Book Synopsis
“Obstinate, headstrong girl!”
For over two hundred years, the heroine of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE,
Elizabeth Bennet has enchanted and inspired readers by being that
“obstinate, headstrong girl” willing to stand up to the arrogance and
snobbery of her so-called betters. Described by Austen as having a
“lively, playful disposition,” Elizabeth embodies the perfect
imperfections of strong-willed women everywhere: she is spirited, witty,
clever, and loyal.
In this romance anthology, ten Austenesque authors sketch Elizabeth’s
character through a collection of re-imaginings, set in the Regency
through contemporary times. In ELIZABETH: OBSTINATE, HEADSTRONG GIRL,
she bares her most intimate thoughts, all the while offering biting
social commentary about life’s absurdities. Elizabeth overcomes the
obstacles of others’ opinions, not to mention her own flaws, to find a
love truly worthy of her—her Mr. Darcy—all with humor and her sparkling
charm. “I think her as delightful a character as ever appeared in
print…” wrote Jane Austen in a letter to her sister Cassandra, January
1813―and we think so too!
Foreword by NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare.
Stories by: Elizabeth Adams, Christina Boyd, Karen M Cox, J. Marie
Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland,
Beau North, and Joana Starnes.
Note from Editor Christina Boyd
This Dream Team of authors--Elizabeth Adams, Karen M Cox, J. Marie
Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland,
Beau North, and Joana Starnes--joined me on another adventure with no
promise of success but countless hopes. Like many journeys, we
encountered unexpected turns, and even a few disappointments, but "it
was our business to be satisfied" and prefer to "think only of the past
as its remembrance gives you pleasure." I am forever indebted for their
creativity, inspiration, great suggestions, and adherence to schedule.
And for bolstering my own offering of an Elizabeth story. I can easily
count you all as my friends. I am really proud of their work and how
well this collection of stories came together.
In my previous anthologies, we were blessed to have such stellar Austen
academics like Dr. Claudine DiMuzio and Dr. Devoney Looser write our
forewords, and it was doubly important to find someone who really
understood Austen, especially Elizabeth Bennet, for this project as
well. I had heard that New York Times and USA Today bestselling Regency
romance author Tessa Dare had once upon a time written Jane Austen fan
fiction. When author Beau North suggested we ask her to write the
foreword, there was a resounding "Yes!" You might say we were audacious
to even ask but, in the temperament of Lizzy Bennet, our "courage always
rises..." When she ardently accepted, you can imagine us: "What
delight! What felicity!"--well, more like fangirl squeals! Tessa's love
of Elizabeth Bennet and her deft understanding for the scope of this
anthology left me wholly gratified, knowing we asked the right person to
introduce this fifth anthology of the QuillCollective series.
We hope this homage to one of Jane Austen's best-beloved heroines will
not disappoint, especially those that suggested an "Elizabeth" anthology
back in 2017. Like Darcy, we "had never been so bewitched by any woman"
and writing this collection has been diverting/gratifying/delightful.
Please accept these stories in the same affectionate spirit they were
written. Elizabeth:Obstinate Headstrong Girl is dedicated to "the
Elizabeth Bennet in all of us" because I'd like to think she resides in
our hearts, even if but a little spark of courage, wit, loyalty--and
whether we reveal her to the outside world or not, she is there
inspiring us to find our own felicity and dignity. --Christina Boyd,
editor
Giveaway
#OmgItsOHG (as in Oh-my-gosh, it’s Obstinate Headstrong Girl)
One book (e-book, paperback, or Audiobook of your choosing) from EACH of the eleven authors’ backlist are up for grabs. Ends March 31.
