𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

Emma’s Dragon is the second book in M.Verant’s award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy series. It is a sequel to Miss Bennet’s Dragon. At the end of the first book, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy marry and bind with the formidable dragon, Yuánchi, thus thwarting Napoleon’s plans for England. In Emma’s Dragon, we are introduced to Emma Woodhouse, a woman burdened by many secrets. Her own father’s indiscretions, the machinations of her brother in law to steal her inheritance and most of all, her mental afflictions. Her gift should be the ability to heal, but without being bound to a dragon, she lacks sufficient power. Instead her “gift” curses her with, what we would know as obsessive compulsive disorder. Emma meets the Darcys and discovers that she should have been the one to bind with Yuánchi, the deadly dragon coveted by both Emperor Napoleon and England’s Secretary of War. The story unfolds in London, with dark forces kidnapping wyves and dosing them with Night Crawler venom. Thos

Laura, the artist, and Natalie, the actor, were inseparable best friends. Despite living in a shabby apartment, they supported each other through thick and thin, sharing their victories and setbacks as they fought for success in their respective fields. Then suddenly, Natalie was gone, her life changed by success and an unexpected inheritance of both fortune and title. Laura is left behind, still struggling and feeling bereft. Attending Natalie’s swanky birthday party, Laura is mortified to be twice mistaken as a waitress. At least the second person to make that mistake, was stoned. Tom was also gorgeous, charming and a viscount. The instant sexual chemistry between Laura and Tom leads to an incendiary kiss. Laura struggles to forget the kiss, as does Tom. Their paths cross again in Scotland. Natalie has given Laura a job as artist in residence at Deveron Castle. Lord Tom Brewerly, had been heir to Deveron for twenty eight years. But when the Marquess, dies the entire inheritance goes

Netherfield Park is let at last and the new tenant Charles Bingley, faces unseasonably hot weather for October. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam join the party, after riding from London in the stultifying heat. Having spotted a very tempting stream as they rode across Netherfield’s land, they suggest a swim. On arrival they hear voices and investigate. All five Bennet daughters are swimming, as Mr Bennet sits in the shade. Elizabeth executes a daring, acrobatic swing into the river. Darcy is initially startled, as he thinks she is drowning, then captivated by the sight of Elizabeth in a wet dress. The heatwave lasts about ten days, with more swimming and interaction with the Bennets. Darcy ends up losing his heart to Elizabeth. The book ends at the Meryton assembly, where Darcy and Elizabeth dance and someone gets a wet and muddy comeuppance. This book is wonderful! No angst, very little Darcy pride and Elizabeth at her teasing best. As a bonus we have Jemima, a duck of great

Alexander Washburn, youngest son of the Duke of Richmond, had to make his own way in the world. His career in the army saw him rise to the rank of major, but his horrific experiences fighting Napoleon, weigh on his mind and soul. Due to untimely deaths in his family, Alex finds himself recalled from Spain to take up the duties as Duke. It is essential that he find a wife to secure an heir. Unfortunately, this means joining the marriage mart of Society, while struggling with a reticent temperament and what we would call PTSD. An interesting premise for a story. I’m a huge fan of JAFF, so the label of Pride and prejudice variation guaranteed my interest. However, what we get is Pride and prejudice, almost word for word, with all the characters renamed (some very oddly). All is told from Alex’s (Darcy) perspective, which shows his fascination with the ‘Lizzy’ character, as purely self-serving. He has no insight into who she is and what she feels. I know Fitzwilliam Darcy was the same, but

At three and twenty, Fitzwilliam Darcy fell in love with Miss Amesbury. Unfortunately, she betrayed him with his enemy, George Wickham. He vows to protect his heart from any unworthy woman. He collects advice, from those he trusts, on which qualities will make the perfect Mrs Darcy. Unsurprisingly, such a woman is hard to find. Four years later, he meets Elizabeth Bennet. She is beautiful, intelligent, witty and completely unsuitable to be Mrs Darcy. However, the heart wants, what the heart wants. Darcy courts Elizabeth but their budding romance is threatened when Darcy’s lost inamorata, reappears with a scandalous connection to the Bennet family. This is an interesting variation. A different cast of characters at Netherfield Park, allows events to play out differently. Darcy and Elizabeth meet again at a wedding in Derbyshire. The absence of the usual obstructive characters makes a pleasing change. Happy to recommend! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntari

This Pride and Prejudice variation sets the story in 1911. This allows us to see just how much has changed in one hundred years. The high prestige department store, Selfridge’s in London, is the thread that brings our characters together. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley is still a great landowner, but the world is so changed, that maintaining the house is a financial struggle. Elizabeth and Jane Bennet strike out for independence, becoming window dressers in the high prestige Selfridge’s in London.  Elizabeth is inspired to join the Suffragette movement, in their fight for women’s right to vote. But the more involved she becomes, the greater the risk of arrest and police brutality. Bingley is wealthy and affable, Caroline is a snob. Wickham is a waiter by day and lothario by night. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship follows the classic combination of pride, prejudice and misunderstanding. This is a good variation combining romance with some exciting, dramatic and occasionally angst ri