Austen Diaries

Title: Miss Darcy's Companion by Joana Starnes Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Darcy and Elizabeth Romance Level: passionate kissing Recommended: yes, 4 stars Access: available through Kindle Unlimited Summary: In this variation, Mr Bennett dies before Darcy and Elizabeth have a chance to meet. Miss Darcy meets a grieving Miss Bennett, working as governess to her young niece and nephew. When Georgiana takes a dislike to the proposed new companion Mrs. Younge, Georgiana proposes Miss Bennett as the solution. At Pemberley, Miss Bennett gets to know her new employer and the best man/brother/master he is and Darcy can see Elizabeth for her true (although more subdued) self. Things I Liked: * I like the slow development of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. It was novel to have her be the one with feelings first and feel the inequity of their stations in life. * I loved the sweet relationship between Georgiana and Elizabeth. * I liked Fitzwill...

Title and Author: A Walk in the Meadow at Rosings Park  by Mary Lydon Simonson Type: pride and prejudice alternate path Perspective: 3rd person (both)  Romance Level: lots of kissing Recommended: No, 2 stars Summary: What if Mr Darcy left Meryton just after the assembly? With little knowledge of one another  Darcy and Elizabeth meet again at Rosings/Hunsford. Lady Catherine offends and Darcy is quick to apologize for her rudeness, not realizing the irony of the apology. The pair dine with the group, walk and form a tentative bond while each try to determine what it means and whether there can be a future for them.  Things I Liked: * This Darcy is eager to come to an understanding with Elizabeth. * There was less to overcome without Elizabeth's prejudice. * This story does have more of Ann de Bourg and her encouragement of Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth. Things I Didn't Like: * The story never gelled. Darcy is so quick to try to get El...

Title and Author: Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld Type: Modern Retelling Perspective: Third Person and Elizabeth Romance Level: Crass (not even very romantic sex) Recommended: No, 2 stars Summary: Liz Bennet is a New York magazine writer, home in Cincinnati after her father's heart surgery. Her quirky family needs her help in caring for her father, managing her mother and eventually supporting her sisters is all kinds of ways. In Cincinnati, she meets Darcy, a brilliant neurosurgeon, who's social skills leave something to be desired, insults her during their first meeting. Of course, the two work out their differences, but it take most of the book to get there. This creative and funny rendition. Pros: * The author was creative in coming up with events and relationships that are as similar as can be found to the original in a modern context. * The characters are so quirky that it is entertaining. Cons: * None of these characters is likable, even Elizabeth. Her fa...

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 ...