Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight

What happens when an eighteenth century literary darling magically pops up in the weirdest city in Texas? Magic and weird collide in AUSTENTATIOUS, the story of Nicola James, a left-brainer with a Jane Austen obsession and a carefully finessed life plan. A plan that doesn’t include an enchanted journal or an interfering fairy godmother, who just might be the spirit of Jane Austen herself. When Nicola discovers her journal entries mysteriously whittled down to a cheeky bit of commentary on her life, she’s freaked first, skeptical second, and finally downright curious. She can’t help but keep writing, dueling really, with a two-dimensional fairy godmother she doesn’t totally believe in. Soon, the witty little notes start coming true, screwing with her plans, her head, and her life, and nudging her towards an impossible—and impossibly seductive—romance with a man who’s inarguably wrong for her. Nicola’s torn, trapped between a life that makes sense and a man who doesn’t, with “Fairy Jane” wedged in the middle, relentlessly rooting for another “Mr. Darcy.”

Unladylike Pursuits by Alyssa Goodnight
She needs to find a husband but in truth would rather not.

Miss Emily Sinclair has just answered the summons that will change her life. On the eve of spinsterhood, she is offered a month to find a willing gentleman or suffer a marriage to her stepmother’s odious cousin. Neither choice seems palatable. He wants to remain a bachelor and is weary of marriage-minded misses. Lord Brandon Davenport has had more than enough of marriage–the infidelity, the gossip, the inconvenience. It has all reaffirmed his conviction to never involve himself in such a predicament. Of course, need and want are very different matters…or are they? When the two find themselves grudgingly paired in the ambush of highwaymen, temper is matched equally with desire, leading Emily to realize that Brand is the perfect prey for her husband hunt. But is Brand too cagey to be caught in her trap?

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? (formerly From Lambton to Longbourn) by Abigail Reynolds

But what if Darcy hadn’t immediately left the inn? What if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy had chosen to speak their feelings rather than to assume the worst about the other? Jane Austen’s beloved characters are given the opportunity to reach out one last time before they part. While their path forward is still filled with misadventures and misunderstandings it is rich with humor, romance, and sensuality as they learn about each other and the meaning of love. But there’s still a scandal threatening to engulf the Bennet family, and Elizabeth can’t be sure that Darcy’s love for her could withstand such a blow. Determined to give Darcy up rather than drag his name through the mud, Elizabeth will have to choose for herself between what she believes is right, and what she wants more than anything…

To Conquer Mr. Darcy (formerly Impulse and Initiative) by Abigail Reynolds 

What if…Instead of disappearing from Elizabeth Bennet’s life after she refused his offer of marriage, Mr. Darcy had stayed and tried to change her mind? What if…Lizzy, as she gets to know Darcy, finds him undeniably attractive and her impulses win out over her sense of propriety? What if…Madly in love and mutually on fire, their passion anticipates their wedding? In To Conquer Mr. Darcy, instead of avoiding Elizabeth after his ill-fated marriage proposal, Mr. Darcy follows her back to Hertfordshire to prove to her he is a changed man and worthy of her love. And little by little, Elizabeth begins to find the man she thought she despised, irresistible…

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (formerly The Last Man in the World) by Abigail Reynolds

 What if… The last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to marry…is her husband? In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet tells the proud Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy that she wouldn’t marry him if he were the last man in the world. But what if she never said the words? What if circumstances conspired to make her accept Darcy the first time he proposes? In this installment of Abigail Reynolds’s acclaimed Pride and Prejudice Variations, Elizabeth agrees to marry Darcy against her better judgment, setting off a chain of events that nearly brings disaster to them both…

A Pemberley Medley by Abigail Reynolds

It’s the best of all worlds in this collection of five short Pride & Prejudice variations by bestselling writer Abigail Reynolds. Can Mr. Darcy win Elizabeth Bennet’s heart… or are they doomed to misunderstand one another forever? Can Mr. Darcy stand by and watch while Elizabeth loses everything she holds precious… including him? Contents include “Such Differing Reports”, “A Succession of Rain”, “Reason’s Rule” (an excerpt from The Rule of Reason), “The Most Natural Thing”, and “Intermezzo”.

Mr. Darcy’s Undoing (formerly Without Reserve) by Abigail Reynolds

 A passionate new Pride and Prejudice variation explores the unthinkable – Elizabeth accepts the proposal of a childhood friend before she meets Darcy again. When their paths cross, the devastated Mr. Darcy must decide how far he’ll go to win the woman he loves. How can a man who prides himself on his honor ask the woman he loves to do something scandalous? And how can Elizabeth accept a loveless marriage when Mr. Darcy holds the key to her heart? As they confront family opposition and the ill will of scandal mongers, will Elizabeth prove to be Mr. Darcy’s undoing?

Morning Light by Abigail Reynolds

Artist Annie Wright likes her life free of complications, especially complications of the male persuasion. She has her dream job running a gallery in Woods Hole, her volunteer work rescuing abandoned dogs, her best friend Cassie Boulton Westing, and that’s enough for her. She doesn’t like to talk about her past, especially how she became a widow after just a few years of marriage. But one day her past walks right into the Cape Light Gallery in the form of her dead husband’s best friend Jeremy, the man who left the country because it was too hard to see Annie married to someone else. If this weren’t enough, Annie finds herself in charge of an abused and distrustful pile of fur called Bear, and increasingly entangled in the complicated Westing family politics while Cassie deals with some very unexpected developments. Morning Light is the second book of The Woods Hole Quartet, a series of interlocking novels set in the seaside village of Woods Hole.

The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice (formerly Pemberley by the Sea) by Abigail Reynolds

A modern love story with a Jane Austen twist… Marine biologist Cassie Boulton has no patience when a modern-day Mr. Darcy appears in her lab on Cape Cod. Proud, aloof Calder Westing III is the scion of a famous political family, while Cassie’s success is hard-won in spite of a shameful family history. When their budding romance is brutally thwarted, both by his family and by hers, Calder tries to set things right by rewriting the two of them in the roles of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride & Prejudice…but will Cassie be willing to supply the happy ending?

Persuade Me by Juliet Archer

This is the second in Juliet Archer's Darcy & Friends series. When do you let your heart rule your head? As far as men are concerned, Anna Elliot is stuck in the past. No one can compare to Rick Wentworth, the man she was persuaded to give up eight years ago. Meanwhile, Rick's moved on - and up. He's got a successful career and a carefully controlled love life where his heart doesn't get a look in. The words 'forgive and forget' aren't in Rick's vocabulary. The word 'regret' is definitely in Anna's. When they meet again, can she persuade him that their lost love is worth a second chance?

Persuading Annie by Melissa Nathan

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. A truly enjoyable read that should increase Nathan's popularity across the pond.

Vanity and Vexation by Kate Fenton

What happens when the BBC descends on the quiet North Yorkshire town of Maltstone to make a new version of Pride and Prejudice? For one thing, it upends the life of writer Nick Bevan, who's holed up in Maltstone to work on a novel. In this gender-bending retelling of Jane Austen's classic, Nick and his neighbor and best friend John stand in for Elizabeth Bennett and her sister, Jane, while the parts of Darcy and Mr. Bingley are taken by Mary Dance, the film's formidable director, and Candia Bingham, the leading lady. Both romances are beset with difficulties similar to the ones Austen devised. Is the romance between John and Candia a mere fling? Will Nick and Mary overcome their initial dislike and give in to mutual attraction? It's fun to look for parallels with the original, but though Fenton borrows freely from Austen's plot, she also adds her own twists. The result is brisk and entertaining, a good choice for readers looking for something clever, with an English accent.

Pride and Prejudice and Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan

As the title suggests, this is a modern and witty retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Jasmin Field, a columnist for a woman's magazine, is invited to audition for a charity production of the Austen novel, which is to be directed by the Oscar-winning actor Harry Noble. Jasmin sees this as fodder for her column but is selected for the lead role of Lizzie Bennet instead, even though the haughty Noble calls her "the ugly sister" after her beautiful sister, George, an actual actress, also auditions. Soon the lives and interactions of the cast members begin to resemble the characters they portray. Everyone swoons over the famous Noble except for Jasmin, who considers him an aloof, unfeeling egotist, which is his cue for becoming besotted with her. All the elements of the original story are here, cleverly molded to fit modern characters and situations involving career women and the contemporary arena for scandals: the tabloids. Nathan succeeds admirably in paying homage to a classic with her delightful tale.

Fitzwilliam Darcy: An Honourable Man by Brenda Webb

Fitzwilliam Darcy, An Honourable Man is a Pride and Prejudice variation. Not a simple retelling, it is an intriguing new story. Leaving England after his disastrous proposal was refused at Hunsford, Darcy spent two lonely years in Scotland and Ireland before returning home to face Elizabeth Bennet, certain that he could regard her as an indifferent acquaintance. Events that transpired in his absence have left Elizabeth a changed woman. The victim of a marriage by deception to Count Stefano, she has suffered greatly at his hands. Will Mr. Darcy rescue the woman he vowed to forget?

A Wife for Mr. Darcy by Mary Simonsen 

A GENTLEMAN should always render an APOLOGY. So, when Mr. Darcy realizes he has insulted Miss Elizabeth Bennet at the Meryton Assembly, he feels duty bound to seek her out and apologize. But instead of meekly accepting his apology, Elizabeth stands up to him, and Darcy realizes with a shock that she is a very different type of lady from what he is used to. Darcy is more intrigued than he's ever been by any young lady, but he's already entangled in a courtship. It's a brutal predicament for a man of honor who only longs to follow his heart.

The Importance of Being Emma by Juliet Archer 

A spirited retelling of Emma by Jane Austen will provide an enjoyable read to those who know the original story and those who don't. Definitely recommended.

Emma Woodhouse fancies herself as something of a matchmaker, having just married off Tom Weston to her best friend and she can't resist trying her hand with a few more people. There's Harriet Smith, fond of a local man, but Emma's convinced that she could do better for herself and she's aiming to pair her off with Philip Elton. As for herself, well she rather believes herself in love with Tom Weston's son and the good-looking Mark Knightley is just a problem, even if he is rather tempting on occasions.

The Ballad of Gregoire Darcy by Marsha Altman

WHIRLWIND OF PEMBERLEY – The comings and goings on their grand estate present endless challenges for Elizabeth and Darcy. Can they avoid scandal given the recent arrival of Mr. Darcy’s illegitimate brother Grégoire, Mr. Bennet’s advancing years, the younger George Wickham’s coming of age, and Dr. Maddox’s departure from his position with the Prince Regent even as his many secrets threaten to be discovered?

COURTSHIP OF MARY BENNET – After her disastrous trip to the continent resulted in a passionate romance and an unintended child, Mary Bennet finds herself back in England, living with the shameful title of unwed mother. Having given up on ever finding love, Mary is shocked to find herself pursued by a proper gentleman. But are his intentions true, or is does the gentleman lead Mary’s heart astray? 

Mr. Darcy’s Secret by Jane Odiwe 

Odiwe picks things up where Austen left off in Pride and Prejudice, in an impeccably crafted tale of Elizabeth and Darcy after the wedding. Elizabeth arrives at Pemberley with her beloved husband Fitzwilliam, certain that her life could not get any better, and at first, everything seems fairy-tale perfect. Even if a few people, most especially Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, still seem to have their noses out of joint about the marriage, almost everyone else wishes the new couple a long and happy life together. The honeymoon seems to be over, though, once Elizabeth discovers that not only can Darcy still be quite stubborn, especially when it comes to letting his younger sister Georgiana decide her own future, but that her new husband has a secret past that threatens to wreck their marriage.

Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell 

After losing their eldest son in the Civil War, the Bennet family moves from Merryton, Ohio, to Rosings, Texas, to start over. Their daughter Beth is appalled at the thought of moving to a Southern state, swearing never to forget that she is a Northerner. Her sister Jane falls in love with the town’s new doctor, Charles Bingley, friend of the largest landowner, Will Darcy. The two met during the war fighting for the South. When Charles’ Georgia plantation is burned during Sherman’s march to the sea, he decides to follow his friend home. Beth can forgive Charles his Southern roots after he marries Jane, but she is hard-pressed to like his best friend. Can Beth overcome her prejudice toward Will? Can Will explain his true character to Beth? In Caldwell’s reincarnation of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Caldwell successfully transplants the themes of the original to post–Civil War Texas, where the consequences and the villains are far more dangerous. Both fans of westerns and Pride and Prejudice will enjoy this latest entry in the Austen craze.

According to Jane by Marilyn Brant 

It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett's teacher is assigning Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. From nowhere comes a quiet 'tsk' of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who's teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author's ghost has taken up residence in Ellie's mind, and seems determined to stay there. Jane's wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own. Years and boyfriends come and go - sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane's counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham. Still, everyone has something to learn about love - perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, another voice crowds out the one in Ellie's head, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending.

My Jane Austen Summer by Cindy Jones 

A down on her luck woman goes on an Austen-inspired journey of self-discovery in Jones's middling debut. After Lily Berry loses her mother, gets dumped by her boyfriend, and is fired, she finds in her passion for all things Jane Austen (Jane, indeed, is Lily's imaginary friend) an escape route: she travels to England to participate in a Jane Austen re-enacting festival. Full of enthusiasm—but not acting talent—Lily is not embraced by many of the Janeites, but this doesn't prevent her from meeting a charismatic actor, contending with an impossible roommate, and struggling with dark family secrets, all while trying to find the courage to be the protagonist of her own story. While Jones does a credible job of creating a heroine in transition, Lily's process of self-realization isn't nearly as involving as the subplots, which is quite unfortunate, considering how much time is devoted to sussing out her issues.

Mrs. Darcy’s Dilemma by Diana Birchall 

Beginning twenty-five years after Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding, their life together has been wonderful and their marriage is still thriving. Their grown children bring them great delight, along with some trepidation, Mrs. Darcy's nieces come for a visit, and a theatrical scandal threatens to embroil them all. The Victorian age is dawning, and Pemberley's new generation is coming into their own.

None But You, Frederick Wentworth, Captain (Book 1) by Susan Kaye 

Eight years ago, when he had nothing but his future to offer, Frederick Wentworth fell in love with Anne Elliot, the gentle daughter of a haughty, supercilious baronet. Sir Walter Elliot refused to countenance a marriage, and Anne's godmother, Lady Russell, strongly advised Anne against him. Persuaded by those nearest to her, Anne had given him up and he had taken his broken heart to sea. When Jane Austen's Persuasion opens in the year 1814, Frederick Wentworth, now a famous and wealthy captain in His Majesty's Navy, finds himself back in England and, as fate would have it, residing as a guest in Anne's former home. Now, it is the baronet who is in financial difficulties, and Anne exists only at her family's beck and call. For eight long years, Frederick had steeled his heart against her. Should he allow Anne into his heart again, or should he look for love with younger, prettier woman in the neighborhood who regard him as a hero?

For You Alone, Frederick Wentworth, Captain (Book 2) by Susan Kaye 

How could he have failed to know himself so completely? Captain Frederick Wentworth, lately returned to England from a distinguished naval career fighting Napoleon, had re-visited the scene of his romantic defeat of eight years previous at the hands of Miss Anne Elliot to find his former love a pale, worn shadow of herself. Attracted by the libely young ladies in the area who regarded him as a hero, he had ignored Anne and entangled himself with Louisa Musgrove, a headstrong young woman who seemed all that Anne was not. Now, because of his careless behviour and Louisa's heedlessness, his future appeared tied to her just at the moment when it had become painfully clear that Anne was still everything he truly wanted. In honour, he belonged to Louisa, but his heart was full of Anne. What was he to do?

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Rigaud 

Heather Lynn Rigaud is a debut author coming out of the fandom for Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Her novel, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star was an Internet phenomenon, inspiring tee shirts, CD's and thousands of loving fans. Available for the first time in print, this sexy, adult romance is ready for a wider audience.  

Fast music, powerful beats and wild reputations on stage and off have made Slurry the band of the year--and the media's newest bad boys. Described as temperamental by their kindest critics, they've just lost their latest opening act and their red-hot summer tour is on the fast track to disaster.

Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson

The charismatic Elizabeth Bennet and her family dominate Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Pierson’s novel shines the spotlight on Georgiana Darcy, the shy younger sister of Mr. Darcy. Readers met Georgiana briefly in Austen’s original, where she shyly introduces herself to Elizabeth after getting her heart broken by the dastardly Wickham. Pierson’s novel fleshes her out beyond her initial background role. Still shy and nervous, Georgiana is in a panic about the changes in her life, from the arrival of Elizabeth at Pemberley to her upcoming presentation at court. With the guidance and encouragement of her stern older brother and her loving new sister, Georgiana comes into her own as a character and a woman, no longer consigned to playing a bit part. Pierson’s novel is a loving homage to Austen and a smart story about what it’s like to grow up in the shadow of someone larger than life.

Lady Vernon and Her Daughter by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway 

Inspired by Jane Austen's novella Lady Susan, this biting social comedy from a mother-daughter duo is a delightful, worthy homage to Austen. In 19th-century England, Lady Susan Vernon is left nearly penniless after her honorable, wealthy husband dies and his unscrupulous little brother, Charles, bilks Susan and her daughter, Frederica, of their share of his fortune. Forced to rely upon the kindness of friends, the two spend several months bouncing from home to home. Subjected to the two-faced machinations of her social circle (particularly from Charles's wife, Catherine), Susan cleverly (and believably) turns several of her enemies against each other, using their own words. As in Austen's novels, securing a generous dowry and a good marriage (that is, one with money and status) is the all-important goal of every woman, but Susan is a dynamic character more than capable of delivering a shocking surprise.

The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview 

In this highly original Pride and Prejudice sequel by British author Monica Fairview, Caroline Bingley is our heroine. Caroline is sincerely broken-hearted when Mr. Darcy marries Lizzy Bennet— that is, until she meets his charming and sympathetic American cousin…

Mr. Robert Darcy is as charming as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is proud, and he is stunned to find the beautiful Caroline weeping at his cousin's wedding. Such depth of love, he thinks, is rare and precious. For him, it's nearly love at first sight. But these British can be so haughty and off-putting. How can he let the young lady, who was understandably mortified to be discovered in such a vulnerable moment, know how much he feels for and sympathizes with her?

Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons by Vera Nazarian 

Gothic horrors collide with high satire in this elegant, hilarious, witty, insane, and unexpectedly romantic supernatural parody of Jane Austen's classic novel. Young and naive Catherine Morland is constantly surrounded by angels only she alone can see. Leaving her country home for the first time, to embark on a grand adventure that begins in fashionable Bath, our romantic heroine must not only decrypt the mystery of the Udolpho Code but win her true love Henry Tilney. Meanwhile she is beset by all the Gothic horrors known to Impressionable Young Ladies -- odious demons, Regency balls, elusive ghosts, pleasure excursions, temperature-changing nephilim, secret clues, ogre suitors, and a terrifying ancient Dragon who has very likely hidden a secret treasure hoard somewhere in the depths of Northanger Abbey.

Darcy and Elizabeth are as much in love as ever-even more so as their relationship matures. Their passion inspires everyone around them, and as winter turns to spring, romance blossoms around them.
Confirmed bachelor Richard Fitzwilliam sets his sights on a seemingly unattainable, beautiful widow; Georgiana Darcy learns to flirt outrageously; the very flighty Kitty Bennet develops her first crush, and Caroline Bingley meets her match.

But the path of true love never does run smooth, and Elizabeth and Darcy are kept busy navigating their friends and loved ones through the inevitable separations, misunderstandings, misgivings, and lovers' quarrels to reach their own happily ever afters.

 

A Darcy Christmas

Share in the magic of the season in these three warm and wonderful holiday novellas from bestselling authors.

“Christmas Present” by Amanda Grange
“A Darcy Christmas” by Sharon Lathan (some of Sharon’s best writing)
“Mr. Darcy's Christmas Carol” by Carolyn Eberhart  (loosely based on Dickens’s classic)
 

Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge – by J. Marie Croft

A pun-filled tale featuring Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice characters with some added or addled, missing or missish, modified or mortified, healthier, wealthier, or wiser. Impeccable comportment is mandatory in Regency England, a society governed by strict rules of conduct. The immaculate image of perfectionist Fitzwilliam Darcy is somewhat tarnished when he and his traveling companions arrive, hot and sweaty, at Pemberley and decide to take a fateful plunge into a scummy pond. An embarrassing encounter on the estate's lawn leaves a long-lasting impression on Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, who are new acquaintances of Georgiana and Anna Darcy. With both families in London for the Little Season, Darcy finds himself thrown again into the path of perky Elizabeth Bennet, but a handsome army officer just might blockade further advances. This romantic comedy is a lighthearted adaptation of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, featuring a softer, sweeter, sillier side of Austen's beloved characters.
 

Darcy and Fitzwilliam – by Karen Wasylowski

 A truly original look into the life of Mr. Darcy and his cousin as each finds the woman of his dreams. Darcy and Fitzwilliam have known each other their entire lives, and these cousins have got each other's backs, no matter what life throws at them.

This is Mr. Darcy as you've never seen him before, relaxed and at ease with the one person who knows him even better than he knows himself. A look into the private friendship of one of literature's most underappreciated pairs in a fascinating and historically accurate look at male friendship and fellowship in the Regency era.
 

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do – Kara Louise

In this fresh and original retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet's greatest fear comes to pass-Longbourn is entailed to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth finds work as a governess in London, widening the social divide between her and Mr. Darcy and making it more difficult than ever for them to find their way to each other...

The Truth About Mr. Darcy – Susan Adriani

In this hot tale, Mr. Darcy confesses the truth about George Wickham right from the start, warning Elizabeth and the rest of Meryton about Wickham's despicable character. Will his honesty change the way Elizabeth feels about him and his previous poor behavior? Will he still have to transform himself to win her love? And what will happen when scandal erupts?
 

Pride and Prejudice (Marvel Comics-Graphic Novel)

Tailored from the adored Jane Austen classic, Marvel Comics is proud to present PRIDE AND PREJUDICE! Two-time Rita Award-Winner Nancy Butler and fan-favorite Hugo Petrus fathfully adapt the whimsical tale ofLizzy Bennet and her loveable-if-eccentric family, as they navigate through tricky British social circles. Will Lizzy's father manage to marry off his five daughters, despite his wife's incessant nagging? And will Lizzy's beautiful sister Jane marry the handsome, wealthy Mr. Bingley, or will his brooding friend Mr. Darcy stand between their happiness?
 

The Lagoon – by Lilli Carré

Here’s an almost cozy story of how a creature from the literally black lagoon holds a spiritual connection to several generations of a small family. Carré’s black-and-white cartoons are a step away from Kim Deitch: a bit more wobbly, befitting the rural and often watery settings. Zoey, a young girl who lives near the woods-enshrouded lagoon with her parents and grandfather, becomes increasingly aware of the nocturnal activities involving the adults and the small, damp dragon-sprite. The symbol-rich tale offers readers a smorgasbord of sounds—piano, whistling, a metronome’s monotony, tapping fingers—in addition to the mysterious yet homely landscapes, which include corners of the house and a fire in the yard as well as the depths of the grassy lagoon. The narrative drive isn’t lost at the expense of all this symbolism; on the contrary, this slim volume packs abundant energy and demands regular revisiting.
 

Balogh's lovely early Christmas gift to her readers is five exquisitely crafted novellas set in Regency England at Christmastime, each featuring children. "A Family Christmas," which was written for this collection, portrays a couple who discover on Christmas that their problems hinge on her believing that he looked down on her for marrying money, while he thought that she looked down on him for "buying" a wife. In another tale, an antagonistic couple lose a ring but get it back in triplicate when they help a conniving little chimney sweep. Another heartwarming story features a diverse group of travelers marooned at an inadequate inn by torrential rains who learn the meaning of Christmas when a destitute couple seek shelter to have their baby. Balogh also presents a tale with echoes of Jane Eyre in which a young teacher experiences her first Christmas and helps a notorious rake experience love for the first time when she does not disdain his illegitimate child.
 

Slightly Married – by Mary Balogh
 
 Regina says, “This is by far my favorite Balogh series. I have reread the entire group several times. Aidan Bedwyn begins the tale of this aristocratic family. The tenderness of this giant of a man has to touch one’s heart. He risks it all for a woman he does not know, but one from which he cannot walk away.”

The Way We Live Now – Anthony Trollope
 
 Synopsis (Wiki) The Way We Live Now is a scathing satirical novel published in London in 1875 by Anthony Trollope, after a popular serialisation. It was regarded by many of Trollope's contemporaries as his finest work.
 
 Regina says, “This book is not for the faint of heart, because it is one of Trollope’s longest novels, containing a hundred chapters, but The Way We Live Now is particularly rich in sub-plot. The financial scandals of the early 1870s inspired the book, which lashes out at the pervading dishonesty of the age: commercial, political, moral, and intellectual. It is one of the last significant Victorian novels to have been published in monthly parts. When you read it, one sees how everything old is new again. The world has not changed one iota.”
 
 Augustus Melmotte is a foreign-born financier with a mysterious past. When he moves his business and his family to London, the city's upper crust begins buzzing with rumors about him-and a host of characters ultimately find their lives changed because of him. “If current day Ponzi schemes and the way the financial markets affect everyone’s life, then read this book. You will not be sorry that you did.”