Cassandra by Jann Rowland - Darcy's lost love prior to Elizabeth makes it hard for me to love this variation

Cassandra by Jann Rowland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cassandra is a very lovely story, but what I most enjoy reading in JAFF is a story that varies from the original Pride and Prejudice, but still has the basic foundation of Darcy shunning Elizabeth because of her social status and lack of wealth, but eventually realizing his love for her overcomes his pride. And, I expect to see Elizabeth showing some sort of prejudice against him. I then struggle to determine what rating to give when the story is well-written and enjoyable, but these fundamental pieces are missing. This is particularly difficult when there are many aspects of the original in the story, such as Elizabeth turning down Mr. Collins and Lydia running off with Mr. Wickham. Such is my problem in reviewing Cassandra.

Cassandra strays far off the mark from canon with Darcy having first fallen in love with a woman and marrying her prior to even meeting Elizabeth. He believed this to be the love of his life, but she died in child-birth. Darcy is now widowed with a three-year-old daughter named Cassandra, after her mother, who also completely resembles her. This strong resemblance has prevented Darcy from being able to bear being in his daughter's presence and leaves her raising to her nurses, nanny and Georgiana. He makes an attempt to go to London to possibly meet a woman to be Cassandra's mother, but also believes in his heart that he will never remarry. Thus, Elizabeth meets this very broken and dejected Darcy.

In the meantime, Mr. Bingley did take up residence at Netherfield, but Darcy never joined him due to his mourning. Bingley married Jane Bennet and the couple is now staying at their house in London, purchased after their marriage. Due to a very severe reaction to Elizabeth's refusal of Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet cannot abide being in Elizabeth's presence. Mr. Bennet has therefore sent her to London to live with the Bingleys. Elizabeth is very hurt by this action, but cannot return to Longbourn. She is having a season in London, when she meets Mr. Darcy and his daughter.

Mr. Darcy finds he is almost immediately drawn to Elizabeth and particularly finds her friendship with his little daughter to be heart-warming. Elizabeth is also drawn to Darcy, but is concerned about his coldness toward the little girl who needs her father's love after losing her mother. Darcy's encounters with Elizabeth allow him to rediscover his life after the devastating loss of his wife, while Elizabeth sees him coming back, especially in his desire to establish a relationship with his little Cassandra.

So, you see my dilemma. Cassandra has a Darcy and Elizabeth similar in nature to canon, all the other players in place such as the Miss Bingley who is trying again to catch Darcy now his wife is out of the picture, Bingley and Jane, Colonel Fitzwilliam, etc. However, having Darcy experience such a strong love for a woman prior to Elizabeth just grates on my JAFF-loving heart.

Jann writes so well, and his stories are always intriguing, I just hate to rate them a bit lower, but in this case it just strays too much for me to say I loved it. Others might just not be as picky. Cassandra is a good romance and I recommend it for those who do not have my personal prejudice.

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An Unwavering Trust by L.L. Diamond - Very far from canon, but still an enjoyable read

An Unwavering Trust by L.L. Diamond

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I reread An Unwavering Trust this week and once again found it an enjoyable read. I continue to rate it as 4 stars simply because it is so far removed from the original P&P, though a very good read on its own.

How different is An Unwavering Trust from canon? First, Fitzwilliam Darcy is not the master of Pemberley, as his father is still alive. His father agrees with Lady Catherine that Darcy must marry his cousin Anne and obtain Rosings. Mr. Darcy senior coldly plans for Anne not to survive long in the marriage which will leave Fitzwilliam to marry whom he chooses afterward. He gives Darcy two weeks to propose to Anne or he will simply publish an engagement announcement in the papers. Darcy, and Georgiana, are not happy as they know this is not what Anne wishes. Georgiana encourages Darcy to quickly find someone else.

Secondly, Elizabeth Bennet is now the ward of her uncles Gardiner and Philips, and is living with her aunt and uncle Philips in Meryton. This is due to a very horrible accident which has killed all of the members of the Bennet family, except for Elizabeth. Mr. Collins senior, the one who had the falling out with Mr. Bennet, has inherited Longbourn, and kicked Elizabeth out with only her personal belongings. She has very little, but she does have the 5000 pounds from her mother.

The last, and most serious, difference from canon is the Uncle Gardiner character. Rather than marrying the wonderful woman we knew in the original, his betrothed died, leaving him a broken and bitter man. He is in serious debt, and wishes to sell Elizabeth and her dowry to his investor to be used in an infamous manner. Elizabeth's Uncle Philips is desperate for a way to protect her.

Darcy, on his way to London to find a wife other than Anne, overhears a conversation detailing the above despicable plan for Elizabeth. In short order, he and Elizabeth agree to an arranged marriage to get both of them out of their predicaments.

So, as you see, we have strayed very far from canon. We see the proud and disagreeable Mr. Darcy for only a very short time, as a new character, Darcy's grandmother Rebecca, the dowager of the deceased Earl of Matlock, brings him to his senses. Grandmama takes Elizabeth in hand and the two become fast friends as the wedding approaches and Elizabeth becomes Mrs. Darcy both at home and in the ton. Elizabeth is much more of a vulnerable character, obviously with the loss of her family, the new family she is thrown into, and the danger from her Uncle Gardiner. She finds herself in a situation where she has little say and no control, although she is still the bright, charming and impertinent Elizabeth.

The story is very well written and the characters very engaging, and we see some of the same angst as in other P&P variations with Wickham attempting to elope with Georgiana. But, we also have the characters of Darcy's Grandmama and Mr. Darcy senior, to add some new perspectives. Anne also plays a larger role.

A very enjoyable read. Recommended.



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To Forget: Darcy's London Christmas by Maria Grace - The Unvarnished Truth

To Forget: Darcy's London Christmas by Maria Grace

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although I love Maria Grace, I held onto this title to read since I saw others had rated it fairly low for her work. It sounded a bit sad and I wasn't sure I was up for that. Well, I loved it.

Elizabeth and Darcy are sharing their first Christmas together, and being the curious person she is, she asks him about his prior Christmas; his last as a bachelor. Darcy tells Elizabeth the unvarnished truth.

Hopefully, those reading this story will recognize the time frame and remember who and what Darcy was at that point in the original P&P. Darcy is self-absorbed, arrogant, and making little to no effort to socialize or be agreeable to others in social settings. This certainly comes through in his story. He is obsessed with Elizabeth and hates that he cannot forget her. He has not yet had his setdown at Hunsford and can only see a relationship with her from his own standpoint - a degradation.

But, he is also very alone and lonely. His thoughts at Christmas return over and over to how it was to spend this time of year with his mother when he was a child. He compares Elizabeth to his mother favorably and believes his mother would have liked Elizabeth and would not have cared about her social background. He also finds himself comparing all of the society ladies he meets with Elizabeth and they do not match up. In his frustration he finds himself drinking too much, sleeping too little and doing strange things, liking seeking her out in Cheapside.

Interspersed with Darcy's tale, we have Elizabeth's reaction to the story he is telling her now that they are married and in love. These little vignettes soften the story, and help us to appreciate how loving Elizabeth has changed Darcy.

There is nothing particularly new in this short novelette, but anytime we get inside Darcy's head is time well spent for me. Darcy changed based on Elizabeth's scathing remarks at Hunsford, and in "To Forget" we certainly see why he needed to! He is not yet the lovable Darcy Elizabeth marries.

I think those who are looking for only the romantic Darcy may be disappointed in this story. But, I think this one would appeal more to the P&P purists, as I see this Darcy just as Jane described him through Elizabeth. I found it very well done and an interesting character study. I was not disappointed, and continue to be a big fan of Maria Grace.

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Darcy Revealed: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Penelope Swan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Darcy and Elizabeth meet up in London not too long after the Netherfield party has left Meryton after the Bingleys' ball. Georgiana Darcy orders a dress, as does Jane Bennet; from the same modiste. There is a mixup and the packages are sent to the wrong addresses. Darcy takes it upon himself to take the package Miss Darcy received to make the switch back at the Gardners' residence. Thus, our major players in the story are reunited much sooner.

The Bennets become friends with Miss Darcy and her friend Miss Amy St. John, and, of course, see the Bingleys as well as the Darcys at multiple events. Elizabeth begins to see Darcy in a new light when he is chivalrous to Miss St. John. In addition, the Bennets run into Miss Mary King, as her uncle has taken her to London to get her away from Mr. Wickham. But, Mr. Wickham is in London and enlists Elizabeth's aid in contacting Mary.

Although the story is sweet, it does have some follies and inconsistencies. Elizabeth does not seem true to herself, taking some actions that are inappropriate, and others that are almost illegal. Darcy runs hot and cold and improper at times. The butler acts in a very inhospitable manner.

I liked the story, but did not find it particularly noteworthy. The lessons learned in Pride and Prejudice do not seem particularly important in this story, and the resolution is a bit strange. The denouement is very short and not very realistic. All in all, not a story I would discourage anyone from reading, but not one I would especially recommend.

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Relentless Considerations: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Amy Cecil

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Relentless Considerations is a very oddly written book. So odd that I found it too irritating to read and had to place it on my abandoned shelf. I did not even get far enough into the book to identify how it varied from the original. I just could not read anymore, as it was giving me a headache.

Relentless Considerations reads like the back story an author prepares for him/herself in order to have a full understanding of how they wish to present the characters and situations. The first few chapters are an in depth review of everything each character is thinking and feeling. In most well written fiction, we determine how a character is thinking and feeling by how they act and what they say, as well as how others interact with them and the dialogue between them. Instead, Amy Cecil tells us. This is an incredibly stiff and boring method of getting across information, much less telling a story.

One other irritating factor in the author's writing style is her use of words that initially sound correct, but are just slightly off in their definition. Some examples: Darcy is said to have a "shy countenance". But, countenance reflects emotions appearing on the face. Shyness is a state of being, not an emotion. Usually shyness is reflected in a persons actions - she shyly said, she looked down shyly, he smiled shyly, etc. Jane says "thoughts of Mr. Bingley have evaded her". Evade means to avoid. Usually we avoid thoughts, rather than thoughts avoiding us. Mr. Collins says Elizabeth will meet Lady Catherine on the "ensuing Sunday". Yes, ensuing means following, but it is really following as a consequence of something else. The ensuing courtship follows after speaking to the girl's father, etc. Sunday is going to happen whether or not anything else occurs. All of these words, and many more like them, are close, but just enough off to be irritating and to make the writing feel very strange.

I just couldn't continue reading this book. The author may wish to learn the importance of "show them, don't tell them" in writing fiction. I hate writing negative reviews like this, but I cannot recommend Relentless Considerations.





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Blame the Mistletoe by Sarah Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blame the Mistletoe is a sweet Christmas treat for JAFF fans. It is light, fluffy and romantic.

Darcy and Bingley are in London after not returning to Netherfield. Even Georgiana can tell both of them are down in the dumps. What can it be? Are they disappointed in love? In her wisdom, Georgiana convinces Darcy and Bingley to return to Hertfordshire and fight for their loves. And, she wants to go with them, without Bingley's siblings.

All of Meryton society is caught up in the planning, decorating and traditions of the season. Ever since Elizabeth was a little girl, she has been the one to climb up trees to obtain the all important mistletoe. However, this time she suffers an accident, luckily while Darcy is nearby to assist. She is well, but suffers a twisted ankle and must limit her movements.

Darcy discovers Elizabeth's dislike for him, but convinces her to give him a chance to improve her opinion. Another wise little sister, Lydia, recognizes the signs between Elizabeth and Darcy and determines she will assist. She seeks out opportunities to alert the couple they are standing under mistletoe, and tells them they must kiss. At first embarrassing, it becomes less and less so as it gets closer to Christmas.

Blame the Mistletoe leads us to our inevitable HEA, despite a bit of Wickham, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine, per usual. Traditions around the Christmas holiday play an important role in bringing ODC together often and in warm, loving environments. This is not the season for fussing and fighting, and this leads to a resolution much faster.

The themes of family, tradition and the warmth of the holidays emphasize how much Darcy and Elizabeth wish this for themselves. Even Mrs. Bennet looks like a loving mother to Darcy when bustling around the family as they get ready for Christmas. For the lonely Darcy orphans, this is just too tempting a life and they wish to have the laughter and love of family around them.

In the final chapters, all get their wishes fulfilled, except our resident baddies. Many of our traditional characters are a bit brighter, less annoying, and more loving. P&P JAFF fans will find this variation does not stray too far from Austen's version, but allows for a much earlier resolution set around the joys and romance of the Christmas season.

It just feels good....



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Darcy's Crush: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 

by Kate Bedlow

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Darcy's Crush by Kate Bedlow was a disappointment. It is basically a rewrite of Pride and Prejudice with the author's own short story added at the end.

In this title, author Bedlow rewrites Pride and Prejudice (seriously?) in her own words, with a decent sprinkling of JA's own work. Then, at the ball at Netherfield, the story changes and then ends fairly quickly, too quickly for my taste.

Many author's are publishing novelettes or short stories in the JAFF world, and, as long as it is made clear it is not a full novel, they are selling. If Kate Bedlow had done so, she would have written a slightly silly, but still fun story and I would have given a higher star rating. However, I had to skip through the book always looking for where the variations take place and was very disappointed to not see much until late in the book.

Therefore, I do not recommend Darcy's Crush: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Kate Bedlow. There is too little here to make it worth paying either in money or in time. However, I would encourage the author to either write short story compilations or to vary the larger part of her books from the original. She has the writing ability and can certainly come up with original ideas.

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