I didn't write a review the last time I listened to this collection on audio, two years ago. It's tough for me to do justice to the collection withoutI didn't write a review the last time I listened to this collection on audio, two years ago. It's tough for me to do justice to the collection without giving credit to all the stories. But I want to at least praise this entire collection because it's quite overdue.
I can't say just which story I liked the best, but I will say this that when I realized I was again listening to two particular stories, I was so happy to be revisiting them. And for those who know my reading habits, they would be understandably surprised that both of them were modern variations. The first one, by Amy D'Orazio presents us with a lonely Darcy and Georgiana who gives her brother a gift which he finds too gimicky and unfortunately shows how unimpressed he is, hurting Georgie's feelings. He realizes that and apologizes, and reluctantly asks her how her gift (a silverplate ornament from a chain engraved gift store) a wishing ball ,is supposed to work. Georgie says 'don't you sometimes just wish we had...more?' Meaning life, not riches. Some interesting surprises await Darcy as he opens it. After saying good night and retreating to his room he falls asleep in front of the television. Something wakes him up and he can't get back to sleep so he checks his computer and eventually lands on Facebook. And this is where a little mystery and a lot of magic starts happening. You've got to read this to feel all the feels, as they say, and I hope you love this story as much as I love it.
The other modern story is by J. Marie Croft, and if you've read any of her wonderfully funny stories you'll know to prepare yourself for a great experience. I can only describe it quickly if I say it is a very fast paced modern Scrooge story with Darcy being the outrageously rude and bad Scrooge, and Elizabeth being an angel (you'll have to decide which angel-past-present-future-all of the above, she is.) But I can say the Bennets do a remarkable stand-in for the Cratchet family.
None of the Regency stories were less than excellent either, I loved them all. There are beloved and memorable scenes in each of them. Christina Boyd is to be commended highly for coming up with the idea and working so hard to pull the collection together with an incredibly short deadline. And the authors! To think that they responded to Boyd's call and came through so quickly and excellently, and all for charity. What generosity. Thank you all. I can only say I wish there were more stories, and that it was longer!
Lastly I'd be remiss if I didn't sing the praises of the narrator of Yuletide in the audio format. Harry Frost is such a talented narrator. I love listening to him. And I really need to remember to hit 'Post' after editing my review. Gah!...more
This was highly anticipated, and did not disappoint. The writing was superb. The tales from beloved Austen variations authors are just what I hoped foThis was highly anticipated, and did not disappoint. The writing was superb. The tales from beloved Austen variations authors are just what I hoped for. The new to me author stories had me adding books to my wish lists and following them on Amazon. I had trouble with some of the contemporary stories, as they are not my favorite subgenre, but those were well written as well. I will be rereading these in the future. ...more
My entire review could be considered a spoiler so I'm warning anyone reading this right now. (view spoiler)[ A Baby for Mr Darcy starts at the NetherfMy entire review could be considered a spoiler so I'm warning anyone reading this right now. (view spoiler)[ A Baby for Mr Darcy starts at the Netherfield Ball where we witness Darcy being interrupted with a message. It's a letter from his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, a truly heartbreaking communication. His beloved wife, Anne de Bourgh Fitzwilliam has died in childbirth. He asks Darcy to take over raising his son and keeping him from his father Lord Matlock and their aunt, Lady Catherine. In other words hide the baby away.
The actions that happen following the letter happen very swiftly. Elizabeth is whisked off to church the next morning and married before her mother and sisters are even awake. If she wasn't shocked enough by that, she has an even more jolting experience when they stop in Meryton to pick up a woman and an infant who Dary treats with care into the carriage that will follow them to Pemberley. An argument, silence, and accusations follow but all are short lived, thankfully. Darcy allows Elizabeth to read Richard's letter for herself. A horrified Elizabeth does a complete turn around and becomes helpful and strong and caring.
I loved this Elizabeth, she was the intelligent, responsible, brave, assertive and loving girl we love in P&P and in some of the best variations. I also loved this Darcy. His interactions with little James, or Gem as they called him are just priceless and utterly melting to read. Georgiana was very difficult in the beginning, and I really hate a spoiled brat Georgiana, but she transforms with a little 'clearing of the air,' a basic show down. It was a brilliant scene. I cannot thank our dear author for handling that so well, indeed the shortness of ODC's misunderstanding at the beginning instead of dragging it out forever.
The hard part came toward the middle of the book, which was a gut punch. I've read this multiple times and it hits me just as hard each time. This is where the multiple villains take over the plot with their murderously vile machinations. And when I say villain, Oh My Golly, what truly evil persons. You will just hate Lady Catherine, Lord Matlock, and Wickham in this story, but wait! there's more. Personally there was another bad guy in this story that I hated even more! During a reread even knowing it was coming up in the plot my chest hurt with the tension of the scene I dreaded and was shocked all over again!
As the story progresses, there were times that it looked extremely bad for Darcy and baby Gem. But Elizabeth pulls together her circle of support, takes charge of the situation and goes to rescue Darcy. She and a Georgie who has had a complete turn around of her own march into the lion's den, Matlock House, where sits Lord Matlock, Lady Catherine, the Viscount and his wife and Wickham. After she has her say (brava Elizabeth!!!) she leaves the scene and they have no idea just what hit them. Well, one of them does. He's dispatched neatly. (hide spoiler)]
Whenever I'm reading a Joy King book I feel like I'm reading my most favorite, until the next one I pick up and then that one is my favorite. She has given us some fantastically unique tales.
I highly recommend this to all JAFF fans, but I think you could easily enjoy this with no prior knowledge of Pride and Prejudice....more
This is one of my favorite comfort reads, and I've read and listened to it many times. Yes, Mr. Darcy is one of the sweetest stories I've read...I canThis is one of my favorite comfort reads, and I've read and listened to it many times. Yes, Mr. Darcy is one of the sweetest stories I've read...I can't say it's my favorite King because that title belongs to whichever J. Dawn King book I'm reading at the time! I'm being silly, but I love this book. I'm not here to offer plot reveal because other's have done it already and it's so short it's too easy to spoil it for others.
I wasn't reviewing when I enjoyed this so many times before, and for this very reason: I don't know how to review well and I'm afraid there's no way to do it justice but say how much I want to tell everyone to just read it.
On a personal note; I had been slogging through a very long sad angsty book struggling to see it through to the end. I needed multiple 'comfort read' breaks along the way, and who did I choose? J. Dawn King and Christie Capps, same wonderful author. Bless you Ms. King. ...more
Loading...
