Discover four heroines in historical Austin, TX, as they find love–Jane Austen style. Volume 1 includes:If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn, based on EmmaA prideful matchmaker examines her own heart when her protégé falls for the wrong suitor.Refinements by Anita Mae Draper, based on Sense and SensibilityA misguided academy graduate spends the summer falling in love . . . twice.One Word from You … the summer falling in love . . . twice.
One Word from You by Susanne Dietze, based on Pride and Prejudice
A down-on-her-luck journalist finds the story of her dreams, but her prejudice may cost her true love . . . and her career.
Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin, based on Northanger Abbey
A timid gothic dime-novel enthusiast tries to solve the mystery of a haunted cemetery and, even more shocking, why two equally charming suitors compete for her attentions.
Four more exciting novellas will follow in volume 2!
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What a wonderful collection of Austen-esque stories set in 1880s Austin, Texas! This collection of novellas is somewhat unique in that each novella progresses in timeline and involves the characters from previous novellas to tie the four stories together. Such fun! I have only read Susanne Dietze’s books before so the other three authors were new to me. All four novellas are well-written, feature multi-dimensional characters worthy of the reader’s sympathy and affection, have great plots (though, of course, the ending is somewhat obvious since this collection is devoted to Jane Austen’s novels), and carry messages of faith, hope, and forgiveness.
The first novella by Gina Welborn (If I Loved You Less) pairs up childhood friends Emmaline, a rich hotel heiress, and Noah, a banker, in the style of Emma. Emmaline is strong, stubborn, and proud and needs to learn humility and the fact that she’s not always correct. Noah, though ignorant of his heart’s leanings toward his friend Emmaline until almost too late, is a patient hero.
The second novella by Anita Mae Draper (Romantic Refinements) pairs up Brandon, an injured and soulful Texas Ranger now turned ranch foreman, and Marion, a rancher’s daughter, in the style of Sense and Sensibility. Brandon is a swoony hero who is loyal, dedicated, and hardworking but carries physical scars of his Ranger days as well as emotional scars. Marion is a young finishing school graduate who needs to learn emotional stability and maturity. I have to say Brandon was my favorite character in the book and loved watching him overcome his fears and sense of helplessness.
The next novella by Susanne Dietze (One Word from You) pairs up Eliza, a finishing school student whose family desperately needs money, and Will, a railroad tycoon hardened to the idea of love, in the style of Pride and Prejudice. Eliza has much pride and prejudice that she needs to overcome; Will also has some that he needs to address as well. Will is a kind-hearted soul who needs to learn to forgive and extend grace. In that sense, Eliza helps him break down the walls around his heart.
The last novella by Debra E Marvin (Alarmingly Charming) pairs up Kathryn, a kind and sensitive wallflower, and Harmon, a rancher and an engineer, in the style of Northanger Abbey. Kathryn is sweet and kind but also a doormat; while visiting Austin’s finishing school, she resolved to stand up for herself and be less timid. Harmon gets into a competition for Kathryn’s attentions with his cousin Jonathan but realizes that he needs to resolve some old family conflict prior to pursuing Kathryn for selfless love’s sake and not for competition’s sake. There is a bit of mystery regarding a graveyard in the story as well.
Anyone who enjoys stories loosely based on Jane Austen’s famous books would love this collection. The novellas read like full-length novels and are quite enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from WhiteFire Publishing. I was not required to write a favorable review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and subjective.
Set in 1800s Texas, it was fun to see how each author wrote her story based on an Austen book. Entertaining light reads, I really enjoyed this series. While each story is a standalone they each also reference characters in another story.
The personalities are fun, quirky, and realistic. Love isn’t smooth, and to see the situations they got into made me smile.
If you are looking for a relaxing read to take you elsewhere for a while, I highly recommend this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Fans of Jane Austen will enjoy this novella series set in Austin, Texas in the late 1800’s. Pride & Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Sense & Sensibility lose their Regency top hats for Texas cowboy hats which sets the stage for romance…wild west style. All of these stories are clean with a dash of inspiration which makes them appropriate for teens or adults.