𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

The essence of this story is that the main protagonists all achieve insight into their own characters. Each develops a different view of the world and their place in it. The story begins when Elizabeth Bennet returns from Hunsford, following Fitzwilliam Darcy’s dreadful proposal and their subsequent argument. She joins her sister Jane, at the Gracechurch Street house of their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Elizabeth has had her eyes opened, following her interactions with Darcy. She had thought him wicked and Mr Wickham to be all that was good. His revelations that Wickham is a rake and a scoundrel shatter her belief in her skills as a judge of character. Jane has been slowly recovering from her heartbreak over Charles Bingley’s abandonment. She has put aside her rose tinted view of the world, to recognise that the Bingley sisters are harpies and Charles Bingley is a weak character. This revelation has made her feel a great deal better about herself. When the newly minted Lord Lyfford meets ...

When Thomas Bennet is confined to his bed with a lingering but terminal illness, the Longbourn estate is left without management. He has no son to assist him, but a wife and five daughters to fret over. Due to an entail, Longbourn will belong to a distant cousin upon Bennet’s death and the Bennet women will be homeless. Fortunately, his second eldest daughter, Elizabeth is smart, determined and resilient. At only twenty, with no education in land management, Elizabeth takes on the care of Longbourn, with not only very little support but having to actively repel the many circling vultures. Family, friends and neighbors all prove themselves faithless, greedy and venal. Mr Darcy of Pemberley is known to be a trustworthy and capable landowner, who took on the responsibility at a young age. Elizabeth writes to him as E.R. Bennet, explaining the difficulties being faced and requesting advice. Darcy is happy to assist the young “man” and correspondence follows. Elizabeth moves forward with ...

After a stormy courtship of misunderstandings and conflict, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy find married bliss. Unfortunately, life starts to get in the way.   While friends and family fill their nurseries, Elizabeth and Darcy still have no family after five years of marriage. Darcy needs an heir, but the loss of Georgiana in childbirth and Elizabeth’s near fatal miscarriage haunt him. Elizabeth feels that she is failing him and desperately wants a baby. The distress changes Elizabeth’s sunny disposition and Darcy often feels he can never say the right thing. As a result, they become more and more distant from each other, with Darcy retreating behind his mask of haughtiness. They reach a point where desperate measures seem to be the only way to save their marriage. Elizabeth’s solution is shocking, but Darcy reluctantly agrees, whilst still hoping for an alternative. And so they depart for Italy, where they hope an answer awaits them. The distance between Darcy and Elizabeth is pai...

Set in a Regency England with a large population of dragons. This is book eight of Maria Grace’s Jane Austen’s Dragons series and follows directly on from book seven Dragons Beyond the Pale. 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 and seven. 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 book seven, Elizabeth was kidnapped and although safely recovered, life is not back to normal. The threat to her still remains. Traitors in the Blue Order are still at large. Infant dragon, Pemberley is to be introduced to Blue Order Society at the Dragon Keepers' Cotillion, together with some of ...

Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to the once prestigious Darcy family and inheritor of the once fabulous Pemberley, is facing an unpalatable choice. He either sells Pemberley to pay off debt incurred by several generations of Darcys or enters a marriage of convenience to a wealthy woman. The state of both estate and family reputation means the once “brilliant match” to a Society lady no longer seems possible. He thinks himself in love with Caroline Bingley, but her modest dowry is not enough. His mentor suggests a particular lady, who is connected to trade but extremely wealthy. Elizabeth Bennet also wishes for a marriage of convenience, having been plagued by fortune hunting rakes. A bargain is made and they marry. Darcy’s attitude from the beginning is unpleasant regarding both Elizabeth’s money and status. He is angry that his father and grandfather have left Pemberley with vast debt and much neglected. The Darcy name has lost respect and he has no money. He chooses to marry Elizabeth for h...

Lord Julian Belfry is the second son of a marquess.  Unfortunately, choosing to own a rather vulgar theatre has lead to scandal.  When his father orders him to sell it, he chooses to cut himself off from his family, rather than submit.   In the following years he has worked hard to make the theatre successful and now he wants it to be respectable. When he meets Lady Emily Turner, he is impressed by her ability to retain a reputation for respectability, despite scandals in her own family. Julian suggests a marriage of convenience and explains that her respectability is an asset that he values. Essentially, her job will great a gloss of respectability over him and his business. Emily has spent her life bending to her mother’s opinion and duty to the family. Her reward is a dowry gambled away by her father and a suitor who is blackmailing her father. Julian’s offer has to be an improvement. Marriage to Julian gives her freedom from her family, but the cause of “respectabilit...

Viscount Saye is heir to the Earl of Matlock. He is clever, rich and handsome, with a carefully cultivated reputation as an outrageous flirt, a dandy and something of a rake. He is also shocked to find himself in love for the first time at two and thirty. He has flirted with Lillian Goddard for some months and even managed the odd intimate moment. When he hears that she is shortly to receive a proposal, he decides action must be taken. A fabulous house party at the Matlock estate is arranged. Twenty guests are invited, just so Saye can woo one woman. In attendance are Georgette Hawkridge, Saye’s cousin, who brings along her closest friends, Lilly and Sarah. Georgette has a secret passion for Samuel Anderson. Unfortunately, her father disapproves of Anderson, so subterfuge is essential. Cousin, Fitzwilliam Darcy hopes his betrothed, Elizabeth Bennet will attend. Her father is deliberately delaying their marriage and denies Elizabeth permission to attend. Viscount Saye and Mrs Bennet con...

The retelling of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s perspective has been attempted several times before. By its very nature, the book contains a great deal of the text from Jane Austen’s original. The author has woven new elements into the story in a seamless manner. Thus, we are introduced to Darcy’s first love and heartbreak. This does much to explain Darcy’s later suspicion of Jane Bennet as a fortune hunter. Anne de Bourgh is given the opportunity to show a delightful inner world, hidden by her ill health and overpowering mother. Caroline Bingley is as rude as ever but we see how her upbringing influenced her desperation to marry Darcy. There is also a possible chance for redemption. I would not say that this is the best retelling from Darcy’s perspective, but it a creditable effort and a good read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review Goodreads review

Charlotte Mayweather, illegitimate daughter of Emily, is left orphaned when her mother dies in Bedlam. Emily’s sister is Ursula, Lady Cotterhugh. Lord John and Lady Ursula Cotterhugh welcome Charlotte to their home, Drymote. She has a happy life until Ursula dies, followed a few years later by John. While grieving the loss of her beloved Uncle, she life becomes unrecognisable. The new Lord Cotterhugh, Albert is miserly, unpleasant and resentful of Charlotte’s presence as a poor relation. He even begrudges her having a flower from the garden. When Edward, the heir of Drymote arrives, his rakish, charming persona seems to confirm the scandalous reputation that preceded him. However, Edward has a great deal more about his than that, together with a burden of demons from his past. The story of Charlotte and Edward’s growing closeness plays out against a gothic background of vengeance, fear, betrayal and paranoia. A pleasing read. The characters are well drawn and you are kept guessing righ...

The Longbourn estate is entailed away from the female line. The Bennet family have five daughters and no sons. So when Mr Bennet dies, his cousin Mr Collins inherits. The Bennet sisters were pushed out into Society at an early age. The eldest, Jane married at fifteen, with Mary and Kitty marrying at seventeen. To her mother’s eternal relief, Mary became Mrs Collins, thereby ensuring the security of the family remaining at Longbourn. Unfortunately, Mr Collins is an obnoxious fool and Mary delights in reminding her sisters of her superior status, as Mistress of Longbourn. Elizabeth Bennet had been her father’s favourite. Now she was an unwanted, dependent sister. Treated as a poor relation, she is shuffled from one household to the next. Worse, she has been written off as a spinster despite being only twenty. Fitzwilliam Darcy is living in obscurity to protect his younger sister Georgiana. The consequences of an almost elopement with a fortune hunting rake, have broken Georgiana’s alread...

A whistle stop tour through the highs and lows of Regency England. The author touches on the harsh penal system, the poverty and hunger faced by so many. Such a background was the catalyst for radical thinking and action.  Unfortunately, the state and particularly the monarchy were keen to keep the status quo, ensuring brutal repression. The behaviour of the monarchy and particularly the Prince Regent, made them deeply unpopular with the country. Not that they seemed to care. The personal lives of the Royal family, were frequently scandalous. Prinny, the Prince Regent seemed to aim for excess in all areas of his life. We are also given vignettes on the lives of the notorious or celebrated (often the same person). The author combines a witty and sardonic turn of phrase, with beautifully chosen quotes.   When talking about Byron, the first celebrity to get fanmail she writes “Byron’s wife Annabella Milbanke coined the phrase ‘Byromaniacs’for those women who obsessed over her hus...

Viscount Sutherfeld is so concerned about the effect of London Society on his daughters' behaviour, that he relocates the family to an isolated estate in the North. Eldest daughter, Isabel finds life at Rothfield Park tedious. She has to calm her sister Jane, who is convinced that the estate is haunted.  Even more vexing is the announcement that she is to marry a stuffy Colonel. Isabel is independent, intelligent and stroppy! Her parents seek a tutor to give her lessons in propriety and deportment.  Following an argument with the Viscountess, she goes for a reckless gallop through the forest. After she is thrown from her horse, she returns to the house to find a changed atmosphere. Jane has been sent away, the servants shun her and her parents refuse to acknowledge her. Isabel is determined not to succumb to parental pressure. Life is lonely for Isabel, so the arrival of Dougal Weston is an improvement. She doesn’t want a tutor, so having already encouraged several governesses...

Wow! What a wonderful book ❤️ Mrs Bennet was determined that her daughter Elizabeth, would marry Mr Collins. He is her cousin and heir to their entailed estate. Marrying him would ensure her family’s security, when her father died. Unfortunately, Collins is an obnoxious and repellent creature. Elizabeth refuses to have anything to do with him. He then offers marriage to Charlotte Lucas, spinster and Elizabeth’s best friend. Charlotte is pragmatic about marriage, just happy to have her own home in the parsonage at Hunsford in Kent. Mrs Bennet is outraged at Elizabeth’s refusal and berates her ceaselessly. Elizabeth arranges an escape from her mother, by visiting Charlotte, a few months after her marriage. Hoping for respite, she is shocked to find the Parsonage is a strange and unpleasant place. Mr Collins is controlling and vindictive. She finds Charlotte is changed beyond all recognition. Charlotte has sadly realised that accepting Mr Collins proposal was a huge mistake. Her response...

Lady Francine, orphaned daughter of a Duke, is being pressured to marry by her unpleasant Aunt Prudence. Francine is just a few weeks from her majority and has no wish to marry. Her fortune means marriage is unnecessary and she wants her independence. When Aunt Prudence starts introducing thoroughly unpleasant suitors and neglecting her duty as a chaperone, Francine knows she must find a way out. She asks Lord Blakely, a notorious rake, to pretend to be her betrothed. He takes some convincing but money and the offer of a sexual liaison, seal the deal. Blakely is plagued by burdens of responsibility and a frightening secret. What starts out as a business arrangement, flares to a steamy education in debauchery. The book details their growing relationship, set against a background of wicked relatives and savage murders in London. For the most part, the steamy sections are well done. There is a ménage à trois, which I found uncomfortable reading, particularly when I didn’t know how far the...

Fitzwilliam Darcy is finally ready to propose to Elizabeth Bennet. It has taken him some time to overcome his objections to her status, family, connexions with trade and lack of fortune. As he seeks the perfect opportunity to offer for Elizabeth, he comes across her diary, in amongst the bluebells. He initially thinks it to be a novel and takes it, planning to return it to Elizabeth. When picking up the book he sees his name and cannot resist a glance. Darcy is brought up short by reading Elizabeth’s diary and discovering just how much she despises him. Elizabeth has long disliked Fitzwilliam Darcy, considering him proud, arrogant and devoid of any proper feeling. Her opinions are backed up by the “evidence” of the handsome Mr Wickham. Darcy is heartbroken to read her opinion of him and resolves to answer her allegations by writing a letter in her diary. He knows Mr Wickham to be a scoundrel and debaucher, so must ensure Elizabeth has the knowledge to protect herself and her family. As...

Miss Honora Gregory, daughter of Viscount Greene had been looking forward to her first Season in London. However, several years of difficulties on his estate, left Lord Greene with no money for a Season. Honora’s aunt, Lady Langdon “kindly” offers to take Honora with her to London, but only as a companion. She is a self centred woman, who seems to take great delight in emphasising to Society that Honora is only a companion. Honora meets Lord Crampton, who she finds rude, arrogant and prideful. Robert Crampton is a merchant’s son, who became an Earl due to being the last surviving male in the family.  Unfortunately, his lack of education and previous status have made him anxious about being accepted by the ton. A service to a Duke’s family raises his profile but then it seems to go to his head. Honora has several interactions with Lord Crampton. In her first, she gives him a good set down. As time goes on her blunt honesty gives Robert the push to reflect on his behaviour and try to...

On the day after the Netherfield ball, Mr Bingley and his party quit Netherfield, with no intention of returning. Caroline Bingley hates Hertfordshire and is keen to drag her brother to London. She and friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy persuade Bingley that the woman he loves, does not return his affections. They even suggest, Jane Bennet might marry him to gain security for her family. Darcy is desperate to leave as he is infatuated with Elizabeth Bennet, who he feels is unsuitable to be Mrs Darcy. In London, Darcy continues to battle with his desire versus his duty to family. Eventually, he flees home to Pemberley. Meanwhile, Bingley is miserable and heartbroken. At Longbourn, Jane is heartbroken and tormented by her mother, who won’t stop wailing about Mr Bingley’s defection. On Boxing Day, Mr Bennet becomes ill and takes to his bed, never to leave it. As snow and freezing weather grips the country, Elizabeth takes on managing the estate. When the snow keeps the estate workers away, she tak...

On a foggy All Hallows Eve, Ira and his young colleagues are sent home early so that they can find their way to their homes. Crossing a bridge on his route, he hears a disembodied voice. Already unsettled by the eery effect of the fog, he is startled by the appearance of a black shape. When the shape is revealed to be terrified, desperate woman, Ira wants to help her. So when she jumps into the river, he follows her and brings her to safety. The story she reveals is disturbing. Even more so when it becomes obvious that she is telling the absolute truth. This novella is a compelling Halloween story. The author excels in depicting the eeriness of the fog, the feeling of menace and the sense of being watched. Short, but gripping. I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review

Silly, flirty, fifteen year old Lydia Bennet is invited to Brighton, a whole town full of soldiers. What could go wrong? Elizabeth Bennet begs her father to cancel the trip. Instead, he finds it amusing to send her along to supervise Lydia. Handsome, charming Lieutenant George Wickham, a former favourite of Elizabeth is also in Brighton. However, Elizabeth has finally understood that he is a duplicitous rake. When she lets him know she is wise to him, he retaliates by targeting Lydia for seduction and ruin. One day she looses track of Lydia. Thinking that she sees Lydia in a crowd boarding a ferry, she is alarmed to see Wickham is also there. She jumps on board but finds no Lydia. Then she walks into Fitzwilliam Darcy. Darcy and Elizabeth have a tempestuous past. He loves her and proposed to her. Unfortunately, Elizabeth detested him and refused, quite vociferously. Darcy wrote a letter to Elizabeth defending his character and clearing up misinformation provided by Wickham. As a result...

The book follows parallel stories of two characters. In Victorian London, Dr Borthwick develops his practice as a successful accoucheur. Catering to both the desperately poor and increasingly wealthy clients. Unfortunately, Dr Preston, a well established, though less capable accoucheur views Dr Borthwick as a threat. He will use dirty tricks to remove that threat. In Victorian Alnwick, a woman is found on the moor during a thunderstorm. She has no clothes, no money, no name and no memory. She is taken in by the Elliott family. Mary Elliott nurses the woman back to health, giving her the name Joanna. Once recovered, Joanna must work on the farm to repay her debt. Unfortunately, it is run down and the house is a hovel. The living conditions are vile, as is the predatory John Elliott. Joanna is dirty, malnourished, ragged and vulnerable. When Mary goes into labour, Joanna assists. She has midwifery skills and knowledge but no idea where the knowledge came from. She begins to act as midwif...

Fitzwilliam Darcy proposed to Elizabeth Bennet, the woman he loves. Unfortunately, Darcy’s previous haughty, arrogant behaviour had left her with a profound dislike of him. The proposal was ham-fisted at best. In reality, profoundly insulting. Elizabeth’s response was volcanic! She let him know exactly what she thought of him. Darcy handed Elizabeth a letter explaining himself. Particularly, the reason he despises Elizabeth’s friend Wickham (for trying to elope with his 15 year old sister Georgiana). Elizabeth is forced to re-evaluate her opinion of Darcy and comes to realise, too late, that she loves him. The book opens several months later. Elizabeth is packed and ready to leave on holiday, when an express from her aunt details a delay in their trip to Derbyshire. Suddenly at a loose end, she and her sister walk in to town. They come across a well dressed teenage girl, left stranded on a trip to Brighton by her thieving maid. This girl turns out to be Georgiana Darcy who has run away...

Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man of wealth and status, is infatuated with Elizabeth Bennet. Unfortunately, he feels unable to propose due to her vulgar family and lack of both status and fortune. When disaster befalls her family, Elizabeth is forced to seek employment. Darcy offers her the post of companion to his sister, Georgiana. Darcy struggles not to act on his attraction to Elizabeth. She is completely unaware, but gradually falls in love with Darcy, despite his irritating, autocratic ways. Georgiana comes out into society and after a successful Season, becomes engaged. What will happen when Elizabeth’s job comes to an end? Will Darcy declare himself or will he let Elizabeth go? This is an enjoyable variation, but I’m not a big fan of Mr Darcy being portrayed as a rake. He gradually reforms himself but it takes quite some time. The narrator, Pearl Hewitt does a pretty good job. I received a free copy of this audiobook via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views express...

Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man of consequence and riches, is in love with Elizabeth Bennet.  He has overcome his many reservations about the match (her vulgar family, lack of fortune and connexions) and is about to propose. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him, Elizabeth Bennet is not in love with him. In fact she despises him for his involvement in separating her sister, Jane from his friend, Bingley. As Darcy attempts to propose, the universe steps in to delay him. An escaped Great Dane puppy interrupts. Darcy has a longstanding aversion to the breed. Elizabeth is enchanted and christens her Ruby.   Next day, Darcy looks for another opportunity to speak to Elizabeth. Ruby causes a distraction of a more perilous nature. The gamekeeper feels Ruby can’t be trained, so is planning to destroy her. Elizabeth and Darcy are horrified. Darcy makes a spur of the moment decision to adopt her. This action impresses Elizabeth and makes her start to re-evaluate her view of Darcy. There are further...

Fitzwilliam Darcy is ardently in love with Elizabeth Bennet. Unfortunately, due to pride and misunderstandings, Elizabeth rejects his proposal in a most vehement manner. She comes to realise that he is the best of men and she loves him. When they meet again at his estate, Pemberley, their future felicity seems in reach. Devastating news rips them apart. Youngest sister Lydia Bennet has eloped with George Wickham. Mr Bennet searches for them in the slums of London. When he finds them, Wickham refuses to marry Lydia without a large dowry. Money that Bennet does not have. Mr Bennet challenges Wickham to a duel. Wickham is killed, but he shot Mr Bennet who later dies of infection. The Bennet family are evicted from their entailed estate and face possible ruin. This becomes almost certain when Lydia is found to be with child. Elizabeth moves to London to live with her aunt and uncle. Darcy comes to her and proposes again. Elizabeth is heartbroken to have to refuse again. She won’t expose Da...

A story of time travel from 2022 to Regency England. Oxford university history student, Elizabeth Bennet works part time at Netherfield Park Museum. While working at a costumed Regency event at Netherfield, Elizabeth picks up a book with mysterious powers. She finds herself taken back in time to 1812. Her arrival is witnessed by the haughty Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is immediately offended by Elizabeth’s modern manners. It takes a while for Elizabeth to accept that she is no longer in 2022. Fortunately, she is mistaken for a distant relative by Lady Henrietta, a guest at the ball. Thus, she has somewhere to stay, clothes to wear and a position in society.  The downside is that Lady Henrietta seeks to marry her off to a lecherous Lord. Elizabeth is desperate to get back to 2022, at the same time falling for Mr Darcy. Could he feel the same? Will she make it home? I have read and enjoyed several of the author’s books. However, although the concept for the story is interesting, it felt r...

Threads of Magic is Book 2 of Mr. Darcy’s Magic. It is a standalone novel without cliff-hangers, but it is best read as part of a series. Set against a backdrop of Regency England where magic is the province of the aristocracy. Napoleon has weaponised magic and English Royal Mages must defeat him. In Book 1, Elizabeth Bennet is forced into a loveless marriage with Royal Mage, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Her magical gifts are needed to optimise his essential defensive magical power but the rules of propriety dictate an unmarried couple cannot work together. By the end of Book 1 the couple are in love. Threads of Magic starts as the couple return to magical headquarters after a romantic break. They are dropped straight back into battle before they make it through the door. Elizabeth saves everyone using an unconventional strategy. One would think that she would be lauded for this. However, three Mages have a strange malady for which Elizabeth is blamed. The Mages relocate/retreat to Netherfield P...

Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life contains little joy, a situation he does not expect to change. Darcy’s society marriage was not happy and ended in tragedy. A house fire killed not only his wife but also his beloved sister, Georgiana. Her husband, Bingley and her two young children bereft by her loss. Darcy focuses on supporting the Bingley family in their grief. Eventually in an effort to encourage Bingley back into society, they lease Netherfield in Hertfordshire. There they meet a spinster, Miss Jane Bennet, her recently widowed mother and Jane’s sister Elizabeth Matthews, a widow with two children. Both men find their company enjoyable and relaxing. As Jane and Elizabeth are in mourning for their father, they cannot be husband hunting. Thus Darcy and Bingley feel no pressure. The Matthews and Bingley children play happily together. Bingley benefits from Elizabeth’s parenting advice. Slowly friendships develop and gradually become more, as both couples find hope for the future. This is a ve...

Mr and Mrs Bennet have an acrimonious and increasingly violent marriage. Not only do they do a poor job of raising their youngest daughters but their regular fights cause emotional abuse to their family. From the age of twelve, second daughter Elizabeth takes on the role of protector, guide and support for Mary, Kitty and Lydia. She has some assistance from her elder sister, Jane. However, Jane’s naivety means Elizabeth has to watch out for her too. All of this leads to a sadder, more mature Elizabeth Bennet than we usually meet. When Fitzwilliam Darcy arrives in Hertfordshire his standoffish behaviour does not recommend him to Elizabeth.  However, as they come to know each other better, a friendship grows. Darcy’s own experience of shouldering responsibility at a young age, gives them something in common. Elizabeth is determined to care for her sisters until they are all married. Unfortunately, this means that she is likely to end up a spinster, given the age difference. As Elizab...

Fitzwilliam Darcy has it all. Handsome, very rich, nephew of an Earl and owner of the fabulous Pemberley. He also has a vexatious aunt, who insists he was betrothed in infancy to his sickly cousin Anne de Bourgh. Anne believes it, he knows it is untrue. Darcy recently visited Hertfordshire and met the witty, beautiful and kind Elizabeth Bennet. He has lost his heart to her. However, he knows it is his duty to marry for rank, fortune and connection. None of which Elizabeth has. He has dragged himself away to prevent being overwhelmed by his desire to propose. Darcy is already like a bear with a sore head, when he discovers that his sister has told Anne de Bourgh of his feelings for Elizabeth. Anne who rarely leaves her home, decides to head for Hertfordshire to see off her rival. News that his enemy George Wickham, a rake, is paying attention to Anne forces Darcy to return to Hertfordshire to retrieve his cousin. And so begins a gradual unravelling of misunderstandings and prejudices. W...

Jules Knowlton, poet and newly appointed Cambridge professor attends a writer’s retreat. He is drawn to the only other poet in attendance. Leila Owen, is a beautiful Anglo-Indian lady, with a rare gift for poetry. What starts as friendship rapidly becomes something more. Unfortunately, Leila’s father is returning from India after five years and is likely to push for an arranged marriage to help his career in the East India company. When the retreat ends the couple try to find a way for Jules to be accepted as a suitor. However, their plans don’t go quite as planned! This is a lovely story with an unusual couple. It is funny, whimsical and well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review

Matthew, Duke of Abernyte is seeking a traitorous aristocrat, who is assisting with the French invasion of England. Lady Violet lives in terror of her brother, Lord Dennington who is cruel and abusive. When Abernyte and Lady Violet meet on the dancefloor a friendship develops. Unfortunately, Dennington pushes Violet to further a relationship with Abernyte. As Violet knows to her cost, if her brother wants her to do something, his motives will likely be malicious. The book shows Violet finding her courage to defy her brother, no matter how terminal the consequences. Can Matthew and Violet find their way to thwart the malicious plotting of Lord Dennington? Can Violet find hope and love in her future? Compelling read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review

Georgiana Darcy only just escaped ruin and injury following the actions of her governess Miss Younge and the perfidious George Wickham, ex-family friend. Her brother Fitzwilliam Darcy came to her rescue but during the encounter, he killed Wickham. Both Georgiana and Fitzwilliam are forever changed by the events. Following a collapse of her family’s finances, Elizabeth Bennet takes a job as governess to Georgiana Darcy. However, Pemberley is imposing and grim, Georgiana is troubled, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is secretive and brooding. Can Elizabeth break through their reserve? I have to say that I am not sure about this one. Darcy’s behaviour is massively out of character. Georgiana swings from childlike and coquettish. It is an interesting look at post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of abuse and grooming. However, it is not a comfortable read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review ...

After two attempts on his life by a female assassin, Fitzwilliam Darcy is understandably perplexed. When he seeks sanctuary with his friend Charles Bingley at his new estate in Meryton, he is shocked to meet the assassin or someone who looks very like her. So begins a tale of several mistaken identities, murder, false accusation, duplicity, betrayal and all-round peril. This is such a great story! The mystery is compelling and the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy is adorable. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads Review

Mr Enfield, long time resident of Netherfield Park, took a grandfatherly interest in the vivacious second daughter of his neighbours, the Bennet family. Elizabeth Bennet loved to walk through the countryside and admired a particular area of Mr Enfield’s garden. He invited her to enjoy it whenever she pleased and renamed it ‘Elizabeth’s garden’. When he died, she was stunned and delighted to learn that he had left the garden to her. But gifts can come with strings! Fitzwilliam Darcy was fond of his uncles' cousin, Mr Enfield. He would visit whenever he traveled along the road to London, which passed Hertfordshire. When the gentleman left Netherfield to him in his will he was pleased but planned to sell, feeling he had sufficient property to manage. His friend Bingley wants to buy an estate after a time leasing to learn estate management. What could be better than for Bingley to buy Netherfield? Except Darcy discovers that the estate must be complete before it can be sold and part of...

Hugh, Earl of Brinsworth is suffering from the aftereffects of fighting in the Napoleonic War. He is haunted by memories and dreadful dreams. Clara Lockhart enters his house as companion to his mother. Clara is the daughter of an abusive Viscount, who sees no value in her. He made no effort to help her find a husband and even helps himself to her wages! The book shows Clara finding kindness and friendship that she has never known before. Hugh finds a willing listener, to ease his burden. Through intrigue, espionage and evil intent can Clara and Hugh find companionship and love? Enjoyable book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review

Sebastian Lancaster, Earl of Roddam is an intriguing character. Intellectual, exasperated with “Society” and hiding a deep dark secret. Lizbeth Trethow is a wallflower. Bright, enlightened and determined to marry with love and equality, or not at all. Their intellect brings them together as friends. Both develop a secret passion for the other. Unfortunately, Sebastian is scarred by an abusive childhood and is scared to allow Lizbeth close.   There are several advances and retreats before they finally come together.   Lizbeth is determined to help Sebastian work through his demons, but struggles to find the way until she stumbles upon some startling letters. Will they find peace and happiness? An enjoyable read but a possible trigger for abuse survivors. I received a free copy of this book via Voracious readers and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review   Goodreads review