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Sweet Tea Short Story
Not Romantic
Sweet, Austen-inspired treats, perfect with a cup of tea.
Full of hope and ripe with possibility, beginnings and new beginnings refresh the spirit with optimism and anticipation.
Not Romantic
Once burned is twice shy. Charlotte has no place for romantic notions or sentimentality. All she asks is a comfortable home and a man who is respectable and steady.
But the only man she knows who fits that description pines for her best friend. Must she betray her friendship to pursue everything she has ever hoped for?
From the award winning author of Given Good Principles, Remember the Past and Mistaking Her Character, Sweet Tea short stories offer the perfect bite to transport readers back to the Regency era for the first days of new love.
Full of hope and ripe with possibility, beginnings and new beginnings refresh the spirit with optimism and anticipation.
Not Romantic
Once burned is twice shy. Charlotte has no place for romantic notions or sentimentality. All she asks is a comfortable home and a man who is respectable and steady.
But the only man she knows who fits that description pines for her best friend. Must she betray her friendship to pursue everything she has ever hoped for?
From the award winning author of Given Good Principles, Remember the Past and Mistaking Her Character, Sweet Tea short stories offer the perfect bite to transport readers back to the Regency era for the first days of new love.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2015
4 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Maria Grace
100 books321 followersSix time BRAG Medallion Honoree, #1 Best-selling Historical Fantasy author Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16-year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences. She pretends to be a mild-mannered writer/cat-lady, but most of her vacations require helmets and waivers or historical costumes, usually not at the same time.
She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.
She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.
She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.
She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 1, 2016
My Thoughts...
This was just as it said: "Sweet Tea Short Story". Based on some of Jane Austen's characters Charlotte, and Lizzy. But on Saturday afternoon that was what I needed. Just a nice short story to get me through the afternoon. It seems no matter how hard I try, I just need something to read each day, and since the week-end was upon me, and I had plans for a T.V. marathon on Sunday, I didn't want to start a book that would take a day or two to read.
So now on to... Sunday afternoon until bedtime I watched T.V. I watched some of Fuller House on Netflix, Maverick, (the old TV show from 1958-59) on DVD. Murder, She Wrote, Cheers, and Frasier on Netflix. And then it was time to watch the Red Carpet Stroll before The Oscars, after which I watched The Oscars show.
I thought Chris Rock did a nice job hosting the Oscars show, considering, it was a sticky affair to say the least. There are some who I'm sure do not agree with me, but that is alright with me. We each have our own opinions about the circus surrounding the Oscars this year.
Anyway, sad to say I never heard of the movies chosen for the best picture award, however I was glad to see Leonardo finally won the Oscar for Best Actor. I only ever saw him in Titanic, and thought he did a nice job in that movie.
That does it for this week-end, now on to the new week, new month and new book, one that has been on my TBR list far to long...first book of March is "Of Moths and Butterflies". by V. R. Christensen.
November 28, 2016
A sweet story that tells a much more interesting tale of the relationship between Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins. Charlotte doesn't just take a chance at marrying a silly man who she thinks she can tolerate. In Not Romantic, Charlotte sees where Elizabeth's reactions to Mr. Collins could have been better and, thus, improved his behavior. In this story, you learn Charlotte's view of Mr. Collins as a man who could be more with the right woman behind him, and why she believes Elizabeth is not right, but she is. Lovely story. I liked seeing Charlotte's perspective.
October 30, 2016
“I’m not romantic, I never was…” Charlotte Lucas, Jane Austen Pride & Prejudice
Our story opened with an explanation of a troubled background for our heroine Charlotte Lucas. Who knew? Now we know the reason behind Charlotte’s declaration that she was not a romantic. A reason that touched the heart and even her best friend Eliza Bennet did not know of her disappointment. Poor Charlotte.
Several things happened in Meryton in a short period of time. Netherfield Park was let at last; Mr. Bingley attended the Meryton Assembly and danced the first dance with Charlotte; he, unfortunately for Charlotte, liked his second dance with Jane much better; Maria returned from town with the latest gossip; the militia arrived in Meryton and were to quarter there for the winter… redcoats and officers… Oh My! And lastly, the Bennet cousin and heir had arrived at Longbourn and intended to mend the breach in the family by finding a wife among the daughters. Deep breath. Whew!
Perspective: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Abraham Lincoln
Charlotte was always depicted in P&P, JAFF, and the many variations as sensible, economic, and smart. She was usually understanding and could see through problems, cut through the clutter and come to a right conclusion even before Elizabeth. In most cases, Charlotte was on target with regard to the affairs of the heart. She correctly saw the problem between Bingley and Jane, immediately saw through the bold brazen stories of Wickham [cheeky, rat bastard], and saw very plainly that Darcy was interested in Elizabeth. So, we need to respect her opinions, examine her thoughts and feelings in regard to Mr. Collins. Do not shudder… that’s not nice. Let Charlotte explain the many facets of Mr. Collins and I defy you to see him in a different light.
Our author had a difficult time convincing me that Mr. Collins was- not- a- toad. I have read so many JAFF stories where he was simply horrid and I had to whitewash my brain cells in order to have a clean surface for her to paint a new picture of him. Aaaaaah, and now I feel really bad. I liked him. Her creation/portrait of Mr. Collins was a totally different person than we are accustomed to experiencing.
As we look at Collins, we are seeing him through Charlotte’s eyes and her perspective. I liked her thoughts and conclusions about him as she watched his actions and everyone that interacted with him. She was very wise in her thinking and her appraisal… and… I hate saying this… she had the right of it. Read this quick story and let our author change your mind in regard to Mr. Collins. I think Charlotte and he will do alright.
Our story opened with an explanation of a troubled background for our heroine Charlotte Lucas. Who knew? Now we know the reason behind Charlotte’s declaration that she was not a romantic. A reason that touched the heart and even her best friend Eliza Bennet did not know of her disappointment. Poor Charlotte.
Several things happened in Meryton in a short period of time. Netherfield Park was let at last; Mr. Bingley attended the Meryton Assembly and danced the first dance with Charlotte; he, unfortunately for Charlotte, liked his second dance with Jane much better; Maria returned from town with the latest gossip; the militia arrived in Meryton and were to quarter there for the winter… redcoats and officers… Oh My! And lastly, the Bennet cousin and heir had arrived at Longbourn and intended to mend the breach in the family by finding a wife among the daughters. Deep breath. Whew!
Perspective: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Abraham Lincoln
Charlotte was always depicted in P&P, JAFF, and the many variations as sensible, economic, and smart. She was usually understanding and could see through problems, cut through the clutter and come to a right conclusion even before Elizabeth. In most cases, Charlotte was on target with regard to the affairs of the heart. She correctly saw the problem between Bingley and Jane, immediately saw through the bold brazen stories of Wickham [cheeky, rat bastard], and saw very plainly that Darcy was interested in Elizabeth. So, we need to respect her opinions, examine her thoughts and feelings in regard to Mr. Collins. Do not shudder… that’s not nice. Let Charlotte explain the many facets of Mr. Collins and I defy you to see him in a different light.
Our author had a difficult time convincing me that Mr. Collins was- not- a- toad. I have read so many JAFF stories where he was simply horrid and I had to whitewash my brain cells in order to have a clean surface for her to paint a new picture of him. Aaaaaah, and now I feel really bad. I liked him. Her creation/portrait of Mr. Collins was a totally different person than we are accustomed to experiencing.
As we look at Collins, we are seeing him through Charlotte’s eyes and her perspective. I liked her thoughts and conclusions about him as she watched his actions and everyone that interacted with him. She was very wise in her thinking and her appraisal… and… I hate saying this… she had the right of it. Read this quick story and let our author change your mind in regard to Mr. Collins. I think Charlotte and he will do alright.
January 10, 2025
The reader will most surely agree with Charlotte when she said: "What had he just said?"
The author has given us her perspective of life in Jane Austen's time. Makes for a very interesting read about courting and societal expectations. It also will make you glad you did not live at that time.
The author has given us her perspective of life in Jane Austen's time. Makes for a very interesting read about courting and societal expectations. It also will make you glad you did not live at that time.
March 23, 2022
I am inclined to agree with Maria, Charlotte was a bit of a termagant in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2022
3.5* rounded up to 4*
A sweet short novella focussed on Charlotte and how she came to accept Mr Collins.
A sweet short novella focussed on Charlotte and how she came to accept Mr Collins.
March 29, 2025
ah, Charlotte Lucas' perspective! but how did Elizabeth not know about Roger???
September 28, 2015
Not Romantic
Maria has done another wonderful job with a character I simply find ludicrous, Mr. Collins. It begins with Charlotte remembering an amiable man from her youth and her mother trying to match her with Mr. Bingley. I enjoyed how Maria filled in the missing parts of Pride and Prejudice that show what attracted Mr. Collins to Charlotte. I actually felt a little sorry for him, which I thought was an impossibility. Maria makes Mr. Collins seem human.
I received the book as a gift from the author.
Maria has done another wonderful job with a character I simply find ludicrous, Mr. Collins. It begins with Charlotte remembering an amiable man from her youth and her mother trying to match her with Mr. Bingley. I enjoyed how Maria filled in the missing parts of Pride and Prejudice that show what attracted Mr. Collins to Charlotte. I actually felt a little sorry for him, which I thought was an impossibility. Maria makes Mr. Collins seem human.
I received the book as a gift from the author.
November 28, 2015
Interesting Insight
I really have thought a lot about Charlotte's views on marriage. This version provided a different take on her position as well as a more favorable glimpse of Mr. Collins.
I really have thought a lot about Charlotte's views on marriage. This version provided a different take on her position as well as a more favorable glimpse of Mr. Collins.
November 16, 2015
This Pride and Prejudice variation is from the viewpoint of Charlotte Lucas up to the offer from Mr. Collins.
An enjoyable quick read.
An enjoyable quick read.
July 22, 2016
an unusual prespective
well done book. i enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more by the author. her style is very unique.
well done book. i enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more by the author. her style is very unique.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews