Hi friends! It is my pleasure to welcome back author MJ Stratton to Austenesque Reviews today. As you may have seen her newest Pride and Prejudice variation – No Less Than Any Other – was released last month!

Today MJ is stopping by to answer some of my questions about Jane Austen, writing, and her new book – No Less Than Any Other. We hope you enjoy!

Hi MJ! I’m so excited to have this chance to chat and learn more about you! How about we start at the very beginning? When and how did Jane Austen come into your life? And when and how did you discover Austenesque?

The first time Jane Austen came into my life was by way of a much-loved aunt and her VHS copies of the 1995 miniseries. I was enthralled and I must have watched it three or four times during the week I stayed with her. I was sixteen and lost in an instant.

As for Austeneque fiction, my first encounter was with Lost in Austen. The idea that someone could have such a fascinating interpretation captured my interest. The first book I came across was, I believe, Mr. Darcy’s Diary. I found it for free on Bookbub and immediately started searching for more. I found Summer Hanford and Renata McMann next, and before I knew it, I was hooked.

Oh, I love that it was your aunt! That is so special. How about writing? What prompted you to put pen to paper and create your own novels?

My second baby didn’t sleep well. I would hold her a lot at night, reading. During that rough patch, I found Darcy’s Denial by Carolyn Whyte. Oh boy, that was a trip. I stayed up until 3 to finish it. This was back when you could still comment on Amazon reviews, and so I ‘volunteered as tribute’ if she ever wanted a beta. She reached out and I got to help with the sequel to that book.

Around the same time, I had the idea for The Redemption of Lydia Wickham. I thought it was rather unfair that a 16-year-old not be given a chance to grow up. Her story took me 7 years to write. I didn’t have a lot of time, then, and when I wrote, it would be in spurts where I did so for several hours. I had to reread often so I remembered what I had already written.

Publishing was terrifying, honestly. I was thrilled at the reception of the book and resolved to keep writing.

I can imagine feeling terrified. I’m so glad you took the chance and shared your story with the world! From Lydia Bennet being redeemed to Louisa Hurst falling in love, I’ve noticed that you pick some unique premises and characters to feature in your novels. And that seems to be true for No Less Than Any Other as well since in this variation Elizabeth is a twin and there is a Bennet heir! What prompts you to write stories from these unique angles?

I’m not entirely sure. I am a sucker for redemption stories, that much is certain. I think that anyone can change, given the right conditions and proper mindset. I know several story ideas tend to hit me out of the blue or take on a life of their own. Louisa’s story was actually supposed to be about Jane, but she stole it!

Atta girl, Louisa! I love when characters take control like that. From the book description it sounds like Tom Bennet might be a little neurodivergent. That’s such a fascinating twist to employ! What was your motivation for Tom Bennet? Did you learn anything about neurodivergent people during the Regency era?

No Less Than Any Other came to me during a conversation my husband and I were having on a drive with our kids. My husband had a brother who had downs syndrome that has since passed, and we were speaking of the struggles people with differences had during the past. Given the neurodiversity in my household, the thought struck a chord with me. The idea took flight, and I started writing notes down.

I didn’t learn specifically about neurodivergence during the time, but rather how a family would handle an heir that might be different. Regina Jeffers was an amazing help there. I learned that a family with an heir that might not be entirely sound would not simply be disinherited or cast off, especially in the case of the Bennets, where their entire estate was entailed. Neither was it easy to have an heir removed in favor of another, such as Mr. Collins. Secure in the idea that even with ‘oddities,’ that Tom would inherit, I set out to write his story.

I can definitely understand how that would be true. What is next for you MJ? Any projects in the works?

I am currently working on a quartet of novellas that is currently untitled. I have had several stories bouncing about in my head that need to get written down so I can work on a Sense and Sensibility project that has been brewing for a year. Each story is 30k-40k in length, give or take a few words.

A quick rundown of the novellas:

The 1st is titled: What Became of Miss Mary King? It tells Mary’s story after she left Meryton.

The 2nd is called At First Slight. It features two Fae who are responsible for uniting potential lovers. One of them, Eros, gets fairly angry when Darcy insults Elizabeth and sets off a chain of events he did not intend to.

The 3^rd is called A Change of Outcomes and is a ‘what if’ featuring Lydia Bennet. What would happen if Lydia found and read Elizabeth’s letter from Darcy before Brighton?

The 4th is untitled. What happens when any woman Darcy shows even the slightest bit of interest in has disaster strike? Rumors that Darcy is cursed go through London, leaving him unable to find a bride amongst the first circles. How will that change things when he gets to Meryton, and who is behind Darcy’s bad luck in love?

I am hoping to have it ready for release in the first week of April.

 These all sound so fascinating! The Mary King book especially! How about we switch it up with some Quick-Fire Questions?

• Which Jane Austen character do you most identify with? Probably Jane Bennet. I dislike confrontation, and I am a people pleaser. But I feel like Jane has hidden depth that is yet to be explored, and can be strong when she wants to be, much like myself.

• Which Jane Austen character do you intensely dislike? Lucy Steele. I hate that she gets everything she wanted despite all the hurt she caused. She is a vicious harpy and a manipulating cat. Her comeuppance is coming in my next project after the novellas. I cannot wait. I have another idea to ‘redeem’ her in another book, but I’m pretty sure readers would cry foul! I’d be interested to know what people think about that.

• Which Jane Austen character do you think is underrated? Oh that is a hard one for me. I keep thinking of all the characters I want to write about and either give them a happy ending or redeem them. I think Miss Bates is underrated. She is a poor spinster, living with her aging mother and having partially raised her niece. What did she have to sacrifice? Did she have an opportunity to marry? That’s probably not how you expected me to answer, but that’s what came to mind!

• What is one of your favorite scenes from Pride and Prejudice? I love when Lydia spills the beans about Darcy being at her wedding. It’s a real wake up call for Lizzy, and I’ve seen that used in variations to drive plot.

• What is one of your favorite scenes from No Less Than Any Other? My favorite scene was one that hit close to home for me. There’s a part at the Netherfield Ball where Tom has gone to the library so he can, as we call it at my house, regroup. It’s quiet and dark and helps him regulate. He askes Lizzy “Why am I broken?” and Lizzy is quite adamant that there is nothing wrong with him, that he is different but worth no less than anyone else. I thought of my kids and my husband when I wrote that. I try very hard to make sure my kids know they are NOT broken.

Another scene that comes to mind is when Elizabeth forgives Darcy. I’ve had several people say she wasn’t hard enough on him. One thing I have learned as a spectrum mom is how to forgive when someone is truly sorry. I mean, over half my books are redemption stories! If that doesn’t say it loud enough, I don’t know what does. Anyway, Lizzy was sort of like me, in that scene. She could see he was truly sorry and she trusted him to prove it.

• What do you love most about Mr. Darcy? He acknowledges his faults and tries to be better. It is terribly difficult to admit you’re wrong. Like it says in the Blind Side, it tastes like vinegar. But true growth comes when you can. Darcy became a better person not just for Elizabeth, but because he could see the fault in his self.

• What is your truth universally acknowledged? It is a truth universally acknowledged that any person in possession of an imagination can become a writer.

• If you were to meet Jane Austen, what would you like to hear her say? Well done in keeping my characters alive.

Your answers are wonderful, MJ! Thank you so much for sharing them with us I enjoyed learning about your own personal connection to this book and the characters you wrote about. I cannot wait to meet Tom Bennet and see more of his relationship with Elizabeth.

Oh, and Lucy Steele…? That has to be one of the most challenging characters to redeem!  But…I would definitely read it.

~Book Description ~

Elizabeth Bennet is not the son and heir her mother wished, much to Mrs. Bennet’s despair. But all was not lost, for soon after her second daughter’s birth, Mrs. Bennet delivered a son. Tom Bennet, born just minutes after his sister, was their family’s savior from the moment he took his first breath.

Tom Bennet’s peculiar nature soon sets him apart from others around him. His striking intelligence, key in aiding his family, paired with his many oddities leaves those around him with many differing opinions. None, though, are more dedicated to his well-being than his twin sister Elizabeth.

The closer to reaching their majority the twins get, the more frantic Mrs. Bennet is, for should anything befall Tom, her hopes and security will be dashed. She is determined that her girls must marry wealthy, eligible men as an extra precaution.

When Netherfield Park is let at last and is filled with eligible men, Mrs. Bennet sees her chance to ensnare at least one wealthy man for her daughters. But will the rumors of heartless neighbors prevent the new tenants from forming any serious designs on any of the Bennet daughters?

No Less Than Any Other is a sweet and clean Pride and Prejudice variation.

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~ About MJ ~

MJ Stratton is a long-time lover of Jane Austen and her works, having been introduced
to Pride and Prejudice by a much beloved aunt at the age of 16. The subsequent discovery of
Austenesque fiction sealed her fate. After beta reading and editing for others for nearly a
decade, MJ started publishing her own work in 2022. MJ balances being a wife and mother with
writing, gardening, sewing, and many other favorite pastimes. She lives with her husband and
four children in the small, rural town where she grew up.

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~ GIVEAWAY TIME! ~

MJ Stratton is generously giving away ONE ebook of No Less Than Any Other in conjunction with this blog visit!!  Woot woot!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, MJ Stratton!
• This giveaway ends March 12! (THAT’S TOMORROW! 😧  Better act fast!)