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Mystery and romance on the high seas

Reviewed: 08-27-24 Listener received this title free

A P&P and Persuasion cross over, my favourite of Austen’s works. It felt so good to return to one of Don’s works and casts of diverse characters within the Austen universe.
This time the plot follows Elizabeth Bennet, newly engaged to Fitzwilliam Darcy, and Anne Elliot, affianced to Captain Frederick Wentworth. The two men meet at an inn on their way south/north. Soon though, their families know something is wrong when the two men do not appear for their wedding.

Soon Elizabeth and Anne are on the case, along with old and new friends.
They set sail to find their men within the company of the Crofts and another known character, Vicomte Rochet.
The mystery is that Darcy and Wentworth have disappeared together from their inn. What has happened to them? And why? Soon the game is afoot across the Mediterranean Sea.

Old enemies appear in the plot to keep the two couples apart.
The book is a mix of romance, mystery and detective story, with adventure on the high seas included.
As Elizabeth and Anne find their sea legs, their two men are fighting to keep their identities hidden and bodies unmarked by punishments.
Soon the most exciting sea battle I have ever read is underway between a French ship and the ship which hides Wentworth and Darcy (A British ship) though their ladies are quickly flying to their rescue.

After the battle has concluded onboard, I had thought a HEA was closing in, but the drama continues in London to bring the real villain to heel, so our two couples can live happily ever after.
I will admit to screaming at the book a few times, though mostly in surprise, “What?!” and “Don, what the hell…” etc. The book is an exciting, a little nerve-wracking, quick-paced book all around. The book is another great addition to my growing library of Don Jacobson’s books.

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Sensual & provocative!

Reviewed: 01-08-22 Listener received this title free

As always Mistress Vale writes a story which is sensual, brilliant, romantic and utterly provocative! I loved the way Joan and Pierce was towards each other and the drama their relationship/keeper/courtesan-relationship worked! I was laughing one minute, stifling a moan the next and oh it was just perfect! Their evolution as characters was also very well done! They grew and changed and it was great to see/hear them do it throughout the story.

I recommend a fan, a cold shower or a man/partner close by once you finish this book! You’ll need it 😉

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Romantic & all consuming

Reviewed: 06-20-21 Listener received this title free

A consuming love is sweet, romantic, thought provoking and highly enjoyable, both as a read but also as an audiobook. Kelly has made quite a lovely and beautiful story for us to enjoy.
When Bingley comes to lease Netherfield alongside Darcy, they are met by Mr Bennet and Elizabeth and “coup de foudre” happens - an arrow of Cupid’s hits Darcy’s heart at that moment and he is a lost man. Follow their path to a future of respect and love.
Harry Frost made it into a truly lovely listen, and made several characters come alive, though none more than Darcy.

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Wow! Unpredictable and absolutely amazing

Reviewed: 04-23-21 Listener received this title free

Yet again the masterful partnership of Darcy Stark and Victoria Vale has come up with a powerful story with a character whom you both love and feel for in this very different story of love.
Benedict or Ben, is followed from his gruelling years at Eton college, until he meets young Alexander Osborne and where we all knew there was only one way this could end, namely with a HEA!

Be prepared for drama, gruelling scenes, love, laughter and utter brilliance of wit and of course a very very good and interesting HEA!

But as always Mistress Vale made a story which was brutally honest, funny, sexy and cute as well, and besides a bit embarrassment from my own side reading of two men, well the naughty scenes was fantastic! The descriptions were beyond gorgeous, and had that yummy edge which characterise Mistress Vale’s books! And the performance of Darcy Stark as Ben and Alex was downright delicious 🤤 and made the whole plot come alive like never before!

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Brilliant, funny and interesting

Reviewed: 02-15-21

Jayne does it again! Makes her story and characters come to life like never before! The madness has engulfed Meryton in a magical web of madness! Will our beloved characters find love in the repeating day? Or will it tear them apart forever?
I loved the story and the evolution of several characters, both much loved and characters which I before viewed as obstacles to the love of Darcy and Elizabeth!

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Happier in her friends than relations

Reviewed: 12-24-20

Finally I got to listen to lovely story, after reading the books several months ago I was so looking forward to hearing the audiobook, but was sadly disappointed within the first few chapters were the editing process had several glitches, but after the first 8 chapters it was a delight to listen to! And I loved Mrs Jennings and Marianne Brandon! It was fun, sweet, witty and a wonderful story which Jayne had written!! Can’t wait for further of her books as audio in the future.

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Wow! Sensual! Beautiful! Brilliant!

Reviewed: 11-07-20 Listener received this title free

As I opened my audible app to listen, I was ready for sizzling sensual scenes, heart beating quick and to fall in love with yet another gentleman courtesans- but as I listened, I realised it was so much more than that. Just hearing the title from Mr. Starks sensual voice nearly made me die from pleasure!

David Graham, also known as the ‘best tongue’ of the courtesans, leads a busy social life in London when he is called home to Lancashire, to bury his father and to realise just what his future looks like. And gosh... omg! David first scene in Darcy’s voice, cold shower, ASAP!

As the story progressed between Regina and David, all my alarm bells were ringing quite loudly, especially around the way Regina acts, and boy was I proven right. A horrible mistreated woman, and how David made her believe not only in herself but also in love and happiness again. The intimate scenes between David and Regina was So good, made me blush, writhe and desperately need my boyfriend or a very cold shower 😅

And as always Mistress Vale made the couple completely hopelessly blind to their attraction and growing feelings. But thankfully the other courtesans are there to help David to make the gesture of his life. It was so good to see the other courtesans make an appearance in each other’s books. Darcy Stark made this into the hottest book ever, his voice is downright beautiful, so sensual and so good as the “best tongue” or dear David! I was nearly dying just listening to his voice and the way he brought the characters to life so beautifully!

But this audiobook was also a buildup to the next book/audiobook about Ben, and let’s just say that the ending was... Surprising. And can’t wait for the next book and audiobook- especially because of the unveiling of the mystery and bitchy writer of the gossip column.

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Amazing and heart wrenching

Reviewed: 09-20-20

(Spoiler alert!)
After a disastrous accident, Darcy is stripped of his name and rank, and as a prisoner of the state, he is to work on the Mimram River Project. The Bennet family luckily owns shares in that project, and soon a man is discovered on the muddy bank of the Mimram by Elizabeth Bennet. The man is half-dead by his injuries, including several horrible whippings, one which is seen by Mr Bennet, Mary and Elizabeth Bennet, I was crying my eyes out at some of these scenes, but it also opened my eyes to how England was building up towards the Industrial Revolution already during the Regency Period, and even how blind we are today towards people who are supposedly beneath us because their circumstances are awry or different than ours.

This sets our beloved couple on a journey to discover both themselves and how to see past their prejudice and pride and find the hidden treasures that are each other, behind the expected behaviours. I will also admit to screaming at Don several times when Mr Collins appeared on the scene, and how he nearly discovered the emerging feelings Elizabeth and Darcy has for each other.

Soon a scandal is rolling in Meryton during the Harvest Ball, due to Miss Caroline Bingley, what a horrible woman she is, but as always Don makes sure that the bad people get their comeuppance! The scandal forces several characters to leave the comfortable Hertfordshire for the northern counties. Here Elizabeth is forced to see the world around her, from a new perspective, namely the world she has been blind to, the servants and workers, who is now her new level. Finally, the hearts of Elizabeth and the convict known as “Smith” open to each other, and love is discovered.

A daring plan is soon underway with the help of Richard Fitzwilliam, Mr Edward and Mrs Mary Benton and Elizabeth to prove that ‘Smith’ is ready to rejoin society and return to his former name. I was sitting on the edge of my seat at this point! Don’s new book was both a revelation and a shock to the system at certain points! The book also, in my opinion, was based on the principles of change and acceptance of the unexpected!

One quote Darcy makes during one of the last scenes touched me utterly!

“Henry Wilson was the Baptist, albeit preaching silently.” Smith smiled and chuckled at his jest. “His presence meant my term need not be served without companionship. Youngster that he was, he impressed upon me that I could negotiate the space within which I existed.” … “Wilson taught me that I was not alone, despite my imagined condition after my father’s death. Miss Elizabeth impressed upon me that I had become worthy of being loved”
It touched me since Darcy says that without Henry Wilson he would not have survived, or that is how I read it. But Don was not done, he several times referred to his own works, with the concepts of “The Loves” which is the cornerstones of changes in the Wardrobe series.

“The Greeks in their wisdom have identified four great loves. Miss Bennet has shown me the Fifth and Sixth… Exagoras agapis – The love that Redeems – and Synchotiki agape – the love that Forgives”
The Ending was as all of Don’s endings, happy, changed and ready to begin a new life after being lost in the wilderness.

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Mystery, romance, religion and misunderstandings

Reviewed: 09-20-20 Listener received this title free

A Peculiar Connection by Jan Hahn

This story takes its beginning when Bingley returns to propose to Jane, but instead of Darcy returning to renew his feelings he for Elizabeth, it’s Lady Catherine who makes an appearance and reveals shocking news, namely; Elizabeth is NOT a Bennet! I was shocked, speechless! I think I screamed silently for a long while at lady Catherine and even more when it’s revealed just whose daughter Elizabeth is... A Darcy!!! Half Sister to Georgiana and Fitzwilliam Darcy!

And then the chase began for the truth, since what they learned simply couldn’t be true! I was captivated by the narration by Amanda, and gave me goosebumps several times, made me rail and sigh more than once! From the mountains and valleys of Derbyshire, to Georgian Bath and to rural Ireland these star crossed lovers are going, to discover the truth!

And what a truth!!! I cannot say anything which was beyond brilliant, made me speechless and lastly had me at the edge of my seat to the every last minute! Mystery, religion, romance and misunderstandings is aplenty and made it into another masterpiece by Jan Hahn!

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Wonderful anthology

Reviewed: 09-14-20

The complete anthology was absolutely brilliant, the stories was well written and the narration was completely enjoyable. I especially loved the regency set stories, especially the busy lane at Longbourn was my absolute favorite story. But everyone of the stories was really good.

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