Mr. Darcy's Bite

by Mary Simonsen

Overview

Mr. Darcy has a secret...

Darcy is acting rather oddly. After months of courting Elizabeth Bennet, no offer of marriage is forthcoming and Elizabeth is first impatient, then increasingly frightened. For there is no denying that the full moon seems to be affecting his behavior, and Elizabeth's love is going to be tested in ways she never dreamed...

Darcy has more than family pride to protect: others of his kind are being hunted all over England and a member of Darcy's pack is facing a crisis in Scotland. It will take all of Elizabeth's faith, courage, and ingenuity to overcome her prejudice and join Darcy in a Regency world she never knew existed.

Praise for The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy:

"Simonsen spins off another superior Jane Austen homage."

—Publishers Weekly

"Engrossing and delightful…Simonsen takes quite an intriguing approach."

—Rundpinne

"A fast-reading, engaging style…brings a new and enjoyable immediacy to Jane Austen's most popular novel."

—Linda Banche Romance Author

"Creative, well-paced, and definitely diverting."

—Austenprose

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402250781
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	10/01/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	904 KB

About the Author

Mary Lydon Simonsen is the author of two Regency Austen re-imaginings, The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy and A Wife for Mr. Darcy, and a Jane Austen historical romance, Searching for Pemberley, which was acclaimed by Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and RT Book Reviews. She is well loved and widely followed on all the Jane Austen fanfic sites, with tens of thousands of hits and hundreds of reviews whenever she posts. The author lives in Arizona.

Mary Lydon Simonsen is the author of two Regency Austen re-imaginings, The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy and A Wife for Mr. Darcy, and a Jane Austen historical romance, Searching for Pemberley, which was acclaimed by Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and RT Book Reviews. She is well loved and widely followed on all the Jane Austen fanfic sites, with tens of thousands of hits and hundreds of reviews whenever she posts. The author lives in Arizona.

Read an Excerpt

Elizabeth was in her room reading when Mrs. Hill came upstairs to announce that Mr. Darcy was in the parlor and would like to see her. This news generated little excitement. Mr. Darcy had been in her parlor on many occasions, always with the same request: "May I ask that you join me for a walk in the garden?"
The first dozen times, Lizzy had been truly excited because it was obvious that Mr. Darcy liked her very much. The next few times, she was equally flattered by his requests because she was convinced that all of this attention, paid over the course of the six months since Jane and Charles had married, was leading to a request that they begin a formal courtship. But then some urgent business would call him back to Pemberley, and he would be gone for a week or, as had happened in June, for the entire month. When he returned, he would be back in the Bennet parlor as happy as a puppy to see his mistress. But she had tired of this routine, and today she was going to tell him so.
Lizzy went into the parlor and found Mr. Darcy standing in front of the window. The outside light served to create a silhouette of the master of Pemberley, and it was a very flattering one: tall, with wavy hair, a strong chin, broad chest, narrow waist, muscular thighs, and excellent calves. My goodness, he was a handsome man-and an excited one. He nearly sprinted across the room to greet her. If the room had been as large as the parlor at Pemberley, she thought that he might have leapt over the tea table to get to her. There was never a lack of enthusiasm on his part when he did come calling, making his behavior all the more puzzling.
Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, and Mary remained in the parlor with Lizzy while Mr. Darcy, who was staying with the Bingleys, shared the latest news about Jane and Charles, including their decision to renew the lease on Netherfield Park. Without embarrassment, an unusual circumstance for a man discussing an expectant mother, he also shared that Jane was looking hale and hearty, and not showing any discomfort in carrying "her lone offspring." This news was well received, earning smiles all around, and after some additional small talk, the superfluous Bennets rose and departed.
As on every other occasion, Mrs. Bennet was convinced that "today was the day" when Mr. Darcy would ask Lizzy to be his wife, and she gave her daughter a knowing smile on her way out. With the door left slightly ajar, Lizzy listened for the retreating footsteps of her mother and sisters. After she was sure that Mama was not eavesdropping, she turned to Mr. Darcy. "You said Jane was experiencing no difficulty in carrying 'her lone offspring.' That is a very peculiar way of phrasing it. One child is the rule, not the exception, Mr. Darcy."
"I imagine that did sound odd," he said, fidgeting. "Our Newfoundland recently had a litter. I guess that was in the back of my mind when I made that comment."
Lizzy nodded, but asked no questions about the furry arrivals at Pemberley. Although she usually took the lead in their conversations, she was of no mind to do so today. When the gentleman asked if they might go for a walk in the park, Lizzy stated that she preferred to remain indoors.
"But the weather is absolutely perfect for a brisk walk."
"Mr. Darcy, we have been fortunate on your many visits to have had good weather. However, I am not inclined to walk today. Maybe on your next visit or the one after that or the one after that, we may go for a walk."
"Elizabeth, you are out of sorts with me, and I do not blame you. I know my coming and going has been an irritant to you."
Yes, an irritant and inexplicable. Your excuses for your frequent absences never satisfy.
"But my purpose today is to invite you to Pemberley. My cousin, Anne de Bourgh, is coming with my sister from London, so that we might all go together." Mr. Darcy came and sat next to Lizzy on the sofa and took her hands in his. "If your parents approve, I would like to set out as soon as possible because there is something I would like to share with you, but I must do it at Pemberley."
Lizzy's mood altered immediately, and she was so bold as to kiss him on the cheek. But Mr. Darcy was even bolder, and he put his hand on her neck and brought her toward him. Her kiss was as wonderful as he had imagined it would be, and he could feel the heat rising. Reluctantly, he let her go, but whispered. "Everything will be decided at Pemberley. Will you come?" Lizzy went to the library to get her father's permission to go to Derbyshire with Mr. Darcy.

Editorial Reviews

"This was an interesting take on the traditional Pride and Prejudice story...This book picks up right after Lydia's forced marriage, and the author did a wonderful job blending the two stories together. She's very true to the old world way of speaking, and despite the werewolf factor, this is an amazing addition to the world of Pride and Prejudice.
" - RomFanReviews

"This book is matter of fact about Darcy being a werewolf and it really does not get in the way of the telling of Darcy and Lizzy's love story. The writing of this book was very good and kept with Austen's style. This book fleshed out Austen's characters in a different way and did it well." - Palmer's Pick's For Reading

"I especially liked Mary Lydon Simonsen's humorous style. She is good with words and there are very amusing pages in this novel, for instance those describing Elizabeth and Darcy engaged in their inevitable skirmishes. It is a delightful paranormal romance that will appeal to mashup fans and to those loving Austen sequels with a new take on familiar events.

" - My Jane Austen Book Club

"If you're an Austen purist who can let their hair down a bit, Mr. Darcy's Bite could fit your need for the paranormal this Halloween season without scaring you senseless. Simonsen's work is always a delight to read, and Mr. Darcy's Bite is no exception." - Savvy Verse & Wit

"Unlike another popular vampire work, Twilight, where werewolves appear because of vampires, Simonsen provides an actual realistic explanation for it. The novel is written with fabulous Gothic undertones, creating a dark and spooky reading atmosphere that grips you from cover to cover. " - Austen Prose

"Mr. Darcy's Bite is the perfect novel for those Austenesque readers who are wanting to branch out try a paranormal novel/Austen mash-up but not wanting something graphic or violent. An entertaining, light read — perfect for October! " - Austenesque Reviews

"When I read the blurb for this book, I was intrigued. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book and werewolf/shapeshifter romances are my favorite genre. A combination of the two seemed like a dream come true, and Mr. Darcy's Bite doesn't disappoint...All in all, Mr. Darcy's Bite is a great read, which I highly recommend. " - Book Lover and Procrastinator

"What I enjoy about Simonsen's re-tellings are the plot is always so thick and well developed, being the forefront of the story. Her secondary characters propel the story forward and her descriptions cause the pages to turn themselves. The ending is amazing! How I never saw it coming... I do not know, but it will cause tears in any true Austen fan!" - My Little Corner of the World

"If you want something extra in your JA variation then go for this one, you will love Mr. Darcy as a werewolf." - Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

"In Mr. Darcy's Bite, Mary Lydon Simonsen has succeeded in crafting a story true to Regency sensibilities within the framework of an almost done-to-death paranormal motif." - Linda Banche and Her Historical Hilarity

"Mr. Darcy's Bite stays true to Austen's characters, with the humor and wit I loved in Pride and Prejudice. Simonsen uses werewolves not to create a haunting atmosphere but to further the love story, showing how nothing can stand in the way of true love..." - Diary of an Eccentric

"Simonsen has created a paranormal version of Pride and Prejudice that remains true to the love between between the two characters while adding a new dimension to the story...Simonsen adds just enough of both elements to balance both worlds and still provide a riveting and emotional book." - Debs Book Bag

"Mary Lydon Simonsen turns Jane Austen's classical tale into a maze of twists and thrills, perfect in time for Halloween." - Anohki Magazine

"That was a fun, different twist on P&P with a werewolf thrown in for good measure!" - Life in the Thumb

"A fresh, original paranormal Jane Austen sequel by bestselling author Mary Simonsen explores Mr. Darcy as the leader of a secret world of werewolves threatened with extinction." - Daytona Beach News-Journal

"What I am about to say may sound a bit odd, but I can truly see Mr. Darcy as a werewolf. That would explain his character traits, so I believe that this type of paranormal fits better than the others that I have read. " - Royal Reviews

"A Pride and Prejudice werewolf story. But this isn't your typical werewolf story, it is a romance. Oh, Mr. Darcy is most definitely a werewolf but this is not a gruesome story. In fact, Mary Simonsen made the whole werewolf thing very interesting and surprisingly organized! " - So Little Time

"Simonsen's clever reimagining of Pride and Prejudice...Simonsen plausibly and intricately weaves in Jane Austen's plot and dialogue to create an entertaining pastiche of the original. " - Booklist Online

"Mary Lydon Simonsen captured Lizzy perfectly. Of all the Lizzys I have encountered, this is the best one...I absolutely loved the shapeshifter storyline. I do have to admit that I was surprised at how well it meshed into the Pride and Prejudice world." - Books Like Breathing

"This book is written with enough originality, whimsy and respect for Jane Austen's style to make it stand out in the crowded field of Austen genre mash-ups...Simonsen's characterizations are faithful to Austen, but engagingly playful with the possibilities of a werewolf double-life...The classic love story between Elizabeth and Darcy holds firm, even if things do get a little hairy once a month. " - Sunday Star Ledger

From the Publisher

Simonsen's clever reimagining of Pride and Prejudice...Simonsen plausibly and intricately weaves in Jane Austen's plot and dialogue to create an entertaining pastiche of the original.

Booklist Online

A Pride and Prejudice werewolf story. But this isn't your typical werewolf story, it is a romance. Oh, Mr. Darcy is most definitely a werewolf but this is not a gruesome story. In fact, Mary Simonsen made the whole werewolf thing very interesting and surprisingly organized!

So Little Time

A fresh, original paranormal Jane Austen sequel by bestselling author Mary Simonsen explores Mr. Darcy as the leader of a secret world of werewolves threatened with extinction.

Daytona Beach News-Journal

That was a fun, different twist on P&P with a werewolf thrown in for good measure!

Life in the Thumb

Mary Lydon Simonsen turns Jane Austen's classical tale into a maze of twists and thrills, perfect in time for Halloween.

Anohki Magazine

Simonsen has created a paranormal version of Pride and Prejudice that remains true to the love between between the two characters while adding a new dimension to the story...Simonsen adds just enough of both elements to balance both worlds and still provide a riveting and emotional book.

Debs Book Bag

In Mr. Darcy's Bite, Mary Lydon Simonsen has succeeded in crafting a story true to Regency sensibilities within the framework of an almost done-to-death paranormal motif.

Linda Banche and Her Historical Hilarity

If you want something extra in your JA variation then go for this one, you will love Mr. Darcy as a werewolf.

Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Mr. Darcy's Bite is the perfect novel for those Austenesque readers who are wanting to branch out try a paranormal novel/Austen mash-up but not wanting something graphic or violent. An entertaining, light read — perfect for October!

Austenesque Reviews

Unlike another popular vampire work, Twilight, where werewolves appear because of vampires, Simonsen provides an actual realistic explanation for it. The novel is written with fabulous Gothic undertones, creating a dark and spooky reading atmosphere that grips you from cover to cover.

Austen Prose

This book is matter of fact about Darcy being a werewolf and it really does not get in the way of the telling of Darcy and Lizzy's love story. The writing of this book was very good and kept with Austen's style. This book fleshed out Austen's characters in a different way and did it well.

Palmer's Pick's For Reading

This was an interesting take on the traditional Pride and Prejudice story...This book picks up right after Lydia's forced marriage, and the author did a wonderful job blending the two stories together. She's very true to the old world way of speaking, and despite the werewolf factor, this is an amazing addition to the world of Pride and Prejudice.

RomFanReviews

If you're an Austen purist who can let their hair down a bit, Mr. Darcy's Bite could fit your need for the paranormal this Halloween season without scaring you senseless. Simonsen's work is always a delight to read, and Mr. Darcy's Bite is no exception.

Savvy Verse & Wit