Penelope Swan is the pen name of USA Today bestselling mystery author, H.Y. Hanna. She has been an avid Jane Austen fan since her teens and is delighted that she can now live out her Regency fantasies through her books. You can find more about her and also check out her contemporary books at www.hyhanna.com .

I’ve been an avid Jane Austen fan since my teens and have read and re-read all the books several times (OK, not so much with Emma as that is my least favourite!).

In fact, I went through a period around 14 when I just wanted to talk and dress like a Regency lady and drove my mother a bit crazy insisting that I get a high-waisted, Regency-style gown made at the local dressmaker

Now, I can live out my Regency fantasies through my books rather than through the dressmaker’s nightmares. 😉 I’ve always loved mysteries and so my Pride & Prejudice variations often include an element of mystery or suspense. The Dark Darcy series is a retelling of the original Pride and Prejudice, with a series of mysteries interspersed into the storyline, which Darcy and Elizabeth solve together, as they also slowly grow to trust, respect and ultimately fall in love with each other. My standalone books, such as Darcy Revealed and Darcy’s Wager, are more focused on the romance ( although still with a dash of suspense!) – between Lizzy and Darcy, Jane and Bingley – and even Mary finds her heart stolen! 🙂

I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them!

Favourite Austen book: Persuasion – and of course, Pride & Prejudice!

Favourite Darcy: Colin Firth (of course!!!!!! 😛 )

Favourite quote from the books: the love letter from Captain Wentworth to Ann Elliot in Persuasion… swoon… I’ve read it so many times now and still get a lump in my throat every time. Is that the most romantic letter ever written or what??!!

Favourite character: Elizabeth Bennet – but for comic potential, you can’t beat her hilarious-but-drive-you-up-the-wall mother. (Hmm… reminds me a bit of mine…)

Favourite adaptation: the BBC’s mini-series of Pride & Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle