Unleashing Mr. Darcy

Unleashing Mr. Darcy 
by Teri Wilson

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman teetering on the verge of thirty must be in want of a husband.

Not true for Manhattanite Elizabeth Scott. Instead of planning a walk down the aisle, she's crossing the pond with the only companion she needs; her darling dog, Bliss. Caring for a pack of show dogs in England seems the perfect distraction from the scandal that ruined her teaching career, and her reputation, in New York. What she doesn't count on is an unstoppable attraction to billionaire dog breeder Donovan Darcy. The London tycoon's a little bit arrogant, a whole lot sexy, and the chemistry between them is disarming. When passion is finally unleashed, might Elizabeth hope to take home more than a blue ribbon? (Description from Goodreads.com)

What a cute book! I first saw the description in this monthly publication, Bookpages, our library gets that talks about upcoming releases.  It just sounded too fun to pass up, so I requested the book through interlibrary loan.  

Set in modern times, with a very modern main character, I loved seeing the influence of Pride and Prejudice in these pages.  Sometimes it was tongue-in-cheek, like when Elizabeth's sister, Jenna, makes a comment about how of course the hot British guy she meets is named Darcy, why wouldn't he be?  Sometimes, it was more a direct rewrite of the characters or a plot scene.  In every case, Wilson does a bang up job and this book is a winner for fans of Austen rewrites.  

The plot makes sense, the characters shine, and the romance is stellar.  I adored this book and will probably be purchasing a copy for my collection.  Well done. 

Full disclosure: Borrowed through Interlibrary Loan

My (newly found, I can't believe I hadn't seen this when it was happening!!!) love for The Lizzie Bennet Diaries...

I have discovered a new and most wonderous thing.

Have you heard of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries?? If not, I suggest you go check it out immediately.  

No, really. I meant like RIGHT NOW.  Click the link above.  I'll wait. 

You see, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is an EMMY award winning online, social-media based interactive (well, it mostly was when it was happening live) modern interpretation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Brilliant Masterminds Hank Green and Bernie Su took Austen's amazingly resonant story of a snarky girl who doesn't want to just get married and turned her into a modern snarky grad student who refuses to bow to her mother's pressures to get married.  AND.IT.IS.AMAZING!  









Originally, "Lizzie" posted two youtube videos a week chronicling her life and thoughts as part of her "grad-school thesis."  Most of the characters also had twitter accounts and interacted online with not only each other, but also with the public who were watching "The Lizzie Diaries."  Lizzie's older sister, Jane, also had a fashion tumblr and her younger sister, Lydia, even did some of her own diary videos.  The whole concept for the series was amazing to see... 

There are even moments of interpretive costume theater...and let me tell you, Lizzie's impersonations of her mother... I laughed so hard I wanted to cry sometimes. 

If, like me, you missed being part of this amazing phenomenon at its inception, don't worry.  You can catch up on EVERYTHING from the beginning by going here. The story page will take you through Lizzie's journey from start to finish across all platforms...and I bet like me, you'll be watching videos on your breaks and staying up late to watch just one more wayyy past your normal bedtime.  

*Believe me by the time you hit episode 84... you'll be experiencing ALL THE FEELS.  I cried, I cried HARD through a bunch of stuff at the end... *

This is something YOU ALL NEED TO CHECK OUT if you haven't already seen it.  I'm almost tempted to go back and start watching from the beginning...but, there's also a newer story done almost the same way by the same genius team starring Miss Gigi Darcy called "Welcome to Sanditon," (based on Austen's unfinished novel, Sanditon) that I am now happily working my way through... though a rewatch of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries will definitely be in order when the DVD finally comes out. You can bet your tushies I'll own it! 

Gotta go, there's more Sanditon waiting to be watched!!