Debra White Smith

Another modern take on Jane Austen's Emma, supposedly set in Tasmania (but reads more like the author's native Texas). The characters' names link to the original - with 'Haley Schmitz' and 'Betty Cates' - but necessary changes are made to translate nineteenth century formality into today's more natural society. Emma Woodhouse becomes Amanda Wood-Priebe, twenty-five year old CEO of the family travel agency, once again educated in America (presumably to excuse the American dialogue). She lives show more with her diabetic father Henry, and is 'married' to her work. In the office, Amanda's secretary and closest friend is Haley Schmitz, a young orphan brought up in foster homes who is keen to 'belong' to a family (a nice touch to explain Amanda's influence). Mr Knightley becomes Nate Knighton, heir to a chain of department stores. He's ten years older than Amanda, but dresses like he's fifty, in red ties and vests, and tells embarrassing 'dad' jokes. Anne Taylor is now Angie West, lately married to stockbroker Wayne, and she is incongruously still Amanda's former governess. (Do people still have governesses?) Wayne's son Franklyn jets back and forth between his aunt in England and his father in Australia (a rather greater distance than 16 miles!) Betty Cates is the scatter-brained cleaning woman for Wood-Priebe International, who rather randomly has an adopted niece, Janet French, a beautiful and petite Asian girl.

The story is sympathetic to Austen's novel of matchmaking and misguided intentions, but also works well as a stand-alone romance, light and frothy. Amanda's motives in protecting her friend's interests are understandable, and the tangled web of who likes who generally holds up, apart from the 'illicit' pairing of Franklyn and Janet, which isn't really explained. Basically, this is Amanda and Nate's story - Nate falls for Amanda in the first chapter, before the 'competition' arrives on the scene, and spends the rest of the book angsting over their relationship. The 'brother and sister' connection between them is hammered home - 'like an elder brother whose gotten too bossy for his own good', 'she touched her hand to his face as any affectionate sister would' - and Nate's attraction to Amanda seems purely physical. He loves her red hair and green eyes (more Jolene than Emma Woodhouse). Amanda takes Nate for granted, and can't understand her feelings of jealousy, which is more in keeping with the subtlety of Austen.

One or two aspects of Debra White Smith's novel surprised me, not least that Amanda is a 'Christian' romance. Seriously, I had no idea about the genre, until Amanda started referring to her 'heavenly father' (not meaning Henry) and seeking 'prayerful' guidance and forgiveness! I thought the author was merely mirroring Austen rather too closely with Amanda, Nate and Haley all attending church - after all, 'Mason Eldridge' (Mr Elton) is still the local minister. Apart from the occasional reference to 'the Lord' and a prayer or two, however, the only noticeable influence is the distinct lack of 'romance' in the modern sense, stressing the importance of marriage over sex. Very old-fashioned, perhaps, but perfectly suitable for Austen. Nate's 'masculine glory' is constantly commented on - I particularly loved the very Victorian euphemism for physical attraction, when Nate himself observes that 'his masculinity was intrigued' - and Amanda is a very attractive redheaded Amazon (no really, she's 6' 2"!), but there is no pre-nuptial bedhopping here.

The other oddity I noticed is less helpful - when on earth is this book set? The publication date is 2006, but the fashions smack more of 1986 - perms, bronze lipstick, rhinestones, grey and pink interiors? Really? Puritanical characters and lack of style aside, Amanda is a successful update of Austen's Emma. Transplanting the social hierarchy of nineteenth century England into a contemporary story - social climbing, forbidden romances, governesses - is a difficult task, and I admire authors who can remain faithful to the original while creating their own characters and situations. I would have to say I prefer Juliet Archer's The Importance of Being Emma, simply because that story is set in a recognisable era and location, but I did enjoy reading about Amanda and Nate. show less

I also reviewed this book on my blog:
The Real World According To Sam

Where oh where to begin? Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite novels and I just love Texas (best state ever!), so when my mom gave me this book to use for my senior project, I was more than thrilled.

The characters were excellently depicted and had many aspects to them that made them incredibly realistic. The setting was perfect. I lovehow the checkpoints with the play they are working on coincide withthe events as they show more occur.

A lot of the little details are what made this book so comparable to Jane Austen's original novel. Everything was done with the perfect modern touch. This book is absolutely brilliant on every plane. At every turn I felt myself unable to tear away from it.

My favorite part had to Dave's improvisation towards the end of the play/book. It was so perfect!!! Needless to say, this will be a book that I frequently revisit due to its wonderful ability to bring Pride & Prejudice and Texas together. This is a book that every romantic needs to read, even if they've never read Pride & Prejudice. =) show less

Today I bring to you another Jane Austen retelling! "First Impressions: A Contemporary Retelling of Pride and Prejudice" by Debra White Smith is a retelling I read many years ago when it first released. It is a part of the “Jane Austen” series. I still have some of the old editions of this series, but I don’t have this specific book anymore, so I was excited for the chance to read it again! I love the new covers they are using to re-release the series with.

My first (and second) show more impression of “First Impressions” is that it’s a very well done retelling and I love it! Ms. Smith is a great writer and immediately draws the reader into the story. You don’t have to have read “Pride and Prejudice” or be a Jane Austen fan to love this fun, contemporary romance.

The characters are well written and still pretty true to Austen’s characters. Ms. Smith does a great job of staying true to the overall theme and story of “Pride and Prejudice,” while still adding her own flair. Yes, some things are different and it’s not the “exact” story. But, in my opinion, that’s what keeps it interesting and original. I found it fun picking out the tidbits and nods to Austen as I read this retelling. Ms. Smith does a great job of showing the chemistry between Eddi and Dave (our Elizabeth and Darcy characters). I love the verbal bantering and how they try to fight their attraction to each other.

“First Impressions” will leave a lasting impression on the reader. That’s why I picked it up more than ten years later!

Content: This is a clean read with a PG-13 rating for some content. Some examples of the content are: a mention of a drunk woman; alcohol is smelled on a woman’s breath; a reference to the devil; someone wonders if a man is involved in gambling or drug smuggling; a joke about a woman being a virgin on her wedding night; a woman abuses prescription drugs and uses birth control even though she is not married; it’s implied that an unmarried woman is sleeping around; implications that two people are sleeping together; a man suggests a woman tries “weed” and marijuana.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian fiction; Contemporary; Romance; Jane Austen Retelling

I want to thank Debra White Smith and Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255. show less

Tanya O'Brien has always wanted a family but the right man just hasn't come alone. She decides to head half-way around the world to adopt a boy named Coty. On her return flight a man named Maurice gets seated next to her. He converses with her and tells her she reminds him of his old girlfriend. She finds herself stalked by this crazy but police can't really do anything to someone who is just "watching". She finally moves to a different place and thinks she is finally rid of him. But is show more she?

Sonny Mansfield has a past he regrets and because of that has pretty much hit bottom. He's a good private investigator though and in need of rent money. When Maurice hires him with a bogus story to find his "ex-wife" who stole their adopted boy, Sonny jumps at the chance to make some money. But...Sonny soon realizes that he may have made a mistake. He formulates a plan of how he will protect Tanya and her son. But can he protect them? And will he be able to protect his heart?

This was an Excellent read!! I read the book in one sitting because the pages kept begging to be turned! I totally fell in love with Sonny. He was SO real because he was so flawed. I loved the interaction between all three Mansfield brothers. How they banded together and supported one another just made you want to be in that family. Tanya was a great match for Sonny. She made him see his spiritual need in a non-threatening way. The author did a great job dealing with lots of issues like divorce, infidelity, forgiveness and honesty just to name a few. There is an underlying story of Sonny's older brother Ryan and his ex-wife Shelley. The third book will be their story. You also catch up with Charli and Jack from Texas Heat as Jack helps out Sonny. I highly recommend Texas Pursuit! This story can be read as a stand alone and you won't feel lost but as with most series it's a much richer experience if you read book one first. A thank you goes to the author and publisher for sending me this book to review. show less