Hello everyone,
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but Nicole Clarkston’s debut book, No Such Thing as Luck, has a new cover. Janet Taylor is the responsible for the wonderful new design and when I heard about this makeover, I thought it would be a good time to post the review of the book. It is one of my favourite North and South fan fiction books after all, and I hadn’t reviewed it yet, so I thought, why not do it now that it has a new face?
No Such Thing as Luck was the first book I ever saw of Nicole Clarkston and it was because of it that I discovered she also wrote JAFF. I’ve read and loved her other two JAFF books (Rumours & Recklessness and The Courtship of Edward Gardiner) but this one will always have a special place in my heart because it is one of the best North and South fan fiction books I’ve ever read.
This variation takes place after Mr. Hales’s death and Margaret’s departure from Milton. Some months after these events Margaret receives a letter from Frederick telling her that Mr. Bell, who was visiting him in Cadiz, is terminally ill and would like to see her one last time. She decides to embark on a ship as soon as possible and as she is about to embark the Esperanza, she bumps into Mr. Thornton, who is also embarking on the ship to meet a business associate who may help him save the mill after the disastrous strike.
It is due to these circumstances that we will see the action of the book occurring on board of a ship, and as you may imagine, it is not difficult for people to bump into each other frequently when confined in a small space, so the duration of this trip provided us with plenty of scenes between Margaret and John 🙂
In fact, I believe it serves as a closure to the original story. Mrs. Gaskell’s rushed ending was a bit bittersweet for me as I would have liked to read a more slow-paced ending with our characters exploring and demonstrating more their love for each other. This book, being also a slow-paced story, despite the adventures in the end, gave me the satisfaction of seeing these characters profess their love for one another by words and behaviours during an enjoyable amount of time.
I believe nothing could be more perfect for these characters than the scenes Nicole Clarkston created on the ship. These were the most intense and romantic scenes I’ve seen of John and Margaret so far, and I wasn’t even done with this book and already wished the author would never stop writing tales of John and Margaret.
Nothing compares to the eager anticipation that Nicole Clarkston creates in the first chapters, followed by the overpowering joy of seeing John learning the truth at last.
Ever since his conversation with Higgins I could only hope to see him in Spain. I could only imagine what his reaction at seeing Frederick would be, and Nicole Clarkston gave me that satisfaction with this unique variation of North and South.
This John Thornton is one of the best, if not the best, John Thornton I have ever seen on a North and South fan fiction book. Nicole Clarkston made me fall in love with him all over again, he is gallant, protective, tender and strong. He is a combination of everything perfect and imperfect I would love to see associated to this character.
Margaret is true to herself, but in this book she already knows that turning down such a man was a big mistake considering she is aware her heart has been touched by him. As I love to read books when Margaret is already in love with John, this book was a delight to read.
Mrs. Thornton is also seen through a different perspective and even if she remains the same in essentials, we see a new side of her that allows us to get to know and understand the character better. Also, her reaction at seeing Margaret introduce herself when entering the court is priceless!!! (when you read it, you’ll understand, but I imagine many people would love to read this book just to have the pleasure of witnessing this moment).
No Such Thing as Luck is a riveting book full of romance between John and Margaret and I highly recommend it to anyone in need of a good romance. The first chapters captivate the readers hearts and souls and it will be hard stop reading after that.
You can find this book at:
Nicole Clarkston would like to offer one copy of this book to my readers. All you have to do to enter the giveaway is comment on this post and share your thoughts with us. The giveaway is international and the winner may choose the book format. It will be open until the 3rd of April and the winner will be announced shortly after.
If you don’t want to miss the announcement of the winner and therefore miss the opportunity to see your name there, please follow From Pemberley to Milton. By doing so you will receive an email every time a new post is published and will not miss your prize if you are the lucky winner.
Rita, thank you for this delightful review. I have only recently read N&S because my GoodReads friends kept talking about it and were aghast when they learned I had NEVER read it. I soon took care of that. I would love to win this. A side note… that guy on the cover looks just like my father did when he was much younger. It made me want to say… Hello Dad!
LikeLike
Thank you for your kind words Jeanne. And what did you think of North and South? Isn’t it a terrific book? I think you would love good North and South fan fiction due to its similarity to JAFF. Apart from this one, I would also recommend Nicole’s Northern Rain. If you go to the North and South tab in the blog, you’ll find the review there: )))
Oh, and if your father looked like Mr. Thornton he must have been a dashing young man!!
Good luck in the giveaway 🙂
LikeLike
I have yet to ‘dip my toe’ into the North and South fan fiction, but knowing how wonderfully Ms. Clarkston wrote her JAFF and your praiseworthy review, I think I will! Thank you for the chance to win the book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you would love this book Carole. I think JAFF readers would love good North and South fan fic because it can bit a little similar despite its own specificities. But I’m quite sure you would love this one: )
LikeLike
I love North & South and have struggled to find well written fan fiction for it. This sounds great and I look forward to reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are 2 very good North and South authors that I know of Darcybennett and one of them is Nicole Clarkston. Like you I struggle to find good variations so when i find a good author, I’ll read everything from her/him.
LikeLike
Wondering and we’ll-written review, Rita! This book will always hold a special place for me too. It was the first one of Nicole’s that I had read. I was searching for N&S fan fiction when I discovered. Thrilled, is putting my reaction mildly! I loved the book! I agree with your assessment completely!
I’ve loved her other books too, P&P and N&S. She has a style of writing that captures the essence of the original stories and their characters.
Glad you like the new cover, too. It was fun to do and was enjoyable to work with Nicole.
No need to enter me in the giveaway as I already have the book!
LikeLike
That first word was supposed to be ‘Wonderful’. I should never do these comments on my phone. Ugh!
LikeLike
The cover is just perfect and transports us right into the story Janet 🙂 I’ve also loved Nicole’s other books and it is even hard to choose between this one and northern rain for example…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can safely say that a Nicole Clarkson book is a must have. I’m dying to read this now. I try to work in a bit of sea travel in almost every story I have knocking around in my head, so the thought of all that Margaret/Thornton angst trapped on a ship on the middle of sea sounds…delicious!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The story then moves on to Cadiz and eventually to England, but the ship scenes are just swoon worthy Apala :))
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a lovely review, Rita! Thank you so much for featuring my book. This one opened the door to a lot of amazing people for me, and I am grateful to have met so many wonderful fans of North and South through it. Thank you everyone, for your kind comments, and a huge thanks to Janet Taylor for giving this book a much-needed facelift!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure Nicole! I hope you can continue to write North and South fan fic as I desperately need more good books with John Thornton!
LikeLike
So do I, Rita! I hope I do not disappoint. 😉
LikeLike
I haven’t read too many N&S fanfictions but this sounds so good!! I’d love to read this. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is a very good one Priscilla, and I think this is one that P&P readers will like due to its similarities. Good luck in the giveaway!
LikeLike
Rita,
NSTAL was the first book I read by Nicole and I was simply delighted and thrilled to discover not only a N&S variation,but a fantastic writer that wrote so lovingly of these beloved characters! 😌
To read of the slow burn romance,light yet lingering touches brought a smile to my face and gladdened my heart!
This is a wonderful story,beautifully written and one that I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending to any romance lover! 😊
I have to mention that I just love this new cover,one that cannot fail to do justice to the John and Margaret that reside in our hearts and minds!
Well done Janet,another book cover to be immensely proud of!
Please don’t include me in the draw as I’ve read and loved this sublime piece of writing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment Mary! I can tell you loved this book as much as I did :))
Nicole is indeed a marvelous writer, Northern Rain is also a masterpiece, have you read that one as well?
LikeLike
Read it and loved it!!! 😉
LikeLike
Thanks to m Nicole writing No Such Thing as Luck and Northern Rain, both of which I loved, I am finally listening to North and South.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow, isn’t it interesting that fan fiction got you to read/listen Gaskell’ s book? It just shows how good Nicole’s books are :)))
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed the audio book and I look forward at some point in reading the book
LikeLiked by 2 people
The narration in the audio is very, very good! I hope Nicole continues to use the same narrator in her future books. I also loved the narration, but it is always a very different experience and I recommend the print version as well 🙂
LikeLike
Don’t enter me in the giveaway, Rita, as I already have this book on my Kindle and also as an audiobook. I’ve recently finished listening to Northern Rain and if NSTaL is anywhere near as good as that, then it must be amazing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is Anji! For me it’s hard to say which one is better. I think they are different, the beginning of NSTAL is more striking but the NR is just perfect as a whole…I really find it hard to say which one is best 🙂
LikeLike
Just popping by to say how much I loved this book (please don’t enter me in the giveaway, read it, loved it, re-read it, can’t wait to go back to it). A wonderful story in every way! Hope you have more like this up your sleeve, Nicole!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh..I’m sure she does Joana, and I’m looking forward to be amazed once more by her words :)))
LikeLike
I could not understand this sudden fascination with North and South as I was thinking of the John Jakes saga from the early 80’s. I kept wondering how that series could possibly tie to JAFF. And then I learned what it really was and last week, while the family was away, I caught up. And now I may just have to start North and South FF. Thanks for telling me about this book!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure that has happened to a looooot of people Lynn 🙂
I’m sure you’ll like it, North & South is different in may aspects from P&P, but the love story is actually quite similar, and John Thornton just as amazing as Mr. Darcy. I’m sure that if you’ll watch the BBC adaptation, you’ll want to read N&S fan fic.
You should start with this one, it is very, very good 🙂
LikeLike
I’m one of those people, Rita! That’s almost certainly why I missed the BBC dramatisation when it was first broadcast. It then took me nine or ten years to realise my mistake and I only found that out because I got involved in the JAFF community. Folk were also mentioning N&S and a certain Mr. A. and his performance as John Thornton. My memory of North and South featured Patrick Swayze’s performance as Orry Main and I couldn’t reconcile the two. A little research online showed me the error of my ways, and the rest is history!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was certain that would be very common :)) when I talk about North and South to my friends I always have to explain that it has nothing to do with the American civil war, but thw differences between the North an South of England in the industrialization period :)))
I’m glad you discovered that in time to join us in these discussions Anji :))
LikeLike
I must read this one day… I will, I will. Thank you for great review. Nicole is such a lovely writer!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You should!!! You’ll love the ship scenes 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never read a single N&SFF, time to change that wouldn’t you say?! This one promises a gread read and I’d love the chance to find out what happens myself.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can never stop recommending N&S fan fic to P&P readers Charlotte, so I really believe you would like it!
Good luck in the giveaway, maybe this will be your first N&S fan fic 🙂
LikeLike
I love North and South. This variation sounds wonderful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s one of the best Leah! If you like North&South, I’m sure you’ll like this book 🙂
LikeLike
This sounds great! I loved the book North and South and I can’t wait to read a variation on it. The cover looks perfect 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
This new cover is beautiful! Janet did a great job with it.
Good luck in the giveaway!
LikeLiked by 1 person
North and South is one of my favorites!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I’ve already commented here. Just popping back in to say I have my eye on the audio book. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck in the giveaway Anglophile!
LikeLike
I have read and reviewed all of Nicole’s books and must say I enjoyed them very much. North and South is one of my favorite books along with P&P and Outlander in my twilight years.
LikeLike
Pingback: From Pemberley to Milton’s 2017 Favourite Books | From Pemberley to Milton
Pingback: Author of the Month – Nicole Clarkston | From Pemberley to Milton
Pingback: North & South Top 5 Variations with giveaways | From Pemberley to Milton