Jane Austen and JA Regency Award

Editorial Review:

Howarth exudes English correctness with witty sharp dialogue and country dialect of a bygone age. She writes compelling narrative and dialogue, and the author's knowledge of the era and regional places are brought to life in vivid colour. While arranged marriage plots are somewhat of a cliché in the historical romance genre, there is a dark ominous sense of foreboding to this novel. Loose rumours the hero killed his first two wives is left hanging in the air, and the title *Reluctant Duchess* is paramount. The knowledge her husband has a mistress crushes sweet naive Liliana’s self-esteem. Her reaction is refusal to let him break through her protective shield. She locks her emotions away and rebels when personal loss strikes without warning. This event is the turning point which shakes her husband from stupendous belief she is immune to his presence. At the same time his closeted world is turned inside out. His inner court is less of his making while those of his train exert power and influence at his expense. Although the duke wields a strong personality it is obvious he has drifted and lost direction after the mysterious death of his second wife. To avoid plot spoilers it is vital to stop here, apart from saying his second wife’s death haunts the novel throughout and re-enters the story with a shocking tale of abduction, murder, and incest. Ms Howarth is hereby granted a Jane Austen Regency Award for this page-turning Regency murder mystery.   

Bear in mind this has steamy romance and bawdy language.  

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Editorial Review:

When all is said and done, there are JAFF authors who readily lapse into familiar phrases and scenes from Jane Austen’s most famous novel. Ms Everly instead stretches boundaries and blends Austen with her own imagination and dares to suggest Mr. Darcy suffers from a neurological difference. In this P and P variation Miss Elizabeth Bennet becomes a little futuristic to her time [Aspberger and Kanner], but let’s not quibble over medical straws. Ms Austen indeed portrayed Darcy as socially deficient when out of his comfort zone, and mild Aspberger Syndrome could excuse his brusque mannerisms. Elizabeth Bennet was depicted as observant to faults in other people throughout Jane Austen’s tome, and remained completely ignorant of her own imperfections. Ms Everly’s well written novel shines a light on Elizabeth’s unique understanding of individual differences and perspectives, a considerate aptitude she sorely lacked in the original story. While history tells of children and adults hidden away in attics or placed in asylums [Bedlam], Jane Austen had a lesser mentioned brother with unusual traits who resided in the shadows. Thereby, Elizabeth’s young cousin inspires cognisance to the pattern of his mannerisms, and Darcy the puzzle is solved piece by piece. Ms Everly writes with flair and confidence in her subject matter with an eye to detail and research. Therefore a Jane Austen Award is bestowed for this unusual Pride and Prejudice Variation.

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Jane Austen Award - Complimentary.

There are times when a JAFF novel is an excellent or good read but deviates too far from original characters and then falls within the JA Complimentary categorisation. 

However, both Awards grant merit for the books listed. 

See Award status:     

Editorial Review

Oh my, The Longbourn Conundrum presents a thoroughly unique theme on Jane Austen’s original. Be assured this is a complete rewriting of one of Jane’s most beloved novels. Hence, confinement due to inclement weather and a raging epidemic is the solid background throughout the novel. Although Darcy and Elizabeth’s happiness is assured it can be said neither suffers sexual suppression over long. The remainder of Jane’s cast do the unexpected, and sad circumstances shock all. Believe me, this is no mirror image or a fanciful makeover of Pride and Prejudice. While Ms Pearson wisely gives due warning of content that may offend and distress readers, much of it is implied rather than explanation given in great detail. This novel is indeed far removed from the expected normality of a JAFF novel, and it does touch on madness induced by grief and loss. In playing devil’s advocate the author has set precedence for a mischievous dark slant on Pride and Prejudice. Even to the most ardent fan, the original novel depicted a sweet tale of bittersweet envy and blissful slushy romances. Although well written with a modern touch to the prose, the author reflects good knowledge of the characters, and overall deserves an award for originality. Sadly, the novel steps a little too far from the original characters and is therefore granted a Jane Austen Complimentary. 

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Back Cover premise:

An Ancient Curse. A Thunderstorm. An Epidemic.

Jane Bennet's invitation to tea at Netherfield is interrupted by a strange series of events. Could they be related to the rumours of a generations old curse on Netherfield and Longbourn? When a thunderstorm and epidemic sweep through Meryton people are quarantined in their homes and the long-dismissed curse seems more and more like a reality than an ancient story. Can Jane and Elizabeth's family survive this crisis or will these unnatural events claim the last generation of Bennets?