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Bargain with the Devil
In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy learns of the debacle involving Elizabeth Bennet's sister several months after he was rejected by Elizabeth, and volunteers to help find her sister, of his own accord.But what if Miss Elizabeth had requested Mr. Darcy's aid in just a few days after the disastrous proposal at Hunsford, and he was still very angry with her refusal? What if he decided to be ungentlemanly, and demanded a very particular reward from her in exchange for his assistance?This steamy, funny Pride and Prejudice what-if short story explores that scenario with wit, emotion and intriguing plot twists that take this perennial favorite to another This title contains explicit adult content, a disguise, a murder and a curse.Review"An engrossing story that will grab the reader and take them on a wild ride that will last until the very last sentence" 5 Cups of Coffee, Ultra Rare Extraordinary Read --Coffee Time Romance"In Bargain with the Devil Mr. Darcy is certainly a scoundrel but Enid did a wonderful job on this what if story." 5 Stars --Reading with Monie"True to the characters...Mr. Darcy is more of a rogue in this book. Elizabeth is more daring. Together, they make an excellent team." --Straight From Hel"Enid has captured the essence of Jane Austen's world. The story is rich in detail, and while it is an homage to Pride and Prejudice, the story does take turns and twists not envisioned in the original." 4 Stars --San Diego Examiner"Enid Wilson's novels are sexy, fun, and will make you smile with their witty dialogues. She is by far one of the better writers of the growing Jane Austen sequels movement." --Best of Jane Austen Sequels
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2009
11 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Enid Wilson
36 books53 followersAuthor of The Angel Sees Grey, Prince Darcy's Private Eye, My Darcy Pulsates..., Headstrong Girls, Clairvoyeur, Honor and Integrity, The Spinster's Vow, My Darcy Vibrates, Every Savage Can Reproduce, My Darcy Mutates, Fire and Cross, Really Angelic, Bargain with the Devil and In Quest of Theta Magic, writer of sexy and erotic romance, be it modern, historical, paranormal or science fiction.
Enid loves sexy romance. Her writing career began with a daily newspaper, writing educational advice for students. She then branches out into writing marketing materials and advertising copies.
Enid’s novels received several top reviews and have been ranked in the top 10 best-selling romances in Amazon worldwide.
Enid loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at enid.wilson28@yahoo.com.au or www.steamydarcy.com
Enid loves sexy romance. Her writing career began with a daily newspaper, writing educational advice for students. She then branches out into writing marketing materials and advertising copies.
Enid’s novels received several top reviews and have been ranked in the top 10 best-selling romances in Amazon worldwide.
Enid loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at enid.wilson28@yahoo.com.au or www.steamydarcy.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 8, 2011
This was such an utter disappointment. I knew it was basically fan fiction, but I have read so much fan fiction that was actually extremely good with fleshed out characters, intricate plot, etc. This was merely a fluffy, sparse, historical romance whose names and overall actions happened to resemble Pride and Prejudice.
The characters (except for the bad one, i.e. Lydia, Wickham, Lady Catherine) were true to form. As a matter of fact they might have been characters from another story all together. Their actions were barely strung together coherently and that was only because the author plucked lines from the original P & P to create segways. The author went so far as to add in black witchcraft, heart attacks, murder, and death. Maybe some of these things would have been more plausible though if any of these grand ideas had actually been fleshed out and not just glaazed over. Hell, the whole point of the book is that Darcy demands a price from Elizabeth for helping Lydia but he never really even gets it because he forcing it from her, but because all of a sudden she rolls over and offers it happily.
Ug, at only 101 pages I had to force myself to finish it even though it was pretty awful.
The characters (except for the bad one, i.e. Lydia, Wickham, Lady Catherine) were true to form. As a matter of fact they might have been characters from another story all together. Their actions were barely strung together coherently and that was only because the author plucked lines from the original P & P to create segways. The author went so far as to add in black witchcraft, heart attacks, murder, and death. Maybe some of these things would have been more plausible though if any of these grand ideas had actually been fleshed out and not just glaazed over. Hell, the whole point of the book is that Darcy demands a price from Elizabeth for helping Lydia but he never really even gets it because he forcing it from her, but because all of a sudden she rolls over and offers it happily.
Ug, at only 101 pages I had to force myself to finish it even though it was pretty awful.
July 5, 2012
Oh man. Where are Austen’s characters that I fell so in love with? Elizabeth? Darcy? Hello? Are you out there? I ask because they were definitely not present in this novella. For example, there was the inclusion of Elizabeth dressing up as a man to follow Darcy, who teaches her how to “scratch” herself like a man. The entire situation was odd and awkward. Not only that, but the storyline with Caroline Bingley and black magic was off the wall.
The back and forth between first person and third person narrative made for choppy and somewhat confusing reading. The actual writing has potential, with the help of some strong editing. I kept wanting to break out my red pen, but that wouldn’t really help on a nook.
Final thoughts: Skip it. Try reading Wilson’s Fire and Cross instead.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-169
The back and forth between first person and third person narrative made for choppy and somewhat confusing reading. The actual writing has potential, with the help of some strong editing. I kept wanting to break out my red pen, but that wouldn’t really help on a nook.
Final thoughts: Skip it. Try reading Wilson’s Fire and Cross instead.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-169
May 10, 2011
If you're looking for a decent read: look elsewhere.
I'm a fan of "What If?" stories, and understand that circumstances and situations change. I enjoyed this book for what it was, but found much at fault with it. The various situations our characters found themselves in were too "out there". I feel that Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy wouldn't have acted the way they did in a lot of places in this book.
I didn't mind paying for the eBook, but I wouldn't want this one on my actual bookshelf.
I'm a fan of "What If?" stories, and understand that circumstances and situations change. I enjoyed this book for what it was, but found much at fault with it. The various situations our characters found themselves in were too "out there". I feel that Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy wouldn't have acted the way they did in a lot of places in this book.
I didn't mind paying for the eBook, but I wouldn't want this one on my actual bookshelf.
September 2, 2020
So this book is all kinds of crazy, but it gets 1 extra star because the Devil mentioned in title is not in fact Mr. Darcy but THE DEVIL. Caroline Bingley practices black magic/voodoo and makes a pact with the devil. By far the most creative P&P knock off idea ever.
April 19, 2024
I wish more exploration was given to scenes when they were apart. It felt as if the author was rushing to bring the characters together for the sake of progressing story
October 11, 2011
Usually I'm all for the revenge plots (what can I say? I read a lot of HQ when I was younger... Ok, I still do). I might've had a hard time swallowing that Darcy would be the one making the demands in said revenge plot, but it's a book and I'm good at suspending my disbelief.
Or so I thought.
First, Darcy never really makes a demand. He glosses over it, lets Elizabeth make her assumptions, and helps her anyway. Then they end up chasing after Lydia and Wickham again, Elizabeth dons a male disguise, and Darcy gets handsy after imbibing too much?
Sorry, not in his character. Then again, neither is demanding revenge, but I digress. Up til this point, I could hang with the story. Where it lost me was when Caroline Bingley used witchcraft to try and destroy Elizabeth's reputation. I'm fairly certain my eyes bugged out of my head.
The ending was hugely rushed and I just didn't enjoy the story overall. I really wish I could get my money back, because I don't feel that it was worth the $4.20 I paid for it.
Or so I thought.
First, Darcy never really makes a demand. He glosses over it, lets Elizabeth make her assumptions, and helps her anyway. Then they end up chasing after Lydia and Wickham again, Elizabeth dons a male disguise, and Darcy gets handsy after imbibing too much?
Sorry, not in his character. Then again, neither is demanding revenge, but I digress. Up til this point, I could hang with the story. Where it lost me was when Caroline Bingley used witchcraft to try and destroy Elizabeth's reputation. I'm fairly certain my eyes bugged out of my head.
The ending was hugely rushed and I just didn't enjoy the story overall. I really wish I could get my money back, because I don't feel that it was worth the $4.20 I paid for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2012
I enjoyed this story! I almost want to call it a novella because it's not very long. It should be plain to anyone who even looks at the cover of this novel that there are going to be deviations from P&P canon, and I don't think it's ultimately fair to critique on such an obvious and deliberate change.
I liked the strength in Elizabeth's character, and Darcy wasn't the devil I was expecting. There was enough plot surrounding the more amorous scenes and that made it a good balance. My one quibble was the introduction of a major plot element later in the story. I wasn't expecting it and it seemed a bit out of place with the rest of the story.
Definitely one of my favourite Enid Wilson works!
I liked the strength in Elizabeth's character, and Darcy wasn't the devil I was expecting. There was enough plot surrounding the more amorous scenes and that made it a good balance. My one quibble was the introduction of a major plot element later in the story. I wasn't expecting it and it seemed a bit out of place with the rest of the story.
Definitely one of my favourite Enid Wilson works!
October 18, 2016
Bargain with the Devil was so absurd it was actually quite funny. I was almost tempted to give it two stars, but could not in good conscious.
10/18/2016 Update: As I am much more liberal with my JAFF since 2012, I will re-read in the near future and update from that point of view.
10/18/2016 Update: As I am much more liberal with my JAFF since 2012, I will re-read in the near future and update from that point of view.
February 27, 2010
This book started out great but towards the end it just got silly. But I happen to like fun and silly. So if you are into P&P than you will probly love this short what if story.
September 21, 2011
Two Thumbs up for this book [that is, if you like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth getting together]!
There is nothing more to say.
There is nothing more to say.
November 17, 2009
Not well written but it made me laugh!
February 13, 2015
Definitely a Steamy Darcy:)
September 12, 2023
Nope, nope! Absolutely negative review. I am sorry but this was no good. Badly written, a random witch that was not needed. Not credible and completely out of character. Worst pride and prejudice novella I have ever read until now. I only got to the end to see how bad it could get.
The worst thing is that the start is not bad nor is the initial plot. But then it goes on a weird tangent and spoils it all.
The worst thing is that the start is not bad nor is the initial plot. But then it goes on a weird tangent and spoils it all.
February 21, 2020
Mature audience
This was a very hot sensual retelling. Darcy and Elizabeth meet up after the awful proposal. Lydia and Wickham cause more damage and trouble in here. Darcy and Elizabeth make it through and finally marry. Everything that leads up to the marriage, you have to read to find out. Good story line. Recommend to read
This was a very hot sensual retelling. Darcy and Elizabeth meet up after the awful proposal. Lydia and Wickham cause more damage and trouble in here. Darcy and Elizabeth make it through and finally marry. Everything that leads up to the marriage, you have to read to find out. Good story line. Recommend to read
August 10, 2024
3.5 stars
This story was short, sweet, steamy and hilarious!
This story was short, sweet, steamy and hilarious!
March 8, 2017
I enjoyed the Darcy in this book. I realize it's not true to character in cannon but really liked how he tried to make Lizzy "pay" for her previous actions and bad opinion of him. I thought the mature parts were well done and not totally out of place. I also enjoyed the witch story line. Very interesting. It held my attention until the end.
December 4, 2013
This book is not going to be a best seller, win any awards or be on anyones must read-list. You can read it quickly, it a 105 pages, soaking wet. First part of the book is very elementary writing. There are pages of dialogue that consists of "Mr Darcy!", "Miss Bennett!", Yes and No, Elizabeth, Mr Darcy, and then just blank white space; you get the picture. The writing does get better, I think she just had to "warm" up. The plot is thin and in NO way is this a re-telling of Pride and Prejudice. The only similarity to Pride and Prejudice are the character & places and the sub-plot of Lydia & Wickham( even that is not what it seems).
As for writing in Austen's voice. There are to many contemporary references. That alone would not negate a superb author from writing in Austen's voice. Many believe Karen Joy Fowler did in her contemporary writing. I don't believe anyone is going to find Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy having a discussion about farts (yes farts) very Austen-like.
The editing is deplorable. Pg 65- "He felt wonderful, not feel tired at all....
next paragraph, same page: " The return of Mr. Darcy with his new fiancee in his arm to the house....
You can read around the editing problem, but why should you have to?
I will say what happened to Miss Bingley made me laugh out loud, served her right.
As for writing in Austen's voice. There are to many contemporary references. That alone would not negate a superb author from writing in Austen's voice. Many believe Karen Joy Fowler did in her contemporary writing. I don't believe anyone is going to find Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy having a discussion about farts (yes farts) very Austen-like.
The editing is deplorable. Pg 65- "He felt wonderful, not feel tired at all....
next paragraph, same page: " The return of Mr. Darcy with his new fiancee in his arm to the house....
You can read around the editing problem, but why should you have to?
I will say what happened to Miss Bingley made me laugh out loud, served her right.
March 31, 2010
I was actually a little disappointed in this book. Reading the synopsis, I was thinking that it would contain a little more revenge on Darcy's part. It was basically a cute (and VERY short) historical romance to me, and I thought the whole Caroline Bingley and the Devil sub-plot was underdeveloped. I didn't feel like it had a real Pride and Prejudice feel.
Reading the back I actually felt like Darcy would be bent on some form of revenge after being rejected, and I would have liked him to be more, I don't know, Darcy-ish: instead I kind of felt like he was on his knees the whole time.
Cute, but not enough P & P or Mr Darcy for me, and disappointing because the story had a lot of potential.
Reading the back I actually felt like Darcy would be bent on some form of revenge after being rejected, and I would have liked him to be more, I don't know, Darcy-ish: instead I kind of felt like he was on his knees the whole time.
Cute, but not enough P & P or Mr Darcy for me, and disappointing because the story had a lot of potential.
June 14, 2012
So i came across this on Kindle, and started reading and it was intriguing so i brought it... Yeah I got a refund, got 70% of the way through and I got to the point where Caroline turns to witchcraft and i just couldn't stomach anymore, the story already was bounding on ridiculous and i just couldn't take anymore nonsense
May 20, 2013
Abandoned: I tried to finish this since it was so short but once any interactions with Darcy and Elizabeth happened, I saw my beloved characters go up in smoke. I love fanfiction as much as the next gal but the characters were so off kilter that it put me off.
Good attempt but poor characterization.
Good attempt but poor characterization.
November 15, 2009
This was okay... it took some pretty big leaps with the original story. I would have liked to see it expanded a little bit; however, I did really enjoy the afterward. Also, not a fan of the cover, but that is a personal preference thing.
January 2, 2010
Amazon is usually fairly good with recommendations for books I would like, but I really did not care for this 'what if?' of Pride and Prejudice. I've tried writing a review a couple of times, but I have decided that to avoid being cruel, I will not go into details.
December 10, 2011
First I thought I give it a chance because I love "Pride & Prejudice" but this just made me think "what the fuck" because...it's so not working for me turning some events from P&P into an historical romance with some erotic...not working for me.
March 16, 2010
The writing was somewhat uneven, but the book left me with a smile on my face.
October 2, 2010
This was the lamest book ever. It's a retelling of P&P, only Darcy is a nymphomaniacal cad, Elizabeth is an idiot, and the language is pathetic at best. Skip it.
May 5, 2010
Brilliant story could not put this down read the whole book twice in one day.
March 6, 2016
Slightly daft novella with a 'what if' P&P story. Enjoyable enough, but some of the plot elements were a bit silly and the writing wasn't brilliant.
June 23, 2012
I don't even want to stick this on my regency shelf. It's basically fluffy P&P porn... with a little bit of witchcraft. Not worth it.
August 11, 2012
This was a very good story. I will be honest in that I expected it to delve a bit deeper into the indecent proposal, but it was good. Had it delved deeper, I would have given it five stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews