Change of Heart by Tina Marie Noel

Change of Heart by Tina Marie Noel

In this Pride and Prejudice re-telling, Lady Catherine would be well and truly within her rights to say that Elizabeth had used her female guile and accoutrements to turn Darcy's head.

She flirts outrageously and use double entendres, stroking Mr Darcy's snooker cue while telling Mr Darcy she likes to play with his stick.

This is definitely not an Elizabeth that Jane Austen would have liked and some might say it slips into the category of housewife porn. But this elizabeth does the impossible, she changes Lady Catherine's heart as well.

Lady Catherine even coming to the defence of Elizabeth with a serious dressing down to Caroline Bingley and her friend for this alone the book has to be worth reading. because, let's face it wouldn't we all love to give Caroline Bingley a verbal slap around the face and who could  possibly do it better that the totally acidic Lady Catherine DeBourgh. yes this is smutty but at least it is entertaining smut.
Masses of fumbling and heaving breasts.

Even Jane gets a bit naughty and that is very out of character.

Dreams and Expectations by Wendi Sotis

Wendi Sotis - Dreams and Expectations

Well this version of Pride and Prejudice has everything plus a whole lot more!

As Lady Ann lies dying she gets young Darcy to promise to marry well.

On his mothers death her sister, Lady Catherine De Bourgh makes sure Darcy understands that marrying well is marrying her own daughter, Anne.

So, when he meets and falls head over heels in love with Elizabeth he is unable to tell her how much he loves her as his mothers death wish has too strong a hold on him.

Once again Wendi Sotis relishes making Lady Catherine into the vilest of villans, she is so evil in this story and her evil  henchman is non other than Mr George Wickham.

There is treason and ruination, there are smugglers and Lady Catherine is the mastermind of them all.

There are so many interesting twists and sub plots in this story you are left grieving with Darcy and Lizzy as they both pine for each other.

You follow Jane as a really rotten Caroline Bingley makes sure she is also in the same boat.

Poor Charlotte is tied to an even more repulsive Mr Collins than Jane Austen dared write.

Don't let the simple covers of these books put you off, you don't need an expensive glitzy cover to make an interesting entertaining read.

This story goes right through to a modern day Lizzy and Darcy which I feel would have been better saved for another book.

Thank you Wendi for another entertaining read, I hope there is more on the way.

Questions For Authors ~ P.O. Dixon Replies

Questions For Authors ~ P.O. Dixon Replies

Our Thanks To P.O Dixon for Answering our “Questions For Authors” Questions

1) Your own favorite Austen character and why?

My favorite character is Mr Darcy. As a man of his time, he is just what a wealthy gentleman of aristocratic bearing ought to be.

2) Your Favorite Austen book?

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen book. My second favorite is Lady Susan.

3) Which actor would you choose to be YOUR Mr Darcy and why?

When I close my eyes and envision Mr Darcy, it is always Matthew Macfadyen that I see. I have tried to picture other actors but with little success. I owe my discovery of Pride and Prejudice to Matthew’s portrayal of Darcy. I suppose it is fitting that no one can take his place in my mind.

4) Who would be your perfect Elizabeth?

Likewise, Keira Knightly is my choice as the perfect Elizabeth. I can see why she was nominated for an award for her portrayal of the literary heroine. I loved her performance.

5) Your favorite book of all time by any author?

After giving this some thought, and with so many literary greats from which to choose, I must leave this question unanswered.

6) Your favorite Austen film or TV adaption?

My favorite is the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film.

7) You are having a dinner party and can invite four Austen characters which would they be?

The invitees would be Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennet, and Caroline Bingley.

8) Why have you chosen them?

Lady Catherine is set in her ways. She is awfully proud of her own opinions and with good reason. Who else is as proficient as she is in arranging the lives of others? She would be astounded by the clueless wit of Miss Emma Woodhouse, astonished by the audacity of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and appalled by the pretentiousness of Miss Caroline Bingley.

The evening would be quite diverting. I believe Emma and Elizabeth would emerge from the dinner party unscathed but alas, I pity poor Caroline.

9) Which character would you like to play in a Pride and Prejudice film?

I have no acting ambition but if forced to make a decision it would be Elizabeth. No one else enjoys the enviable position of winning Mr Darcy’s hand.

10) Tell us about your next planned book (whether Austen related or not)?

My current work-in-progress is titled Matter of Trust. Darcy and Elizabeth, our beloved couple, endure a forced marriage scenario of sorts. In a rare departure for me, George Wickham enjoys a particularly prominent role. An intriguing new character is introduced, as well. Readers are welcome to follow my Pinterest board or my blog spot for progress updates. 

I am truly excited about Matter of Trust. Its release date is late Autumn 2012.

The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss

The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss

Davids Website

A dark gothic tale full of demons and black shadows that come to life only when glimpsed from the corner of your eye.

The heroine Lucy Derricks life is blighted as she and her sister Martha are orphaned.

Mr Buckles (A far nastier and cruel version of Mr Collins) who inherits their estate is a clergyman with Patroness Lady Harriet (who makes Lady Catherine de Bourgh seem like a pussy cat, a sweet cuddly one).

They will stop at nothing to make her life difficult. Martha has Married Mr Buckles in the hope of helping Lucy to no avail, she is sent to live with her mean old uncle.

She is to be married off  to a horrible mill owner, but fate steps in,  in the form of a cursed Lord Byron.

Lucy is also befriended by Mary Crawford and the young man who nearly ruined her reputation as a sixteen year old who had romantic ideas of an elopement, also returns to haunt her.

She has a terrible task to help save Britain from following France into a blood soaked revolution but she does not know who to trust.

Nothing is as it seems for poor Lucy, the decisions are not easy ones. Will she prevail in this action packed gothic thriller.

I shall be looking out for David Liss on my next trip to the book shop !!!!

Interview With An Author – Janet Mullany

Interview With An Author – Janet Mullany

Janet Mullamy’s Website Here

1) Your own favorite Austen character and why?

Janet – Henry Tilney. He’s such an adorable flirt and he really seems to like women.

2) Your Favorite Austen book?

Janet – My answer usually is whichever one I happen to be rereading, which at the moment is Sense and Sensibility, but I’m torn between Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Indecisive? Not really.

3) Which actor would you chose to be YOUR Mr Darcy and why?

Janet – Obviously I don’t have a calling as a casting director because I can’t honestly think of anyone! I’m really tired of all the perpetual cooing over Colin Firth and I’m impressed that he’s managed to have a career despite P and P. I tend to visualize Darcy as a fairly ordinary looking sort of man. Just about any competent actor in his mid 20s could do it.

4) Who would be your perfect Elizabeth?

Janet – A younger Emily Blunt or Emily Mortimer.

5) Your favorite book of all time by any author?

Janet – Wives and Daughters by Mrs. Gaskell

6) Your favorite Austen film or TV adaption?

Janet – 1995 Persuasion

7) You are having a dinner party and can invite four Austen characters which would they be?

Janet – Henry Tilney, Anne Elliot, Mary Crawford, Mr. Darcy

8. Why have you chosen them?

Janet – Mary would flirt outrageously with all the men but I think there’s the basis for interesting conversation.

9) Which character would you like to play in a film?

Janet – Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She’s so awful.

10) Tell us about your next planned book (whether Austen related or not)?

Janet – JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION (October 2011)–Jane, Damned again. Jane Austen battles rogue vampires, a sulky ex-lover, family members behaving badly, and other interruptions to her writing in Chawton, 1810.

Thank you very much Janet, very much appreciated.

Interview With An Author – Karen Wasylowski

Interview With An Author – Karen Wasylowski

Karen V. Waslowski’s Website

Karen V. Wasylowski, author of “Darcy and Fitzwilliam, a tale of a gentleman and and officer”

1) Your own favorite Austen character and why?

Karen:  Lady Catherine de Bourgh is certainly one of my favorites and a very misunderstood character to be sure. The older that I get the more I understand her irritation with the youngsters around her and their new fangled ideas about love and romance. She is so very pompous and so opinionated that she borders on the laughable and that’s how I see her – an eccentric old aunt about whom everyone must…up with put. (Can’t end a sentence with a preposition, you know.)

2) Your Favorite Austen book?

Karen:  Pride and Prejudice is nearly perfect in my mind. There is something about the elegant, handsome, superior male being brought to his knees by the clever, witty, and very beloved female that is very satisfying to behold. Darcy’s second proposal is tender and human and Elizabeth’s new found love and respect for him (and Pemberley) is poignant. All the characters are so normal – I can see sitting down with any one of them (except Reverend Collins) and enjoying a nice chat.

3) Which actor would you chose to be YOUR Mr. Darcy and why?

Karen:   That’s a real puzzler. I loved Colin Firth in the mini-series and enjoyed watching his falling in love with Elizabeth. However, I did enjoy Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal also. There was a defensive shyness about Darcy with Macfadyen where Colin’s was more of a pride of his position.

4) Who would be your perfect Elizabeth?

Karen:  I hated Kiera Knightley’s look in the 2005 movie, as compared to Jennifer Ehle. Kiera looked like an unmade bed half the time where Jennifer looked perfect. In reflection though the Bennet’s were poor gentility so their clothes and their home would be rather shabby and they would not have the finest of maids to do hair. Aside from that Kiera just glowed as Lizzy. She was lit from within – a cliché that just seems to apply to her in all of her movies.

5) Your favorite book of all time by any author?

Karen:  Hands down – Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

6) Your favorite Austen film or TV adaption?

Karen:  I loved the 2005 movie of Pride and Prejudice for the actors. I enjoyed the mini-series much more however because it followed the book so closely. There were times in the movie it was even hard to understand what they said, and the story had been manipulated and so much was left out. Of course, it was a movie so they had to edit. I also loved Emma Thompson’s Sense and Sensibility, especially the scene where she finds out Edward isn’t married. I cry every time she does. And Persuasion is the most romantic of all, with Anne and Wentworth finally together at the end.

7) You are having a dinner party and can invite four Austen characters which would they be?

Karen:  Aunt Catherine, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Wentworth

8. Why have you chosen them?

Karen:  Darcy and Wentworth are the most romantic of Austen’s men in my view, and I love Colonel Fitzwilliam from my own book, Darcy and Fitzwilliam. I took Austen’s few words about his affability and charm and he emerged into a full blown character in my mind, trouble is I forget that other people don’t see him as I do. Aunt Catherine would need to attend so the men don’t suspect that I am a stalker.

9) Which character would you like to play in a film?

Karen:   Lady Catherine – can’t you tell? I get a kick out of her, besides I am too old to be an ingénue.

10) Tell us about your next planned book (whether Austen related or not)?

Karen:  I have begun a continuation of Darcy and Fitzwilliam with the two cousins’ now married and fathers and both seemingly headed for Parliament. The tentative title is “A Parliament of Owls.” 

I also have a more contemporary story started about a horrible first date.

More from Karen Waslowski Here

A Big Thank You To Karen

If you are an Author and would like to Be Included In ‘Questions To Authors ‘- Click on the Questions To Authors link at the top of the page and go for it! 

Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith

Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith

 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I was not sure I needed to read another Zombie Pride and Prejudice sequel, but for my blog I just had to knuckle down and do it.

Well, having admitted to not being into the idea of this book, I must admit to getting into it quite quickly and what is more, once I  started I was drawn into what was quite a gripping story.

The book opens with Darcy getting bitten by a child dreadful.

Elizabeth finds herself with no choice other than to go to her noted Aunt in Law, Lady Catherine De Bough for help to save Darcy.

Lady Catherine de Bough uses the terrible situation to put Elizabeth into a compromising situation and taking Darcy to Rosings, her estate, with plans to at last unite her daughter, Anne with Darcy.

This tale shines a whole new light of Anne De Boughs long debilitating illness.

And that’s it, I don’t want to tell you any more you will have to read the book and find out how it all turns out.

It’s fast and furious and strangely enjoyable.  A thumbs up to this one after all.

Steve Hockensmiths Website Here

More From Steve Hockensmith Here 

Darcy And Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski

Darcy And Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski

a tale of a gentleman and an officer 

The story starts two months after the wedding of Fitzwilliam Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet.

There is a lot of humor in this book mostly centered around Lady Catherine De Bourgh, who, is brought to life by Karen V. Wasylowski in a way none of the other authors I have read, have ever managed to do. She is entertaining, outrageous and endearing whilst still being a total tyrant.

Once she has had a change of heart about Lizzy she manages to put the entire blame on to her butler, Jameson for her earlier missgivings and lack of compassion.

Elizabeth and Darcy are very much their quarrelsome selves, often picking fights and arguing. 

Elizabeths hormones are not helping the mix as she falls pregnant, and to top it all Caroline Bingley is out to make Darcy her own by whatever fowl means she has to use, and, she can stoop pretty low, causing a lot of havoc.

The second part of the story concentrates on Colonel Fitzwilliams love life.

He has returned from the Napolionic wars a hero, recognized in the streets and universally well thought of. A confirmed bachelor who struggles with his own demons in the aftermath of war and violence.

No, he will never marry, that is until he is slapped around the face by Cupid and falls head over hills in love.

But, the course of true love never runs smoothly and there are almost insurmountable problems, until Lady Catherine De Bourgh steps in to rescue him , with the help of Mrs Fitzherbert and boy do they do a good job.

A very enjoyable book that made me smile and laugh a plenty.

I hope Karen produces more works of this quality, any one who can put a smile on peoples faces is doing a good job.

www.karenwasylowski.com

Darcy and Elizabeth, Nights and Days at Pemberley by Linda Berdoll

Darcy and Elizabeth, Nights and Days at Pemberley by Linda Berdoll

Another weighty tome from Linda Berdoll this one comes complete with numerous plots and subplots.

It’s quite a challenge to keep all the different stories moving along side each other.

In the book the bad guys dominate the plots with Wickham very much to the fore front, causing disasters and leaving heartbreak on his wake. As he gets more desperate he becomes more despicable.

The ever vile Lady Catherine also comes to the fore but her plot line is a little strange and not as fulfilling.

Sex is again a big part of this book although at least it starts of fwith about going without.

One of my main annoyances comes about in one of the many sex scenes as Elizabeth and Darcy are romping in a spring fed weir in Derbyshire (which would be seriously cold) then a snapping turtle appears, there are NO turtles in England they could not survive in the climate even if somebody had brought them all the way from America, a tiny detail but so annoying.

Again lots of historical background covering a lot of issues of the day, the corn laws and work houses, lots of color in the dark side of London, Limehouse and the brothels, unrest and discontent on the streets, giving a sombre background to some of the plots. The addition of light hearted moments helps to lift the plots including a naked Bingley hiding in a barrel after being mugged by a mob.

Plenty of unexpected moments that kept me going through a very, very long book, one of the most unexpected was a Georgina so changed from the shy sweet girl of Pride and Prejudice now quite comfortable to lie and deceive to get her own way and a bizarre widow Charlotte Collins.

As usual I don’t want to give away any of the surprises that would spoil the fun.

Pour a generous glass of wine, settle down for a serious session of reading this is not a light read with a cup of tea.

The Other Mr Darcy by Monica Fairview

The Other Mr Darcy by Monica Fairview

Unpredictable Courtships Run In The Darcy Family

This is the story of Robert Darcy Esq of Boston and Caroline Bingley.

This is a Caroline still haughty but not as waspish and cruel as Jane Austen’s original version, although she is hard to like Monica Fairview’s, Caroline, manages to engage some sympathy for a lady constrained by her upbringing and the social structures of her time.

When Fitzwilliam Darcy the man she had longed to be Married to, does a very fine impression of Lady Catherine deBurgh and dresses Caroline down totally and severely, I actually felt for her.

It makes a change to have Caroline as a central character and the other leading Pride and Prejudice characters circulate around the story quite well.

Lydia Bennett arrives in the tale as thoughtless and unpleasant as ever. A sickly Elizabeth is confined to her couch for most of the tale and that is a shame as some of the sparks you would expect to fly are lost. That said there is plenty to entertain.

The first chapter of this book is so amusing that you have to read on, I won’t give anything away but laughed heartily and enjoyed a book that on first impressions I was not at all sure about.

Pick up a copy of The Other Mr Darcy, find a comfy spot and settle down for a good read.

Mrs Darcys Dilemma by Diana Birchall

Mrs Darcys Dilemma by Diana Birchall

This should be called Mrs Darcys Dilemmas, poor woman beset with heart rendering decisions and terrible decisions. Diana Burchill obviously relishes the baddies and has managed to get them all in this tale. Lydia definitely has not improved with age  and is very difficult to get rid of.

Caroline Bingley that was, is nastier and even more bitter and Lady Catherine de Bourgh is truly despicable, add to this list of villains, three new ones Lydia’s eldest daughter and can you believe that Jane and Bingleys only son is a spoilt brat, and the put upon Elizabeth and Darcys eldest son has not fared much better, being totally self absorbed and thoughtless.

With all these unpleasant people around, it’s no wonder that poor Elizabeth is having a hard time of it.

It’s difficult to understand why Darcy does not kick all their relatives out, but this Darcy has mellowed a lot from the days of Pride and Prejudice.

There are loads of twists and turns and this book drew me in and kept me interested through to the last word on the last line on the last page. I almost wanted to start at the beginning again.

But with so many books and so little time, it’s onwards.

Darcy and Anne: by Judith Brocklehurst

Darcy and Anne: by Judith Brocklehurst

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Lady Catherine will never find a husband for Anne… 

I can understand that a lot of people will find the premise for this tale hard to get their heads around as it means that Lady Catherine has to bend enough to take Anne to Pemberley. Impossible one thinks but if you can allow for that it’s a good tale, well constructed with some very pleasing characters, in fact some of the bad ones are too well written.

Anne herself is being allowed to come to life and flourish. In this tale you can allow yourself to like Anne and really wish for a happy ending for her. I hate book reviews that tell you the whole story leaving no surprises, so, I will not say more of the tale except that the final twist will have you laughing or crying with disbelief, but it is fun.

Enjoy this book.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 

by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

My youngest Son, Sabastian was always totally terrified of Zombies as a small child and his older siblings teased him terribly, even comedy like Shaun of the Dead he found  difficult to watch. But now being older he is changed and his mission is to destroy every cyber Zombie in every internet and xbox game.

This Book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is about 85% original Pride and Prejudice with Zombie bits added, some of those bits fit remarkably well like the bit where Miss Lucas is bitten by the undead and agrees to marry Mr Collins as she will be in need of a husband to behead her at the end, this is quite sensible and answers the question of why anyone could possibly consider marrying Mr Collins.

On the other hand Lady Catherine de Bourgh as a ninja warrior woman is stretching it to snapping point! Zombies I can handle but one of the best villanesses ever being re-invented as a guru and role model to the Bennet girls – Purlease.

Read this for the fun of it, laugh and enjoy.

I am sure that the love story of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam will be brought to a whole new generation, going into battle against Zombies is a pretty normal way to fall in love.

In keeping with my OCD, I have already purchased Dawn of the Dreadfulls (by Steve Hockensmith) which is set four years before Pride and Prejudice with Zombies.  Sense and Sensibility with Sea Monsters (by Ben H Winters) Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter  (also by Seth Grahame-Smith) – I am also on the look out for Mansfield Park and Mummies: Monster Mayhem, Matrimony, Ancient Curses, True Love, and Other Dire Delights (by Jane Austen and Vera Nazarian).

There is also available a set of 30 postcards of the girls doing there slaying in style. available from Chronicle Books LLC.

My Daughter loved the book and here is a picture of her in full on Zombie make-up, she is a Make-Up artist and often practices on her self, she has also done a rock group in  full on Zombie make up for a Halloween gig.  Below this I have also put a link to a brilliant Zombie short spoof red bull add that she did – she is awesome.