Austen Tea Party: A Historical Romance Collection for Charity Inspired by Jane Austen

by Christina Alexandra, Catherine Bilson, Angela Breen

Take care not to spill the tea (literally) while we share the latest on-dit (aka dish the dirt) about the Ton, who is courting, and who has been compromised in this collection of Austen-inspired romance stories.

Join us for a turn around the room in stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors curated by the New Romance Café featuring cameos from some of Jane’s most memorable characters (and some we’d like to forget). ALL proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Day We Fell in Love by Tabetha Waite
The Secret to Swooning by Charlie Lane
The Journal by Catherine Bilson
No Sense, No Sensibility by Cecilia Rene
The Surgeon’s Second Chance by Alexa Santi
The Baron of Twisted Tree Inn by Catherine Stein
The Matchmaker’s Niece by Anja Raney
The Leys Priory by Clyve Rose
Of Granite and Gardens by Carrie DiRisio
Georgiana Darcy’s Quest for Love by TL Clark
Listen to Your Heart – A Persuasion Variation by Debra-Ann Kummoung
Colonel Fitzwilliam Meets His Match by Sharon Michalove
The Triumph of Anne Elliott by Deborah E Pearson
The Love Line by Christina Alexandra
Unexpected Joys by Angela Kady
Jilted by Bianca White
Lies and Liabilities by Michaela Brent
The Viscount Is Mine by Tanya Wilde
An Uncommon Gentleman by Gabbi Grey
The Bookseller by Kenna Campbell

524 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Christina Alexandra is a romance writer from Southern California. Always on the lookout for an adventure, she has worked many different jobs including both medical and veterinary offices, music teacher, law enforcement instructor, service dog puppy raiser, emergency grief counselor, coroner's assistant and, currently, an emergency services operator.

Christina writes stories set in Georgian and Regency England and credits her varied experiences as the foundation from which she builds true-to-life characters and emotional stories with a unique twist on modern issues. When not researching, writing or working, Christina spends her spare time travelling, cooking—oftentimes with a historical flare—and connecting with fans and friends on social media.

An avid trivia junkie, she is constantly on the lookout for random facts in the hopes that it will help her in her never ending quest for a spot on “Jeopardy!”

You can connect with Christina online as @AuthorChrisAlex on facebook, twitter, instagram, and pinterest.

Reviews

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of these stories are only very loosely Austen-adjacent, starring mainly original characters while Austen characters have small cameo roles. Many of them would work perfectly well without tying it to Austen. Anthologies tend to be a bit uneven, and this one is too, with a few gems and other stories that were a bit bland. My favourites were Catherine Stein and Charlie Lane.

In Tabetha Waite's story Lucy Shaw is getting wooed by a stranger and it's not entirely clear why. He is a baronet named Sir Aaron Doyle but instead of Sir Aaron, he gets called Sir Doyle which rubbed me the wrong way.

Charlie Lane's story was a fun account of a young woman whose mother instructs her on the art of swooning but they differ regarding whose arms she should be swooning on. Lady Catherine de Bourgh makes an appearance.

Catherine Bilson's story is an interlude about Darcy who realizes at Netherfield that Elizabeth is not wild about him and decides to do something about it. No HEA yet but seems like they're getting there.

In Cecilia Rene's story there is a wedding to come shortly but the bride is fed up because the groom has made himself scarce lately. It was never explained to my satisfaction why he wrote no letters.

Alexa Santi's story is about a navy surgeon who has been shy about taking a wife.

Catherine Stein's story was a hilarious epistolary account in which the heroine gets snowbound with a gothic baron character, most certainly villainous.

Anja Raney's story is a vignette about a ball in which people think about matchmaking but things work out OK without excessive meddling.

Clyve Rose gives us the story of Eleanor Tilney and how she found happiness. Some parts of this were a little confusing to me.

Carrie Dirisio's story has the Darcys and Lady Catherine playing minor roles while a couple involved in the war efforts finds each other. TL Clark, Sharon Michalove, and Angela Kady describe Georgiana's, Colonel Fitzwilliam's and Catherine Bennet's quests for love, respectively.

Debra-Ann Kummoung and Deborah Pearson have written Persuasion variations with rather similar plotlines in which Anne realizes how selfishly her family members act and doesn't let herself be persuaded to give Wentworth up.

Christina Alexandra's, Bianca White's and Tanya Wilde's stories all have a couple resolving their past misunderstandings. Michaela Brent's story is a married at first glance story about a man who was scarred in the war and his late friend's sister. Kenna Campbell wrote about a woman who fell for the bookseller.

The steam level is kissing, for the most part, but Gabbi Grey's story features a sex scene between two males.

I received a booksprout copy and this is a voluntary review.

[mmreads430 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Uncommon Gentleman by Gabbi Grey, the only MM offering in this collection, portrays an interracial relationship between two men who are transitioning from life at sea to country life when one of them, John, inherits his uncle’s title and estate. I enjoyed this story of a gentle but unconsummated love which is allowed to fully bloom as they assume their new positions of lord of the manor and his valet in a highly structured Austenian household. The subtle play here of age gap, rank and its power dynamic and a limited freedom of expression transforms as the locus moves from a naval ship to a country house -- the latter, ironically, offering more freedom rather than less. Due to the brevity of the story we are not given much more than a brief glimpse at this smoldering passion between John and Philip that burns from a quiet and deep love, but its heat promises a future of contented happiness for these two men. Austen valued mutual attraction far more than rank or money, so I think she would have approved.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the short stories. 20 of them that produces exciting extended tales of books we all know. A lot of connection to Pride and Prejudice. suspensive, entertaining, Love, Romance with different levels of spice, with HEAs. Defiantly a Book for many levels of Readers to have when out waiting at the doctors office, sitting at the beach to read a quick story while bathing in the sun, or watching the kids play in the back yard and would like to read a story to pass the time. Great book to take to a senior center to read them a short story. I love that All proceeds from the sale of the book go to Breast Cancer Research.

I admit MY favorite parts were a different version of Pride and prejudice. I just couldn't stop reading.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BookishMya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of Jane Austen and having some of my favourite authors give their spin on her style was delightful. The first story I read was Charlie Lane’s ‘The Secret to Swooning’, a great tutorial on how to nab your dream beau. Everette is the perfect cinnamon roll (Lane’s specialty), a rogue brought to heel by the love of the right girl. One kiss is all it took for this former rake to mend his ways and he has spent the past year being the genteel friend, supporting her above all others. Ann is the typical dutiful daughter, setting aside her happiness for her parent’s ideal. One misdirected swoon changes all in the most wonderful way. This was the perfect little appetizer for a delightful day. Fills you with all the Austenesque glow and contentment.

[JenReviews4U · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars just because it is a big anthology and those are just so great because it gives you a little bit of everything. Also props that the proceeds go to breast cancer research.
There were so many new authors to me, but Charlie Lane and Tabitha Waite are favorites. All stories are supposed to reflect Jane Austen-like tendencies or themes and there were a few that were barely there on theme. Pride and Prejudice figures heavily in most stories. Steam is mostly just kissing in all stories except for Gabbi Grey's story which has M/M sex. Overall, so much to love here in these stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Sofia's Cowboy Romance Lovers and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this stories loosely based on Austen stories. Some were better then others but all were entertaining to read and I enjoyed them. Some were more Austeny then others but loved the time period. Many were new authors so enjoyed learning and reading their stories and writing. And enjoyed the different characters portrayed in each story and seeing how they played out.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout and the New Romance Cafe for a copy of this anthology and this is my freely given opinion.

I have not read all the short stories in this series, but about half of them and have found them to be an enjoyable set of short romances that have links to a variety of Jane Austen's beloved stories and characters. They are all only a few minutes reads, and most of what I have read have been on the sweet side, but with hints of steam, and many hinting strongly at an HEA. There are many authors here I am familiar, with several that I am not, so it was pleasant to discover a few new authors. There is also a little bot for everyone, including of the stories I have read so far an MM romance, and interracial romance.

Especially considering this is an anthology that raises money for breast cancer research, I feel that you cannot go wrong with it. They are short little bonbons of romantic entertainment, so don't expect deeply drawn out plots, intrigues, or characters, but they are perfect little bits to enjoy during a few minutes break with a nice hot cup of tea.

4 stars out of 5

[Dana McKee NOLA504NERDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun collection of historical romances! I loved the cameo appearances from beloved Jane Austen characters. Each story was unique in its own way. I usually read books with steam in them. These stories don’t but that wasn’t a bad thing. They were all so super sweet and interesting. There’s suspense, grumpy sunshine, age gap, MM, HEA, HFN, and other genres. There’s a little bit of everything in this anthology, making it easy to appease different readers. Each story is well-written and full of love, entertainment, and well-developed characters. Thank you to DS Promotions for gifting me this broadly entertaining collection in exchange for an honest review.

5 Sweet Stars!
NOLA504Nerds

[Julie Embleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austen Tea Party serves up a feast of twenty short stories by a collection of wonderful authors who capture the essence of Austen in their tales. With some familiar characters appearing, and others who played secondary roles, there’s a great mix of familiar and new, some more Austen-inspired than others. Amongst my favourites were The Baron of Twisted Tree by Catherine Stein, Georgiana Darcy’s Quest for Love by TL Clark, and Colonel Fitzwilliam Meets his Match by Sharon Michalove. With all proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, this one’s a no-brainer. A great way to discover new authors in the historical fiction genre.

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this collection of short stories that are inspired by Jane Austen's characters. Most are tame in the spice sense but there were a few that had some spice and it worked so well with the stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Sofia's Cowboy Romance Lovers and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austen Tea Party is a collection of Jane Austen inspired short stories. Brought together by some very talented authors for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I enjoyed reading each story from some new to me authors and look forward to reading more from them. If you are person who loves Jane Austen books this is the collection for you.

[Read.Review.Repeat Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austen Tea Party is a collection of Jane Austen inspired short stories. Brought together by some very talented authors for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I enjoyed reading each story from some new to me authors and look forward to reading more from them. If you are person who loves Jane Austen books this is the collection for you.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love how these short stories are written! I think each author did a fantastic job at writing their stories with the inspiration of Jane Austen. Each story had me eager to read the next one, I don’t think there was a single one I was disappointed with.- Elizabeth

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this collection of Jane Austen inspired stories some with a stammering of Austen characters. All the stories were wonderfully written and a joy to read.

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet collection of historical romances. I especially enjoyed The Surgeon's Second Chance by Alexa Santi. John and Letty are reunited after ten years apart. I enjoyed this book.

[RoseyLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories inspired by Jane Austen? Yes please! I just can't get enough of Jane Austen and this delightful collection of stories really hit the spot!

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining and interesting read. With a lot of new authors, for me. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Tracy Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading anthology. All the stories are interesting and enjoyable to read.
I liked all the characters and kept my interest. It's well written and some good storyline.