1. Born of Persuasion - eBookThis product is an eBook
    Jessica Dotta
    Tyndale House / 2013 / ePub
    Our Price$7.99 Retail Price$9.99 Save 20% ($2.00)
    4.3 out of 5 stars for Born of Persuasion - eBook. View reviews of this product. 50 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW39398EB
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  1. Rambling Reader
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Rich and Dramatic
    July 13, 2013
    Rambling Reader
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Unpredictable, rich, and dramatic, "Born of Persuasion" is a captivating debut novel. Jessica Dotta's style is described as reminiscent of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, and the influence is clear from the beginning. A few of Dotta's characters called to mind some personalities from Jane Austen's works. The English countryside with its quaint cottages and imposing estates sets a familiar scene, perfectly complimenting the story that it frames.

    "Born of Persuasion" is vastly different from any of the inspirational, historical fiction novels that I have read in the past few years. This is one book that is impossible to confuse with any other; it is undeniably unique. Dotta establishes suspense and questions from the very first sentence and does not release the reader from the pull of the plot. Told in first-person perspective by the heroine, Julia Elliston, the story leaves the reader questioning the motives of nearly every character. Foreshadowing is a common element used to hint at upcoming peril throughout the course of the plot. Julia takes the reader into her personal confidence as she tells her oftentimes heartbreaking story. Her decisions are not perfect and her faith is practically nonexistent. She unveils her actions and their consequences slowly, building drama and keeping the reader's attention.

    I am still questioning the actions of certain characters and debating over who will ultimately be revealed as good and bad. There is enough of a conclusion to hint at the answers, but "Born of Persuasion" is full of so many unexpected turns that it is almost impossible to guess what the other two novels in the series may reveal. The only downfall is that we must wait in anticipation for a year before the next novel, "Mark of Distinction," is released.

    I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  2. HomeSchool Mom of 4
    The Hot Dry Desert
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Thrilling Historical Romance! Could not put it down!!
    October 17, 2017
    HomeSchool Mom of 4
    The Hot Dry Desert
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Oh.My.Goodness!! I loved this book! It had me hooked from the first page and I could hardly put it down. It was filled with mystery and wit--the perfect blend of Jane Austen's style with Charlotte Bronte's--and the storyline kept me guessing. I can't wait to read the next book in the series: Mark of Distinction. Highly recommend! However, I do believe it's worth mentioning that there are a few parts of the book that do get a quite steamy for a Christian book. Nothing at all like a worldly romance novel by any means, but there is definitely a lot of chemistry within this interesting love triangle. If you're extremely sensitive to things like that, you may want to at least prepare yourself to skim over those few scenes or you may want to choose a different, lighter read.
  3. Anne
    tennessee
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Couldn't put it down
    April 11, 2014
    Anne
    tennessee
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I was anxious to read this book, as I thought front the description that I would like it. I was not disappointed. In fact, I found myself loving it more than I thought I would and couldn't put it down. The story of Julia Elliston is intriguing. The descriptions are well written and I felt i was actually there amongst the characters. Jessica Dotta takes care in making sure everything goes along well with the period. It feels genuine. There are many foreshadowing sentences throughout the book that I find wonderful as it keeps me wondering what will happen. An amazing story that is a fantastic read.
  4. Janet
    Belton, TX
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Mysterious, Like Jane Eyre and Rebecca
    October 8, 2013
    Janet
    Belton, TX
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "Born of Persuasion," the first book in the "Price of Privilege Trilogy" by new author Jessica Dotta, reminds me of classics such as "Jane Eyre" and "Rebecca," stories of dark mystery in which the innocent heroine is drawn in by a mysterious and powerful man only to wonder if she's gotten herself in over her head, curious to know the truth, yet fearing it as well. Only in "Born of Persuasion," Julia Elliston has three mysterious men to deal with: 1) Edward, the childhood sweetheart she's secretly betrothed to yet was torn away from, so that she no longer knows where she stands; 2) the anonymous guardian who controls her life and is threatening to send her away to Scotland to work below her station as a ladies' maid; 3) Mr. Macy, the wealthy, yet secretive recluse who promises her everything she longs for if she'll only trust him.

    The story, set in 19th century Great Britain, is full of fascinating characters, secrets, questions, complications, and unexpected twists and turns. I was only sad that it didn't end. I'll have to wait for the next book. Dotta leaves her readers in a good place, though, answering just enough of the questions to leave them feeling satisfied, but leaving just enough mystery to entice them to read on.

    Tyndale Publishing House sent a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. I'll be watching for more by this new author.
  5. Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A Must Read for Jane Eyre Fans!!
    September 16, 2013
    Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "Later, when I allowed myself to confront the memories, to dwell on the particulars, I realized my arrival at Am Meer marked the beginning.

    Not the mysterious letters that drained the life from Mama.

    Not her suicide.

    And not the two men arriving at dusk, stomping mud from their boots in the foyer, bearing ill tidings.

    Nay-not even the disconcerting news that I had a guardian, one who intended to keep me sequestered.

    For those happenings were not my story. I was sinless there. They were the end result of events set in motion long before I arrived at the cottage. I could no more have stopped their unfolding than I could have prevented my own birth.

    Those of you who were alive that year might well remember the early frost of 1838. My arrival coincided with the hardship faced by farmers that August. Though harvest hadn't quite begun, an overcast sky stretched over the rolling farmlands bringing a reminder of winter's cruel bite. How well I remember the coach jostling down the familiar lane, its wheels grinding through the familiar ruts. I felt no premonition of danger, only relief, sharp and undefiled. At Am Meer, home of my dearest childhood memories, I hoped to find that which I needed most-a respite between the past and my uncertain future." (Pg 1-2).

    In the beautifully written novel, Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta, she rewards readers with an enriched journey back to the early 1800's in the first novel in the Price of Privilege series. The details and poetic writing style paint the story of the life of seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston. Now faced with an unknown guardian who controls her destiny, she finds solace back in her childhood home with her close friend, Elizabeth Windham and her mother for a time. She believes in the promises made between her and her childhood sweetheart Edward, a romance forbidden by her parents due to their social standings. When he proposed to her and asked her to wait for him, she believed that he was the only hope to her current situation.

    If she were to be married to Edward Auburn, she would be released from the guardianship that now holds her future as a servant in Scotland with no family to speak of. However Julia soon discovers that Edward has made some changes of his own taking on the role of the town's vicar, something that goes against Julia's atheist beliefs she was raised on. She realizes now that her only future is to find someone to marry even if it means giving up the hope that she can be happy and marry for love. For Julia there simply is no other answer.

    I received Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta compliments of Tyndale House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. I was completely enchanted and swept away by this novel, rich in period details that I felt like a private observer in Julia's circumstance. This was a time, when women were considered nothing more than property and their rights were never considered. The only hope for most women was to secure a future with a wealthy family through marriage to the right man in a social standing. They were expected to maintain decorum and remain silent. However Julia's fortunate to have been introduced into society through a wealthy titled dowager that opens up a world of possibilities she never dreamed possible. But will she be able to escape her past to be able to move forward in her future or are their darker forces at work than meets the eye in this story? You'll have to pick this one up to find out. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next novel Mark of Distinction that you get a sneak peek at in this one. Also included are some great discussion questions perfect for book clubs. A must read for fans of Downton Abbey and Jane Eyre!
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