Jane Austen Sequels- Darcy’s Dreams: A Sequel to the Fitzwilliam Darcy Story, by Regina Jeffers
The incomparable Jane Austen has a long list of titles as well as author imitators who keep up the tradition of her unrelenting style with varying degrees of literary finesse. Tearing into the overly dramatic novels complete with buxom damsels, the satiric wit of Jane Austen never fails the reader. Her style has inspired generations of authors that emulate her, among them is the novelist Regina Jeffers, who has woven many a romantic tale in the tradition of Jane Austen.
In Darcy’s Dreams, Regina Jeffers tells the unforgettable story of Fitzwilliam Darcy and his undying love for Elizabeth Bennet through eight years of war. Their marriage is consummated and they are soon expecting a child that would become heir to Pemberley, eventually inherriting the estate from Darcy, the current master of Pemberley. Darcy soon loses his memory, forgetting his love for Elizabeth, forgetting Pemberley estate and the future or their unborn child.
Besides bringing back Darcy’s love for her, Elizabeth must fend off two spiteful and canniving women would manipulate Darcy’s already failing memory, while attempting to destroy Elizabeth’s social status and the untarnished legacy of the Darcy name. At stake is Elizabeth’s child, the heir to Pemberley, as well as his love of Darcy and the social standing of an ancient, well respected family. As the mistress of Pemberley estate, Elizabeth would have to keep the estate running, protect her unborn child, and save her long-awaited marriage from overnight ruin. Quite formidable tasks indeed.
Regina Jeffers makes it clear from the start of Darcy’s Dreams that Elizabeth Bennet is deeply in love and in awe of her new home. Throughout the story it seems clear that although it is her love and her marriage she is desperately fighting to save, she does so with a desire to keep from losing the position in life she now holds. Everything hangs on her success in restoring her husband’s love for her, and doing so before she finds herself replaced by Elizabeth Donnely or the equally wicked Cecelia McFarland.
Published Pride and Prejuice sequels run the gambit from good to something special. I enjoyed every page of this novel and have since read ofther Regina Jeffers books.
Regina Jeffers is the author of eight novels: most are well done Pride and Prejudice sequels and adaptations. Her most recent novel, is entitled The Phantom of Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Murder Mystery, is due out later this year and will undoubtedly build on the previous success of her other 7 published works: Second Chances: the Courtship Wars, Darcy’s Temptation, Darcy’s Passions, Darcy’s Dreams, Wayward Love: Captain Frederick Wentworth’s Story, Honor and Hope, and Vampire Darcy’s Desire.
