Here is the next list of modern-day writers who, in their own way, have paid homage to Jane Austen’s legendary stories. The entire list below is actually by one author – Regina Jeffers – who wrote books inspired by Austen’s characters.
The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy
“The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery”
Publication Date: April 17, 2012
Shackled in the dungeon of a macabre castle with no recollection of her past, a young woman finds herself falling in love with her captor—the estate’s master. Trusting him before she regains her memory and unravels the castle’s wicked truths would be a catastrophe. Far away at Pemberley, the Darcys happily gather to celebrate the marriage of Kitty Bennet. But a dark cloud sweeps through the festivities: Georgiana has disappeared without a trace. Upon receiving word of his sister’s likely demise, Darcy and his wife, Elizabeth, set off across the English countryside, seeking answers in the unfamiliar and menacing Scottish moors. How can Darcy keep his sister safe from the most sinister threat she has ever faced when he doesn’t even know if she’s alive? True to Austen’s style and rife with malicious villains, dramatic revelations and heroic gestures, this suspense-packed mystery places Darcy and Elizabeth in the most harrowing situation they have ever faced— finding Georgiana before it’s too late.
Christmas at Pemberley
“Christmas at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Sequel”
Publication Date: November 8, 2011
Darcy has invited the Bennets and the Bingleys to spend the Christmastide’s festive days at Pemberley. But as he and Elizabeth journey to their estate to join the gathered families, a blizzard blankets the English countryside. The Darcys’ find themselves stranded at a small inn while Pemberley is inundated with refugees seeking shelter from the storm. Without her brother’s strong presence, Georgiana Darcy tries desperately to manage the chaos surrounding the arrival of six invited guests and eleven unscheduled visitors. But bitter feuds, old jealousies and intimate secrets quickly rise to the surface. Has Lady Catherine returned to Pemberley for forgiveness or revenge? Will the manipulative Caroline Bingley find a soul mate? Shall Kitty Bennet and Georgiana know happiness?
The Phantom of Pemberley
“The Phantom of Pemberly: A Pride and Prejudice Murder Mystery”
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
Happily married for over a year and more in love than ever, Darcy and Elizabeth can’t imagine anything interrupting their bliss-filled days. Then an intense snowstorm strands a group of travelers at Pemberley, and terrifying accidents and mysterious deaths begin to plague the manor. Everyone seems convinced that it is the work of a phantom—a Shadow Man who is haunting the Darcy family’s grand estate. Darcy and Elizabeth believe the truth is much more menacing and that someone is trying to murder them. But Pemberley is filled with family guests as well as the unexpected travelers—any one of whom could be the culprit—so unraveling the mystery of the murderer’s identity forces the newlyweds to trust each other’s strengths and work together.
Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion
“Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion: Jane Austen’s Classic Retold Through His Eyes”
Publication Date: March 23, 2010
This novel retells the love affair at the heart of Jane Austen’s Persuasion from the perspective of the suitor, Captain Wentworth. Wentworth initially suffers rejection and frustration because the titled Elliots’ do not consider him good enough for their daughter Anne. Despite her feelings for Wentworth, Anne allows others to persuade her to break off their engagement. Eight years later, when Wentworth returns from fighting against Napoleon’s army, the difficult years of war have reversed fortunes. Now it is he who is rich, having won many prizes in battle, while the Elliots’ are deeply in debt and in danger of losing their good name. Will Wentworth seek revenge by choosing another woman over his former love? Can he walk away from Anne, or will the memory of her lips and her touch capture his love once again?
Vampire Darcy’s Desire
“Vampire Darcy’s Desire: A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation”
Publication Date: October 1, 2009
Vampire Darcy’s Desire presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a heart-pounding vampire romance filled with passion and danger. Tormented by a 200-year-old curse and his fate as a half-human/half-vampire dhampir, Mr. Darcy vows to live forever alone rather than inflict the horrors of life as a vampire on an innocent wife. But when he comes to Netherfield Park, he meets the captivating Elizabeth Bennet. As a man, Darcy yearns for Elizabeth, but as a vampire, he is also driven to possess her. Uncontrollably drawn to each other, they are forced to confront a “pride and prejudice” never before imagined—while wrestling with the seductive power of forbidden love. Meanwhile, dark forces are at work all around them. Most ominous is the threat from George Wickham, the purveyor of the curse, a demon who vows to destroy each generation of Darcys.
Darcy’s Temptation
“Darcy’s Temptation: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”
Publication Date: September 15, 2009
The day Fitzwilliam Darcy marries Elizabeth Bennet, he thinks his life is complete at last. Four months later, even greater joy appears on the horizon when Elizabeth finds out she is pregnant. But it is not long before outside forces intrude on their happiness. When the unthinkable happens, Elizabeth and Darcy must discover their love for each other all over again. The story is set against the backdrop of the British abolitionist movement, family difficulties and social affairs that weigh heavily on the newlyweds, and a dramatic turn of events which forces Elizabeth to try to recapture Darcy’s love before the manipulative Cecelia McFarland succeeds in luring him away.
Darcy’s Passions
“Darcy’s Passions: Pride and Prejudice Retold Through His Eyes”
Publication Date: February 1, 2009
This book reveals Darcy’s passion and conviction but also his turmoil. Darcy knows that duty to family and estate demands he choose a woman of refined tastes. Yet, what his mind tells him to do and what his heart knows to be true tear him in opposite directions. He loves a woman he first denies for being unworthy, but it is he who is found wanting when Elizabeth Bennet refuses his proposal of marriage. Devastated, Darcy must search his soul and transform himself into the man she can love and respect.
Darcy’s Dreams
“Darcy’s Dreams: A Sequel to the Fitzwilliam Darcy Story”
Publication Date: June 18, 2008
When Fitzwilliam Darcy married Elizabeth Bennet, he felt complete at last. When she announced she carried an heir for Pemberley, contentment, ruled his life. Finally, he could become the true Master of Pemberley; he could bring the estate into a new age. Then the unthinkable happens, and Darcy loses all the memory of Elizabeth’s love, leaving Elizabeth in a quagmire. She must win again Darcy’s affection before he again judges her to be found wanting and before he sends her away from the estate as a fallen woman and before he takes their child from her. Elizabeth must balance her running f Pemberley as Darcy’s wife with her need to protect herself from his prideful judgments. She must find a way in the midst of the utter chaos surrounding Darcy’s disappearance to maintain his estate and her position in society. Meanwhile, Darcy finds himself in the throes of two resourceful women who would replace Elizabeth Bennet in his life. The manipulative Elizabeth Donnelly hides his real identity from him while the nefarious Cecelia McFarland plots the societal downfall of Elizabeth Darcy. Darcy’s love for Elizabeth must save him from the so-called “triumphs” of the ton.
Honor and Hope
“Honor and Hope”
Publication Date: April 16, 2008
From the first moment Will Darcy meets her, Liz Bennet consumes his every thought. He is the star quarterback, winner of a collegiate national championship and a Super Bowl ring; he could name the woman with whom he wants to spend his time, but it is Elizabeth Bennet to whom he is devoted. Like two fires consuming one another, Will and Liz have a passionate desire for one another, sometimes to the point of distraction. Meeting first in college, they become the athletic “darlings” of their college campus until Will’s Southern honor puts him in a position to control Liz’s life; then, her fierce independence makes Liz fight Will’s need to “take care of everyone he loves,” dashing his hopes of their loving each other forever. Six years later they find one another along the road to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the passionate spark between them brings them back together, but “secrets” threaten to destroy their “hopes” once again. Can Liz tolerate Will’s secret control of her financial future? Can Will forgive Liz for keeping the knowledge of their child from him? Misunderstandings mixed with the intrigue of Congressional hearings into steroid use in pro sports along with blackmail peppers the lives of two dynamic characters who need each other to be complete but who could easily destroy each other with their passion.
More lists coming soon…
Rueben's Ramblings 