While taking a solitary ramble on her father’s estate, Elizabeth Bennet finds an injured woman, cares for her, and helps her return to her gypsy camp. For her exceptional kindness, Elizabeth is awarded a blessing, bestowed through gypsy magic. Forgetting the incident, Elizabeth thinks it merely odd when she begins to receive drawings in the mail with no return address—until she recognizes these … recognizes these same scenes as they become true events in her life. Through the blessing, circumstances bring Elizabeth and Jane Bennet to Ramsgate, where they meet Georgiana and Fitzwilliam Darcy, along with a charming young man named George Wickham.
Will Elizabeth’s efforts to reshape future events alter her destiny?
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With a pinch of the paranormal delivered by a unique gypsy magic, this Pride & Prejudice variation was a delicious treat from cover to cover.
Elizabeth happens upon an injured woman and renders aid and assistance expecting nothing in return, but the gratitude of the gypsies is in the form of a blessing. Elizabeth forgets about the incident, but is reminded much later when mysterious drawings start arriving for her predicting future events. The events swirl around her family and those of a pair she will soon encounter in Ramsgate.
Darcy wishes for the recovery of his sister’s health so determines the seaside town that did so much for their mother will be where he sets up Georgiana for a holiday with a lady companion. He struggles to be the proper guardian for Georgiana after his parents’ deaths and he feels the responsibility of all that his father has left him in conducting the business of the estate and other means of wealth. A chance encounter with a young woman draws his mind from these heavy concerns.
Soon however, the mysterious pictures connect Darcy and Elizabeth and lead them on a journey of danger, excitement, discovery, tenderness and growth. Darcy must struggle with his head telling him that Elizabeth isn’t for him even if his heart recognizes that she is the only woman for him. Elizabeth is caught between her growing feelings for Darcy and her need to keep the gypsies’ gift a secret from him even if it costs her the chance for happiness.
The story bears elements of the original P&P story, but is truly its own tale. The characters are gentler versions of themselves with the exception of Wickham who is a true nasty in this one. There are barriers and conflicts, but they deviate from the original too. The story paces along gently moving from direct action to passive reflective voice and back to action again. The romance is slow to develop and is sweet and tender. Settings include Ramsgate, London, Netherfield, and Longbourn. It was interesting with the focus missing Pemberley and Hunsford and the drama happening elsewhere.
Elizabeth and Darcy share the narration though most if it is from Elizabeth’s perspective. Some minor characters get larger roles like Georgiana, Jane, Caroline Bingley, Wickham, Mrs. Younge, the Gardiners, and Mr. Bennet. The others are there with the exception of Lady C.
All in all, this was a delightful new rendering of an old story and familiar characters. Probably not the book for purists, but I would recommend it for those who enjoy Austenesque or Sweet Historical Romance.
You’ve Got Mail of future events… gypsy magic, gypsy blessing and HEA
Elizabeth Bennet has a problem. She is receiving advance notice of events through drawings that are magically appearing wherever she is staying.
I loved this book, and I could not put it down. An Amazon reviewer suggested it and I am so glad I took a chance. I simply loved it.
After assisting a gypsy woman, Elizabeth is given a necklace for good luck along with a gypsy blessing for happiness. She never thinks another thing about it until she starts receiving drawings in the mail [even though the mail has not run]. Where are they coming from, who is sending them?
There are many excellent reviews that will give you an outline of the story. I just want to say how much I enjoyed the emotional run of watching the events unfold after Elizabeth receives each drawing. Some were extremely touching while others indicated life or death.
Superstitions were rampant in the Regency era and Elizabeth knew she had to be very careful who she told and what she said regarding the drawings. She knew her very sanity would be in question. After Aunt Gardiner sends Jane a letter voicing her concern for Elizabeth’s health, Jane gently prods until Elizabeth reluctantly tells her about the drawings. Together they watched as event after event unfolded.
As our story progressed, the intensity of the drawings became more dark and dangerous. Together with the Gardiners, Elizabeth and Jane were able to prevent several dastardly deeds of disastrous proportions. Friendships were developed that expanded the coming together of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. His struggle was consistent with his personality and social class… she was beneath him.
Caroline was devilishly desperate in her attempts to ingratiate herself with Georgiana and Mr. Darcy. Now that girl was clueless as she slid into the comical and ridiculous. I loved what Mrs. Hurst did at the end. You will love it.
As the reader approaches the conclusion, the tension intensifies to the point you think you can’t take anymore. Elizabeth’s attempts at preventing a heinous crime turned dangerous and deadly. OMG I didn’t think I could stand it. Well done!!! Oh… no spoiler… just a caution… it isn’t over until it’s over. Don’t relax too soon. There are several late surprises that caught me off guard.