Pemberley:
They Gathered at Rosings
(Longbourn, #15)
by Margaret Lynette Sharp
The author sent me an ARC of this book (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4 stars)
Plot
(by Goodreads)
SHORT STORY.
There’s excitement afoot when the Darcys gather with their peers for the grand ball organised by Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her husband Hubert. Will Her Ladyship’s grandson John meet the girl of his dreams, or has unrequited love stifled his ardour? Does Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jr win the hand of his true love, Emily? Has Lady Catherine had a change of heart about her feelings towards her grandchildren and their futures?
Here is yet another addition to the ‘Longbourn’ series of Jane Austen fan fiction pieces by prolific Australian author Margaret Lynette Sharp.
| Genre(s): | Fan Fiction Kindle eBooks > 30-Minute Romance Short Reads > Single Authors Short Stories > Regency Historical Romance |
| Series: | Longbourn, #15 |
| Length: | 15 pages |
| Release date: | 2018-05-05 |
Teaser
“Ah – then he needs to be encouraged. Ambition is a fine attribute, and most certainly desirable for one in his situation,” observed Her Ladyship.
“I see your point, Grand-mama, but upon my honour, I would prefer to see him happy in his employment, rather than compelled to seek a higher position – especially if that position were not to his liking.” Amelia’s eyes moved from person to person.
“Upon my word, Amelia, you speak your opinion very decidedly for a young person,” observed Her Ladyship.
My Opinion
As this book is a work of fan fiction, it takes you back to the places and characters of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”.
With “Pemberley: They Gathered at Rosings”, Margaret Lynette Sharp has created another nice piece of fan fiction. If you have read “Pride and Prejudice” or even watched the remarkable TV mini-series (1980), you recognize the world of Elizabeth Darcy, née Bennet. The Longbourn series is centred on Elizabeth, whose warmth and intelligence also made “Pride and Prejudice” special. Her husband, Fitzwilliam Darcy, develops nicely – a tendency the readers could assume at the end of “Pride and Prejudice”. It is a short read, taking you back to Pemberley – or in this case, Rosings – to further extend your Pride and Prejudice and/or Longbourn/Pemberley experiences. Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her husband Hubert organise a ball at Rosings; what about her grandchildren and matters of the heart in general? Margaret Lynette Sharp again took up the hard challenge of writing fan fiction on a classic by Jane Austen, aptly enhancing the story without changing the characters’ ways; the added next generation brings even more complexity. If you loved Pride and Prejudice, you will appreciate the additional stories this courageous author has to offer.
“Pemberley: They Gathered at Rosings” is a heart-warming story of hope, a lovely – and worthy – continuation of Elizabeth, Darcy, their children, and their story.
This is a book for you if you like “Pride and Prejudice”, fan fiction, classic reads, classic reads’ aptly written fan fiction, and short instalments.
In brief:
| Cover | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4 stars) |
| Writing | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4 stars) |
| Plot | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4 stars) |
| Characters | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4 stars) |
| Mood | Hopeful, nostalgic |
| Pace | Steady |
| POV | Third person – past tense |
| Language |  (decent, no swearwords) |
| Violence | (none) |
| Sexual content | (none) |
About the author
My name is Margaret Lynette Sharp, and I’m the wife of the creator of the Grand Organ in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, Ronald Sharp B.E.M. I’m proud to say that I’ve won two literary awards – one each at the 2014 and 2015 Short Story Writing Competition held as part of the Hurstville (in suburban Sydney, Australia) Discovery Festival of Community Arts.
These stories have been published in prizewinners’ anthologies, ‘Write Out Loud’ and ‘The Art of Writing’.
My first venture into Jane Austen fan fiction resulted in the best-selling ‘Longbourn Revisited’.
Next came the well-reviewed title, ‘An Encounter at Longbourn’, followed by ‘A Party at Longbourn’, ‘And from Longbourn, A Wedding Comes,’ and ‘Much Ado at Longbourn’. Recently, these five stories were combined, forming the novel-length ‘From Longbourn, With Love’. To date, I have forty published eBooks, and some of these are also available as paperbacks.
I grew up in an inner city suburb of Sydney, moving to a pleasant, tree-filled outer suburb at the age of ten. Ron and I currently live in this same house, a small Federation brick and tile home.
I’m thankful that we live near a river that has a large, netted swimming baths. I love to swim, and I’ve been a member of the local swimming club for well over thirty years. Our little white rescue dog, Chicki, comes with me and waits patiently while I enjoy the water. Afterwards comes her reward – a walk beside the river, and a chance to play on a little, sandy beach. Who knows what doggy friends she’ll find there…
Connect with the author:
Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading. Now I am asking you. 🙂
My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you? What did you think about “Pemberley: They Gathered at Rosings”? Or – if you did not yet read “Pemberley: They Gathered at Rosings” – are you now interested in reading it yourself?
I am looking forward to reading your comments. 🙂
My train of thoughts on... 
this is a great combination, wonderful message and mixed of book reviews..
Thanks for your kind feedback, Mihran.
Thank you so much, Karen! I’m glad you liked the story!
It was my pleasure, Margaret.