Category: General

Words from Experience to Youth: Part Four

Welcome to the part four of our special March Mashup! Plans are afoot for the silver-haired George Wickham and his silk-clad wife to visit Margaret Thornton in her new marital home. Read on to learn of perfume, scandal and Mrs Wickham’s hard-won battle with her ornamental feathers. If you would like to catch up with the correspondence, …

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March Madness: Mrs. Bennet meets Mr. Woodhouse

Mrs. Bennet is on her way to Newcastle to visit her daughter Lydia, but an accident with her coach causes her to end up at Hartfield during a snowstorm…   Mrs. Bennet was still fuming over her husband’s refusal to allow her to go to Pemberley for Christmas. Why, her own brother had been invited, so why should …

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Words from Experience to Youth

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another edition of March Mashups! Today we bring you a series of letters exchanged between the most unlikely of correspondants- a young Margaret Hale, and an older and much wiser George Wickham.  When Catherine was compiling some of Mr Wickham’s later correspondence, she stumbled across a curious set of letters from …

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A New Love: Excerpt from Who Needs Mr Willoughby?

Is there anything more exhilarating than that first, heady flush of love? The world becomes a wonderful place and life is suddenly full of possibility. Birds swoop against the bluest of skies, singing a cheery accompaniment as the new lovers embark on a romantic adventure. Of course, if one doesn’t choose wisely, heartache will eventually follow …

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Most Romantic Lines Ever

Happy Valentines Day to our dear readers! To celebrate this romantic day, we’re sharing our favorite romantic line with you. Share your own favorite lives with us in the comments!   Mary Simonsen – Convincing Mr. Darcy – “You make it sound as if my wish is your command,” Darcy told Elizabeth. “It is not. …

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Fantastical Austen: The Devil and Mr Darcy

All Hallows Eve, or Halloween as we know it today, was not celebrated in Regency England. Although the ancient Celtic customs persisted in Ireland and in the rural North, elsewhere the night passed uneventfully. Let us imagine, then, a festive gathering held at Netherfield on All Hallows Eve, with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in attendance, along with one very …

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Travels in August: Marianne Goes to Northumberland

For my ‘Travels in August’ post this month, I’m sharing the first two chapters from Who Needs Mr Willoughby?, my third Jane Austen Factor book. Marianne Bennet is about to leave her home on the south coast of England to travel alone to Northumberland, where she and her mother and sister Elinor will soon reside. She’s not looking forward to …

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Jealousy in July: Jane Austen – Seeing Green?

Is Caroline Bingley green with envy as she notices Mr. Darcy’s attentions to Elizabeth Bennet? Does Emma Woodhouse wish unspeakable horrors on Harriet Smith because of Harriet’s crush on Mr. Knightley? After Willoughby, does Marianne covet Elinor’s more sensible behaviour? We could go on for ages, but it’s only for this month so don’t miss …

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New Release: The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen

It’s a while since I’ve posted here at Austen Variations, and it’s lovely to be back! What’s more, I’m bringing a guest with me: my friend and writing partner, Ada Bright. We’ve just spent a fantastic year co-writing a contemporary mystery-cum-romance set against the backdrop of the beautiful city of Bath during the annual Jane …

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Austen at the Seaside: Regattas and Romance

Summer is here! Time for days at the beach with lots of sun, sand, and romance. Grab your sunblock and join your favourite Austen characters in their adventures at the sea. In this excerpt from What Would Lizzy Bennet Do?, Katie Oliver takes us to a regatta race on a summer’s day on the South Devon coast. …

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