Spotlight on: Pirates and Prejudice by Kara Louise

About the Book:

After Elizabeth Bennet refuses Mr. Darcy's offer of marriage, it takes a heavy toll on him. He withdraws to London and disappears near the docks, away from family, friends, and acquaintances. When he is mistaken for an escaped pirate, he is thrust into an adventure he would never have imagined. Will this be what he needs to forget the one woman he had come to love? 

When her aunt and uncle have to cancel their plans to tour the Lake District, Elizabeth Bennet has the opportunity to sail to the Isles of Scilly with her father. After a pleasant visit, the voyage home brings storms, a shipwreck, and pirates! When she is rescued by gallant Captain Smith, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. What will she do when she discovers he is the very man whose offer of marriage she refused just a few months earlier?


Doesn't this look like a fun summer read?  I know I'll be adding this one to my beach bag!

 I was very impressed with the author's previous two Austenesque books, Darcy's Voyage and Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, and I'm looking forward to another P&P adventure and variation. 

Kara Louise is doing a blog tour for this book, so you can visit her website for more info. 

What are you looking forward to tucking into your beach bag this summer?

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise

"Her worst fears come true....
After her father's death, Elizabeth Bennet goes to work as a governess. Little does she know the Willstones are social acquaintances of the Bingleys and the Darcys, and Elizabeth finds herself once again drawn into Mr. Darcy's orbit. To make matters worse, Mrs. Willstone's sister sets her sights on Mr. Darcy. With Elizabeth's social status even lower than it was before, she knows she must abandon all hope of Darcy renewing his proposal, even as she begins to see him in a completely different light....."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Kara Louise is quickly becoming my favorite Austenesque author! Darcy's Voyage was a delightful P & P adaptation, and now with Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, I have two keepers on my shelf.

Thrown into circumstances beyond their control after the death of Mr. Bennett, the family must leave their home to make way for Mr. Collins and his wife. Jane is saddened as, thanks to Darcy's interference, she and Charles Bingley have gone their separate ways. After angrily turning down a proposal of marriage from Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth must set out to make her own way as a governess. Thus begins the really refreshingly original take on Elizabeth's journey to discover her own feelings as well as coming to learn the true character of Mr. Darcy. Much conflict and interest is added to the story by Rosalyn, the aunt of Elizabeth's charge. She is a pretty society young lady who has every intention of becoming the mistress of Pemberley...even though we know how it will end, the path to get there was quite intriguing and original.

A beautiful love story and highly recommended!


5/5 stars

Title: Only Mr. Darcy Will Do
Author: Kara Louise
Soucebooks
2011
353 pages
genre: historical fiction/historical romance

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise

A Tale of Unchartered Love on the Seas.....
"In this enchanting and highly original retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett sets out for the new world aboard the grand ship Pemberley's Promise. She's prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with the handsome, taciturn Mr. Darcy turns her world upside down.

But the perils of their ocean voyage pale in comparison to the harsh reality of society's rules that threaten their chance at happiness. When they return to the lavish halls of England, will their love survive?"
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise was a very pleasant surprise. I haven't read too many Pride and Prejudice-inspired novels, but only a few that I have read have been charming and original enough to stay on my keeper shelf. (The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James and Monica Fairview's The Other Mr. Darcy) Darcy's Voyage joins the ranks of well-written retellings of P&P featuring the lovely Elizabeth Bennett with her shining eyes and the handsome and enigmatic Mr. Darcy.

The story is based on the chance meeting between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in a public carriage ride. (Darcy's carriage needs repairs and he is forced to hire a carriage which he shares with Elizabeth.) During the course of their stilted and uncomfortable small talk, each does not make a very good impression on the other. However, each is struck by something unique about the other, and they go their separate ways.

Two years later, they have another chance encounter, this time aboard Darcy's ship, Pemberley's Promise, as they set sail for America, each with their own separate purposes. I adored this part of the story as it vividly described the harsh and meager existence aboard ship, and realistically portrayed the daily hardships of sickness and tedium, especially for those traveling in steerage as Elizabeth was. Meanwhile, Darcy is annoyed at the contstant pursuit of the young ladies and mothers on board who are anxious to make his acquaintance. When Elizabeth becomes seriously ill during the voyage, Mr. Darcy devises a plan to help her become isolated from the other sick passengers for a better chance at recovery, and he hopes also to put a stop to the fawning young ladies...just what this plan is, and all the complications and intrigue that develop, is the delightful tale of Darcy's Voyage. A charming love story for Regency fans.

**Note: This book was originally published as Pemberley's Promise.
4/5 stars

Title: Darcy's Voyage
Author: Kara Louise
2010
Sourcebooks
503 pages
genre: historical romance