Her Affections and Wishes by Heather Moll

 

Are you a fast reader or a slow reader?  I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older that I am a pretty fast reader.

Elizabeth Bennet has turned down Mr. Darcy’s proposal.  Darcy has regrets and has started to correct his behavior towards others.  Lady Catherine decides that Elizabeth should join a friend of Lady Catherine’s, Lady Metcalfe, and her daughter Julia at a house party at Woodcote Park to watch the Epsom horse races and to try to win a husband.  When Elizabeth arrives, she is surprised to find Mr. Darcy amongst the guests.  Will this time spent together spark their affections?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is a Pride and Prejudice variation.  The time frame is weeks after the Hunsford proposal.

·       It was a very romantic story between Elizabeth and Darcy.  It shows their feelings and passions started to build.  They had great chemistry!

·       As mysterious “accidents” start to happen around Elizabeth, who is trying to harm her and why?  I liked the mystery and bit of adventure in the last part of the book. 

·       I loved the house party and Regency games.  Some of the games seemed racy for the time and included kissing or touching people while blind folded.

·       The dialogue between Elizabeth and Darcy was top notch as well.  I liked Darcy’ second proposal.

·       Lady Metcalfe and Julia were both something else as Julia tries to snag Darcy as a husband.  It made me wonder, what would you do in Regency times if you were accidently caught up with vulgar people?

·       I loved the Epilogue set in the future.  It tied up the loose end and showed the couple happily married.

·       Moll writes Austen’s characters wonderfully and captures their original spirit.  I liked the addition of the new characters to the Austen world.

·       This is a forced proximity clean read.  There were kisses only, but affairs are discovered, and the characters talk in innuendo.

Overall, Her Affections and Wishes by Heather Moll was a delightful Regency romance and Pride and Prejudice variation.  I loved the romance, Regency games, and bit of adventure.

Book Source:  Review copy from Heather Moll as part of a book tour.  Thank-you!

A Most Natural Consequence by Heather Moll

 

If you could be character from a book for one day, who would you be and why?  Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice would be at the top of my list.

Elizabeth Bennet has traveled to Ramsgate with her mother and sisters, Kitty and Lydia, for Kitty’s health.  While in Ramsgate, they befriend a quiet girl, Georgiana Darcy, visiting the seaside with her governess. Georgiana’s brother, Fitzwilliam soon shows up to visit his sister and meets the Bennets for the first time.  When it appears that one of their sisters have run away with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth and Darcy try to save them only to realize they now need to marry for propriety’s sake.  Will the two be able to fall in love after marriage?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel is a variation of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

·       It was a stressful week last week and ending my day with A Most Natural Consequence by Heather Moll each evening was both enjoyable and stress relieving.

·       Elizabeth and Darcy are vividly drawn and detailed. I enjoyed their interactions and chemistry.  All the characters felt very true to Austen’s original creations.

·       I loved the slow burn build up of the romance between Darcy and Elizabeth.  It was fun to see them become friends and to see that friendship turn to love.

·       There was open door romance at the end, and it felt earned after the build-up of the relationship.

·       The tropes in this novel were forced proximity, forced marriage, and slow burn.

·       The Bingleys visiting Netherfield is at the end of this novel.  I enjoyed this variation.

·       Darcy is straightforward on Wickham’s flaws.  Wickham is a terrible man.  It was hard to believe that anyone would want to marry him knowing the truth.

·       Elizabeth decides to act independently and take matters into her own hands on an issue that leads her into trouble that threatens her and Darcy’s relationship.  I was very annoyed at Elizabeth during this section of the book.

Favorite Quote:  “The qualities of her mind were equal to those of her heart and her person.  He respected her for her personal charms and for her cultivated understanding and refined taste and lively mind.  Bot those qualities and attractions had ascendancy over his heart and went far deeper than respect and admiration.” – How romantic!

Overall, A Most Natural Consequence by Heather Moll was a very engaging Pride and Prejudice variation and historical romance.  It’s a book to savor read to bring yourself to another world.

Book Source:  Review Copy from author Heather Moll.  Thank-you!

Requirements for Love by Heather Moll

 

What do you think is the most important requirement in a relationship?  For me, I think honesty is high on the list.

Elizabeth Bennet is visiting her Aunt and Uncle in London. Her sister Jane is hoping to reunite with Charles Bingley, a young man she had fallen in love with who has left the neighborhood before an expected proposal.  Elizabeth slips on ice after being jostled by some young men and hurts her ankle.  A kind gentleman that witnesses the incident takes her to his nearby cousin’s house.  His cousin is Mr. Darcy, a man that Elizabeth is prejudiced against.  Will these two grow to a better understanding while she must stay as his place for two weeks?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Requirements for Love is a Pride and Prejudice variation.  The characters are true to Austen’s creation and were a joy to read about. 

·       I loved the romance.  It was great having Elizabeth and Darcy in a forced proximity in the same home.  They slowly got to know each other and work through the prejudices that they had.  There was great character development.  I loved the banter between Elizabeth and Darcy.

·       Darcy had to carry Elizabeth from room to room which was very romantic.

·       Georgiana and Elizabeth strike up a great friendship.  Georgiana helps Elizabeth write up a list of requirements for what she needs in a husband.  Georgiana is excited to help matchmake.  Darcy invites over some eligible friends but realizes when one seems to be a match that he may having feelings for Elizabeth himself.

·       Darcy also shares his requirements for a wife.

·       This was a nice story to read with low angst during a very busy time in life for me!

·       Requirements for Love was a very well written novel. 

·       I didn’t realize that forearms could be so sexy until I read this book.  Elizabeth highly admires Darcy’s forearms when he has his sleeves up. 

·       This was a clean read with a slow burn and forced proximity romance.

Overall, Requirements for Love by Heather Moll was a delightful Pride & Prejudice variation and a lovely Regency romance.  I really liked the set-up of the story and thought it was an interesting point for a variation. It was like reading another Jane Austen novel.  I enjoyed it.

Book Source:  Thank-you to author Heather Moll for a review copy of this novel as part of the Book Tour. 

 

Without Undue Pride by Heather Moll

 

What is the last book that you read in one sitting?  I started Without Undue Pride and read it in one sitting.  I haven’t done that for a while – but I could not put this book down!

Elizabeth Bennet has met the dashing Colonel Fitzwilliam while visiting her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner in London.  They have a whirlwind romance and are quickly married before Colonel Fitzwilliam must go overseas as part of the Napoleonic Wars.  The Fitzwilliam family is not happy about Colonel Fitzwilliam’s “unsuitable” marriage, but his cousin, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, is his only family member that does attend his wedding.  He promises to be friends with Elizabeth.  After Colonel Fitzwilliam is killed in battle, a pregnant Elizabeth is set adrift in the world with no one to help her.  Mr. Darcy steps up to help his best friend and cousin’s widow.  Will love bloom after such tragedy?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I LOVED this variation.  It was such an interesting twist.  I was intrigued throughout the novel with Elizabeth’s tragedy and wanted to know what exactly happened to her while she was overseas with Colonel Fitzwilliam.  It was a painful story that she was finally able to tell Darcy over time.

·       The characters all felt true to their original characterization in Austen’s novels.  The only question I had was, would Mr. Bennet really leave Elizabeth widowed, pregnant, and alone in Spain?  I know he didn’t like to exert himself too much, but he did go to London to look for Lydia.  I pondered this through the novel.

·       The growing love between Elizabeth and Darcy was so romantic.  I loved the slow build to a couple of steamy chapters at the end.  The friends to lovers and mutual respect between them was the type of relationship everyone should have.

·       After all that happened to Elizabeth in Spain, she has trust issues.  Every man in her life has let her down, and in Regency England, woman do not hold any power.  Elizabeth has a hard time being able to trust a man after this and clings to her independence.  I did want to shake some sense into her a couple of times, but I could understand her point of view.

·       I like how Darcy was portrayed as a kind and considerate man, but also that he knew he had faults and worked on them.  Colonel Fitzwilliam had made him promise to try to be a better person and to put himself out there socially.  Darcy considered that almost his dying wish.

·       I don’t want to spoil the plot, but there is some definite peril in this novel and Darcy must come to the rescue.

·       The cover of this novel is beautiful.  I showed it to my JASNA Northwoods book club on Sunday and they all liked the cover as well.

Overall, Without Undue Pride by Heather Moll was an intriguing and unique Pride and Prejudice variation.  I enjoyed the romance, plot, and characters.

Book Source:  Review copy from author Heather Moll as part of the Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rising Courage by Heather Moll (Book Tour) and GIVEAWAY!

 

Have you read any books that feature kidnapping?  The book I always think of that featured kidnapping was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney, which I read in middle school.  I always enjoy the suspense of kidnapping, and especially enjoy when the main character escapes and is able to return home.

Rising Courage is a Pride and Prejudice variation which asks the question, what if Elizabeth and Darcy were kidnapped after his first proposal?  How will forced proximity alter their romance?

My thoughts on Rising Courage:

·       I love that instead of reading a response letter from Darcy after her refusal of his first proposal, she learns everything directly from him while they are held hostage.

·       I REALLY loved the forced proximity.  I felt like they really got to know each other better than a typical couple would during Regency times.

·       The romance was tender and romantic.  The novel does get steamy.

·       I chuckled when I realized that of course Lady Catherine was the cause of all the problems.

·       I thought it was an interesting side note that Darcy didn’t use sugar due to the slave trade and I loved learning about his bees and beekeepers.

·       I enjoyed the action in this novel as well, although I was worried about what the kidnappers would do.  It was thrilling.

·       I enjoyed the child Kirby in the story.  He had a difficult life, and I liked the humanity that both Darcy and Elizabeth showed him.

·       Author Heather Moll has a great writing style and really captures the personalities of Elizabeth, Darcy, and other Pride and Prejudice characters.  I especially like the inside jokes that Elizabeth and Darcy had with each other.

·       Elizabeth makes a decision towards the end that I did not agree with, but I did enjoy the suspense.

·       Isn’t the cover of this novel beautiful?  I love it.  Darcy is very dreamy.

Overall, Rising Courage was an enjoyable romantic suspense story with a great forced proximity storyline.  This is a great read for all lovers of Austenesque fiction.

Book Source:  Review copy from author Heather Moll as part of the Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Loving Miss Tilney by Heather Moll (Book Tour and GIVEAWAY)

 

What secondary character from a favorite novel would you like to see get their own story?  I was so excited to read this novel where Eleanor Tilney from Northanger Abbey finally gets her own story.

Loving Miss Tilney starts at the point where Catherine Morland has been thrown out of Northanger Abbey by General Tilney.  Eleanor also sees her beloved brother Henry leave to follow Catherine.  She decides that she can no longer stand to live with her father General Tilney.  He whisks her away to a house party and she decides she will find a rich husband among the gentleman attending the house party.  Complicating matters is that her second cousin, Philip Brampton is also attending the house party.  Eleanor loves Philip, but he is unacceptable to her father because he does not have money.  How can Eleanor find happiness for herself?

I enjoyed both Eleanor and Philip as characters. I loved how they enjoyed the same things and had great conversations.  Eleanor and Philip had such great chemistry too.  They had a very passionate kiss after an argument about the choices Eleanor had for the future.

It was hard to see Eleanor looking for another husband with Philip right there, but it was also understandable with the limited choices that women had at that time.  It made me really think again about the impossible situation that many women found themselves in during that time period where marriage was your only option, and you had no choice of your own. 

I liked that Philip was a mathematician.  I love it when math, science, or engineering show up in novels.

General Tilney is one of Austen’s best villains and he is really brought to life in this novel.  He would be a very difficult man to live with.  He doesn’t appear to care for his children except for how their success reflects onto him.

Heather Moll’s writing really brings the Regency world to life.  I have enjoyed her novels in the past.  I really liked that this book was a Northanger Abbey variation.  I have always wondered about what happened to poor Eleanor and this book gives the reader the details.  As much as I love Pride and Prejudice variations, I love to read variations for her other novels as well.

I would say the steam level is medium as there is one steamy scene in this novel.

Book Source: Review Copy from author Heather Moll.   Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the book tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

Heather Moll writes romantic variations ofJane Austen's classic novels. She is an avid reader of mysteriesand biographies with a masters in information science. Shefound Jane Austen later than she should have and made up forlost time by devouring her letters and unpublished works,joining JASNA, and spending too much time researching theRegency era. She is the author of An Appearance of Goodness, An Affectionate Heart, Nine Ladies, and Loving Miss Tilney.

She lives with her husband and son, and struggles to balance allthe important things, like whether to clean the house or sit down and write.

Social Links

website: heathermollauthor.com

FB: @HeatherMollAuthor

Instagram: @HeatherMollAuthor

Book Bub: bookbub.com/authors/heather-moll

Goodreads: goodreads.com/heathermoll

Twitter: @HMollAuthor

Newsletter: https://bookhip.com/DQDJWVP

About Loving Miss Tilney

SHE’S FORBIDDEN TO WED A NOBODY.

HE’S NOTHING IN SOCIETY’S EYES. WILL THEIRDESPERATE SCHEMES BACKFIRE BEFORE THEY FINDA WAY TO BE TOGETHER?

Northanger Abbey. Eleanor Tilney can’t bear her lonely life any longer. Distraught when her tyrannical father throws her friend out of the house because the girl lacks an inheritance, the long-suffering general’s daughter decides anything is better than a future all alone. So in a frantic bid for freedom, she puts aside her tender feelings for a man of no standing to pursue a wealthy husband.

Philip Brampton understands that fortune is against him. And he tries gallantly to bury his distress and support his lonely beloved, even after she starts pursuing an arrogant buffoon. But when he catches the fellow about to kiss her, their resulting harsh words cause a heartbreaking rift.

Stiffening her spine in a world that refuses to acknowledge her value, Eleanor attempts to navigate the impossible situation without quashing her desires. And though his shy nature abhors a scene, Philip braces himself for a confrontation with her cruel and abusive patriarch.

Do these childhood sweethearts have any hope of achieving lasting happiness?

Available in paperback, audiobook, and ebook.

Published on August 1, 2023 by ExcessivelyDiverted Press

194 pages

book link: https://mybook.to/LovingMissTilney

Loving Miss Tilney RAFFLECOPTER SWAG GIVEAWAY

The giveaway is open from 08/01/2023 12:00am EST through 08/12/202312:00am EST. Giveaway is open worldwide.

One winner will be chosen at random and notified via email on August 12, 2023. Winner has 24 hours to reply and claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.

Entrants must leave a comment on the blog, tweet about the blog post, or subscribe to Heather Moll's newsletter to enter. Entrants can leave a comment at every blog and tweet once a day.

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Mr. Darcy’s Valentine by Heather Moll (Book Tour)

 

Do you exchange Valentine’s Day Cards?  Have you ever written a rhyme or verse for anyone?  I love exchanging Valentine’s Day Cards.  I send them to my family and friends as well as my husband and kids.  I really love old fashioned Valentine’s Day Cards.  My mother has some of my Great Grandparents cards from the early twentieth century and they are so cute!  I am terrible at writing poetry so I have never tried my hand at that.

I love holiday books and I love Pride and Prejudice variations.  Mr. Darcy’s Valentine is a great combination of them both!  In this variation, Elizabeth Bennet is invited to town by her Aunt Gardiner to join Jane in her visit.  Mrs. Gardiner is trying to put distance between Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham.  After Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley meet the Bennet sisters by chance at a concert, Mr. Darcy can’t help but notice that Mr. Bingley has feelings for Jane Bennet.  He apologizes to his friend and helps him to pursue Jane Bennet.  As he spends more time with Elizabeth Bennet, his feelings for her grow. After an evening’s entertainment of writing valentine’s verses to each other, Mr. Darcy accidentally offends Elizabeth and her family.  How can he put things to right?  What will he do when a rival suitor enters the picture?

Mr. Darcy’s Valentine was a quick and a very enjoyable read.  I loved getting to read a new story with some of my favorite characters.  I loved the new twists and turns.  I also loved that Heather Moll really knows the characters well and that they acted true to the original Pride and Prejudice story.  The story was told from both Elizabeth and Darcy’s perspectives, and I enjoyed getting to know the thoughts of both characters.  I also enjoyed the friendship between Miss Georgiana Darcy and Elizabeth.  It was also fun to get to see more the courtship between Mr. Bingley and Jane play out in this story.

I enjoyed all of the Valentine’s Day verse that author Heather Moll wrote for this novel as well.  Especially since I am so bad that the verse!  I felt like Colonel Fitzwilliam who was not that good at it.    Colonel Fitzwilliam provided many lighthearted moments in this novel from his valentine to his discussions with Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy’s Valentine is a clean read with a very passionate kiss at the end.  I felt like I really wanted this to be a movie.

Favorite Quote:

“She escaped from the worst and most irremediable of all evils a woman can suffer:  a marriage to an unprincipled man.”

Review Copy from author Heather Moll as part of the Book Tour.   Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

 Heather Moll writes romantic variations of Jane Austen's classic novels. She is an avid reader of mysteries and biographies with a masters in information science. She found Jane Austen later than she should have and made up for lost time by devouring her letters and unpublished works, joining JASNA, and spending too much time researching the Regency era. She is the author of An Appearance of Goodness, An Affectionate Heart, Nine Ladies, and Mr. Darcy's Valentine. She lives with her husband and son, and struggles to balance all the important things, like whether to buy groceries or stay home and write.

About Mr. Darcy's Valentine

WILL AN EXCHANGE OF SECRET VALENTINES LEAD TO LOVE?

After her aunt notices her partiality for Mr Wickham, Elizabeth Bennet is invited to town for the winter along with her sister Jane, and February in London gives Elizabeth the chance to become better acquainted with the Gardiners’ friend Mr Elgin.

When Mr Darcy and Elizabeth cross paths at a concert, Darcy must account for how Bingley left Hertfordshire as he considers his deepening feelings for Elizabeth. Bingley is determined to renew his attentions to Jane, and an evening’s diversion of writing valentines leads to disastrous results for Darcy. 

When Valentine’s Day arrives, who will Elizabeth want to receive a valentine from: the lively man she just met or the man whose proposal she already refused?

On sale Feb 1, 2023 by Excessively Diverted Press in ebook and paperback, 160 pages

https://mybook.to/MrDarcysValentine

Content note: this is a 50,000 word kisses-only variation

Social Links

website: heathermollauthor.com

FB: @HeatherMollAuthor

Instagram: @HeatherMollAuthor

Book Bub: bookbub.com/authors/heather-moll

Goodreads: goodreads.com/heathermoll

Twitter: @HMollAuthor

Giveaway 

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An Appearance of Goodness by Heather Moll (Book Tour)

 

Do you like to host parties?  How would you feel about hosting a house party that lasted for weeks?

An Appearance of Goodness is a delightful Regency mystery and romance.  In this Pride and Prejudice variation, after Mr. Darcy’s first proposal and rejection, he returns to London and tells Mr. Bingley that Jane really loves him.  At the start of this novel, Mr. Bingley and Jane are now married and Elizabeth lives with them.  She joins them on a vacation north to Scarborough.  On the way, they stop at Pemberly for two weeks.  While there, Elizabeth gets to see Mr. Darcy in his element and learns that he is a kind and compassionate brother, employer, and landowner.  Mr. Darcy starts to wonder if love can flourish again.  When disaster strikes and a murder happens soon after, will Elizabeth and Darcy be able to solve the mystery?

I LOVED this novel.  Moll does an excellent job of bringing Austen’s characters to life and also creating great new characters that belong in their world.  It was like reading a new Jane Austen novel.  I thought the mystery was intriguing and I was torn on which character was the murderer until close to the end.  I also really enjoyed the diversity in the novel.  Two of the characters are children of a Scottish lord and an Indian royal mother.  I thought they brought an interesting dynamic to the novel.

As a water resources engineer, I was very interested in the flood in this novel and the very accurate descriptions of how the flooding mechanics would work.  The devastation it caused was heart breaking.  It made me think about things in a historical novel I hadn’t really thought about before such as, when a flood happens and there are no crops, how does a landowner stay solvent?

The romance between Darcy and Elizabeth in this novel was top notch.    I loved their growing understanding and sweet romance.  I loved how the last chapter was set a year later.  I would love to see this as a book series.

Favorite Quotes:

“A man who wishes to stand well in the opinion of others must accept fair criticism, because he is thereby able to correct his faults or remove the prejudices against him.”

“I cannot make myself appear weak simply because gentlemen are supposed to be strong.”

Review Copy from author Heather Moll as part of the Book Tour.  Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Author Bio:

Heather Moll is an avid reader of mysteries and biographies with a masters in information science. She found Jane Austen later than she should have and made up for lost time by devouring her letters and unpublished works, joining JASNA, and spending too much time researching the Regency era. She is the author of An Appearance of Goodness, An Affectionate Heart, Nine Ladies, Two More Days at Netherfield, and His Choice of a Wife. She lives with her husband and son and struggles to balance all of the important things, like whether or not to buy groceries or stay home and write.

Giveaway:

Enter the rafflecopter giveaway at this link.

An Affectionate Heart by Heather Moll (Book Tour)

 

What two favorite stories would you like to see blended together?

An Affectionate Heart is a perfect blend of two of my favorite novels, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery.  Elizabeth Bennet is one of two unmarried daughters left to Mrs. Bennet.  Eldest daughter Jane married at 15 and is a happy wife with four sons.  After Mr. Bennet’s untimely death of a heart ailment, Mr. Collins arrived and married the third daughter, Mary, while Elizabeth was in London with Jane.  As Elizabeth is shuffled between Jane and Mary’s household, she is constantly put down for being the spinster sister at twenty-one.  After she discovers that she has a heart ailment and will not live through the summer, she decides to take matters into her own hands by proposing to Mr. Darcy. The aloof gentleman lives with his sister at Longbourn Lodge.  As rumors swirl through the neighborhood, Elizabeth decides that being an independent married woman who can take care of the sick Miss Darcy would be better than ending her days as the spinster sister with no independence.  Will this marriage of convenience end in love?

The blending of Pride and Prejudice and The Blue Castle is an inspired choice by author Heather Moll.  I greatly enjoyed this Pride and Prejudice variation.  The characters were true to the original Jane Austen novel, but the plot had enough change to go in a different direction and keep me glued to the page to the end of the story.  I love marriage of convenience and slow burn romance tropes, and this was perfect for me.  Reading the story of Elizabeth and Darcy as they fall in love was heartwarming.  I also wondered how the “train” scene from The Blue Castle would work in the regency time and author Heather Moll did not disappoint in bringing about an exciting climax to the story.  I also enjoyed that Darcy finally really understood Mrs. Bennet and gave Mr. and Mrs. Collins the ending that they deserved.

As this is a slow burn romance, it is a clean read until the end where there is mature content.

Overall, An Affectionate Heart is a Pride and Prejudice variation that is not to be missed.  I could not stop reading this story when I started, and it is going on my list of favorite Pride & Prejudice variations.

Book Source:  A Review Copy from Excessively Diverted Press and author Heather Moll as part of the Book Tour.  Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I apologize for my late book tour posting.  I ended up getting sick right when I needed to be posting this!  My daughter and I are feeling better this week.

A Hopeful Holiday by Heather Moll

A Hopeful Holiday is a delightful Pride and Prejudice variation novella set at Christmas time.  In this variation, Lady Catherine never visited Elizabeth, and Darcy never returned after helping out Lydia.  Bingley and Jane are happily married, but Elizabeth has not found her happily ever after.  Mr. Darcy is visiting his Aunt Catherine for the holidays when he discovers that Elizabeth is visiting her friend Charlotte Collins and her new baby.  Elizabeth is invited to Lady Catherine’s New Year’s Masquerade Ball.  Lady Catherine’s other nephew, Hugh, is also visiting and tries to thwart both Darcy and Elizabeth’s desires.  Will they finally be able to tell each other about their changed feelings?

 I LOVED this variation.  It was a sweet story.  I also liked that the variation was very late in the original novel so most of the original story was still in place.  What is always important to me in a Pride and Prejudice variation are the characters.  Author Heather Moll wrote the characters delightfully and true to the original novel.  She also preserved the humor and the romance from the original novel.  I really liked Elizabeth and Darcy’s second chance romance in this novel.

 I was delighted to learn that every year the Fitzwilliam relations had a drawing of lots together to determine which two relations would go to visit Lady Catherine for Christmas that year.  “It was a matter of duty rather than affection that two of them wait on Lady Catherine for the holiday season.  The group collectively agreed that no one suffer Christmas at Rosings along.”  I laughed out loud at this part.

 I loved that Mr. Collins is such a wonderful father.  He loved having his own child and helped Charlotte out.  This really endeared Mr. Collins to me and really made the relationship of the Collins really work for me in this variation.

 I enjoyed the Masquerade Ball.  It was very romantic with Darcy and Elizabeth trying to find each other and express their true feelings.  It was also hilarious that Lady Catherine really wanted to find suitors for Elizabeth, but in the most demeaning way possible.

 Favorite Quotes:

“I suppose this is the part of the evening when I must ask by what name shall I call you?”

 “Call me yours.”

 Overall, A Hopeful Holiday is a wonderful Austenesque Christmas story and great Pride and Prejudice variation.  I highly recommend it.  I will definitely be reading more from Heather Moll!

 Book Source:  Purchased from Amazon.com