Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2019 discussion

The answer is probably not!

EDIT: But against all the odds, I actually did!

I'm going to have another go at my alphabet challenges again in 2019, for both book title and author, though I'm going to use the initial letters of author first and last names this time. It's certain that, once again, I'll have to be a bit creative with certain letters, such as Q, X and Z.

BOOK TITLE ALPHABET CHALLENGE

Update for 25th April. I've now completed this self-imposed challenge, though I had to relax the rules for my "X" and "Z" titles! I won't be updating this list any more, as the continual scrolling up and down to add new titles is getting somewhat annoying, to say the least. I'll only be listing new titles under the challenge level posts at the bottom of this feed from now on.

Titles in italics are unpublished and have no GR listing. Published books are listed first for each letter, then unpublished with a GR listing, then the rest.

A (8)
Acting on Faith
An Ardent Affection: Part 1 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation
An Ardent Affection: Part 2 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation
An Ardent Affection: Part 3 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation
An Ardent Affection: Part 4 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation
Anomaly unpublished
Another Fine Meryton Assembly unpublished
As Luck Would Have It

B (3)
The Bad Miss Bennet Abroad - DNF
Beach Surprise
Between

C (6)
Caroline Bingley
Christmas at Darcy House: A Pride and Prejudice Variation audiobook
A Constant Love: A Pride & Prejudice Continuation audiobook
Compassion unpublished
Conversations


D (8)
A Dance with Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary
Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley: A Short-Story Collection Inspired by Pride and Prejudice
Discovery unpublished
Darcy Changes Tactics
Darcy Develops a Strategy
A Debt to Pay
Doctor, Doctor
A Door Too Far


E (3)
Echoes of Pemberley
The End of a Very Long, Bad Day
An Eventful Morning

F (4)
Fair Stands the Wind
Forewarned But Not Forearmed unpublished
Fanny, Victim of a Fatal Carriage Accident
For Want of a Horse

G (4)
The Gallant Vicar: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
A Gift from Rosings Park
Gossip Requited; a Pride & Prejudice Vignette unpublished
Gone to Scotland

H (3)
The Heart Does Whisper
Her Innermost Thoughts unpublished
Her Power With Him Was Gone Forever unpublished

I (3)
If Only In His Dreams
Inspiration: A Pride and Prejudice variation
In Vino Veritas unpublished

J (3)
Jane, Actually or Jane Austen's Book Tour
Jimmie Darcy's Big Day
Just For Loving You

K (2)
The Keys for Love
Keep Me Company

L (10)
The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel
A Locket and a Promise
Love and Loathing: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy
Lady Catherine's Recommended Remedy for a Headache unpublished
A Letter of Denial and a Letter of Goodbye unpublished
Love Among the Gifted unpublished
Lady Russell is Humbled, Sort Of
The Lost Night
Love Language
A Love Story

M (5)
The Maid and The Footman: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Don Jacobson audiobook
Mr. Darcy's P&P POV - the abridged version
The Most Natural Thing unpublished
A Man of No Consequence
Mr. Bennets's Consent

N (3)
The Netherfield Affair: A Dark Darcy Mystery
New Discoveries unpublished
No Finer County

O (5)
Of Fortune's Reversal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation audiobook
An Old Acquaintance unpublished
The Old Oak Tree unpublished
One Door To Far unpublished
Overpowering Happiness unpublished

P (3)
Pride & Prejudice & Assassinations
Pride and Proposals: A Pride and Prejudice Variation audiobook
The Perfect Match

Q (1)
Quiet Musings unpublished

R (8)
Rain and Retribution
The Remarkable Miss Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
The Return of the Gallant Vicar: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Renaissance in Bath unpublished
Renewing Old Acquaintance unpublished
The Rescue -- a Pride & Prejudice Variation unpublished
Rumor Has It unpublished
Rumours

S (5)
Searching for Mr Tilney
Sarah's Story unpublished
Secrets at Kellynch Hall
Seeking Advice
The Storm Before Christmas

T (3)
Then Comes Winter
To Catch a Thief
The True Love's Kiss
This Remembrance Day

U (1)
Undeceived: Pride & Prejudice in the Spy Game

V (3)
Vampire Darcy's Desire: A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation by Regina Jeffers
Very short stories - modern
Very short stories - Regency

W (1)
The Wager: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


X (1)
An Ever Fixed Mark

Y (2)
Yearning For You: A Pride and Prejudice Variation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Yankee Swap

Z (1)
This Anzac Day

AUTHOR NAME ALPHABET CHALLENGE

Where there is a clear author first and last name, they've been entered twice, under the inital letter of each. Some authors have come from anthologies rather than individual titles. Authors names in italics don't appear on GR.

A
Amy D'Orazio
Anngela Schroeder
acrossfandoms
AnnL

B
Barbara Silkstone
Beau North
Brooke West
Becton, Jennifer
Blume, Gigi
Boyd, Christina editor
Burnett, Jean

C
Catherine Lodge
Cynthia Ingram Hensley
Caldwell, Jack
Cox, Karen M.
Cat 929
ColinEhle

D
Denise Stout
Don Jacobson
Darcy, Fitzwilliam
Diamond, L.L.
D'Orazio, Amy
Denver

E
Erin Lopez
Eightyearsandahalf
Elizabeth (anghraine)

F
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Fumar

G
Gigi Blume
Grace Reeve
Gonschior, Linda
Grace, Maria

H
Hensley, Cynthia Ingram
headless-nic
Heather
Hood, P. R.

I
Isabelle Mayfair

J
Jack Caldwell
Jane Odiwe
Jann Rowland
Jean Burnett
Jennifer Becton
Jennifer Joy
Jennifer Petkus
Joana Starnes
JoanHall
Jacobson, Don
Jeffers, Regina
Jennifer Lynn
Judy-Lynn

K
Karen M. Cox
Kincaid, Victoria
KC_Derby
ktebid

L
Leo Charles Taylor
L.L. Diamond
Linda Gonschior
Lory Lilian
Lauder, Suzan
Lodge, Catherine
Lopez, Erin
leavesfallingup
lilkawa
LUCYQT
Lynn, Jennifer

M
Maria Grace
Mary Lydon Simonsen
Melanie Schertz
Melanie Stanford
Mayfair, Isabelle
Ms. Pimprenelle
Maureen Lee

N
Natalie Richards
North, Beau

O
Odiwe, Jane

P
Penelope Swan
Petkus, Jennifer
Pimprenelle, Ms.
P.R. Hood
Professor Pendant
Peradan


Q
Quinn

R
Regina Jeffers
Reeve, Grace
Richards, Natalie
Rose, Sophia
Rowland, Jann
Rosemary

S
Sophia Rose
Sophie Turner
Suzan Lauder
Stacy B.
Schertz, Melanie
Schroeder, Anngela
Silkstone, Barbara
Sotis, Wendi
Stanford, Melanie
Starnes, Joana
Stout, Denise
Swan, Penelope
Sabrina

T
Timothy Underwood
Taylor, Leo Charles
Turner, Sophie

U
Underwood, Timothy

V
Victoria Kincaid

W
Wendi Sotis
West, Brooke
Withered

X

Y

Z

Anji wrote: "The answer is probably not!"
Wishing you such good luck!!

You have such a unique approach to choosing your books, Anji! Love it!

Last year, I kept all of my books in one, ever increasingly large post. It got rather (!) unwieldy after a while, so I'm starting off with one post per challenge level for now, though I may split the later ones into smaller chunks. I'll probably still have a monthly summary, too.

I've managed to fulfill the requirements for Miss Charlotte's library by finishing off the two works I had in progress from 2018 and three fanfiction shorts during my lunchbreak today.

1. Pride & Prejudice & Assassinations by Leo Charles Taylor ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I wanted to like it more as I thought the premise behind the story was a good one but, to me, it needed the services of a good line editor as the punctuation and spelling in my edition were in definite need of assistance. The blend of passages from canon and original writing didn't quite work for me either - too disjointed.

2. Christmas at Darcy House: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Victoria Kincaid audiobook performance by Julia Eve ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the story but have to mark the performance down a little (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) as I wasn't keen on her Darcy or other make voices. The general narration and female voices were fine.

3. In Vino Veritas by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Anne Elliot accidentally gets more than a little tipsy on a visit to the Crofts at Kellynch.

4. New Discoveries by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - the morning after the Wentworths' wedding.

5. The Old Oak Tree by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - the sad demise of the largest, oldest oak tree on the Kellynch estate has unforeseen consequences.

Kirk's the one responsible for pointing out the excellence of the writing by the author of the last three. Blooming marvellous!

Well done, Anji. Love your ABC order for book titles and authors list. that should be fun. I've never tried that.

J. W. wrote: "Well done, Anji. Love your ABC order for book titles and authors list. that should be fun. I've never tried that."

Well last year, I managed to complete the title challenge (just!) but not the author one (about three letters short) but had to be a bit lax with the rules for some of the more 'challenging' letters. Let's see how this year pans out.

Anji wrote: "Last year, I kept all of my books in one, ever increasingly large post. It got rather (!) unwieldy after a while, so I'm starting off with one post per challenge level for now, though I may split t..."
Glad to read that and that 6 of hers are linked on GR. There are at least 11 more on fanfiction.net.

Forgot to post here when I graduated from Miss Marianne's Library and also forgot to rate them there, too. Must have been having a senior moment that day!

Marianne Dashwood's Library

Thanks to some great recomendations for unpublished fanfiction, it was hello and goodbye to Miss Marianne in very short order.

6. Renaissance in Bath by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A lovely Persuasion tale. Sir Walter stays at Kellynch (no money troubles!) and the Crofts go to Bath instead. How do Anne and Frederick get back together?

7. No Finer County by Heather at A Quick Succession of Busy Nothings - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/nfc/... 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
What happens if Darcy and the Bingleys never go to Netherfield and Elizabeth first meets Darcy on her summer tour of Derbyshire with the Gardiners. Excellent!

8. Another Fine Meryton Assembly by Heather
http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/afma... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Darcy is reprimanded for his "tolerable" comment and Caroline has an unexpected encounter!

9. Forewarned But Not Forearmed by Heather
http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/fbnf... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Set some months before the opening of P&P, Jane and Elizabeth meets some gypsies and Elizabeth has her fortune told.

10. Gone to Scotland by Heather - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/gts/... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An elopement but not who you'd expect!

Fantastic progress,Anji! 👏🎉

Anne Elliot's Library

Some more from A Quick Succession of Busy Nothings, plus some published works:

11. Very short stories (Regency) - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/drab... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Exactly what it says.

12. Drabbles (Regency) - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/drab... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A drabble is, apprently, a very short story told in 100 words! Most of these are 'double drabbles'.

13. The Storm Before Christmas - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/tsbc... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Modern short story. Jane and Bingley are already married and their first baby is imminent!

14. Doctor, Doctor - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/dd/p... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fancy dress party with a sci-fi theme. Love all the references to some of my favourite sci-fi.

15. Very short stories (modern) - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/drab... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

16. Drabbles (modern) - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/drab... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

17. Of Fortune's Reversal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Don Jacobson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Based on the premise that Mr. Bennet died just before the Netherfield Ball, so the Bennet family never attend. The story revolves around Kitty Bennet, though the other sisters do put in an appearance to a greater or lesser extent. There's also an apoearance by a certain family from Cornwall!

18. A Man of No Consequence by Heather F - https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/heathf5... 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Mr Bennet has broken his leg and Elizabeth meets Darcy before the Meryton Assembly and mistakes him for the new steward at Netherfield.

19. Mr. Darcy's P&P POV - the abridged version by Jack Caldwell (re-read) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Not exactly Regency-style English but it's a lot of fun!

20. Acting on Faith by Jann Rowland ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Set towards the end of P&P, Lady C. is in high dudgeon about the rumours of an engagement between Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy doesn't know that his aunt has been to Longbourn. Though he's more than willing to marry Elizabeth, he doesn't want her to be forced into it. Caroline is really out of control in this one!
Didn't realise that this was his first published work before I read it. It was a bit slow at times and could probably have done with a bit of editing to tighten up the story structure. Having said that, I quite enjoyed it.

Catherine Morland's Library 21-25

Be warned, some of these contain fairly explicit content. Usually, that doesn't bother me too much, but it just didn't sit right with me in nos. 22 - 24, which is why I've rated them as low as I did.

21. Just For Loving You by Heather - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/jfly... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Modern setting, told from Darcy's POV. He's a wealthy businessman, she's his PA. There's some MA content, hence why it's locked on her site, but you can unlock it if you've got the right password for the JAFF Index. It's a perfectly acceptable part of the plot in this instance. Five chapters.

22. A Debt to Pay by Heather - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/dtp/... ⭐️⭐️ MA content. A little too explicit for my taste in such a short story. Locked, unless you go via the JAFF Index. One shot.

23. To Catch a Thief by Heather - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/tcat... ⭐️⭐️ MA content - see no. 22. One shot.

24. For Want of a Horse by Heather - http://www.faulkes.co.uk/heather/fwoa... ⭐️⭐️ MA content - see no. 22, though from the author's note, it looks as though it's deliberate. Authors Note: I wrote the first third of this story in December 2006 for HG's BSS (Bad Sex Scene) Challenge. It's a sequel to Another Fine Meryton Assembly. If you haven't read that one, you might want to do that first.. One shot.

25. The End of a Very Long, Bad Day by Jennifer Lynn - https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/old_200... ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Elizabeth's a teacher and is the one who's had the bad day and Darcy's a businessman. In the recent past, they'd just started a relationship when she found out he'd been responsible for the break up between her sister Jane and Bingley. Wanted to like it more but the writing style didn't quite gel with me. Possibly a bit too much "telling rather than showing". One shot.

Back now to Mr. Caldwell's work - I do like his writing style for the most part (ignoring the "gottens" and "visits with", that is!)

Catherine Morland's Library 26 - 30

26. The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel by Jack Caldwell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I remember reading and enjoying The Three Colonels: Jane Austen's Fighting Men by Mr. Caldwell when it was first published and this companion novel was just as good. Indeed it also led me to obtain the non-Austen source material written by Baroness Orczy, which I'll be starting to work my way through eventually. It added nearly 10,000 pages of reading material to my TBR list!

27. The Netherfield Affair: A Dark Darcy Mystery by Penelope Swan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm a bit annoyed with myself for not realising this was the first of a four part series. My Kindle opened it at the page starting Chapter One, no mention of it being part of a series there and I'd got it as a freebie a while ago, so if I noticed it then, I'd forgotten. I wish it was possible to set a Kindle to open a book at the cover, rather than the first page, then I might have realised, and chosen something different. Ah well! The other three parts are a bit pricey right now, especially for relatively short books (£3.99 each) and though I enjoyed this one, I'm not sure I want to spend nearly £12 to finish the main plot. The mysteries in each part are self-contained, apparently.

28. An Old Acquaintance by Cat 929⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author's note from fanfiction.net: This is a one-shot I wrote for another fan fiction site, when the monthly theme was "blah humbug." Just a warning, it does NOT have a happy ending, so read at your own risk! It's told from Darcy's point of view, and was inspired by a song that's played quite a bit at this time of year...wondering how many of you can guess the song.

I nearly didn't read this after reading the lack of HEA warning, but I'm glad I did, especially when taken into conjunction with my No. 29. Modern setting one shot, told from Darcy's POV. Would have had to rate it lower without the sequel, 'cos I have to have my HEA for D&E!

29. Renewing Old Acquaintance by Cat 929 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Authors note from fanfiction.net: I decided I couldn't leave everyone with an unhappy Darcy and Elizabeth...so here it is, the one-shot that is the continuation of 'An Old Acquaintance' (which can be found here...probably just below this story). A couple of you have figured out the song that inspired it, so kudos to you! And because 'An Old Acquaintance' was told from Will's perspective, this one is all Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy it!

One shot sequel to my No. 28. Apparently, it was written in response to comments calling for an HEA to that story, which ended on a somewhat downbeat note. Nicely done, I thought.

30. Rain and Retribution by L.L. Diamond ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As well as NSNJ, we have NSNG(eorgiana), both in the same book! Won't say any more, but I really enjoyed all the twists and turns of this one.

Catherine Morland's Library 31-35

31. Anomaly by Elizabeth(anghraine) unpublished
https://archiveofourown.org/works/172942 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
An interesting explanation for why Fitzwilliam Darcy is the way he is.

32. One Door To Far by Ms. Pimprenelle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How much trouble can a mobile piece of furniture get you into?

33. Love Among the Gifted by Professor Pendant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/12712278/1...
This was a bit slow to catch my interest at first but persisted with it as some of my friends here have rated it highly. I'm so glad I did! About six chapters in, it suddenly occurred to me that this is, in effect, a Regency-set "Pride and Prejudice and X-Men" tale. The author's note at the end says that they're planning to publish eventually, but as it's been a year since the story was finished, I'm not sure if it's going ahead. Hope they do!

34. The Bad Miss Bennet Abroad by Jean Burnett ⭐️⭐️ DNF
I really tried to like this book but eventually, at about 25% on my Kindle, sadly decided to cut my losses and mark it as DNF. Just found the widowed Lydia Wickham a very irritating narrator of her own story; a story that, to me, was just meandering along without getting anywhere.

35. A Dance with Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Darcy inherits a property in Scotland but his journey is interrupted by a snowstorm and a broken-down carriage, necessitating an unexpected stop at an inn. To say he gets the shock of his life when the owner of the inn turns out to be the former Elizabeth Bennet! N.B. Both have been married and widowed - this becomes evident early in the story, so it's not really a spoiler, but I know some of my friends don't like reading of either having been married previously. There's also a secondary plot involving what happened to Lydia and Wickham after their marriage. Good read.

Catherine Morland's Library 36 - 40

36. Quiet Musings by lilkawa ⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7364231/...
Chosen at random on the JAFF index for 'Q' in my alphabet challenge as I don't have any more published works to fulfill it!

37. Compassion by headless-nic 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This has to have the extra-sparklies as I believe that if you can't say anything kind or at least criticise constructively, then you shouldn't say anything at all!

38. A Love Story by Judy-Lynn ⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
Elizabeth, Darcy and possibly a bear from Peru! MA.

39. The Lost Night by Fumar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
How much can a girl forget if she's had too much to drink? MA content!

40. Echoes of Pemberley by Cynthia Ingram Hensley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A gentle, modern story about teenage love, set at Pemberley and featuring descendants of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy.

Catherine Morland's Library 41-50

41. Fanny, Victim of a Fatal Carriage Accident by Quinn ⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
One-shot. A surprising pairing for Fanny - not Edmund or Henry! And I just realised I've got my author "Q".

42. Gossip Requited; a Pride & Prejudice Vignette by P.R. Hood
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
One shot. What might have happened should Elizabeth have disclosed some aspects of George Wickham's character after her return from Hunsford.

43. Yankee Swap by Amy D'Orazio ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Part 1: http://austenvariations.com/yankee-sw...
Part 2: http://austenvariations.com/yankee-sw...
Slightly unseasonal now, admittedly, but I've been meaning to read this since before Christmas. Lovely modern short story that fits in many of the elements of P&P (and it counts as my "Y" story title!)

44. Undeceived: Pride & Prejudice in the Spy Game by Karen M. Cox 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Pride and Prejudice and Spies - what a ride Karen M. Cox takes us on with this! It was the only one of her books I hadn't read and though I adore all of them, I think this will be my favourite for some considerable time. MA content, but not gratuitous or over done.

45. Fair Stands the Wind by Catherine Lodge ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Darcy as a naval captain - what's not to like? He's also a second son, which is one reason why he's in the navy. Mr. Bennet is ill and Elizabeth is feeling the pressure to marry Mr. Colllins. My only quibble is that the story is too short. The last quarter could have done with being fleshed out a bit more for my liking. A good read nonetheless.

46. Secrets at Kellynch Hall by Maria Grace 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Published in instalments on her website and available as a free download. According to Maria Grace's latest newsletter, it's going to be the prologue to a full version of a Persuasion-based dragon book called Kellynch:Slumbering Dragon. Can't wait!

47. Seeking Advice by leavesfallingup ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13183900...
One-shot. Fun short story about an alternative path for Mr. Collins's proposal to Elizabeth.

48. The Gallant Vicar: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Barbara Silkstone ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I learnt a new meaning for a particular word when reading this book. Won't say any more as it'd be a big spoiler, if you haven't already read it. What I will say is that Elizabeth meets a handsome vicar during her stay at Hunsford (not Mr. Collins, I hasten to add!) and Darcy gets rather jealous as she's just refused his first proposal.

49. The Return of the Gallant Vicar: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Barbara Silkstone ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Sequel to no 48. Can't say any more - spoilers!

50. The Maid and The Footman: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Don Jacobson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A companion story to Of Fortune's Reversal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, featuring the same story from the viewpoint of, as the title suggests, a maid and a footman! It also tells of their love story. I rather like the way that Mr. Jacobson makes Henry Wilson (the footman) and Annie Reynolds (the maid) into ancestors of our former Prime Minister Harold Wilson. He's a man I met very briefly, and got to shake his hand, when I graduated from University as he was Chancellor of that institution way back in 1976. He made a point of attending virtually all of the graduation ceremonies during his many years as Chancellor.

42??? Did I see that correctly? OMG!! That is amazing Anji, well done!!

J. W. wrote: "42??? Did I see that correctly? OMG!! That is amazing Anji, well done!!"

Thanks, Jeanne. I am reading quite a bit more short, unpublished stuff at the moment, in amongst the longer published works. I keep getting sidetracked by recommendations and items I spot in everyone else's lists! I'll be editing the above post untill I get to 45 or 50 - haven't decided which, yet.

I have gotten hooked on that HUGE story 'The Rescue' and will be several days yet on it. It has good bones but too much repetition and TMI that is unnecessary. This is so out of character for canon and the twists are what make it interesting. Everything is so different... I can't help but read more to find out what next the author will change. I am enjoying it.

J. W. wrote: "I have gotten hooked on that HUGE story 'The Rescue' and will be several days yet on it. It has good bones but too much repetition and TMI that is unnecessary. This is so out of character for canon..."

Definitely a marathon, by the sound of it. I'll have to get into training to tackle that one, I think! Always was a better sprinter than long-distance runner when I was at school.

Well, when you are up to it... it is worth it just to see the surprises.

JANUARY SUMMARY

Not a bad total for the first month of the year, but some of the unpublished works are very short! I may, at some point this year (no promises!), attempt this huge work The Rescue that folk have been talking about, just to compensate.

Published = 11 (including 1 DNF)
Audiobooks = 2
Unpublished (listed on GR) = 11
Unpublished (not listed on GR) = 20

Total = 44
YTD = 44

I'm currently listening to The Maid and The Footman: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Don Jacobson on my commutes, the companion piece to Of Fortune's Reversal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation. I'm reading Fair Stands the Wind by Catherine Lodge on my Kindle and dipping in and out of The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen compiled by Dominique Enright, which I found in a second hand bookshop a few months ago.

Mr. George Knightley's Library 51 - 56

51. Lady Catherine's Recommended Remedy for a Headache by KC_Derby ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One-shot short story. Elizabeth goes to Rosings Park despite her headache, instead of staying behind at the parsonage, so no DHP. A conversation with Lady C. over the whist table ensues, with unforeseen consequences!

52. Beach Surprise by KC_Derby ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
Fun short one-shot featuring Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney, but not having much to do with the story of NA.

53. A Gift from Rosings Park by Maria Grace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Free short story available to download from the author's website. There's more than immediately meets the eye to a typically imperious demand from Lady Catherine.

54. The Heart Does Whisper by Cynthia Ingram Hensley ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'd great hopes for this as I'd enjoyed the previous volume, Echoes of Pemberley. Sadly, this was OK, but no more than that. It was a meandering journey through the first year of Sean and Catie's marriage.

55. Lady Russell is Humbled, Sort Of by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
One-shot Persuasion piece. After he and Anne are engaged, Frederick Wentworth has a conversation with Lady Russell.

56. If Only In His Dreams by Melanie Schertz ⭐️⭐️
Interesting premise for the story (Mr & Mrs B deceased, only Jane and Elizabeth but there's an elder brother, Longbourn is profitable, Lady Anne still alive, Lady C. is quite pleasant!) but the writing wasn't terribly good and the editing (apparently there was an editor) was pretty woeful. The story kind of meandered along a bit, too. I'm rather glad that my records show this was a freebie.

Mr. George Knightley's Library 57 - 65

57. Love and Loathing: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy by Gigi Blume ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Got this as an ARC after seeing a post on FB. Didn't know what to expect but I loved it! Pride and Prejudice meets The Pirates of Penzance. Some of the musical theatre references were a little out of my range of experience but I definitely appreciated the occasional sci-fi ones.

58. As Luck Would Have It by Withered ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12769044...
Regency short one-shot. Caroline Bingley has set her sights on marrying Darcy - no surprise there! In this non-canon piece, she's touring Pemberley before she's actually met him and gets a bit of a surprise.

59. Love Language by Withered ⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12364135...
Short one-short set more in Victorian rather than Regency times. Elizabeth has ambitions for an unusual career for a woman and also attends a masked ball.

60. Keep Me Company by Withered ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12217576...
Regency short one-shot. Whilst she's caring for Jane, Darcy and Elizabeth share an interlude in the library at Netherfield during a thunderstorm.

61. Rumors by Withered ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12175858
Regenency short one-shot. Caroline Bingley hears a rumour that Elizabeth Bennet is engaged to be married.

62. Between by Withered ⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11856933...
Modern short one-shot. Darcy and Elizabeth communicate by means of the written word through their office windows in different office blocks.

63. Conversations by Withered ⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10824815
Modern short one-shot. Darcy is dumped by his girlfriend, ends up in a bar, gets very drunk and meets a bartender named Liz.

64. Rumour Has It -- a Pride & Prejudice Variation by AnnL ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
Regency short story. What if Darcy's "ten thousand a year" is thought to be considerably less?

65. Darcy Changes Tactics by Denver ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/denver1...
After Darcy gives Elizabeth his letter, he's found in the woods of Rosings by Colonel Fitzwilliam who plies him with brandy. He comes up with a unique solution to Lady C.'s plan for him and Anne to marry and a number of other problems. Anne is a delightful character in this. It could do with just a little editing, there are some loose ends and I gather the sequel is incomplete, but I really liked this story.

FEBRUARY SUMMARY

As in January, there's some short stuff as well as longer stuff in this month's total.

Published = 8
Audiobooks = 1
Unpublished (listed on GR) = 2
Unpublished (not listed on GR) = 10

Total = 21
YTD = 65

I'm currently listening to A Constant Love: A Pride & Prejudice Continuation by Sophie Turner. Next up is Pride and Proposals: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Victoria Kincaid.

I'm also following Shannon Winslow's posting of The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen on Austen Variations, whilst listening to each chapter on audio as it's posted.

I'm reading Jane, Actually or Jane Austen's Book Tour by Jennifer Petkus on my Kindle and still dipping in and out of The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen compiled by Dominique Enright. That'll be followed by The Keys for Love by Wendi Sotis

I've also started this huge work The Rescue that folk have been talking about, just to compensate for some of the short stuff I've read so far. At 400,000+ words, it'd be a doorstopper (or several!) of a hard copy book. Think I need to take it in chunks rather than try to read it all at once.

Mr. George Knightley's Library 66 - 75

66. Inspiration: A Pride and Prejudice variation by Maria Grace 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A unique twist in this one in that Darcy is a muse-driven artist, as well as a gentleman of means. Guess who becomes his most recent muse?

67. Darcy Develops a Strategy by Denver ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/denver2...
Sequel to my no. 65, but, and it's a very big but it's only just the start of it and given that the last posting was in 2010, it seems to have been abandoned. Pity, cos it has a lot of promise.

68. A Locket and a Promise by Maria Grace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Free short story available on her website: http://randombitsoffascination.com/st...
Charlotte hasn't married Mr. Collins but the Bennet sisters are married and gone. When an uncle she's close to dies, she despairs of ever finding love.

69. An Ardent Affection: Part 1 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation
70. An Ardent Affection: Part 2 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation
71. An Ardent Affection: Part 3 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation and
72. An Ardent Affection: Part 4 of a Pride and Prejudice Intimate Variation all by Grace Reeve ⭐️⭐️✨ for the lot
I'm lumping the last four together as they're all parts of the same story and you could get through them all easily in one sitting. As the title infers, there's a lot of MA content. They tell the story from just before the Darcys' marriage up to about a year after. Better written than some of this sub-genre but not really my cup of tea. Still, they were freebies!

73. A Constant Love: A Pride & Prejudice Continuation by Sophie Turner audiobook ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A gentle story, featuring the early part of the Darcys' marriage and Georgiana's coming-out into society. She's courted (after a fashion) by three gentlemen, but who will she marry? The presumptuous one from the music club, the aristocratic second son or the dashing naval captain? Part one of a series, so some loose ends.

74. Jane, Actually or Jane Austen's Book Tour by Jennifer Petkus ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What if those who'd passed away never left us? What if they could communicate with us by means of the AfterNet? What if one of those was Jane Austen and she'd finally completed Sanditon? This is the premise and it also tells the story of the associated book tour and a JASNA AGM at which Jane is a keynote speaker. It may not be everybody's cup of tea but, with my sci-fi/fantasy hat on as well, I really enjoyed it.

75. The Remarkable Miss Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Jennifer Joy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A worthy final volume in Jennifer's Meryton Mysytery series. This is Georgiana's story, now aged 21. We still get to meet the characters we know and love from the other stories, though. The mystery here is who has kidnapped her best friend from a ball? And, will Georgiana ever find happiness with a certain young man who's trying to help her family?

Oh, Anji, you had a great month's work. Well done.

J. W. wrote: "Oh, Anji, you had a great month's work. Well done."

Thanks, Jeanne.

Oops, I forgot my dusty shelf title for March! I'll be reading or listening to Caroline Bingley by Jennifer Becton. Reading when I'm not doing anything else, listening when I'm driving, cooking, gardening etc. Whispersync is great for times like these!

Anji, I've missed the discussion re The Rescue, would you mind posting a link? Thank you, wow, you had an amazing month.

Michelle wrote: "Anji, I've missed the discussion re The Rescue, would you mind posting a link? Thank you, wow, you had an amazing month."

Michelle, it's on AHA so if you have a login for that site, here's the link: http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...

It's insanely long and each chapter is quite lengthy, too. I'm only up to the start of chapter 8 and I can already see how it could be split into at least two separate, but linked, novels. It's not a spoiler to say you won't like Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, as this becomes apparent very early on. There are errors, contradictions and typos but the story itself is intriguing and so far, I'm sufficiently invested in the story to keep going.

Thanks Anji, I'm going to check it out. Really appreciate your time to post this re my request. Have a great day.

EDITED COMMENT TO CORRECT THE HEADER!

Miss Fanny Price's East Room 76 -

76. A Floury Apron: A Pride and Prejudice Short Story by Margaret Gale ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elizabeth goes to London during the search for Lydia and Wickham, not knowing that Darcy is involved in the search. He calls at the Gardiners' house one day while she's passing the time baking.

77. Overpowering Happiness by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12674289...
One shot. Eighteen months after their marriage, the Wentworths receive some happy news.

78. Her Innermost Thoughts by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One shot. Anne Elliot accidentally leaves her journal, containing some very private thoughts, in the garden at Uppercross Cottage. Captain Wentworth finds it.

79. Her Power With Him Was Gone Forever by Eightyearsandahalf ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Missing scene" from Persuasion, told from Captain Wentworth's POV. It's the dinner that he attends at Uppercross, just after Charles' and Mary's son is injured.

80. Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline is taken to task by her brother and banished to Northern England unless and until she makes reparations for her behaviour to Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. Her mother is still alive and has remarried. Caroline meets two eligible gentlemen but which will she choose, if any? The one who'll inherit a title or the one who has a reputation as a fortune hunter?

81. The Wager: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Kate Bedlow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mary Bennet is the focus of this story, I discovered. She goes to Hunsford with Sir William and Maria Lucas instead of Elizabeth, who's gone to London with Jane. Instead of Darcy going to Rosings with Colonel Fitzwilliam, we have Major Carleton Quartermaine, a relative of Lady C's late husband. The wager of the title doesn't appear until later in the book. Some of the events from canon still happen but it's quite interesting to see them transposed to other characters. Won't say which - spoilers!

Oh, is the Colonel treating you well, Anji? I can't wait to get there. It will be a bit longer. I've always liked the Colonel.

J. W. wrote: "Oh, is the Colonel treating you well, Anji? I can't wait to get there. It will be a bit longer. I've always liked the Colonel."

Oh dear! I've been a bit previous in saying I've arrived at Delaford. How could I forget that I had to pay a call at the East Room and dear Miss Fanny? I'm now going to go back and edit the header for that comment. It'll be a little while before I'll be enjoying the Colonel's hospitality.

No worries. You are most welcome at any time. See you when you get there.

MARCH SUMMARY

Published = 10
Audiobooks = 1
Unpublished (listed on GR) = 4
Unpublished (not listed on GR) = 1

Total = 16
YTD = 81

Currently reading Searching for Mr Tilney by Jane Odiwe. I absolutely love her other "timeslip" books and this one is proving to be just as good so far.
I'm also still wading through The Rescue!

Next up will be Then Comes Winter edited by Christina Boyd. Yes, I know it's spring, but this is for the 'T' entry in my alphabet challenge, which is coming along quite nicely.

Currently listening to Pride and Proposals: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Victoria Kincaid. It's the first book I was ever involved with at the beta stage and it's kind of weird, but in a very nice way, listening to words you know so well from that angle.
Next up - I haven't decided yet!

Oops, forgot to start a new section for my current challenge level!

Miss Fanny Price's East Room 82-

82. The Keys for Love by Wendi Sotis ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Modern story set in the Florida Keys. Darcy is a wealthy businessman taking a long overdue break at his house there. Elizabeth is a professional "house sitter" who just happens to be living next door. They have a connection in the past that neither of them realise.

83. Jimmie Darcy's Big Day by LUCYQT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12006956.
“Jimmie Darcy, age 3 years and 11 months, wants nothing more than to be treated like a big boy by his older siblings and cousins. Can his papa help him find his place among the children and what will this do to his relationship with his mother? A fluffy, fishy, family tale.”
Shortish one-shot. Lovely little story.

84. Mr. Bennet's Consent by LUCYQT ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11927215...
"When Darcy seeks permission to marry Elizabeth, something happens in the library that leaves Darcy smiling but Mr. Bennet very upset. What could it be? And what do trees have to do with it? Missing scene."
Short one-short.

85. The Rescue -- a Pride & Prejudice Variation by Rosemary⭐️⭐️
meryton.com/aha/index.php?showtopic=1...
Insanely long family saga-type story, featuring the Darcys, Matlocks, de Bourghs, Bennets, Gardiners, Phillips, Bingleys and a host of others. Interesting premise (an elderly couple, Thomas and Fanny Bennet, claim that the four daughters of a duke are, in fact, their own daughters) and we get many, many chapters of background, exposition and characters obsessing about owning country estates and townhouses in London, before we get to the resolution of this conundrum. And then we get even more! Some of the villains appear to have come straight from the stage of a pantomime. Probably being generous with my rating due to the premise and the main story arc.

86. The True Love's Kiss by Laure001⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12930788...
"Lizzy Bennett has been turned into a frog by a warlock. Only a True Love's Kiss can make her human again. Darcy kisses her, it works. So? End of the tale, right? Not with these two…"
Shortish one-shot that I'd love to see expanded.

87. Searching for Mr Tilney by Jane Odiwe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love Jane Odiwe's Austenesque "timeslip" works, and this one was no exception. Switching between the 1970s and the late 18th century, the heroine is visiting Bath as she recovers from a debilitating illness. She finds herself slipping backwards and forwards in time and during her trips back, she discovers herself inhabiting the body of a young Cassandra Austen. One of the things I love about this book is the way the author has incorporated the painting of what is now known as "the Rice portrait".

I thought your #82 was cute. I immediately started to relax as I read of the warm sun ☀ and the glorious beach.

Miss Fanny Price's East Room 88 - 94

88. Then Comes Winter edited by Christina Boyd 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A lovely anthology themed around winter and especially Christmas. The way the temperatures have been in Yorkshire for the past week, it certainly still feels like winter! It featured a goodly number of writers I'm familiar with and a fair few that I'm not. As with any project that Christina has worked on, the editing is just about spot on and I can forgive the occasional non-UK English expression that's slipped through into the Regency-era stories.

89. Yearning For You: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Lory Lilian ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Novella-length story with quite a bit of MA content. The story mainly concerns the obstacles that occur to prevent the Darcys consumating their marriage once they leave Longbourn after the wedding breakfast. They come close on a number of occasions before the deed is actually done. It's probably the best-written tale of its type that I've read.

90. A Letter of Denial and a Letter of Goodbye by ColinEhle 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Short one-shot set forty years into the Darcys' marriage. Elizabeth is tired after a long walk with her granddaughter and whilst going through a box of mementoes from the past, finds two letters Darcy wrote to her, but without any intention of sending, when he was at Netherfield all those years ago. Brings a tear to your eye!

91. Pride and Proposals: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Victoria Kincaid audiobook ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What if Darcy's ill advised proposal at Hunsford was pre-empted by his cousin? Darcy arrives at the parsonage just in time to be able to congratulate Colonel Fitzwilliam on his engagement to Elizabeth Bennet. Darcy takes himself and Georgiana off to America for a year as a result, not being able to face the wedding or seeing his cousin happily married to Elizabeth. If you haven't read this yet, be not afraid as our beloved couple do get their HEA, but have a packet of tissues handy for when you find out why it becomes possible. This was the first book I was ever involved with at the beta stage and it's a kind of surreal experience, in a nice way, listening to words you know well from a different perspective.

92. Sarah's Story by Stacy B. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 unpublished
Oh what a little gem this story is! It tells the story of the Darcys' marriage from the POV of Sarah Hill, daughter of Mrs. Hill, housekeeper at Longbourn. Offered the chance to stay at Longbourn, go with Jane to Netherfield or with Elizabeth to London and Pemberley, she chooses Elizabeth. We see the highs and lows of the Darcys' marriage as seen by one of the household's most trusted servants; the mistress's lady's maid. But be warned, the ending will have you in tears.

93. Vampire Darcy's Desire: A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation by Regina Jeffers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've always held back from reading a vampire variation until now as I just don't find the whole 'undead' thing appealing. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it but as I'm a fan of Ms. Jeffers' writing, I thought I'd give it a try as my Dusty Shelf read for May (yes, I know it's still April!). Well, as you can see, I rather enjoyed it! Darcy's family has been under a curse for 200 years, ever since a female ancestor turned down the being who masquerades as the current George Wickham in favour of a man who turns out to be an ancestor of Elizabeth's. Our favourite couple admit their attraction to each other early on here (at Netherfield). The rest of the story tells of their attempts to fight Wickham and the curse.

On the last lap now!

Miss Fanny Price's East Room 94 - 100

94. Discovery by JoanHall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ unpublished
Author's note: "Jane is the main character in this what-if that starts at the Netherfield Ball. When you discover that someone is not what you thought they were, it changes everything."
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11631679...

95. The Most Natural Thing by JoanHall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ unpublished
Author's note: "This is a sequel to my story "Discovery". A follow-up on some of the stuff that happens to Elizabeth. One-shot."
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12020254...

96. An Eventful Morning by Joana Starnes 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
http://austenvariations.com/an-eventf...
Vignette set in the period when Darcy has returned to London briefly during his second stay at Netherfield, where Caroline Bingley hears about her brother's engagement, yet still has hopes that she can snare Darcy for herself.

97. Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley: A Short-Story Collection Inspired by Pride and Prejudice by Mary Lydon Simonsen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five short stories, three which had been previously published singly plus two which had been posted online. The first three are all variations on Elizabeth's unexpected encounter with Darcy at Pemberley and the last two also feature an original character - Colonel Fitzwilliam's older brother Lord Stepton (and his wife, the Evil Eleanor).

98. An Ever Fi"X"ed Mark by Sabrina ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/sabrina...
A nice little short story (5400 words) describing what might have happened if Darcy had come across Elizabeth, in tears, in the woods at Rosings on the way back from his farewell visit to the parsonage. She'd just finished reading his letter. (Chosen for my book title challenge as I can't find a finished story beginning with an "X".)

99. This An"Z"ac Day by ktebid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
Now, bear with me on this. Elizabeth is a military widow with two children in Australia; widow of George Wickham, no less. He was one of Darcy's best friends from their schooldays - no bad boy George here! Darcy (also a military man) has always loved her and comes back into her life on Anzac day, after George's death. Short one-shot, but there is a sequel, which is my no. 100. (Chosen for my "Z" book title for the same reason as my "X".)

100. This Remembrance Day by ktebid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
Takes place, also in Australia, several years after no 99. Darcy and Elizabeth are married and have another child. They remember George at a service on Armistice Day. Short one-shot.

Moving on, Anji.

J. W. wrote: "Moving on, Anji."

Thanks, Jeanne. Hoping to join you at Delaford before much more time has passed. As I've only X and Z to go before completing my Book Title Alphabet Challenge, I think I'll pop over to the JAFF Index to see what, if anything, they've got listed.

I look forward to seeing you, Anji. When your carriage passes through the main gate... we'll start the tea. It should be ready by the time you are refreshed and settled. We can have a cuppa and a nice chat.

J. W. wrote: "I look forward to seeing you, Anji. When your carriage passes through the main gate... we'll start the tea. It should be ready by the time you are refreshed and settled. We can have a cuppa and a n..."

Looking forward to it!

Colonel Brandon's Library 101 - 105

101. Beyond Knowledge by Peradan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6705093/
Author's note: "They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects."
Short, sweet one-shot set just after Elizabeth and Darcy have come to an understanding.

102. William by Jannet Doe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ unpublished
What if the Netherfield Ball led to a night of passion for Darcy and Elizabeth? Then circumstances instigated by an unexpected villain mean they don't see each other again for twenty years, until by chance in Brighton. Elizabeth has married, borne Darcy's son conceived that night, three other children, and is now a widow. Darcy has married, had two children and is also widowed. This story tells of what happened after that chance meeting.

103. Echoes on the stairs by acrossfandoms ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unpublished
Author's note: "Elizabeth Darcy. Once full of life and laughter, now literally reduced to a shade of herself. To society, she is dead, but that is far from the truth. Twoshot. Inspired by the fairytale, "The Brother and Sister". Warning: violence, murder"
Has Elizabeth become a ghost? Is there any hope that she can return to the land of the living?

104. Never So Bewitched By Any Woman: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Isabelle Mayfair ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A novella-length story. Elizabeth is in London, staying with the Gardiners. She meets Georgiana in a park, before she meets Darcy, and they develop a friendship. She also meets GW first. The story was OK but there were a few typos in my edition and too many contractions in the text and dialogue for my liking.

105. The Mist of Her Memory: A Pride & Prejudice Romantic Suspense Variation by Suzan Lauder ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This really belongs to last year, as that was when I was working on it with Suzan at the beta stage. Now it's finally out there in the world, I can add it to my list. Mystery and suspense are added to romance as Elizabeth struggles to remember the events surounding a violent attack she experienced in Lambton whilst travelling with the Gardiners. Who is responsible? Are the things she remembers real? How are Wickham and Lydia involved? Read it and find out!

APRIL SUMMARY

Published = 7
Audiobooks = 1
Unpublished listed on GR = 7
Unpublished not listed on GR = 6

Total = 21
YTD = 102

I also finished my book title alphabet challenge. See message no. 3 above for details. I won't be adding to that list any more as the continual scrolling up and down to edit it was starting to vex me! Still working on the authors' names one.

Currently reading Medieval Underpants and Other Blunders: A Writer's (and Editor's) Guide to Keeping Historical Fiction Free of Common Anachronisms, Errors, and Myths by Susanne Alleyn - not Austenesque but a fascinating look at some of the pitfalls facing historical fiction authors.

Next up - Swimming in Rain by Heather C. Myers

Currently listening to By Reason, by Reflection, by Everything: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by P.O. Dixon and The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen by Shannon Winslow

Next up - The Ladies of Rosings Park: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel and Companion to The Darcys of Pemberley by Shannon Winslow

Colonel Brandon's Library 106 - 110

106. Darcy's Days by Fitzwilliam Darcy ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - DNF
I tried to like this more, especially as some of my friends here have rated it highly and a Darcy POV is a favourite sub-genre of mine. Although I liked the writing style of whoever wrote it and appreciated the inclusion of a lot of historical context, I just wasn't keen on this Darcy. I decided not to continue at about two thirds of the way through when I got to Darcy's second recreational use of laudanum. The latter is mentioned in some of the reviews so it's not really a spoiler.

107. Medieval Underpants and Other Blunders: A Writer's (and Editor's) Guide to Keeping Historical Fiction Free of Common Anachronisms, Errors, and Myths by Susanne Alleyn 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Not remotely Austenesque but as I discovered it quite by accident when I went down a research rabbit hole during a beta read last year, I'm including it here anyway! It's a fascinating read and quite amusing at times. The text ends at about 86%, if memory serves, and the remainder is an extremely comprehensive bibliography covering various topics and historical periods. I may look into some of the Georgian/Regency ones eventually.

108. Guarded Hearts by A Rose By Any Other ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11455230...
Author's note: "Elizabeth and the Gardiners journey to Derbyshire the previous summer, merely a week after the events at Ramsgate. When they call upon the great house of Pemberley, who should happen to return suddenly but the illustrious Mr. Darcy and his heart-broken sister.".
Would love to see where the story would have gone after the five chapters.

109. The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen compiled by Dominique Enright 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I've been dipping in and out of this little book (found in a secondhand bookshop last year) for several months and, though I usually prefer to read Jane's writings in their entirety, rather than extracts, it was fun to read compilations of comments (from her letters and her fiction) on the same subjects, such as; "Another Stupid Party: Balls, Gowns and Other Fashions", "A Truth Universally Acknowledged: The Marriage Market" and "I am a Very Good Housekeeper".

110. The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen by Shannon Winslow audiobook performance by Elizabeth Klett. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A take of what could have happened to Jane Austen and why she wrote Persuasion. The story is told in flashback and details her meeting and love for a dashing French emigré naval officer. My favourite Shannon Winslow book and I do love her work. Elizabeth Klett's performance is, as always, fantastic.