From the desk of Melissa Makarewicz: Miss Cassandra Linfield has been against marriage after seeing what it did to her dear mother. Lord Rothbury has loved, and then been rejected. Will two people so opposed to a romantic relationship be able to see that theirs was meant to be? In Alissa Baxter’s new release, The... Continue Reading →
Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion: An Austen-inspired Tale of Pride, Prejudice and Persuasion, by Cass Grafton and Ada Bright — A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson: In Jane Austen’s final complete novel, Persuasion—published six months after her untimely death—the heroine, Anne Elliot, is influenced by her prideful father, a baronet, to break off an engagement with Captain Frederick Wentworth, who was considered a poor match due to his low social status and lack of wealth.... Continue Reading →
Fallen, by Jessie Lewis — A Review
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: A lady’s reputation was everything during the Regency era, as we are so sanctimoniously reminded of by Mary Bennet in Pride and Prejudice after her sister Lydia’s scandalous elopement. “…loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable—that one false step involves her in endless ruin—that her reputation is... Continue Reading →
Darcy and Elizabeth Beginning Again: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Elaine Jeremiah — A Review
From the desk of Melissa Makarewicz: A twisted ankle, a sudden rainstorm, and an unmarried man and woman forced to take shelter in a nearby unoccupied cottage. These reputation-ruining tragic turn of events lead to a reimaging of Pride and Prejudice that is full of settee-gripping adventure. Elaine Jeremiah’s newest book, Elizabeth and Darcy Beginning... Continue Reading →
Sons of Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Reimagining, by Elizabeth Adams — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: A few authors have written variations that speculate on how Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice would alter if the Darcy parents had not passed off the scene so early in the story. I enjoy these “what-if” scenarios and was eager to take up this latest novel by Elizabeth Adams,... Continue Reading →
The Price of Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Variation, by Abigail Reynolds — A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson: It is a truth universally acknowledged that unbridled pride can result in unintended consequences. Much to the dismay of those who realize it too late, it often requires an event of heart-wrenching significance to stir them from their self-righteous stupor. But what sobering fates will befall them due to... Continue Reading →
Nine Ladies: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Heather Moll — A Review
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: For Jane Austen fans the possibility of meeting their favorite author or living in one of her novels is the ultimate fantasy. While time-travel is not available to us, creative and imaginative stories are. Recent books such as The Jane Austen Project and the Austen Adventures series have... Continue Reading →
Georgana’s Secret: (Proper Romance Regency), by Arlem Hawks – A Review
From the desk of Katie Patchell: Captain Frederick Wentworth: bold, self-confident, and passionate. At fifteen, I thought him boring, far preferring Mr. Darcy’s distant, sophisticated persona. Now at twenty-five, I find that Wentworth, Jane Austen’s final hero, has captured my attention. As I sit here and type this, I ask myself ‘What’s changed?’ For one,... Continue Reading →
Austenprose’s Best Austenesque & Historical Books of 2020
Happy New Year dear readers! While I am not shy about kicking 2020 to the curb, it was not a total bust for those of us who enjoy reading. Publishers and indie authors continued to supply us with a fabulous selection of choices in the Austenesque, historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. Of the 75... Continue Reading →
School for Love: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh (Book 3), by Christina Dudley – A Review
From the desk of Katie Patchell: Besides their prominent place on many Regency fans’ bookshelves, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Georgette Heyer’s Frederica have another trait in common: Their plots revolve around a group of loud, lovable, and independent people who have the good fortune to call each other ‘family.’ While our lively Elizabeth... Continue Reading →
A Castaway in Cornwall, by Julie Klassen – A Review
From the desk of Katie Patchell: In this holiday season, acclaimed novelist, Julie Klassen, returns to the Regency world with her latest historical romance, A Castaway in Cornwall. Featuring dangerous wreckers, shifty smugglers, and mysterious strangers, readers may well detect a similar refrain to the haunting melody that is Daphne du Maurier’s classic, Jamaica Inn.... Continue Reading →
Joy to the World: A Regency Christmas Collection, by Carolyn Miller, Amanda Barratt, and Erica Vetsch—A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson: Season’s greetings, gentle readers! It is once again time to immerse ourselves in the traditional comforts of the holiday season. And how better to do so than by getting cozy and settling in to read a lovely book about this special time of year. Joy to the World is... Continue Reading →