Jillian Dare: A Novel [Paperback]

Melanie M. Jeschke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England. She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding? This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture readers' hearts.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This contemporary romance by Jeschke (Oxford Chronicles series) echoes the classic Jane Eyre with some modern parallels. That 19th-century governess easily becomes today's nanny, as the titular character—an orphan—is employed as nanny to the toddler daughter of Ethan Remington, a wealthy corporate executive and film producer who owns a considerable ancestral home in England. Like Rochester, the lord of the manor falls for his employee's youth and freshness, but plans for the future are blocked by a complication from Remington's past. Many elements from Jane Eyre are cleverly translated: the earlier novel's sternly moral and unloving parson St. John Rivers has a convincing analogues, as do key plot elements at the book's end. The author needs to work harder on minor characters, some of whom—like Remington's lawyer friend Calvin Cole—merely turn the plot wheel. The narrative tone is also uneven, at times formal, almost grave (The very name can still conjure up in me...), while at other times it's slangy and modern ( 'I'm fine. Just a little creeped out.' ) But reader, if you liked Charlotte Brontë's novel, you'll enjoy revisiting it here. (May)
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From the Back Cover

They're from two different worlds. Can love unite them? Things are looking up for Jillian Dare. She's left her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and is striking out on her own. Thrilled to land a job as a nanny at a large country estate in the rolling foothills of Virginia, she is enthralled with the beauty of her new home. Her young charge, Cadence Remington, is a delight, and Jillian even has the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington family castle in England. It's almost too good to be true. Just as Jillian begins to feel at home, she meets her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she might be falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl with no connections ever hope to win a successful entrepreneur from a wealthy family? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding? This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture your heart with its timeless romance and the mystery of love. Melanie M. Jeschke is the author of the Oxford Chronicles series, as well as numerous travel articles. An honors graduate of the University of Virginia, Jeschke lives with her family in Virginia.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Original edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800733169
• ISBN-13: 978-0800733162
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in the North (Pittsburgh, PA) and grew up in the South (Richmond, VA), attending the University of Virginia where I met my husband of thirty years, Bill Jeschke. Together we have nine beautiful children (three daughters and six sons) and have pioneered a non-denominational Christian church called The King's Chapel in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.
I have loved reading, creating stories, and writing since I was a young girl, and was told that my name "Melanie" was a form of the Greek word for "ink"--- a name I hoped would be prophetic. Although I majored in English and taught high school before having our family, I put writing on the back burner of our busy lives for many years. When my youngest son was old enough for our home-school kindergarten, I had the miraculous adventure of attending a conference on C.S. Lewis at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities which inspired me to begin writing travel articles and eventually my series of historical/romance novels, The Oxford Chronicles.
Since then I have returned to the UK numerous times for conferences, research, and even as a tour guide and leader. I was thrilled when budget travel guru Rick Steves asked me to contribute a chapter on Oxford to his new "England 2006" guide book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jillian Dare or is it Jane Eyre, May 25, 2009

By 

Margaret Chind "Creative Madness Mama - Quilt... (Atoka, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jillian Dare: A Novel (Paperback)

Jillian Dare is a fabulous contemporary adaptation of the classic story of Jane Eyre and I enjoyed it thoroughly. In the authors letter at the end of the book, Melanie tells us that she wrote this book not for the Bronte purists, but for three different types of people: those that love romantic suspense, those that have yet to read Jane Eyre and now will want to, and the category I fit in - those that have read the story and love to find the comparisons between the two stores and make conjectures as to how the contemporary twist plot will unfold. I have to admit, with each turn of the page I was fascinated by how in the world could the next main scene unfold.



Other things that I really enjoyed in this book were the bits and pieces that alluded to the personal life of the author as well as to her previous book "Evasions". It made me smile quite often. Also, the brought in pieces of Dickens literature as well as references to Broadway plays that I am familiar with such as "The Woman in White". As a reader, I am not one that usually leans toward reading and enjoying a story of contemporary fiction. But Melanie does more than that, she ties the bits and bobs of history in that make it worthwhile, page-turning, and fun.



In the last quarter of the book, there was a topic brought up that has been in theological debate as long as their has been theology and although at first it was a good point, after a few chapters I tired of it. But other than that slight imperfection, I heartily the entire book and could hardly bare to put it down until completion. I had to wait too many years before this for more fabulous fiction from Melanie Jeschke, and I do hope to read more from her in the future sooner rather than later. Although, I will wait quite impatiently for later if need be. *wink*

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bronte Style, May 25, 2009

By 

Sally "SmilingSally" (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jillian Dare: A Novel (Paperback)

Fans of Charlotte Bronte will love this romance suspense story. Set in Virginia and England, the reader will experience how the wealthy live. Jillian's life has been a struggle, and now she has the opportunity to live the good life while caring for a loving child. Someone sinister, however, wants to throw a wrench into those plans and dreams.

I read this one cover to cover in one day; it is an enjoyable read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Take the Dare, January 26, 2010

By 

Galleysmith "Michelle" (Metro DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jillian Dare: A Novel (Paperback)

As a modern retelling of Jane Eyre this story didn't quite grab me. I can't be exactly sure why that is but most likely it falls upon the fact that I already knew the story. I found myself constantly comparing it to what I already knew of the plot and characters of the original. I imagine this is a pitfall of any re-telling of a classic but in this case it was difficult to overcome.

The speed with which Jillian finds herself professing her love to Ethan was abrupt to say the least. One day they were friends the next engaged to be married. I thought the transition between her being an employee to her being his betrothed could have been a bit smoother and certainly worth exploring the in between moments a bit more.

Lastly, I wasn't at all fond of the section of the story that had Jillian staying with the Brookes. Mainly because it was here that the book got to it's most preachy and cliched. Up until this point faith and God did play a role but it was subtle. Once Jillian arrived to live with the Brookes and became somewhat involved with John it got extremely overbearing. He was definitely the domineering caveman in the story where if they did get married Jillian was sure to be the subservient wife doing as she was told. Yea, that is totally not my bag.

What worked for me?

I thought the part of the story involving Ethan's wife was well paced and told. It was not focussed on for a tremendous amount of time but was focussed on well. I also liked the relationship between Jillian and Mrs. Carter. The latter became somewhat of a surrogate mother to the orphaned Jillian. She was cautious when appropriate and supportive of Jillian when necessary, even above and beyond her loyalty to Ethan.

As a first foray into Christian Fiction I'm glad to say that this book didn't turn me off of the genre completely. There was one element that I didn't enjoy (ie: John Brooke) but it wasn't enough to turn me off from reading more. If you enjoy the story of Jane Eyre and you're looking for a different version this certainly fits that bill.