From the desk of Laura A. Wallace: The Unknown Ajax is one of Georgette Heyer's funniest Regencies. It is populated with some of her more memorable characters and ends with a protracted scene reminiscent of comic opera, with a dozen people coming in and fading out in a seamless composition that builds to a climax... Continue Reading →
Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen (Naxos Audiobooks) – A Review
Even though it has been two hundred years since the world was first introduced to sisters Marianne and Elinor Dashwood's financial, social and romantic trials, their story remains for me, as fresh and vibrant as any contemporary story you might read of, experience yourself, or hear tell tale of today. I give full credit, of... Continue Reading →
Persuade Me (Darcy & Friends 2), by Juliet Archer – A Review
From the desk of Jeffrey Ward: Author Juliet Archer has undertaken the daunting task of re-writing Jane Austen’s classic novels with a modern and contemporary twist. Her first novel in the series, The Importance of Being Emma (2008), was warmly embraced. Now, Persuade Me is the second offering in her Darcy & Friends series. Reading... Continue Reading →
Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, by Karen Doornebos – A Review
From the desk of Aia A. Hussein: The young bachelor enters a room filled with young ladies, all of whom are eyeing the invitations he holds in his hands, fully conscious that there are not enough invitations for all them. They straighten their postures and smooth their gowns as their chaperones hold... Continue Reading →
Jane and the Canterbury Tale: Being a Jane Austen Mystery (Book 11), by Stephanie Barron – A Review
There is a trail that winds through the edge of the grand country estate of Godmersham Park in Kent owned by Edward Austen-Knight, elder brother of the authoress Jane Austen. Pilgrims have traversed this foot-path for centuries on their way to the shrine of the martyr Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. Chaucer based his... Continue Reading →
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star, by Heather Lynn Rigaud – A Review
From the desk of Kimberly Denny-Ryder: When you think of Rock ’N’ Roll, two things besides music come to mind: sex and drugs. Now think of Rock ‘N’ Roll and throw in the characters of our beloved Pride and Prejudice. Yes, you read that right, Pride and Prejudice plus sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. ... Continue Reading →
Murder Most Persuasive: A Mystery by Tracy Kiely – A Review
From the desk of Aia A. Hussein: Following in the footsteps of her previous works Murder at Longbourn and Murder on the Bride’s Side, author Tracy Kiely has just released Murder Most Persuasive. Wherein she previously drew plot inspiration from such Jane Austen classics as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, in this new... Continue Reading →
The Twelfth Enchantment: A Novel, by David Liss – A Review
From the desk of Kimberly Denny-Ryder: Historical fiction? Check. Magic? Check. Awesome heroine? Check. Lord Byron?! Check! Did you ever imagine those four items to be in the same novel together? I sure didn’t, so I was in for a definite surprise when I started reading The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss. Set in the... Continue Reading →
Why Jane Austen, by Rachel M. Brownstein – A Review
From the desk of Br. Paul Byrd, OP: It was about thirteen years ago when I first met and fell in love with Jane Austen. I was up late flipping through the channels on T.V., when I came across the 1996 adaptation of Emma starring Kate Beckinsale. From the moment I began watching the story... Continue Reading →
Suspense and Sensibility or, First Impressions Revisited: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery, by Carrie Bebris – A Review
Inspired by characters from Jane Austen’s novels Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, the second in the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy mysteries series begins four months after the marriage of Austen’s famous romantic duo, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Family obligations take them from Pemberley, their country estate in Derbyshire, to Town to help... Continue Reading →
An Arranged Marriage, by Jan Hahn – A Review
From the desk of Christina Boyd: Debut author Jan Hahn’s novel, An Arranged Marriage, begs the question, “can a marriage of convenience ever lead to true love?” In Hahn’s impressive alteration of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, days after Miss Elizabeth Bennet stringently refuses the proposal of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy at Hunsford, her beloved father... Continue Reading →
The Darcys of Pemberley, by Shannon Winslow – A Review
Guest review by Kimberly Denny-Ryder of Reflections of a Book Addict New kid on the Jane Austen Fan Fiction block, Shannon Winslow, is debuting in a big way with her first novel, The Darcys of Pemberley, a follow up to Pride and Prejudice. Winslow is sure to be around for a while as she gives... Continue Reading →