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Maria Grace
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Inspiration: A Pride and Prejudice variation (Sweet Tea Stories Book 4) Kindle Edition

by Maria Grace (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 196 ratings
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Gentleman artist Fitzwilliam Darcy had never been able to express himself in words, but with his brushes and paints, he expressed what few men ever could. When his flighty muse abandons him, though, he finds himself staring at blank canvases in a world that has turned bland and cold and grey.

Worried for his friend, Charles Bingley invites Darcy to join him in Hertfordshire, in hopes the picturesque countryside might tempt Darcy's muse to return. The scheme works only too well. His muse returns, with a vengeance, fixated upon the one young woman in the county who utterly detests him.

Will his selfish disdain for the feelings of others drive her and his muse away or can he find a way to please this woman with the power to bring color and feeling back into his world?
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  1. Book 4 of 4
    Sweet Tea Stories
  2. Print length
    159 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 26, 2019
  6. File size
    1291 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07N7X4KPV
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ White Soup Press (February 26, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 26, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1291 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 159 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 196 ratings

About the author

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Maria Grace

Maria Grace

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Six time BRAG Medallion Honoree, #1 Best-selling Historical Fantasy author Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16-year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences.

She pretends to be a mild-mannered writer/cat-lady, but most of her vacations require helmets and waivers or historical costumes, usually not at the same time.

She writes gas lamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.

Her books are available at all major online booksellers.  

 

She can be contacted at:

author.MariaGrace@gmail.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorMariaGrace

Random Bits of Fascination (https://RandomBitsofFascination.com)

Jane Austen's Dragons (https://janeaustensdragons.com)

Austen Variations (http://AustenVariations.com)

White Soup Press (http://whitesouppress.com/)

On Twitter @WriteMariaGrace

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mariagrace423/

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
196 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Megami
4.0 out of 5 stars 4 stars -- sweet and creative
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2019
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I like the premise of this novella very much. In essence, this author explains Darcy's intense staring as an artist's discerning gaze. When he meets the intriguing Elizabeth Bennet at the Meryton assembly, Darcy has been creatively blocked for six months. Elizabeth inspires him instantly and he becomes rather obsessed with her, though his attraction is largely rationalized by telling himself that she's just an artistic study. The reader will know better, but he seems convinced by it until Kent. We all know how that goes...

Speaking of, the structure of this plot is the same as the original. It can't be considered a true variation since it follows the Austen formula, but since it's told from the 3rd person limited perspective of Darcy only (ie, no POV from Elizabeth at all) much is added to the events we know so well. The artist aspect of Darcy's character here adds more flair.

As for Darcy, I had a few reservations about his characterization. It's certainly within the realm of possibility, but I found him a little more self centered than is my personal preference. Of course, that's to be expected before the botched proposal, but even afterwards he still primarily considers his feelings and plans over Elizabeth's. His largest mistake in the original is taking her feelings for granted before offering her marriage and simply assuming that she couldn't possibly reject him (ironically despite admiring her for the impertinence that marks her unimpressed by wealth alone). Here, though Darcy makes changes, it's all in furtherance of either placating his muse (more on that in a moment) and/or getting Elizabeth to finally accept him. There just doesn't seem to be much humility, I guess. All that said, however, he was actually pretty endearing about it, rather like a child performing chores to get a treat. More sweet than sour.

As for his "muse," the description of it/her was ... interesting. I'm not quite sure what to think of it, but it's fascinating to puzzle over. Darcy's muse is his constant "companion" and seems to be a mixture of creative inspiration, conscience and an actual goddess as described in Greek mythology. It/she has the power to giveth and taketh away. Inspire and deny. Reward and punish. At times, she seems like a metaphor for Darcy's inner thoughts, at others a figment of his imagination or even a symptom of mental illness. Considering how manic Darcy is at certain points during the story, especially when inspired to paint, I do rather wonder if he's for bedlam. Again, not quite sure how to interpret this almost-character, but it's interesting to consider the possibilities.

This author is always worth reading.
3 people found this helpful
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wosedwew
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm not in control of my muse. My muse does all the work. ~ Ray Bradbury
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2019
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single artist in possession of a good canvas must be in want of a muse.

As the story opens, Fitzwilliam Darcy has been in a painting slump. His muse has deserted him. His world has no color and not even any colour! His fellow artist, Bingley, suggests some time in the country may be just what the canvas ordered. Darcy agrees and they are off to Netherfield Park.

You should treat a muse like a fairy. ~ Paulo Coelho

As usual, the Netherfield party attends the Meryton Assembly. As usual, Darcy issues his insult about Elizabeth Bennet.

Unusually, Darcy is struck dumb by the sight of Elizabeth. His muse calls to him. His muse demands. Unknown to anyone else, he begins to paint Elizabeth.

For Darcy, his muse is a living, breathing entity. He feels acceptance from his muse. He feels rejection from his muse.

Quotes from the book:
1. But his muse was no barrister. She turned on him as surely as a vixen would turn on a threat to her kits. Was it possible for a muse to bare her teeth and growl, foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog?

2. Elizabeth laughed heartily. The muses laughed with her. Oh, how well that sounded! Surely that should count in his favor.

3. Surely, he would never create again. How could he hold a brush or crayon or pencil now?

Canon events occur: a visit to Hunsford, a visit to Pemberley, an elopement. Always in the background lives the Muse.

Don’t you just love a man who paints?

O! for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention. ~ William Shakespeare
5 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Slightly different from the classic story
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2019
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Another book that is just slightly different from the Miss Austen original. The writer changed Darcy from being the consummate gentleman farmer to being a painter. He can't get inspired and motivated so goes with Bingley to Hertfordshire where nothing really is changed from the classic. It's frustrating when writers don't take a leap into new ideas. If you are a die hard Austen purist then this is for you.
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noagnes
4.0 out of 5 stars Close to canon from Darcy's POV, with the artist aspect added
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2019
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This novelette is different from the author's latest books, as it is a Pride and Prejudice retelling from Darcy's POV that follows canon very closely. The main deviation is that Darcy is an artist, a painter who comes to feel that Elizabeth gives him inspiration to paint, which is the basis of his love for her. This changes Darcy's aspect of the story, gives him a more complex motivation for his behavior (especially in offending Elizabeth) than usual. However, it doesn't change the plot and Elizabeth's side of the story (which we only learn of as Darcy sees it). I thought the description of Darcy and Bingley as painters was interesting and Darcy's turmoil was well described; the story itself was cute and enjoyable to read. However, I would have liked to see the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth more in depth explored as she learns she has inspired him in his art - or even how she appreciates his art.
Also, I had some reservations about the concept of Darcy's muse. It is described as a personified concept as his creative talent, Darcy actually refers to "her" in his thoughts as a person of somewhat divine attributes, who besides granting him the power of creative inspiration, has also the power of rewarding or punishing him (through directing the events of his life). At times it seemed that there were three in the relationship: Darcy, his muse and Elizabeth. The relationship did not seem a mutual love, but the artist's need to keep the presence of Elizabeth in his life because he needed her for his muse to be active (i. e. for him to be able to paint). I would have liked to see Elizabeth consciously accept this role in Darcy's life, to see him as first and foremost an artist, rather than a partner. - to be assured that this relationship is going to work. It was still an intriguing read and a unique rendition of Darcy - although probably not one of Maria Grace's books I am going to reread.
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Top reviews from other countries

Marie
2.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration Uninspiring
Reviewed in Canada on August 7, 2020
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I thought this book started out well enough, but it stuck way too close to canon. I can read the original, as none compares to it. Other than inserting the muse them here and there, despite the title, it left me wanting and uninspired. I quick read through most of it, hoping for something that just wasn’t there.
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Glynis
4.0 out of 5 stars Short and sweet
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2019
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This story totally explains why Darcy constantly stares at Elizabeth, obviously he’s not looking to find fault! It takes him a while to realise he needs her in his life, alas the timing wasn’t ideal when he proposed. Fortunately Elizabeth’s opinion was improved, even more so as the story went on. This was a novella but as usual I would have loved a bit more.
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Lesley Mac
4.0 out of 5 stars Darcy's Demanding Mistress!
Reviewed in Australia on March 7, 2019
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I loved the idea of Darcy being such an accomplished artist and Maria Grace kept me enthralled with her descriptions of the torment that Darcy went through when his muse disappeared for months at a time, then the joy when inspiration struck again.

I was a little disappointed with how almost blasé Elizabeth was about his talent when she finally discovered that he was an artist, one of great talent seemingly if Bingley, also a dabbler in paints recognised his friends superiority in all aspects of artistic endeavour. Perhaps she was overcome by almost being slapped in the face by the presence of so many images—some finished, some not—of herself and perhaps there wasn’t enough time for her to express her amazement before the Lydia/Wickham debacle overtook her life.

I was not sure if Darcy was going to have a younger sister in this work because Georgiana did not feature in his thoughts, nor in person for a good long while. And as far as Darcy's past interactions with Wickham went, they seemed to only pertain to Ramsgate...I am still not sure whether the whole denied living at Kympton took place.

I have taken one star off a perfect score because quite a large proportion of the dialogue between the characters was compliments of Jane Austen, with nary an alteration by Maria. Towards the end of the story she did occasionally change the words to reflect her own thoughts, but not always.

Still, Inspiration was an enjoyable read which I would recommend.
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Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars P&P from Darcy's perspective
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2020
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unfortunately i was really disappointed in this story. Its word for word a retelling of the original with some insights into Darcys mind but they do not add anything to the story. the only original part is a scene at the beginning of Bingley and Darcy painting, Elizabeth seeing sone of Darcy's work at Pemberly and we see Lady C's confrontation with Darcy in London.
Its not a bad story it just feels like Austens work with some painting added in
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FiBeeN
3.0 out of 5 stars Solid writing but nothing really new
Reviewed in Australia on May 31, 2019
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The problem with this book is that it’s essentially the same book from a different perspective with the addition of artistic inspiration. It really didn’t add anything to the original story. Overall, there’s nothing really wrong with the story, it’s just a little uninspiring.
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