So I do not need to tell most of you that I am a Jane Austen fan. I am a fan. Not a Jane Austen expert and I most certainly am not a 'Janite'. In my observation, "Janite" is a synonym for a person who thinks they have the duty and right to tell others what is and is not suitable material to carry on Jane Austen's legacy. They are snobbish elitists and I detest that in any human.

Enough about the Janites. I could launch into a lengthy post about them, but that would be a bore for all of you and raise my bloodpressure.

As a Jane Austen fan, I often seek out sequels to her works. By far the most popular vehicle for sequels is Pride and Prejudice. There are literally dozens of adaptations and sequels to Pride and Prejudice and now I am proud to say that there is another one!

My friend Sharon Lathan has just published her first book: Two Shall Become One: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Sharon began writing her book and posting it chapter by chapter on her website. It started as an internet based fanfic - or fan written fictional story - and is now available as a bound volume. I cannot tell you how excited I was to receive this story in bound form. I have fallen in love with Sharon's characterization of Mr. Darcy and his new bride Elizabeth. This version is a rarity in the world of Austen sequels. Sharon is not trying to be Jane Austen. She has taken the main characters and made them her own - keeping them true to character while making them more easily related to by a modern reader.

Already, the internet trolls and Austen wanna be's have found Sharon's published book and started with the bashing. Their primary criticism is that there are too many sex scenes in this book. Let me be clear here. First of all, Sharon has written her story with class and dignity. This is hardly bodice ripper smut. Secondly, this is the story of a newly married couple. What were you doing when you were newly married? There is nothing new under the sun. Honeymoon periods did not suddenly appear along with the invention of birth control and the Sexual Revolution. Get a clue people!

Having said that, the author herself, has rated this book "Teen", so if you have a daughter or son interested in reading this book, give it a scan your own self before giving it to them. Parent to parent, I would wish for you to tell me before I gave this book to my daughter, son, niece or nephew. Though - I doubt boys would be interested *at all*, but you never know!

Sharon's book is available at lulu.com and also at Amazon.com. Check it out and expect more to come from my dear friend Sharon!

Book cover image taken from http://darcysaga.bravehost.com/ and is property of Sharon Lathan