Four favorite authors, four heartwarming stories set in Jane Austen’s Regency world. Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite revisit Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park to deliver the uplifting holiday storytelling you’re looking for.Her Christmas Gift by Robin HelmElizabeth Bennet finds herself snowbound at Rosings with two rejected, but highly eligible, suitors. … highly eligible, suitors. Does either man have a chance? Will her childhood friend, Meryton’s golden boy, win her affection, or will she accept the master of Pemberley? Perhaps she will refuse them both a second time. Her Christmas Gift deftly combines tension and emotion with humor and romance.
The Christmas Matchmaker by Laura Hile
It’s raining; it’s pouring – and what could be better than a little Christmas matchmaking? So says Emma Woodhouse who is unexpectedly stranded at Netherfield Park. Mr. Darcy disagrees, for she has someone else in mind for adorable Elizabeth Bennet. Amid meddling, misunderstanding, and an unwelcome proposal or two, will True Love find a way?
No Better Gift by Wendi Sotis
On his way to Derbyshire to spend Christmas with his family, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy plans to retrieve an item he left behind during his rushed escape from Netherfield—and the country miss who touched his heart. Finding Meryton practically deserted, he fears the worst. What fate could have fallen upon this once-thriving village in only three weeks? More importantly, was Miss Elizabeth Bennet in danger?
Mistletoe at Thornton Lacey by Barbara Cornthwaite
When Edmund Bertram realizes that Fanny is the perfect wife for him, he wants to propose without delay. What better time than at Christmas? Ah, but the course of true love never does run smooth …
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I love historical stories and the ones included here were delightful. I think the authors worked very hard to describe the way of the world in olden times. It’s hard to imagine the status of women as describe but I am sure very true. Great reading especially focused on Christmas and the traditions then.
If you are a Jane Austen fan you will enjoy these extra twists on the stories
It had a few new twists on the classic. The original is the best, but these variations were great!
Good for relaxation and letting go of day-to-day concerns. Really enjoyed it. Better written than some Pride & Prejudice knock-offs.
I am a Jane Austen fan! Liked the stories and so glad to there were NO sex scenes. I am a widow and was married for 54 years. I know all that stuff. Blessings
I love Darcy extended stories
Great little P&P “what if.”
Four novella length Austen derivatives that I think were self-published. Very inconsistent talent wise. The 2nd cleverly mixed characters from several Austen novels. Probably the best of the four.
Loved the book
Reviewed: December 31, 2017
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*
This is a delightful Christmas anthology from four very talented authors that was the perfect way to end my Christmas festivities and reading this year.
Her Christmas Gift by Robin Helm:
Elizabeth Bennet is on her way to Hunsford parsonage for the second time with Maria, Charlotte’s sister. She is off to be useful to Charlotte in her final month of confinement just before Christmas. Much has happened since her last visit there in April, when she refused Mr. Darcy’s proposal. However, all does not go smoothly. Lady Catherine’s health and that of Mr. Collins, along with the weather and some unexpected guests have Elizabeth, Charlotte and Maria staying at Rosings Park. I was unexpectedly delighted with Miss Anne de Bourgh in this story and the attitudes of the two guests certainly open Elizabeth’s eyes to what she truly wants and needs.
The Matchmakers Christmas by Laura Hile:
Darcy and Caroline Bingley are packing Charles off to London right after the Netherfield Ball. But Aunt Jane has other ideas! She has sent matchmaker extraordinaire, Emma Woodhouse, along with Miss Bates and Thomas Bertram to Netherfield to shake things up. I had a visual in my head of Aunt Jane at her desk gleefully laughing!
No Better Gift by Wendi Sotis:
It’s been three weeks since Mr. Darcy and the Bingley’s left Netherfield. On his way to the Matlocks, he stops to pick up a Christmas gift he bought for his sister but left behind. What he finds opens his eyes and his heart. What Elizabeth finds is that actions speak louder than words.
Mistletoe at Thornton Lacey by Barbara Cornthwaite:
This cute short story is about Edmund Bertram of Mansfield Park after the debacle with the Crawfords. Thomas Bertram and Fanny’s sister, Susan, come to realize that Fanny would be a perfect wife for Edmund. Little do they know that Edmund has comes to appreciate Fanny and her fine eyes.
Each of these stories is a lovely gift that one can open, read and savor.
Very short easy to read stories for Jane Austen fans.
After I read the first story and started the second I was very confused until I realized each author was doing a different take of the same story. At least until the fourth story that I couldn’t manage to finish. Maybe a good book if you are an Austen fanatic but not so much otherwise.
If you are looking for different endings. it’s the book for you.
Just nice to remember Austin
Difficult reading, disconnected
Did not care for how it was written.
I thought it would be Austen-like, not a reboot. Sorry. Nothing better than original. Did not make it through 1st chapter. Why is this even published?
I really don’t like writers that try to grab the coat tails of successful authors.
I consider that cheating.I don’t know what I thought the story line would be.
Easy enough to read and read quickly, this little collection of stories was uneven in quality. My favorite stories are those you read so fast to see what happens next that you have to read them a second time to better appreciate how they’re constructed. This is not one of those collections of stories. The price (free) was right. I do not regret the time spent to read them, but this is not, in my opinion, a keeper.
Too much at one time for me. Each novella took a totally different twist, which was fine, but almost dizzying.