Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2019 discussion

Looking forward to another year, racing towards Mrr Darcy's library with my GR friends.

1
Saved from Scandal, Caitlin Marie Carrington, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36... 4.5*
This is my favourite author of sensual encounters, they are never boring and there is always a good story inbetween. Not a bas start to 2019 :)
My goal is still 200 books and my New Year resolution is to significantly reduce my "unread"- pile on kindle who trippled in 2018 (I have new and shiny syndrom)... I am not allowed to buy a new book before my unread list are below 100, we'll see how long that lasts... ;)

Off to a brisk start, Elin! Happy reading in 2019!

Thank you Abigail :)

2
Happier in Her Friends Than Relations, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42... 0* Abandoned, ridiculous misunderstandings , tedious, bad Jane, E&B pairing, little page time with ODC.
I made this count although abandoned as I read 59% of this massive read before throwing in the towel... What an utter waste of time!

3 A Man of Few Words, Sribd, PnP in D's PoV. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77... 3*
4 And then love, Leenie Brown, Scribd Willow Hall 1 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29... 4*
5 The Tenant's Guest, Leenie Brown, Scribd, Willow Hall 2 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32...

Excellent!

Thank you Debbie :)

6 The Engagement, Ola Wegner, Kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22... 3*
7 A large party of friends, maddyv, FF, 51k, https://m.fanfiction.net/s/12712529/37/ 3*
8 Our lady of Longbourn, Leavesfallingup, FF, 98k, E&D of elevated rank, E=Superwoman, plausibility issues but pleasant.
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13151029/32/ 3.5*
9 Her Voice of Reason, Ola Wegner, kindle. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24... 3.5*
10 Confounding Caroline, Leenie Brown, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40... 5*

So... My resolution to read my unread-pile on kindle lasted a week ;) (There is a reason for them being unread after all.) Next year my new year resolution will be to not make idiotic resolutions, LOL.

Scooting along nicely there, Elin. New Year's resolutions, when books are involved......never going to happen!

Thank you Anji! No, you are right about the books. Takes the enjoyment right out of the experience when you "have to" read them, doesn't it...

11 Delighting Mrs. Bennet, Leenie Brown, kindle, ARC http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 5*
12 Change of Heart, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18... 1*
13 Altered Deeds, Lady Jeaza, FF
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13080353/56/ 4* Thrilling story with D senior allive, dragged and lacked romance
14 Darcy's Secret book 1, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 2,5*
15 Pride and Prejudice and Christmas Love An Erotic Variation http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33... 1*
16 One Door To Far http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 4*
17 A Judge of Their Characters http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36... 5*
18 The Suitors http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36... 5*
19 Mr. Darcy's Magpie, Kara Louise, Kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41... 3,5*
20 Seeking Advice, leavesfallingup, FF
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13183900/1/
3* A twist to Mr Collins proposal. 2k short story.

I have been a little less active in this group lately. RL interfer and I lost my brother-in-law on the 10th. He was a frequent visitor, celebrated Christmas and went on vacations with us for the last decade. He will be greatly missed.
He was only 61 but the cancer he had was very aggressive and he died only 2.5 month after he got the diagnosis.
My father is still very ill with heart-failure, kidney-failure and pneumonia. Two of my children has started on new medications which means countless of doctors appointments and another are in the progress of getting his diagnoses which means even more doctors appointments. I am still reading as I need my escapes more than ever but please do not be offended if I do not reply immediately on comments or forget to comment altogether. My mind is in a bit of a jumble at the moment...

I'm so sorry to hear all that! I'm praying for you right now.

Vaarin wrote: "11 Delighting Mrs. Bennet, Leenie Brown, kindle, ARC http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 5*
12 Change of Heart, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18......"
UGH! Wishing you all the best at this very difficult time.

Sorry to hear about your family's loss and that RL isn't going so well for you right now. I've always found that it definitely helps to be able to escape into a book at these times, even if you can't do it as often as you would normally. Don't worry about us, we're there for you and will still be around when you can pop in for a few minutes. Sending hugs ❤️❤️❤️

Oh, Elin, bless your heart. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Years ago, I had an uncle [mom's brother] that went quickly like that. In the summer of 2007, we noticed mom's behavior changed and she began acting strangely. It was brain cancer, secondary to the lung cancer she had two years prior. She was gone by the first week in November. Time means nothing to that insidious disease.

Take your time to heal. Your family needs you and we are here for you. Let your friends help you carry this burden. We will remember you in our prayers. Drop in when you can, and let us cheer you up for a moment while you recharge.

Vaarin I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. I remember you saying just before Christmas that he was very unwell. I don't think there's a family in the world who hasn't had someone this disease has attacked.
I'll light a candle for you and keep you in my thoughts. Hold on. We women are stronger than we know.

Vaarin-so sorry to read about everything you and your loved ones are going through right now.
It may sound trite,but the only thing you can do when you're going through hell,is to keep going.
I'll be thinking of you.

Vaarin—though I’m a stranger and my words cannot compensate for your loss, still I wish for you strength and hope in the face of your loss. Sending warm thoughts your way, and hoping for the best for you and yours.

Vaarin-My heart goes out to you in all these difficulties, and sad circumstances. You certainly do need your escapes. I hope you feel the concern and regard this community has for you, that it holds you up at least some, even though we haven't met in person. Check in when it's a good time for you.

Sorry for your loss Vaarin, I send you my best wishes for your father and children. I quite never participate in all the discussions but my heart is with you.

January:
First, thank you all for your heart-warming comments. They are alle taken to heart.
I have decide to do a summary for each month, to keep track of my reading/writing.

Read: 27 books
Written: 29000 words (Still Waters 24500, Convenience of that kind 4500)
ARC: 1 (Delighting Mrs Bennet)

21 The Companion of His Future Life, Jack Caldwell, Kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20... 4*
22 A case of delicacy, KC_Derby, AHA
Friendship to love plot. 155k, rom-com with multiple POV.
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... 4.5*
23 Deception is not my abhorrence, Rosemary, AHA, friendship to love plot, 172k, loooong-wiiiiinnnded.
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... 3*
24 Escape with Mr Darcy, Valerie Lennox, FF http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 4,5*
25 Desires, E A Batten, D&L http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29... 4,5*
26 Breath, Knitchick, FF, 96k, reread, MA
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/6065783/23/ 3,5*
27 A man of no consequence, Heather F, mistaken identity plot 44,5k
https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/heathf5... 5*
28 Kidnapped, FF, 137k, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29... 5*
29 My Alpha, Mr. Darcy, Caitlin Marie Carrington, ARC, MA+ http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 5*
30 White lies, pianobarb, MRR,
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... 2.5* It turned out I had read this before. Really need to organise my ff so I can keep better track. Sigh...

Elin, you have a new picture. Lovely, and what a lovely list of books you have there. Great job.

Thank you Jeanne, the old picture was 8 years old... It was time to up date it ;)

Elin, great picture! I like people to keep their pictures for a long time because it prevents me from getting confused. Eight years is pretty impressive.

Thank you Marlene! I am not the photogenic type so it is 8 years between a decent picture is taken, chortle chortle... I agree with you that it is less confusing to keep it for a long time though.

Vaarin wrote: "Thank you Marlene! I am not the photogenic type so it is 8 years between a decent picture is taken, chortle chortle...."

I hear you! I rarely get my picture taken. It's always the kids we're photographing, and on the rare occasion I need a picture of myself, I really need to look around!

I hate having my photo taken so much that I don't even have one up here!!! Lately when we were going through Mam's stuff after she died, we were looking at all the photos of the extended family that she had and one of my brothers said to me, 'when you're gone and the younger ones of the family want to know what you looked like, we'll have no way of showing them'! :-) My dislike of cameras is legendary in our family.

Teresa wrote: "......one of my brothers said to me, 'when you're gone and the younger ones of the family want to know what you looked like, we'll have no way of showing them'! :-) My dislike of cameras is legendary in our family.."

Wow! That's incredible! Do people wheedle you, or do they respect it?

I'm someone else who's camera-shy. That's why my online avatar is a statue carved from the trunk of a dead tree that we saw on holiday on the beautiful Isle of Man some years ago. She's much better looking than me! Besides, I'm almost always the one who's taking the photos anyway as, even though I say it myself, I am much the better photographer between the two of us.

Anji wrote: "I'm someone else who's camera-shy. That's why my online avatar is a statue carved from the trunk of a dead tree that we saw on holiday on the beautiful Isle of Man some years ago."

Ah! I like your avatar a lot. :-) It's fun to hear the history behind it!

I am the one taking all the pictures in my family, (except for my mother who for some reason always leave out the head), and the urge to turn the camera towards myself just isn't happening...
I have had another thought lately and that is to change my name from the my online nickname to my real name. It is no secret after all but the reason is that I feel that it would be more "honest" to leave my real name on reviews as a way to "owning to it". Any thoughts?

Marlene wrote: "Teresa wrote: "......one of my brothers said to me, 'when you're gone and the younger ones of the family want to know what you looked like, we'll have no way of showing them'! :-) My dislike of cam..."

They do in general respect it Marlene. I not one bit photogenic and think I look like a grinning hyena in pics. Years ago I started to dodge the camera. I am in one or two like my brother's wedding photo. I have a photo from years ago of myself and my god daughter at her confirmation. If I feel like I owe it to someone to bi in pic I'll do it. But photos of me are rare.
My pic here is a poppy field. I have a tattoo of one on my forearm to honor my grand uncle who died in world war 1.

Vaarin wrote: "I am the one taking all the pictures in my family, (except for my mother who for some reason always leave out the head), and the urge to turn the camera towards myself just isn't happening...
I ha..."

It's a personal decision really. The reason my full name appears is because when I joined GR originally I thought that was what you had to do. I wasn't very techie minded and this is the only social media site I use.

Vaarin wrote: " I feel that it would be more "honest" to leave my real name on reviews as a way to "owning to it". Any thoughts?"

My husband uses his full name on all social media. I am a bit more conservative, but do go with my first name. I think it's completely fine to go with your preference. I know a person whose name associated with his e-mail address sounds like person's full name, but it doesn't resemble his actual name in any way. :-)

Teresa wrote: " If I feel like I owe it to someone to bi in pic I'll do it. But photos of me are rare.
My pic here is a poppy field. I have a tattoo of one on my forearm to honor my grand uncle who died in world war 1."

That's very sweet, Teresa!

31 Their Sadness and Sorrow by Maureen Grinter, epic 400k+, angsty, dark and gloomy, vile/stupid Georgiana and Caroline. A good story apart from the tedious repetitions. Long separation between ODC. 5 days into their marriage, Darcy received forged letters stating E&W as lovers. Accusing Elizabeth in blind rage, she runs away to Scotland and it took a year before Darcy found out he was duped and 2 more years before reconciliation. The book is in the process of publishing. https://forum.darcyandlizzy.com/index... 3.75*
32 Longbourn 1805, Rosemary, AHA, 197k. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 3*
33 Together in Perfect Felicity, P.O. Dixon, ARC http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 4*
34 The Duke Of Derbyshire, SusanJN, AHA, D&E of elevated rank, Mr B dead, Ramsgate had dire consequences. 40k
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... 4*
35 The heart wants what the heart wants, Amber, MRR, fairytale, medival, Darcy-antihero, MA, story lost after wedding night, 68k. ("Shall we go?" She asked, staring ahead, not trusting herself to either kill him or kiss him.)
http://www.meryton.com/mrr/hyacinthgi... 3.5
36 Marriage contracts and other headaches, CelticHarp, FF, 34k, T.
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/10061334/1...
37 In Want of a Wife, Regina Jeffers, Kindle, amnesia. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 2.5*
38 Evenings with Darcy, Jane Grix, Kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 4.5*
39 Rumour Has It, AnnL, AHA, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 4*
40 His Brother's Keeper, Ellen G, 62k, altered consequence of Ramsgate.
http://ellen.mrsdarcy.com/page5.html 3.5*
41 Only for the deepest love, MAB, AHA, 116k, marriage economic, altered Ramsgate, badass Darcy, strong Elizabeth and Jane, orphaned, wedding night -story, major formatting issues.
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
42 Too Gentlemanly, Timothy Underwood, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36... 5*
43 Lullaby, DawnR, DLC, 32k, Wickham married Georgiana, bad colonel, deep but reflection-heavy.
https://forum.darcyandlizzy.com/index... 3,5
44 Hunsford Awakenings, RachelP, AHA, 228k, Jane/Colonel, Jane at Hunsford.
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... 3*
45 Assumptions & Absurdities, Cinnamon Worth, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39... 4*
46 To Conquer Pride, Jennifer Altman, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42... 4*
47 Petals: A Rancho Valle Short Story, kindle, modern austenesque http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33... 4*
48 These Dreams, Nicole Clarkstone, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36... 5*+++
49 Time's Up: Mr Darcy, Fredrica Edward, kindle, reread. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34... 5*
50 The Benefits of Extensive reading, Lory Lilian, kindle. Sweet, reflection-heavy, boring. Locked into the Netherfield library plot. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44... 2.5*

February summary:
Read: 29
Written: 10500 (SW 8500, CoTC 2000)
ARC: 2 (My alpha Mr Darcy, Together in perfect felicity)

Great progress, Elin.

Vaarin wrote: "31 Their Sadness and Sorrow by Maureen Grinter, epic 400k+, angsty, dark and gloomy, vile/stupid Georgiana and Caroline. A good story apart from the tedious repetitions. Long separation between ODC..."

Great!

Vaarin wrote: "February summary:
Read: 29
Written: 10500 (SW 8500, CoTC 2000)
ARC: 2 (My alpha Mr Darcy, Together in perfect felicity)"

Excellent progress, Elin!

Thank you Anji, Kirk and Jeanne. I am well ahead on my goal of 200 books this year :)

51 The View From Where I Sit, Darcyfriend, kindle(via mail) http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32... 5*
I had this in e-mail box for a long time, unable to read it because I did not have a program on my phone allowing me to read it and I could not find one that did. (I do not have a computer). I have to thank Debbie B who had explained to someone else in our group how to send stories via mail to kindle and it worked. I just sent the mail with the file to my kindle address and it magically appeared on my kindle app. How extraordinary! Thank you Debbie!
52 Taken, Mab, AHA, 183k, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42... 5*
53 To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too): Mr. Darcy's Tale, P.O. Dixon, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17... 5*
54 Suddenly Mrs. Darcy, Jeanetta James, kindle, reread. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25... 4*
55 The Only Way, Ola Wegner, kindle http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12... 3*
56 Sketching Mr. Darcy, Lory Lilian, K & PB. Reread http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25... 5*
57 By Order of Their Birth, First, desertrat68 (Linnea Eileen), epic 120k, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39... 4*
58 Mr. Darcy's Compassion, Rose Fairbanks, K http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44... 5*
59 1811-1812 HOW IT ALL BEGAN: PART 1, Deborah Pearson, K (early version). Reread http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36... initially a 5*, reread 3.5*
60 Finding Elizabeth, Lis Batten, D&E, novelette, Elizabeth is not a Bennet, lacked romance.
https://forum.darcyandlizzy.com/index... 3*

Great list Elin. I see several 5* in that group. Well done.

Thank you Jeanne :)

61 Mr Darcy's Mistress - Elizabeth's Dilemma A Pride & Prejudice Sequel, Francine Howart, K http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 5*
62 Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer, Karen Wasylowski, K, reread, sequel. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/89... 5*
63 Sons and Daughters, Karen Wasylowski, K, sequel, reread. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16... 5*
64 Wives and Lovers, Karen Wasylowski, K, reread. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24... 5*
65 Saints and Sinners, Karen Wasylowski, K http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 5*
66 A Ball for Lady Catherine, Elizabeth Goodrich, K, ARC http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44... 2.5*
67 An Ardent Refusal of Wedlock, Janet Doe, FF, 1k http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38... 2*
68 The Rescue Rosemary, K, 700 pages. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43... 2*
69 Her Good Opinion, Eden Foster, K http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25... 3.5*
70 A new beginning, Maisedoat, FF, 60k, T. Footstool, ill tempered Darcy, enters with carriage accident that leads to ODC meeting. Romantic, sweet, entertaining. https://m.fanfiction.net/s/4661917/1/... 4.5*

Oooh, great list. I am in the process of rereading your #68. OMG! It is long, long, and long. Because it is a chronicle of the lives of our characters... did I say it was LONG?

I've been on this sucker three days already. I see you gave it 2 stars. Yeah, there were a lot of problems, especially with plausibility as one major problem. Some of the characters are too perfect, others too evil and the redemptive aspects as some redeem their behavior and are welcomed back into the fold of the group. Perhaps that is the message. Or... extreme measures are acceptable when the motives are justifiable. Who knows. By the time you get to the end, you just want it over.

Great list Elin. I may re-read #70. It's been a while. I'm staying away from anything 700 pages unless its really really f-ing good. Sounds like Rosemary is not on that list. Thanks!

I wanted it to be over looong before the end Jeanne. What a monstrosity on tediousness. As you said, there are plausibility issues which I overlook if the book is engaging or entertaining but... I loved the premises but I have absolutely nothing redeeming to say about the execution. I waited and waited and waited and waited for the "good" bits to come but it never happened. It is unpardonable to use one or two pages for the resolution of the big conundrum when one has suffered through 600 pages of overly explained, over done, naive, repetitive and utterly boring story to get there. Some of the characters was so over done, they felt like caricatures. It is in my opinion, only beaten by James Joyce's Ulysses in attention to details (never finished that one though, have been on page 354 for the last 17 years LOL). No romance, no thrilling bits, nothing to engage, no entertainment. This author is now on my "blacklist". I have read several and I am not tempted to read another. She has very good ideas for a good story, sadly she do not have the storytelling ability to follow through.