About the Book
Book: Darcy by Any Other Name
Author: Laura Hile
Genre: Historical Christian Romance, Regency
Release Date: May 13, 2016
Discover the Pride and Prejudice body-swap romance that has readers laughing in surprise and delight.
For most, this is a glorious evening of music and dancing. But out in the garden two men are arguing, while a ferocious rainstorm swirls round. And then the unthinkable happens: a lightning bolt from heaven strikes. In that instant everything changes.
Jane Austen’s heartthrob hero becomes the bumbling Reverend Collins. Shorn of his fortune, his social standing, and his good looks, Mr. Darcy is trapped in Mr. Collins’ body. And Mr. Collins wakes up to discover that he is master of Pemberley.
Could there be anything worse?
But the inner man is still Darcy. He is in love with Elizabeth Bennet. And now he is living in her house.
But the inner man is still Darcy. He is in love with Elizabeth Bennet. And now he is living in her house.
If you enjoy a smart, sparkling Regency romp in the classic “Heyeresque” style, then you will love Laura Hile’s Darcy By Any Other Name.
About the Author
My journey as a writer began with the Internet. And with Jane Austen.
How is that for an unlikely combination?
I have always loved classic Regency romances. You know the kind – with a dashing, honorable hero and a lovely, intelligent heroine. Delicious banter, unexpected plot twists, humor, and a happy ending. If faith is woven into the story, so much the better.
When I discovered an online forum for Jane Austen-related fiction, I was hooked. With Jane’s characters for inspiration, I began writing and posting serialized Regency stories. To keep readers coming back for more, I developed my signature style: intertwined plots, cliffhangers, and laugh-out-loud humor.
The comedy I come by in my job as a middle school teacher—there’s never a dull moment with teens!
I live in Beaverton, Oregon with my husband.
More from Laura
I see that double-take you just did. Darcy By Any Other Name is a what? A Pride and Prejudice body-swap romance? Seriously?
Indeed yes. And it’s a really fun read. I blame my sense of humor. And the fact that I think too much.
Here’s the thing: we women are captivated by Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy—we are! Handsome, aloof, and wealthy, he embodies the perfect male. By comparison, the ordinary guy has no chance. (And heaven help the fellow who is plain!)
Yet we know that attraction involves more than good looks and a fat wallet.
I began to play with this thought. Because Mr. Darcy is also honorable, intelligent, kind, and funny—qualities that transform an ugly man and capture a woman’s interest. The shared smile, the twinkle in the eyes, the finishing of her sentences. These are endearing! These are why we women fall in love!
Once the body swap idea showed up, I knew I had struck story gold. Will Darcy-as-Collins capture Elizabeth Bennet’s heart?
No, wait! She cannot fall for him because he’s the wrong man—no, the right man! But he’s in that podgy body! She cannot love Mr. Darcy when he’s—ugly! Can she?
Ah, but of course she can. Now what?
Think of Darcy By Any Other Name as a happy roller coaster ride. And you know what they say about those: “Get in, sit down, and hold on.”
Do leave a comment and enter the giveaway. I think you will enjoy this fun, romantic book.
Looking at this book as I began to read was very overwhelming at first. The book has over six hundred pages which I thought was going to be a very long story with unnecessary parts that could have been left out. I learned a lesson after a few pages. We all know the saying, "Never judge a book by its cover, " which is what I had already done without opening the book.
I am happy to say I was wrong in my judgment and quickly turned page after page because the story is very well written. The characters become alive as the author breathes importance into each character with gifted words. I began to forget everything around me and was transported to a time where ballrooms where used to find a companion to dance with and perhaps get noticed by the well to do. The music played as the couples swayed with the beat.
Welcome to a story that is not what it seems. Two characters change bodies and off we go into a world where laughter, love and shenanigans abound. Have you ever said you wished you were more like so and so? In this story two characters will have the opportunity to see how the other is treated and what people think of them. It is a wonderful play on a Jane Austen book with characters that experience the ups and downs of the wealthy .
There are quite a few funny moments that are highlights in the book. The frustration of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins is an Oscar winning performance. The author delivers a tale where the unexpected is at every turn. Along the way the two men learn valuable lessons which change their outlook on life. Wealth plays a part in the story as the author shows the characters looking at life in a different way.
Love is in the air in this funny take on a classic novel. Who will end up with whom? Will Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins return to their own bodies? Get ready for an adventure that explores the transformation of two men as they realize what is really important in life. Oh how I loved the devotion Darcy had for Elizabeth. But does Elizabeth like Darcy or Mr. Collins? The twists are a treat and the author delivers a powerful story of what ifs. I enjoyed the story and needless to say, the book never felt long like my first reaction was. It does move at a good pace and you quickly immerse yourself in hoping for happiness as love is sprinkled among the characters.
I received a copy of this book by Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Through the Fire Blogs, September 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 30
A Baker’s Perspective, October 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 1
Reflections From My Bookshelves, October 2
For Him and My Family, October 2
Back Porch Reads, October 3
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 4
Mary Hake, October 4
Remembrancy, October 5
Emily Yager, October 5
Bigreadersite, October 6
Rebecca Tews, October 6
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 7
Rev. Rebecca Writes: Read, Write, Pray, October 8
Creating Romance, October 8
Blossoms and Blessings, October 9
janicesbookreviews, October 9
By The Book, October 10
Moments, October 11
Pause for Tales, October 11
Texas Book-aholic, October 12
A Reader’s Brain, October 12
Inklings and notions , October 13
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
SIBYL TRIMBLE, the daughter of a wealthy banking family during the Great Depression in Shawnee, Oklahoma, promises her father to be part of a political movement to change the world. By 1932, the timing to fulfill that promise seems right. Her life consists of fashionable clothes, cruising in a Model T, and dancing every weekend at the local speakeasy.
A Christian writer, Biblical counselor, teacher and speaker who offers insight, the author loves connecting to people individually and through retreats and conferences.
Angelina Matthews has everything—rich, famous and beautiful—until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a madman, wearing only a T-shirt. The dirt is his—the blood is hers. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God. Help comes in the form of Nate Goodman. When their paths cross months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped—not in a basement but in the memories she can’t escape. Nate knows all about being trapped—and getting un-trapped. As an ex-Chicago cop he’s had his own demons to wrestle, but his faith helped him to move forward. He reaches out to Angelina whose paranoid delusions have her trapped still. But are they delusions?
