Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Bargain with the Devil - Enid Wilson


In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy learns of the debacle involving Elizabeth Bennet's sister several months after he was rejected by Elizabeth, and volunteers to help find her sister, of his own accord. But what if Miss Elizabeth had requested Mr. Darcy's aid in just a few days after the disastrous proposal at Hunsford, and he was still very angry with her refusal? What if he decided to be ungentlemanly, and demanded a very particular reward from her in exchange for his assistance? This steamy, funny Pride and Prejudice what-if short story explores that scenario with wit, emotion and intriguing plot twists that take this perennial favorite to another direction. "An engrossing story that will grab the reader and take them on a wild ride that will last until the very last sentence" - 5 Cups of Coffee from Coffee Time Romance, Ultra Rare Extraordinary Read



This was a very sweet short story...Nothing untoward happens and for the most part Darcy is a perfect gentleman. It is very sweet to watch Lizzy's feelings change in this version. Definitely one I am glad that I bought as I will read over and over again. And poor poor Caroline!! ;D
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I read this again after telling my mother about it...and decided I loved it even more the second time around. There is a moment when Mr. Darcy is speaking with a little boy about crabs that is so very very sweet, and when he gets drunk and decides to educate Lizzy on not being a milksop still has me laughing! Again, though she is one of my least favorite characters, poor Caroline. *snickers*

Friday, October 2, 2009

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies


It’s difficult to tell if critics’ reactions to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies should be characterized as praise or astonishment. Some reviewers treated the book as a delightful gimmick. Others found that, beneath the surface, the book actually constituted an interesting way of looking at Austen’s novel. Zombies answer certain puzzling questions: Why were those troops stationed near Hertfordshire? Why did Charlotte Lucas actually marry Mr. Collins? (She had recently been bitten by zombies and wanted a husband who could be counted on to behead her—of course!) But critics also pointed out that this parody shows that Austen’s novel has remained so powerful over time that even the undead can’t spoil it.
Oh what to say, what to say!?!? This is colossal cheese that I so very much totally enjoyed! I enjoyed the bad jokes, the images, the actual fist fight between Darcy and Lizzie...I could have done without certain bits such as Lizzie walking on her fingertips rather than playing the piano at Rosings but overall I truly enjoyed the book for the fluffed version it is!
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Zombie in possesion of brains must be in want of more brains!"

Persuading Annie


Annie Markham is trapped in a fairy tale existence complete with a narcissistic family and a godmother, but her prince turns out to be a toad. At 19, Jake Mead was her true love until her godmother Susannah stepped in and Jake ran away. Now, seven years later, Annie's wealthy family is heading toward bankruptcy, and Susannah brings in the best consultant in England to rescue their London public relations agency. The wunderkind turns out to be Jake, who is out for revenge. Annie spends her time working, something unheard of in her family, and doing good deeds while trying to avoid Jake. Both Annie and Jake are actively seeking relationships, but their thoughts keep turning back to each other. Fun and interesting multidimensional characters populate this very charming story that proves that a prince cum toad can eventually turn back into a prince and rescue the princess from her relatives.
Of the now two modern persuasion variations that I have read (the other being Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason) I have to say that I liked this one the best. Now in this version Annie is a bit like Bridget as she is unable to fully admit her feelings for Jake (ie Cpt. Wentworth) for quite some time. The remaining characters are played to a T...and for the first time I really really like Mary who is now Victoria in this book as opposed to just being oddly fond of her ;p
The reunion at the end is very very sweet and the reason for the initial parting is so totally "oh if only you'd talked to each other" it was all in all a very sweet book and I am very glad that I bought it! I do so recommend it!