Each anthology in “The Quill Collective” series is a stand-alone book. “But I hate to hear you talking so, like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days.” —PERSUASION Jane Austen: True romantic or rational creature? Her novels transport us back to the Regency, a time when well-mannered gentlemen and finely-bred ladies fell in love as they danced at balls and rode in carriages. Yet her heroines, such as Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliot, and Elinor Dashwood, were no swooning, fainthearted damsels in distress. Austen’s novels have become timeless classics because of their biting wit, honest social commentary, and because she wrote of strong women who were ahead of their day. True to their principles and beliefs, they fought through hypocrisy and broke social boundaries to find their happily-ever-after. In the third romance anthology of The Quill Collective series, sixteen celebrated Austenesque authors write the untold histories of Austen’s brave adventuresses, her shy maidens, her talkative spinsters, and her naughty matrons. Peek around the curtain and discover what made Lady Susan so wicked, Mary Crawford so capricious, and Hettie Bates so in need of Emma Woodhouse’s pity. RATIONAL CREATURES is a collection of humorous, poignant, and engaging love stories set in Georgian England that complement and pay homage to Austen’s great works and great ladies who were, perhaps, the first feminists in an era that was not quite ready for feminism. “Make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will become good wives; —that is, if men do not neglect the duties of husbands and fathers.” —Mary WollstonecraftStories by: Elizabeth Adams * Nicole Clarkston * Karen M Cox * J. Marie Croft * Amy D’Orazio * Jenetta James * Jessie Lewis * KaraLynne Mackrory * Lona Manning * Christina Morland * Beau North * Sophia Rose * Anngela Schroeder * Joana Starnes * Caitlin Williams * Edited by Christina Boyd * Foreword by Devoney Looser MATURE CONTENT RATING as per EDITOR ALL STORIES CONTAINED HEREIN HAVE A HEAT INDEX RATING OF 1-3.(1) None: affection and possible kissing (2) Mild: kissing(3) Moderate: some sexual references but not explicit(4) Mature: some nudity and some provocative sex(5) Erotic Romance: explicit, abundance of sex

Rational Creatures: Stirrings of Feminism in the Hearts of Jane Austen's Fine Ladies (The Quill Collective)

Literature & Fiction

Starnes, Joana

D'Orazio, Amy

Williams, Caitlin

Cox, Karen M

James, Jenetta

North, Beau

Morland, Christina

Clarkston, Nicole

Genre Fiction

Quill Ink, The

Nefarious: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Independently published

Fitzwilliam Darcy is desperate. Finally confronted with a woman who ignites all his hopes, he agonizes over the cruel trick of fate which placed her in a situation beneath his notice. The morning after the Netherfield ball, he resolves to put as much distance between himself and her as possible. That very morning, however, Elizabeth's future is jeopardized by her father's untimely accident. With Mr Bennet unconscious and surrounded by concerned neighbors, Mr Collins presses his suit. Elizabeth's mother frantically demands her acceptance to secure the familiy's welfare. With so many witnesses to his proposal and everyone expecting her to make a practical choice, Elizabeth's reputation hangs in the balance. Without her father to defend her refusal of Mr Collins, there is no one to speak up for her... except the last man in the world she would ever marry.

Rumours & Recklessness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Classics

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

John Thornton is facing the collapse of everything he has worked for all of his life. Through his banker, he hears about a potential business opportunity that could save the mill. He decides to investigate, even if it means traveling from home when he can least afford it. Margaret Hale, now living in London, learns that her godfather Mr Bell is visiting her brother Frederick in Cadiz. Bell is dying, and asking to see her before it is too late. She is determined to sail, regardless of the risk. An accident on the docks leaves Margaret injured, and throws both together on the same ship. Thornton, resolved to protect Margaret's honour despite their painful history, claims to be her brother to keep her safe. Unfortunately, pretending to be Margaret's brother proves more difficult- and more dangerous- than he might have expected.

No Such Thing As Luck: A North and South Variation

Romance

Historical

Every great love has a beginning. In Austen's Pride and Prejudice, we meet with perhaps the most sensible, caring relatives a lovelorn young woman could hope for: Mr and Mrs Gardiner. For the first time, explore their story!Edward Gardiner has just been refused by the lovely young woman he had intended to make his wife. Heartbroken and eager for a diversion, he accepts an invitation from his brother-in-law, Thomas Bennet, to accompany him and his two eldest daughters to the north on family business. Gardiner's pleasure tour is interrupted, however, when his eldest niece falls ill and is unable to travel farther. Stopping over in the scarcely remarkable village of Lambton, the men decide that Bennet must continue on, while Gardiner and the children remain. The only trouble is that Gardiner has not the least idea how he should care for one ailing niece and the other who is ready to drive him to distraction... until he meets with Madeline Fairbanks.What begins as a convenient arrangement blossoms quickly into love, and it seems that all of Derbyshire is ready for some changes.

The Courtship of Edward Gardiner: A Pride & Prejudice Prequel

Literary

Amidst the turbulent backdrop of a manufacturing town in the grips of the Industrial Revolution, Elizabeth Gaskell penned the timeless passion of Mr. Thornton and Margaret Hale. A mixing of contemporary and Victorian, this short story anthology by twelve beloved authors considers familiar scenes from new points of view or re-imagined entirely. Capturing all the poignancy, heartbreak, and romance of the original tale, Falling for Mr. Thornton is a collection you will treasure again and again. Stories by: Trudy Brasure * Nicole Clarkston * Julia Daniels * Rose Fairbanks * Don Jacobson * Evy Journey * Nancy Klein * M. Liza Marte * Elaine Owen * Damaris Osborne * Melanie Stanford ** Foreword by Mimi Matthews **

Falling for Mr. Thornton: Tales of North and South

Owen, Elaine

Jacobson, Don

Brasure, Trudy

Fairbanks, Rose

Stanford, Melanie

Journey, Evy

Marte, M. Liza

Klein, Nancy

Osborne, Damaris

Collections & Anthologies

When the truth is harder to believe than disguise.   Drugged and betrayed in his own household, Fitzwilliam Darcy makes his escape from a forged compromise that would see him unhappily wed. Dressed as a footman, he is welcomed into one of London’s unknown neighbourhoods by a young lady who is running out of time and running for her life.   Deciding to hide in plain sight, Miss Elizabeth Bennet dodges the expectation to marry the man of her mother’s dreams. When the insolent footman she “found” refuses to leave her side until they can uncover a solution to their respective dilemmas, the two new acquaintances treat themselves to a holiday, experiencing the best of what Regency England has to offer.   Based on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, can two hard-headed characters with kind hearts discover the truth behind the disguise? Will they find love and romance while on a London Holiday?   Enjoy the banter, humour, and growing affection as Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth have the best day of their lives. This book is appropriate for all ages.

London Holiday: A Pride and Prejudice Romantic Comedy

Lady, A.

Can the pieces of a broken past be enough to build a solid future? Haunted by sorrow and regret, Margaret Hale stands at the precipice of an uncertain destiny. Fiercely determined but not knowing how to find her way, she risks the little she has left on the heart she once shattered—hoping somehow to win back his respect, if not his love. Since he was a boy, John Thornton has fought the consequences of his father’s mistakes. Resolved to overcome past failings and the disdain of the world, he has striven for wealth, respect, and personal honour, but he is denied love. Now, all he had previously gained is slipping away, but he cannot resist a second chance with the woman he once lost. Crushed on all sides, all he has left to offer the one who needs him most is a home, and a heart that aches for her. Can a struggling manufacturer ever be enough for a woman who deserves the world? Can a grieving, inexperienced young woman learn to look beyond her Southern past to appreciate her Northern man? When sorrow and fear threaten to conquer them both, they must overcome the odds to find the strength to forge a better life ahead. This dramatic tale delves into the wonderful world of Elizabeth Gaskell’s epic North &amp; South.

Nowhere but North: A North and South Variation

He's bored to death She's a breath of fresh air Fitzwilliam Darcy may never walk again. He's sustained a life-threatening injury and he's fighting everyone, even his own doctor, to maintain some control over his life. Elizabeth Bennet only wanted a book. What she found was a mind like her own, and a man desperately in need of a friend. And he likes her jokes. Can these two unlikely pen pals find their way to each other? Or is the separation of a letter just too great of a distance? A Proper Introduction is a sweet Regency novella of approximately 30,000 words. All books in the Sweet & Sassy series are standalone Elizabeth and Darcy romances with a touch of humor.

A Proper Introduction: A Pride & Prejudice Epistolary (Frolic and Romance)

James, Alix

Eagle Creek Press

Along for the Ride: A Pride and Prejudice Novella (Frolic and Romance)

Short Stories & Anthologies

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Books by Clarkston, Nicole