Peacock Plumes: The Passionate Opinions of a Well-Read Lady: May 2015

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.

52 Books In 52 Weeks Challenge

Altman, M., ed.: The Road to Pemberly: An Anthology of New Pride and Prejudice Stories***
Archer, J.: The Importance of Being Emma***+
Aylmer, J.: Darcy's Story***++ (N.B. starts before action in P&P, ends slightly after; well-done)
Beutner, K.: Alcestis **** (a wonderful retelling of the ancient story of Admetus and Alcestis expanded to include her prior life to meeting Admetus as well as the events of her 3-day stay in the underworld -- this is definitely NOT for the fluff-bunny neo-pagan)
Carriger, G.: Heartless(Parasol Protectorate 4)***+
Cassidy, D.: Accidentally Catty (5)*** (N.B. I think there can be more!!)
Cassidy, D.: Accidentally Dead (2)*** (N.B. vampires)
Cassidy, D.: Accidentally Demonic (4)***
Cassidy, D.: The Accidental Human (3)***
Cassidy, D.: The Accidental Werewolf (1)*** (N.B. rated R for language and sex; however, I thought this first volume in a five-part series will be fun)
Chase, A.: Strange Neighbors (1)**++
Chase, A.: The Vampire Next Door (3)**++
Chase, A: The Werewolf Upstairs (2)**++
Connelly, V.: A Weekend with Mr. Darcy***+ (N.B. not a modern adaptation; however, there are glimmers of the novels in many of the scenes and characters)
Graham, J.: Black Ships (1)**** (N.B. a really, really nice re-telling of Vergil's Aeneid)
Graham, J.: Stealing Fire (2)**** (N.B. around 900 years after the events in Black Ships, this story concerns Alexander, Ptolemy)
Graham, J.: The Hand of Isis (3)**** (N.B. concerns the fall of Ptolemaic Egypt, Cleopatra and two half-sisters, Caesar, etc.)
Harper, M.: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf (1)*** (N.B. cute and much better than the title would have you assume)
Harper, M.: Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men (2)***
Harper, M.: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (1)***
Harper, M.: Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (3)***
Harper, M.: The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf (2)*** (N.B. a nice continuation of the story with some new characters added into the mix)
Kelly, C.: Marrying the Captain(1)*** (N.B. first of a trio of novels about three sisters)
Kelly, C.: Marrying the Royal Marine(3)***
Kelly, C.: The Surgeon's Lady(2)***
Liss, D.: The Twelfth Enchantment ***+
McMullen, B.: Original Sin (1)***+ (N.B. former spy - wife - mother; great wry. dry humour)
Peeler, N.: Tempest Rising (1)*** (1st in a fantasy series about a young woman who is hawlf selkie)
Pierson, C.A.: And This Our Life, Chronicles of the Darcy Family: Book 1*** (N.B. first version)
Pierson, C.A.: Mr. Darcy's Little Sister*** (N.B. this is the 2nd version of And This Our Life; There are enough differences in the 2 novels that you may want to read both)
Rubino, J. & Rubino-Bradway, C.: Lady Vernon and Her Daughter***+ (N.B. a re-imagining of the early epistolary novelette Lady Susan)
Simonsen, M.L.: A Walk in the Meadow at Rosings Park *** (P&P novella length variation)
Simonsen, M.L.: Anne Elliot, A New Beginning*** (M.B. very funny sequel for Persuasion)
Sotis, W.: Promises *** (a very interesting P&P variation)
Szereto, M.: Pride & Prejudice: Hidden Lusts** (N.B. very strange; needless to say: ADULTS ONLY-- this was way too close to pornography for my tastes)
Vincent, R.: Pride (3) ***
Vincent, R.: Rogue (2) ***
Vincent, R.:Stray (1) ***
Wilhelm, K.: Clear and Convincing Proof***+ (N.B. a Barbara Holloway mystery)
Wishart, D.: Germanicus (2) ***
Wishart, D.: Ovid (1) ***