Mary SimonsenReviews

As a devoted Janeite who has read all the Austen novels many times over and watched the TV shows and movies endlessly, I sometimes like to indulge in adaptations by other authors as well. This book is one such attempt but it is more like additional storylines within the plot of Pride and Prejudice. The pivotal character here is Anne de Bourgh who we just know as this frail woman totally under the thumb of Lady Catherine. Here, we see a more genuine side of her when she is not near her mother. She may be ill of health but is strong of mind who adores her cousin Darcy and wants to see him happy. When he confides in her about his affection for Elizabeth, she makes it her mission to unite the two. She also enlists the help of Georgiana in this matter and they plot out ways to get Darcy and Litzy together. We get to meet the endearing Georgie who has grown into a smart eighteen year old waiting for her society debut. We also see a whole different side of Mr.Bennet after Lydia's elopement. There are also some additional conversations that we see happening during the all too familiar scenes and it makes for some interesting moments. Ultimately, the story ends the same as Pride and Prejudice, but would have had the pleasure of knowing more about our beloved characters. This is an enjoyable read if you love all things Austen and want to spend more time in her world.

As a lad Darcy of Pride and Prejudice has been bitten by a werewolf, his story begins here as the main characters converge at Rosings Park. Here at full moon Darcy becomes a werewolf which Elizabeth encounters as she is out looking for the full moon.
Look forward to the next installment.

This Pride and Prejudice sequel concentrates on the first year of the Darcy's marriage when a rumour takes hold of a gigantic stag living in the local woods - a perceived threat to the werewolves of Pemberley - but who is spreading these rumours and why.
An enjoyable and quick read.

In this alternate Persuasion Captain Wentworth comes back to stay at Kellynch Hall with the Crofts as an accident aboard ship has depraved him of most of his memories. He does not remember Anne Elliott. This is their story of their new romance. Who cannot like the character of Wentworth.
A delightful short read which I look forward to reading, which basically means I wish it had been longer to enjoy the story for a longer time.

Detective Sergeant Patrick Shea, based in Hampden, London is hoping soon to be placed at New Scotland Yard. But can his personal life interfere with that as he continues to catch criminals, some interesting secondary characters keep the story moving.
Shall watch out to see how the series develops.

In this enjoyable variation of Pride and Prejudice plans are made by Anne de Bourgh and Georgiana Darcy to ensure that Darcy and Elizabeth become to an understanding. Of course nothing goes smoothly and not just with their romance. Does Jane Bennet really have another suitor. A more interesting Jane in this version. I also like the character of Lord Fitzwilliam which in contract does show how boring Darcy is. More of a 3.5 star rating for me

The story of Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy set in 1944 England. Both Darcy and Bingley are pilots and the Bennet daughters are doing their bit for the war effort.
An interesting and well-written enjoyable story.

Early one morning in the City of London a female body is discovered. Evidence points to a bored housewife moonlighting as a prostitute. But the investigation leads to human trafficking and drugs. We also get to read more about DS Shea's personal life.
An enjoyable read.

With this Pride and Prejudice sequel we start after the marriages of Lydia and Jane. And with Darcy being a visitor at Longbourn over a six month period. This is the story of Darcy telling Elizabeth his most guarded secret, (known only to those few of his family) and how she reacts.
Werewolves in any form is not a usual story for me and the trilogy by Ms Simonsen is probably the first.
An interesting story but I expect there will not be many more than I will read.

In a penthouse flat in Kensington, Clifton Trentmore has been found dead. The investigation by the newly formed partnership of Detective Sergeant Patrick Shea and Detective Chief Inspector Tommy Boyle find no end of suspects who wanted to kill this hated man.

This was a very enjoyable novella and I enjoyed getting to see things both from Darcy and Elizabeth's perspective. While I did really enjoy the story I would have liked to have had a little more or an epilogue at the end to give it more of a conclusion.½

fun read, with a more daring Mr. Darcy...

An easy page turner. The words and the story weren't forced at all.

I enjoyed reading "Mr Darcy's Bite"

It's a fanfic. A giant, published fanfic complete with time-line alterations, changed facts, altered personalities, and original characters.

That said, it wasn't bad, but I'm glad I borrowed it from the library as I've read better fanfics online.

The blurb did have me thinking that someone was after werewolves and that there would be danger and so on. But there was not anything like that in this book. No, this book is about Darcy and Lizzie being in love, but Darcy never proposes. Something is wrong and Lizzie is growing restless. He obviously likes her so what is the matter?!

This is where the drama comes in, he is a werewolf and of course she is shocked to learn the truth. Who would not be? She is not really prepared for anything like this so there is a shaky times when she tries to come term with it, and then there is another lady who wants Darcy too. Which brings some extra tension to the book. But we all know they will end up together, that is always promised.

Honestly, yes I can see Darcy as a werewolf. That explains somethings in a way and it just fits him. Especially when we get to see him as a wolf, there is just a playful side to him that does not always come out when he is human. He is just a great alpha.

It was another sweet book. They got to know each other, there were a few misunderstandings, and everyone lived happily ever after.

Conclusion:
If you want something extra in your JA variation then go for this one, you will love Mr. Darcy as a werewolf.

My thoughts:
Yes I am back with another variation and this one is actually one of the best ones I have read. I really fell for this story and perhaps it was because things worked out so well.

This is a bit different in the aspect that Mr Darcy is looking for a bride and has settled on a fine young lady with noble blood. He is courting her now and then, since he is not that taken by her. It is just a duty but a duty that must be fulfilled. Until the day he meets Elizabeth. Here the book begins with him coming over to say that he is sorry for that famous comment who she was not pretty enough. So instead they flirt and become friendly and by doing that many other things do not happen. But the big cloud over their happiness is that he knows he must let her go since he is an honourable man and he will not let down the woman he is courting.

Yes I know! Horrible! Mr Darcy, noooo! He should not court another woman *sobs* but he is also so incredibly nice so he can't let her down when her hopes are up and all of London know they will wed. I have to respect him for that. I could not wait to see what happened and how he got out of this mess. Lizzy did of course find out too and got a bit mad after they met again, as was her right. I shall not tell you how it works out but come on, this is a PP variation so of course Lizzy and Darcy will get married, be happily ever after and get lots of cute babies in that awesome mansion.

The rest then, Bingley and Jane were sweet as always. Lydia has her story and I will not tell you that end. Mr Collins is an idiot as always, Georgiana has a bigger role and is really nice and wants only happiness for her brother. We also meet Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother who is a real scoundrel, but a loving one.

Conclusion:
This is the Pride and Prejudice variation to read. It was sweet and wonderful, just like a nice desert that you just savour. And it will bring a smile to your face.

Rating:
Good

My first reaction to Austen stories with paranormal elements is honestly a skeptic one however Mr. Darcy's Bite has completely changed my mind. This is an excellent mix of the two. It is very believable and after reading one chapter I was hooked. The author has kept a true likeness to the existing characters that we love and has introduced some new and wonderful characters as well as keeping the essence of the love story between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

Entertaining, quick read. Interesting twist plus more poignancy than expected.

Refreshing remake of Pride and Prejudice, taking place in America with plot differences and with some revisions of characters (Mrs. Bennett is witty herself, not a ditz). I enjoyed the positive look at early America and the idea of Elizabeth Bennett growing up in a society where some independence in women is acceptable and even appreciated. Because we're all familiar with the basic characters, the author could dive right into the setting and story.

Although this is better than most P & P remakes, it's not perfect. The language isn't truly Austen if you're a purist, and the quotes she reuses from the original somehow feel forced. A fun, quick read nevertheless.

Got to finish it in less than three days.. it's a really marvelous sequel of Pride and Prejudice..
almost as good as the original , although nothing can beat Jane Austen's classic as it is my favorite..but very impressive !

I must admit, I adored this book. It might be that I am feeling a touch more sentimental than usual as my husband is currently deployed, but I doubt that played a significant role. You see despite my gruff and jaded exterior I am a romantic at heart. I buy into the whole 'happily ever after' schpiel.and as such I was hooked after page one.
I finished The Second Date as my day drew to a close, fell asleep with a smile on my face and had sweet dreams of my husband that night. And while this book may not have been the sole reason for my good night, it was definitely a contributing factor.

I’m torn on this one. I think maybe I wanted to dislike it. Overall, it wasn’t a waste of time. And it was very well-written–enough so that I read it long after I should have on any given night. Sometimes it’s nice to get pulled into a story that way. But at the end I was frustrated and a bit dissatisfied.

It’s post-WWII in England, largely. A young American woman working in England who loves Jane Austen runs into a girl who claims that her relatives live near a house that was the inspiration for Pemberley. So the American girl visits one weekend, mentions her Jane Austen interest and gets pointed in the direction of a couple who live in a little town not far from the manor who have been compiling a history and records of family that had lived there for centuries and who they believe Darcy and Elizabeth were. There are some very nice touches of letters and diary entries shared throughout the story that are quite delightful to imagine as the truth behind the story. And surprisingly, they round out several characters like Mary Bennet, for example.

As the vehicle for this discovery and sharing of all things P&P, the American girl forges a friendship with the family such that she becomes almost a surrogate daughter to them and their history and story also become important for the girl to learn. There are letters and visits back and forth from the small town to London, where she meets and falls in love with an ex fly boy with commitment issues. Your heart breaks a little bit for her as you see her heading down the tunnel vision for marriage and he clearly doesn’t have that on his mind. But at the end, I wanted to throttle her for behaving EXACTLY THE SAME WAY!!!!!!!!! She didn’t really deserve the quality guy she ends up with because it turns out that she is nearly as obnoxious as the fly boy. And the really irritating thing about it is that she simply doesn’t see that.

From a view back into history, it was eye-opening. There are lots of lovely details about how long England was saddled with rationing even post-war and just how that affected their daily lives and considerations. And I adore most stories where I can be a fly on the wall in that type of setting.
If you’re a Jane Austen freak, sure, read it. It’s not a total waste of time. And prepare to be mad at the girl at the end. If you like Austen and have nothing better to read, again, it’s probably worth your time. If you’re wondering who I’m talking about and whether it’s something to do with that strange movie that Keira Knightley was in, uh, this isn’t for you. I would take the time to read something else by Simonsen again though–her writing really is gripping.

I liked this way more than I expected to. Mr. Darcy turns into a werewolf... and the writing isn't completely ridiculous! Well done!

I liked this way more than I expected to. Mr. Darcy turns into a werewolf... and the writing isn't completely ridiculous! Well done!

I liked this way more than I expected to. Mr. Darcy turns into a werewolf... and the writing isn't completely ridiculous! Well done!