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Fire and Cross: Pride and Prejudice with a steamy mysterious twist
REVIEWS "Entertaining dialogue, behind-the-scenes intrigues and gossip fill the pages with a mystery to solve." 4 out of 5 --Vvb32 Reads "...beautifully crafted novel". "With its mysterious undertow and daring depictions of lovemaking ..., it pulls readers into its story." -- 5 stars, Tracey Parece --The Boston Romance Examiner "This tale is imaginative and diverting Austenesque escapism." "Wilson's writing easily draws in her readers with her adventurous plots and exhilarating conflicts." --Austenesque Reviews DESCRIPTION The combination of a lethal blaze and a garnet cross have ensured that ever since he was a boy, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s future is promised to an unknown lady. With danger looming from a suspected spy, and with murder close at hand, will Mr. Darcy cross paths with Elizabeth Bennet and win her affections? Mr. Darcy’s journey to overcome his pride and find eternal love in Pride and Prejudice takes on a mysterious twist. This sexy what-if story, told from Darcy’s viewpoint, explores the demands of family members and other involved parties. Fire and Cross takes this perennial favorite in another direction, bursting with overpowering emotion and surprising plot twists. This title contains explicit adult content, mud, whip and macaroons.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
15 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Enid Wilson
36 books53 followersAuthor of The Angel Sees Grey, Prince Darcy's Private Eye, My Darcy Pulsates..., Headstrong Girls, Clairvoyeur, Honor and Integrity, The Spinster's Vow, My Darcy Vibrates, Every Savage Can Reproduce, My Darcy Mutates, Fire and Cross, Really Angelic, Bargain with the Devil and In Quest of Theta Magic, writer of sexy and erotic romance, be it modern, historical, paranormal or science fiction.
Enid loves sexy romance. Her writing career began with a daily newspaper, writing educational advice for students. She then branches out into writing marketing materials and advertising copies.
Enid’s novels received several top reviews and have been ranked in the top 10 best-selling romances in Amazon worldwide.
Enid loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at enid.wilson28@yahoo.com.au or www.steamydarcy.com
Enid loves sexy romance. Her writing career began with a daily newspaper, writing educational advice for students. She then branches out into writing marketing materials and advertising copies.
Enid’s novels received several top reviews and have been ranked in the top 10 best-selling romances in Amazon worldwide.
Enid loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at enid.wilson28@yahoo.com.au or www.steamydarcy.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 28, 2018
The basic idea here has multiple problems … a gift of a garnet cross to an infant with the idea that a betrothal was established – and unknown to anyone other than Mr. Darcy and the infant. How did Mr. Darcy think his son would locate the girl when she was older? What if Darcy never meets Elizabeth? What if he meets her but she isn’t wearing the cross? What if she marries someone else before they meet? What if … what if … what if …
Poor planning on old Mr. Darcy’s part!
But if we can accept the flawed premise … we still have only mediocre writing and a meller-drammer of a plot.
Thanks to my friend for the loan of the book. I’m very glad not to have paid for this one.
Poor planning on old Mr. Darcy’s part!
But if we can accept the flawed premise … we still have only mediocre writing and a meller-drammer of a plot.
Thanks to my friend for the loan of the book. I’m very glad not to have paid for this one.
July 12, 2015
I am always willing to give a try to a Pride and Prejudice "homage" or a continuation with the original characters. This one was disappointing and I did not finish it.
I like to think that I am a reasonable sort of reader, and that I give a fair shot to authors in terms of taking beloved characters [P&P is my favourite book] and sending them in a new direction, so I feel like I went into this with an open mind. I am also open to expanding the characters and their storylines - for example a few of the P&P sequels I've read have had scenes with Elizabeth and Darcy being intimate. When these were handled tactfully and within the writing style and mores of the time, I was fine with that.
This book, unfortunately, broke what is probably my one hard-and-fast rule about sequels/homages - you don't make the characters say or do things they just wouldn't have said or done based on how the original story was set up.
Virtually every character does things I just did not buy within the first few chapters, and without giving spoilers, I can't really be more specific. But the personalities of these character have some foundational givens, and to have not just one, but almost ALL of them doing things that made me go: "WHAAAAAT?!" is just not going to work for me.
I love these characters, and even though I didn't write them, I feel proprietary about them, so when an author goes WAYYYYY off the grid with what they do and say, I am going to have difficulties. By chapter five, I just couldn't read anymore about characters I feel I know going crazy. It would be like your best friend, whom you've known forever, suddenly showing up and being a totally different person, doing things you just can't fathom. This book just coloured way too far outside the lines, even for me.
I like to think that I am a reasonable sort of reader, and that I give a fair shot to authors in terms of taking beloved characters [P&P is my favourite book] and sending them in a new direction, so I feel like I went into this with an open mind. I am also open to expanding the characters and their storylines - for example a few of the P&P sequels I've read have had scenes with Elizabeth and Darcy being intimate. When these were handled tactfully and within the writing style and mores of the time, I was fine with that.
This book, unfortunately, broke what is probably my one hard-and-fast rule about sequels/homages - you don't make the characters say or do things they just wouldn't have said or done based on how the original story was set up.
Virtually every character does things I just did not buy within the first few chapters, and without giving spoilers, I can't really be more specific. But the personalities of these character have some foundational givens, and to have not just one, but almost ALL of them doing things that made me go: "WHAAAAAT?!" is just not going to work for me.
I love these characters, and even though I didn't write them, I feel proprietary about them, so when an author goes WAYYYYY off the grid with what they do and say, I am going to have difficulties. By chapter five, I just couldn't read anymore about characters I feel I know going crazy. It would be like your best friend, whom you've known forever, suddenly showing up and being a totally different person, doing things you just can't fathom. This book just coloured way too far outside the lines, even for me.
December 29, 2010
With four Pride and Prejudice related novels published in the last two years, it is unmistakably clear that Enid Wilson is an ardent fan of Jane Austen's beloved masterpiece. For those of you unfamiliar with Ms. Wilson's novels, they take Pride and Prejudice on an alternate course and are sometimes infused with paranormal elements or steamy rendezvouses. Whether battling demons, thwarting diabolical schemes, or escaping evil spells, Ms. Wilson always takes her readers on an engrossing, stimulating, and slightly twisted adventure with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
In Fire and Cross the story opens with Darcy's father promising his son (who is eight years old at the time) in marriage to an unknown baby girl in possession a garnet cross. At his father's deathbed many years later, Fitzwilliam Darcy learns that his father's final wish is for him to find the now young woman in possession of a garnet cross and honor the promise made by marrying her. His father's promise of marriage is a source of irritation and resentment for the fastidious and particular Fitzwilliam Darcy. Especially when he discovers that there are two women of his acquaintance in possession of a garnet cross and that neither of them a desirable match! Which woman owns the real cross and which one owns an imitation?
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
In Fire and Cross the story opens with Darcy's father promising his son (who is eight years old at the time) in marriage to an unknown baby girl in possession a garnet cross. At his father's deathbed many years later, Fitzwilliam Darcy learns that his father's final wish is for him to find the now young woman in possession of a garnet cross and honor the promise made by marrying her. His father's promise of marriage is a source of irritation and resentment for the fastidious and particular Fitzwilliam Darcy. Especially when he discovers that there are two women of his acquaintance in possession of a garnet cross and that neither of them a desirable match! Which woman owns the real cross and which one owns an imitation?
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
February 4, 2011
2.5 stars.a first reads giveaway.
The book was O.K. I liked the premise, 2 girls both have the same necklace, which one is the betrothed?! But the mystery is solved too quickly. I hoped that it would be drawn out a bit more. Her main characters flip flop too quickly and are way too forgiving. I really enjoyed her villains, I wish she'd pushed that envelope a little further too.
The book was O.K. I liked the premise, 2 girls both have the same necklace, which one is the betrothed?! But the mystery is solved too quickly. I hoped that it would be drawn out a bit more. Her main characters flip flop too quickly and are way too forgiving. I really enjoyed her villains, I wish she'd pushed that envelope a little further too.
February 6, 2011
This was an awesome take on Pride and Prejudice. It has Darcy promised as a child to Eliza before she was even old enough to walk. Wickham is on the run for being a thief and not with Lydia. Kitty is away with Mrs. Bennet learning to be proper ladies. Mrs. Bingley has degraced herself and may have to marry Mr. Collins because of and in-discretion. All and all a great read for fans of P&P.
January 9, 2012
Fire and Cross, penned by Enid Wilson, begins with a fire spreading at an inn that the Darcy family is staying in. Darcy’s father awakens to find himself in the midst of the flames, unable to reach his wife and son. As he searches for a way to get to them, a man convinces him that he must get out of the inn, promising that he will go back in for his wife and son if Mr. Darcy will watch his infant daughter. Mr. Darcy agrees, and while holding the daughter offers up a promise to God; if his family is saved his son’s hand in marriage will belong to this baby girl. As a token of the promise he tucks a garnet cross (pictured on the cover) into her blankets. The unknown man eventually makes it out of the inn with Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Darcy in tow right before Mr. Darcy collapses. Years later at his deathbed, the elder Mr. Darcy informs Fitzwilliam of his promise and asks as his dying wish that he find this individual (who is now old enough to be a young woman) and marry her. Although he wishes no ill will towards his father and would like to carry out this wish, he finds himself rather annoyed when he discovers that two women he is acquainted with possess a garnet cross. To make matters worse, neither one meets his standards of a suitable mate (as if anyone would with his pride!) One of these women is the sister of his best friend Charles Bingley, and the other a Miss Elizabeth Bennet, whom he can’t seem to get out of his mind. How will he figure out who is telling the truth and who is lying? Will Darcy sort all of this out and get his heart’s affairs in order?
While the concept of the book was creative, intriguing, and interesting, I thought that some of the character changes were a bit much. Without a doubt, Caroline Bingley was changed to a displeasing extreme. I can’t reveal too much of the changes, as it would uncover pivotal pieces in the plot, but suffice it to say the Caroline Bingley of Fire and Cross is a far cry from what I’d ever expect of her.
Not all character changes were bad however. I found it humorous that Mr. Bennet helped Darcy steal moments with Elizabeth throughout the book. Once Darcy realizes that Mr. Bennet is the man responsible for saving his family’s life all those years ago, a strong affection builds between the two. Mr. Bennet senses the attraction between Elizabeth and Darcy, and is only too happy to help in Darcy’s arduous journey to win Elizabeth’s heart. I found this twist to be an entirely enjoyable one which afforded me an opportunity to get to know Mr. Bennet’s humor better.
Romance fans abound will be pleased with the intimacy of Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. They have multiple encounters that serve to create strong attractions between the pair. Stolen walks and carriage rides through the surrounding estates help build their relationship to a point of deep intimacies. Austen purists will probably not enjoy these interludes, hence my forewarning. Despite this, fans open to exploring new paths with Darcy and Elizabeth will delight in Wilson’s retelling of the tale of our beloved couple.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-JV
While the concept of the book was creative, intriguing, and interesting, I thought that some of the character changes were a bit much. Without a doubt, Caroline Bingley was changed to a displeasing extreme. I can’t reveal too much of the changes, as it would uncover pivotal pieces in the plot, but suffice it to say the Caroline Bingley of Fire and Cross is a far cry from what I’d ever expect of her.
Not all character changes were bad however. I found it humorous that Mr. Bennet helped Darcy steal moments with Elizabeth throughout the book. Once Darcy realizes that Mr. Bennet is the man responsible for saving his family’s life all those years ago, a strong affection builds between the two. Mr. Bennet senses the attraction between Elizabeth and Darcy, and is only too happy to help in Darcy’s arduous journey to win Elizabeth’s heart. I found this twist to be an entirely enjoyable one which afforded me an opportunity to get to know Mr. Bennet’s humor better.
Romance fans abound will be pleased with the intimacy of Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. They have multiple encounters that serve to create strong attractions between the pair. Stolen walks and carriage rides through the surrounding estates help build their relationship to a point of deep intimacies. Austen purists will probably not enjoy these interludes, hence my forewarning. Despite this, fans open to exploring new paths with Darcy and Elizabeth will delight in Wilson’s retelling of the tale of our beloved couple.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-JV
March 1, 2011
A sexy version of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view, with a mystery woven in. Overall I enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind checking out some of Enid Wilson's other P&P books.
February 26, 2012
A sexy version of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view, with a mystery woven in. Overall I enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind checking out some of Enid Wilson's other P&P books.
April 11, 2020
This one was OK but seemed a little flat to me as I read.
November 29, 2013
The combination of a lethal blaze and a garnet cross have ensured that ever since he was a boy, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s future is promised to an unknown lady. With danger looming from a suspected spy, and with murder close at hand, will Mr. Darcy cross paths with Elizabeth Bennet and win her affections?
Mr. Darcy’s journey to overcome his pride and find eternal love in Pride and Prejudice takes on a mysterious twist. This sexy what-if story, told from Darcy’s viewpoint, explores the demands of family members and other involved parties. Fire and Cross takes this perennial favorite in another direction, bursting with overpowering emotion and surprising plot twists.
Warning: The book contains explicit adult content.
Mr. Darcy’s journey to overcome his pride and find eternal love in Pride and Prejudice takes on a mysterious twist. This sexy what-if story, told from Darcy’s viewpoint, explores the demands of family members and other involved parties. Fire and Cross takes this perennial favorite in another direction, bursting with overpowering emotion and surprising plot twists.
Warning: The book contains explicit adult content.
February 8, 2013
Birthday Book 2013
October 17, 2011
Fun and silly. Read it in one sitting. Better than her other two books based on P&P.
February 18, 2013
The book is very readable and incredibly fast paced. It is like a time condensed version of Pride and Prejudice with at least three new subplots added.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews