Marriage and Ministry

by Amanda Kai

Charlotte is a single woman who's been "stuck on the shelf". William is visiting town solely to pick out a suitable wife. Seizing the opportunity just days after they meet, they agree to wed. Their marriage of convenience soon grows into something more, but can it survive when Charlotte's ministry to a group of fallen women splits their parish community and sets them against each other?
Set within the timeline of Jane Austen's beloved classic, this Pride and Prejudice fan fiction is told through the eyes of Charlotte Lucas, a devoted Christian, and William Collins, a minister whose shallow faith runs contrary to the deeply rooted values his new bride holds. Against a backdrop of prejudice, religious hypocrisy, and moral vice, it will take compassion, love, and the power of faith to rescue Charlotte's prostitute friends from the grip of their evil employer and restore happiness to Charlotte and William in their Marriage and Ministry.

Genres: Jane Austen, Historical Fiction

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2019

About the author

Amanda Kai’s background in the performing arts drives her creative spirit. Prior to becoming an author, Amanda enjoyed a successful career as a professional harpist, and danced ballet for twenty years. Her love of storytelling, nurtured by a fondness for period dramas and classic literature, led her to begin writing historical romances. She is the author of Marriage and Ministry and Elizabeth’s Secret Admirer, two stories based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She also wrote a fictional short story about Marie Antoinette, titled Keys. When she’s not diving into the past through the realm of her imagination, Amanda lives out her own happily ever after in Leander, Texas, with her husband and three children.

Reviews

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I am a great fan of Jane Austen, I am not usually interested enough in the minor characters from her novels to read a story centered upon one of them. But the blurb of this story caught my interest. Charlotte assisting prostitutes? It seemed so unlikely and also interesting. And Charlotte is one of the better minor characters. She is a fine friend to Elizabeth Bennet.
I love that Ms. Kai retained the negative qualities we readily associate with Mr. Collins and yet gave him a rich, multi-dimensional character who is able to grow and change during the story, (much as Mary had speculated he could be capable of in P&P). This Mr. Collins has an awareness of his own shortcomings and is generous to the needy in his community. Best of all, he truly cares for his new bride. So unlike in Canon, we see that Charlotte, though she accepted Mr. Collins for practical reasons, could have found a love match!
But their marriage is not without its woes. When Charlotte’s efforts to provide friendship and counsel to a group of prostitutes incurs Lady Catherine’s wrath, that drives a wedge between Charlotte and Mr. Collins. Could Mr. Collins ever defy his benefactress, even for the wife he loves? This is a compelling read that I recommend to any fan of Jane Austen or Christian Fiction!

[Les]

I quit this book at 49% because I simply couldn't take any more. I actually wanted to read a book about Charlotte & Mr. Collins that didn't make him a buffoon or her a strumpet and this book seemed to fill that void in my life.

Unfortunately the story was just so chock full of modern language and behaviors that I couldn't go on. Was it Charlotte reassuring Mr. Collins that she was a virgin on her wedding night? Was it tiny Hunsford supporting a full blown brothel? Was it them sending Lizzy unaccompanied on a public coach for her ride home from Rosings? Maybe it was Charlotte using the phrase Pack of Mustangs to describe her beating heart .. when the word mustang was first used in the American SW in 1808 and I bet hadn't made it to sleepy old Meryton yet. Perhaps it was the style of applying every other chapter to either Charlotte or Mr. Collins. Perhaps it was their erotic reading the Bible. Maybe it was 'alright' ?

All I know is life is too precious to waste on this book

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this on so many levels.... it follows the story of Charlotte Lucas and William Collins from the time he first arrives in Hertfordshire. Maybe this just wasn't what I was expecting... but it just irritated me more as time progressed.

So, we start with Mr Collins proposal to Elizabeth and subsequent proposal to Charlotte. Charlotte seems quite eager to catch Collins and he isn't the foolish idiot we generally know him as. He's actually quite a nice man which doesn't make for the kind of read I was expecting... although there are lots of references to him talking too much, he really doesn't and is actually quite perceptive. Charlotte finds him attractive and they fall in love but have a lot of squabbles. Things go from bad to worse in the second part of the book where Charlotte starts being like Elizabeth Bennet to rescue prostitutes. Shunned by the community and Lady Catherine, Charlotte continues on her mission to help these 'harlots' find God.

For me, this whole book just lacks credibility. Charlotte and Collins don't have the personalities we are familiar with. Collins is quite nice and I felt quite sorry for him. Charlotte was quite happy to jeopardise everything for her cause and have the audacity to suggest her husband isn't much a believer if he won't stand by her. The whole thing is quite preachy and gives charlotte a very arrogant way about her - as though she knows better than everyone else because she is a true believer. I dont think she'd have had any support in reality and I think the 'fallen women' would have been likely to send her on her way. Lady Catherine is inconsistent - disapproving on the one hand but continuing to support on other. I'm pretty sure she'd have just sacked Collins before she went to church services elsewhere.

Then, there is the writing style. The language and expression is this weird mash up between traditional and modern. The expression at times is completely off and really distracting. There is too much sexual content between Charlotte and Collins and one moment where Elizabeth asks Charlotte about her sex life- this would never happen!!

Maybe this book just wasn't what I was expecting... but I didn't like it. I didn't like Charlotte and Collins was too nice. Once the language and expression started irritating me, it just snowballed.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee)]

DNF too much details in the bedroom.

[wosedwew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world. ~ Mother Teresa

“You do not make allowance enough for difference of situation and temper.” So says Jane Bennet upon learning of Charlotte Lucas and her engagement to the Reverend Collins.

Many JAFF stories search for a villain and often authors will settle on two characters that Jane Austen intended as comic relief: Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins.

“Marriage and Morality” is a story about Mr. Collins as Jane Austen wrote him. He is a suck-up. He is certainly not clever (to put it kindly). Is he capable of learning? Can he overcome his worship of Lady Catherine and cleave to his wife as the Bible tells him?

Our story begins at the Netherfield Ball where Charlotte and Mr. Collins are introduced. As in canon, the couple is betrothed days later and marries quickly.

Charlotte’s challenges begin with her introduction to Lady Catherine. Charlotte channels her inner Elizabeth and is not cowed by the great Lady, to her husband’s distress.

Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him. ~ Albert Schweitzer

In the Hunsford village, Charlotte Collins encounters a young woman and later learns the woman is “fallen” and serves customers in the town bar. Charlotte’s interactions with the woman are quickly reported to Lady Catherine. Despite interference, Charlotte does not give up the relationship and works to help several of the young prostitutes.

What will it take for Mr. Collins to see that his wife’s vision of Christian charity is superior to Lady Catherine’s … and his own? Strong Christian themes are explored. What really does a person of God do for his fellow beings? Anne de Bourgh plays a surprising role.

The story is clean, well-written and proofread. I enjoyed this look at the Collins’ marriage and would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys JAFF.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~ Anne Frank

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avid Reader

The resolution that Charlotte and Mr. Collins arrived at concerning her ministry did not occur until 60% of the book was read. Charlotte and Mr. Collins fell in love with each other unexpectedly. They stand up to Lady Catherine and the Bishop agreed with what they have done to help prostitutes reform. Lady Catherine is not happy.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Pride and Prejudice variation we follow the story of Charlotte Lucas and William Collins as told from their points of view. Starting with Collins' arrival at Longbourn and continuing until the end of their first year of marriage.
A delightful and well-written story.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book from an online giveaway, not realizing that it was a Christian book, which I am not. It has also been a long time since I have read Pride and Prejudice, so I can't remember if the style is reminiscent of Jane Austin. Nevertheless, I did like the way the author write and took two minor characters, William Collins and Charlotte Lucas and gave them their own love story. William grew a backbone thanks to Charlotte and finally found that the ministry was his true calling and not just a last resort. I found it interesting that most of the bible passages used, were translated accurately from the original Hebrew, though they missed the boat on the allegorical meaning of Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), which is actually expressing the love between our Creator and the Jewish people.

This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

[Alice In Wonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming Pride and Prejudice Variation

This is the story of Charlotte Lucas and what happened after she married Mr Collins. Since I’ve always sympathized with Charlotte, the blurb intrigued me from the very first. We know she married him because she saw this as her only way out of spinsterhood. We know Mr. Collins married because, well, he needed a wife. But what happened afterward? What if … their relationship could’ve grown into one of true affection?

Marriage suits Charlotte. She throws herself into her role as a minister’s wife. After befriending the prostitute Vanessa, she decides to take up her cause and reform the town’s prostitutes. By doing so, she stirs up the townspeople’s prejudices and hypocrisy and inadvertently gets herself and her husband in a great deal of trouble – not only with Lady Catherine. A fire, a theft, the threat of the Bishop cracking down on them – are all elements that add suspense.

I loved what the author did with the character of Mr. Collins. She takes the caricature of a man and breathes life into him. He is not ridiculous, but awkward. Behind his ostentatious façade, he is truly kind, vulnerable, and deeply sincere. We also see his weaknesses and fears, but his character grows as the story progresses. The scene where he finally jumps over his own shadow and stands up to Lady Catherine is brilliant! I was literally cheering.

Friendship, loyalty, love, and integrity in one’s religious faith are all central topics in this gem of a novel.
Recommended to all who enjoy reading Pride and Prejudice variations rooted in Christian faith.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent alternative story!

I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest and voluntary review.

What a lovely story of Charlotte Lucas & Mister Collins. The writing is excellent, the dialogue is believable, and the characters are definitely memorable. I really like the way the author maneuvered Mister Collins & that she gave them a love story. I never thought I'd like a novel based on Austen's characters as much as I liked the original work, but this author melded all aspects rather well! I would like to think that Austen herself, would have approved!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Jane Austen novels, particularly Pride and Prejudice. If the rating allowed it, I would give this book a nine star rating!

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wondered why Charlotte jumped into that marriage and what could be happening behind closed doors. This book quenched that thirst. Written in the tone of Jane Austin, the author did take the liberty (thankfully) to add a more modern sound to the character’s talk and thoughts.

Something is comforting about revisiting the familiar but seeing the, “where it could go” possibility of this read. With a positive Christian message, this author kept me engaged and entertained – what more could I want!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

I enjoyed this a lot. I don't like to write long reviews, just enough to give one an idea of whether they want to read.
The plot of helping fallen women during this time period was interesting. I had no problem with the inclusion of Bible verses, the taking about God and the like.
It's less of a romantic book, though some still included.
I like this version of Mr, Collins better than the original.
Lady Catherine finally gets a set down & Anne comes into her own.

[Amanda Matthews]

I was given this book to review and decided not to finish it based on moral standards. While it was super interesting to imagine Charlotte and Mr. Collins' story (and I really appreciated how Amanda Kai gave Mr. Collins depth to his personality--and reasons why he liked Lady Catherine so much), I personally don't read anything that takes me into the bedroom and describes marriage intimacy. I made it 36% in and it had two scenes and this seemed to be one of the threads of the book.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte’s side of the story

Much like Pride and Prejudice in writing and style this is a break off of what Charlotte’s life turned to be and her ministry which accidentally started because she happened to bump into Vanessa at a corner. Her irritating husband, William, turned out to be quite a love with her support and guidance. A very happily ever after story.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely romance between a spinster and a parson, which included a mentor who couldn't stay out of their business. The heroine decides to help some "ladies of the night" escape their surroundings. Then there are all kinds of ramifications concerning her husband's position. No graphic sex.

[Jean Pilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Excellent! Capital, Capital!

Awesome Jane Austen with a twist book. Very good story line and great new characters. I would recommend this adaptation to anyone.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! It took me a while to read it, because I usually prefer Darcy and Elizabeth stories. But I finally did, and wow!

The focus at the beginning is the relationship between Charlotte and Mr. Collins. It is very well done and does a fantastic job of making Collins likeable while still keeping him true to his character in Pride and Prejudice. He may be no Mr. Darcy, but he was perfect for Charlotte.

Where the story became most intriguing, though, was the conflict between Charlotte and Collins over the "sinners" of Hunsford. She showed how Mr. Collins had real reasons for wanting to stay away from people who were considered "bad." He isn't just a man who loves his comforts or anything, but he's a man who has a wife to protect and provide for, and he's terrified of losing his security and ability to provide for his family. This gives real strength to the story, because the struggles between them aren't arbitrary, but things that all people of faith wrestle with. Am I willing to suffer for my faith? Am I willing to make those I love also suffer for my faith? Just what does it mean to be a faithful follower of God?

There were great themes of sacrifice, bravery, sin, forgiveness, compassion, and mercy in this story. Ultimately it was one of those beautiful stories that you finish and you stop and think for a bit and just . . . ponder. Worth reading and worth owning so that it can be reread. I highly recommend it.

Edited to add: isn't this cover beautiful? I think it's one of the prettiest JAFF covers I've ever seen, and it's *just* how I picture Charlotte. In fact, the first time I glimpsed it, I knew, even before I had given the cover any thought, that it was going to be a Charlotte story. Now *that's* a good cover.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book. I enjoyed seeing William and Charlotte truly fall in love. I also enjoyed each of them mature and truly come into their own. It was also very nice to have a book that focused on them as having a ministry and a community in need of that ministry. I generally hate books written in first person and usually end up giving up on them after a few chapters. They are much harder to pull off without sounding immature and written poorly. This book was well-written and, for the most part, I felt like it truly captured the character of Charlotte and William Collins in a believable way. They felt like they could have fit well enough into the characters developed by Jane Austen herself. If you preferred, however, of thinking about the Charlotte and William Collins of any of the major TV or films, then you also would not have had trouble imagining them developing into the Marriage and Ministry Collins'.

[Liz H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story of the life of William and Charlotte Collins. We see a Collins who is not as foolish as he appears, and improves much in the security of Charlotte's care and love. They face the wrath of Lady Catherine and others as their ministry takes an unconventional turn.

This was my second reading.

[Gwen Hight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marriage and Ministry

This is a book about a young woman married to to a small town parish and he does not want his wife to cause problems but he finally realized that she is a true witness for God

[Lynne Modranski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story of love and redemption.

[Julie Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique story line, loved this book!!!

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure if I truly like the book. I am not a fan of many first person books but to be stuck in the head of Mr Collins disgusts me. Lol. That being said the story is kinda good too, I just wish it was 3rd person omniscient not first person.