Haunting Mr Darcy - A Spirited Courtship by KaraLynne Mackrory

This book haunted me from beginning till end, but in a most delightful and pleasing manner. I had barely touched the surface before I knew this was KaraLynne's best work yet!
The premise for Haunting Mr Darcy - A Spirited Courtship was a breath of fresh air, following two wishes on New Years eve and a carriage accident Elizabeth finds herself in a deep coma. Upon awakening Elizabeth discovers that she is in the last place she would want to be, Mr Darcy's library!!!! (Although she does enjoy the books, who wouldn't)  Elizabeth believes she must be dreaming and Darcy upon discovering an apparition of Elizabeth, believes he is headed for the asylum! To her chagrin Elizabeth finds that she is tethered to Darcy by some invisible force that will not allow her to venture further than ten paces from him, wherever he goes she must follow!

From that moment on I too was tethered to this delightful novel, wherever I went so to did the Kindle, haunting me, calling to me to read it!!! It was more than a page turner, it had me spellbound, I had to read it, I needed to read it; honour, prudence, nay, interest, demanded that I read it! 

The humour in this book was so funny that at times I had to put the kindle down just to hold my sides, I literally cried with laughter. I absolutely love this book, KaraLynne's writing is on the money and every sentence was a honour to read. The twists (lines from Pride & Prejudice) as I call them are typical of KaraLynne, her ability to incorporate  P&P dialogue into her stories are great, but in regards to this book she surpassed herself. P&P lines were weaved in effortlessly and spoken by others contrary to the original; in comparison to some books that do the same, none of these seem contrived, they were not forced just so that they could be incorporated, they felt original and wholly connected to the story. 

Still he could not like riding when she could not; the gentleman in him rankled at the idea. “Darcy?” Bingley’s entreaty brought Darcy back from his thoughts and away from the charming smirk of Elizabeth. He turned again in his seat to face the road ahead. “I believe we are quite safe, Bingley. I was only admiring the verdant landscape.” Darcy sped up upon hearing Elizabeth’s laugh again and to avoid Bingley’s puzzled expression. “Yes, indeed, the frozen, frost-washed grey earth that marks Hertfordshire in January is most glorious to behold,” Elizabeth teased. - Karalynne Mackrory

I was pleased with everybody in this book, that was my want to feel happy with. It felt as if the author gathered all of Elizabeth's amiable qualities, her liveliness, her wit, her charm and amplified them tenfold. You could not help but fall in love with her, heck you could not help but fall in love with many of the characters in this book. The dynamics of Elizabeth thinking she was in a dream and Darcy thinking she was a figment of his imagination, meant the normal rules of propriety were loosened and this allowed us and Elizabeth to see Darcy in his most unguarded moments, relaxed, playful and easy. Gone was the front he must present to the world; combine this with Elizabeth's free reign on impertinent comments and the two made a most delightful pair.

As with KaraLynne's previous novel Bluebells in the Morning Elizabeth's carriage accident brings about wonderful changes to the characters that live at Longbourn. Lydia for me was the biggest surprise and this is the first novel I have come across that made me like Lydia and that really warmed my heart! I felt that I had finally connected to one of Austen's characters in a way I had never before, which rendered in me a feeling of finally coming home, thank you KaraLynne.

Mr Bennet as always with KaraLynne, is the father we all love and can rely on, Jane is the most sweet hearted girl in the country, Mrs Bennet the caring mother we all know, deep down she is and Bingley is the most forgiving and amiable man around.

Georgiana is lovely in this and as with KaraLynne's other novels she is her brothers champion, his light in the dark after the tragic loss of their parents. Georgiana is always determined to see her brother happy and along with her cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam they both have Darcy's best interests at heart. This is the second novel that had me glad that Darcy was with Elizabeth while I eagerly anticipated a marriage proposal from the military man himself. Dare I say I was as childish as Elizabeth's sisters when it came to the Colonel, give me a man in uniform and I will swoon on the spot!

The feelings overwhelming her made her laugh shakily. “Indeed, and what makes you think, sir, that I would allow you that liberty?” Darcy tilted his head and settled scorching eyes on her, his gaze traveling lazily down to her lips. “It is the very thought that you might that haunts me even now, Elizabeth.” - Karalynne Mackrory

This book did have its share of angst, but I must say that by the time it came I was overly confident all would be well and that my worry was for naught. This absence of major angst is counteracted by the amount of intensity that is within this book and this was the highlight for me! Rather than my usual "oh no I cannot bear this!" I was blushing profusely instead, there were words and sentences I  struggled to say and they weren't even my lines!!! Bravo Karalynne! I fear that I must end here as I may go on and on. A truly, unexpected master piece of sheer delight, that I could not put down, however hard I tried (okay I will be honest I did not try, I did everything within my power to do just the opposite). A highly recommended read to be sure!!

This book is worthy of 5 hearts - Mr Darcy!

As always I love to hear any comments you may have, they are most welcome!