Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice meets the Wild, Wild West.In 1869, females are in short supply in the west while a single man in want of a wife is rare in the east. When lonely Charles Bingley convinces his good friend, Will Darcy, to write a letter offering marriage to Miss Jane Bennet, she likewise convinces her sister, Elizabeth, to pen the reply. Elizabeth is struck by the beauty of the … beauty of the letter and responds by opening her heart to the Oregon wordsmith, who she believes to be Mr. Bingley. It’s love at first letter—for both the couples. Misunderstandings and bad impressions abound as the true identities of the authors are discovered.
In the days following the double wedding, Will and Elizabeth Darcy face challenge after challenge while Mr. and Mrs. Bingley appear to live in wedded bliss. Will Mr. and Mrs. Darcy find their own true love? In this sweet variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, we will see open disdain shift to a wary friendship and the wary friendship grow to the tenderest of emotions—or will we?
A 346-page western novel by best-selling author, J Dawn King.
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Reviewed: February 25, 2017
I love this author’s work. However, I was hesitant to read this variation of my favourite characters based on time period and location. It is considered a western novel taking place in America, and I have found in similar readings that it is not my favourite. I didn’t want to be disappointed nor write a bad review based on my own foibles. That being said, I put my faith in Ms. King’s writing and some trusted reviewers and took the plunge. My reservations were unfounded and like Lizzy and Jane, I am glad I ventured forth!
Ms. King weaves history, location and reality into a believable tale. The hardships of post-Civil War on the east cost have left the Bennet’s struggling. Mr. Bennet has withdrawn even further and Mrs. Bennet’s nerves have increased. Having no help from their parents, Jane and Elizabeth have taken over the running of the home. When Mr. Gardiner, their favourite uncle, has returned from a trip out to the Pacific-northwest, he comes back with a letter for Jane. This letter, along with three others, not only captures the attention of Jane but of Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley would like to offer marriage to Jane. But he wasn’t the one to write it…Mr. Darcy has. Jane’s responses are written by Elizabeth which sets up their first meeting, and the start of their life on the wrong foot as Mr. Darcy has proposed marriage to Elizabeth in the final letter. First impressions are not good and go downhill quickly. However, the journey to understanding through hardship and strife was so rewarding. There was much humour written into the story as well as angst that either leaves you laughing or wanting to knock heads together!
I flew through this novel with ease enjoying a new side to each of the characters in different circumstances. Wickham, Lydia and Caroline however were their usual selves. All of my senses were engaged in this story…I could just smell those peaches!
Go west young lady, go west… and take a chance on love
The Oregon Trail, connecting the Missouri River to the valleys in Oregon, helped bring those seeking a new life and their fortune to the west coast. Over the years, the area was settled and civilized with towns and shops. Men had settled the wilderness, worked their lands, and set up their houses. They only needed wives to transform them into homes. With a shortage of women in the area, they turned their lovelorn hearts and minds back to the east. The women in the east, facing a shortage of men after the war, turned their lovelorn hearts and minds toward the west where they were assured of a home and protection… hopefully.
To the modern sensibilities, the concept of a ‘mail-order bride’ sends shivers down the spine of most women. To those adventurous of soul and with a willingness to gamble, this would not even phase them as they would see the practical side to the offer. It would be a venture that Charlotte Lucas would be more than willing to attempt. But we are talking about Jane and Elizabeth Bennet here.
In most arranged marriages, you have family members doing the match making, and in this case, it was Uncle Gardiner [acting as the mediator] returning from the west carrying a letter of introduction for Jane from one Charles Bingley.
Jane was so moved by his perfectly written letter that she requested that Elizabeth write back for her as she didn’t feel up to responding to the poetry he quoted. Were you surprised by Charles being able to write such a letter? Spoiler: He didn’t… Darcy wrote it… remember Bingley’s letters contain splotches and scribbles? So, we have a double case of Cyrano de Bergerac, where E&D are both moved by each other’s letters. After months of exchanging letters, Charles proposes and Jane accepts. At the bottom of the letter was a proposal for Elizabeth from a Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, friend and neighbor to Charles. Thus, the sisters would be neighbors. They both accepted and headed west for a new life.
This was adorable. Yeah, it leaned a bit modern; however, it was hilarious and so much fun. I loved this Elizabeth. She reminded me so much of Jane Powell in the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Elizabeth was a spit-fire and didn’t take anything off anyone. She worked like a workhorse and managed all within her realm with a tight rein, thank you very much. No one would cross her… if they knew what was good for them.
I need to point out that this was a quick read and one you won’t want to put down. I so appreciated the minimalistic writing as our author didn’t draw out scenes to the point of boredom. She stated what she needed to say and moved on. This approach made the story light in tone and was easy to read. The relations of our characters evolved in a gentle slow manner as the strangers were married within hours of meeting each other. I enjoyed the gentle evolution of our characters as they found they were more alike than they thought. There was a sensuality to our couple but no sex scenes.
JAFF readers have always been fascinated with the relationship between our dear couple. Authors have had to walk a fine line so Darcy was not portrayed as too disdainful, proud and taciturn. Or, showing Elizabeth as too prejudice, stubborn, moody and obstinate. King found that balance where there was a smattering of their worst characteristics, but then let our characters evolve into the perfect blend of what we love best in our couple. I simple adored this E&D. I’m sorry, it hit me just right.
King then did something that most JAFF authors rarely attempt. She allowed Elizabeth to question why Wickham’s penchant for wrongdoing was not exposed to the innocent public. King then had Elizabeth explain why the ‘Failure to Warn’ was harmful to society at large. This was so eloquent and reasonable that I was impressed with the author’s attempt to clarify and state the seriousness of the situation. It was really well done. Like I said, this Elizabeth was one savvy piece of characterization. I really liked her.
We had brief exposure from Caroline Bingley… miss high-and-mighty. She and Lydia locked horns and circled their wagons. It was hilarious. Once again, Elizabeth surprised everyone with her ‘mistress of the house’ stance. Hilarious. OMG!!! Charles Bingley, may be affable and gentle, but where Jane is concerned he is a bear. This was so much fun.
Lydia’s situation was just sad. Such a silly, stupid, girl, and yes, she fell [rather walked] into the clutches of Mr. Wickham with a surprise that I’ve never seen before. OMG!!! What a revelation. I did not see it coming.
The Bennet situation was worse in this work that I’ve ever seen in JAFF. I resent more than ever Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their behavior toward the welfare of their girls. Their outcome was a shock. I didn’t see that coming either. It was too creative and cute to boot. Yeah, you can tell I really liked this story. I needed it after reading high angst stories recently. It gave me a chuckle.