A World of Expectations, Book 1: The Alliance [Kindle Edition]

Gayle Lynn Messick (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What if Fitzwilliam Darcy asked Charles Bingley to invite three of their Cambridge University friends to Netherfield Park and not his sisters? What if the invitation was a cover up for Darcy's plan to establish a secret alliance. But once they all arrive, will Darcy be the only man who is impressed with Miss Elizabeth Bennet's fine eyes.

Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley are joined by Lord Blake, Gerald Rawlings, and Stephen Kent where business is intermingled with romance and the men become opponents in a high stakes competition for money and control. With the help of a spy in Bingley's house, a business rival is watching and preparing the destruction of any alliance that emerges.

Amidst the rivarly, alliances, romance, jealousy, and competitions, the five young friends with differing backgrounds must decide if they are willing to go beyond their own world of expectations in order to adapt to social and financial changes of the emerging Industrial Revolution.

Book I covers Darcy's attempts to create the alliance and delves into the regency world of gentlemen and tradesmen.

Anyone familiar with Pride and Prejudice knows Darcy and Bingley. Now meet three new men: Lord Blake, a marquess and heir to a dukedom. Mr. Gerald Rawlings, the second son of an Earl, and Stephen Kent, a wealthy tradesman's son.


Book II The Confrontation is available as a Kindle download.

About the Author

Gayle retired after a 35-year career in the Federal Government in which she managed multi-million dollar contract programs before accepting a position in the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI). There she oversaw the development of training and educational products, and in 1997, with the widespread availability of the internet, created the FAI OnLine University. She has had a life-long admiration for Jane Austen's work and joined several on-line forums for Austen fans, but noted an absence of stories depicting the male point of view. As a result, she wrote the story to depict the social conventions as it impacted men for romance, friendship and business with the emerging Industrial Revolution as the backdrop.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 523 KB
• Print Length: 349 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1449597475
• Publisher: CreateSpace; 2 edition (March 2, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003AU4SLY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,255 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Once upon a time, a young girl dreamed of a life as a writer. Live intervened. She married her love before he was shipped off to Vietnam while she worked as an office girl waiting for his return. He did. They had two beautiful boys. They divorced. She returned to work where she spent 35 years climbing the ladder. She received awards, which have nothing to do with writing. She retired. She returned to her dream and began writing a What if Pride and Prejudice story to learn the craft. Why? She loved Austen and Austen fans.

Gayle's next book will be a modern, non-Austen mystery and romance. Bad evil bankers and real estate men challenge a builder. The Waterfalls coming later this year.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Different Take on Pride and Prejudice, April 17, 2010

By 

P. M. Harding (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A World of Expectations, Book 1: The Alliance (Paperback)

This isn't your usual romantic story about Darcy and Elizabeth; although, there is romance and our favorite couple do eventually end up together. It takes a lot before that happens, however.

This is primarily a story about five men who form a business alliance. There are three Gentlemen and two Tradesmen in this alliance, which was unheard of in Regency England in the early 1800s. There is also a series of games with high competition between the men. Romantic competition between Darcy and Lord Blake over Elizabeth Bennet comes into play, primarily, while the men are still at Netherfield Park.

There are also enemies working behind the scenes who try to make certain this alliance isn't successful.

If you're a reader who loves sexual scenes/situations, especially between Darcy and Elizabeth, don't look for it in this story. I usually like a few spicy scenes, but here I didn't miss them at all. They weren't necessary and would have been completely out of place, even distracting. Ms. Messick writes a tale that stands on its own without sex being involved. Make no mistake, there is romance, just not sex.

This is a book that will interest both men and women. Book 2 takes place primarily in London, and I would urge readers to buy both books as a set.

There is tension, angst and lots of mystery. I can usually guess "who done it," but not in this one. I was completely surprised by the "bad guys," and I think you will be too.

Ms. Messick's writing is excellent, the story is well plotted and, thankfully, she had a good editor.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Long Winded Story With No End, June 30, 2010

By 

Laurie Wetmore (Savannah, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A World of Expectations, Book 1: The Alliance (Paperback)

If you are a true lover of Pride and Prejudice variations, this isn't the book for you. The story is about a business deal among an unlikely set of gentlemen that share names with the characters some of us hold near and dear. The book is full of intrigue and suspense but there is little mention of Elizabeth Bennet. And, when she is present she is paired with a new male character to which she has developed feelings. Elizabeth comes off as bitter when dealing with Darcy instead of playful and defiant. More story is dedicated to Lydia Bennet than Elizabeth and Darcy even has scenes with Lydia. I honestly felt like the author doesn't like Elizabeth Bennet. It was an odd read and did not hold my attention. The levels of intrigue that are attempted are too complicated and the book ends before any type of resolution can occur but honestly, I'm not really interested in the story enough to buy the continuation.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A World of Expectations "The Alliance" Book 1, April 27, 2010

By 

Denise Mcdaniel "Denise" (Tigard Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A World of Expectations, Book 1: The Alliance (Kindle Edition)

I found this story to drag on and hard to keep my attention. It also finishes to continue to book 2 "The Confrontation" which it seems so far you only can get in a Kindle version but not the book form. I can deal with buying the book but to have it continued and not be able to buy it in book form was a waste of my money. Very disatisfied customer.