Elin's Reading list

[J. W.]

Adding to your list. I like your new picture.

[Elin]

Thank you ladies!
I was so set on being much more present in this group, this school year but I miscalculated how much extra time it would take when two of my children started new schools. Well, it seems to be settling down now. But when you have neurodiverse children, there is a lot of meetings and adjustments to be made. I'm happy to report that my second youngest, who has refused to go to school for the last three years, loves his new school. It was the right decision to move him to a special school where they are specialized on autists.
My youngest also have been diagnosed with autism (not surprising) and my fourth is being tested. It looks like it is four out of four... It is a good thing I took a autisme parenting class this spring.

Fortunately, there has been some time left for reading and writing, lol

SEPTEMBER:

98.
Savage Pride https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Book 1/2. Mafia modern PnP. Disappointing on the badass front, not much is happening. The framework of canon is there with some twists to the characters like "Wickham" is Darcy's brother which is giving me the ick since Luisa (Elizabeth) is liking both and then it got incestuous because Navio (Wickham) is Luisa's half-brother, yikes. Icky sexting scene.
Liked that ODC were childhood friends. Ended on a cliffhanger, got to read the next. Trigger warnings: attempted sexual assault. Reflection-heavy. 3.5*

99.
Silent Prejudice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Book 2/2 Mafia modern PnP.
Faster paced than book one with some surprising twists and turns. It still wasn't as thrilling as I would have expected from a mafia story. The trigger warning was up a notch for attempted sexual assault which I didn't like. Reflection-heavy. 4*

100.
The Savage Pride Duet: A Two-Book Collection: A Pride and Prejudice Mafia Retelling https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Companion to the first two books, Savage Pride from Zeno (Darcy's) POV. Fast-paced and thrilling. 4.5*

101.
The Peculiar Talent of Miss Elizabeth Bennet https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Elizabeth can see the future in her dreams. Romantic, thrilling, sweet. 5*

102.
Perilous Siege https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Timetravel. Elizabeth falls in love before Darcy trope. Leafed through the battles before McDunn from 2045 travel to Pemberley in 1809. Enters canon halfway through, with small alterations and a lot of rehash. An interesting twist to the Netherfield ball picks up the pace. Last 50 pages are to save the world. Unengaging, worthwhile but not a reread.
2.5*

103.
D&D by AA
Intimate 10 chapters, 25k I hope this one will be published.
5*

104.
Persuade Me https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
A modern, chaste Persuasion variation. Russian literature teacher Anna shared a summer fling with marinbiologist Rick before he moved to Australia and wrote a book about procreation in the sea. He is returning for a book signing tour. The reunion followed close to the framework of Canon. Well written and sweet variation without any major surprises.
Deducted 1* for bad formatting. Both thoughts and speech were marked with apostrophes rather than quotation marks, and there was no spacing to separate what was speech. There were no scene break marks to alert you that the story changed POV and location.
4*

105.
Unforgiveable : A Pride & Prejudice variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

106.
Cowboy Pride https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
A sweet, chaste Western variation where the Bennets ran a Saddle and boots shop. Jane and Bingley had their own interesting storyline. Darcy suited very well to be a cowboy. The author needs to hone her storytelling skills for it to be excellent. 4*

107.
Unforgiveable : A Pride & Prejudice variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

[Sheila]

Good progress, Elin. GOD bless you in caring for your special needs children. You are in my prayers. However, I only have Tinju and Embla listed on my prayer list. Who do I need to add?

[Anne]

So excited you have a new book, Elin. I’m glad your child likes the new school.

[Elin]

Sheila: My other two are named Ola and Kristian. For the longest time I thought Ola Wegner was a man, lol. I didn't know that it was also a female name.

Anne: Thank you so much!

[Adele]

You are pretty impressive! When my children were still at home I don’t think I got 6 books read in any year. Between office work, house work, taxi driving, helping at school and extra curricular functions, checking their homework, reading what they read so we could discuss it, and attempting to be present in a marriage there was little time for fun reading.

[J. W.]

Yay! Elin, so glad the new school is working out for your child. Blessings.

[Sam]

Elin, I am so glad to hear school is a more positive experience for you all this year.
You are incredible!

[Elin]

Adele: I have time to read because I rarely watch TV and spend a lot of time waiting in doctors offices ;)

Thank you, Jeanne and Sam <3

[Kirk]

Elin wrote: "Thank you ladies!
I was so set on being much more present in this group, this school year but I miscalculated how much extra time it would take when two of my children started new schools. Well, i..."

Yeah for some reading! Best wishes with your activities.

[Elin]

Thank you, Kirk!
Reading is a must for my sanity, lol

[Elin]

OCTOBER:

108:
Kiss Me Good Night, Major Darcy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Chaste, interesting WWII variation where the Bennet sisters worked at a hospital in London, and Darcy and Bingley were soldiers. The balance between the historical details and the story leaned towards the first.
The first proposal was clammy. Darcy was awkwardly pushy and Elizabeth was confusingly standoffish. Otherwise, an excellent read. 4*

109.
Rock Pride, Country Prejudice: A modern retelling https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Modern, music-themed variation set in Kentucky. Sweet, kept the framework of canon but changed the names. It was too predictable but a well-written, enjoyable read. 1. person. 4.25*

110.
Preludes: A Modern Persuasion Improvisation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
An interesting, music-themed modern Persuasion, impossible to rate. Finished despite a lot of unnecessary details and a massive sidetrack with William Elliot. Skimmed through a lot, yet I could not abandon it. Little interaction between the main couple. NRR

111.
Manipulation by Trixifan
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/11234669/1...
D manipulates E to marry him and give him an heir because he is dying. Need more meat on the bone. 9k, 5 chapters.

112.
Darcy's Days https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The epistolary form distance the reader and with a gazillion historical sidetracks, no dialogue, and little interaction between ODC, and Darcy with a lackadaisical attitude toward his natural daughter, I cannot fathom why I liked it the first time I read it, except for the excellent character study. NRR.

113.
An Accidental Holiday: A Pride and Prejudice Novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
A delightful, funny, and witty Christmas-themed book. The bonus epilogue as well, although it acquires a subscription to a newsletter. An excellent comfort read on a dreary day. RR 5+*

114.
An Idle Imposition: A Dr Hembury Mystery Book 1 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
A loosely PnP-inspired murder mystery set in the early 1900s. Well-written, engaging and ladled with witty banter. But should have come with trigger warnings, rape, paedophilia and incest and Elizabeth was one of the victims. NRR.

115.
Mr Darcy's Hallowe'en https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Kept my interest until the very dissatisfying end. No HEA, just an illusion to the original ending. 3.5*

[Craftyhj]

An interesting mix with thoughtful comments - well done

[Sam]

An assortment for your reading pleasure ;)

I notice you aren't posting your stats on writing this year.

[J. W.]

Great list. I need to check them out. Time, I need time. No, actually, I need to dust. No, I need a robot to dust, then I could read. HA! 📚📚📚

[Sheila]

Elin wrote: "OCTOBER:

108:
Kiss Me Good Night, Major Darcy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Chaste, interesting WWII variation where the Bennet sisters worked at a h..."

Great progress. Well done.

[Anne]

Great progress. Thank you for the warning about An Idle Imposition. Will not be reading.

I loved, loved, loved Preludes. Different strokes I guess.

I always enjoy your lists.

[Kirk]

Elin wrote: "OCTOBER:

108:
Kiss Me Good Night, Major Darcy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Chaste, interesting WWII variation where the Bennet sisters worked at a h..."

Great!!!

[Elin]

Thank you, ladies and gentleman, for your lovely (and funny) comments.
Craftyhj: Aw, thank you!
Sam: You are right. I started to question whether the group was interested or if it was me "forcing" my scribblings onto a reader group. I still perceive myself as a reader and do not want to ruin this lovely group with unwanted information.
Jeanne: LOL, I recommend a robot vacuum cleaner, I love mine.
Sheila: Thank you!
Anne: I struggled with Idle Imposition and I will not read the next book in this series. I don't have the stomach for it.
Kirk: Thank you!

I am bogged down in editing but manage to squeeze in a few books every month. OMG do I look forward to the day when I have "saved" all my stories posted on free sites from plagiarists. Hopefully, in time for a lazy summer :)

[Elin]

NOVEMBER:

116.
An Inducement into Matrimony: A Collection of Romantic Short Stories Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
#Sixteen days at Pemberley by Susan Adriani.
Lambton extended, no Wickham/Lydia debacle but Elizabeth throws a fit because her father is taking his family to the seaside in Kent, that felt weak as a plot twist. Narration-heavy, unengaging, lovely second proposal. 3*
#The Pleasure of Understanding her by Mary Smythe.
Paranormal, Darcy's migraines give him the ability to read minds. Lovely, romantic, and engaging. 5*
#The Hearts Consent by Paige Badgett.
A love triangle where E accepts a wealthy banker. Unbearably angsty when D searches the ballrooms of London for a wife. Unputdownable! 5*
# No Charm Equal by Jan Ashton.
Charming, romantic twist to Meryton with an early resolution. 5*
#United by Happenstance Gailis Ruth Caress.
Delightful romantic twist to the events following DHP. I admire the author's ability to write such lovely romance, sigh... 5*
#The First Moment of Their Acquaintance by Amy D'Orazio
Aw, the delightful Saye... A humorous tale unfolding in Meryton after the DHP. 5*
#Speaking the Truth by Nan Harrison
An inventive twist to the end of the Netherfield ball. 5*
#Duet in Dispute by Michelle Ray
Music-themed 1.person, enters with a spoiler prologue which has the undesired effect of stress reading to catch up. Weak and inconsistent plot. 3*
#What Might Have Been by Kay Bea.
The prologue did not induce me to keep reading. The Bennets of reduced circumstances due to Lydia's folly and a delayed resolution. 3*

117.
Elegant Etiquette in the Nineteenth Century https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Research 4.5*

118.
In Essentials: a Pride & Prejudice variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Reread. A FMS, badass Darcy, Elizabeth of elevated rank. 5*

119.
This Terrible Love
https://meryton.com/aha/index.php?/to...
Reread. I'm a sucker for punishment for rereading this book. Badass Darcy, the worst ever!!! Marriage of convenience trope, Darcy has a mistress. Loved it, unputdownable! 5*

120.
The Last Man in the World https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Reread. FMS, second chance, angsty, steamy, unputdownable! 5*

121.
Where Love Resides.
I don't usually reread my own books but this time it had a purpose. I need to choose what to publish next but it will not be this one. With a little tweaking and a lot of editing, it could be a Christmas story.

122.
Diversions and Desires: A Steamy, Sensual, Intimate Variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
An inventive intimate variation. The author knows exactly when to push and when to hold back. Well written. 5*

123.
Her Last Words : A Pride And Prejudice Reimagination https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Sweet story where Mrs Bennet is a ghost who haunts Mr Darcy. Enters after DHP 4*

124.
Killing Mr. Darcy: A story of seduction, Jane Austen, and murder. Literature can get messy… https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Freebie. This is not a variation but a thriller about a deranged young girl and a mentally ill man. It will not remove prejudices against those who struggle with schizophrenia or phsycosis... I hated it. Emma talks to Jane Austen and meet a man who she thinks resembles Darcy. The book evolves around who is going to kill who and one of them succeeds. 1*

125.
Two Components, a (crazy) contemporary PnP action adventure and my next revising/editing project.

126.
Bred by Berserkers by Lee Savino.
Freebie. A gift for signing up for the newsletter.
I kind of suspected that this had nothing to do with Berserkers, and it didn't. It is a weird intimate story. Meh...

127.
An Unwavering Trust https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Reread. Unputdownable marriage of convenience/Darcy resue Elizabeth story. Mr D sr is still alive and threatened D to marry Anne. E has lost her family in an accident and a bad Mr Gardiner is about to sell her to cover his debts when D saves the day. Excellent. 5+

128.
Misgivings & Mistletoe https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Christmas at Netherfield, misunderstanding suitor Mr Gordon. 4.5*

129.
Think Outside the Boss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Unputdownable! Steamy thrilling billionaire romance. 5*

130.
A Secret Christmas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
A romance set in the 1650s. The heroin was immature and the writing was naive.

I plan devote December to reread old favourites and Christmas themed books. If I only could find that first book by Sharon Lathan. I have a paperback somewhere in my house, sigh...

[J. W.]

Great list, Elin. I hope you find that book. I'm always losing something. I usually find it when I'm looking for something else. Good luck.

[Sheila]

Elin wrote: "NOVEMBER:

116.
An Inducement into Matrimony: A Collection of Romantic Short Stories Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6......"

Which book of Sharon's is that? Excellent progress.

[Elin]

The book I am upending my house to find is Darcy & Elizabeth: A season of courtship. I thought I would start out with the engagement periode duology before I started the series.

[Kirk]

Elin wrote: "NOVEMBER:

116.
An Inducement into Matrimony: A Collection of Romantic Short Stories Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6......"

Excellent!

[Sam]

Wonderful progress!
Enjoy your December reading.

[Sheila]

I also own that in paperback - purchased in 2017 according to Amazon. Too bad we don't live closer or I would lend it to you.

[Elin]

Aw, thank you Sheila! I think I will just have to buy the ebook.
Thank you, Kirk, Jeanne and Sam!

[Adele]

Wow, great additions.

[Elin]

Thank you, Adele!

[Elin]

DECEMBER:

131.
The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door http//www.goodreads.com/book/show/59679872-...
Cute, fun and steamy, Christmas-themed billionaire/girl next door romance. 4.5*

132.
Saved by the Boss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Funny and steamy, yet it also had depth. Grumpy Anthony meets his match in the matchmaker. 5*

133.
Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Reread. I loved this book the first time I read it, but it felt long-winded and very slow as a reread.

134.
Frosted Window Panes https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Sweet, contemporary, Christmas-themed variation. Dragged and I didn't like Elizabeth. She hated Darcy because he was rich, but it felt exaggerated that she could not even bear the thought of standing next to him to have a picture taken. 3*

135.
Frosted Windowpanes: A Nature's Fury and Delights Novelette https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Sweet, short, second chance story inspired by Persuasion. 3.5*

136.
Secrets and Scandals in Regency Britain https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Research. Interesting and well-researched. A bit disappointed that many of the scandals were long before or after the Regency Era, and that is why I have deducted a star. 4*

137.
Snuggling Up with Mr Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Christmas Holiday Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Christmas-themed in the alps, chaste, cute. 4*

138.
A Hopeful Holiday: A Pride and Prejudice Novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Sweet Christmas-themed story that lost its momentum halfway through.4*

139.
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Poetry and fodder for quotes. 5*

140.
Master of Puppets: A Pride and Prejudice variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

141.
Say Yes to the Boss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
5*

142.
A Holiday By Gaslight https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Victorian Christmas-themed romance. Chaste, romantic and engaging impoverished genteel girl versus brooding, rich tradesman. 5*

143.
Holiday Man https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
A lust-to-love romance. 3*

144.
Abounds with Gaieties https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Sweet Christmas-themed story that lacked something to drive it forward. 3.5*

145.
The Knight Before Christmas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Contemporary, Christmas-themed Emma variation. Sweet and romantic. 5*

146.
12 Days of Bossmas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Boring fluff.

147.
A Christmas Carol https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Loved it! Note to self; read more Dickens. 5*

148.
Billion Dollar Enemy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
A little boring because it lacked the animosity I expect from the enemies-to-lovers trope. Therefore, the plot felt weak and more like a lust-to-more-lust trope. 3.5*

149.
Highland Conquest https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Nailbitingly thrilling enemies-to-lovers Highland 16th-century romance. 5*

150.
An Endeavour to be Worthy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Elisabeth of elevated rank, steamy, low angst. Bad Bingley. Dragged. 4*

151.
Pride Before a Fall https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Sweet, romantic, low angst. D fell from his horse and proposed to E as he came too. 4.5*

Happy New Year!!!

PS: I have not gotten an email for next years challenge. Isn't it going to be one?

[Sam]

Well done Elin.

Yes, but GR has been glitchy. I will post the link here.

[Sam]

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Sheila]

Elin wrote: "DECEMBER:

131.
The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door http//www.goodreads.com/book/show/59679872-...
Cute, fun and steamy, Christmas-themed billionaire/girl next door rom..."

Excellent progress...good work!

[Kirk]

Elin wrote: "DECEMBER:

131.
The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door http//www.goodreads.com/book/show/59679872-...
Cute, fun and steamy, Christmas-themed billionaire/girl next door rom..."
Great!!

[J. W.]

Yay! Elin, nice list.