Fitzwilliam Darcy, Hero: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Duology by Julie Cooper & Mary Smythe ★★★★★

Mr Darcy's Abducted Bride by Julie Cooper ★★★★★

When Thomas Bennet dies, his estate is entailed to a Mr Collins. His wife and daughters will lose both home, status and income.

Mr Bennet is unwell and Mrs Bennet is scared that death is not far away. She diligently cares for him and ensures that he takes the tonic recommended by the apothecary. A tonic that makes him amiable and compliant.

The unctuous Mr Collins is visiting, with a plan to wed one of the Bennet sisters. Unfortunately, he is focused on Elizabeth, who has nothing but contempt for him. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy is thoroughly infatuated with Elizabeth, but is leaving Hertfordshire because she is not suitable to be Mrs Darcy. 

He learns that Collins intends to propose. Unfortunately, Mrs Bennet has drugged Elizabeth with her father's tonic. 

When Darcy arrives at Longbourn, he finds Collins and Mrs Bennet dragging Elizabeth to church for an immediate wedding. She is too out of her wits to know or object. 

Darcy is left with only one choice. He must abduct Elizabeth, to save her.

Elizabeth then finds herself on a disturbing journey with Darcy. Collins and Mrs Bennet are in hot pursuit, while George Wickham joins in, seeing an opportunity for extortion.

I loved this! We have an outrageously awful Mrs Bennet and a self serving, wilfully blind Mr Collins. 

In her drugged state, Elizabeth shows her suppressed attraction to Darcy, her veneer of resentment, stripped away. 

This is a swoon worthy Darcy, who is kind, gentle, solicitous and occasionally passionate.

Excellent book!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Case of Some Urgency: A Novella Length Variation by Mary Smythe. ★★★★★

When Elizabeth Bennet visits Pemberley, it seems that she and Fitzwilliam Darcy will finally understand each other. 

A much hoped for second chance at love is blasted by the news of her sister Lydia’s elopement with Darcy’s enemy, George Wickham. 

On the rushed journey back to Longbourn, Elizabeth rereads Darcy’s letter, her only comfort. At one point, she needs to hide it from others in the coach and thus it becomes stuffed between cushions in her uncle Gardiner’s carriage.

Mr Bennet finds the letter, when he is searching for Lydia. 

Having failed to parent Lydia, he decides to go overboard in protecting Elizabeth. Mr Bennet demands that Darcy do the honourable thing and propose to Elizabeth. Fortunately, both are keen on the idea!

The next twist in the tale is the arrival of the new Mr & Mrs Wickham. Lydia expects to be the centre of attention and is vexed to find that Elizabeth and Darcy are the focus.

Lydia and Wickham will go to some shocking lengths in response to the perceived slights. They are truly vile and frankly, deserve each other. 

Really good story with romance and some edge of the seat moments!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.