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    Mark of Distinction
    Mark of Distinction
    Mark of Distinction
    Audiobook12 hours

    Mark of Distinction

    Written by Jessica Dotta

    Narrated by Amanda McKnight

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    In Victorian society, where even a whisper of scandal can ruin a life, Julia Elliston much watch her step.

    London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself, but to Julia Elliston, it is a city of shadows. Now under the protection of Lord Pierson, she is caught up in his desperate plan and thrust into the public eye as his rightful heir.

    She's the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity, but with the entire city clamoring for more news of the Emerald Heiress, Julia quickly finds it difficult to maintain the illusion. Each step forward pushes her closer to the precipice. And she must not forget that Chance Macy's power is far-reaching as well. One false move, and he could bring her - and the future she's fighting for - tumbling down.

    Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must find a way to regain control of her own fate. But outwitting one's foe rarely goes according to plan.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateMay 1, 2014
    ISBN9781621883678
    Mark of Distinction

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    Reviews for Mark of Distinction

    4/5

    64 ratings11 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This was a really nice story i have enjoy this whole series and will be recommending it to my friends and family looking forward to listening to more from this author
    • 4/5
      This book moved better for me than the first installment ‘Born of Persuasion’. I found myself in a hurry to know what happened at the end.

      I was as usual impatient with Julia and some of the decisions she made but here she felt more reasonable. Her relationship with Mr. Macy was as usual weird but enjoyable.

      I look forward to reading the last installment since this one seemed to have a happy ending even though I probably need a break.

      It’s a great read and reminds us that even when you are in the Lord, it doesn’t waive bad things that happen in life. This is seen with Edward a lot.

      Isaac was a sweetheart and I feel a bit sad for him but he definitely make the book interesting.
    • 5/5
      Excellent in every way! I'm so so glad I found this author and reader.

      Update 5/17/23
      I loved this series so much, I decided to reread after two and a half years. It was even better the second time. To me, it is a work of genius.
      The narrative is very complex, with rich detail, and wonderfully developed characters. History and culture was very well researched. The author's understanding of the psychology of manipulation is excellent.
      To read only one volume would be a shame. The first is the cake plate, the second the cake, and the third or final book is the perfect topping. I recommend thinking of them as volumes 1—3.
    • 4/5
      Thursday, June 19, 2014Mark of Distinction by Jessica Dotta, © 2014Price of Privilege Trilogy, Book 2I remember the disdain I felt at the crushed violets with their purple velvet scorned and smashed onto the cobblestone by a small slipper foot. The pain of being discovered, I pushed it with my foot under the wooden stand so not to be found by those so immaculately putting the tiny bouquet together to give. The haughtiness and arrogance spurning this tenderly gathered offering being disposed and tread upon pierced my heart. Memories. I am old now, but they are fresh in my mind. Man's inhumanity to man. One incident of many brings it all back. Unraveling misgivings, rumor and truth, I want to leave my own words for those who follow after me in my lineage. For how could it be another way, misinterpreted by rumor and doubt?Paperwhites have not been a favorite of mine, as my mother before me. How sad, but yet appropriate that flowers have such meaning in my life. An offered warmth in the coldness of my first days of arrival at Maplecroft estate and Edward's departure somehow settles me. I am told my father is coming; is he aware it is my birthday? Eighteen years and the first year without my mother beckoning me for the appearance of dawn. How I miss her. Although my father has offered me sanctuary here at Maplecroft, he does not beckon me upon his arrival. He has brought Forester with him and I am in range to hear them arguing ~ or discussing as they might decide. Am I to be believed, or suspect?So much turmoil and indignant expectations. There is a spy in our midst. Who am I to believe? The one who is so haughty with me, following along with my father's every whim? Or my proposed fiancé ~ selected for me, but not by me? My whole life has changed as I have become known as my father's child. Where was he all the years my mother and I struggled; the one I find now is so benevolent? His motives, not mine, nor desired to be. Am I truly being sheltered, or used for benefit of others; continually?My dreams and desires remain with another. Pulled away and shredded beyond my remembrance. I flee to my youth with Edward, Elizabeth, my friend, and Henry, Edward's brother. Giggles and dreams shared together those long ago days. I wondered if they would ever come again; days of happiness with longings to return to my life as Miss Julia Elliston, not as the Emerald Heiress, being sequestered at Maplecroft.***In Jessica Dotta's book 2 in the Price of Privilege Trilogy, Julia is carried forward from book 1, Born of Persuasion, the debut novel telling of her days at Am Meer and beyond, before her need for sanctuary at Maplecroft, leaving her prior world behind.It would benefit to read book 1 so as to experience with her, what Julia has left out of necessity. This Victorian-era story portrays an upper class dependent on the wiles of society and governing politics of the times. The disdain of some of the staff in attendance to this perceived "interloper" is reflected from their earlier positions within the household.Julia is expected to be schooled in deportment and social standings when she had none of these requirements prior to her arrival. She is to follow without rebuttal, the trappings and directions given, relying on others.The girls continued to intrigue me the most. They all seemed so adapted, content to be in my exact position—resigned to remaining under their fathers' rule, happy to rely on the gentlemen for their fate. It was as though they'd forgotten how to run through meadows barefoot with blades of grass stuck to their legs, or lie outdoors at night beneath a star-filled sky with a friend like Elizabeth. It dawned on me once, as I stopped dancing and stood still amidst a swirling ballroom, that maybe they hadn't forgotten—maybe they'd never known.--Mark of Distinction, 297Book 3, Price of Privilege, releases in the Spring of 2015. It will be interesting to learn of the outcome of decisions made, for better or for worse.***Thank you to Book Club Network and author Jessica Dotta for Book 2, Mark of Distinction, and to Tyndale House Publishers for sending me a print copy for review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
    • 4/5
      even better than the first but kept waiting for the good part and good things to happen. just as lovely as the first and left room for hope which is why I kept reading. Macy was so loving and attentive In a creepy sort of way. very unpredictable.
    • 4/5
      I really was just pulled along by the need to find out what happened.
    • 2/5
      This is the second in this historical Christian trilogy. I was persuaded to continue this series by a fellow reader.

      I'm sorry to say that I struggled with this book even more than the first one but for different reasons. At least in the first book I was engrossed in the story and wanted to know what happened despite the offence caused by the nature of the account. In this second book, I found that I had lost interest and no longer cared what happened to the heroine or anyone else for that matter. I knew that didn't bode well.

      Nothing really happens in this second book as the main character is caught in a seemingly never-ending dilemma in relation to which man she will marry. The problem, she is already married and has been since early on in book one. Therefore, the whole topic is irrelevant as she is not legally free to marry--she should just face up to her poor decisions and accept the consequences rather than taunt these other men and subject the readers to the monotonous dialogue about it.

      I have grown to dislike the main character and somehow wish the man she actually desires to marry will reject her. This is probably not what the author was hoping when writing this series. The character is weak-willed, whiny and annoying.

      I will not give the plot away for those who wish to subject themselves. However, events at the end of the second book caused me to do a double-take. Circumstances have not changed since the first book and yet the main characters follow a course that they had determined impossible by the end of the first book?! It is as if the author expects the reader to have forgotten everything that has gone before or to think that the passage of time changes things. It doesn't.

      I was told this was a story of Christian redemption. The main character has some sort of religious experience in this book but I would hardly call it a conversion--she doesn't refer to sin, repentance or redemption, only to love and a feeling of peace. Indeed, other characters seem to mark the same feeling as their own "conversion" experience. Yet, becoming a Christian is not a feeling or an experience. It is a decision to trust that Jesus died in our place and for our sin.

      I have access to the third book in this series but really cannot bring myself to give more time to it.....sorry to disappoint those that think this series is worthy of high praise....The only redeeming feature in these books are some of the quotations amongst the dialogue which I have highlighted as I read them.

      I can't recommend these books.
    • 5/5
      Mark of Distinction, book 2 in Jessica Dotta’s Price of Privilege series, won the 2015 Inspy Award for Historical Romance. With its incredibly complex characters and plot and excellent writing style this novel rates a highly recommended read from me. Be sure to read Born of Persuasion first though — this series must be read in order.Mark of Distinction finds Julia in London at the home of her father and in the middle of an elaborate ruse to allow her to take her place in the center of society as the mysterious Emerald Heiress. Julia is very much alone — her father is cold and distant, Macy is still a threat and family and friends cannot be trusted. Only Isaac seems to take Julia’s interests to heart, thus causing Julia’s struggle with staying true to her love for Edward.Dotta tells Julia’s story from a past tense, first person POV, but the story is revealed in bits and pieces allowing the reader to experience the tension of secrets, plots and deceptions. This novel is very Victorian with its sensibilities, restrictions and position of women as property. Characters continue to be complex — one never knows just whom to trust. The contrast between Macy and Isaac is powerful. Macy exemplifies the allure of evil and the deception of counterfeit love; Isaac is a picture of Christ (and I have to admit that I rooted for him to win Julia’s affections).Mark of Distinction was a page turner for me; I was furiously reading to find out what would happen to Julia. And then wham! — Dotta slams on the brakes with Julia’s encounter with God. Her conversion is very moving, and I found myself reading the passage again and again.A must read for fans of historical fiction, Mark of Distinction is truly a winner!Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Tyndale for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinion expressed are mine alone.)
    • 3/5
      As our story continues, the plot thickens. Finding sanctuary with her father, Lord Pierson, Julia becomes the center of London society. Being one of the wealthiest heiress’ in the country and keeping her past a secret at all costs drains her body, mind and spirit. She no longer knows who she is or what her heart truly longs for. Lord Pierson has plans of matrimony for Julia to Lord Dalry. Macy is still on the loose and is always searching for his “lost wife”. Thoughts of Edward are ever at the forefront of her thoughts. Will Macy expose Julia and Lord Pierson? Will Julia submit to her Father’s decisions regarding her future? When all seems lost will she turn to the One who will never leave us nor forsake us?

      As I proceed with this trilogy I am constantly frustrated with our characters, yet I have been drawn in so much that I must finish! There are a few character inconsistencies in Mark of Distinction regarding Lord Pierson. Nothing major, but enough to make me a tad confused. Yet without it, there would be no story. Julia’s personality is slightly aggravating as well. She is constantly making the worst decisions and then has extreme consequences to face. Although the beginning of her journey towards God is touching. Lord Dalry is an all around good guy and I like his character a lot! Mr. Forrester’s treatment of Julia made me quite upset. Constantly putting her down, in front of her father and Lord Dalry, and never believing her story. He ends up helping her, but in the worst possible way.

      Although I will probably not read this series again, I am enjoying it and am looking forward to seeing how Jessica Dotta ties up the loose ends in Price of Privilege.
    • 3/5
      The Synopsis:


      "London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself—but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows. Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal. And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal—substantiated or not—can be the death of a young woman’s reputation.

      When Julia discovers that Lord Roy Pierson, her guardian and one of most influential men in England, is the father she has never met, she begrudgingly accepts his protection. But Chance Macy’s power is far-reaching as well.

      Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she’s trapped between the clutches of two powerful men. Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate—but outwitting one’s foe rarely goes according to plan."

      My Review:

      I really, really, really thought I would enjoy this book, it sounds like it would be right up my ally if you know what I mean. But, sadly, I was wrong. I tried and tried but I couldn't get past the first chapter. The author talked through a character in a very sophisticated language that was hard to read and understand. I know this is book two in the series, but I don't think they carry on the same storyline, but I may be wrong, but either way, this book had way too much back story that the author was trying to push down your throat in the first chapter. I was going to keep reading to see if it explained itself, but the more into the book I got, the more confused I became.

      Also, in the first chapter, the character that is telling the story mentions an affair between her mother and another man, a scandal living with another man, and her step-father is a drunk...there is also a murder. All this is only the first chapter. I just couldn't read this book because of the content as well as the confusion, and I probably will not be reading the rest of this series and will definitely be hesitant in reading another book by this author.

      "I received this book from Tyndale Publishing for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own."
    • 5/5
      A Thriller!Mark of Distinction is book two in Jessica Dotta's Price of Privilege Trilogy. Before I say anything else, you need to know that these are not stand alone novels. You must read book one (Born of Persuasion) in order to follow the plot continued in book two. Believe me, you will want to read both, as this is a thrilling series!Mark of Distinction continues the story of Julia Elliston, a woman who becomes known as the Emerald Heiress. She is a woman who seems to have no control over her own life, being manipulated at every turn by many who do not have her best interest in mind.The story itself is narrated by Julia as she nears the end of her life and looks back to her youth. She wants her story to be told...and what a story!There is mystery, intrigue, and suspense throughout. Many of the characters in the first book return, in addition to new characters, most of whom can't be trusted. Some are just plain evil!Lord Pierson is protecting Julia from the evil Mr. Macy...or is he? He has plans of his own for Julia and those plans are to use her to his own advantage. He is a cold, calculating man.Julia is still in love with Edward Auburn, a man of faith who is one of the only truly good influences in Julia's life. She will never forget him, but is kept from him as she becomes more deeply entangled in the schemes of others around her. Another character, Lord Dalry, seems to treat Julia with kindness, but nothing is as it seems in this book!This novel is so good I could not stop reading! Each page drew me deeper into Julia's life. Jessica Dotta has such talent, and tells a tale much like classics by the Bronte sisters. I highly recommend Mark of Distinction.The final book in this trilogy is scheduled for release next year. I truly do not know how I can wait that long to find out what happens to Julia! Based on my enjoyment of the series thus far, I know it will be worth waiting for!I received a copy of this book from the publisher, courtesy of The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.