The body swap no Darcy lover wanted to think about.
For every good thing, there is an equally bad one. For every lover, there is a fighter. For every hero, there is a villain – or at least a bumbling fool. What happens when one of classic literatures most beloved, and complex, heroes switches places with the antithesis of his characteristics? Chaos. Mayhem. Total Confusion.
What ever possessed Laura Hile to write Darcy By Any Other Name is beyond me. It can only come from one crazy, twisted imagination – and it is a joy to read. The level of creativity required to alter such a beloved character is something many are unable to tap into. Or at least don’t wish to even approach. Laura Hile on the other hand said, “Lets go there. Lets twist this proud man and this glutton like an orange on a juicer and see what comes out.” (No, she didn’t really say that, but that is the level of bravery it takes to do this.)
Throughout the story you get a deeper understanding of who Darcy really is. The reader gets to see his inner most thoughts and feel his pain‘s in a whole new way. A Pride and Prejudice aficionado may not appreciate the level of liberties Laura Hile took to create this body swap plot line. But I sure did. There wasn’t a detail she missed and just when I begin to question how she was going to bring it back around to the original context, she amaze me with how effortlessly she did just that.
I was unsure how well I would like this adaptation but found that I was entranced with “what will happen next” each night. “One more chapter” became my Moto each time I looked at the clock and saw The minute hand approaching midnight. Thank you, Laura Hile, for being brave enough to make this attempt and entertaining us all so magnificently that putting this book down becomes difficult.
*I was given a copy of this story from the publisher through CelebrateLit. My honest view of this story in entirely my own.
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.
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.
Click here to get your copy.
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.
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.
Melissa, girlfriend, I’m sorry about the midnight reading thing! Time for the working author is a precious commodity. Thank you for spending yours to encourage me in my writing career.
At the same time, I’m glad to know that you enjoyed the book. As you can tell, I had WAY too much fun writing some of those scenes.
Here’s a fun factoid about Darcy By Any Other Name: I hit the publish button on Saturday, May 14th. But Amazon BACKDATED it to be May 13th instead.
FRIDAY, May 13th.
My oldest son put it together for me. “Mom, your “freaky Friday” body-swap book was published on a Freaky Friday.”
I’m still smiling about that.
That is awesome! ? Couldn’t have been any better.
Sounds like quite a tale. I’ve seen a movie version of Pride & Prejudice, but never read the book…
You should still be able to follow along well. I would recommend reading the original though. The movies never do to books justice.
This sounds pretty interesting. It messes with my brain, though!
This book sounds like a fantastic read.
This looks like a good one!
Sounds intriguing!