A Very Austen Christmas in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017

Nov 25, 2017 Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pride-and-prejudice, historical-romance, arc, 2017-reads, 2017-austenesque-lovers-challenge

4.5 stars!

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway at Of Pens and Pages.

A Very Austen Christmas is a wonderful collection of novellas about our favorite Austen characters. It’s whimsical, sweet, and entertaining—everything I want in a holiday read. I’ve only read the first three stories because I don’t usually read JAFF (Jane Austen Fan Fiction) that is not Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion. Among the three I’ve read, I think my favorite is The Matchmaker’s Christmas since the story featured not just Mr ...more

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Nov 15, 2017 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars

Deciding to read this anthology was an easy decision. When I would get to it was another matter. I have read and enjoyed these authors and since I love P&P variations most of all, the fact that 3 out of the four were P&P variations was just another reason to read this. Then the review Claudine wrote on her blog pushed the matter...and surprise...I received a copy as a gift!

The story description gives you an idea of what is going on at Christmas time. But in the fir 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars

Deciding to read this anthology was an easy decision. When I would get to it was another matter. I have read and enjoyed these authors and since I love P&P variations most of all, the fact that 3 out of the four were P&P variations was just another reason to read this. Then the review Claudine wrote on her blog pushed the matter...and surprise...I received a copy as a gift!

The story description gives you an idea of what is going on at Christmas time. But in the first story we meet a new man...who acts as if he has "dibs" on Elizabeth's affections. A friend from child hood one has to wonder at this man's ability to judge characters. We know he is intelligent due to the profession he works. But to me he came across as very controlling and if you don't fall into line he seems like one who might use emotional, if not physical, abuse to straighten you out. And you know that the other man has to be Darcy.

The fact that the parsonage is off-limits to most people due to a quarantine makes the circumstances at Rosings even more edgy. Lock your doors, ladies. Oh, and Anne reveals herself to have opinions and knows how to do more than just sit and listen. I liked this Anne. Read and find out where is the ever pushy Lady C.

The second story brings Aunt Jane into the picture. Is this our author or a relative we have not read of before. The author brings Emma to Netherfield as she IS related to the owners. And true to form Emma has her own idea of who is perfect for whom...will she succeed or will the players see for themselves who is their perfect match. Laura knows how to write some amusing and unpredictable tales. I did like how this played out.

Wendi's story involves a seemingly deserted Meryton but when Darcy has to investigate he finds a situation which He cannot walk away from. Elizabeth is wearing herself to the bone trying to take care of people and do chores to provide that care. And the fact that Christmas is approaching demands that Elizabeth prepare for the season. I liked so much how things are managed here and our characters are not above pitching in and doing what must be done. You just have to love Darcy and know how he will react when he sees a lady doing what he knows must be done if you are in charge of an estate - even a small one like Longbourn.

The last story has us at Mansfield Park and Edmund's parsonage, Thornton Abbey. Edmund wants to propose and he knows that he needs the right words, the right setting and some privacy. This story tells us how at the holiday times and with a number of people and Christmas plans to accommodate finding a way to have those appropriate desires in place can be just a little challenge.

This book was perfect in that with four separate stories I could read one tale and then put it down to take care of matters that are demanding my own times. I enjoyed all four and recommend this book to others. The cover is so lovely. ...more

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Jan 27, 2018 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen, pride-and-prejudice, mansfield-park

Matchmaking, Mistletoe, and Christmas Magic with Jane Austen’s Characters!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I’ve enjoyed so many Austen-Inspired anthologies these past few years and yet, I still beg for more! 😉 I was elated when I saw the authors featured in this collection; I’ve read and loved several works by each author, and I know they are one talented and imaginative group! In addition, I love that this anthology features stories set during the Christmas season – don’t you love seeing Jane Austen’s ...more

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Nov 12, 2017 Anna added it

Shelves: austenesque

When I heard that Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite were releasing the story anthology A Very Austen Christmas, I couldn’t wait to read it, having enjoyed novels from all of these ladies in the past. And I definitely was not disappointed with these delightfully sweet Christmas tales.

Robin Helm’s “Her Christmas Gift” brings Elizabeth Bennet to Rosings for Christmas, where she is reunited with Mr. Darcy after he saved her family’s reputation, as well as an old friend who ...more

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Nov 26, 2017 Les rated it really liked it

Shelves: ku, austenesque, holiday, not-released, austenesque2017

This is a collection of four JA what ifs that center around Christmas and of those the 3 regarding P&P have the added bonus of illness

The first is called Her Christmas Present by Robin Helm 2.5 stars I have previously read other works by the author which I felt were very meh. Yes there was one book I gave five stars mostly for novelty on concept but the entire series bored me and I skipped the final book in the series.

This is a story is a what if that asks what if Lady Catherine never went to L
This is a collection of four JA what ifs that center around Christmas and of those the 3 regarding P&P have the added bonus of illness

The first is called Her Christmas Present by Robin Helm 2.5 stars I have previously read other works by the author which I felt were very meh. Yes there was one book I gave five stars mostly for novelty on concept but the entire series bored me and I skipped the final book in the series.

This is a story is a what if that asks what if Lady Catherine never went to Longbourn and Darcy never got any 'hope' and not returning to Hertfordshire until Bingley's wedding. It takes place starting the day after Jane married Bingley, but Lizzy and Darcy hadn't reunited. I really didn't like this version of Lizzy she is almost unrecognizable and her thoughts are all over the place. First she will marry no one but Darcy, then she wants to be a governess, then she wants … Oh I don't know. Anyway she and Maria Lucas go to Rosings where Charlotte is going into confinement. During a visit to Rosings she seems to give Lady Catherine a heart attack and Mr. Collins falls ill at the Parsonage so the ladies have to stay at Rosings.

Then a bunch of stuff happens including Darcy showing up with the Doctor who is the son of Meryton's apothecary Mr. Jones and Lizzy's childhood playmate and apparently another of Lizzy's thwarted suitors. So there is like all this tension and all this talking that really accomplishes nothing. And Lizzy is just a twat, when Lady Catherine refuses to have her in her rooms Lizzy gets all like “well I'll go back to Longbourn, even thought she didn't come there for Lady C she came there for Charlotte.

And Darcy's like super nice and Lizzy's like super misunderstanding and is just convinced he could never love her and it drags on and on and on Long past about a dozen places it could have stopped. I would turn the page, Kindle style at the end of several chapters and think this must be 'The End' only to have more stupid stuff happen.

The second is The Matchmaker's Christmas By Laura Hile a begrudgenly awarded 2 stars.
There is a saying “less is more” and in this story “More is less” or “More is a mess”

Honestly in my mind this story is just a hot mess. It takes 3 separate and interesting ideas and mashes them together which makes all 3 just weird. One is that There is an almighty guardian in all of the characters lives and that is a mysterious and omnipresent Aunt Jane Austen. This is an interesting if not a little blasphemous idea. Aunt Jane can change your life by simply erasing things and having you start over. That is indeed interesting but also profoundly confusing as things seem to happen then 'unhappen' . That concept would be enough for a really long book but the author then has 'Aunt Jane' send Emma, Miss Bates and Thomas Bertram to Netherfield the morning after the ball carrying an invitation from Bingley but Bingley has been packed off to London by Darcy and Miss Bingley is trying to close up the house. Then Miss Elizabeth shows up to search for a missing bracelet and then Miss Bingley is discovered to have contracted the mumps oh and Bingley returns oh and the eldest Bennets end up quarantined at Netherfield with the rest of the people. And then so much goes on that is real, isn't real, is a glimpse at the future, people coming and going. It is just like stream of consciousness. Amid this chaos Lizzy and Darcy fall in love.

No Better Gift Wendi Sotis. 5 stars

This is a simple, well plotted story, Darcy recalls during his trip to Pemberley for Christmas that he neglected to retrieve a gift for Georgiana from Netherfield and decides to stop at Meryton on his way home. In three weeks something awful has happened to the village. The stores are closed the streets are empty and no one will attend him. He heads to Netherfield and learns there is an outbreak of Pox, Chicken Pox and Miss Elizabeth Bennet and a few servants are using Netherfield as a hospital. He Immediately turns into Master of Pemberley and gets to work helping and opening Lizzy's eyes to his true good qualities. In a short bit of time they are in love, engaged and soon to be married.

The fourth is based upon Mansfield Park. ...more

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Dec 06, 2017 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen-austenesque, holiday-romances, historical-romance

A collection of novellas centered around Jane Austen's stories and the holidays? Yes, please!

Her Christmas Gift by Robin Helm
Her Christmas Gift is a sweet follow-up variation story for Pride & Prejudice. Elizabeth journeys back into Kent to help Charlotte when she delivers her baby. A series of events leaves her staying at Rosings and Mr. Darcy now in attendance of his aunt along with a rival for Elizabeth's affections.
Heartwarming story of Christmas traditions, togetherness, and second chances. A collection of novellas centered around Jane Austen's stories and the holidays? Yes, please!

Her Christmas Gift by Robin Helm
Her Christmas Gift is a sweet follow-up variation story for Pride & Prejudice. Elizabeth journeys back into Kent to help Charlotte when she delivers her baby. A series of events leaves her staying at Rosings and Mr. Darcy now in attendance of his aunt along with a rival for Elizabeth's affections.
Heartwarming story of Christmas traditions, togetherness, and second chances. I think my favorite part was this lively and assertive Anne along with the tender scenes between Darcy and Elizabeth.

The Matchmaker's Christmas by Laura Hile
Ha! It was like a case of Twelfth Night antics meshed with a mash-up of Austen novels. Darcy and Lizzy were the main characters and were at their misunderstood and misunderstanding best. But then a strong winter storm brings to Netherfield several fun characters from two other Austen stories. Lovely comedy of errors with quite the dreamy dream scene. Laughter and a little swooning might have occurred occurred.

No Better Gift by Wendi Sotis
A variation that starts after the Bingleys and Darcy left Netherfield has a touching story of Darcy returning to find Elizabeth burdened with the care of those who've contracted a communicable illness in the neighborhood. His solicitous and humble care teach her that she may have gotten him all wrong and teach him that family pride and status are not all he should consider in a lady.
One of my favorite Christmas reads this season.

Mistletoe At Thornton Lacey by Barbara Cornthwaite
Tender and happy holiday and family-centered Mansfield Park sequel that fills in the circumstances of Edmund Bertram's dawning romantic ideas for Fanny Price. A little humor, matchmaking, the unexpected, and a kissing bough had me smiling with pleasure for this shorter piece. It will be a story I come back to another Christmas season or two, I think.

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better collection of stories to highlight the mood and sense of the holidays, bring out lovely what ifs and sequels to Jane Austen's stories, and showcase a talented team of writers who are all pretty much auto-buy for me at this point. Austenesque fans, do yourselves a favor and grab up this holiday gem. ...more

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Nov 20, 2017 Teresita rated it it was amazing

Wonderful collection of Christmas Stories

All are great,but my favorite is No Better Gift. I melted! This is a highly recommended book, really worthwhile. You will love it!

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Feb 10, 2019 writer... rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-themed, i-spy-2019, christmas, newtomeauthors, inspy, alphabet-soup-author-2019, a-z-reading-challenge, british-books-challenge, a-z-titles-2019, travel-the-world-in-books

Unexpected twists and characterizations add to each author's interpretations of familiar JA figures. Humour a delight. ...more

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Dec 09, 2020 ana darcy rated it really liked it

Shelves: jaff

Nice short stories

"Pride and prejudice" characters are the ones in most of the stories, but we have also Fanny Price and Edmund Bertram.

...more

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Jan 20, 2019 Mary rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2019

An set of stories all based on love and Valentine's Day. I really enjoyed the two Persuasion based tales. ...more

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Dec 04, 2021 Marlene marked it as to-read

Shelves: own-kindle, christian, jaff

Free today!

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Jan 20, 2018 Suzan Lauder rated it liked it

Shelves: jaff-regency, slow-sections-but-makes-up-for-it, humour

2 at 3.5 stars sandwich 2 at 5 stars.

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Dec 09, 2018 Chelsea marked it as to-read

Shelves: historical-romance, anthologies, regency, austenesque-i-own-tbr, austenesque-holiday-books

Her Christmas Gift by Robin Helm
Her Christmas Gift was a very fun story and I enjoyed seeing how Elizabeth and Darcy grew closer while getting ready for Christmas at Rosings. I also liked Elizabeth's childhood friend Thomas when he was first introduced however the more we got to know him the less I liked him.

The Christmas Matchmaker by Laura Hile

No Better Gift by Wendi Sotis

Mistletoe at Thornton Lacey by Barbara Cornthwaite ...more

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