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Merits and Mercenaries: (The Bath Novels of Lady A~, Book 1) by [Lady A~]

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Lady A~

Merits and Mercenaries: (The Bath Novels of Lady A~, Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Lady A~ (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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‘Merits and Mercenaries’, is the first book of an original, Austen-inspired collection of novels, ‘The Bath Novels of Lady A—‘. 'TBNLA' are written by a lady who, as Jane Austen was once known, is called ‘Lady A—’, and 'Merits and Mercenaries' is the collection's first thoroughly dashing 'Classic Companion'. As M&M's ‘handsome’, but perplexed, pair of protagonists (coincidentally, a William and a Katherine!) proceed in pursuit of love and self-discovery, comedy and drama--across both town and country--ensue. This is due, in no small part, to some very troublesome and tantalizing villains who ably thwart the pair: the menacing Francis Pope and the devilishly divine Maria Beckett are the 'foxy' duo that provides the endless entertainment. And just as their antics are the ‘trick’ within this diverting love story, then the addition of a long-suppressed ‘secret’--stalking the story’s entire cast--rather whippingly adds the quite delicious treat!

'Merits and Mercenaries' must surely delight anyone desiring a refreshing interpretation of Jane Austen's classic style and sensibility. From its very 'witty' portrayal of the intriguing 'plots - lots' of its trusty and troublesome 'Janeite' gentry characters to its seamless set pieces, it is truly a most enchanting 'effusion' of English Regency fancy!

Regard what the 'Beau Monde' is saying about 'M&M'!

'Gorgeous!' Patricia Rozema, Writer/Director, 'Mansfield Park'

'A dashing and imaginative work, I loved it!' Laurie Kaplan, Professor of English and Academic Director of George Washington University's English Center, & former editor of 'Persuasions'.

'M&M ... has all the hallmarks of a dashing Regency romp.... for all fans of Austen "tribute fiction", this is a promising start to a fresh series of romances.' Jocelyn Bury, 'Jane Austen's Regency World'.

'What an adventure! "Merits and Mercenaries" is full of Austenesque heroes and villains. The protagonists are as endearing as our most favorite Austen characters and the story is witty, engaging and very cleverly written. A treat for every Janeite!' Karin Quint, JaneAusten.nl

'This was just a superbly written, cleverly concocted, shining example of what Historical Fiction ought to be but rarely is.' V.R. Christensen, author, 'Of Moths and Butterflies'.

'Lady A~ has produced a book that fits the Austen universe, but is a fully formed world of its own. The finely crafted writing is a delight and the book design is impressive.' Tim Queeney, author, 'George in London'.

'I recommend this exceptional read to anyone who loves Jane Austen. A wonderful trip into Regency England. Lady A~ has a faithful new fan in me. Her wit and skill kept me in open-mouthed admiration ... and I loved the romance.' Wanda Luce, Regency author.

'What is remarkable is the skillful echoing of Jane Austen's wit and irony through refined diction and detailed research.' Maria Grazia, My Jane Austen Book Club.

'A lovely novel, written in true style. Finely crafted characters, touching wit, delicate prose; reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. Stands out as the finest Regency romance I have read in a long time. A perfect gift for a Janeite.' Michelle Franklin, author, 'The Haanta Series'.

Print length

391 pages
Language

English
Publication date

28 April 2011
File size

6981 KB
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0054M8O8Y
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hye St. Press; 2 edition (28 April 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 6981 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 391 pages

Customer Reviews:
14 ratings

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Lady A~

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Lady A~ is a nom de plume that was given to Jane Austen by the 'beau monde' because she would not reveal her identity as a writer. She wrote under the pen name 'A Lady'--hence the witty adaptation to 'Lady A--' by the fashionable. This modern-day Lady A~ not only pays homage to her literary muse in the wry anonymity of her pseudonym, but does so also in the purist 'Austenesque' style and genre of her work. Over a period of several years she has convincingly created a unique companion collection, to J A's perfect six, of seven original novels entitled (collectively) 'The Bath Novels of Lady A~'. Lady A~ has been a scholar of Jane Austen's works for over three decades and, since publishing 'Merits and Mercenaries', the first of the Bath Novel 'Classic Companions', has established a dedicated, and steadily growing, Janeite fan base across the globe, spanning America to The Netherlands.

Call upon Lady A~ AT HOME : www.thebathnovelsofladya.com

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Top review from Australia

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E. Bertram

Just as Dazzling as Austen!

Reviewed in Australia on 16 May 2015

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What a superb discovery this first novel by Lady A~ is! The very original concept behind this book and The Bath Novels of Lady A~, as a collection of novels dedicated to Austen, is simply genius. Firstly, I don't think anyone can emulate or has ever emulated the style of Jane Austen as well as Lady A~ does. The style is jaw-droppingly faithful to the great 'Bard of Bath' herself, and I had to constantly remind myself I couldn't possibly be reading a lost (newly discovered) manuscript by Jane Austen (as the ingenious conceit behind this book and its Bath Novel Collection teasingly claims). You'd be forgiven for thinking it, though. The characters in this intriguingly original story (NOT another lacklustre prequel or sequel--thank goodness!) are drawn magnificently, and the plots and sub-plots are truly riveting. Once you pick this book up, you just can't put it down. The quality of the book, even in Kindle version, is really impressive. The beautiful silhouette illustrations that introduce the reader to the wonderful heroes, villains, heroines and vixens, the old-world map of where they all live, the lovely flourishes, including the very cleverly inspired and illustrated preface material, AND the gorgeous (and unusual) Constable cover are just a few of the reasons why you should buy this book and support its author. If the latter's marvellous website is anything to go by, apparently the second Bath Novel is due for release relatively soon. I, for one, as a die-hard Janeite, who stays well clear of the usual unremarkable Austenesque fare, will be pre-ordering Book 2 of The Bath Novels of Lady A~ based on my (justly warranted) great admiration of the seemingly brilliant and gifted Lady A~. (Apparently there will be seven novels published, in total, in this collection--can't wait for each and every one!).
My verdict: Merits and Mercenaries is worth every cent you will spend to own it--and then some!

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Top reviews from other countries

Girty

Enjoyable and engaging homage to Jane Austen

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2015

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I bought this for my Kindle as I was intrigued by the idea of the ‘Bath novels’. I had perhaps hoped it would be entertainingly awful. How wrong I was! I was hooked from the start by the intriguingly enigmatic chapter 1 which introduces a mystery slowly unravelled in the course of the story. I soon found myself interested in the characters and longing to know how the plot would resolve itself. There are some very nicely written passages, and a sly wit worthy of Miss Austen herself. The Hampshire setting of the story allows for some clever interaction with Jane Austen’s world – I particularly liked the idea of a visit to Steventon, Jane’s birthplace, and the desire of the heroine to read her latest novels, a nice conceit as we are made to believe that Miss Austen is the author of the work we are reading. ‘Lady A-’, the supposed author of Merits and Mercenaries, is clearly steeped in the world of Jane Austen and her novels, and this work is an enjoyable homage to the great authoress.

Robin Lea

Stunning and Best Austenesque Novel I've Ever Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2015

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Merits and Mercenaries is a fabulous novel, and as far as I am concerned, it goes far and above a five-star rating. It is exceptional on all fronts, from the delicious characters (heroes and villains), the page-turner plot and the deft, witty style which can, by turns, make you laugh out loud and take you deep into a character’s psyche in a way that invites you to immerse yourself in this perfectly rendered world.

Although Merits and Mercenaries springs from the irresistible conceit that it is the first of the 7 ‘missing’ Jane Austen novels, it is very important to say that this is not a pastiche of Jane Austen; nor is it a prequel or a sequel or a reverential homage. It is a full-bodied original creation that will, I’m sure, and especially when all 7 novels can sit side by side on the bookshelf, make a major contribution to the literary canon. It has a voice all of its own. It is, indeed, 'novel' in every way.

It is also worth noting that the design of the book is quite superb and far above the norm of any trade paperback. The very beautiful cover, the Map of Meritocrats and Mercenaries, and the gorgeously detailed silhouettes of all the main characters in the book’s introduction contribute to the true pleasure gained from entering the wonderfully mesmerizing world of Lady A……

Gerald

Austen Would Give This Five Stars!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2015

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This is a remarkable work! While you are reading it, it is difficult to believe that the semi-fictional account of its origin, outlined in the Preface, is not altogether true. Had the talented author been able to employ an equally skilled forger to produce the 'long lost manuscript', this might have been a splendid hoax that would never have been found out!

The book is beautifully written by an author who must have made a deep study of Jane Austen's life and work. She (I hope it doesn't turn out to have been written by a man!) has produced an entirely convincing set of fully rounded characters whose words and actions are unerringly suited to their natures and to the period of Jane Austen. Heroes and villains abound and one falls in love with them or wishes them ill as each page unfolds. A thoughtful addition to the book is a 'Gallery' near the beginning with silhouette illustrations and brief descriptions of the main characters. Other books would do well to follow this example to help you keep track of the plot. As it happens I found that for once it was hardly necessary. The protagonists are so carefully drawn as the narrative proceeds that one's interest never flags and there is no need to rely on the Gallery. You soon get to know your characters very well indeed.

To keep you on the alert there is plenty of mystery too. At one point, after many twists and turns, it seems that things are coming together to reach a happy conclusion. But, hang on! There are still about 50 pages to go. Whatever is going to happen next? You can't put the book down!

The spirit of Jane Austen shines out on every page. Occasionally it seems that even some of her failings have been overcome. In Mansfield Park, for example, does not the last chapter seem just a bit of an anticlimax? After becoming so engrossed in a narrative that has the ring of truth about it, the reader is brought down to earth in being asked to fix his own date for the happy outcome - ah well, so it is just a story after all.

No such feelings come to mind here. The story and its ending are wholly satisfying and if ever there was a 5-star book, this is it! And, amazingly, we are promised six more volumes of the Bath novels. Let us hope we do not have too long to wait.

Arietta

A Worthy Austen Homage

Reviewed in the United States on 2 March 2019

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After several attempts over the course of five years to read this novel, I finally had my iPhone read it to me, and I enjoyed it.
It is quite long and the attempt to imitate Austen’s style comes off at times as pedantic and overly florid - *but* - I still must congratulate the author for some truly beautiful prose and a well-woven tale.
As I said, it is on the lengthy side, but if you are looking for all that is best and worst in human nature as personified in the exalted goings-on of the ton, you will enjoy Merits and Mercenaries.
There are hardly any grey areas, as far as figuring out the heroes and villains of the piece, and the main H/h’s path to happiness is strewn liberally with miscues, misunderstandings and falsehoods.
This is a true Traditional Regency, with a hint or two of skipped heartbeats and the occasional brushing of lips, and plenty of emphasis on honor at all costs. There are several nods to Austen’s work nicely incorporated in the course of the story.
If you are a die-hard Janeite, this worthy tome needs to be a part of your library.

Reader Christensen

Merits and Mercenaries...MARVELOUS!

Reviewed in the United States on 15 August 2012

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"Katherine grew naturally into a handsome, intelligent and truly generous young woman, drawing from her aunt's strength of character--and her late uncle's sorry lack of it."

And so begins Lady A~'s exquisitely written Austen-esque masterpiece, Merits and Mercenaries. It isn't very often I'm completely absorbed in a book. So absorbed that I go to bed thinking about the story's many layered conflict, and dreaming about the characters, planning and plotting in their behalf, trying to sort out in my head just where the story might go, and all the seemingly impossible obstacles that must be overcome to get it there. It was just that way for me as I read this wonderful book.

This was just a superbly written, cleverly concocted, shining example of what Historical Fiction ought be but rarely is. Here were no attempts to modernise the heroine, or even the conflicts of the story. So much of what motivated and concerned humanity two hundred years ago, motivates and concerns us today. On the other hand, here was no overwrought attempt to recreate Austen-esque literature. It was certainly recreated, but the product could hardly be called overwrought. The narrative was natural and flowing and the dialogue absolutely sparkling with wit and charm. The author never once talks over our heads, and when she fears a question may arise, she cleverly refers us to annotations kindly included in the back of the text. This is a welcome embrace to fellow fans of Jane Austen, and, too, of Literary Historical Fiction, as well.

I like complex plots; I yearn for them. I like big, thick books with rich characters that are engaging and compulsively followable. This book gave me both, but in a way I found cleverly deceptive. The conflict was simple. A young woman, Katherine, is taken to the country by her guardian aunt, in the hopes of presenting her with some new prospects for marriage. Of course Katherine is naive to her motivations and goes about her life, adjusting, albeit reluctantly, to the countryside. In Hampshire we are introduced to country society, among them potential friends, some worthy, others not so much. Here among them as well are one or two--or perhaps four--potential suitors. It isn't a grand mystery for whom Katherine is intended, but the hero is engaged to another. And it's an unbreakable commitment, assigned to him upon his father's deathbed. What are two people in love to do? Save, of course, to resign themselves to their unhappy fates. But it isn't the hero's prior commitments alone that stand in the way of our dear Katherine's happiness, for an intricate web of deceit and interference is slowly woven to ensure that Katherine does not prove an irresistible temptation to our would-be hero. For he simply must marry as he has been charged to do. Mustn't he?

And so we are guided, led, drawn, through each and every page, as if the author were leading us on a long walk, on a warm spring day, on our very first journey through Holland Park, where some new bit of scenery, an unexpected but always pleasant surprise, awaits us at every turn. I look forward with great pleasure--with anticipation--for Lady A~'s next work.