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 first author listed below has written five books while the latter author has written six books either inspired by Austen’s characters or based on the author herself.

Echoes of Love by Rosie Rushton

ROSIE RUSHTON
“Echoes of Love”
Released on January 26, 2010

Anna Eliot adored the gorgeous Felix Wentworth, but still called an end to their relationship. As time passes, Anna wonders if strict parents, interfering friends and misplaced loyalties had more to do with it than she wants to admit. Two years later, Felix, who’s been fighting in Afghanistan, is back. Anna longs to rekindle their relationship, but will he give her a second chance? Or will the echoes of the past prove too difficult to overcome?

Love, Lies and Lizzie by Rosie Rushton

ROSIE RUSHTON
“Love, Lies and Lizzie”
Released on January 27, 2009

What would happen if Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was set in the twenty-first century? When Mrs. Bennet inherits enough money to move to the kind of village she has always dreamed of, her daughters find themselves swept up in a glamorous life of partying and countryside pursuits. But Lizzie and her sisters soon discover that, beneath the very smart surface, lurks a web of intrigue and rivalries.

Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams by Rosie Rushton

ROSIE RUSHTON
“Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams”
Released on February 29, 2008

What would happen if Jane Austen’s EMMA was set in the twenty-first century? Emma Woodhouse is a caring, considerate sort of girl who is well aware of her own good fortune and talent for getting the best out of other people. Which is why, when she meets someone with untapped potential, she puts all her own interests to one side and sets out to change their lives for them. Whether they like it or not. When Emma’s childhood friend, George Knightley, needs help at his family’s country house hotel over the summer, she sees the perfect opportunity to improve the lot of her new friend, the shy and unfortunate Harriet Smith. But as one after another of Emma’s secret schemes go horribly wrong, she finds that nothing (and no one) is ever as simple as it seems.

The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton

ROSIE RUSHTON
“The Dashwood Sisters’ Secrets of Love”
Released on September 16, 2006

The Walker sisters have always lived a privileged life in their beloved Holly House in Sussex. Even though their father, Max Walker, has left the family to live with his new macrobiotic-food-obsessed trophy wife, Pandora, he has always doted on his girls. But then one day, reality crashes down around them when Max has a heart attack and passes away, uncovering the truth that he was knee deep in debt. The Walkers discover that their home is actually in Pandora`s name and she decides she wants it back. So the family has to uproot their lives and move to the seaside town of Norfolk in an old cottage. What happens then?

The Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton

ROSIE RUSHTON
“Secrets of Love”
Released on February 25, 2005

What would happen if you transferred the traumas of teenage love from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility to the twenty-first century? How would Ellie, Abby and Georgie fare without the restraints of nineteenth-century England? Will Ellie’s ever-sensible attitude towards life prevent her from ever snogging the gorgeous, but somewhat reticent, Blake? Is Abby’s devil-may-care outlook destined to land her in big trouble with Hunter, who majors in being up himself? And what about the baby of the family, Georgie? She’s a tomboy, with more male friends than anyone, and so strong-willed she’ll never take no for an answer!

The Deception at Lyme: Or, The Peril of Persuasion by Carrie Bebris

CARRIE BEBRIS
“The Deception at Lyme: Or, The Peril of Persuasion”
Released on September 27, 2011

In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, the Cobb—Lyme’s famous seawall—proved dangerous to a careless young woman. Now it proves deadly. Following their recent intrigue at Highbury, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy visit the seaside village of Lyme on holiday. Family business also draws them there, to receive the personal effects of Mr. Darcy’s late cousin, a naval lieutenant who died in action. Their retreat turns tragic when they come upon a body lying at the base of the Cobb. The victim is Mrs. Clay, a woman with a scandalous past that left her with child whose existence threatened the inheritance of one of her paramours and the reputation of another. Did she lose her balance and fall from the slippery breakwater, or was she pushed? Mrs. Clay’s death is not the only one that commands the Darcys’ attention. When Mr. Darcy discovers, among his cousin’s possessions, evidence that the young lieutenant’s death might have been murder, he allies with Captain Frederick Wentworth (hero of Jane Austen’s Persuasion) to probe details of a battle that took place across the sea but was influenced by a conspiracy much closer to home.

The Intrigue at Highbury: Or, Emma's Match by Carrie Bebris

CARRIE BEBRIS
“The Intrigue at Highbury: Or, Emma’s Match”
Released on August 2, 2011

Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are looking forward to a relaxing stay with dear friends when their carriage is hailed by a damsel-in-distress outside of the village of Highbury. Little do the Darcy’s realize that gypsies roam these woods, or that both their possessions and the woman are about to vanish into the night. The Darcy’s seek out the parish magistrate, who is having a difficult evening of his own. Mr. Knightley and his new wife, the former Miss Emma Woodhouse are hosting a party to celebrate the marriage of their friends, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Jane Fairfax. During dinner, Mr. Edgar Churchill, uncle and adoptive father of the groom, falls suddenly ill and dies. The cause of death: poison. When the Darcy’s and the Knightley’s join forces to investigate the crimes, they discover that the robbery and Edgar Churchill’s death may be connected. Together they must work to quickly locate the source of the poison and the murderer’s motive–before the killer can strike again.

The Matters at Mansfield: (Or, The Crawford Affair) by Carrie Bebris

CARRIE BEBRIS
“The Matters at Mansfield: (Or, The Crawford Affair)”
Released on August 31, 2010

Following the birth of their first child, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy are looking forward to enjoying life at Pemberley, but family commitments draw them away to Mansfield Park. There, the Darcy’s get involved with marriage arrangements, star-crossed lovers, deceit, mistaken identity, and even murder.

Suspense and Sensibility or, First Impressions Revisited: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery by Carrie Bebris

CARRIE BEBRIS
“Suspense and Sensibility or, First Impressions Revisited: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery”
Released on October 30, 2007

Fresh from the curious and unsettling matter of Caroline Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy have every intention of enjoying their still newlywed status at Pemberley until they are confronted with another mysterious situation. Elizabeth Darcy and her beloved husband Fitzwilliam are taking on the responsibility of finding a suitable suitor for Elizabeth’s younger sister Kitty, thereby assuring her a proper place in society. The angels smile on the young and a perfect match is found, and wedding plans are soon under way. Suddenly a change in personality occurs in Kitty’s soon to be model husband–a change so striking as to jeopardize not just the Darcys’ social standing, but their lives as well.

North By Northanger, or The Shades of Pemberley: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery by Carrie Bebris

CARRIE BEBRIS
“North By Northanger, or The Shades of Pemberley: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery”
Released on April 3, 2007

After the intrigues and excitements of their time in the city, the Darcy’s are more than prepared for a bit of peace and quiet at Pemberley. This is time that they can spend together as Elizabeth settles into her pregnancy. However, such serene solitude is not meant to be. First a letter from Lady Anne Fitzwilliam Darcy, long deceased, is discovered. The contents are both mysterious and prescient for Mrs. Darcy. Then a summons to Northanger Abbey involves the young couple in intrigues that threaten not just the Darcy legacy and good name, but Mr. Darcy’s freedom as well.

Pride and Prescience: Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged by Carrie Bebris

CARRIE BEBRIS
“Pride and Prescience: Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged”
Released on February 1, 2004

Mr. & Mrs. Darcy, the joyous newlyweds from Pride and Prejudice, have not even left for their honeymoon when they find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving one of their wedding guests. The lovely Caroline Bingley is engaged to marry a rich and charismatic American. Unfortunately, this windswept courtship is marred by many strange events: nocturnal wanderings, spooked horses, carriage accidents, and even an apparent suicide attempt. Soon the whole Bingley family seems the target of a mysterious plot.

More lists coming soon…

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Here is the next list of modern-day writers who, in their own way, have paid homage to Jane Austen’s legendary stories. The first two authors listed below have written four books while the last author has written five books either inspired by Austen’s characters or based on the author herself.

They appear in alphabetical order:

None But You by Susan Kaye

SUSAN KAYE
“None But You, (Frederick Wentworth, Captain: Book 1)”
Released on January 31, 2007

Eight years ago, when he had nothing but his future to offer, Frederick Wentworth fell in love with Anne Elliot, the gentle daughter of a haughty, supercilious baronet. Sir Walter Elliot refused to countenance a marriage, and Anne’s godmother, Lady Russell, strongly advised Anne against him. Persuaded by those nearest to her, Anne had given him up and he had taken his broken heart to sea. When Jane Austen’s Persuasion opens in the year 1814, Frederick Wentworth, now a famous and wealthy captain in His Majesty’s Navy, finds himself back in England and, as fate would have it, residing as a guest in Anne’s former home. Now, it is the baronet who is in financial difficulties, and Anne exists only at her family’s beck and call. For eight long years, Frederick had steeled his heart against her. Should he allow Anne into his heart again, or should he look for love with younger, prettier woman in the neighborhood who regard him as a hero?

For You Alone by Susan Kaye

SUSAN KAYE
“For You Alone (Frederick Wentworth, Captain; Book 2)”
Released on October 15, 2008

How could he have failed to know himself so completely? Captain Frederick Wentworth, lately returned to England from a distinguished naval career fighting Napoleon, had re-visited the scene of his romantic defeat of eight years previous at the hands of Miss Anne Elliot to find his former love a pale, worn shadow of herself. Attracted by the lively young ladies in the area who regarded him as a hero, he had ignored Anne and entangled himself with Louisa Musgrove, a headstrong young woman who seemed all that Anne was not. Now, because of his careless behavior and Louisa’s heedlessness, his future appeared tied to her just at the moment when it had become painfully clear that Anne was still everything he truly wanted. In honor, he belonged to Louisa, but his heart was full of Anne. What was he to do?

Shadows in a Brillant Life by Susan Kaye

SUSAN KAYE
“Shadows in a Brilliant Life”
Released on July 1, 2011

This is a short story in which Captain Frederick Wentworth is not an honorable man, but a man looking to gratify his own selfish desires. When Anne Elliot sees that Louisa Musgrove is the object of Wentworth’s lust, she must try to stop him; and then when Louisa is out of danger, is Anne his new target?

When I Dream, I Have You

SUSAN KAYE
“When I Dream, I Have You”
Released on July 12, 2011

The success of Persuasion is predicated on the once engaged Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth meeting after a separation of nearly nine years. In this time, both have changed a great deal. She has learned that love is not as easily had as she thought when she was 19, and he has gotten the money and success he hungered after as a younger man. When they meet again, there is still much pride and misunderstanding to overcome before all is set to right. But what would happen if the second meeting were postponed by just a few months?

The Darcy’s & the Bingley’s: A Tale of Two Gentlemen’s Marriages to Two Most Devoted Sisters by Marsha Altman

MARSHA ALTMAN
“The Darcy’s & the Bingley’s: A Tale of Two Gentlemen’s Marriages to Two Most Devoted Sisters”
Released on September 1, 2008

Three days before their double wedding, Charles Bingley is desperate to have a word with his dear friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, seeking advice of a most delicate nature. Bingley is shocked when Darcy gives him a copy of The Kama Sutra – but it does tell him everything he needs to know. Eventually, of course, Jane finds this remarkable volume and in utmost secrecy shows it to her dear sister Elizabeth, who goes searching for a copy in the Pemberley library. By turns hilarious and sweet, this book follows the two couples and the cast of characters surrounding them. Miss Caroline Bingley, it turns out, has such good reasons for being the way she is that the reader can’t help but hold her in charity. Delightfully, she makes a most eligible match, and in spite of Darcy’s abhorrence of being asked for advice, he and Bingley have a most enduring and adventure-prone friendship.

The Plight of the Darcy Brothers: A Tale of the Darcy’s & the Bingley’s by Marsha Altman

MARSHA ALTMAN
“The Plight of the Darcy Brothers: A Tale of the Darcy’s & the Bingley’s”
Released on August 1, 2009

When proper Bennet sister Mary returns from the continent, she is a compromised woman. Darcy and Elizabeth go to the continent to find the father and convince him to do the right thing, but on the way, they discover secret scandals about the Darcy family, including one half-brother Darcy didn’t know about and a bigger problem that could ruin the entire family’s reputation.

Mr. Darcy’s Great Escape: A Tale of the Darcy’s & the Bingley’s by Marsha Altman

MARSHA ALTMAN
“Mr. Darcy’s Great Escape: A Tale of the Darcy’s & the Bingley’s”
Released on February 1, 2010

This installment brings the Darcy and Bingley families to the year 1812 and the intrigues of the Napoleonic Wars. Darcy and Dr. Maddox go in search of Darcy’s missing half-brother and land in a medieval prison cell. Much to his dismay, Charles Bingley is left to hold the fort at Pemberley while his sister Caroline, Elizabeth, and Col. Fitzwilliam traverse Europe on a daring rescue. Meanwhile, Lady Catherine de Bourgh kicks up a truly shocking scandal. One never knows what might happen next between the estates of Rosings and Pemberley.

The Ballad of Gregoire Darcy by Marsha Altman

MARSHA ALTMAN
“The Ballad of Gregoire Darcy”
Released on May 10, 2011

WHIRLWIND OF PEMBERLEY: The comings and goings on their grand estate present endless challenges for Elizabeth and Darcy. Can they avoid scandal given the recent arrival of Mr. Darcy’s illegitimate brother Grégoire, Mr. Bennet’s advancing years, the younger George Wickham’s coming of age, and Dr. Maddox’s departure from his position with the Prince Regent even as his many secrets threaten to be discovered? COURTSHIP OF MARY BENNET: After her disastrous trip to the continent resulted in a passionate romance and an unintended child, Mary Bennet finds herself back in England, living with the shameful title of unwed mother. Having given up on ever finding love, Mary is shocked to find herself pursued by a proper gentleman. But are his intentions true, or is Mary being led astray by her heart once again? TORMENT OF GRÉGOIRE DARCY: Leaving his sheltered, peaceful life at a Benedictine cloister, Grégoire enters a world he never imagined. Thrust into Regency England’s secular society, Grégoire is overwhelmed. How can an inexperienced, single man stay true to himself while finding his place in a culture obsessed with matrimony?

Moonlighting by Ola Wegner

OLA WEGNER
“Moonlighting”
Released on August 12, 2009

Forced to flee France, in the 12th century, to preserve their community, the werewolves moved to less populated England. Fitzwilliam Darcy lived at Pemberley in the far northern parts of England. He inherited his leadership of the Pemberley pack from his late father. His human mother had passed long before her mate. In an effort to dilute the bloodlines to better control the ‘change’ the males sought human wives. Darcy’s love of Elizabeth Bennet was complete and for life. Bound by the law of the pack to withhold his true identity until his wife was with child, Darcy married Elizabeth Bennet at the same time as his best friend Charles Bingley married her sister, Jane. Now in the far reaches of Pemberley, will Lizzy learn her husband’s secret? Will she escape this unnatural community or, will their love prevail against overwhelming odds? What will her life be as the Alpha Female of the werewolves of Pemberley?

Deception: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Ola Wegner

OLA WEGNER
“Deception: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice”
Released on March 5, 2010

After the ball at Netherfield Fitzwilliam Darcy left Hertfordshire scared of his rapidly developing feelings for Elizabeth Bennet. What if another man had appeared in her life, both wealthy and attractive, certain of his affection for her and wishing to marry her? What if in Kent Darcy had met Elizabeth who was practically engaged to another man? How would he have dealt with an unexpected rival and would he face the challenge?

Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Ola Wegner

OLA WEGNER
“Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice”
Released on April 2, 2010

What if Elizabeth Bennet had agreed to Darcy’s marriage proposal offered to her at Hunsford parsonage, sincerely thinking it was the best thing she could have done in her situation? As his fiancée and later wife, can she fall in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy who is still very much arrogant, rude, and not reformed man? Will she be able to look over her own prejudice and apprehension, and see a worthy man who loves, and desires her?

Realisations: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Ola Wegner

OLA WEGNER
“Realisations: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice”
Released on November 25, 2010

A contemporary student switches places with the original Elizabeth Darcy. Liz Bennet is a hard-working, contemporary girl. Between her studies and work she has little time for romance. Her sister, Jane, convinces her to take a short break and spend a weekend with their friends in a country house. To Liz’s displeasure among the group there is William Darcy, a man she doesn’t hold in high regard. Darcy tries to ask her out, but she rejects him. The very next day, during her morning run, she gets hit by a car. She doesn’t regain her consciousness in a hospital as she expects to, but in the unfamiliar room, in the year 1813. She wakes up as a wife of a wealthy landlord, Master of Pemberley, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Liz realizes that she somehow managed to travel back in time, taking place of William Darcy’s great grandmother. Will she manage to return to her own time?

The Only Way: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Ola Wegner

OLA WEGNER
“The Only Way: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice”
Released on August 26, 2011

In this retelling of the beloved novel on the day of Darcy’s proposal at Hunsford, Elizabeth receives tragic news of her father’s sudden death. Will this change her mind about accepting Darcy’s offer? Will she decide to marry the man whom she dislikes in order to rescue her mother and sisters from destitution?

More lists coming soon…

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