Sophia Rose Reviews-‘Tis the Season by Susan Adriani, Jan Ashton, Julie Cooper, Amy D’Orazio, Jenetta James, Karalynne Mackrory, Lucy Marin, Elizabeth Rasche, and Mary Smythe

Today Sophia Rose is back to review a historical holiday anthology, 'Tis the Season
Merry Christmas!

‘Tis the Season by Susan Adriani, Jan Ashton, Julie Cooper, Amy D’Orazio, Jenetta James, Karalynne Mackrory, Lucy Marin, Elizabeth Rasche, and Mary Smythe

Historical Romance, Holiday Romance

Publisher:  Quills & Quartos

Published: 10.21.21

ISBN-10:  ‎ 1956613099

Pages:  667

Rating: 4.5

Format: Print

Source:  Quills & Quartos

Sellers:  Amazon

ADD TO: GoodReads  

GoodReads Blurb:

'Tis the Season is a collection of stories inspired by the beloved characters of Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice.

HEART ENOUGH by Amy D’Orazio

WHEN ELIZABETH BENNET REASSURES Lady Catherine de Bourgh that she is not trying to ensnare her nephew, Darcy loses all hope of romance with her, and proposes to his cousin. Two years later, they meet again, both unmarried and both still cherishing tender feelings for one another, but will they have heart enough to love this time?

A YULETIDE DREAM by Julie Cooper

FOLLOWING THE UNTIMELY DEATH of his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Fitzwilliam Darcy decides that his interests in Rosings Park should be inducement enough to marry his cousin Anne. However, his resolution is challenged by a series of Yuletide apparitions who will open his eyes and change his determination to undoing his past wrongs with a certain lady in Hertfordshire.

IN THE SPIRIT INTENDED by Jan Ashton

A YEAR AFTER THEY LAST MET, Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are reunited for Christmas at the Bingleys’ London home. In that year, he has travelled, while she has refused another offer of marriage, but as they gather with family, including two unexpected visitors, they will celebrate the holiday and unwrap old wounds.

STRANDED AT PEMBERLEY by Jenetta James

AFTER A DEVASTING CARRIAGE ACCIDENT IN DERBYSHIRE, at in Christmas 1810, Elizabeth Bennet and the Gardiners are stranded at Pemberley while Mrs Gardiner recovers. She soon finds that the halls of the great house are filled with secret and sorrows but Christmas cheer will prevail, and perhaps romance along with it.

CHRISTMAS AT BLACKTHORN MANOR by Lucy Marin

ELIZABETH AND MR DARCY FIND THEMSELVES brought together at a house party at Blackthorn Manor following a sixteen month separation. Will they learn the truth about what has kept them apart before the festive celebrations end, or will they go their separate ways once again?

CALL IT HOPE by Susan Adriani

CHRISTMAS APPROACHES AND DARCY is doomed to spend it under lock and key at Rosings Park. Will his relations and their antics drive him to Bedlam, or will he be rewarded with the one gift he always hoped to receive, but doubted he would ever attain?

WELCOME HOME by Mary Smythe

DARCY IS AMAZED when he discovers Elizabeth Bennet at Pemberley, living contentedly as his wife and mistress of the house. He will be forced to consider what is real and what is not, and what this Christmas miracle means for his life thereafter.

THE PINK DAFFODIL by Elizabeth Rasche

CHRISTMAS MIGHT MEAN FESTIVITY AND FUN for some, but for Mary Bennet it is just another occasion for displaying her piety and promoting her new charity, the Meryton Widows and Orphans Society. Then she finds herself drawn to a new gentleman who has arrived to stay at Netherfield Park, and soon finds his attractions threaten to mar more than just her Christmas charity.

MISGIVINGS & MISTLETOE by KaraLynne Mackrory

FORCED TOGETHER BY SNOW and the well intentions of their friends and family, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet must hide agonizing lost hopes. Even with mistletoe abounding around them, the two must find their way through misgivings and snow storms to rediscover love.

 

Sophia Rose's Review:

What could be better than a holiday P&P variation story?  A whole collection of them, of course!  I am jazzed to dive into this anthology full of festive short stories by a group of fabulous Austenesque authors.

 

Most of the stories do assume the reader has at least general knowledge of the P&P story whether from book or film as they are mostly variations to the original.  I enjoyed exploring their different paths that split off from the original story whether it was from that momentous choice Fitzwilliam Darcy made to leave Hertfordshire after the Netherfield Ball trying to run from the yearnings of his heart to do his family duty or when later in the original, he chose not to return to Netherfield to claim the woman he loved.  There are a few fun magical tales that just might have been flavored with other holiday classics or classic holiday situations like stranded for the holidays or stuck with the family crazies.  One even focused on middle Bennet sister Mary while another introduced a sequel variation in a while new setting.  No matter the direction of the story, they are all loaded with festive holiday backdrop and well-developed familiar- though also a few original- characters.  There was nary a dud in the collection and what there was ranged from very good to stellar delights.

 

So, there were nine variations on the P&P story all festive and bright once the relationships were untangled.  Most were familiar authors though I did appreciate trying a few new to me ones.  Each story were fast and well-developed tidbits that I thought were best enjoyed one at a time and would be ideal for the harried little time for reading of the holiday season.

Sophia’s Bio:

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Sophia’s Social Media Links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587

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GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose

 

Publisher’s Bio:

A traditional, independent digital, print and audiobook publisher of romantic historical fiction and stories inspired by Jane Austen.   Publishing stories we love by authors we admire.

susan adriani ~ jan ashton ~ paige badgett ~ kay bea~gailie ruth caress ~   noell chesney ~ julie cooper ~amy d'orazio ~ linda gonschior ~ nan Harrison ~jenetta james ~ kc kahler ~  jessie lewis ~ catherine lodge ~karalynne mackrory ~ lucy marin ~ mary anne mushatt~ stephen ord ~ kara pleasants ~ elizabeth rasche~michelle ray ~ justine rivard ~ L.M. ROMANO~ANNIINA SJÖBLOM ~ mary smythe

Website:  https://www.quillsandquartos.com/