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Showing posts from February, 2023

Dragons of Pemberley by Maria Grace ★★★★☆

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Set in a Regency England with a large population of dragons. This is book ten of Maria Grace’s Jane Austen’s Dragons series. If you choose to read the entire series, the order should be; book four, A Proper Introduction to Dragons, then books one, two, three, five, six, seven, eight and nine. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy are senior officers of the Blue Order. Sir Fitzwilliam Darcy, knight of the Pendragon Order, has sworn to “protect and serve the interests of the Blue Order and dragonkind”. Elizabeth is the Dragon Sage, respected by dragons and keepers for her skills and insight into dragon health, culture and psychology. In this book the Darcys and their entourage, gratefully return home to Pemberley after the traumatic events of book eight. Unfortunately, there is a great deal amiss in Derbyshire. A black-market trade in dragon body parts, has lead to poachers preying on dragons. Sir Richard Fitzwilliam has been tasked to investigate and chooses an unlikely ally

The Warmth of her affection by Elsie Fulbrook ★★★★☆

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This Pride and Prejudice variation takes place in Meryton about three years later than the original. All five Bennet daughters remain unwed, with the beautiful Jane, almost on the shelf at five and twenty. Understandably, Mrs Bennet is desperate to marry them off. Eligible men are rare in Meryton, so the arrival of any newcomers is a cause for excitement. When Purvis Lodge is let by Mrs Wilson, a very young widow and her twin sons, lack of eligible new men doesn’t stop the town gossips from having a field day! Mrs Wilson keeps to herself, but when Elizabeth Bennet meets one of the twins on a country stroll, a friendship develops. Jane Bennet and Charlotte Lucas also visit. Some time later a Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy arrive to take up residence at Netherfield Park. They are welcomed into local society as only rich, unmarried men can be. At the Meryton assembly, Jane and Mr Bingley are attracted to each other. Mr Darcy is keen to talk to both Elizabeth and Jane about the neighbours. Th

Untouched by Rachel Rowan. ★★★★★

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In Rachel Rowan’s Entitled Love novellas, elements of regency romance such as elegant homes and clever conversation between beautiful, aristocratic people, are interwoven into modern, spicy romantic comedies. In book 3, Untouched, we meet the beautiful and intelligent, Sophia Clements. However, she is socially awkward (possibly neurodiverse) has no friends and has never had a boyfriend. She masks this by being distant and glacial. When a colleague from America, asks to meet up, she has hopes of romance.  A sarcastic comment from the Honourable Jay Orton, inspires Sophia to seek lessons in how to have a boyfriend. Rather shockingly, she approaches Jay. He is a rather jaded, dissolute playboy who needs a large amount of money, quickly. So when Sophia offers £45,000 for lessons on holding hands, kissing, and all the way up to full intercourse, he rapidly agrees! With a start like that, this story could have been grim. Instead, the book is delightful.  Jay is kind and rapidly becomes a clo

His Father's Last Gift: A Darcy and Elizabeth Variation by Leenie Brown. ★★★☆☆

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This Pride and Prejudice variation begins when Jane Bennet becomes unwell on a visit to Netherfield Park.  Her sister Elizabeth, is called to nurse her back to health.  The residents of Netherfield have varying responses to this. Mr Bingley is delighted as he adores Jane.   Mr Darcy is secretly happy, as he is falling in love with Elizabeth.  Bingley’s sisters are horrified as they think Jane is not rich or connected enough for their brother.  They hate Elizabeth as they view her as competition, for the wealthy Darcy. In the original story, Jane is in love with Bingley but too shy to let him know. She also believes his sister’s are good friends, not the duplicitous harpies, they are. Elizabeth hates Darcy, having overhead an unkind remark when they met. This story sidesteps the misunderstandings. So Jane has a confident, tough side and calls the harpies on their lies, in public, then let’s Bingley know she loves him. Elizabeth and Darcy talk to each other and rapidly resolve their diff

Mr. Darcy's Valentine by Heather Moll ★★★★★

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In this Pride and Prejudice variation, all the action takes place in London. When Mr Bingley arrived in Hertfordshire, he quickly became enamoured of local beauty, Jane Bennet. His attentions gave rise to widespread expectations of an imminent betrothal. Jane is equally in love with Mr Bingley. However, Jane is shy and reticent. She has learnt from bitter experience, that she must hide her feelings from her marriage-obsessed, matchmaking Mama. Unfortunately, outside influences, such as his friend Mr Darcy, persuade Bingley that they can see no evidence that Jane loves him. He goes back to London and does not return. Jane faces the scorn of the neighbourhood and the endless lamentations of her mother. Elizabeth Bennet dislikes Mr Darcy and suspects his influence over Bingley. Elizabeth’s animus towards Darcy has been stoked by the lies of the charming, handsome, deceitful Lieutenant George Wickham, Darcy’s enemy. What she does not know is that Darcy is falling in love wi

From Another Perspective by MJ Stratton. ★★★★☆

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This book follows the events of the much-loved Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice.  The story is told from the points of view of various observers. Each of the seventeen chapters offers a unique perspective, from acquaintances like Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas, to family members such as Mr. Philips, Anne de Bourgh, and Mary Bennet, as well as an array of domestic staff including housekeepers, maids, and even Mr. Darcy’s valet. This fresh approach to the classic story is a delight to read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review Goodreads review