Up next on this reader's list are:

Twilight of the Abyss by Casey Childers

First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice by Alexa Adams

A new Pride and Prejudice related book trailer! This one is from Longbourne's Unexpected Matchmaker by Emma Hox. Check out her site HERE

The Darcy Saga Continues...

...and here is the cover for Sharon's next novel - which is due to be released in October of 2010. You can pre-order at Amazon.com!


Image courtesy of and property of Sharon Lathan

Really Angelic

I just finished Really Angelic, my second read by Aussie author Enid Wilson.

Where shall I start with this book....first of all, it's a short novel at just under 200 pages. I read it in an evening and couldn't put it down. It was a very engaging book and yet, here I sit tonight having read an entire book with Mr. Darcy front and center and I can't help but think that this book was good - but it could have been so much more.

Just as with the first Enid Wilson novel I read (and totally enjoyed), Bargain With The Devil, this book feels like it was only slightly more than a rough draft. It would be so much more of a story if it were fleshed out a bit more. I am sitting here, moments after having read this really great book totally wanting more of it. It was over too soon. There wasn't enough of it. It was sweet and fun to devour, but it was like the totally yummy candy bar that you sneak in the afternoon - it is SO good and you enjoy it but after the sugar high is over, you are left feeling a bit flat.

The basic storyline of Really Angelic is that Elizabeth Bennet is, unbeknownst to her, an Angel - and more specifically, she is Fitzwilliam Darcy's guardian angel. Such a sweet and lighthearted paranormal twist on the Pride and Prejudice storyline. I loved the premise of the book. Having said that, I think it is only fair to say the Ms. Wilson's web address is www.steamydarcy.com - which says a lot. Jane Austen purists will not like this book - and it is for a mature audience as there are numerous, highly sensual scenes from start to finish in this very short book. A very delicious and quite naughty version of Elizabeth and Darcy!

So, here is what I have to say about this book and to Ms. Wilson: As a reader, I look forward to what you write next. You are a very talented writer and you have a gift for storytelling. My only wish is that you would give me more - more details! For example, I would love to have read more about the scheming Miss Bingley, more about the wicked Mr. Wickham, more about the wedding...just more. You have me totally hooked as a fan. I will buy your next book without question and I hope to find a more fleshed out, detailed story with the covers.

Speaking of the cover - it rocks. The cover for Bargain With the Devil was one of the reasons I read that book and the cover for this book is fantastic! More of that too please!

Jen's rating: 7.5 of 10 stars: In my opinion, I think this book needs more detail - bit of fleshing out - and I ain't talking about the love scenes. Those are just fine. This is a very sensual, sexy and steamy Darcy and a very sassy and willing Elizabeth. Keep this one on your bookshelf for inspiration, but hide it from the kids and your Mother In Law!

Updating...

Now that I am up and running again, my first order of business will be to add in my reviews of the books I have read, but not blogged about.

Will get right to that and then start reviewing the books that are literally piled up at the foot of my desk. Shamefully, I have neglected them!

Currently Reading....

After a bit of a reading hiatus, I am back on the couch and currently reading Mr. Darcy's Great Escape by Marsha Altman. So far, I am liking it very much.

If you would like to give this book a try, I found THIS SITE where you can read a Chapter One excerpt from this novel.

I have recently been friended by Ms. Altman on Facebook and am sad to report that Sourcebooks, a leading publisher of Austen-related books, has dropped the rest of Ms. Altman's series. I am sad to hear that and can only say that it is a shame that quality work like Ms. Altman's is wholly under appreciated. So many Austen-related books are not all that good....it is sad to see a quality series dropped. You can contact Sourcebooks HERE to let them know how much you have enjoyed this book and wish they would reconsider. I have been very fortunate to have been passed Sharon Lathan's series in AR copy by Sourcebooks and they have been nothing but kind, generous and pleasant. Reader feedback does count so if you are so inclined, have your say!

You can learn more about author Marsha Altman and her books HERE.

More updates as I get further into the book!

My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An Amazing Journey into Love Everlasting

Another highly romantic and delightfully easy to read offering from Sharon Lathan. Once again, we are invited into the lives of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and his lovely wife, Elizabeth and what a dreamy and loving journey it is...

The love birds are off on some adventures together (which are not only enjoyable reading, but full of historical tidbits. You will learn something about this era in History)and are also looking forward to the arrival of their first born child. Also present, as in the previous novels, are the supremely handled cast of supporting characters that Mrs. Lathan has given us to enjoy almost as much as Darcy and Lizzy. From family members to newly introduced friends, we get to visit with all of them. I remain an ardent fan of Dr. Darcy as I think he is a wonderfully imagined and unusual character. Dr. Darcy is a much needed anchor and family link in the life of Fitzwilliam Darcy. The scenes between the two men are touching and will make you fall for both characters even more. Among the most touching and vivid scenes in book are the birthing scenes and arrival of the Darcy baby. Mrs. Lathan draws on her real life knowledge both as a Mother and as a RN who works with newborn babies to bring us right there with Lizzy. If you have had a baby, you can relate and if you haven't had a baby, you will have a very good idea of what giving birth is like. A word of caution though....your partner likely has *no hope* of living up to the example that Darcy sets as an impending father. He's amazing. The birthing scenes and the scenes directly after are some of the most endearing and well written of any book I have read in this genre. Expertly executed and unforgettable! Through it all, the characters remain true to their core personalities. Darcy still reverts to being stern and ill humored at times. Elizabeth is still lively, impertinent and manages to bring out the best in Darcy when he needs it most. At the center of this story are an iconic couple who have captured the hearts of readers for decades. Their story continues with the Darcy Saga in a very romantic, sweet and uplifting fashion. You just cannot help but love these characters as they are written by this author. Sharon Lathan has a true vision for the Darcys in a happy and highly amorous marriage that she never deviates from. It is a nice diversion from some of the unhappy and delusional places we sometimes find this couple in other renderings of their story. Well researched, lovingly crafted and beautifully written! Happy reading Darcy fans!!

Sharon Lathan's website: The Darcy Saga

With many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the gift of an ARC.

An added treat is this book trailer!