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Beau North
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The Colonel: A Longbourn's Songbird Novel Kindle Edition

by Beau North (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 69 ratings
“This isn’t a love story, but the end of one. The story of two ships forever passing in the night. This is the story of my father and the woman he spent most of his adult life loving, a woman who was never really his.”

1950: After letting his chance at love with Elizabeth Bennet slip through his fingers a second time, Richard Fitzwilliam loses himself in women, whiskey, and war as he tries to forget what he left behind. Putting oceans, continents, and decades between himself and his heartbreak, Richard seeks his future, only to be pulled back to the past again and again.

2002: Shaken by recent events, Ben Fitzwilliam has left everything familiar behind, walking away from his relationship, his Manhattan apartment, his career as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist to return to his family home in Annapolis, Maryland. Struggling to navigate a world that makes less and less sense, Ben finds purpose where he least expected it: in his father’s private letters. With the help of Annapolis PD Officer Keisha Barnes, Ben attempts to uncover his father’s secrets, heal the rifts those secrets caused, and find the answers he seeks on far shores.

Spanning decades, continents, wars abroad and wars at home, The Colonel is the anticipated companion to Longbourn’s Songbird.

Content Warning: This book contains themes that may not be suitable for some readers such as PTSD, Addiction, Suicidal Ideation and Violence.
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  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 9, 2019
  4. File size
    3.3 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This sprawling family epic manages to pack several generations of a huge extended family into four hundred pages and dozens of subplots, but the details never feel overwhelming or hard to parse thanks to the author's polished, confident prose." - BookLife

"Every so often, a book comes along that will stay with a reader long after the book is finished."The Colonel" is one of those books. The way the author handles the delicate situations is expert and handled perfectly." InD'Tale Magazine
"The Colonel is a pair of bittersweet stories that are both utterly tender and achingly raw. Beau North is an undeniably talented writer with a bright career ahead of her." - IndiesToday
"Emotional and evocative, The Colonel explores how an unresolved past will continue bearing on one's future until it's finally dealt with. Beau North's gorgeous writing is unflinchingly honest in peeling back the messy, complicated family dynamics that run through the story, and she will make you feel exactly what the characters are feeling--all the joy, pain, jealousy, confusion, and love that define their lives." - Sarah Pesce, Lopt and Cropt
"The Colonel is a grand and touching celebration of love, friendship, and family across generations. Absorbing, moving and compelling, it's a beautiful reminder that no one we love can ever truly be gone." - Gena Radcliffe, The Spool
"There is no room in this excellent book for frilly sentimentality. It's 100% raw feeling of breathtaking beauty, that will leave you shaken, awed, and wanting more." -Joana Starnes, Author of The Unthinkable Triangle and The Falmouth Connection
"With a talent for tackling intense subjects encased in elegant and graceful prose, Ms. North weaves the story of Colonel Fitzwilliam in the 20th century. He's a complicated man--a perfect character in his imperfection--and a man you can't help but stand behind, root for, and perhaps, as I did, fall in love with. " - Karen M Cox, Author of 1932 and Son of a Preacher Man

From the Author

Beau North is the author of four books and contributor to multiple anthologies. Beau lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband. In her spare time, she is the co-host of the podcasts Excessively Diverted: Modern Classics On-Screen and Let's Get Weirding: A Dune Podcast.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07TJKHY3C
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op; 1st edition (July 9, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 9, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 69 ratings

About the author

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Beau North

Beau North

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Beau North is the author of five books and contributor to multiple anthologies. Beau lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband. In her spare time, she is the co-host of the podcasts Excessively Diverted: Modern Classics On-Screen and Let's Get Weirding: A Dune Podcast.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
69 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Roger Cox
    5.0 out of 5 stars A romantic, poignant tale
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I have been a fan of Beau North’s writing since her award-winning debut novel, Longbourn’s Songbird. My favorite work of hers was Modern Love—until now. The Colonel may be her best book yet.
    With a talent for tackling intense subjects encased in elegant and graceful prose, Ms. North weaves the story of Colonel Fitzwilliam in the 20th century. He’s a complicated man—a perfect character in his imperfection—and a man you can’t help but stand behind, root for, and perhaps, as I did, fall in love with. Richard is a fully-drawn character lovingly written: a soldier, a son, a brother, a lover, a father, a cousin, a philanthropist, a friend.
    Interspersed with Richard’s story is the tale of his son, Ben, a journalist struggling with PTSD following the tragedy of 9-11. I rather liked the way the author dove-tailed Ben’s story and his romance with Keisha into the broader history of the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families. It gave some respite from the intensity of Richard, and put his adventures within context, smoothing the rougher edges with the sands of time. Ben’s story has similarities to his father’s, but it has important differences that provide continuity and perspective to Richard’s life.
    In less-talented hands, this story could have been overly-emotional, even maudlin in places, but Beau North has crafted a romantic, poignant tale with writing that is as rich and substantial as expertly-whipped cream—smooth and easy but not too sweet. Richard and Ben, like all of Beau’s characters, will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. Theirs is a story of struggle, but ultimately, what shines through this novel is acceptance, hope, and the certainty that life is beautiful.

    Although this is Austen-inspired fiction, The Colonel is a stand-alone story (Reading Longbourn’s Songbird first will round out the context of Richard’s life and family.)

    I would recommend The Colonel for fans of Austen-inspired fiction who are ready for a unique Austenesque story, and for any fan of World War 2 and post-war settings, historical romance, and true hero’s journeys.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Lisa Angel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written conclusion to the Colonel's story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Full disclosure: if you're looking for a neat happily ever after, this is NOT for you. But if you wondered what happened after the first book and with Colonel Fitzwilliam, you need to read this. It was a well written conclusion to the story, but you need to keep in mind that the Colonel did not get the girl. That continues throughout this book and as forewarned, his story isn't particularly happy. In fact, I was pointedly angry with him and the author for so many points in this book, but that is what makes it a great story. No one wants to think that Elizabeth would have any angsty moments with him once she gets her Mr Darcy, but that's not life. So kudos to the author for keeping this story so real. It also married nicely with a modern storyline in the form of the Colonel's son as he discovers the story of the triangle and it's aftermath while tackling his own issurs. Like I said very well written, realistic and evoking emotions throughout. But not a particularly happy conclusion for our Colonel.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • danagirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    have read many Austen related prequels & sequels, both good and bad and this was beautiful.
    I had the pleasure of reading Longbourn’s Songbird as both a FanFic and the book form and if possible, this continuation was even better. (In my opinion you must read Longbourn’s Songbird first)

    At times, I was so angry for Richard’s interference in Elizabeth and Williams’s life but as time went on, I think I grew to understand him more, even if it took most of the book for Richard to understand himself!
    Thank you for having Ben wonder about touching Keisha’s hair! Thank you for showing the complicated relationship Ben had with his mothers and thank you for The Colonel.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Christina Morland
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping and beautifully-told story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    In The Colonel, Beau North weaves a tale of love and war, pain and forgiveness through the lives of Richard Fitzwilliam and his son, Ben. Alternating between post-WWII and post-9/11 America, the novel immerses us in the experiences of both father and son as they wrestle with the aftermath of war. We are also treated to the perspectives of the many people who love Richard, including Elizabeth and Will Darcy. (The Colonel is a sequel to North's fabulous Longbourn's Songbird, but could be read as a stand-alone novel, too.)

    Ultimately, The Colonel is a love story in the grandest sense, celebrating the many kinds of love that give meaning and purpose to existence. I highly recommend this book!
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Amy Simeister
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Good
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Zero angst is found in this beautiful tragedy that was the life of this version of Richard Fitzwilliam. A beautiful way of showing how messy and complicated love can usually be.
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  • Valeria
    3.0 out of 5 stars Grim bordering on macabre
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a well written novel but just not for my taste when it comes to JAFF. If, unlike myself, you’re okay with overt and constant morbidity in a storyline, it is a good read. I’m kind of glad I didn’t read the 1st novel, Longbourne’s Songbird; my ratings will be less favorable as I just don’t care for P&P variations with Elizabeth and Col Fitzwilliam as love interests even less than Jane marrying Bingley.
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  • Imelda The Hon
    5.0 out of 5 stars The most ambitious work of JAFF I’ve ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2019
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    What a magnificent tribute to Jane Austen’s characters, and what a powerful, emotional story. The characters we know and love are transmuted by Beau North’s art and imagination into 20th century human beings with modern quirks and flaws, who love each other in new and yet eternal ways. Darcy and Elizabeth, Jane and Bingley: they’re there, but they’re not central. They’re supporting characters in the story of Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and his brilliant, dogged son Ben (short for Bennet).

    It’s a lot more demanding than most JAFF, but also far more rewarding.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • ag3324
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Beautifully written and a lovely tie over of the longbourn songbird book. I really like the style of writing. Thanks
    One person found this helpful
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