After being turned, Fitzwilliam Darcy decided that the only way to survive was to feed on tenant farmers and vagabonds, only taking what he needed but never ending or transforming a life. When he becomes the guardian of his sister Georgiana, he finds this unacceptable and decides to forsake human blood, and with the help of his valet, Rivens, he has managed for years. Something changes though after he spends some time at a country estate where he meets Elizabeth Bennett. He longs for Elizabeth, but long ago he decided he could never marry, and even if he could she is beneath him in social class, so it could never be. However, he finds himself drawn to her. He decides to put distance between them, but when he does so he finds himself with an unquenchable craving. Is it a thirst for blood or perhaps something more that Darcy longs for?

I hate to admit it but I have never read Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" but I feel as if I got a real taste of the Regency Romance as retold by Colette Saucier! She brings the time period to life, but more than that she pulled me right into the lives of the characters. I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold through the eyes of Darcy, a true gentleman, who has been successful at hiding what he really is. Though I soon learned what Mr. Darcy was, I really enjoyed the way Ms. Saucier eases the reader into what his affliction really is, slowly revealing how he lives. The vampires in this story aren't dark or scary; instead the author allows us to experience them without all the gore. I enjoyed the turmoil within Mr. Darcy. He needs blood, but has come up with a way to exist without human blood. I actually felt empathy for Mr. Darcy, as he learns that he too can love someone else. I was anxious to find out what would ultimately happen to him and Elizabeth. I have never been a fan of the classics, but Ms. Saucier's retelling has really changed my mind. Her paranormal twist gave this book an exciting edge that made it hard to put down. The ending of "Pulse and Prejudice" has left me anxious to read the next book in this series!

With the plethora of books about Jane Austen's ever popular tales of Regency England, "Pulse and Prejudice" is a really good addition to the growing field of Austen book versions. Darcy, based upon the famous male character in "Pride and Prejudice", is a vampire in "Pulse and Prejudice", but he is a nice vampire who works with his aide, Rivens, to make certain that he drinks only the blood of animals. He travels from London society with his friend Charles Bingley, Bingley's sister Caroline, and the Hursts who are Bingley's in-laws, to the country county of Hertsforshire. There Darcy encounters Elizabeth Bennet who troubles him. Darcy is attracted to her but has never considered a woman of no fashion and low connections which is what Elizabeth Bennet seems to be with her loud mother and silly sister Lydia. Then Elizabeth's older sister, Jane, lies dying and Darcy sees teeth marks on her neck. Darcy knows that another vampire who thinks nothing of attacking humans is nearby. Will true love between Darcy and Elizabeth triumph over all the problems between vampires and humans?

"Pulse and Prejudice" is a delightful version of the original "Pride and Prejudice", this time from Darcy's point of view. The basic theme of Darcy and Elizabeth overcoming their differences is wonderfully redone in this story as Elizabeth begins to desire Darcy and his vampire ways. The characters stay basically true to the original Jane Austen version and the plot line flows smoothly and truly in vampire version to the end. What is especially interesting in "Pulse and Prejudice" is Darcy's allusion to Lord Byron and his attack upon the Lake poets. It is interesting to see how this plays out in the story. A huge bouquet of daffodils to author Colette Saucier!

Elizabeth Bennet meets William Darcy the same time that her sister Jane meets Charles Bingley. Jane is enamored of Charles but Elizabeth is not so with Mr. Darcy. Between Bingley's sister and Darcy they conspire to end the potential romance between Bingley and Jane. Elizabeth's opinion of Mr. Darcy takes a further plunge when she learns of his interference in her sister's affairs. However, Mr. Darcy offers for Elizabeth's hand and is turned down in an instant. He writes Elizabeth a letter and explains his acquaintance with Wickham, who slandered him to Elizabeth. He also tells her that like Wickham he is a vampire. When next they meet he is afraid that Elizabeth will be frightened of him, which she is not. Wickham then takes off with her sister Lydia and Darcy goes and handles the situation. Not long after he learns from his aunt that Elizabeth still has feelings for him, so he sets out to reunite her sister Jane with Bingley and obtain Elizabeth's good favor.

The timeless story of Elizabeth Bennet and William Darcy is told but this time with a twist. There is still antagonism between the two from the first time they meet. However, this time the story is told through Darcy's eyes and how he tries to handle his affliction and his struggle with his affection for Elizabeth. Trusting her with his secret and her ability to keep that secret shows the true love between them. This is a love story like no other, author Colette L. Saucier successfully creates a new tale while maintaining the core integrity of the original classic. Her story of vampire-ism flows very well with the rest of the book, almost like it was there from the beginning. The kind of story to curl up with on cold or rainy day, to be lost in the pure enjoyment of a really good book.