Hope For Fitzwilliam

Hope Trilogy #2

by Jeanna Ellsworth

Colonel Fitzwilliam has always been a ladies’ man, confident and suave. But when his heart falls for the recently widowed Charlotte Collins, he discovers all of his experience does him little good. And as he prepares to depart for war in the Americas, he fears he is leaving Charlotte behind at Pemberley with a more dangerous foe—one he does not know how to fight.

Charlotte Collins, ill prepared to understand the workings of a heart that has been touched, is determined to find a way to provide a new life for her and her unborn child. But as she quietly observes the daily, tender expressions of love between Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, she is forced to reexamine her own beliefs about love and marriage.

With battles looming inside them both, Colonel Fitzwilliam prepares to fight the greatest battle he has ever faced. As the conflict unfolds, even a decorated colonel finds himself helpless against the foe. He can only hope for something greater than himself to intervene—for more than one person has hope for Fitzwilliam to return home safely and secure Charlotte’s fragile, independent heart.

*Please note - this book contains a brief flashback of physical abuse of a spouse and may not be appropriate for all ages

Genres: Romance, Historical, Christian, Period Drama

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2016

About the author

Jeanna is a mother of three daughters, all of whom are well versed in all things Pride and Prejudice. She most definitely would say they are her best friends. She shares her best and worst days with them and they share theirs with her. She also proudly states she is the eighth of thirteen children. When she isn’t scrapbooking, quilting, or cooking, she is thoroughly ignoring her house for a few hours at a time in order to read yet another fan fiction novel. Somewhere between being a mom, a sister, a cook, and a best friend, she squeezes in three 12 hour shifts a week as a Registered Nurse in a Neurological ICU. She raises chickens, helps her daughter run a rabbitry, and gardens as much as she can. In all her still-under-forty years, she has never claimed to be as happy as she is now. Out of this mindset came a surge of creativity that simply had to be written down. Since she finished Mr. Darcy’s Promise, she has stated several times that she has gained something no one can take away from her; hope for her own Mr. Darcy. More than anything, she hopes to prepare her three best friends to look for their own Mr. Darcy and to settle for nothing less.

Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first in this series some time ago, June of 2016. I do not remember that story but this sequel does bring up certain events and I would recommend reading the stories in order. Charlotte Collins is now a widow and is pregnant. Much of the story focuses on the abusive treatment she received at the hands of her husband and also hints that his will has some significant secrets which cannot be revealed or settled until he has been dead for one year. Some of how that will go seems to depend on Charlotte's behavior during that year of mourning.

Colonel Fitzwilliam makes no bones about the fact that he cares for Charlotte Collins but he also knows that she does not trust men and has sworn never to marry again.

In this variation the author again has her Christian beliefs as significant parts of the story. The story of the sowing of seeds and where they fell and how they did or did not grow is brought to the attention of the Colonel by his army chaplain and another. They know of his love for Charlotte and they use this parable as a source of guidance in his relationship with and desire to court Mrs. Collins.

A significant event is that the Colonel and the men under his command are also awaiting orders to ship out to Canada and join the fight against the Americans. The Colonel becomes a hero there and also courts death.

You have to love the relationship the Colonel develops with Charlotte's baby in the one day he has to to that before he leaves for deployment. And then the letters he writes to the child, which everyone knows are meant as letters for the babe's mother, are precious.

I enjoyed this story. I do find this author's stories to be interesting for the most part and thus recommend this one. I have read seven of her stories and now plan to read the last in this series.

[wosedwew · Rating 4 out of 5]

How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees? ~William Shakespeare, Othello

Hope for Fitzwilliam -- a love story, a spiritual story, a healing story, a courageous story -- a story of tender loving care!

Ms. Ellsworth examines God as a healer of wounds -- Colonel Fitzwilliam's physical injuries and Charlotte Collins emotional injuries.

The mystery from the 1st story of this series -- Hope for Mr. Darcy -- is concluded in this book.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys JAFF.

The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience. Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around.... Throughout history, "tender loving care" has uniformly been recognized as a valuable element in healing. ~Larry Dossey

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #2 in the "Hope Trilogy" series, and it was just as compelling as the first. The story picks up where the last one left off, and Colonel Fitzwilliam is heading to battle during the war of 1812. He is head over heels for Charlotte, but her position as a widow in mourning of the evil Mr Collins does not allow their feelings to develop before he leaves. There is a mystery about Mr Collins' will, as well, which leads us to meeting the Mr Pastel who appears to become a major character in the final novel.

This story has very strong Christian leanings, and if that's something you don't enjoy in your historical fiction, then I would suggest to stay away (instead of reviewing negatively). It's perfectly plausible in this era for the level of religious counselling you find in this story.

I found this story to be very engaging, and I had to find out exactly what would happen with Charlotte. It is a dramatic story, with lots of "big feelings" and can't be read lightly. It's a heavy read for sure, and you have to be in the mood for it.

Quite enjoyable and I look forward to the next in the series!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This P&P sequelis the second of the trilogy. Colonel Fitzwilliam, ladies man, has fallen for the widow Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte who is emotional raw because of the actions of her dead husband. With the Colonel going overseas to fight can he win Charlottes hand.
I enjoy reading Colonel stories and for that would have given four stars, but not ones with him tied to Charlotte, or stories which have so many references to the Bible and God.
Maybe 3.5 overall

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will caution people that if they don't like super heavy, ham-handed, overt Christianity in their novels, this is not the trilogy for them. I don't mind if people are religious or even devout in literature, but all of the Bible and God references in these books is super forced.

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out with a lovely, heartfelt dedication and acknowledgments that completely set the tone for this delightful book. It has been a while since I read Book 1, 'Hope for Mr. Darcy', but it didn't take long before I was swept up again in the lives of Elizabeth, Darcy, Georgiana, Charlotte and Colonel Fitzwilliam. We also learn more of the mysterious ledger that Elizabeth found while helping Charlotte deal with Mr. Collins death in Book 1.

As in Book 1, this is a story of hope, love and overcoming and facing one's fears. Both the Colonel and Charlotte each have been dealt traumatic blows...physical and emotional ones. Ms. Ellsworth's faith flows in this story through the use of a parable from the bible.

"People needed to see the Charlotte she used to be before William Collins entered her life...Before he robbed her of hope." (quote from the book)

As Charlotte was never a romantic, by living with the Darcys she gets to see what true love and kindness really are. The walls she has placed around her heart are there for protection not only of her heart, but for her to survive. The Colonel has his own lessons to learn in order to break down those walls.

This story is well written that gives hope to all our characters, and I look forward to reading Book 3 in the trilogy, 'Hope for Georgiana'.

[Ree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of Hope series
A beautifully-written Colonel Fitzwilliam and Charlotte story. I genuinely love the spiritual side of the book, as I did with book one. The portrayals of these characters are excellent. I highly recommend this book, but read book one first if you haven’t already.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

It was a good story, nice plot. There were a few places where the time or an event jumped too quickly to another. It got a a bit confusing for a couple of seconds.
This is the Col. Fitzwilliam I always thought he'd be, if the original had more of that character in it.
I would recommend this.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars. Colonel Fitzwilliam is my favorite character so I try to read as many novels as I can find with him the main character. I was a bit disappointed with this one. Mr Colins is portrayed as a vicious abuser of the worst kind with illegal business dealings which is completely out of character. Yes, Mr Colins was utterly ridiculous and stupid but he was not vicious or dangerous. Charlotte honored him not only more than he deserved in her mourning but more than the society expected even before she learned thar there were restrictions in his will. That was not logical and we know she was supposed to be logical and level headed, she should have done what was expected and be relieved to be done with it. Also there were too many mentions of parables, the Bible and God. I would prefer preaching out of the story, as there are many a church to provide this kind of services for those who want it. Pity because the author is a skilled writer and could have made it a great book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about Richard Fitzwilliam and Charlotte Collins was wonderful. Richard was his amusing self, yet so much more. The depth of his love was a joy to read about. Charlotte was portrayed as stronger for everything she had been through. And him talking to the baby before leaving for the war? Just lovely.
Clean, with a few kisses
Discussions of God by characters, parables and how they apply to our lives

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of the Hope Trilogy is more to my liking; I struggled with the first book (Darcy). The development of character for both Charlotte and the Colonel engaged my interest and I had trouble putting it down when it was time for bed. The main personalities seemed to fit the Austen characters fairly well; I always appreciate firm character traits and positive development in people.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parable planting the seed

The parable of planting the seed....of sower. Really enjoyed. Felt sad and hopeful and scared, then joyful.
I do recommend for any who enjoys the Colonel getting his hea.

[Michelle David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely

Another interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Jeanna Ellsworth. Second book in the trilogy was enjoyable

[Michelle Hassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colonel Fitzwilliam falls for widowed Charlotte Lucas, and is set to travel to America to fight

[Traci Sessions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written

This is a wonderful book. It is the love story of Colonel Fitzwilliam. The author does an excellent job of showing the readers Colonel Fitzwilliam's true character.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second novel in the Hope Trilogy and it is about having hope, finding love and strength. With faith all things are possible. This novel is basically based on Charlotte Collins and Colonel Fitzwilliam. There are twists and turns in this relationship and some of them have restrictions due to odd circumstances. Elizabeth, Darcy and Georgiana are there to help this young couple.
Naturally, with Colonel in the service of the King goes to war, and the author describes the war very well in terms of what happened.
I loved the part of the name, "General" and how it came to be. You will have to read the novel to find out what I mean as so it doesn't spoil the novel for you.
The writing of the novel is exceptional and the faith part of the novel is inspiring.
I hope you all get to read this wonderful novel.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the Hope Series Trilogy by Jenna Ellsworth, Hope for Fitzwilliam picks up where the first book, Hope for Darcy leaves off. Elizabeth and Darcy are married, and Charlotte Collins, now a widow expecting her late husband's child, continues through her year-long mourning period. However, Charlotte keeps a dark secret regarding her husband and their marriage while Elizabeth, Darcy, and the Colonel uncover a secret account in Mr. Collins' ledgers, a secret that may affect Charlotte's future--and that of her child.

Charlotte and Colonel Fitzwilliam worked together to bring Elizabeth and Darcy to the point of courtship, then marriage, and while they did so, they began to develop romantic feelings for one another. However, these feelings seem to be impossible to act upon since the Colonel, as a soldier and second son, has not the means to support a wife, and Charlotte Collins declares that she will never place herself under the power of a husband again. So Elizabeth and Darcy, along with Georgiana, take their turn as matchmakers. But a far more powerful Force is at work, changing the hearts and souls necessary to allow love to grow and flourish.

The first two volumes Hope Series Trilogy are truly delightful and uplifting reads, and I am very much looking forward to the third and final book of the trilogy, Hope for Georgiana, currently scheduled for release in November 2016.

[Kasia Burlakoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed 'Hope for Fitzwilliam' almost as much, as I loved 'Hope for Mr. Darcy. It's a great story about moving past a trauma: war trauma for the colonel and domestic violence trauma for Charlotte. Mrs. Ellsworth showed a great insight into the problem, and their paths to healing was very realistic. And of course there is a HEA.

Minor quibble: there is a bit too much religious reference for what I like in a novel. That's why I'd give it 4.5 stars.

[Mirta Trupp · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, clean read in that there is no foul language and there is plenty of Christian references however; the violent subject matter pertaining to the Collins' marriage is unsettling. I enjoyed the romance of the story (no surprise there!) and the back story of Mr. Collins' will. Colonel Fitzwilliam was "sigh" worthy and the newlywed Darcys were appropriately delightful. That being said, I readily admit that I skipped over much of the "parable" -once I got the gist of it and I also skimmed over the military action. My rating would probably have been a 4, had I not had the image of Mr. Collins (from the 1995 film!) ingrained in my mind.