Pemberley: Mr. Darcy’s Dragon Ch 5

In this final preview installment, meet Longbourn, the resident estate dragon who jealously guards Miss Elizabeth’s honor. The book is available tomorrow on all your favorite booksellers!   Click here to purchase on Amazon. Jane Austen’s Dragons, Book 1 Pemberley: Mr. Darcy’s Dragon Chapter 5 Bingley’s party returned from the ball in mixed spirits. Bingley declared he had …

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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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Fantastical Austen – Happy Nutcrack Day

Happy Nutcrack Day! Doesn’t have the same ring to it as Happy Halloween does it? It has to be said this wasn’t a holiday particularly recognised by the Georgians, and almost certainly wouldn’t have been celebrated by a family as well-to-do as the Austens. However, the working classes, the Scots and Northern English, did celebrate …

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Fantastical Austen: The Evolution of Mr. Darcy, Vampire

Halloween is always a great time for a good and bloody vampire book, and what could be more delicious than a vampire Mr. Darcy? I do hope you enjoy these excerpts! With the release of Book II of The Confession of Mr. Darcy, Vampire ~ Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth, one might ask how the sequel evolves from …

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Fantastical Austen – The Spirit of Jane

The idea of pairing a classic literary figure or character with a compelling paranormal situation has been a popular narrative technique, as well as a delightful amusement (!!), for many contemporary writers. In my case, I was really taken with the fantasy of having Jane Austen herself as an advice-giving ghost in the mind of …

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Pemberley: Mr. Darcy’s Dragon Ch 4

Today, the Meryton Assembly is complicated in all new ways!  The book is available for preorder now, as a special price. Don’t miss out, it will go up when the book goes live on 10/31!   Click here to preorder. Jane Austen’s Dragons, Book 1 Pemberley: Mr. Darcy’s Dragon Chapter 4  Papa was right on all counts. …

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Fantastical Austen: The Resurrection

A short story about four girls who are up to some witchy trouble. THE RESURRECTION Three girls huddled against the cathedral door, trying to blend in with the shadows. The night was dark and empty, not even the moon had made an appearance. The streetlights and the spotlights around the cathedral had all been snuffed. …

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Cover Reveal: A Merry Christmas Chase

It’s that time of the year. The days are getting shorter, there’s a bite in the air, and the clocks are soon to be turned back. I don’t know how it is in your neck of the woods, but here in the UK, the shops are starting to put up Christmas items in preparation for …

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Fantastical Austen – Unpublished Excerpt from Mr. Darcy’s Bite by Mary Simonsen

The following is an epilogue that I wrote for Mr. Darcy’s Bite. I thought it was a pretty good ending, but my editor at Sourcebooks disagreed, and it was deleted. (I agree with her now.) As background, Marguerite Ashton was Darcy’s paternal aunt. She knew of her nephew’s condition and provided refuge, when necessary, during …

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It’s time for Fantasy!

  It’s October, and here on Austen Variations we’re celebrating the fabulous Halloween season by indulging in some fantasy. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to present a segment from my one and only Pride and Prejudice inspired fantasy novel. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, here’s a little excerpt to …

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