Melanie Rachel

Melanie Rachel is a Jane Austen variation author who believes that the only thing better than a dashing hero is one who knows how to handle an unexpected adventure—or perhaps just a stubborn heroine. When she's not busy plotting how to put Darcy and Elizabeth in any number of predicaments, you can find her sipping tea and pretending it's still 1811.

Most commented posts

  1. A Little Royal Trouble (And an Audiobook Giveaway) — 36 comments
  2. Introducing author Melanie Rachel! — 27 comments
  3. Dear Miss Austen . . . — 26 comments
  4. Austen Variations 2025 Advent Calendar — 19 comments
  5. When History is Convenient: The Act of Union and The Princess Problem — 18 comments

Author's posts

Why You Should Read Pride and Prejudice in Other Eras

Unwrapping Christmas

If you’re anything like me, you’ve read Pride and Prejudice so many times that you can practically recite Mr. Collins’s proposal while brushing your teeth. (A hazardous activity. The line about “your portion is unhappily so small” almost made me choke on toothpaste once.) But here’s the thing: Jane Austen’s most famous couple, Elizabeth Bennet …

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Pink Slippers, Garden Scandals, and Why I Chose to Write P&P Rom Coms (Plus an Audio Sample)

Regency couple, man holding her slipper, her stocking foot peeking from under the hem of her gown.

Big news: The Slipper Scandal is coming to audio, narrated by the wonderful Harry Frost! Watch for it on Audible starting Wednesday–fingers crossed, everything will pass review and it’ll be available! For now, you can listen to the sample here for free: https://BookHip.com/HQAXWBS Audible should have the audio available on Wednesday, fingers crossed. I thought …

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Pride & Prejudice: Prelude to Pemberley: Darcy’s Disappointment

Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on …

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P&P Prelude to Pemberley: Darcy Races to Ramsgate

Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on …

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The Slipper Scandal Game–With a Giveaway!

🧐 BONUS QUESTION GAME for The Slipper Scandal Readers! The Slipper Scandal was released last Friday and is available in Kindle Unlimited–reviews have been great, so thank you for that! Now, let’s play a game, so you can win a prize! In The Slipper Scandal, Elizabeth almost leaves London—but at the very last moment, she changes …

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Bullock’s Museum and The Slipper Scandal

The cover of The Slipper Sandal by Melanie Rachel

When I was writing The Slipper Scandal (which will be released into the wild tomorrow!) I wanted to think up some lesser used sites in 1811 London where ODC could meet. The story takes place in January/February of 1811 (yep, a little pre-canon), so these places needed to be indoors. The main one I decided …

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It’s a Drawing Mr. Darcy SALE!

This Saturday and Sunday, Drawing Mr. Darcy, The Duology is only $1.99 on Kindle Countdown! AND once you buy the ebook, you will qualify for the Whispersync price on the EIGHTEEN HOUR AUDIOBOOK, narrated by Harry Frost!!! https://readerlinks.com/l/4029846 Excerpt from Drawing Mr. Darcy: Spring, 1801 “It shall not be Jane,” Mrs. Bennet declared. “And the …

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Writing Mr. Darcy: Power, Privilege, and the Perils of Being the Youngest

Writing Mr. Darcy: Power, Privilege, and the Perils of Being the Youngest So, here’s the thing. I love writing different versions of Fitzwilliam Darcy—how could I not? He’s intelligent, rich, honorable, and once he learns his lesson, romantic. But writing a compelling Darcy in Pride and Prejudice variations (whether canon-compliant, alternate universe, or romantic comedy) …

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Mr. Darcy’s Folly Release!

Release Day for Mr. Darcy’s Folly Is Here! Well, it’s happened. Mr. Darcy’s Folly is officially out in the world, and I am—predictably—equal parts thrilled and panicked. (Why does hitting “publish” feel like sending your daughter into a Regency-era ballroom and hoping she doesn’t trip over her hem?) This book has been one of my …

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Kent and Deneholes

Kent’s Secret Underground   Deneholes—and the quiet danger they present—feature prominently in my upcoming Regency release, Mr. Darcy’s Folly, out next week on April 24th. (Preorder here).   Without giving too much away, let’s just say that what lies beneath plays a very unexpected role in Darcy and Elizabeth’s journey. There’s history, mystery, and a …

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