Visiting Hunsford

Things are hopping over at AHA right now.

I was sorry to see a very good thing come to an end today as CaseyC posted the final chapter of her clever little story Single Until... (Rated MA). This has been a fun and witty read. I love anything that combines Jane Austen with references to Manolo Blahnik!

But, as is often the case, when one story completes, another begins. Today, there were two new beginnings, Worlds Apart and It Was Bliss.

In my book, Spock was always the sexiest alien thing on two legs. Even more than Captain Kirk or even (gulp!) Khan. (Really, it almost pains me to write that last bit...) For those who agree with me, we have a new story to drool over. Worlds Apart (Rated R/MA and written by newcomer rev_jo) is set in a not-so-distant future when we have Made Contact. As is often the case, D'arcy is royalty, or the alien equivalent thereof, and coming to mingle with those of us who...well, aren't. This story has an excellent beginning, and I hope that a new chapter will post soon- I am curious to see exactly how D'arcy reacts to our dear Miss Bennet.

Zuki's T-rated It Was Bliss is slightly more traditional, and is (gulp!) promising a bit of angst. I did manage, however, to take myself in hand and read the story anyway. I can definitely see some angst starting, and I have some theories on what form that angst will take, but I will not reveal any of that here. According to the author's note, this story does not follow canon, but does keep the E&D pairing together; therefore, I can read knowing all will turn out in the end. As this story opens, an hung-over Elizabeth wakes in a strange room, with a man behind her. Need we speculate as to who this will be? I already love this characterization of William, he is so adorably sweet!

And don't forget to participate in May is for Merriment before it ends this weekend! There are some hysterical quickies posted in the Authors section, including one of my own humbling offerings. Check them out and enjoy the hilarity!

Shocked and Amused!

I am all astonishment!

In our oh-so-scientific, terribly-accurate, and completely-reliable poll, not only did Colin Firth LOSE to Matthew McFayden, he lost by 9 votes! NINE VOTES, PEOPLE!!!!

I really am blown away! When I put this poll up, I was certain our dear Mr. Firth would win by a long-shot. I have been proven wrong. Dear Mr. McFayden has quite a following.

And thank you to the record-setting number of people who voted! Particularly to those who voted "both" or "no tomatoes" with me- there are a small faction of us and we should stick together!

Final Results:

Colin Firth: 50
Matthew McFayden: 59
Both: 8
No Tomatoes: 4

Making Out His Character

I love men in skin-tight suits. What's been even more exciting is imagining Darcy in a skin-tight suit.

Fortunately there is now another story in which I can indulge myself. The Dark Knight is posted at AHA, and puts Darcy into Super Hero mode as a kind of Batman-type character who spends his days as a respectable businessman, and his nights fighting crime in the city. And all the Super Darcy fans cry "huzzah"!

What's more, author ElizabethC has racheted up the plot with a woman who rescues the Knight (much to his chagrin) and a really cool, evil supervillian!

Perhaps I can be selfish (since there is no hope of a cure!) and ask for a new chapter tonight??

High Diversion

"So," you may ask, "what is diverting you this week, Sarah?" And I would answer, "A Noteworthy Courtship, of course!"

I love this story, written by Laura S. and posted on DWG. It revolves around a rather improper exchange of notes between Darcy and Elizabeth. To make it even funnier, neither knows with whom they are corresponding! Of course, Darcy is taken in by Elizabeth's wit and teasing, while she attempts to put down the man's arrogance.

I can't wait for more!

If She Had Ever Learnt

I must admit to being enthralled by several stories this week.

One of them is Miscommunication. This modern is one of the sweetest and most poignant stories I have read in a long time, having one of the strongest representations of Anne I have ever read. If you haven't read it, Miscommunication is a what-if; suppose Anne was terminally ill, and Darcy married her to see she was properly cared for in her remaining years? I am so impressed with the representation of illness and the sensitivity with which JulietR handles some of the deeper themes of this story.

This week's post shows William getting away from his life, while Elizabeth and Jane are planning a quiet vacation. Imagine who will meet up next?

Miscommunication is posted on AHA and HG.

May Merriment!

In honor of the month of May, AHA is holding a May is for Merriment game for writers, readers, and lurkers all!

To join, suggest a plot bunny that you have always want to seen written in the Plot Bunnies section. You can also pick one to write on yourself. The quickies are posted in the Authors section. The quickies cannot be beta'd- just posted as-is. And there are some funny stories posted!

I've already suggested a couple of plot bunnies, and I've been inspired by a couple of suggestions. It might even motivate me to get off my rear and do some of my own writing.

Either a writer or a suggester be, but get involved- this is already hysterically funny!
Kudos to whoever came up with this!

A Great Reader...

I hate to admit this, but I'm in the middle of another marathon read. TraceyKay posted to Action and Reaction today on HG, and despite the fact the "goto" link says I've read this before, I remember nothing. That hasn't stopped the story from getting under my skin!

Set in Canada, Elizabeth has a career in foreign affairs, and meets Darcy when she and Jane (a dentist) crash a party Charles is holding in his home. There is a crazy little scene in which Elizabeth passes herself off as Darcy's girlfriend to keep him safe from Caroline, and then there is the scene that (had I been drinking) might have caused liquid to leak from my mouth.

I'm sure there was some drool. This was SO completely drool-worthy!

The scene I'm referring to involves a bachelor auction, and our heartthrob being forced into taking a walk down that particular catwalk! Can I get a shout of appreciation from the ladies in the group???

TraceyKay, this is a great story, and I might be up all night reading it. Just thought you should know.

Oh, Mr. Collins!

I had a laugh-out-loud moment today reading the latest chapter of Sirius' Intentions. Mr. Collins, in a pique of cleverness, attempted to compromise Lizzy. But of course, we all know that isn't going to work, don't we??

And of course, it didn't, causing one of the funniest scenes I've read in a long time.

Sirius' Intentions is posted on DWG, 50 Miles, and AHA.

Lately, in London...

It is now a little after 1AM. I really should learn to control myself. But alas, I have yet again let myself be enticed into another marathon reading. This is NOT a good thing, as I am really trying hard to go to bed before 11. Really!

I just finished reading unina's lovely story Love and Acceptance. I had actually started this story some time ago, but didn't keep up with it. Which makes me think of my ongoing debate with myself- WIP??? Or Completed stories only??? I can make a good argument both ways. But today...well, I'm really glad I read a completed story!

Love and Acceptance tells the story of a lovably OCD Darcy and his enchantment with a free-spirited granola. This story had some wonderful moments...but I have to say, my favorites were Richard being afraid, VERY afraid, of Mary, the environmental ninja. When she attacked him at the Bennet house, I laughed my head off! I am also in awe of unina's wit; the story had me rolling with some of the slight barbs and descriptions!

Unina has also posted a vignette for Mother's Day, entitled Goddess. Both Goddess and Love and Acceptance are posted at HG and AHA, and are rated R/MA.

Now, unina, will we get another vignette in which we find out if Darcy overheard Mary correctly outside Liam's door? I'm really hoping for an odd-couple here!

At last!

My misery has been assuaged. Of Time Gone By has been updated!

How fortunate we are that Bekah listens to her reader's needs. Due in part to the outrage expressed after her last chapter ended in a cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers (props to Bekah for that!), she was persuaded to post the next chapter 2 days early. Thank goodness! I for one was very worried for our dear hero.

Unfortunately, Bekah also has informed us that she will be unable to post for another couple of weeks, due to family commitments. I'm sure we all wish Bekah's family well, but I am equally sure I am not alone in hoping she can find her way clear to give us another chapter soon!


Of Time Gone By is posted at DWG.

Adieu!

I am sad to report Pick Me Up has been completed on AHA. Such a delightful piece of naughtiness! And the ending...well, whenever I need a good laugh, I'll be sure to think of Darcy's appearance on The Daily Show. What a pick-me-up!

Pick Me Up is definitely MA.

New Acquaintance!

How delighted I was to see a new offering from Sarah Hoyt posted on DWG today! Between the Night and the Morrow is her latest bit of P&P fantasy- and I'm already enthralled with the possibilities. As LE said in her comment, Elf Prince Darcy! What more could a girl want?

Such Felicity!

I was going to post and complain that Gaylelynnm's Expectations roused my anger with that dastardly cliffhanger at the end of her post yesterday. Instead, I find that patience is rewarded. Today she posted again, saying she didn't want us upset with her little cliffie. It was wonderful to find out who beat whom- though I thought for sure it would be...but you need to read the story to find out!

This story is definitely keeping me on my toes, and I do hope that (despite her warnings there will not be a post next Sunday because of Mother's Day) we will see the next chapter as usual.

Expectations is rated PG/T and posted at HG and AHA.