Rueben's Ramblings

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 – Mary Lydon Simonsen – who wrote books inspired by the classic characters created by the one and only Jane Austen.

Darcy Goes to War by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Darcy Goes to War: A Pride and Prejudice Re-Imagining”
Released on September 15, 2012

Britain is now in its fourth year of war; it’s the spring of 1944. In order to defeat Adolph Hitler and his Nazis, everyone in the country must do his or her bit. While twenty-three-year-old Elizabeth Bennet makes her contribution by driving a lorry, Fitzwilliam Darcy flies Lancaster bombers over Germany. Because of the war, both are wary of falling in love, but when the two meet near an airbase in Hertfordshire, all bets are off. Set against the background of World War II, in Darcy Goes to War, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy battle something more than class differences. The greatest evil of the 20th Century is trying to bring Britain to its knees. In order to be together, they must survive the war.

Becoming Elizabeth Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Becoming Elizabeth Darcy”
Released on November 15, 2011

In 2010, American, Elizabeth Hannigan, suffering from the swine flu, falls into a coma and wakes up in the bed and body of Elizabeth Bennet Darcy. Beth soon realizes that the only way back to her life in the 21st Century is through the master of Pemberley, Jane Austen’s Fitzwilliam Darcy. But first she must discover the dark secret that brought her to Pemberley in 1826 in the first place. Becoming Elizabeth Darcy is the story of love, loyalty, and loss, where a very modern woman is called upon to resolve the problems of Jane Austen’s most beloved couple.

Captain Wentworth Home From the Sea by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Captain Wentworth Home From the Sea”
Released on October 24, 2011

In 1806, Frederick Wentworth returned to the sea in hopes of leaving behind memories of his lost love, Anne Elliot of Kellynch Hall. But after eight years as the captain of the Laconia, he has failed to jettison recollections of the only woman he could ever love, that is, until a shipboard accident robs him of his memory. When he is once again thrown into Anne’s company, he knows nothing of their previous engagement. With the slate wiped clean, will Anne Elliot be able to secure the love of Captain Frederick Wentworth or will all opportunities to reclaim a lost love be denied her?

Darcy on the Hudson by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Darcy on the Hudson: A Pride and Prejudice Re-imagining”
Released on August 9, 2011

When Fitzwilliam Darcy, Georgiana Darcy, and Charles Bingley set sail from England to New York, each travels with a different purpose in mind. Georgiana wants to put a particularly jarring incident involving a family friend behind her, and Charles wishes to visit his uncle in an exciting new land. For Darcy, it is an opportunity to explore the possibilities of new sources of wealth in the expanding United States, but once Darcy meets American Elizabeth Bennet, it becomes the beginning of a love story. But will cultural differences and a possible second war with England keep them apart?

A Wife for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“A Wife for Mr. Darcy”
Released on July 1, 2011

When he meets Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy is already courting another young lady and now, in addition to his original qualms, Darcy has a real matter of honor to overcome.

A Walk in the Meadows at Rosings Park by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“A Walk in the Meadows at Rosings Park”
Released on June 1, 2011

The day after the assembly at Meryton, Fitzwilliam Darcy departs Hertfordshire, believing that he leaves little of interest behind him. But when Elizabeth Bennet comes to Kent, Darcy has an opportunity for a second look at the dark-haired beauty, and he is instantly smitten. Unfortunately for Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth has a long memory, and the gentleman from Derbyshire will have to earn her love. His efforts begin with a walk in the meadows at Rosings Park.

Darcy and Elizabeth The Language of the Fan by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Darcy and Elizabeth: The Language of the Fan“
Released on May 30, 2011

While Jane Bennet is recuperating at Netherfield Park, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are frequently thrown into each other’s company. Despite initial resistance, the two adversaries find that their first impressions are changing, especially after Lizzy overhears a conversation between Darcy and Charles Bingley using the language of the fan.

Mr. Darcy’s Angel of Mercy by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Mr. Darcy’s Angel of Mercy: A Romance of The Great War”
Released on April 30, 2011

Two years after the conclusion of The Great War, those affected by the conflagration are still trying to put their lives back together, including Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. While Darcy grapples with horrific memories from the war, Elizabeth, who had served as a Voluntary Aid Detachment, suppresses most recollections of her service in France. But Darcy suspects that there is one memory that the two share: a beautiful night in a hospital ward in France when Darcy was visited by an angel of mercy, an angel who might just possibly be Elizabeth Bennet.

For All the Wrong Reasons by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“For All the Wrong Reasons: A Pride and Prejudice Re-imaging”
Released on March 31, 2011

Pemberley, the Darcy estate, is entailed away from the female line. When Fitzwilliam Darcy learns that his heir, Peter Grayson, is engaged to Caroline Bingley, he realizes that he must take a wife and father a son. But will Elizabeth Bennet agree to enter into a loveless marriage, and if she does, will she wed for all the wrong reasons?

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy”
Released on January 1, 2011

Convinced that the lovely Elizabeth Bennet is her brother’s soul mate, Georgiana Darcy enlists her clever and not at all snobbish cousin Anne de Bourgh in ensuring that pride and prejudice aren’t able to keep these two hearts apart. All is going according to plan until Lydia Bennet brings scandal on the family by eloping with George Wickham, and Darcy is called away from Elizabeth’s side before he has a chance to propose. It will take all Georgiana and Anne’s considerable matchmaking talents to ensure that Elizabeth and Darcy are reunited in time to claim their happily ever after.

Anne Elliot: A New Beginning by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Anne Elliot, A New Beginning: A Persuasion Re-imaging”
Released on May 24, 2010

On Anne Elliot’s 25th birthday, her family declared her to be a spinster, but instead of being downcast by this change in status, she finds it to be quite liberating. As a result of her new-found freedom, Anne becomes a long-distance runner, and this activity greatly increases her confidence. It is this new Anne who Captain Frederick Wentworth meets when he sees the love of his life after eight years of separation. The Captain admires the changes in Anne, and he finds that he is falling in love with her all over again. However, there is a complication. The heir to Kellynch, the Elliot estate, William Elliot, has also come back into the picture after an estrangement with Anne’s father, Sir Walter Elliot, and he has set his sights on Anne. Now living in Bath, Anne senses that something is not right, and with the help of a street urchin named Swoosh, she sets out to discover what William Elliot is really like.

Searching for Pemberley by Mary Lydon Simonsen

“Searching for Pemberley”
Released on December 1, 2009
(First Released as Pemberley Remembered in 2007)

This story is about a love-torn American girl in post-WWII London. Young and eager for adventure, Maggie Joyce has left her jobless Pennsylvania coal-mining town for a typist position overseas. In London, she discovers two love interests as well as connections to the real-life Londoners rumored to have been the basis for Pride’s Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Learning to disregard her prim and proper instincts, Maggie becomes closer to her very own version of Darcy, as well as the families of the original Darcy and Bennet, from whom she receives old diary entries and letters.

More lists coming soon…

Read Full Post »