Austenesque Reviews

His Good Opinion - Nancy Kelley

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:31:58 PDT

Who Wouldn't Want to Spend More Time with Mr. Darcy!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

In the same manner as Pamela Aidan, Amanda Grange, and Maya Slater, debut author Nancy Kelley pens a novel that tells the story of Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's perspective. Giving readers something they will all find extremely agreeable: more time alone with the handsome, illustrious, and brooding Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy! Ms. Kelley's tale begins just before Georgiana's imprudent elopement attempt and closes soon after Darcy and Elizabeth become engaged. Through these pages readers get to witness Darcy's inner thoughts and reflections, and observe the close relationships he has with Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Want to get into Darcy's head? Want to spend some more time with him? (Silly question, right?)

I just love reading novels that focus on the hero! Being inside their head is so enlightening and oftentimes very entertaining! What I enjoyed most about this retelling was Ms. Kelley's depiction of Darcy's gradual transformation from selfish arrogance and poor manners to painstaking civility and polite consideration. I like how at first he couldn't comprehend Elizabeth's low and unjust opinion of him. But later, when Darcy hears her words echoed by Colonel Fitzwilliam and his tenants, he realizes he must give Elizabeth's reproach credence. I took great pleasure in the journey through Darcy's transformation; it was interesting to witness him go from tortured despondency to anxious longing.

Another aspect I enjoyed about this retelling, was the plausible reasoning Ms. Kelley gives for Darcy's actions. She cleverly provides intuitive and illuminating explanations to all these questions:

- Why does Darcy go to Hertfordshire (especially when he has no desire to)?

- Why doesn't Darcy rectify Lady's Catherine mistaken assumption that he will one day offer for Anne?

- When does Darcy finally become aware of Caroline Bingley's ambitious intentions towards him?

While Ms. Kelley did illustrate the events and activities that took place when Darcy wasn't near Elizabeth, I sort of felt these sections of the novel were a little too brief and constricted. We all are curious to know what happens “offstage.” What did Darcy do in the four months after the Netherfield Ball? How did he spend his days after leaving Kent? Were there any other important people in his life besides Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the Bingleys? Outside of what we see and know from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, it appears Darcy does little else in this retelling. I would have liked for these periods of separation to be elongated and more developed. Twenty pages was not enough for a four month period. A couple of new characters or subplots would have been a great addition!

Overall, I was delighted with Nancy Kelley's debut novel! I took pleasure in her style of writing and appreciated her accurate renderings of Jane Austen's characters. In addition, I admired the meticulous attention she paid to the language, mores, and practices of Jane Austen's time. I would most definitely love to see more from Ms. Kelley!

Winner of the In the Past Imperfect Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:06:57 PDT

I'd like to thank Isabelle Solal for so kindly giving me the opportunity to read and review In the Past Imperfect! In addition, I'd like to express my gratitude for giving me the opportunity to host a giveaway! I love hosting giveaways for my readers!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to enter the giveaway!!! It was encouraging for Isabelle to see so many people interested in her novel! If you didn't win, I urge you to give this lovely book a try!

Without further ado... the randomly selected winner of In the Past Imperfect is...
D Rudy!!!!

When it is convenient, email me your address @ merry816[at]aol[dot]com!

Mr. Darcy's Letter - Abigail Reynolds

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:00:55 PST

What if Elizabeth BURNED Darcy's Letter Without Reading It?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Darcy knew it was a breach of propriety to write Elizabeth Bennet a letter, he knew it would damage her reputation if it was ever discovered, but he knew it was the only way to protect her from misplacing her trust in Wickham. And so he behaves improperly, perhaps even scandalously, to protect the woman he loves. But will Elizabeth appreciate his care and concern?

Not in this variation! In Mr. Darcy's Letter Elizabeth Bennet refuses to accept Darcy's letter from him in the grove. Even when it is redelivered to her by Charlotte, Elizabeth, once again, declines reading it and feeds it to the flames. Why does Elizabeth do this? To protect her reputation? To thwart Darcy's supposed plan of forcing her hand? Or to avoid hearing any more insults from that infuriating man...

And thus begins Abigail Reynold's newest installment in her stellar and greatly admired Pemberley Variation series. If you are unfamiliar with this phenomenal series, it contains seven novels and one novella anthology that explore the many paths Jane Austen didn't take in Pride and Prejudice. The premise of Elizabeth not accepting Darcy's letter is entirely new to this reader and I was very intrigued to see how this would affect the plot and characters. Would Elizabeth fall prey to Wickham's lies? How will Elizabeth react when she sees Darcy at Pemberley? Would Wickham still attempt to elope with Lydia? There are so many avenues one can go with this premise!

One element I loved about this novel was seeing such wholly diverse outcomes for Lydia, Wickham, Jane, and Mr. Bingley. I liked seeing the Lydia/Wickham storyline go in an entirely different and more advantageous direction. Moreover I thought it was interesting to see Jane and Bingley struggle with some conflicts and turbulence of their own! I applaud Ms. Reynolds for creatively augmenting and fleshing out these characters yet at the same time maintaining their true natures and personalities.

While I did enjoy the originative and singular plot twists Abigail Reynolds implemented in this variation, I found myself wishing she did a little more with them. Wickham didn't cause as nearly as much mischief as I expected him to and Elizabeth seemed to soften towards Darcy even without reading his letter. There was definitely some room for a bit more tension and drama!

Similar to other novels by this author Darcy and Elizabeth share an amorous and sensual love for each in this novel. While there aren't many intimate scenes, there is one that takes place before their wedding night. (Note: this is the only Mature Audience scene in this novel). I know oftentimes the characters dictate to the author what they want to do, but in this instance, I do wish Ms. Reynolds better reined in Darcy's and Elizabeth's libidos a little. (Which I'm sure it not an easy task!) To have them go from their second kiss to anticipating their vows in five days and one afternoon together seemed to show a little too much modern sensibility in my opinion.

Even though, I had one or two quibbles to comment on, my pleasure in this beautifully expressive tale about Darcy and Elizabeth was in no way impeded. As always, with any Abigail Reynold's novel, I am entranced by her absorbing and emotionally-fueled prose and impassioned depiction of Darcy and Elizabeth. I adore her writing! And I am beside myself with elation to see that there is another novel coming out soon; it looks like The Interrupted Proposal is scheduled to be released some time this year!

Novels by Abigail Reynolds reviewed on Austenesque Reviews:

From Lambton to Longbourn
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Last Man in the World
Mr. Darcy's Obsession
Mr. Darcy's Undoing
The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice
To Conquer Mr. Darcy
What Would Mr. Darcy Do?

My Progress in the Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:33:32 PST

Some of you may remember me posting about the Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoff 2012 Reading Challenge hosted by Shanna of Existing's Tricky last December. Many of you will agree that this is the perfect challenge for me to participate in - given my love for Austenesque literature and my love for organizing lists!!! I just wanted to let you know I'm adding a link to my sidebar that will show my progress in this yearlong reading challenge.

If you'd like to join us in the challenge, it's not too late! All you have to do is read a book from each of the eight sub-genres Shanna has selected and post your progress in the goodreads group.

Here are the eight sub-genres:

Variation

Sequel

Jane Austen as a Fictional Character

Paranormal

Modern Adaptation

Mystery

Supporting Characters

Books by Jane Austen

And here is my progress:

8 out of 21 books completed!

4 out 8 categories completed!

Variation

- To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too) by P. O. Dixon

- Mr. Darcy's Letter by Abigail Reynolds

- An Arranged Marriage by Jan Hahn

- Darcy on the Hudson by Mary Simonsen (coming soon)

- The Guardian by Robin Helm (hopefully this month!)

- Remembrance of the Past by Lory Lilian (coming soon)

- Captain Wentworth Home from the Sea by Mary Simonsen

Sequel

- Letters from Pemberley by Jane Dawkins (not sure when I will get to this one)

- More Letters from Pemberley by Jane Dawkins (not sure when I will get to this one)

Jane Austen as a Fictional Character

- Dear Jane Austen by Patrice Hannon

Paranormal

- Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight

Modern Adaptations

- Northanger Alibi by Jenni James

- Compuslively Mr. Darcy by Nina Benneton

- In the Past Imperfect by Isabelle Solal

- Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan (sometime soon)

- The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton (sometime soon)

Supporting Characters

- An Unlikely Missionay by Skylar Hamilton Burris (when I get the chance)

- Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe (perhaps in May?)

- A Match for Mary Bennet by Eucharista Ward (soon, I hope!)

- Deborah by Jane Gillespie (sometime in the near future)

Books by Jane Austen

- Pride and Prejudice: An Annotated Edition by Jane Austen and Patricia Meyer Spacks (hopefully before summer?)

In the Past Imperfect - Isabelle Solal + GIVEAWAY!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:24:39 PST

Thought-provoking and True

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

In her modern-day retelling of Persuasion, author Isabelle Solal takes readers on a sojourn from London, England to Paris, France, to a Mediterranean villa in the south of France, as her heroine, Alina Marin (Anne Elliot), strives to figure out how to fix her life. As a confident and intelligent attorney, Alina's career is everything. Nothing is more important than her success and her ambition to make partner at her firm. Even a great love affair cannot withstand her drive to succeed. But Alina's confidence and drive is severely shaken when one of her important clients just inexplicably discards her. Will she ever be able to make partner? Is the sacrifice of working eighty hours a week worth the lack of family and friendships? Is she making the right choices in her life? Is she happy?

Due to a nervous breakdown/panic attack Alina is granted a six-month leave of absence from work. Helping the despondent and lost Alina cope with her exhaustion, depression, and confusion is her work colleague, Rachel (Lady Russell) and her younger sister, Margot (Mary Musgrove). Yes, believe it or not, the Mary Musgrove character in this book does not suffer from imaginary complaints and is in fact a caring and devoted sister!

As Alina's life slowly begins to mend in the exquisite and picturesque country of France she runs into Will Fredericks, an adventurous independent field journalist whom she ended a love affair with seven years ago. An affair that was fervid, tumultuous, complex, and life-changing. With Will, Alina experienced true love. But in the end, Alina didn't have the perseverance to hold onto it. Does she regret this decision? Is this serendipitous meeting mean something significant?

What I loved most about this thought-provoking novel was how the author, through a series of flashbacks in reverse order, displayed all the major moments in Alina's and Will's past relationship. The story about Alina's self-discovery occurs in present day, but at the end of each chapter we travel back seven years and witness the history between Alina and Will. I thought this was extremely creative and skillfully executed. And having the flashbacks in reverse order was brilliant! I took great pleasure in all the flashbacks. It was a very realistic depiction of how two diverse people in love deal with the fact that they want different things out of life.

Another element I greatly enjoyed was finding all the subtle nods and allusions to Jane Austen's Persuasion. This isn't your typical modern-day Austen retelling. Not all of Jane Austen's characters are represented and many of plot events don't mirror the original. I like that the author did this, her novel isn't an exact carbon-copy of Persuasion which makes it all the more interesting.

However, I occasionally found myself to be unsympathetic towards Alina, and often wished she was a little more likable. Unlike Anne Elliot, Alina doesn't have a copious amount of good qualities; it seems she takes after Sir Walter a bit, as she is sometimes selfish, arrogant, and mean. I think I would have liked her better if she had just a few more redeeming qualities.

Readers should be prepared for an ambiguous ending à la Inception. The close of the story is very open-ended, realistically reminding the reader that not all stories end with everyone living happily ever after. Even though I am decidedly romantic, I appreciated this insightful and unique conclusion. Isabelle Solal's story of a modern-day woman's struggle to have it all is something many readers can understand and identify with. I took great pleasure in Ms. Solal's writing style and interpretation. She is most definitely an author to keep your eye on!

Note: Due to some slightly intimate scenes (very brief and mild), I would recommend this novel for Mature Audiences.

GIVEAWAY!!! Thanks to Isabelle Solal, I have one BRAND NEW copy of In the Past Imperfect to giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this review! (To save your inbox from unwanted spam, please don't leave your email address.) Just check back to see if you win! Fortunately for our interntational friends, this giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Isabelle!!

This contest ends March 10th. Thank you for entering and best of luck!

Winners of the Northanger Alibi Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:36:32 PDT

I'd like to thank Amy from Inkberry Press for so kindly giving me the opportunity to host a double giveaway of Jenni James's lovely book! I am loving her Austenesque Young Adult series!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to enter the giveaway!!! I highly urge you all to check out Jenni James's first two books of in this splendid series, if you have not done so already.

Without further ado... the randomly selected winners of Northanger Alibi are... Deb (US) and Raina (International)!!!

Ladies, when it is convenient, please email me your mailing address!

Compulsively Mr. Darcy - Nina Benneton

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:05:40 PST

Anxiety and Acceptance

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

We've seen Darcy as a judge and Elizabeth as an attorney (The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy), Darcy as a politician's son and Elizabeth as a marine biologist (Pemberley By the Sea), and both of these iconic and beloved characters as rock stars (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star); but this is the first time we have ever seen a modern-day Fitzwilliam Darcy that suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and a modern-day Elizabeth that is a volunteer infectious disease specialist in Vietnam! Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? In this absorbing and originative debut novel, author Nina Benneton brings the characters of Pride and Prejudice to two dimensions they have never been before: Southeast Asia and hospitals!

Readers will find this Darcy to be a bit less proud and haughty than normal, but because of his debilitating compulsive tendencies, his need to control his surroundings is heightened. And this modern-day Elizabeth may not have such an averse and prejudiced view of Darcy when she meets him, but just like her Regency counterpart, she makes quick snap judgments about him, which lead to some pretty hysterical misconceptions!

I just love modern-day Darcy and Elizabeth stories where they are so fiercely in love with each other! And this tale illustrates an intense and beautifully tender romance between our favorite hero and heroine. I was endeared by Darcy's insecurities about his neuroses and eccentric behavior. And I liked the ironic twist of him having a profound dislike and mistrust of doctors! In addition, I found Elizabeth's misapprehensions about Darcy to be hilarious – she actually assumes Darcy to be Bingley's life partner! And I appreciated the fact that she was still a virgin at twenty-eight – that's something you don't see a lot of nowadays. But what I loved most about this Elizabeth was her complete acceptance and unconditional love for Darcy. It truly was inspiring.

Similar to other modern-day retellings, Compulsively Mr. Darcy is very much a Darcy and Elizabeth story. Meaning the bulk of the novel is about Darcy and Elizabeth. But this novel has a fantastic cast of supporting characters that are refreshingly divergent and well-crafted. Instead of spouting sermons and practicing piano, Mary Bennet is a hardcore environmentalist and a genius with computers. And Lydia, although she is still impetuous and immature, she's a bit more sensible and less self-centered, which is a wonderful improvement! Moreover, Wickham, although he is a nefarious scoundrel, isn't the main villain of the story... he's just one of their minions!

Because many of the characters are altered and the story takes place during modern times, a lot of the famous scenes from Pride and Prejudice either don't take place or are cunningly transformed. There are so many well-written and deliciously romantic scenes that I have been compulsively rereading them! Some of my favorites include: Darcy's doctor appointment with Elizabeth, Elizabeth's admission of love to Darcy, their first night together, and the night before Caroline Bingley's wedding! Written with clever wit and bold ingenuity this modern-day retelling or Pride and Prejudice is sure to make readers sigh, swoon, laugh, and applaud! I highly recommend!

Note: Due to several intimate and romantic scenes in this novel, I'd recommend this book for Mature Audiences only.

Winner of the Lend Me Leave Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:08:00 PST

I'd like to extend a big thank you to Barbara Cornthwaite for so kindly sending me a copy of Lend Me Leave (George Knightley, Esquire; Book 2) to review and for giving me the very special opportunity to give away ONE NEW COPY of Lend Me Leave (George Knightley, Esquire; Book 2) to one of my readers! I absolutely ADORED this series and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Cornthwaite writes next, I am most definitely a big admirer of her work!!!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to read my review of Lend Me Leave (George Knightley, Esquire; Book 2). I always enjoy hearing your thoughts!

Without further ado... the randomly selected winner of Lend Me Leave (George Knightley, Esquire; Book 2) is ... Andrea from MN!!!

New winner chosen: Laura Hartness

Andrea, when it is convenient, please email me your address @ merry816[at]aol[dot]com so I can pass it on to Barbara!

Norhanger Alibi - Jenni James + GIVEAWAY!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:05:40 PST

Jane Austen Meets Stephanie Meyer!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

(Note: This review is coming from the perspective of someone who has not yet had the pleasure of reading or watching anything from the Twilight series.) - I know, how shocking, right?

In the second installment in her young adult series, The Jane Austen Diaries, author Jenni James takes up her pen and fashions a modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, infused with cellphones, malls, and vampires...

What sixteen year old girl doesn't want adventure and romance? Claire Hart, younger sister to Chloe (heroine of Pride and Popularity) and avid Twilight fan, is most anxious for her share of romance and adventures to begin. But alas, just like Catherine Morland there is no adventure or romance for Claire in her home town, so “she must seek them abroad.” Receiving an invitation to spend the summer in Seattle, Washington, Claire is beside herself with anticipation and excitement! There are two things Claire knows for certain: that vampires really do exist and that Seattle, Washington is the place to find them...

Just like with Pride and Popularity, my favorite aspect of this novel was spotting all the Northanger Abbey parallels. How ingenious of Jenni James to tie in the Twilight series with her retelling! A modern-day Catherine Morland would definitely be a Twi-hard, and just like Claire Hart, she would naively believe that Stephanie Meyer's fictional series could be real. I loved seeing Claire experience much of what Catherine does in Northanger Abbey: she gets abducted in a fast moving vehicle, valiantly defends her favorite literature, and is unceremoniously sent home.

As much as I adore Jenni James' writing and commend her for converging the world of Austen and vampires, I must admit to liking Pride and Popularity a bit more than Northanger Alibi. I found Claire likable and endearing, but the romance between her and Tony (Henry Tilney) sort of felt a little too teenage crush/high school romance for my taste. Whereas the romance between Chloe and Taylor (Pride and Popularity), although they were both high schoolers, felt more mature. But perhaps the main reason this novel and I didn't click as much is because I've never read the Twilight series, and therefore missed or could not appreciate many of the parallels and allusions to Twilight.

Although the balance between Meyer and Austen in this novel seems slightly tipped in the Twi-hards favor, I think Ms. James created an excellent catalyst to bring Twilight fans to the world of Austenesque! Just imagine, after enjoying Northanger Alibi, readers will probably be curious about Jane Austen and perhaps be inspired to read her novels! As for me, I am very excited for the next installment in Jenni James' entertaining and enthralling series, Persuaded, which is due out this summer!

GIVEAWAY!!! Thanks to Amy Orton and the lovely people at Inkberry Press, I have TWO BRAND NEW AUTOGRAPHED copies of Northanger Alibi to give away!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this review. (To save your inbox from unwanted spam, please don't leave your email address.) Just check back to see if you win! ONE copy is for a US winner and ONE copy is for an INTERNATIONAL winner. Thank you, Amy!

Want extra entries?

+1 for following Jenni James' Blog
+1 for liking Jenni's page on Facebook

(Please indicate in comment if you are eligible for extra entries!)

This contest will close February 28th. Good luck and thank you for entering!

Winners of the A Jane Austen Devotional Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:27:23 PST

I'd like to thank Babs and lovely people from Thomas Nelson for so kindly giving me the opportunity to host a giveaway of Steffany Woolsey's beautiful book! I am greatly enjoying this devotional!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to enter the giveaway!!! I'm glad to see many of you are as thrilled with this concept as I am!

Without further ado... the randomly selected winners of Steffany Woolsey's inspiring devotional are... Shannon Winslow and Candy M!!!

Ladies, when it is convenient, please email your address @ merry816[at]aol[dot]com!

Winner of the An Arranged Marriage Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:34:25 PST

I'd like to thank Jan Hahn and Michele Reed from Meryton Press for so kindly giving me the opportunity to host a giveaway of Jan's lovely book! How I adored An Arranged Marriage!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to enter the giveaway!!! I loved reading An Arranged Marriage and am so very happy to have had the opportunity to review it! I'm now greatly looking forward to reading Jan's newest novel, The Journey, which has just become available!

Without further ado... the winner of Jan Hahn's beautiful novel, An Arranged Marriage is... Beverly!!!

Beverly, when it is convenient, please email your address!

Lend Me Leave (George Knightley, Esquire; Book 2) - Barbara Cornthwaite + GIVEAWAY!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:37:00 PST

Go Team Knightley!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

(Note: Potential readers should be made aware that this is the second book in the George Knightley, Esquire series, and that it is necessary to read BOOK ONE prior to reading this one.)

Lend Me Leave, book two in Barbara Cornthwaite's sensational George Knightley, Esquire series, recommences with our hero, the admirable, benevolent, and sagacious Mr. Knightley, trying to stealthily and silently woo his darling Emma. Book One, Charity Envieth Not, ends with three Donwell bachelors suffering from love-sickness: Mr. Martin, who is still nursing a broken heart after Harriet's refusal; Mr. Spencer, Donwell's new curate, who bungled his first proposal to the compassionate widow, Mrs. Catherwood; and Mr. Knightley, who fears that all his hopes and desires in regards to Emma Woodhouse will never be realized because of that blasted Frank Churchill! Although this series is centered upon Mr. Knightley, readers will be able to witness how all three of these lovelorn and worthy bachelors fare in this installment.

What an all-encompassing, accomplished, and outstanding series! In her second book Barbara Cornthwaite dexterously and intuitively reveals all Mr. Knightley's thoughts and feelings throughout the major plot events of Emma. Readers are able to witness his anxiety over Emma's flirting with Frank Churchill, his absolute delight when Emma teases and smiles at him, his compulsion to rescue Harriet during the ball, and his determination to reproach Emma for her insult to Miss Bates. Mr. Knightley really is a most magnanimous and tender hero, and I utterly loved my time with him in this series!

One aspect I loved about this seres, was being able to see the many facets of Mr. Knightley's life. Trust me, he does so much more than lecture Emma and visit with Mr. Woodhouse! I took great pleasure in witnessing Mr. Knightley attend parish meetings, take care of his magistrate duties, visit with his friends Mr. Gilbert, Dr. Hughes, and Mr. Spencer, counsel some misguided youths, and investigate the crimes or problems within his parish. But my favorite scenes (besides those with Emma) are those where Mr. Knightley is responding to his brother's provoking correspondence or relating his woes to Madame Duval, his pure white cat. I loved and greatly appreciated that Ms. Cornthwaite gave such an in-depth and variegated portrayal of Mr. Knightley!

I absolutely adored this series by Barbara Cornthwaite! Besides being such an intelligently written and praiseworthy addition to the genre of Austenesque literature, George Knightley, Esquire is an absorbing and distinguished series that gives Mr. George Knightley the attention he so rightly deserves! Move over Darcy and Wentworth...

GIVEAWAY!!! The lovely Barbara Cornthwaite has just informed me she would like to giveaway ONE BRAND NEW copy of Lend Me Leave to give away to ONE lucky winner!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this review. (To save your inbox from unwanted spam, please don't leave your email address.) Just check back to see if you win! This giveaway is open to residents in the US and Canada!

This contest will end February 23rd! Thank you for entering and best of luck!

A Jane Austen Devotional - Steffany Woolsey + GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:28:45 PST

A Harmonious Meld of Scripture, Wise Counsel, and Jane Austen

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

(Note: Since I have not yet read every entry in this exquisite Jane Austen devotional, this can only be regarded a partial review. When I have read every entry, I will post a more thorough and detailed review).

OVERVIEW:

In this elegant hardcover canvas-bound tome, readers will find one hundred and four compiled devotions. Each devotion centers upon a theme, such as: love, friendship, family, or character; and includes a brief excerpt from a Jane Austen novel, a tie-in with Christianity, and a quote from Scripture to reflect upon. Each devotion is only two pages in length, making this devotional come to a little over two hundred pages in total. The excerpts come from all six of Jane Austen's major novels and are never more than a page in length. Included in this compilation are an Introduction, Table of Contents, and a brief biography of Jane Austen. But alas, no index!

MY READING EXPERIENCE:

My approach to this devotional was to treat it as a daily devotional and read only one entry per day. I didn't want to consume it all in big chunks; I preferred taking time to savor, reflect, and mediate on each entry for the span of a day (sometimes longer) before reading another. So as you may have guessed, this is why I have not finished it yet!

MY ASSESSMENT:

So far I have exceedingly enjoyed every entry in this compilation! Reading excerpts from Jane Austen's novels is an excellent way to start my day! I love how Steffany Woolsey so effortlessly and adeptly takes passages like Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston discussing Emma's relationship with Harriet or Elizabeth's humiliation at the Netherfield Ball and ties it in with scripture and Christian faith. The Christian connections Ms. Woolsey draws from these excerpts are inspiring, full of wise counsel, and illuminating. I love finding all these new and never-before-realized examples of good character and faith in Jane Austen's novels. In addition, I'm very happy with the amount of faith and spirituality in this book; Ms. Woolsey doesn't come on too strong, and her remarks aren't too preachy or sermon-like.

CONCLUSION:

I am greatly enjoying this delightful and inspiring devotional! I think admirers of Jane Austen who follow the Christian faith will find A Jane Austen Devotional to be an ingenious and beneficial source! I truly appreciate Steffany Woolsey's meticulous research and spiritual study to bring about this lovely treasure!

GIVEAWAY!!! Thanks to the kind of people at Thomas Nelson, I have TWO gorgeous BRAND NEW copies of A Jane Austen Devotional to giveaway!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this review. (To save inbox from unwanted spam, please don't leave your email address.) Just check back to see if you win! This giveaway is open to residents in the US and Canada. Thank you, Thomas Nelson!!

This contest will close February 15th. Good luck and thank you for entering!

An Arranged Marriage - Jan Hahn + GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:17:49 PST

An Arrangement She Cannot Refuse

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Diverging her path from Jane Austen's just days after Darcy's disastrous proposal at Hunsford Parsonage, debut author Jan Hahn delivers a riveting Pride and Prejudice variation that is full of conflict, deception, mystery, and romance. Similar to Mr. Darcy's Proposal by Susan Mason-Milks, Mr. Darcy's Obsession by Abigail Reynolds, and To Have His Cake by P. O. Dixon the characters of this novel are greatly impacted and affected by the death of Mr. Bennet. Because of Mr. Bennet's premature and unfortunate passing, the Bennets must leave Longbourn, move to smaller lodgings, and the eldest daughters must look for governess situations, unless Elizabeth accepts the aid and arrangements offered to her by Mr. Darcy...

As you may have guessed given the title of this Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth nobly sacrifices her happiness and romantic desires by unwillingly accepting the hand of Mr. Darcy, the man she emphatically refused to marry just six months before. Being the fiercely independent and slightly stubborn heroine we know and love, Elizabeth experiences quite an emotionally turbulent journey. Throughout the pages of this well-crafted variation we witness Elizabeth battle between her anguished grief, former prejudices, jealous suspicions, and her burgeoning feelings of love.

What I loved most about this splendid variation was that it was told solely from Elizabeth's point of view, and that the reader was able to observe all her feelings, thoughts, and emotions first hand. It seems that most retellings of Pride and Prejudice tend to focus on Darcy and allow readers to get inside his head; this alternative perspective was refreshing and illuminating. Readers are able to comprehend why Elizabeth is resentful and distrusting of Darcy when he doesn't confide in her, refuses to answer her questions, seems to have an uncommonly familiar relationship with her maid, and claims to have only married her because she would be a good influence and companion for Georgiana. Witnessing Elizabeth's struggles and sorrows, the reader cannot help but feel sympathetic and even more endeared to this beloved heroine.

Although the main focus of the novel is Elizabeth and Darcy, readers will be pleased to see that Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam receive a lot of page time and are given some interesting character development. The relationship between Georgiana and Elizabeth in this novel is especially sweet and charming. I took pleasure in seeing Georgiana confide her past dealings with Wickham, go to Elizabeth for advice about love, and divulge her deepest secrets.

Emotive, rich, and compelling – An Arranged Marriage by Jan Hahn is a Pride and Prejudice variation that deserves a place of pride on every Austenesque reader's shelf! Jan Hahn is a skilled storyteller and her understanding and admiration of Jane Austen's characters shines through on every page. I can hardly wait to read Jan Hahn's next novel, The Journey, which has now just become available!

GIVEAWAY!!! Thanks to Jan Hahn and the lovely people at Meryton Press I have ONE beautiful new copy of An Arranged Marriage to give away to ONE lucky winner!

This contest will end February 13th! Thank you for entering and best of luck!

This is my fifth completed item for the Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge hosted by Shanna @ Existings Tricky!

A Comprehensive List of Austenesque Author Websites and Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:25:58 PST

I haven't posted a review in the last few days because I started working on updating my lists for Austenesque author sites and blogs. I have been sorely behind in updating this list and soooooo many new authors have come onto the scene! Isn't it great how the Austenesque genre is growing!

I set out to revise and update my list on Friday, and I was finally able to finish it today! I now have a total of 130 authors on my master list! On my list I included any author that published one or more Austenesque novels. I didn't include the many biographies and nonfiction authors out there, because that would make this list too enormous!

In addition, I decided to separate author BLOGS from author WEBSITES. You can find the author blogs in a separate blogroll on the right labeled: Austenesque Authors You Should Follow and the author websites can be found in the tab at the top labeled: Austenesque Author Websites.

Part of the reason I started this project was so that readers of this blog can be made aware of these wonderful websites and blogs. Authors put so much time into creating and upkeeping their sites and blogs! But the other reason was so that I can be aware of these websites and blogs and had an easy way to access them. I love visiting author sites and blogs, learning about their lives, and hearing about their lastest novel! I've "met" so many lovely and kind people through these sites!

Another reason why I want to have lists like this? It greatly helps in my planning and organizing for Austenesque Extravaganza, which will be happening again this summer!

So, I welcome you to check out the 82 websites listed under the Austenesque Author Websites and 74 blogs in the Austenesque Authors You Should Follow Blogroll. Please let me know if I have missed anyone or have any information that is incorrect. I tried my best to be meticulous and thorough in this endeavor, but I'm sure I've missed some.

***Just to clarify, the authors listed in the Austenesque Author Websites tab are the authors who have WEBSITES, I did not link to blogs on this list, so if an author only has a blog they are included in the Austenesque Authors You Should Follow Blogroll, but not the Austenesque Author Websites.

List of Austenesque Author Websites

List of Austenesque Author Blogs (no link, just look for it in the right sidebar!)

Captain Wentworth Home from the Sea - Mary Simonsen

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:05:58 PST

What if Captain Wentworth Lost His Memory?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

In her delightful and engaging Persuasion variation, accomplished Austenesque author Mary Simonsen takes up her pen and asks: What if Captain Wentworth had no memory of his previous relationship and dealings with the Elliot family when he renewed his acquaintance with them in 1814? With Captain Wentworth's serious head injury during the Napoleonic Wars serve as her impetus, Ms. Simonsen steers the characters of Persuasion down an alternate and untraveled course; one that filled with less resentment, bitterness, and wounded pride than the original...

Since he has temporarily lost his memory, Captain Wentworth remembers neither his anger nor his love for Anne Elliot. But Anne does, she vividly recalls their falling in love, their blissful plans for the future, her breaking of his heart, and Frederick's bitter adieu. And now she is in the difficult position of having to conceal it all or else she will destroy the amicable friendship they have established.

Frederick finds himself drawn to Anne's kind nature, agreeable company, and steady character. And it seems he has started to think about his future... How long will Anne be able to keep up this charade? Is she risking her heart for a taste of happiness? Will Frederick forgive her?

I dearly loved reading this variation novella for Persuasion! Don't get me wrong, I adore Pride and Prejudice variations...but Jane Austen did write some other brilliant novels! My favorite aspect about this novella (and every novel I've read by Mary Simonsen) is her accurate renderings and illustrative augmentations of Jane Austen's characters. I adored Ms. Simonsen's depiction of Anne, she was so patient and compassionate, and I enjoyed seeing her tender nature with Frederick. In addition, Ms. Simonsen's Frederick had me bursting out with laughter with his bluntness and overly candid conversations! Not only was Captain Wentworth's memory effected by his injury, but it seems his social skills were too. Lastly, I was so elated to see Sophia Croft and Mrs. Jane Harville, two of the most sensible and admirable women in Persuasion, receive more attention and bigger parts in this plot!

My one quibble for this novella is that I wish there was a tad more resolution – truth be told, I would have loved fifty more pages! Nonetheless, I found Captain Wentworth Home from the Sea to be an originative, spirited, and well-crafted variation of Persuasion. I can only hope this is the first of many! Please, Ms. Simonsen, write some more!

Note: Due to some slightly intimate scenes (very brief and mild), I would recommend this novella for Mature Audiences.

This is my fourth completed item for the Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge hosted by Shanna @ Existings Tricky!

Novels by Mary Simonsen reviewed on Austenesque Reviews:

Winner of the Dear Jane Austen Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:13:21 PST

Thank you to all of my readers for making my running this blog so very rewarding! It gives me so much pleasure to share my love of Austenesque literature with you! Thank you for your readership, comments, and participation on this blog!

Without further ado... the randomly selected winner of Dear Jane Austen by Patrice Hannon is... Petite!

When it is convenient, please email your address!

Austentatious - Alyssa Goodnight

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:36:40 PST

Where Does One Buy a Magical Austenesque Journal?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

While some of us may make general life plans and long-term goals, our heroine Nicola James has taken planning her life to the extreme. Creating a “Life Plan” at the age of thirteen and strictly adhering to it for the rest of their life is not something most people are in the practice of doing. But because Nicola's dad made promises he never kept and plans he never followed through on, Nicola has decided that everything in her life must strictly coincide and adhere to her Life Plan. Which includes: getting a MBA, buying a home, being promoted to management, and finding a sensible, sturdy, like-minded man to marry.

But Nicola's Life Plan is put to the ultimate test when a magical journal and a sexy Scottish rocker come into the picture. Nicola must let her viselike grip on life loosen and embrace the magical, unpredictable, and weird that surrounds her...

I am in love with this quirky, offbeat, and enchanting novel! Never have I wished to be in a novel more! I want to be Nicola's best friend, meet Sean MacInnes in the flesh, and communicate with Jane Austen through a magical journal! (How fantastic would that be?) What I loved most about this novel was the incredibly well-drawn and likable characters (especially Nic and Sean!) In addition, I loved Alyssa Goodnight's clever channeling of Jane Austen's ironic wit, which in my opinion was spot on. I also took great pleasure in Ms. Goodnight's playful and relaxed tone, which at times felt very intimate. And I greatly appreciated all her awesome references to The Princess Bride, Lord of the Rings, and Seinfeld!

I must devote this next paragraph of my review to reflect on the über sexiness that is Sean MacInnes! Allow me to enumerate the reasons why he is sexy: he's got a Scottish accent, plays in a band, is roguishly handsome, exudes confidence and charm, but is also spontaneous, romantic, and sincere. It is impossible for you to read Austentatious and NOT develop a crush on Sean! Go Team MacInnes!

Magnetic, compelling, and comedic – Austentatious is a novel you should not miss! This romantic and magical adventure is sure to entertain and delight fans of Jane Austen and the Austenesque genre! And the great news is that there seems to be another novel in the works for Ms. Goodnight! YAY! I can't wait to see if the magical Austenesque journal will make another appearance!

Note: Due to some mild profanity and allusions to intimate scenes (nothing happens on stage), I'd recommend this novel for PG-13 audiences.

This is my third completed item for the Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge hosted by Shanna @ Existings Tricky!

Austenesque Novel Finds #11

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:58:10 PST

Northanger Alibi (Jane Austen Diaries)

Author - Jenni James
Type of Austenesque Novel - Modern Adaptation, Young Adult
Release Date - February 3rd, 2012
Pages - 243
Available in - Paperback
Available at - amazon.com

from goodreads.com:
This modern Gothic remake of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, and nod to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series, will leave you in stitches--literally.

Seattle Washington, and the Russo family, are no match for Claire Hart and her savvy knowledge of all things vampire related. Thanks to her obsession with the Twilight series--if there is anyone who would know a vampire when she saw one, it's Claire. And she's positive totally hot Tony Russo is a vampire, she just has to prove it! Follow Claire's hilarious journey on her first summer adventure away from home, where she learns everything isn't what it seems, and in some instances, reality is way better than anything she'd ever find in a book.

MY THOUGHTS:

LOVED LOVED LOVED the first book in this series!
It looks like Jenni James is planning a SIX book Young Adult series! I love it when authors write a book for each of Jane Austen's novels!
Confession: I've never read the books or seen the movies from the Twilight series. I hope that won't be a drawback for my enjoyment of this novel...
I think this would be a fun adventure! Claire sounds just like Catherine!
Gothic novels are awesome!

What are your thoughts?

Previous Posts:
Austenesque Novel Finds #10 - Midnight in Austenland
Austenesque Novel Finds #9 - Definitely Not Mr. Darcy
Austenesque Novel Finds #8 - A Modern Day Persuasion
Austenesque Novel Finds #7 - The Dashwood Sisters Tell All
Austenesque Novel Finds #6 - Wickham's Diary

Dear Jane Austen - Patrice Hannon + (GIVEAWAY!!!)

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:21:14 PST

Jane Austen Meets “Dear Abby”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

In the course of your daily life, have you ever stopped and wondered “What Would Jane Do?” When dealing with difficult decisions or in need of some advice, do you ever find yourself wishing you could ask Jane Austen? We all know Jane Austen is intelligent, moral, and observant, and we know that she often dispensed wise counsel and advice to her brothers and nieces, but is she able to help us modern-day heroines who live in the twenty-first century?

Of course she is! Jane Austen is timeless and in this instructive guide/epistolary novel modern-day readers can see how her advice and sensible counsel is always relevant to heroines no matter what era they come from!

Written in a “Dear Abby” format, Patrice Hannon creates a novel where Jane Austen (writing from her home in Chawton Cottage in 1816) can some how exchange correspondence with readers in the twenty-first century. There are ten chapters in this novel, each with its own theme (i.e. family, friends, heroes, sex, marriage, money). In each chapter there are between one and five different exchanges of correspondence.

I thought this book was just terrific! The heroine's have problems such as: fair weather friends, dysfunctional families, being attracted to bad boys, feeling their looks were too plain, and of course wondering if they've found the right mate. Issues with which many readers can relate to and understand. I loved Jane Austen's wise advice, it wasn't antiquated or irrelevant. Patrice Hannon did a remarkable job of blending Jane Austen's acerbic wit with instructive counsel. Making Jane Austen's responses not only helpful but entertaining as well.

My favorite aspect of this novel was Patrice Hannon's meticulous and perceptive analysis of Jane Austen's characters. When responding to her “would-be heroines” Jane often referred to her own novels and cited examples of her own characters. Comparing their situations and dilemmas to those of Anne Elliot, Elinor Dashwood, and Fanny Price; and advising them to not follow the ways of Maria Bertram, Lydia Bennet, and Isabella Thorpe. Seeing the numerous examples to be garnered from Jane Austen's novels, the reader cannot help but see how they really are the most perfect and sagacious guide for conduct and character!

Want to know how to be a happy heroine? Just follow the acknowledged truths that are peppered throughout this tome. Here are some of my favorites:

“A heroine has pride despite her imperfections.”

“A heroine founds expectations on facts and common sense, not fantasy and wishful thinking.”

“A heroine's beauty is more a matter of her character and manner than her physical features.”

“A heroine does not judge the motives of others by the effects of their actions upon herself.”

Written with ingenuity and humor this heroine's guide is sure to entertain and enlighten many readers, whether they are in need of some wise counsel or looking for a perceptive study of Jane Austen's characters! I highly recommend!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

I'm so grateful and appreciative of everyone who reads, comments, and contributes to this blog! Thank you so much for all your support and for making my running of this blog such an IMMENSE pleasure!!

To show my appreciation I'd like to give away a BRAND NEW copy of Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love by Patrice Hannon to ONE lucky reader!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this review. (To save your inbox from unwanted spam, please don't leave your email address.) Just check back to see if you win! Because I'm so grateful of my international readers, this giveaway is open worldwide!

This contest ends January 22nd! Thank you for entering and best of luck!

This is my second completed item for the Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge hosted by Shanna @ Existings Tricky!

Winners of the To Have His Cake Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:35:36 PST

I'd like to extend a big thank you to P. O. Dixon for so kindly sending me a copy of To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too) to review and for giving me the very special opportunity to give away TWO ebooks of To Have His Cake!! I greatly enjoyed this Pride and Prejudice variation and I am so glad I finally go to read it! (It has been on my wishlist for a long time!)

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to read my review of To Have His Cake, I was very pleased to hear that those of you who read it thought highly of it too!

Without further ado... the randomly selected winners of To Have His Cake are... Marta and Rainakochan!!!!

Ladies, when it is convenient, please email me your email address so I can pass it on to P. O. Dixon!

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy - Victoria Connelly

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:06:45 PST

Sojourning in Jane Austen's Lyme

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

In the second Austen-inspired novel of her trilogy about Jane Austen addicts, Victoria Connelly once again transports readers to a Jane Austen location that is on every Janeites' list of places visit. Lyme Regis, a seaside village known for its fossils, Cobb, and Louisa Musgrove's fictional fall, is the ideal setting for this novel about fresh starts and broken hearts. It is also the location of a new big screen production of Persuasion. It seems the quiet village of Lyme Regis is being invaded by actors, actresses, directors, and producers, as well as romance, excitement, and action...

Similar to A Weekend With Mr. Darcy, Ms. Connelly creates a dual plot story where the point-of-view shifts between each of the three main characters. This time though, it felt like a lot more page time and emphasis was place on one couple than the other. The three main characters are: Kay, our resident Jane Austen addict who is the proud new owner of a charming bed and breakfast appropriately dubbed Wentworth House; Adam, a quiet and unassuming screenwriter whose dream of producing Persuasion is finally becoming a reality; and Gemma, a talented but reluctant actress living in the shadow of her famous mother.

While I greatly enjoyed reading about these characters, their trials, and their developments, I must admit to feeling slightly disappointed with Kay. I didn't mind her being a head-in-the-clouds-romantic (I am too), but I just felt she was a tad slow on the uptake. Talk about being blind! I did sympathize with her misguided notions and dashed hopes, but she had several pretty big red flags that she chose to ignore... Another small quibble I had with this novel was that the romance felt a little rushed. It seemed like some characters were falling in love after two mere conversations. In this case, it's not just the lady's imagination that was very rapid...

However, what I deeply loved about this book and its predecessor was the thrilling and tangible feel of physically being in each Austenesque location! Through her skillful writing, Victoria Connelly adroitly and effortlessly enables her readers to taste the tangy salt air, feel the spray and brisk wind, visualize the charming boutiques and village shops, and lose myself in the ever-changing colors of the sea. Because of Ms. Connelly's exceptionally vivid descriptions I feel like I've actually been to Lyme Regis!

Other aspects of this book that I took great pleasure include: the gentle nods to characters and incidents in Persuasion and Emma; learning about Kay's artistic pursuits, (I want a copy of The Illustrated Darcy!); and Nana Craig, who is Adam's outspoken, eccentric, and adorable grandmother. She is a dear!

Written with exquisite detail and engaging plot twists this series is a MUST for any Janeite who loves to read and longs to travel! So far this series has taken us to Hampshire and Lyme Regis, and I believe the last book in this marvelous trilogy, Mr. Darcy Forever (April 2012), will take us to Bath! I can hardly wait!

Austenesque Novel Finds #10

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:53:28 PST

Midnight in Austenland

Author - Shannon Hale
Type of Austenesque Novel - Austen-Inspired, Mystery, Contemporary Fiction
Release Date - January 31st, 2012
Pages - 288
Available in - Hardcover
Available at - amazon.com and bn.com

from goodreads.com
When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world. How could it not turn out right in the end?

MY THOUGHTS:

I loved the first book in this series, Austenland when I read it three years ago!
Sounds like there is a good deal of mystery and intrigue!
A brooding Mr. Mallery? I love broody men!
I want to find out what this "romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world" is! Sounds steamy!
The cover is stunning!

What are your thoughts?

Previous Posts:
Austenesque Novel Finds #9 - Definitely Not Mr. Darcy
Austenesque Novel Finds #8 - A Modern Day Persuasion
Austenesque Novel Finds #7 - The Dashwood Sisters Tell All
Austenesque Novel Finds #6 - Wickham's Diary
Austenesque Novel Finds #5 - There Must Be Murder

To Have His Cake - P. O. Dixon + GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:14:54 PST

What If Elizabeth was a Paid Companion?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

What if Elizabeth never met Darcy in Kent? What if Lydia ran off with Wickham soon after the Netherfield Ball? What if, in a horrific series of events, Lydia, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Wickham all came to a harrowing and untimely demise?

In this unique and absorbing Pride and Prejudice variation, readers witness the great misfortune and social decline of the Bennet family. Mrs. Bennet's greatest fears are realized as she is forced to remove from Longbourn a mere month after the death of her husband and daughter. In addition, Jane and Elizabeth have no other alternative but to find posts as governesses. Jane accepts a post in Scotland, but Elizabeth has yet to find a suitable situation. Until Mr. Darcy comes along...

Upon hearing of the Bennets' fall from society and status, Mr. Darcy, feeling immense guilt for not exposing Wickham's true depravity, strives to find a way to protect and assist Elizabeth Bennet in her plight. While he is desperately in love with Elizabeth, Darcy vows that he could never marry her because of his duty to his family and Pemberley. And so, indulging in his selfish desire “to have his cake, and eat it too,” Darcy engages Elizabeth as Georgiana's companion. Sharing with her his home, his life, and his heart – but not his bed.

Similar to Kara Louise's Only Mr. Darcy Will Do and Abigail Reynolds' Mr. Darcy's Obsession, author P. O. Dixon explores the possibility of Elizabeth being in a diminished living situation when she re-encounters Mr. Darcy. I love these types of variations because Elizabeth is even more beneath Darcy's social status than before! It really does test his love for her! I enjoyed witnessing how Darcy and Elizabeth developed an amicable, albeit atypical, friendship with each other. But what I really loved was seeing their electrically charged disputes and disagreements! So much tension! So much restrained emotions!

One aspect I took great pleasure in was the development of Darcy's character. Since there was no proposal and rejection in Hunsford, Darcy has yet to transform. He is even more insufferably proud and controlling! As you can imagine, this doesn't sit well with Elizabeth. I loved witnessing Darcy's journey through confusion, aggravation, acceptance, dejection, and finally resolve.

I admit I was slightly disappointed that poor Bingley and Jane's fates weren't as happy and fortunate as Lizzy and Darcy's. But I guess everyone can't be gifted a happily ever after! Regardless, I found To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too) to be an imaginative, emotional, and exhilarating variation of Pride and Prejudice. And it looks like there is more in store! Dixon's next novel, What He Would Not Do is a sequel to this one!

NOTE: Readers who wish to avoid intimate scenes and descriptions should be advised of the inclusion of several passionate and amorous scenes in the last fifty pages of this novel. In addition, in this variation Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam are more rakish and frequent an establishment called Madame Adele's.

GIVEAWAY!!! P. O. Dixon has kindly offered to TWO digital copies of To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too) for me to give away to TWO lucky winners!

This contest will end January 12! Thank you for entering and best of luck!

This is my first completed item for the Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge hosted by Shanna @ Existings Tricky!

A Comprehensive Guide to Austenesque Novels - Pride and Prejudice (Part 6)

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:05:14 PST

Now that 2011 has officially come to a close, I think it is time to post the comprehensive list for Pride and Prejudice novels published in the year 2011. As you will be able to see, the list is long! Just look at the growing trend of the last 4 years!

2008 - 28 Pride and Prejudice novels published

2009 - 38 Pride and Prejudice novels published

2010 - 51 Pride and Prejudice novels published

2011 - 59 Pride and Prejudice novels published

I'm so pleased by the growing trend and hope the genre of Austenesque literature continues to flourish! I can hardly wait to see what 2012 has in store!

Some of these novels may be new to you, when researching this list I found a bunch that I didn't know about! Please let me know if I am missing any novels from my list. Some of the most popular Austenesque authors had quite a prolific year in 2011! Abigail Reynolds published 4 Pride and Prejudice related works and Mary Simonsen published 8 Pride and Prejudice related works this year! Isn't that amazing?!?

*The titles that have highlighted links are the ones I have read and reviewed on this blog.

Austenesque Novels for Pride and Prejudice (Part 6)

2011

- Mr. Darcy's Proposal by Susan Mason-Milks V

Key:

V - Variation

MA - Mature Audience

S - Sequel

N - Novella

AU - Alternate Universe

SS - Short Story

RP - Retelling/Point-of-View

P - Paranormal

TT - Time Travel

PR - Prequel

YA - Young Adult

M - Modern Adaptation

MY - Mystery

Which novels have you read in 2011?

Any recommendations?

Any on your TBR list?