I sure look forward to them!
      Thanks Carrie. Sometimes the kindle copies give me such a hard time with format and lighting! I know what you mean.

      Have a great weekend ladies!

      Delete
  8. HeatherMarch 3, 2016 at 4:34 PM

    My favorite Jane Austen book is Emma.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 4, 2016 at 9:02 AM

      I'll confess I don't remember reading the actual book but I have watched two versions of the movie and really enjoyed it!

      Delete
  9. UnknownMarch 3, 2016 at 8:21 PM

    I'm not sure I've read a Jane Austen book all the way through.

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  10. diannekcMarch 3, 2016 at 8:33 PM

    My favorite Jane Austen book is Pride and Prejudice.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 4, 2016 at 9:03 AM

      Hi Dianne, I do love that story, too, because I love a good book where there is all that misunderstanding that has to get cleared up! Blessings!

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  11. Lynne FeuersteinMarch 3, 2016 at 10:48 PM

    Thanks for the review,Carrie!Alarmingly Charming sounds like a great story! As for my favorite Jane Austen story I have to admit it's Northanger Abbey. :)

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 4, 2016 at 9:03 AM

      You will LOVE this story then, Lynne, inspired by Northanger Abbey!

      Delete
  12. kim hansenMarch 4, 2016 at 10:53 AM

    Nice review. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite.

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  13. Daily ReaderMarch 4, 2016 at 5:54 PM

    I want to read more about Kathryn after reading your review, Carrie. Thank you for the review.

    My favorite is Emma.

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  14. Deanna StevensMarch 4, 2016 at 6:26 PM

    I enjoyed the review.. I like the newer versions of P&P :)
    dkstevensneAToutlookD oTCoM

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 27, 2016 at 9:52 PM

      I like the new movie versions of Pride and Prejudice, too, Deanna!

      Delete
  15. Bonnie RoofMarch 5, 2016 at 2:06 PM

    Loved your review, Carrie - thanks!!

    As with Noela - I haven't read any of Jane Austen's novels, however, have enjoyed the movies "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice". I'm intrigued by "Alarmingly Charming", the Austen in Austin Collection and it's covers. Perhaps reading them will entice me to read the Austen novels!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsMarch 27, 2016 at 9:51 PM

      Thanks, Bonnie! Wow, we have to have you and Noela get caught up on Jane Austen reading -- but the movies are so lovely, too!!! I think you'd enjoy this collection of Austen in Austin!

      Delete
  16. Lientjie HumanMarch 6, 2016 at 3:05 AM

    Pride and Prejudice is my favourite, but I like her other books as well.

    ReplyDelete

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