𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

Elizabeth Adams’ latest book is part gothic novel , part Grimm's fairy tale and all pride and prejudice!   A cruel ancestor, rightly cursed for his wicked treatment of his wife. Unfortunately, the curse afflicts every Darcy male, down through the generations. Dooming them to darkness, fury and violence. Not quite the sort of inheritance that Society expects! The curse contains a blessing. If a Darcy seeks and wins their great love, they will know great joy. That joy will calm the beast within and save them from the evils of the curse. Fitzwilliam Darcy searches for years, in the ballrooms and soirées of London. He has almost given up, when he feels drawn to Meryton in Hertfordshire. Where Darcy goes, his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam is close by as support and a well armed voice of reason! Meeting Elizabeth Bennet is just the start of Darcy’s labours.  Now Darcy must make conversation with a lady !  A serious challenge to the taciturn man from Derbyshire.

I adored Rachel Rowan’s Entitled Love series of novellas, so I was eager to read her novel, set in the same world. Ms Rowan doesn’t disappoint! The aristocratic Blackton and Banberry-Thompson families have had a centuries-long friendship, living on adjoining estates. The current generation spent summers together, ranging over the woods and fields. Last year, that friendship ended. Hugo Blackton, Viscount, playboy and disappointment to his father, the Earl, attended the engagement party of Cassandra Banberry-Thompson. His behaviour resulted in the breaking of Cassandra’s engagement (much to her relief) and the breaking of Amy Banberry-Thompson’s heart. Amy had been in love with Hugo for years. However, she was under no illusions that he would pay any attention to her. Until he did. At the party, he whispered words of admiration in her ear and kissed her soundly. Amy was elated, until she heard Hugo’s cronies sniggering. He had done it for a bet! A year later. The Earl is fed up with Hug

This Pride and prejudice variation gives us two main characters who are the complete opposite of canon. George Wickham, old playmate of Fitzwilliam Darcy, becomes dissolute at Cambridge. Drawn into a coterie of young profligate aristocrats, he feels accepted. Until one day, he overhears what they really think of him. An express arrives, urging his return home as his father is dying. These two blows have a profound effect, leaving him much more receptive to his father’s final advice. So George commits to his studies, eventually becoming a law clerk. Whilst working in a solicitor’s office in Ramsgate, he comes across the young heiress, Georgiana Darcy. When he realises that a fortune hunter is plotting an elopement with Georgiana, he foils the plot with her brother’s assistance. Unfortunately, this Georgiana is very far from Jane Austen’s innocent, gullible young lady. She may be only fifteen, but words like devious, manipulative and vengeful come to mind. The presence of a benign, Georg

At the wedding breakfast of Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley, a latecomer is having a very indiscreet conversation, with Bingley’s sisters. Mr Darcy opines that perhaps Charles could have married his first love, despite his suit being rejected. The lady’s very proud father, was regretting his hasty decision. Unfortunately, Jane overhears and decides to flee, so that Charles would not be stuck with her.  Elizabeth Bennet is furious with Darcy and let’s him know it, in no uncertain terms!  Elizabeth’s dramatic exit goes awry, leading to a stumble and the appearance of compromise.  Cue the arrival of Mr Bennet, Sir William Lucas and others. All in their cups and not willing to listen to reason. Darcy is happy to do the honourable thing and marry Elizabeth. However, Mr Bennet decides that Darcy is a rake. As Elizabeth and Darcy come to love each other, they are torn apart by Mr Bennet’s determined efforts to send Elizabeth where she will not be found. This book is a brilliant rollercoaster