The Return: A Pride and Prejudice Story by Timothy Underwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Return: A Pride and Prejudice Story is a very fun read. Although it has its share of angst, the premise of the story eliminates some of the angst appearing in the original Austen story.

In this version, Bingley just does not believe Darcy and his sisters when they tell him Jane doesn't love him. He returns to Longbourn to question Jane directly and find out the truth of the matter. Jane assures him of her love, so the couple are engaged only a few days after the ball at Netherfield.

Now to Darcy and Elizabeth. Both stand up with Jane and Bingley at the wedding. They are then seated at a table together. They proceed to have their "Hunsford" moment during the wedding breakfast entertaining all attending to an obvious argument.

Prior to the wedding, Caroline Bingley told some pretty obvious lies to Elizabeth about Darcy's treatment of Wickham. Darcy is simply hurt and amazed that Elizabeth would believe the concocted story. Thus he leaves Hertfordshire with less regret than in the original story, but Elizabeth is much more chagrined at her behavior and belief in Darcy's guilt.

Now when they meet again in Kent they are both in very different mindsets than in the original. Darcy is once again struck by Elizabeth's charms, but he is not under any illusion about her feelings for him. He knows he has to woo her. Elizabeth is painfully aware of how unfair she was in her estimation of Darcy and is determined to apologize, thus making her more receptive to his advances.

This is a very charming variation. I so enjoyed the banter between the couple, as well as between Darcy and Bingley. It is always interesting to read a male author's take on the story. Austen admitted she was uncomfortable writing about male interactions when women were not present. Timothy Underwood shows us this perspective and does a great job.
Recommended.

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Doubts and Dilemmas by Evita O'Malley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this variation. This is Darcy and Elizabeth after the wedding. Darcy faces a serious accusation and is determined to protect Elizabeth by not telling her. This results in a strain on their marriage, but all is resolved.

This is a unique take on the couple and I found it very compelling. Many readers like to see Darcy portrayed as the perfect man, but this story is truer to the time period and to Darcy's fears of losing Elizabeth.

The only real negative with the story is the ending. It feels a bit rushed, and the tragedy mixed with joy at the end feels uncomfortable and unresolved. Yes it is probably more realistic, but there is no mention of the Darcys reaching out to the family. That feels odd given the large portion of the book given to their kindness to the child Maria.

The author makes note at the end that she hesitated in publishing the story, but I think she made the right choice. This is a nice addition to the world of JAFF.

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Yours Forevermore, Darcy, by KaraLynne Mackrory

Yours Forevermore, Darcy 

by KaraLynne Mackrory

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the best

After reading a couple of hundred P&P sequels, prequels and variations, just this week I had the thought that maybe I had read enough and the authors had exhausted all the possibilities. Luckily for me KaraLynne Mackrory has proven me wrong. Yours Forevermore, Darcy grabbed me from the start and gave me a wonderful day and a half of romance with my favorite couple.

I swiftly read through the familiar tale seeing it again from a fresh perspective. Of course you can tell from the very beginning that at some point a letter will arrive accidentally, but it happens in such a beautiful and happy way as to make it feel feasible.

I love a humble and romantic Darcy with just a slight bit of awkwardness, and Mackrory certainly carried it off well. Elizabeth was her usual spunky, impertinent self.

A very enjoyable read that I recommend to all JAFF lovers. Keep a hanky handy.

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Haunting Mr. Darcy - One of My Favorites

Haunting Mr. Darcy - A Spirited Courtship 
by KaraLynne Mackrory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mar 10, 2014

This has to be one of my favorite P&P variations. Haunting Mr. Darcy is a sweet and funny story with both characters charmingly daunted by the crazy premise - Elizabeth has been knocked unconscious and her "spirit" leaves her body to haunt Mr. Darcy.

Darcy has returned to London, leaving Hertfordshire to forget about Elizabeth.  He is unaware that Elizabeth has been in an accident and is clinging to live, but in a coma. Suddenly, he begins to see her in his home.  He is the only one who sees and hears her. Not only can he carry on conversations with her, but there is some physical attachment that keeps her within about 20 feet of him at all times.

Elizabeth is shocked to find herself in Mr. Darcy's library.  How did she get here?  And, even more terrifying, she finds herself walking through walls and furniture.  Is she dead?

Both of them think they are going crazy, so act in a totally uninhibited manner.  Darcy talks to Elizabeth as if he is dreaming. Elizabeth is trying to figure out what has happened and to convince Darcy that she is really there.  The physical connection and the reaction of others to Darcy's apparently talking to himself provide a tremendous amount of humor. Then the need to return Elizabeth's spirit to her body brings about a small amount of angst.

Add this to your list of variations to read as it is just so humorous and charming.
Of course, this has your standard happy ending, but there is just enough worry to give the story some tension.  Recommended to the JAFF lover who can suspend disbelief enough to enjoy a spirited P&P variation.

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Entertainingly Different Version of Mr. Collins

Mr Collins' Deception: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Short Story by Renata McMann

Mr Collins' Deception is that he is not the man we have learned to loath in Pride and Prejudice and tons of JAFF variations.  At the beginning of the story, Mr. Collins learns that Lady Catherine gives every clergyman a 1 year probationary period.  So far, all of Mr. Collins' acquaintance and friends have been let go by Lady Catherine 6 weeks prior to the end of their probation.  William Collins has determined he will be everything Lady Catherine desires for the 1 year period, and then will revert back to being himself.  So, who is Mr. Collins really?  Mr. Collins' Deception is a silly, entertaining story about the true Mr. Collins and how he attempts to fool everyone for 1 year.  I found the story a bit far-fetched, but I am confident that is the intention of the authors, as it added to the humor.  The story is totally told from Mr. Collins' perspective.  A light novella - quickly read.  None of the charm or romance of P&P, but a satiric novelty with an interesting premise.

Sweet Story of Cupid's Interference with ODC

Sweet story of one incident after another that put Darcy and Elizabeth in each other's way or in compromising situations.  Very humorous and sweet.  Georgiana gives us her feedback at the beginning of each chapter.

Very enjoyable read.

Plagiarism in the JAFF World

I am so appalled and amazed to hear that some of the authors of Jane Austen Fan Fiction are being plagiarized.

Many of our favorite authors first publish their works in progress on sites such as Fan Fiction, Beyond Austen, A Happy Assembly, Darcy and Lizzy, etc.  Those of us who support these authors are thrilled to help support them as they build their stories.  And, afterward, to purchase the story once published on Amazon, etc.

However, just recently some of the JAFF authors have had their stories stolen off the websites.  The plagiarizers have published the stores as their own before the true author has finished preparing the story for publication.  Because authors rarely use their real names on the JAFF sites, those of us who love their stories can be taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals.

I think it is important for us to have some indication on the JAFF sites as to the true author of the story so we can be assured we are purchasing it from the correct person.  I also think it is important that we be told the names of the individuals (or the names they published under) for us to recognize if we have purchased a fake.

I would like to see the fan sites move to using at least something resembling the correct author's name so we do not have this problem in the future.

And, shame on those who would so ruin our joy in the JAFF world.