October with Jane Austen: The New Releases Edition

Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion
By: Janet Mullany


It is 1810, and the Damned are out of favor—banished from polite society. Jane Austen’s old undead friends have become new neighbors, raising hell in her tranquil village just in time to interrupt Jane’s work on what will be her masterpiece. Suddenly Jane’s niece is flirting dangerously with vampires, and a formerly respectable spinster friend has discovered the forbidden joys of intimate congress with the Damned (and is borrowing Jane’s precious silk stockings for her assignations). Writing is simply impossible now, with murderous creatures prowling the village’s once-peaceful lanes. And with the return of her vampire characteristics, a civil war looming between factions of the Damned, and a former lover who intends to spend eternity blaming her for his broken heart, Jane is facing a very busy year indeed.

Mr. Darcy's Bite

By Mary Lydon Simonsen

Mr. Darcy has a secret...

Darcy is acting rather oddly. After months of courting Elizabeth Bennet, no offer of marriage is forthcoming and Elizabeth is first impatient, then increasingly frightened. For there is no denying that the full moon seems to be affecting his behavior, and Elizabeth's love is going to be tested in ways she never dreamed...






Darcy has more than family pride to protect: others of his kind are being hunted all over England and a member of Darcy's pack is facing a crisis in Scotland. It will take all of Elizabeth's faith, courage, and ingenuity to overcome her prejudice and join Darcy in a Regency world she never knew existed.

Caroline Bingley
By Jennifer Becton

When Charles Bingley and Mr. Darcy made proposals of marriage to the Bennet sisters at the end of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Caroline Bingley was both distressed by her brother's choice of bride and humiliated by Mr. Darcy's rejection of her. And she made her objections known.







Now banished from her brother's household, Caroline must return to her mother's home in the north of England until she can make amends with both Bennet sisters. Desperate though Caroline may be to return to polite company, she absolutely refuses to apologize to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and instead, she seeks an alternative route back into society in the form of Mr. William Charlton, heir to a barony.






Through her connections with Mr. Charlton's sister Lavinia, Caroline begins to infiltrate the household in the hopes of securing the gentleman and his title for herself. However, she must also contend with her vexing emotions regarding Mr. Patrick Rushton, a once-wealthy landowner, and the meddlesome opinions of Mrs. Rosemary Pickersgill, the companion sent by her brother.




When all that Caroline has ever dreamed of attaining--an ancient family name, a title, and a home of her own--is finally within her reach, will she grasp for it even if it means disregarding the workings of her own heart? Or will she cast off the trappings of society and give herself to true love?

Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

Stories by: Lauren Willig • Adriana Trigiani • Jo Beverley • Alexandra Potter • Laurie Viera Rigler • Frank Delaney & Diane Meier • Syrie James • Stephanie Barron • Amanda Grange • Pamela Aidan • Elizabeth Aston • Carrie Bebris • Diana Birchall • Monica Fairview • Janet Mullany • Jane Odiwe • Beth Pattillo • Myretta Robens • Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway • Maya Slater • Margaret C. Sullivan • and Brenna Aubrey, the winner of a story contest hosted by the Republic of Pemberley

“My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” If you just heaved a contented sigh at Mr. Darcy’s heartfelt words, then you, dear reader, are in good company. Here is a delightful collection of never-before-published stories inspired by Jane Austen—her novels, her life, her wit, her world.




Pride and Prejudice: The Jewess and the Gentile
By Jane Austen and Lev Raphael
Get ready for Pride and Prejudice with brisket. Lizzy Bennet's an Anglo-Jew with a Jewish mother, some Jewish attitude, and lots to say about Mr. Darcy, who has some serious attitude problems of his own when it comes to “Hebrews.” When these two proud people meet, is it still love at first...slight? Will prejudice keep them from bridging the gap between Jew and Gentile? Austen's classic novel gains new layers of comedy and drama in this subtle, ingenious mash-up. There are no monsters here. Raphael doesn't do violence do Austen's text, but lovingly and meticulously reinvents the book and helps readers see it and Regency England through a brand new prism.

Mr. Darcy's Undoing

By Abigail Reynolds

A passionate new Pride and Prejudice variation explores the unthinkable-Elizabeth accepts the proposal of a childhood friend before she meets Darcy again. When their paths cross, the devastated Mr. Darcy must decide how far he'll go to win the woman he loves. How can a man who prides himself on his honor ask the woman he loves to do something scandalous? And how can Elizabeth accept a loveless marriage when Mr. Darcy holds the key to her heart? As they confront family opposition and the ill-will of scandal-mongers, will Elizabeth prove to be Mr. Darcy's undoing?



Absolute Liability A Southern Fraud Thriller by Jennifer Becton: A Book Review

Absolute Liability: A Southern Fraud Thriller

By Jennifer Becton

Publisher: Whiteley Press

Source: ARC ebook provided by author

 I love a good mystery. I was spoiled on Agatha Christie and Anne Perry on account of my mother when I was growing up. I was introduced to author Jennifer Becton when I read her debut novel Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Pride and Prejudice so it was with mild surprise that her next published book was a thriller, but hey if Georgette Heyer can write Regencies and then mysteries then so can Jennifer Becton.


Absolute Liability: A Southern Fraud Thriller is the first in what will be a six part series from author Jennifer Becton. I loved every minute of this book. It is a great weekend or beach read and I didn’t have a clue who the killer was until practically the end. I found this book to be in the vein of Gemma Halliday another mystery writer who I adore.


The heroine, if you will, of Absolute Liability is Julia Jackson and she investigates insurance fraud. Julia is extremely likable. She can handle herself and yet she still has her vulnerabilities. In the course of her investigations she is abducted---or rather someone abducted what they thought was Julia----which brings out a sense of responsibility and justice in her. So the hunt to unfold the mystery begins. Who really wants Julia Jackson gone?

Throw in Tripp, an ex-high school sweetheart who is just a friend and a cop and a hunky and extremely mysterious Special Agent, named Mark Vincent, sent down especially from Atlanta to partner with Julia and the south just got a bit hotter. I really just want to talk about Mark Vincent. I think I drooled just a little when he was introduced. Mark Vincent was intriguing because he’s so mysterious and we don’t know much about him. I do hope he turns up again. Yum!

The mystery of the abduction is solved by the end, but there are some unanswered questions in the book in regards to an incident with which happened in the past. There are also some more opportunities to explore Julia’s family dysfunctions. This is to set up the rest of the series. Miss Becton has a great series on her hands. She wove a fantastic mystery/thriller and I look forward to book two in the series.

Final Recommendation: If you love a mystery where you are guessing till the end who did it.

Can be purchased at Amazon, Smashwords or Barnes and Noble

Visit Jennifer Becton online or at the Absolute Liability webpage

The Stacks: Books to Read

My stack of books has dwindled somewhat, but only because some are library books and I want them back on the proper due date---no late fees, please. Let’s get to it:

Currently Reading:



I have two books up for review. One I just finished and one is on its way in the mail.

                                                                                     

Review coming Monday



In the mail





The rest of my stacks are tame. A mystery for my book club at the local library and an Austen related novel.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Also, don't forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of Charlottle Bronte's Jane Eyre.



Jane Austen in the News

Remember my previous post, Better than Jane Austen? Are Women writers inferior to male writers?, where I discussed Nobel Prize winner V.S Naipaul calling Jane Austen sentimental? Author and Professor of English at Brooklyn College, Rachel M Brownstein has written a fabulous article titled The Unsentimental Jane Austen which appears in The Daily Beast where she argues that the enduring fascination with Jane Austen is because of her take on life and love. Check it out!


The Unsentimental Jane Austen by Rachel M Brownstein

Rachel Brownstein is also the author of Becoming a Heroine: Reading About Women in Novels and Tragic Muse: Rachel of the Comédie Française.

Look for her upcoming book Why Jane Austen? I’ll be posting a review as soon as my ARC arrives and I can read it. I’m very excited about this one. :)

In other news Austen Author Jennifer Becton is releasing a thriller titled Absolute Liability later this summer. Look for my review here in the next couple of weeks.


She is also set to release another Austen sequel later this summer titled Caroline Bingley.


Jennifer Becton is also the author of Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Pride and Prejudice and short story Maria Lucas: A Short Story in the Personages of Pride and Prejudice.

That is just some great Jane Austen news. Exciting things are happening in the world of Austen.

Charlottle Collins by Jennifer Becton...Get It While It's Hot

One of my favorite Jane Austen Sequels is Jennifer Becton's Charlottle Collins. It must be summer because the ebook is on sale for 99cents. If you haven't read the book yet then hop on the train and pick up a copy. You will love it. I promise.

Caroline Bingley: Are we Missing Something?

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice we are introduced to Caroline Bingley as the desperate woman intent on snaring Mr. Darcy and his fortune. In her defense she was only behaving how many around her were and single women did not have many options but the hope of marrying well. Unfortunately, she is everyone’s favorite villain.

I spoke of Caroline Bingley in an earlier blog post with little warmth, yet I have always felt she was misunderstood. Caroline has her faults, but you have to believe that even when she is being despicable to Elizabeth Bennet that some good lays within her. We just are not always sure what. So I ask: Are we missing something about Caroline Bingley?

It is with great anticipation that I await the release of what is sure to be another fine novel by Jennifer Becton. She is set to release a book about Caroline Bingley. I was fortunate to see a sneak peak of Chapter 1 and I can already tell it is going to be a wonderful read. I am curious as to how Miss Becton will make me see Caroline and what journey we will be treated to. In other words will I see what I have always initially missed about Caroline Bingley before?


Here is the beautiful cover for Caroline’s story below.

In the meantime, if you have not already, you should read Jennifer Becton's debut novel Charlotte Collins.






What are your thoughts on Caroline Bingley? Is she misunderstood or is she just all around bad?

Austen Reads: Charlotte Collins by Jennifer Becton

If you have not read my book review policy (link is at the top of the page) then you may not know that since I do write Jane Austen Fan Fiction I do not review Austen sequels unless requested by the author. It is a new policy, but I feel it is a fair one. However, that does not mean I cannot recommend Austen related books that I have read.

I will be posting an Austen related recommendation every Monday as a nice follow up to a Hot Regency Find.

I recommend Charlotte Collins and its accompanying short story Maria Lucas as a great Austen related read. Jennifer Becton is the fabulous author of these works. I always felt Charlotte Collins got the short end of the stick. Being married to Mr. Collins could not have been full of happiness. Jennifer Becton has done a extraordinary job giving Charlotte Collins the love and happiness she deserves. In addition, her sister, Maria Lucas, finds happiness too.

Jennifer Becton’s next book is going to center on Caroline Bingley and I cannot wait.

Charlotte Collins: A continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice



 Publisher: Whiteley Press (August 25, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1453740473

ISBN-13: 978-1453740477

Available formats: Paperback of E-book

When Charlotte Lucas married Mr. Collins in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, she believed herself to be fortunate indeed. Her nuptials gained her a comfortable home and financial security. If she acquired these things at the expense of true love, it did not matter one whit. To Charlotte, love in marriage was nothing more than a pleasant coincidence.


As the years of her marriage dragged by, Charlotte began to question her idea of love as she suffered continual embarrassment at her husband's simpering and fawning manners. When Mr. Collins dies, finally relieving everyone of his tedious conversation, she must work feverishly to secure her income and home. She gives no further thought to the prospect of love until her flighty sister Maria begs her to act as her chaperone in place of their ailing parents. Hoping to prevent Maria from also entering an unhappy union, Charlotte agrees, and they are quickly thrust into a world of country dances, dinner parties, and marriageable gentlemen.


But when an unprincipled gentleman compromises Charlotte's reputation, her romantic thoughts disappear at the prospect of losing her independence. As she struggles to extricate herself from her slander, her situation reveals both the nature of each gentleman and of true love.

 Maria Lucas: A Short Story in the Personages of Pride & Prejudice Collection





Format: Kindle Edition

Publisher: Whiteley Press (March 5, 2011)

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services

Language: English

ASIN: B004QTOETO

After a great deal of romantic strife, Maria Lucas finds herself married to Mr. Jonas Card in a desperate attempt to extricate herself and her sister Charlotte from a dire financial situation. Mr. Card, however, truly loves Maria and has vowed to woo her. Alas, she views him only in friendly terms. But when it seems that Mr. Card’s feelings have changed, Maria sets out to discover why. And through a series of unexpected events, Mr. Card succeeds in wooing his wife without saying a word.

“Maria Lucas” is a post script to the novel Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. As such, it contains minor spoilers, but it can be read as a stand-alone piece.

This is a short story (approximately 5,000 words) and was formerly titled "Maria's Romance."

I hope you will enjoy this blog feature as well as Sundays Hot Regency Find.