Sandy M’s review of In the Arms of Mr. Darcy (The Darcy Saga, Book 4) by Sharon Lathan
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Oct 10

I have to say, as good as all of the books in this series have been, In the Arms of Mr. Darcy is my favorite. While we continue to follow Darcy and Lizzy through their life together, we also get some interesting side stories in this current edition.

One of my favorite parts of this series is now watching Darcy with his son, Alexander. His taciturn ways are a thing of the past, though he’s still definitely Master of Pemberley when needed. But to watch Darcy open up to affection and love has been fun and emotional. He’s carefree in his loving of Elizabeth and a doting father to Alexander, and he’s not afraid to show it.

The story in the beginning revolves around the christening of Alexander. Family and friends gather, as well those under Darcy’s care, to share in the joy of the occasion. This also brings forth memories for Darcy and he enjoys passing them forward to his son for the future.

There are also a couple of tragedies that mar life for the Darcys, one of which affects Fitzwilliam quite a bit. There is a fire at one of his factories in which men die, thus forcing a separation for the happy couple. They’ve not been apart of any length of time and this proves to be very difficult for them, as does the effects of the tragedy.

As much as Darcy has come out of his shell in this relationship, Lizzy has also found her place as more than mother and lover. When Darcy is frantic to be on his way to his responsibility in the aftermath of the factory fire, it is Lizzy who puts her foot down and becomes of the voice of reason, making Darcy face the fact his headlong rush into danger may affect his family as horribly as fire and death has affected those waiting for him. He may be Master, but Lizzy takes her role as wife seriously and lets him know it. The man he is eventually wins out as he recovers his senses at her words.

We also get an inside look at some of the secondary characters’ lives and the loves they find. I’m especially taken with Caroline Bingley’s new relationship with a man who knows what he wants, takes it, and makes Caroline’s blood race. This little tidbit totally fascinated me. I’m hoping I might put a bug in Ms. Lathan’s ear to think about a book based on this relationship. I think it would make for some terrific reading.

Richard Fitzwilliam, Darcy’s cousin, is also in love and his foray into this new emotion doesn’t go as you would believe or expect. I’m a little surprised at his interaction with Georgiana at the end of the book. This took a direction I never anticipated. While I enjoyed Richard’s part of the story and the eventual outcome, I feel there wasn’t quite enough emotion from Georgiana at that resolution. She’s young, just beginning to blossom, and her heart didn’t seem to feel all that involved emotionally quite enough for me.

Whereas, the opposite is true for Kitty, Lizzy’s sister, who receives a very emotional lesson due to the mores of society of the times. It’s a terrible lesson for any woman, especially when she’s shielded from the truth, but it had to be more so during that era. Kitty is a delightful character and I enjoyed getting to know her in this book. I hope to see more of her in the future.

Ms. Lathan’s writing is lyrical and perfect for this genre. I enjoy reading romance that has a hero and heroine working together to combat conflict instead of letting that conflict break them apart for any length of time. Darcy and Lizzy’s life/lives have turned out beautifully from the pen of Sharon Lathan. I said it once it before in my review of her books, but it bears repeating.

Jane Austen would be proud to read how her characters have flourished, lived, and loved in this continuation of her beloved story.

Grade: A+

Summary:
Darcy and Elizabeth are as much in love as ever—even more so as their relationship matures. Their passion inspires everyone around them, and as winter turns to spring, romance finds nearly everyone.

Confirmed bachelor Richard Fitzwilliam sets his sights on a seemingly unattainable, beautiful widow, Georgiana Darcy learns to flirt outrageously, the flighty Kitty Bennet develops her first crush, and Caroline Bingley meets her match.

But the path of true love never does run smooth, and Elizabeth and Darcy are kept busy navigating their friends and loved ones through the inevitable separations, misunderstandings, misgivings and lovers’ quarrels…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: