edited by Christina Boyd
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BookExcerpt
Just released: December 7, 2017
Publisher: The Quill Ink
Genre: Historical Romance, Anthology, Jane Austen
Hardback: 358
Overall rating: to be revealed in December as I will be reading one story per month and posting reviews below.
Jane Austen's masterpieces are littered with unsuitable gentlemen--Willoughby, Wickham, Churchill, Crawford, Tilney, Elliot, et al.--adding color and depth to her plots but often barely sketched. Have you never wondered about the pasts of her rakes, rattles, and gentlemen rogues? Surely, there's more than one side to their stories. It is a universal truth, we are captivated by smoldering looks, daring charms ... a happy-go-lucky, cool confidence. All the while, our loyal confidants are shouting on deaf ears: "He is a cad--a brute--all wrong!" But is that not how tender hearts are broken...by loving the undeserving? How did they become the men Jane Austen created?
In this romance anthology, eleven Austenesque authors expose the histories of Austen's anti-heroes. Dangerous to Know: Jane Austen's Rakes & Gentlemen Rogues is a titillating collection of Georgian era short stories--a backstory or parallel tale off-stage of canon--whilst remaining steadfast to the characters we recognize in Austen's great works. What say you? Everyone may be attracted to a bad boy...even temporarily...but heaven help us if we marry one.
My two-bits:
Willoughby's Crossroads (moderate) by Joana Starnes
Sense and Sensibility: John Willoughby
Great start to this anthology. The story is set in Mr. Willoughby's past with one of his first loves or rather dalliances. It is him in the making which still puts him in an unfavorable light for me.
Feb: A Wicked Game (mature) by Katie Oliver
Pride and Prejudice: George Wickham
The start of Wickham's love life with french influence. Interaction with a younger Mr. Darcy was fun to see.
Mar: Fitzwilliam's Folly (mild) by Beau North
Pride and Prejudice: Colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy
Ha! even rakes have their breaking point. Delightful turn of events for this Darcy character. Loved learning a bit more about Fitz.
Apr: The Address of a Frenchwoman (mild) by Lona Manning
May: Last Letter from Mansfield (mature) by Brooke West
Jun: An Honest Man (moderate) by karen M. Cox
Jul: One Fair Claim (none) by Christina Morland
Aug: The Lost Chapter in the Life of William Elliot (moderate) by Jenetta James
Sep: As Mush as he Can (none) by Sophia Rose
Oct: The Art of Singing (none) by J. Marie Croft
Nov: For Mischief's Sake (none) by Amy D'Orazio
* review copy courtesy of editor
