Eclipse of the Heart

Love can be whimsical; it takes pleasure in finding torturous ways to play with destiny. It can be rather complicated to acknowledge, then deeply cherished, then painfully ripped away leaving hopelessness behind. Other times it can be delayed and take forever to unite people who were always meant to be together. What one wouldn't pay to find love after her life was played with by Cupid, by fate, by bad luck? How valuable is courage to acknowledge an old heart can indeed find love again? And it can be fooled and played with, at the same time fondled and duped by young apprentices of its own art. Whimsical, difficult, foolish... Isn't Cupid a spoilt child? In three independent stories Apollo and Daphne play with Cupid as much as they are played with, intertwined by coincidences and similarities. This collection may be read together or separate, in any sequence. Aside from the different plots, the stories share peacocks, swans, liqueur, small books, slippers and carriages. Also servants and their own subplots developed differently in each story, Venice and the meager power women had over their own lives in the 19th century. Part of the fun lies on searching and identifying these elements. 2nd act is 'Eclipse of the heart': An alternative universe for Pride and Prejudice. Fate plays Darcy and Elizabeth well and they only meet several years after the Bingleys' wedding. As life hasn't been kind to both of them, they find in each other not only friendship or solace but also love and hope.