Austen Diaries

Title and Author: An Arranged Marriage , Jan Hahn   Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Elizabeth Romance Level: Kissing (inferences to more)  Recommended: Yes, 3.5 stars Summary: In this Pride and Prejudice Variation, Mr. Bennett dies in a hunting accident while Elizabeth is at Rosings Park (after the proposal from Darcy). We pick up the story 6 months later, when Darcy reappears to offer marriage to Elizabeth again. This time she has little choice since he will provide for her family if they do marry. She is clear that she would not marry him otherwise and is generally disagreeable while he won't explain his decisions or history so she can understand him better.  Pros: * This version has Elizabeth understanding Darcy's character long after they are married, but he is respectful of her.  It is an interesting twist.   * The characters feel true to the original. For example, Darcy is private with his actions with the servants in a way si...

Title and Author: Bewitched, Body and Soul , P.O. Dixon Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Third Person Romance Level: Kissing Recommended: Maybe, if you adore Austen.  2 stars You can get this e-book for free by signing up for P. O. Dixon's newsletter at  http://podixon.com/ Our story picks up just after Darcy returns returns to town after the Netherfield Ball. Elizabeth visits London to seek out Bingley and determine if he loves Jane. Unable to find Bingley, she crosses paths with Mr. Darcy in town (including a potentially compromising situation) and later at the estate of mutual friends. There are still misunderstandings and a failed proposal, but these events take their own course.  I liked: * There is so little interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth in P&P, it is fun to see added interaction here. It doesn't really reflect well on either character, however.  * Lord Trevor and Lady Gwyndolen add to the narrative with their plans and ...

Title and Author: The Journey , Jan Hahn Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Third Person Romance Level: Kissing Recommended: Hesitant yes, 2.5 stars This Pride and Predjudice Variation/Alternate Path (same characters, alternate story) takes place just after the Netherfield ball. Darcy returns to London with Bingley's sisters, but Elizabeth travels with them to visit her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. The whole party is robbed at gunpoint by highwaymen with Darcy declaring Elizabeth as his wife to protect her. This backfires when they are both kidnapped. Left in a room alone together for several days, Darcy and Elizabeth get to know one another better and are forced into a false intimacy. Elizabeth's reputation is hopelessly compromised and Darcy, of course, proposes honorably. I won't spoil the details of how they get free and overcome their misunderstandings. I found this one interesting but I didn't love it. I Liked: This was a unique idea for a var...

Title and Author: Darcy's Tale: The Way Home,     Stanley Michael Hurd Type: P&P Parallel (true to the original plot, told from a different perspective) Perspective: Darcy Romance Level: Austen-esque Recommend: Yes, 4 stars Darcy's Tale is a three volume series. The third, The Way Home, the events from Darcy's return to London from Rosings Park, the suprize meeting at Pemberley, the findind of Wickham and return to Longborne. It fills in the blanks and elaborates what would have happened to Darcy. We hear just how embarassed he is over the proposal gone wrong. He takes a side trip to the home of Colonel Fitzwilliam and his parents with Darcy's aunt helping him see the flaws in his proposal. As he returts to Pemberley, he meets Elizabeth and attempts to redeem himself from his past flaws. He schemes to force Wickham to marry Lydia and then returns to Netherfield to reunite Bingley with Jane.  I Liked:  * Darcy's relationship with his aunt, Lady Andove...

Title and Author: Darcy's Tale: Into Kent ,   Stanley Michael Hurd Type: P&P Parallel (true to the original plot, told from a different perspective) Perspective: Darcy Romance Level: Austen-esque Recommend: Yes, 3 stars Darcy's Tale is broken into three parts like the original Pride and Prejudice. The second volume, Into Kent, covers the return from Netherfield to London, through the winter in London and the spring visit to Rosings Park with Lady Catherine, then the return journey to London. In addition to the events of the original, Darcy meets a new aquaintance who shows Elizabeth's true worth and visits an old professor to talk over his woes. This is enjoyable, but my least favorite of the trilogy.  I liked: * Colonel Fitzwilliam is a wise, kind friend. * The description of his confusion over his feelings for her. It makes the proposal so much more unders tandable.  * Pender, Darcy's old tutor, helps to show Darcy's thoughts in a very logical di...