
Source: Review copy from Meryton Press
Rating: ★★★★☆
“You honestly expect me to splash about in the brine, naked as the day I was born?” Darcy scoffed. “I think not.”
“Prig.”
“Just because I prefer privacy and prudence does not signify I am prudish. I swim — without clothing, I’ll have you know — at Pemberley Lake.”
(from Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer, “Spyglasses & Sunburns” by J. Marie Croft)
Quick Summary: Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer is Meryton Press’ first short-story anthology featuring eight feel-good tales of summer, most of which involve Jane Austen’s novels and characters in some way. Included in the collection are several takes on Pride and Prejudice, from a young Darcy’s education in becoming a great lover to Anne de Bourgh’s splash in the sea at Sanditon to the confessions of foolishness and love at a masquerade ball. Sun-Kissed also features modern-day takes on Persuasion and Northanger Abbey set on the beach and a sweet non-Austen-related story about how a chance encounter can turn one’s life upside down.
Why I wanted to read it: Short stories, particularly lighthearted, romantic stories with a Jane Austen connection, sound perfect for the beach…or at least when you’re dreaming about a beach excursion.
What I liked: The selection of stories was fantastic. I enjoyed the mix of period and modern-day stories and the mix of new-to-me authors and authors whose work I’ve enjoyed in the past. I also was impressed that Sanditon was included; Austen’s unfinished novel about a seaside resort begs to be included in a summer anthology, and it was nice to see those characters mingling with characters from Pride and Prejudice. I loved or at least really liked every story in the collection, and despite their brevity, I felt like I really got to know the characters, and each had a satisfying ending.
What I disliked: That there were only eight stories in the anthology. Don’t get me wrong, the anthology was the perfect length, but once I was immersed in the collection, I didn’t want it to end.
Final thoughts: Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer is the perfect summer read for fans of Austen-inspired fiction, with a little something for everyone. Hats off to the editor, Christina Boyd, for helping to create an anthology that flows beautifully from story to story and provides enough variety to both satisfy readers and keep them wanting more. Although I didn’t read this book at the beach, these authors and their delightful tales transported me to the sun and surf at least for a few hours.
Meryton Press will be releasing a holiday-romance-themed anthology late this fall. The short story contest for that volume is now open for submissions. Click here for further details: Official Rules
Disclosure: I received Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer from Meryton Press for review.
© 2015 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
You I love! Thank you for this glowing and thoughtful review. So happy happy happy that you enjoyed it.
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My pleasure! 🙂
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Thanks, Anna! I’m so glad you enjoyed the anthology. Christina did a marvelous job of ‘herding cats’ , I mean coordinating authors 🙂
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I bet it felt like herding cats at times. 😉
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And the end coming too soon is a good sign. Thanks, Anna! Oh and I totally agree about the delight of finding Sanditon in the mix.
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You’re very welcome! Was glad to see you featured in the anthology.
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This sounds like perfect breezy fun!
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I think you’d really like it!
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I enjoy reading short story collections, and this sounds like a light read with a nice mixture of stories. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Yay! Thanks for the lovely review, Anna. I’m glad you enjoyed your time in the sun and surf.
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You’re very welcome! It was such a fun collection of summery stories.
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Aww, thanks for the wonderful review, Anna! I’ve been following your blog for years (since before I started reading JAFF, much less writing it!) so for me this is doubly awesome. I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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You’re very welcome! I was so happy to see your story included.
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It sounds wonderful, Anna! So glad you enjoyed all the stories. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Meredith!
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[…] Review: Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer edited by Christina Boyd […]
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I’d like the mix of modern and not so modern stories together!
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Yes, I think you’d enjoy it! 🙂
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[…] Diary of an Eccentric […]
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[…] Austen connection, of course, but I also really enjoyed the summer-themed short-story anthology, Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer, so I just had to read the winter-themed one, too. And it’s the perfect time of year for a […]
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Thanks so much for the lovely review! (And for the shout-out about Sanditon.)
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You’re very welcome, Abigail!
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[…] edited by Christina Boyd Longbourn’s Songbird by Beau North A Will of Iron by Linda Beutler Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer edited by Christina Boyd Suddenly Mrs. Darcy by Jenetta James A Peculiar Connection by Jan Hahn […]
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