A Spot of Sweet Tea: Hopes and Beginnings Short Story Collection (Sweet Tea Stories Book 1) in Austen Variations

Jan 09, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

I posted a review of Four Days in April when it was released separately so I won’t repeat the review. It can be found elsewhere.

Last Dance from 16% to 39% takes us to Mary Bennet’s thoughts, hopes and fears about Aunt Philip (with whom she is staying while Mama and Kitty are visiting one of the married sisters) maneuverings. Mary is poked and prodded not only for fittings of hand-me-down dresses but to also join in the gossiping groups of other young ladies, to join in the dances, to put herself I posted a review of Four Days in April when it was released separately so I won’t repeat the review. It can be found elsewhere.

Last Dance from 16% to 39% takes us to Mary Bennet’s thoughts, hopes and fears about Aunt Philip (with whom she is staying while Mama and Kitty are visiting one of the married sisters) maneuverings. Mary is poked and prodded not only for fittings of hand-me-down dresses but to also join in the gossiping groups of other young ladies, to join in the dances, to put herself forward and to get there before Maria Lucas, Mary King and others of Meryton Society. Uncle Philip has hired a new clerk, a Mr. Parris, who, in turn has enticed his cousin, Mr. Lacey, to buy and settle on nearby property and become a landed gentleman. Mary does have an edge here, in that as Mr. Philip’s clerk Mr. Parris and his cousin are invited to dinner a.s.a.p. and they become better acquainted. We observe as Mary receives notice and even as a dance is reserved for an upcoming ball. But we also watch as the one gentleman has a disfigurement and thus takes his place, a place Mary usually occupies, as a Wallflower. How do we judge a man’s worth?

Not Romantic from 39% to 68% is Charlotte’s story as you might have already realized from the title echoing her words to Elizabeth in P&P. But here we learn a very big reason as to just why she feels this way and, I, for one, can certainly understand where she is coming from, considering that history, her age and the era in which she lived. Charlotte is being a realist, BUT she also is wise enough when she sees an opportunity for, if not that a marriage only for love which Elizabeth Bennet wants, then, a way to have a home of her own and to be independent of her family. While her settling for this future may not be a GRAND romance we may breathe out a sigh of relief for how things finalized for Miss Lucas. In this vignette we read of Charlotte’s perverse internal thoughts on manipulating the vicar to more pleasing actions and then her condemnation of her “best” friend for not performing that service herself…How can Eliza be so neglectful as to not use her powers for the greater good?

In Sweet Ginger we read of Harriet Smith from Jane Austen’s Emma. This goes back to when Harriet is brought to Mrs. Goddard’s school and comes to know that Mrs. Goddard has a taste for ginger candies. Harriet is another type of ginger. We read as she has developed certain skills in anticipation of becoming a teacher (with no prospects) in the school. (This reminded me of Jane Eyre’s transition from student to teacher.) But we who know the JA’s story look for and find satisfaction when Margaret and Rachel….Martin are introduced as new students. As Harriet is the first to offer a kindness to them we are dismayed to then read of Belinda’s maneuverings. But do not despair, you know the story. And Maria Grace gives us a little epilogue, oh, so touching. And do you wonder if Robert is encouraging his wife to be best friends with Mrs. Knightley?

This book is nicely wrapped up with several short, sweet little reads of beginnings…and an ending. ...more

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Oct 02, 2016 Anna added it

Shelves: austenesque

I posted reviews of these stories separately on my blog:

Four Days in April

This Pride and Prejudice-inspired short story opens after Darcy’s failed proposal and imagines what might have happened had Elizabeth responded to his letter by writing him one. I love Grace’s writing, so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed it. I loved their conversation in Lady Catherine’s drawing room, where they said so much without saying much at all. It lives up to the promise that one can read it while enjoying a cup ...more

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Sep 27, 2015 Deborah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ja-read, 2015-austenesque-reading-challenge

Four Days in April
I love the twist in this novella. Darcy does not leave Kent after giving Elizabeth the letter, but encounters her at a dinner his Aunt gives that evening. I love the premise and Maria does a wonderful job with the encounter at the dinner. She leaves me wanting more of this story, but that is the problem with short stories, they very often. leave you wanting more.

Last Dance
I am not a fan of the prim Mary Bennet, but Maria made her come alive. Her aunt, Mrs Phillips is pushing he ...more

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Jul 03, 2021 wosedwew rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021, book-reviews, 2015

I always enjoy these little books with a compilation of several stories Such a good way to attract new readers and reward regular readers by offering older stories at a bargain price!

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