Winner of Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy Giveaway #2!

Barbara Tiller Cole, (author of  Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy novel) and I (Jeane) are very pleased to announced another winner of her F.E. Darcy book giveaway #2.

A very special thank you to (once again) for generously offering another giveaway here of her recent released novel, Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy to another random lucky winner (scroll down below or click Continue Reading » to find out who the winner is!!) and reader of this blog.

Also, thanks to all the readers here and all participants/entrants who had read and commented on my Book Review: Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy (+ a Giveaway!). Thank you so much. Wishing you all a Happy Holidays and a wonderful Christmas break!

Now, without further ado, the the random lucky winner #2 of Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy is...

Congratulations SONIA!

An email has been sent to you...so please Contact Me asap with your mailing address to claim your prize. Thanks. :-)

Book Review: Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy (+ a Giveaway!)

I've recently read Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy by Barbara Tiller Cole and I am posting my book review here.

But first, I would like to say that the lovely and amazingly generous Barbara Cole Tiller herself has offered another book giveaway here of her novel, which we previously had a giveaway here and picked the lucky Winner of Fitzwilliam Ebanezer Darcy book Giveaway!. If you didn't get to win last time, you have another chance to winning this one (like Mr. Darcy had his second chance of winning his one and only true love and soul mate Miss Elizabeth Bennet in the novel). Read more below for more giveaway details...

Synopsis

A Jane Austen/Charles Dickens crossoverstory, Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy takesthe best of both classics and spins them into a delightful Holiday treat! F.E.Darcy has fallen into pitiful self-loathing and sorrowful angst-ridden despair;all of this due to his belief that he has lost forever the chance to marry theonly woman he has ever loved—Elizabeth Bennet. Seeing her son in such a state,the Ghost of Anne Darcy reaches out to him; informing him that three ghostswould visit him and give him hope. Will these Spirits provide him with thecourage to try again to win the esteem of his one true soul mate?

I really loved and enjoyed reading FE Darcy and must say that I had read this book in less than a day (and will be re-reading it more this holiday season!). It was a quick read, all because it was a short story and less than 150 pages. I would've loved for it to be longer, but it was a good length for this particular story as it was a delight and fun to read at the same time, which makes you wish it was longer... Barbara Tiller Cole did a great job writing this novel combining her two favorite authors Jane Austen and Charles Dickens into a wonderful crossover story of her own, which Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy, as the book description says, takes the best of both classics and spins them into a delightful holiday treat. A delightful holiday treat, indeed! A brilliant idea to combine Austen and Dickens' classics into one great book.

I even read this and was listening to one of  my all-time favorite Christmas CDs (Mariah Carey's classic 1994 Merry Christmas album) to get into the story and the Christmas spirit. All I want for Christmas Is You is a perfect Christmas song for Darcy & Elizabeth especially when you listen to this song and read this book at the same time. Another great combo!

Though I felt very sad for Mr. Fitzwillam Darcy as he was miserable (and depressed...so not into Darcy being angsty...) for most of the story in this book, but it was necessary for this type of story. Also, it was nice to read his journey into winning back the love of his life, Elizabeth Bennet. I laughed and smiled at some of the funny and happy moments like when the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future visited him to help and give him hope of redeeming himself to Elizabeth, to win her back, and for him to finally be happy for himself as well as to have the happiness he deserves with the only woman he truly ever loved (the very lucky aforementioned woman, the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet) as he longed to be reunited with her and to be with her always. William Darcy's (as he liked to be called in the book) life for sure, wouldn't have been complete without his Elizabeth and so does she. These two are truly soul mates and a perfect match as Austen wrote it on her original Pride and Prejudice novel. I love that even when Darcy was miserable, so was she as they really loved and cared for each other despite their misunderstandings and slow road to admitting and showing their true feelings and love for each other and just get on and be together already. But it was all worth it at the end when they finally get together for a truly deserving love and happiness as I was rooting for both of them, all the way, to be reunited and be Mr. & Mrs. Darcy that they were destined to be.

I just love reading all about my favorite P&P characters especially Elizabeth & Darcy, be it in the original P&P novel or its prequels, sequels, variations, and this crossover one, which I've never read written in this way before until now. I'm very glad I did read this one as It was different than other sequels and variations I've read previously (which they were all great too) and this one is a must-read for this holiday season...just in time for Christmas too.

Overall, Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy was a great book! Quite a page turner too and a fast-paced read with an interesting twist. I was hooked from the prologue to the epilogue. Wish it was longer, but other than that, It was a lot of fun to read. I highly recommend you check this book out and read it this holiday season.

Book Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)!

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Giveaway of Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy

Comment (with your name and valid email address) here about your favorite Pride and Prejudice prequels, sequels, variations you've read or tell us your favorite P&P adaptation along with your favorite Darcy actor below for achance to WIN a signed copy of Barbara Tiller Cole’s newest book, Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy by midnight on Sunday ET, December 18, 2011. One lucky Winner will be drawn atrandom and announced on Tuesday, December 20th, 2011.Open to ALL participants/entrants worldwide! Good luck to all! 

 

Barbara Tiller Cole, an Atlanta native and thewriter of the popular book White Liesand Other Half Truths, presents this family friendly classic—a delightfulcombination of the best of her two favorite authors, Jane Austen and CharlesDickens. Barbara credits her parents with fostering a love for both of theseauthors. Each Christmas, Barbara’s father would sit and read Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol to the family. Hermother consistently challenged her to improve her mind by extensive reading,Jane Austen style. This book is dedicated to the memory of Cliff and Jeanne andthe season they loved the best.

THE AUTHOR’S BLOG:

An Austen Adventure

Facebook Author Fan Page:

Barbara Tiller Cole

Barbara Tiller Cole’s Amazon Author Page:

Visit Amazon's Barbara Tiller Cole Page

(FEDarcy book cover courtesy of Barbara Tiller Cole)

Elizabeth Darcy and Black Friday Sales by Barbara Tiller Cole (+ Win a giveaway!)

Friday begins the shopping rush for the upcoming HolidaySeason. While I am not a huge fan of Dayafter Thanksgiving sales (now called Black Friday since 2005), I know many ofmy friends anticipate them all year long. While contemplating that today I wasquite shocked and extremely excited when Elizabeth Darcy, from my story Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy, stopped by to talk with me. I will not question how she managed to transport herself to my humbleabode (after all I wrote a story about ghostly visitations), but she did wantto speak to me about this particular Holidaycustom.  I recorded our conversation andwill transcribe it for your entertainment.

EDarcy:  Miss Cole, orshould I say Lady Cole? 

BTCole:  Ms. Cole, butI would be happy if you would wish to call me Barbara, Mrs. Darcy.

EDarcy:  I would behonored, Barbara.  Please call me,Elizabeth.

BTCole:  Thank you, Elizabeth.I understand you have some questions to ask me about the twenty-first century Holidaycustom of Black Friday?

EDarcy:  I do.  First of all, I cannot understand all thesigns I see about Black Friday?  Is aplague coming?  Has someone veryimportant in your world died?  Are youall to be in mourning and wear black clothes on Friday?  I just cannot determine the meaning. Mostpeculiar of all is something will be sold on that day? Is it some type ofarmband or mourning jewelry?

BTCole:  No,Elizabeth.  Black Friday refers to thecustom of deeply discounting merchandise for sale on the day afterThanksgiving.  It is called ‘Black’because most stores open in the middle of the night for these sales to begin,while it is still black outside. For many businesses it is from this point onthat they are making profit during the year, or being ‘in the black’. ‘In theblack’ means they are on the profit side of the profit and loss statement fortheir business.

EDarcy:  Thank you,Barbara.  I have heard of this holidaycalled Thanksgiving, but do not know much about it.  Can you tell me more?

BTCole:  In the UnitedStated, the Thanksgiving holiday originated in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 as a celebration of asuccessful harvest after arriving in the colonies.

EDarcy:  Fitzwilliamand I have studied some of the history of the formation of the colonies andtheir uprising against the British.  Sothis is not an event to celebrate freedom from their native homeland?

BTCole:  No, it isnot.  And even if you understand thehistory, over the years, it has just become a time when family and friends gettogether for a good meal and talk about their gratitude for the year. 

EDarcy:  The historyof the event was about a successful harvest you said?  It sounds similar to our harvestcelebration.  I assume you clear thetables after dinner and dance a jig, or a similar dance?

BTCole:  I am surethere are some families that might dance after the meal, but my family mostlyrelaxes on the couch and either takes a nap or watches football games.

EDarcy:  Footballgames?

BTCole:  Believe me,you are much better off not knowing about them. Many a modern woman becomes afootball widow during the Bowl game season.

EDarcy:  BowlGames?  I am quite a proficient at lawnbowling!  Fitzwilliam and I love to playwith our children.

BTCole:  No,Elizabeth.  It is not like lawn bowling.I am not sure I can explain it appropriately. It is nothing like games in the Regency period.  Believe me, you are much better off notknowing about it.  Let us just leave itthat the men folk go off and watch these sporting events—perhaps not unlikethey disappeared into the billiard room or the smoking room after dinner inyour time.

EDarcy:  My dear Darcytaught me how to play billiards.  Heparticularly enjoys getting behind me and helping me handle the long pole tomanipulate the balls into a pocket.  Sothis football is like that? 

BTCole:  Oh dear!  I am not explaining this well.  Perhaps I can show you a game on TV.

EDarcy:  What is a TV?

BTCole:  This is alsoa bit difficult to explain.  I will callit an electronic box that shows sports, and plays and news.  It is almost as good as being inattendance.  Instead of going to theopera or the theatre, you can watch the events on this device.

EDarcy:  It soundsquite fascinating.  Perhaps I will havean opportunity to watch one of these electronic boxes while I am here in yourcentury.  I still find I need tounderstand more about the purpose of Black Friday.  It is about buying things?

BTCole:  It is aboutpurchasing deeply discounted merchandise for sale on that one day.

EDarcy:  I am tryingto understand this.  Would it be similarto my going to the modiste shop the day after Thanksgiving and receiving adiscount on the things I ordered?

BTCole:  That isprobably the closest to what transpires in our century, but few people purchasetheir clothes made to order in this century. We go to stores and purchase them ready-made.  They come in a wide variety of sizes. 

EDarcy: You mean all the classes shop in these stores? Arethere not shops that specialize in catering to the upper classes?

BTCole:  There arespecial designer shops, that is true, but even in those stores they havesales.  Most people purchase items offthe rack.

EDarcy:  Off the rack,you say.  I think that Fitzwilliam likesmy rack. (she giggled)

BTCole:  Mrs.Darcy!  I am happy to see a bit of yourimpertience showing through. I am sure Mr. Darcy appreciates all of you, butthis kind of rack is actually a long stand that holds the items, and those thatare shopping can look through the items as they hang.  It works in a similar way to the rod in yourwardrobe closet.  At least I am assumingI am correct in that conclusion.

EDarcy:  I certainlyhave rods in my closet. But there are none in my good friend Mrs. Collins’closet.   Mr. Collins insisted in puttingshelves in the closets as Lady Catherine declared it the most efficient use ofthe space.  And as we all know, she isnever wrong. (she laughed)

BTCole:  (laughing)How are you and your ‘aunt’ getting along these days?

EDarcy:  I am quitehappy to report that with the intervention of Fitzwilliam’s ghosts, she isquickly becoming a very dear friend.  Itmay sound impossible, but I am very happy to report that it is indeedtrue.  Thank you, dear author, forsuggesting that as a possibility in your story. Perhaps I can tell you more about it and you will write about it in thefuture!

BTCole:  I would behappy to learn more about how the ghosts intervened into Lady Catherine’slife.  I could write about that for nextholiday season.  Would you like toaccompany me to the Black Friday sales this coming Friday, Elizabeth?

EDarcy:  While Icannot promise I will be allowed to return, I would love the opportunity to doso!  I hope to see you soon!

BTCole:  Thanks again Elizabeth,for coming and visiting with me today.

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Giveaway of Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy

Comment (with your name and valid email address) below for achance to WIN a signed copy of Barbara Tiller Cole’s newest book, Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy by midnight on Friday ET, December 2nd, 2011. One lucky Winner will be drawn atrandom and announced on Monday, December 5th, 2011.Open to ALL participants/entrants worldwide! Good luck to all! 

The contest is now closed and a winner has been selected here. 

 

BOOK AND AUTHOR BLURB:

A Jane Austen/Charles Dickens crossoverstory, Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy takesthe best of both classics and spins them into a delightful Holiday treat! F.E.Darcy has fallen into pitiful self-loathing and sorrowful angst-ridden despair;all of this due to his belief that he has lost forever the chance to marry theonly woman he has ever loved—Elizabeth Bennet. Seeing her son in such a state,the Ghost of Anne Darcy reaches out to him; informing him that three ghostswould visit him and give him hope. Will these Spirits provide him with thecourage to try again to win the esteem of his one true soul mate?  Barbara Tiller Cole, an Atlanta native and thewriter of the popular book White Liesand Other Half Truths, presents this family friendly classic—a delightfulcombination of the best of her two favorite authors, Jane Austen and CharlesDickens. Barbara credits her parents with fostering a love for both of theseauthors. Each Christmas, Barbara’s father would sit and read Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol to the family. Hermother consistently challenged her to improve her mind by extensive reading,Jane Austen style. This book is dedicated to the memory of Cliff and Jeanne andthe season they loved the best.

THE AUTHOR’S BLOG:

An Austen Adventure

Facebook Author Fan Page:

Barbara Tiller Cole

Barbara Tiller Cole’s Amazon Author Page:

Visit Amazon's Barbara Tiller Cole Page

(FEDarcy book cover and Barbara Tiller Cole photo courtesy of Barbara Tiller Cole)

In Bookstores today: Miss Darcy Falls In Love

Today is the release day of best-selling author of The Darcy Saga series, Sharon Lathan's standalone novel titled Miss Darcy Falls In Love, a Georgiana Darcy (Mr. Darcy's younger sister) novel. It's available now in bookstores and online retailers around the country. So, go get your copy!

Congrats to the Winner of Miss Darcy Falls in Love Giveaway!  
 
Sharon's previous released novel, The Trouble With Mr. Darcy (volume 5) from The Darcy Saga series is available in bookstores and online retailers around the country as well.

Read more info about Miss Darcy Falls in Love including a synopsis below...

Miss Darcy Falls in Love synopsis

While touring Europe and post-Napoleonic France, Miss Georgiana Darcy discovers her deepest passion: composing and playing music. In Paris she meets two men who augment her passion in differing but profound ways. Mr. Sebastian Butler, the Viscount Nell and future Earl of Essenton, is a brilliant composer finishing his Grand Tour before studying at the prestigious Conservatoire of Music in Paris. Baron Caxton is an accomplished violinist teaching at the Conservatoire. Both men fire her soul, spark her sensuality, and fan the flames of her musical inspiration. Yet only one holds the key to her happiness and is her true soul mate. Amid the backdrop of Paris in this tumultuous time in history, Georgiana must learn to direct her destiny and fully understand her heart.

Read a Miss Darcy Falls in Love excerpt!

Sharon Lathan's Darcy Saga series (in order)

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy
Loving Mr. Darcy
My Dearest Mr. Darcy
In The Arms of Mr. Darcy
The Trouble With Mr. Darcy

Also, from Sharon...
A Darcy Christmas (with Amanda Grange and Carolyn Eberhart)

For more news info and frequent updates on The Darcy Saga series, be sure to visit Sharon Lathan's website and Blog. You can follow her on twitter  too: SharonLathan. Plus, check out Sharon blogging over at Austen Authors with many of her fellow Austen inspired authors!

Pride and Prejudice’s Indelible Influence by Laurel Ann Nattress (with a Book Giveaway!)

Hi Jeane, thanks again for hosting me during my Grand Tour of the blogosphere incelebration of the release of my new Austen-inspired anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It. The bookpremiered last week and I could not be more pleased by the reception itreceived during its launch party at the Sundance Square Barnes & Nobleduring the 2011 Jane Austen Society of North America’s conference in Ft. Worth,TX.

Jane Austen’s second published novel, Pride and Prejudice, is by far her most well-known and popularworks. In fact, it continually pops into the top five “favorite books of alltime” lists, and Mr. Darcy is equally acclaimed as the most romantic man in allfiction. There are hundreds of Mr. Darcy does “this and that” sequels andretellings in print, and many movie adaptations gracing the screen andtelevision of our cherished P&P.Websites and blogs also herald its charms. Here I am at one of them today!

With all this adoration and praise thrown at its feet, it isno surprise that there are seven Prideand Prejudice-inspired stories in my new anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It. I am very happy to offer this preview ofthem with you today:

“The Riding Habit,”by Pamela Aidan

It is April 1814, almost sixteen months since the wedding ofElizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, and the happily married couple is inLondon for the Season. The months have been full for Elizabeth, but since removingto Town, she has discovered that the blunt words of Lady Catherine held moretruth than she knew. Negotiating Society is complicated, and it promises tobecome more so as she prepares for Georgiana’s coming out ball. Why, then, musther beloved Fitzwilliam insist she learn to ride a horse now before the eyes ofthem all?

“Mr. Bennet Meets His Match,” by Amanda GrangeOn his daughters’ wedding day, Mr. John Bennet’s mind drifts back to theevents of twenty-three years before, and the events leading to his own marriage. . .  Encouraged by his parents to marry sooner rather than later andthereby provide a new generation of Bennet heirs for the estate, John laughedat their hurry. However, a meeting with his Cousin Collins, who was next inline for the entail, and an unfortunate accident, made him reconsider hisposition, and the proximity of the lively, pretty Miss Jane Gardiner sealed hisfate.

“Faux Jane,” by F. J. Meier (Frank Delaney & Diane Meier)
A rich young American actress anxious to marry an English Lord buys a“signed first edition” of Pride and Prejudice as a gift to impress hisrare book collecting mother – which, of course, is a fake. The actress’sfriends are the story’s two protagonists – a fashionable New York photographerand her chic-restaurant owner husband – they’re Nicola and Charles Scott. Thestory mirrors many of the snob and society nuances excelled in by Jane Austen –on whom the restaurateur, Charlie (as his wife calls him: he’s “Charles” toeveryone else) is encyclopedic. With the help of their butler-manservant, aformer hood named Uncle Julius, Charles and Nicola crack the fraud.

“When Only A Darcy Will Do,” by Beth Pattillo
Elizabeth Brown hopes her bootleg tour of Jane Austen’s London will bring insome quick extra cash, but when a real-live Mr. Darcy shows up for the tour,her day takes an unexpected turn.  Elizabeth has very real problems. Her father’s lost everything in the economic downturn, her parents have splitup, and she has no idea where she’ll get the money she needs for grad schooltuition.  Her afternoon with Mr. Darcy, though, shows her that even in themidst of turmoil, happiness can arrive in the most unexpected ways.

“Me and Mr. Darcy, Again…,” by Alexandra Potter
Mr. Darcy is every woman’s fantasy. But what happens when he becomes onewoman’s reality? In 2007 Emily traveled from New York to England to go on aJane Austen-inspired literary tour. There she met and fell in love with Spike,an English journalist.

She also met Mr. Darcy… Or did she? She can never be sure if it reallyhappened, or it was her over-active imagination. Now, four years later, she’shad a huge row with Spike and is back in London nursing a broken heart. Andthere’s only one person who can mend it. Mr. Darcy….

“Letters to Lydia,” by Maya Slater
While visiting her newly married sister Charlotte Collins, Maria Lucaswrites to her best friend Lydia Bennet of her experiences in Kent. Top on herlist of tittle-tattle is the budding romance of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.Present throughout the Hunsford episode, which culminates in Darcy’s firstdisastrous proposal of marriage to Elizabeth, we are privileged to Maria’s ownaccount of their romance from the point of view of her naïve sixteen-year-oldimaginings. Although she misinterprets everything she observes, it turns outthat she is partly responsible for bringing about the marriage of Elizabeth andDarcy.

 “Intolerable Stupidity,” byLaurie Viera Rigler
Well hidden from the ordinary world, in a little-known corner ofjurisprudential hell known as the Court of Intolerable Stupidity, a legal dramaof literary proportions unfolds. The plaintiff is none other than the mostfamous romantic hero of all time, Mr. Darcy. The defendants are the authors whodared write sequels, adaptations, and inspired-by’s of his Creator’s mostbeloved work, Pride and Prejudice. One of those works, whose authorwas tried and convicted in absentia, is so popular that its salaciousswimming-in-the-lake scene has resulted in Darcy’s being forced to endure aperpetual state of shivering wetness in a transparent white shirt. For whenDarcy’s adoring public isn’t throwing water on him, his umbrella breaks in themidst of a downpour. And now, between the zombies and the vampires, Darcy andhis wife Elizabeth are at their wit’s end. So is defense attorney FritzWilliams, who not only fights a losing battle in a kangaroo court ruled byDarcy’s tyrannical aunt, the Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but also hissecret infatuation with prosecuting attorney Tawny Wolfson. Who has her ownsecret: a hopeless addiction to the illegal miniseries that she is supposed toabhor.

It is quite amazing how Pride andPrejudice’s indelible influence has become such a part of culture and howit inspired all of these great stories. I hope that you enjoy them, and theother fifteen stories in Jane Austen MadeMe Do It.

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Editor bio:

A life-long acolyte of Jane Austen, Laurel Ann Nattress isthe author/editor of Austenprose.com, a blog devoted to the oeuvre of herfavorite author and the many books and movies that she has inspired. She is alife member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, a regular contributorto the PBS blog Remotely Connected and the Jane Austen Centre online magazine.An expatriate of southern California, Laurel Ann lives in a country cottagenear Snohomish, Washington. Visit Laurel Ann at her blogs Austenprose.comand JaneAustenMadeMeDoIt.com, onTwitter as @Austenprose, and on Facebook as Laurel Ann Nattress.

JaneAusten Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most AstuteObserver of the Human Heart, edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

Ballantine Books • ISBN: 978-0345524966

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Giveaway of Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Enter a chance to WIN one copy of Jane Austen Made Me Do It by leaving a comment here by midnight on Friday ET, October 28, 2011, stating what intrigues youabout reading an Austen-inspired short story anthology. One lucky Winner will be drawn atrandom and announced on Monday, October 31, 2011.Shipment to US and Canadian addresses only. Good luck to all!
The contest is now closed and a winner has been selected.

Book Review: Jane Austen Made Me Do It

I got my advance reader's copy (ARC) about almost two weeks ago or so of Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heartedited by Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose. In her first published novel, in which shecompiled and edited a short story anthology of 22 short stories by 24 of themost talented writers in the Austen genre. All twenty-four authors were personally selected by Laurel Ann from a diverse range of writing backgrounds and interests including: popular Austenesque fiction, best-selling literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery, contemporary chick-lit, paranormal, and one new debut voice, a grand prize winner.   

While I've mostly done P&P/Austen related and (you can read more of my film reviews in my Movies Blog), this is actually my very first book review as Ashley (my fellow blog contributor here at the P&P Blog) does most of the P&P/Austen related 
 
Before I do my book review, First, here (again) is the lowdown of Jane Austen Made Me Do It...

Edited by Austenprose’s Laurel Ann Nattress and published just in time for the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense & Sensibility, JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart (Ballantine Books; October 11, 2011) is an engaging collection of 22 never-before-published original short stories inspired by Jane Austen. The treasures in this volume include exclusive short fiction, Q&As and reading group material from beloved bestselling authors Jo Beverley, Adriani Trigiani, and Lauren Willig; topAusten sequel writers Pamela Aidan, Amanda Grange, Laurie Viera Rigler,Stephanie Barron and Alexandra Potter; and a brand new voice inAustenesque fiction - the announced winner Brenna Aubrey of a short storycontest hosted by Ballantine Books, Austenprose, and the highlytrafficked Austen fan site The Republic of Pemberley (Pemberley.com),which receives 80 million hits per year.
Nattress says, “Oneof the joys of editing this anthology was composing a list of my ‘dreamauthors’ who write in the genre, and others whom I greatly admire whohave been influenced by Austen’s style, and asking them to contribute ashort story. My only request was that they stay within the theme ofexploring Austen’s philosophies of life and love by reacquaintingreaders with characters from her novels or introducing original storiesinspired by her ideals. From historical to contemporary to young-adultfiction to paranormal, five of Austen’s major novels and her life arefeatured in this anthology, covering ‘every possible flight which thesubject will afford.’ I hope you will be as pleased and delighted as Iam by the variety of amusing and poignant stories created for thiscollection.”
Each of these marvelous works ofshort fiction reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’smost cherished authors. As Nattress writes in her introduction,“we all have our favorites.” Mine may be the first in the volume, “JaneAusten’s Nightmare,” by Syrie James—if you’ve ever wondered what wouldhappen if Jane Austen encountered her own characters in real life, thisone is a must-read.

Now, read My Book Review of Jane Austen Made Me Do It...

I must say, I really loved and enjoyed reading all the 22 original never-before published short stories from JAMMDI novel. Laurel Ann did an AMAZING job putting together all these 24very talented authors (a few of which I'm very familiar with and have read at least one or two of their novels), the 22 short stories they wrote and contributed, and of course,  editing andcompiling them in all one book. The result is a great collection of amazing 22 short stories you'll read in one amazing book! Her introduction was quite engaging,insightful, and informative to read. I love all the familiar Austen quotes from all six of Austen's popular novels included in her introduction. All of the best-selling authors (including the grand prize winner, Brenna Aubrey,of the JAMMDI short story contest) did a great job writing their stories. I dowant to say that the following short stories (in random order) were myfavorite and rather the ones that stayed with me even long after I finishedreading this novel (that's not to say I didn't enjoy reading the others, because I did as well), which I must say was a lot of fun and quite a pageturner. I couldn't put this book down while I was reading it!

Here are the highlights or rather my thoughts of some of my favorite short stories from JAMMDI...

Jane Austen's Nightmare by Syrie James
I love how inthis story, Jane Austen encountered and met her characters that shecreated and wrote from her novels in Bath, but it was of something in adream, a nightmare one. Most of them either have some complaints or something they were unhappy about in the way they were written by her. My most favorite part was whenAusten met her most beloved characters Elizabeth and Darcy as well asJane and Bingley.


Waiting by Jane Odiwe
Her very interesting take on Austen'sPersuasion was really fun and entertaining to read. I love how itstarted of with Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot's engagement and how he was getting ready to see Sir Walter Elliot,Anne's father for a private interview...or rather to ask his permission tomarry his daughter once again.


Nothing Less Than Fairy-Land by Monica Fairview
I've reallyenjoyed reading Monica Fairview's debut Austenesque novel, "The OtherMr. Darcy" (which I was very lucky and fortunate to have won at the virtual Pemberley Ball 2010 with book giveaways I've participated last year!) and this short story she wrote for JAMMDI was another one that I enjoyed as well. Thisone though was about newlyweds  Emma Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley (from Austen'sEmma) and how they were adjusting as newlyweds and their livingarrangement back in the Woodhouse residence in Hartfield and of course, Emma unexpectedly gettingback to her matchmaking days even though she promised Mr. Knightley she was not doing it anymore asshe'd learned her lesson.

Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane by Adriana Trigiani
I lovedhow this was written as a Jane Austen letter to her beloved niece Annaabout the news of her engagement. Beautifully written and It was quiteinspiring and touching to read.

Jane Austen and the Mistletoe Kiss by Jo Beverely
This was aquite engaging and fun to read. It was like Sense & Sensibility,but with different names of characters and in a different (or rather modern) time. Loved how the titleJane Austen and the Mistletoe Kiss were incorporated into this lovely and delightfulshort story, which made me want to read more!

When Only Darcy Will Do by Beth Pattillo
An interestingshort story with a mysterious guy who dressed up in Darcy's likeness.When Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, indeed. Basically, any stories with Darcyon it...will always do for me, haha!

Heard of You by Margaret C. Sullivan
This was a really niceand sweet short story to read about Austen's Persuasion, but is toldand written in a different way. Even though the newlyweds, Captain andMrs. Wentworth were not really the focus of the story as it was abouthis elder sister Sophy and how he had something to do with her meetingher husband the Admiral Croft, then Captain Croft. Loved their untoldstory of meeting and falling in love due to the young FredrickWentworth's unknowing matchmaking of his older sister and the captain.

Mr. Bennet Meets His Match by Amanda Grange
I really lovethis story of how Mr. & Mrs. Bennet met when they were younger andMr. Bennet looking back at his marriage proposal to Mrs. Bennet some 23years ago just when at the present his two beloved eldest daughtersJane and Elizabeth had just gotten married to the love of their lives, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.Amanda Grange, who wrote one of my favorite retelling of Austen's classic P&P novel,but in Darcy's perspective, "Mr. Darcy's Diary" did an amazing jobwriting this short story. I loved reading it from beginning to end and wishedit was longer and there were more to when the Bennets had their 5daughters when they were born and infants/toddlers...like a prequel leading up to the original Pride and Prejudice novel by Jane Austen.

Me and Mr. Darcy, Again... by Alexandra Potter
I've read(and enjoyed reading it too) Alexandra Potter's "Me and Mr. Darcy" and thought this shortstory made a very nice sequel to it especially with the mysterious and handsome Mr. Darcy on it.

The Love Letter by Brenna Aubrey
(grand prize winner of JAMMDI short story contest)
This was a great read! Iloved how the present characters' relationship mirrored the JaneAusten's Persuasion characters' Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot.Definitely a deserving grand prize winner as I really loved and enjoyedreading it and the title of this novel was mentioned too!

Intolerable Stupidity by Laurie Viera Rigler
I loved and enjoyedreading Laurie Viera Rigler's first two Austenesque novels: Confessions and Rude Awakening of a Jane Austen Addictnovels. This one was another one that I also enjoyed reading albeitwritten differently but with "Intolerable Stupidity" bringing Mr. Dacycharges to all the writers of Pride and Prejudice (my obvious favoriteof Austen's six novels) sequels and spin-offs in a courtroom with Lady Catherine as the judge. The male protagonist's name Fritz Williams was interesting too.

All the other short stories were great too, but too many (andtoo long) to list here. The random ones I've listed here were the ones I really loved and enjoyed reading the most and as aforementioned, really stayed with me long after I finished reading them. Overall, I thought Jane Austen Made Me Do It was a great collection of short stories in different genres and compiled all in one amazing book. A must-read for all Jane Austen fansespecially to those of you who either had read all of her six novels or seen allsix Austen adaptations. Or even if you were just a Pride & Prejudice fan (in general), you'll lovethis too as P&P, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet were prominently featured and mentioned in most of the short stories written here especially in AmandaGrange's "Mr. Bennet Meets His Match," Beth Pattillo's "When Only Mr. Darcy Will Do," and Alexandra Potter's "Me andMr. Darcy, Again..." to name a few.

I highly recommend you check it out and read this book! You'll love it! I did! All great 22 original short stories with 24 of the best Austen authors in the Austenesque genre compiled into this wonderful and beautifully edited novel.

Book Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)!

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JAMMDI Editor bio:
A life-long acolyte of Jane Austen, Laurel Ann Nattress is the author/editor of Austenprose.com a blog devoted to the oeuvre of her favorite author and the many books and movies that she has inspired. She is a life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, a regular contributor to the PBS blog Remotely Connected and the Jane Austen Centre online magazine. Classically trained as a landscape designer at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, she has also worked in marketing for a Grand Opera company and at present she delights in introducing neophytes to the charms of Miss Austen’s prose as a bookseller at Barnes & Noble. An expatriate of southern California, Laurel Ann lives in a country cottage near Snohomish, Washington. Visit Laurel Ann at her blogs Austenprose.com and JaneAustenMadeMeDoIt.com, on Twitter as @Austenprose, and on Facebook as Laurel Ann Nattress.

In Bookstores Today: Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Today is the big released day for the new Jane Austen inspired and tribute novel, Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart edited by Laurel Ann Nattress (of Austenprose). It's a fantastic book! I had the pleasure and honor of getting an ARC (Thank you Laurel Ann and Random House Publishing Group) of it! I will be posting my book review of JAMMDI in a bit. Jane Austen Made Me Do It (by Ballantine Books) is now available in all bookstores and online retailers around the country. Go get your copy! 

Jane Austen Made Me Do It is a short story anthology of 22 short stories by 24 of the most talented writers including Laurie Viera Rigler (author of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, & Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict), which I had the pleasure of interviewing her here last December 2010), Monica Fairview, Amanda Grange, Alexandra Potter, Pamela Aidan, and Jane Odiwe to name some.

Come help the lovely Laurel Ann party like it’s 1811 on her Grand Tour of the blogosphere, October 10 – November 10, 2011, in celebration of the book’s release. P&P Blog is taking part of her book tour! Laurel Ann will make a special guest blog appearance here next (with a book giveaway!) Friday October 21st and I'll be doing a Q&A/interview with her on the following day October 22nd!

Mark your calendars:

• Friday - Oct 21st – P&P 2005 Blog Part 1
• Saturday - Oct 22nd – P&P 2005 Blog Part 2

See more of Jane Austen Made Me Do It Blog Tour Schedule!

Here is the lowdown of  Jane Austen Made Me Do It (via Laurel Ann of AUSTENPROSE):

Edited by Austenprose’s Laurel Ann Nattress and published just in time for the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense & Sensibility, JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart (Ballantine Books; October 11, 2011) is an engaging collection of 22 never-before-published original short stories inspired by Jane Austen. The treasures in this volume include exclusive short fiction, Q&As and reading group material from beloved bestselling authors Jo Beverley, Adriani Trigiani, and Lauren Willig; top Austen sequel writers Pamela Aidan, Amanda Grange, Laurie Viera Rigler, Stephanie Barron and Alexandra Potter; and a brand new voice in Austenesque fiction—the as-yet-unannounced winner of a short story contest hosted by Ballantine Books, Austenprose, and the highly trafficked Austen fan site The Republic of Pemberley (Pemberley.com), which receives 80 million hits per year.

Nattress says, “One of the joys of editing this anthology was composing a list of my ‘dream authors’ who write in the genre, and others whom I greatly admire who have been influenced by Austen’s style, and asking them to contribute a short story. My only request was that they stay within the theme of exploring Austen’s philosophies of life and love by reacquainting readers with characters from her novels or introducing original stories inspired by her ideals. From historical to contemporary to young-adult fiction to paranormal, five of Austen’s major novels and her life are featured in this anthology, covering ‘every possible flight which the subject will afford.’ I hope you will be as pleased and delighted as I am by the variety of amusing and poignant stories created for this collection.”

Each of these marvelous works of short fiction reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’s most cherished authors. As Nattress writes in her introduction, “we all have our favorites.” Mine may be the first in the volume, “Jane Austen’s Nightmare,” by Syrie James—if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Jane Austen encountered her own characters in real life, this one is a must-read. 

For more info on this novel visit its official website or Laurel Ann's own  AUSTENPROSE- A JANE AUSTEN BLOG!  

'Jane Austen Made Me Do It' edited by Austenprose's Laurel Ann Nattress to be released October 11th!

Austenprose's Laurel Ann Nattress is now a published author/editor and her new book, Jane Austen Made Me Do It (click the link to visit its own website!) will be released in trade paperback and eBook format by Ballantine Books on October 11th, 2011!

Jane Austen Made Me Do It is a short story anthology of 22 stories by the most talented writers including Laurie Viera Rigler (author of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, & Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict), which I had the pleasure of interviewing her here last December 2010 (and I had asked her about this project to which, at the time, she could only reveal the release date) in the Austen genre and a few surprises.

Here is the lowdown of  Jane Austen Made Me Do It (via Laurel Ann of AUSTENPROSE):

Edited by Austenprose’s Laurel Ann Nattress and published just in time for the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense & Sensibility, JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart (Ballantine Books; October 11, 2011) is an engaging collection of 22 never-before-published original short stories inspired by Jane Austen. The treasures in this volume include exclusive short fiction, Q&As and reading group material from beloved bestselling authors Jo Beverley, Adriani Trigiani, and Lauren Willig; top Austen sequel writers Pamela Aidan, Amanda Grange, Laurie Viera Rigler, Stephanie Barron and Alexandra Potter; and a brand new voice in Austenesque fiction—the as-yet-unannounced winner of a short story contest hosted by Ballantine Books, Austenprose, and the highly trafficked Austen fan site The Republic of Pemberley (Pemberley.com), which receives 80 million hits per year.

Nattress says, “One of the joys of editing this anthology was composing a list of my ‘dream authors’ who write in the genre, and others whom I greatly admire who have been influenced by Austen’s style, and asking them to contribute a short story. My only request was that they stay within the theme of exploring Austen’s philosophies of life and love by reacquainting readers with characters from her novels or introducing original stories inspired by her ideals. From historical to contemporary to young-adult fiction to paranormal, five of Austen’s major novels and her life are featured in this anthology, covering ‘every possible flight which the subject will afford.’ I hope you will be as pleased and delighted as I am by the variety of amusing and poignant stories created for this collection.”

Each of these marvelous works of short fiction reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’s most cherished authors. As Nattress writes in her introduction, “we all have our favorites.” Mine may be the first in the volume, “Jane Austen’s Nightmare,” by Syrie James—if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Jane Austen encountered her own characters in real life, this one is a must-read. 

For more info on this novel visit its official website or Laurel Ann's own  AUSTENPROSE- A JANE AUSTEN BLOG!   

Sharon Lathan's new novel 'Miss Darcy Falls In Love' coming in November!

Although Sharon Lathan is taking a lil' hiatus from The Darcy Saga series, worry not, she has a new novel coming soon that's still related and a companion to The Darcy Saga series. This time though, it's a standalone novel titled, Miss Darcy Falls In Love, a Georgiana Darcy (Mr. Darcy's younger sister) novel, which is scheduled for a November 1st release!  

Her previous released novel, The Trouble With Mr. Darcy (volume 5) from The Darcy Saga series is now available in bookstores and online retailers around the country.

Read more info about Miss Darcy Falls in Love including a synopsis below...

Miss Darcy Falls in Love synopsis

While touring Europe and post-Napoleonic France, Miss Georgiana Darcy discovers her deepest passion: composing and playing music. In Paris she meets two men who augment her passion in differing but profound ways. Mr. Sebastian Butler, the Viscount Nell and future Earl of Essenton, is a brilliant composer finishing his Grand Tour before studying at the prestigious Conservatoire of Music in Paris. Baron Caxton is an accomplished violinist teaching at the Conservatoire. Both men fire her soul, spark her sensuality, and fan the flames of her musical inspiration. Yet only one holds the key to her happiness and is her true soul mate. Amid the backdrop of Paris in this tumultuous time in history, Georgiana must learn to direct her destiny and fully understand her heart.

Read a Miss Darcy Falls in Love excerpt!

Sharon Lathan's Darcy Saga series (in order)

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy
Loving Mr. Darcy
My Dearest Mr. Darcy
In The Arms of Mr. Darcy
The Trouble With Mr. Darcy

Also, from Sharon...
A Darcy Christmas (with Amanda Grange and Carolyn Eberhart)

For more news info and frequent updates on The Darcy Saga series, be sure to visit Sharon Lathan's website and Blog. You can follow her on twitter  too: SharonLathan. Plus, check out Sharon blogging over at Austen Authors with many of her fellow Austen inspired authors!

Darcy's Voyage (BOOK REVIEW)

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise is a an absolute must have P&P novel. If you don't have it, you need it!!!

In Darcy's Voyage, Darcy and Elizabeth first meet years before the assembly ball in Hertfordshire, when they happen to be sharing the same carriage. They fall instantly in love with each other, but they never see each other again till years later, when they're both traveling to America on Darcy's ship, Pemberley's Promise. Too bad they don't recognize each other! The two soon become very good friends. But when Elizabeth falls ill, Darcy is forced to take very improper action in order to save her. They soon fall deeply and ardently in love, but will their love survive the conventions of polite society?

If you love Darcy and Elizabeth, then I guarantee you will love this book. It has a unique and interesting plot and an exciting storyline. And every Darcy lover will love reading about him falling head over heels in love on the high sea. Romantic, compelling, exciting, funny, it has everything you could possibly want in a book. Once you start it, you won't want to stop. You'll be dying to know what happens next! Three cheers for Darcy's Voyage!

Rating: 5 stars!

Kara Louise is a fantastic author. She has also written Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, which you can find the review for here.

The Pride & Prejudice Novel Top 10

It is a truth universally acknowledged that an ardent lover of Pride and Prejudice must be in want of a great novel to read. So here is our top ten to help you get started! :)


#10) Mr. Darcy's Obsession by Abigail Reynolds:

A sweet, simple story about what would have happened if Mr. Bennet had died before the Hunsford proposal, leaving Lizzie to become a governess for her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner's children. Despite Mr. Darcy's knowledge of Lizzie's now even lower connections, his fascination with her leads him to constantly seek her out and eventually surrender to his affection to her. It's slightly lacking in romance, but still very very sweet. And extremely interesting and well -written! It would definitely be a great book to be your first P&P novel.



#9) Darcy's Story by Janet Alymer:

A short, well-written version of P&P told from our beloved Mr. Darcy's perspective. It's very sweet, but also slightly lacking in romance. Despite that, it's very delightful, and would also be a great starter to a long tradition of reading P&P novels. And Darcy is portrayed excellently! A great worry about P&P novels that dwells in the hearts of Darcy lovers is the fear that he won't be the same wonderful gentleman we all know and love from Jane Austen's original novel. But luckily, this novel conveys his thoughts and emotions very well. He's as all P&P women would imagine him. :)

#8) What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds:

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? is a highly entertaining P&P novel. It questions what would have happened if Darcy had revealed his feelings for Elizabeth earlier in the story. It has a great plot, is very well-written, and is excessively romantic! I can guarantee that this book will have you blushing and giggling. And Mr. Darcy will have you swooning all the way! ;)

#7) To Conquer Mr. Darcy by Abigail Reynolds:

To Conquer Mr. Darcy is the most risque' novel in our top ten. It technically qualifies as a romance novel - and a fantastic one at that! This novel is about Mr. Darcy going back to Hertfordshire after Lizzie's refusal of his hand, determined to sweep her off his feet and make her his wife. This book is very romantic, very exciting, very well-written. But I must admit, Darcy acts a bit out of character. Some of his thoughts are not exactly what I would expect of him. And his forwardness with Elizabeth is a bit beyond what I believe of him-but, nevertheless, breathtakingly romantic and wonderful. This book will leave you dazed and absolutely enchanted.

#6) Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton:

Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman is another novel where Mr. Darcy returns to Hertfordshire after Elizabeth's refusal. But this time he seeks only to right his wrongs against Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley...at first. Gradually Darcy comes to the realization that he must have Elizabeth for his own, and he instantly begins to work at her complaints against his suit, determined to become a gentleman. This novel has one of the best P&P based plots I've ever read. It's very exciting, leaving you in suspense and shock regularly throughout the story. Very exhilirating. And the romance is very nice! The story starts off slow. Then suddenly, in the middle of the novel, one small, beautiful, sweet embrace opens a whirlpool of romance that leaves you with a feeling of bliss. A truly fantastic read.

#5) Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery Series by Carrie Bebris:
This series of mysteries will have you absolutely addicted. Five books of this six book series have been published so far (Pride and Prescience, Suspense and Sensibility, North by Northanger, Matters at Mansfield, and Intrigue at Highbury). These books are so compelling, riveting, and exciting (and a bit romantic) that once you start one, you won't be able to stop! The plot of each book is great. Each mix of P&P with Jane Austen's other novels is interesting and well-written. And the characters stay true to Jane's originals. Without a doubt, anyone who loves Pride & Prejudice - and takes pleasure in a good mystery - will love this series, whether they've read other Austen novels or not. :)

#4) The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen:

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy is a great P&P novel with an interesting twist. Again, Darcy is seeking to win Elizabeth back. But this time he has some help from, guess who? His cousin, Anne de Bourgh, and his sister Georgiana! With some scheming and some advice from his cousin and sister, Darcy seeks to win Elizabeth Bennet's heart. In the process, he captures all of ours! This story is very very romantic and exciting. Once you start this one, you won't want to stop!

#3) Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange:

Mr. Darcy's Diary is a P&P novel with, without a doubt, one the best portrayals of Mr. Darcy EVER. Within the private pages of his diary, Darcy's inner-most thoughts, and feelings, and emotions are written exactly as all of us would imagine. This book links you directly with Darcy's soul throughout the original story. And it's VERY romantic just reading Darcy's feelings about Elizabeth. If you love Darcy you will love love love this book. And again, once you start reading it, you will find yourself unable to stop. And you'll want to read it over and over again once you're done. It is simply everything that is lovely. :)

#2) Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise:

This book is so good, it was very very close to being number one. It is an absolutely wonderful, awesome twist on P&P about what would happen if Mr. Bennet died shortly after Elizabeth's rejection of Mr. Darcy's hand. Lizzie becomes a governess for a respectable family in London, a family that is friends with Mr. Darcy!, and Elizabeth soon finds herself invited to Pemberley, where Darcy still holds a deep admiration for her despite her now extremely low circumstances. This book will make you laugh, cry, gasp, swoon, and giggle. As soon as you finish it, you will want to turn back to the first page and read it all over again. The one thing it lacks is Mr. Darcy's perspective, but that somehow brings a bit of mystery and suspense as to how everything will turn out in the end. And there are so many sweet, wonderful moments in this story that you'll want to remember and cherish forever. :)

#1) Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman Trilogy by Pamela Aidan:

We've saved the best for last. This series of books, telling the story of P&P from Darcy's point of view, is simply fantastic. It is a story true to both P&P and Mr. Darcy, but is also its own amazing story. The first book (An Assembly Such as This) is about Darcy's time spent at Netherfield (from the assembly ball to his removing to London) and the beginnings of his attraction to Elizabeth Bennet. The second (Duty and Desire) tells the story of the "lost" months of P&P, as Darcy tries to forget Elizabeth and find a new wife while visiting a Cambridge friend for the winter. And the third book (These Three Remain), the best of the trilogy (and my personal favorite out of all the P&P novels I have read :D), begins with Darcy's arrival in Rosings and goes on to capture your heart throughout Elizabeth's rejection of him, the misery and depression Darcy feels, and his eventual winning of her heart, while following up on the new events created in Duty and Desire. Hoplessly romantic, exciting, funny, compelling, and enchanting, you will want to read each of these books over and over and over again. Because while some P&P novels make you feel like your simply reading the same story, this series is its own. It has its own brand new, exciting happenings, and it gives more detail about what happens in P&P as well. (Including the rest of Darcy's first proposal! :D) And after reading this series, you'll look back on it and remember so many wonderful moments. These are books that remain close to your heart.

And there you have it! Happy reading, everyone!!! :)
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"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." - Jane Austen

Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman (Book Review)

Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman, by Maria Hamilton is a fantastic new Pride and Prejudice variation. This novel tells the story of what would have happened if Mr. Darcy set off to take care of the problems he caused. After Elizabeth Bennet's rejection of his suit, Darcy journeys to Hertfordshire to right his wrongs against his friend Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. Soon Elizabeth comes to see Darcy in a whole new light as he strives to be a true gentleman.

I loved this book. An interesting and fun twist, written extremely well. It was exciting, compelling, and had a great plot. It also had the perfect amount of romance. It started off small then built to the point of sheer bliss in a way that made me blush and giggle with glee! :) And the new characters fit perfectly. I also enjoyed Jane and Bingley in this novel. Often in Pride and Prejudice-based novels, there is either too much about Jane and Bingley or not enough. This book got it just right. And Darcy....wow. He was absolutely wonderful, swoon-worthy, and true to Jane Austen's original character. Make sure to pick this book up. You're in for a treat!

Rating: 5 stars

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? (Book Review)

Hello, fellow Devoted Fans of Pride and Prejudice! :) One of my favorite pastimes is reading P&P variations and sequels, and I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on these novels with you.

This (my first post!) is a review of the P&P variation What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds. This was an absolutely wonderful book! What Would Mr. Darcy Do? is an interesting variation on the classic P&P story asking, 'What if...Darcy and Lizzie had revealed their feelings for each other earlier in the story?' In the first chapter, we find Lizzie at the Lambton Inn, distressed over the news of Lydia's ruin. Mr. Darcy suddenly appears, and Lizzie tells him of all that has happened. But rather than Darcy leaving the inn after giving her his best wishes, he stays and reveals to Lizzie his love for her. And because of this one change, a completely different outcome is created. An outcome highly entertaining, sweet, and romantic! And Abigail Reynolds is simply the master of kissing scenes. She is an absolute genius when it comes to writing these romantic moments. So much so, I would find myself blushing and giggling as I read! So if you like to see a little heat between Darcy and Lizzie and lots of sweet romance, I hope you pick up this fantastic book! 5 stars! :)

- Ashley <3

In Bookstores Today: The Trouble With Mr. Darcy (Volume 5) from The Darcy Saga Series

Today is the general released day for Sharon Lathan's new novel, The Trouble With Mr. Darcy (volume 5) from The Darcy Saga series. The Trouble With Mr Darcy is now available in bookstores and online retailers around the country. Go get your copy!

Read more info about The Trouble With Mr. Darcy. Also, be sure to stop by on Sharon's website for the book launch and join her on the official release day celebration (no April Fools joke, promise...), in which YOU can win a signed copy of her newly released book!

Sharon Lathan's Darcy Saga series (in order)

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy
Loving Mr. Darcy
My Dearest Mr. Darcy
In The Arms of Mr. Darcy
The Trouble With Mr. Darcy

Also, from Sharon...
A Darcy Christmas (with Amanda Grange and Carolyn Eberhart)

Coming Soon...
Miss Darcy Falls In Love (A Georgiana Darcy novel) - scheduled for a November 1st, 2011 release! (Read a Miss Darcy Falls in Love excerpt!)

For more news info and frequent updates on The Darcy Saga series, be sure to visit Sharon Lathan's website and Blog. You can follow her on twitter  too: SharonLathan. Plus, check out Sharon blogging over at Austen Authors with many of her fellow Austen inspired authors!

Winners of Laurie Viera Rigler's 'Confessions and Rude Awakenings Giveaway' (Updated!)

First of all, I apologize for not posting and announcing the winners Christmas day as I said I would. I got busy with Christmas festivities with my family, so I didn't get a chance to post this till now.

Next, I would like to thank Laurie Viera Rigler (once again) for the fabulous and most fun experience of interviewing her for this blog and for offering the giveaway of her awesome novels to two lucky winners (scroll down below or click continue reading here to find out who they are!!).

Also, thanks to all the readers and all participants/entrants who had read my two-parts interview with Laurie here and here and commented their favorite Jane Austen movie(s). They were fun and interesting to read. Thank you all.

Now, without further ado, the two random lucky winners of LVR's signed copies of her Austen Addict novels are...
    

Updated: 1/19/2011 New Winner added!

Unfortunately, HappilyEverAfter didn't contact Laurie as soon as possible to claimed her prize. So, we decided to pick a new random winner...and the new winner along with ChristyF is...

ChristyF and lnkent HappilyEverAfter

 (Austen Addict book covers by Plume US/Bloomsbury UK, courtesy of Laurie Viera Rigler)
 

Congratulations to ChristyF and HappilyEverAfter Elen (lnkent)!!!! Please contact Laurie asap with your mailing addresses (include the title and link to this post in your email) to claim your prizes. Thanks. :-)


P.S. If you didn't win or missed this giveaway/contest...don't worry, there will be more giveaways/contests and chances for you and everyone to win next time or soon. So, keep visiting and keep checking this blog 'cause you never know when I'll have the next random giveaway/contest posted here. ;-)