To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too): Mr. Darcy's Tale [Paperback]

P O Dixon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2010

Praise for To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too)

I found To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too) to be an imaginative, emotional, and exhilarating variation of Pride and Prejudice.  Meredith, Austenesque Reviews

It reminded me a bit of Jane Erye...but with better lighting. The "what if" plot led to continued friction and misunderstanding between Darcy and Elizabeth...with some heat thrown in.  Kelli Crowe, reader

Highlights
* Amorous, provocative, and at times, tumultuous adaptation

* Mr. Darcy renews his acquaintance with Miss Elizabeth Bennet - her own circumstances greatly diminished pursuant to the sudden and tragic death of her father.

* Darcy's journey from a man who, indeed, is proud and haughty, to one who seeks to please a woman worthy of being pleased.

**More Praise**
"I loved witnessing Darcy's journey through confusion, aggravation, acceptance, dejection, and finally resolve."

"The idea of the story drew me in and left me wanting more. It is quite hard to set your work apart in a sea of Pride and Prejudice follow ups and Ms. Dixon did just that."


Overview
Fitzwilliam Darcy had the best of intentions towards Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

His sense of duty to his family prohibited him from offering her marriage.

His love for her prohibited him from attempting to make her his mistress.

What then, is a man of means supposed to do when he realizes he cannot live without the only woman he will ever love?

*Intended for Mature Audiences. Contains explicit behavior between consenting adults which may be objectionable to some.

**Quotes**
"All of the chastisement of a wife with none of the benefits ..." Fitzwilliam Darcy

"That sounds like the voice of the would-be mistress of Pemberley ..." Colonel Fitzwilliam

"Is it possible that his inherent generosity blinded him to his offence against me?" Miss Elizabeth Bennet

To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too): Mr. Darcy's Tale ~ A Regency historical fiction adaptation of Jane Austen's timeless classic Pride and Prejudice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I found To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too) to be an imaginative, emotional, and exhilarating variation of Pride and Prejudice. (Austenesque Reviews)

About the Author

P O Dixon has authored several Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice adaptations, all written with one overriding purpose in mind--falling in love with Darcy and Elizabeth. Sometimes provocative, always entertaining, her stories have been read, commented on, and thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of readers worldwide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 3 edition (October 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1453704760
• ISBN-13: 978-1453704769
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 7.8 x 5.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

P. O. Dixon is a writer as well as an entertainer. Historical England and its days of yore fascinate her. She, in particular, loves the Regency period with its strict mores and oh so proper decorum. Her ardent appreciation of Jane Austen's timeless works set her on the writer's journey. Dixon delights in weaving diverting tales of gallant gentlemen on horseback and the women they love. Visit podixon.com and find out more about Dixon's writing endeavors.






♞ Gentlemen on horseback and the women they love.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing good February 21, 2011

By malia serra

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It is so well written, such an interesting plot, I just couldn't put it down. I finished it in two days!

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Missed Opportunities November 8, 2010

By S. Babish

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed reading To Have His Cake and Eat It too, but I also feel that the author missed an opportunity to explore the healing process of grief. After the sudden deaths of Mr. Bennett and Lydia, and the scandal that followed, the author missed the opportunity to show how Elizabeth's friendships with Georgiana and Darcy would help heal her broken heart. Instead the author goes though the process of turning Elizabeth into a paid companion to Georgiana within just months of her family members passing. The authentication of the story also has me puzzled. Not only does the author have Elizabeth working merely months after her father and sister's deaths, but also has her dancing at balls (when she should be watching Georgiana and is still in mourning) and wearing gowns that were not black, gray or lavender, which the era dictates of that time period during Elizabeth's mourning period.

I feel that the author rush to finish this novel. Had she/he put a little more effort into the story line the book would have been more engaging. Since the novel seems to be their first effort I give a praise for a good first start, but in the future I would advise that the spend more time researching before setting forth with a new novel.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too); Mr. Darcy's Tale March 4, 2011

By J. A. GRACE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Loved every minute of it! What a wonderful story. -Have already re-read parts - This story had all the bells and whistles - a classic romance. Granted, it took a while for the story to heat up, but when it did, it was magic! Darcy started off as a rake. He and his cousin frequented a local brothel. But soon he was made into the wonderful dashing gentelman we know and love so well. For those of us who enjoy an over amorist Darcy/Lizzy, this is your story. I highly recomment it!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars To Have his cake and eat it too February 12, 2011

By L christy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wasnt that fond of the portrait of Darcy as a rake while Elizabeth was under his roof. I also found that him blindly following his cousin in this raking was not in his character. The idea he was keeping a whore at a brothal that looked like Elizabeth was in poor taste. I also dont think Elizabeth would have just let his poor behavior go since it is implied that she was aware of this activities.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars What if Elizabeth was a Paid Companion? January 5, 2012

By Meredith VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

What if Elizabeth never met Darcy in Kent? What if Lydia ran off with Wickham soon after the Netherfield Ball? What if, in a horrific series of events, Lydia, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Wickham all came to a harrowing and untimely demise?

In this unique and absorbing Pride and Prejudice variation, readers witness the great misfortune and social decline of the Bennet family. Mrs. Bennet's greatest fears are realized as she is forced to remove from Longbourn a mere month after the death of her husband and daughter. In addition, Jane and Elizabeth have no other alternative but to find posts as governesses. Jane accepts a post in Scotland, but Elizabeth has yet to find a suitable situation. Until Mr. Darcy comes along...

Upon hearing of the Bennets' fall from society and status, Mr. Darcy, feeling immense guilt for not exposing Wickham's true depravity, strives to find a way to protect and assist Elizabeth Bennet in her plight. While he is desperately in love with Elizabeth, Darcy vows that he could never marry her because of his duty to his family and Pemberley. And so, indulging in his selfish desire "to have his cake, and eat it too," Darcy engages Elizabeth as Georgiana's companion. Sharing with her his home, his life, and his heart - but not his bed.

Similar to Kara Louise's Only Mr. Darcy Will Do and Abigail Reynolds' Mr. Darcy's Obsession, author P. O. Dixon explores the possibility of Elizabeth being in a diminished living situation when she re-encounters Mr. Darcy. I love these types of variations because Elizabeth is even more beneath Darcy's social status than before! It really does test his love for her! I enjoyed witnessing how Darcy and Elizabeth developed an amicable, albeit atypical, friendship with each other.... But what I really loved was seeing their electrically charged disputes and disagreements! So much tension! So much restrained emotions!

One aspect I took great pleasure in was the development of Darcy's character. Since there was no proposal and rejection in Hunsford, Darcy has yet to transform. He is even more insufferably proud and controlling! As you can imagine, this doesn't sit well with Elizabeth. I loved witnessing Darcy's journey through confusion, aggravation, acceptance, dejection, and finally resolve.

I admit I was slightly disappointed that poor Bingley and Jane's fates weren't as happy and fortunate as Lizzy and Darcy's. But I guess everyone can't be gifted a happily ever after! Regardless, I found To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too) to be an imaginative, emotional, and exhilarating variation of Pride and Prejudice. And it looks like there is more in store! Dixon's next novel, What He Would Not Do is a sequel to this one!

NOTE: Readers who wish to avoid intimate scenes and descriptions should be advised of the inclusion of several passionate and amorous scenes in the last fifty pages of this novel. In addition, in this variation Mr. Darcy and Colonel are more rakish and frequent an establishment called Madame Adele's.

Austenesque Reviews Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It was a enjoyable read, very fast paced. January 18, 2011

By Distractedfocus

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I like this book overall. It was a nice pace, and there wasn't a ton of dialogue. Grammatical errors were annoying, and Austen fans will be able to tell the difference in the way PO Dixon chose to have these characters speak. But if you look past a few things, you will find a good story.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good! November 7, 2010

A Kid's Review

Format:Kindle Edition

I am an avid reader of Pride and Prejudice sequels...I have read so many that I lost count! This one was quite entertaining. It is a short book, only 240 pages, and I found that it was very fast paced and kept my attention the entire book.

I was surprised that some characters did not have their happy ending as in the original, but I think it helped add to this particular story.

A little pricey for such a short book, but definitely worth the read!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars To have his cake November 15, 2010

By R. Garcia

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I totally enjoyed this book. The writing was a little different from the other P and Ps but the characters were true on. The story was great....have his cake and eat it too....everyone knows that only works for awhile, as Mr. Darcy found out.