One of my 'pride and joy' daughters wrote a post for my publisher's blog. Here's the link to: 'J. Marie Croft - blown away by biggest fan'
Author Mary Simonsen posted the following review of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge at both Amazon and Goodreads: 5.0 out of 5 stars Guaranteed Laugh, October 2, 2010 By Mary Lydon Simonsen "Author - The Perfect Bride... (Valley of the Sun, AZ) - See all my reviews This review is from: Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge (Paperback) Picture Colin Firth in the A&E Pride and Prejudice adaptation emerging from the pond at Pemberley, his wet shirt clinging to his muscular chest and his glorious curls framing his damp brow. But when you read Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge, you will have to add to this scene Mr. Darcy covered in pond goo, and that is where the fun (or puns) begin. This is so unique a retelling of P&P that it is impossible to do it justice. There is, of course, Darcy and Elizabeth, who are perfectly suited to each other, especially since they often speak in alliteration, but there is also Col. Fitzwilliam and Charles Bingley competing for Jane's attention and a love interest for Georgiana as well. Darcy learning to waltz is worth the price of the book. There are smile-ready (and groan-worthy) puns on nearly every page and witticisms aplenty. This is a hugely entertaining book. I highly recommend it.  Thanks, Mary! Top 10 Reasons to Read Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge 10. Healthy, wealthy, and wise-cracking characters 9. Children who say the darndest things 8. Artful alliterations 7. Prestigious Pemberley 6. Precious pets 5. Pretentious puns 4. Regency slang 3. Fitzwilliam Darcy 2. Drunk Fitzwilliam Darcy 1. Wet Fitzwilliam Darcy  Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge was originally supposed to consist of only six chapters, with each being a tribute to Jane Austen’s novels (Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, and Northanger Abbey). Wordplay on Austen’s titles was used to name the chapters; but as I wrote the story, each section became increasingly verbose. (The characters’ faults ... not mine.) Much later, when the final edits were being completed by Rhemalda, it was determined the longest sections would have to be chopped into shorter chapters. Yikes! I feared said chopping would somehow ruin my tribute to Austen’s novels. The editor had the same idea as my daughter ... divide the book into six parts, with each having as many chapters as necessary. So, I went through the manuscript and divided the story into shorter sections. While doing so, I warned the publisher I’d be tempted to give each new chapter a punny title. I was given the go-ahead, and I was all over it like Mr. Collins on Lady Catherine’s every word. For example: Part I Darcy in a Meadow at Pemberley ~ or ~ A Man’s Field (in his) Park (tribute to Mansfield Park) Chapter I Whilst Enduring the Heat of the Summer Sun, a Gentleman Still Wears His Coat ... and Pants Folks, there's lots more where that came from. Oh, oh! I just ended a sentence with a preposition. And I'm supposed to be a writer!? Oh, oh! I just started a sentence with 'And'. Well, at least I didn't use a double negative. That would be a no-no! In a Perfect World (first draft of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge) was posted at the DWG as a work-in-progress story. The second version, Upun My Word, Mr. Darcy!, later appeared at AHA. Feedback was complimentary and encouraging, such as:
_______________ WARNING: Readers of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge are strongly cautioned that certain scenes contain material considered  (pun and groan) Such content may result in side effects including but not limited to the following: - hurting cheeks (facial kind) - painful sides - groaning and moaning - snorting, sighing, and sustained smiling - crying (as in "Oh, for crying out loud!") - laughing out loud _______________ As a firm believer in the adage ‘Laughter is the best medicine’, I’m at a loss to prescribe anything for one’s relief when laughter caused the above-noted symptoms. My advice is to keep reading. No one has ever died from laughing. ... Have they? ... Um ... Excuse me now, please. I, ah, have to go Google something. Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge is a pun-filled tale featuring Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice characters with some added or addled, missing or missish, modified or mortified, healthier, wealthier, or wiser SUMMARY: It all started on a Summery day ... Impeccable comportment is mandatory in Regency England, a society governed by strict rules of conduct. Perfectionist Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to an august ancestral estate, is the epitome of an unimpeachable gentleman. Our hero’s immaculate image is somewhat tarnished when he and his handsome traveling companions arrive, hot and sweaty, at Pemberley and decide to take a fateful plunge into a scummy pond. An embarrassing encounter on the estate’s lawn leaves a long-lasting impression on Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, who are new acquaintances of Georgiana and Anna Darcy. With both families in London for the Little Season, Darcy finds himself thrown again into the path of perky, pretty Elizabeth Bennet; but a handsome army officer just might blockade further advances. This Regency-era romantic comedy is a lighthearted adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, featuring a softer, sweeter, sillier side of Jane Austen’s beloved characters.  | AuthorI have been a Nova Scotia resident and an avid reader all my life. I discovered Jane Austen’s works later than others but made up for lost time by devouring her six novels and as many adaptations, sequels, and fan-fiction stories as I could find. In the midst of all that reading, I realized, ‘Hey, perhaps I can do that!’. The rest, as they say, is history ... her-story ... my story ... and that story is titled Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge. ArchivesSeptember 2011 CategoriesAll |
RSS Feed