The Three Colonels: Jane Austen's Fighting Men (Jane Austen's Fighting Men, #1) in Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge

Apr 03, 2012 Maria Grazia rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2012, austen-inspired

Jack Caldwell contributes a male outlook onto Jane Austen World. His The Three Colonels – Jane Austen Fighting Men is sequel to "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice". It also includes characters from other major novels as well as new ones. What Jane Austen had not even hinted at – the Napoleonic Wars – Jack Caldwell brings forward in his brilliant tale set in one of England’s most challenging moments .

Bonaparte, prisoner in Elba, succeeds in escaping and marches on Paris . King Louis Jack Caldwell contributes a male outlook onto Jane Austen World. His The Three Colonels – Jane Austen Fighting Men is sequel to "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice". It also includes characters from other major novels as well as new ones. What Jane Austen had not even hinted at – the Napoleonic Wars – Jack Caldwell brings forward in his brilliant tale set in one of England’s most challenging moments .

Bonaparte, prisoner in Elba, succeeds in escaping and marches on Paris . King Louis flees the country and Bonaparte declares himself Emperor of the French Republic. It is war again and the country is not ready. Lord Wellington needs his best men and they must urgently answer the dreaded call.

Colonel Brandon will have to answer that call, for example. He has long been inactive and is now a very happy husband to Marianne and proud father of a baby girl, Joy. He is one of the few officers Lord Wellington trusts in his enterprise to stop Bonaparte once and forever. Useless to say Willoughby comes back on hearing Marianne is alone at Delaford Manor …

Colonel John Buford , a new fascinating character, with the reputation of being a libertine entertaining married ladies, meets, wooes and marries Caroline Bingley. She was rude, grasping, selfish and cold, but love can do magic. When she becomes Lady Buford she totally transforms herself into a generous woman in love. At first she probably marries John Buford for his position and for his charm, while he marries Caroline for her good looks and her brilliant personality. But their mènage will be filled with intriguing, passionate and even highly dramatic moments.

Richard Fitzwilliam , since Lady Catherine De Bourgh has estranged her other nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, as her trustee at Rosings Parks and as her favourite elegible husband to her daughter Anne, is coping with the hard task to substitute his cousin in those duties. While he tries to save his Aunt’s property from total failure in a period of deep economic crisis, he realizes Anne’s health has greatly improved in the last years and she has gained energy and charm. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s new plans and affections will have a hard time since he has to leave for Belgium and meet other duties

Even Wickham’s regiment must join Wellington’s Army but he doesn’t like the idea of going to war. He hadn’t joined the army to fight in a war and he blames Darcy for his unfortunate destiny.

The historical scenario described by Jack Caldwell moves from London to Vienna for the 1815 Congress . He deals with politics but that doesn’t spoil the excitement and glamour of the social gatherings nor the author renounces to use the typical Austenesque light touch.

As Lady Beatrice Wellesley, cousin to Wellington, says to Caroline Bingley, now Lady Buford: “ It is far different from the London society or even the Court of St James. Here empires may rise or fall. Wars may break out or be ended. This world attracts a certain type of individual – hard clever people who are used to having their own way and know how to get it”

This novel was a delightful discovery . Different from other sequels I’ve read , yet in the trend of the Austenesque vogue, it champions love, loss, redemption, duty and war . It is a real page turner and a must-read for lovers of Austen - inspired novels and historical fiction.
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Apr 24, 2012 Jakki rated it it was amazing

Three cheers for The Three Colonels! Trading in post Civil War America for Regency England, Jack Caldwell delivers another memorable Austenesque romance.

At a time when each couple is getting their foothold on marriage and courting, our three colonels, Brandon, Fitzwilliam and Buford, are called to the Continent to stop Napoleon. With only their love and letters keeping them going, Marianne, Anne and Caroline prepare their hearts for the worst. All together, with the support of family and friend Three cheers for The Three Colonels! Trading in post Civil War America for Regency England, Jack Caldwell delivers another memorable Austenesque romance.

At a time when each couple is getting their foothold on marriage and courting, our three colonels, Brandon, Fitzwilliam and Buford, are called to the Continent to stop Napoleon. With only their love and letters keeping them going, Marianne, Anne and Caroline prepare their hearts for the worst. All together, with the support of family and friends, as well as immense help from the Darcys, our heroines find solace and are able to go about daily life.

I always enjoy it when Austenesque authors develop original characters. This time around, it is Colonel Sir John Buford. *sigh* Caldwell’s authorial tagline is, “It takes a real man to write historical romance.” Well, Mr. Caldwell must be the most manly man out there, because every word to Caroline that came out of Buford’s mouth had me weak in the knees. Don’t get me wrong, Buford still has his demons to slay and isn’t by any means perfect, but the way he treats Caroline is so romantic.

As much as it pains me to say it, I found myself liking Caroline and empathizing with her, just like I did with Jennifer Becton’s Caroline. In The Three Colonels, readers are given a reborn Caroline. While she may have realized people’s value doesn’t come from their social standings, Caroline still contains fire and spunk, and still delivers the cutting remarks for which she is so well-known; however, now those remarks are said in defense of those dear to her. It was also through events towards the end of the novel where Caroline truly proves herself a changed and better person.

Another one of Caldwell’s characters I enjoyed was Anne de Bourgh. Due to some measures on Mrs. Jenkinson’s part, Anne is no longer of a sickly constitution. She is feisty, intelligent, and has a backbone that would make Elizabeth Bennet proud. Not only is Anne changed, but Mr. Collins has changed in some regards as well, and I have to say it was a surprisingly nice change.

Similar to Mary Simonsen, Caldwell cleverly incorporates historical factoids into his work. It was as if I was being educated and entertained simultaneously. These nuggets of information were so well placed. They did not distract from the story, or make it seem boring. Rather, they enhanced the plot, making it richer and realer.

From the weak-in-the-knees romance, well-developed characterization and the historical tidbits, Caldwell gave me a novel I didn’t want to put down.
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Mar 22, 2012 Charlene rated it it was amazing

Well done Jack!! I loved this novel. It definitely had more testosterone with the 3 Colonels!! Before I started reading this book I read a few of the reviews on amazon and I'm a little surprised about the Caroline bashing. OK not really bashing but I thought the transformation was perfect. She gets her cumuppance and learns from it and becomes a better person. The story takes us though 3 different perpective, that of the 3 colonels. We get to see more of Col Fitzwilliam and I always thought him ...more

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