My Darling Janice by M.A. Abraham – Review & Giveaway

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Description:
After discovering some old journals that belong to her grandfather Janice finds he has been hiding a painful memory of a sister he once had. She is determined to find out more and after confronting him she leaves for the country of his birth to learn more from his family. She has wrung some of the story out of him. She learns that she looks like her grandaunt and was named after her. He told her how beautiful his sister was, how popular and loved she had been, but refuses to talk about her in any detail.

As Janice travels she learns that her grandfather expected her to go to his former home. In her luggage she finds her grandfather’s journals that detail the last years of his sister’s life along with a couple letters from him. She begins to read and is pulled into the glittering whirlwind of her grandaunt’s life. A world where the Janice that was, reigned as the social Queen of Viennese society and was loved by one and all, but especially by the man she eventually married. As she closes the journal she is more determined than ever to get to know the world and people her grandaunt knew, and to bring joy to their world in memory of the woman who was.

Wolfgang has lived all of his life under the shadow of his illegitimacy. He dwelt with a granduncle, a man who raised him like a son. He watched his granduncle live with the memory of a woman he couldn’t let go, even when death stole her from him. He could easily understand the attraction when he gazed at her portrait, but not the reasons. Not until he meets the woman who not only bares her name, but shares her beauty and personality.

As Wolfgang watches Janice from the doorway he not only sees a woman that resembles the lady he has admired in the portrait his granduncle coveted, but the woman he falls instantly in love with. Like his granduncle, he is determined to win her hand and love, no matter the cost, for despite the pretense of Janice’s appearance he knows that underneath the veneer beats the heart of a woman who will make him happy for the rest of eternity

Review:
My Darling Janice by M. A. Abraham is a standalone novel that is a historical romance. M.A. Abraham brings us a beautiful historical romance story of love, family, sacrifice, and tragedy; taking us through England and Austria.

This story is told in two parts. In 1864, in England, a beautiful young lady receives a letter from her grandfather describing her namesake & grandaunt Janice. With her interest piqued, she decides to travel to Vienna and meet her father’s family that she has never met. While traveling, she discovers in her luggage journals that belong to her grandfather, and learns all about her grandaunt, Janice.

In 1823 in Vienna, we meet the original vivacious Janice, who was the belle of the ball with every man vying for her. Janice loves to have fun and adores the attention bestowed upon her, but she does not want to get married, and refuses the many proposals she receives.   When it is her sister’s coming out time, Janice is sent to visit her brother, Martin, as her father did not want Janice to get all the attention and ruin it for Lydia.

It is there that we meet Wolfgang, who immediately falls in love with the beautiful Janice. In trying to help her sister, Janice, her brother Martin and Wolfgang agree on a plan that backfires for Janice. She is betrothed to Wolfgang, and he does not plan to let her go. What follows, without giving any spoilers is a romance, that was one sided in the beginning; Wolfgang loved Janice, but she loved her freedom. Much time was spent with Janice fighting all attempts by Wolfgang to make her fall in love with him. This is the first part of the story, with the journals telling everything about this romance, and how Janice effected those surrounding her.

Back to 1864, the current Janice is excited to meet her ancestors, and learn more about her grandaunt. The second part of the story has Janice coming to face to face with another Wolfgang, the adopted son of the original Wolfgang.   What follows is similar type of romance, with Wolfgang immediately falling in love with Janice, and she being defiant in avoiding his attempts.

Both parts end up being beautiful romances in a historical setting. That being said, I had mixed feelings about both of the Janices. They were both beautiful, vivacious, and both were self-centered and at times bitchy. I found myself annoyed with both of them a lot. M.A. Abraham weaves a wonderful story, as she brings to life the wonderful old world Vienna; the society balls, the gowns, the glamour. Abraham has proved over and over, she has a wonderful imagination, and takes us with her on her wonderful rides.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

M.A. is graciously offering a signed paper copy to one (1) lucky commenter and an e-copy to (1) lucky commenter of My Darling Janice at The Reading Cafe.

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6. Giveaway is open to US & Canada only (paper copy) and International (ecopy)

7. Giveaway runs from July 7 to July 11, , 2014