Secret Affairs by Suzan Lauder – Excerpt & Giveaway

Good Afternoon everyone,

Back in October I had the pleasure of hosting Suzan Lauder with an excerpt of The Reluctant Chaperon, book two of the Cecilia’s Mismatches Series, and today I am happy to welcome her once more with an excerpt of third book in the series: Secret Affairs. This is a very interesting regency series, and this particular book started out as a Jane Austen Fan Fiction novel, so I hope you enjoy knowing a little more about it 🙂

Thank you so much for visiting Suzan! It is a pleasure having you here 🙂

---

Thank you, Rita, for hosting me on your blog once again. Secret Affairs started out as a Pride and Prejudice fan fiction story, with Elizabeth as the bluestocking and Mr. Darcy as the rake. However, I couldn’t limit the story to the characterizations that Jane Austen used with those two, and so I decided to use new, original characters to create a different Regency world for this book. For that reason, I had several chapters of this book written when I started on the first and second books of the Cecilia’s Mismatches series, which currently has three books. Lexie is more assertive than Elizabeth, and I don’t know if P&P readers would care to have Mr. Darcy with Lord Remington’s sordid past!

The scene that follows is early on in the book, just after they have met. It is the first real conversation they will have. The excerpt refers to Reeve Charington of Book Two as well as James Whitley, Lord Catlin, Lexie’s match in Secret Affairs.

~

Excerpt from Secret Affairs Chapter 4

When Reeve led the men into the room after their port and cigars, Lexie searched for James among them and discovered he was deep in discussion with Marcus, who made his way to his sister’s side. Lady Priscilla happened to be talking to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, so the group then embarked on a lively conversation.

Still alone in her little corner of the drawing room, Lexie sipped her negus until a low, smooth voice came from her shoulder. “I assume from your earlier comment that you are the bluestocking of the Hales sisters?”

Her head spun around towards the voice. How dare Lord Remington address her in such an impudent manner! Well, at least her first impression of him was not all wrong. “I should like to know what defines a bluestocking in the eyes of a supposed reformed rake?”

“Ah, no holding back on the tongue of Miss Hales. She states the situation identical to the way she has been told.” He took a drink of what she presumed to be brandy by the way the golden hues glimmered in the evening light of Cassie’s beeswax candles. His eyes held hers over the rim of the goblet the whole time. “I perceive the bluestocking as one who at the very least has a fascination with science. She reads the Ladies Monthly Museum and similar periodicals and even pamphlets on the topics of interest to her and is able to quote modern knowledge on a few scientific topics. Does that sound familiar?”

“The description does put me in mind of several ladies of the ton with whom I am acquainted. I give you leave to call them bluestockings.”

His tongue darted out to capture a drop of golden liquid from the rim of his goblet, but his dark eyes continued to bore into her. What was his game? “I see. How well does this describe your own interests?”

She lifted her chin while she glanced away and then back at him, willing herself to stare him down. “My knowledge is practical in nature. The details are not limited to discussions in the drawing rooms of London. I do not know if there is nomenclature for a lady with acumen such as myself, my sister, or Lady Catlin.”

“So, there are more of you?”

“Indeed. My sister and Lady Catlin have managed their estates since the deaths of their husbands, being several years for each. My contribution is somewhat similar to the role of steward for the two.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled and one side of his mouth moved up in a wry smile. “You, a steward? I cannot countenance the claim. Do you read ledgers in your rose gown?” He waved his hand at the evening dress she now wore. “Inspect fences or roofs fitted out in a muslin walking dress?”

Lexie huffed. She owned sturdy gowns for the more rugged purposes on the farms, yet she would not stoop to describe her wardrobe to this pompous man. He needed to be put in his place. “I do not expect you to understand the comparative importance of the role since you are rather new to your place as a landlord. When you have gained more experience, you may criticise as you wish.”

“Is that so? Well, you forget that I was born and bred to be lord of the manor. You found yourself eschewing the French lessons and embroidery of your sex for men’s interests.”

“Who decided they belonged to men? If a lady can assume the tasks and perform them effectively, they cannot belong to either sex. A master should be more concerned with who performs the job with more diligence and skill.”

“Yes, but some duties men simply cannot do as well as ladies, and therefore, we prefer to keep ladies in a position where they are prepared for such a role.”

“You are speaking of a wife. That is what a rake would say. He is all keen to bed a woman.”

~

There it is! Did you enjoy the short bit of banter between the main characters? Tell me in the comments section and at the same time, get a chance to win an e-book from Rita’s blog!

---

Miss Alexandra Hales is much too clever, and more comfortable with her role as the steward for her sister and brother-by-marriage than as a lady enjoying the London Season. Lexie has no need for a husband. After all, what gentleman would accept her as she is? But when Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, pairs her with long-time friend and neighbour Lord Catlin at her sister Cassandra Charington’s summer house party, she finds herself obligated to consider him as a potential husband. At the same time, the enigmatic and disreputable Lord Remington has insulted her not once, but twice! He is a disagreeable man indeed!

When she and Lord Remington happen upon each other in the garden one evening, an argument ensues, which is to be expected, but all changes when the rake kisses her. What a kiss! Yet what about Cecilia’s plans to match her with the likeable yet brotherly Lord Catlin? She has told all and sundry about the match, but can she love him?

For the first time, a quandary lies before her too complex for her reasoning. What is Lexie to do?

Book Three of the Cecilia’s Mismatches series is a stand-alone novel.

Cecilia’s Mismatches Series Blurb

Who is Cecilia? She’s Lady Hoxley, a recently married young lady whose husband is old enough to be her father. Theirs is a love match. She loves his money and title, and he loves her youth and vivacity. Cecilia is so gratified with her own match that she is determined to match her friends with worthy gentlemen—but what happens when all her grand schemes seem to go awry?

You can find Secret Affair at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

and on Kindle Unlimited

---

A lover of Jane Austen, Regency period research and costuming, yoga, fitness, home renovation, design, sustainability, and independent travel, cat mom Suzan Lauder keeps busy even when she’s not writing novels based on Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, all of which are published by Meryton Press.

She and Mr. Suze and their rescue tabby split their time between a loft condo overlooking the Salish Sea and a 150-year-old Spanish colonial casita in Mexico. Suzan’s lively prose can be found on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/SuzanLauder; on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest as @SuzanLauder; and on her Meryton Press blog, road trips with the redhead www.suzanlauder.merytonpress.com. Her Amazon author page is https://www.amazon.com/author/suzanlauder. 

Prior to publishing An Accomplished Woman of the Cecilia’s Mismatches series, Lauder had four novels, a novella, and a novelette published by Meryton Press and has short stories in two Austenesque anthologies. All are popular, most earning four-plus star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads. Accolades include Amazon bestseller for Letter from Ramsgate and The Barrister’s Bride, a Finalist for Sexy Scribbles for an excerpt from Alias Thomas Bennet, and several of her books were placed on top ten of the year lists by influential bloggers.

She even finds time to bake muffins!

 

Contact Info

Facebook ; Twitter ; Instagram

Pinterest  ; Amazon Author Page

Meryton Press Blog, road trips with the redhead 

Email: suzanlauder@gmail.com

An Accomplished Woman Amazon Buy Link

https://mybook.to/lauderaaw1

The Reluctant Chaperon Amazon Buy Link

https://mybook.to/laudertrc2

Secret Affairs Amazon Buy Link

https://mybook.to/laudersa3

---

Meryton Press will be giving away one eBook copy of Secret Affairs to readers stopping by at From Pemberley to Milton, if you’d like to enter the giveaway please leave a comment below and let us know what you think about this premise and excerpt. The giveaway is open until the 25th of May and the winner will be announced shortly after.

Good luck everyone!

Without Vanity or Pride by LM Romano & Amy D’Orazio – Excerpt & Giveaway

Good Afternoon dear readers,

Congratulations are in order for Quills & Quartos as today they released Without Vanity or Pride an interesting book that contains two short stories, one by Amy D’Orazio and another one by LM Romano. At first I though this was one single story written by both authors, but in fact we are presented with two different novellas in this book, so it’s a double prize!

I have already read No Improper Pride, Amy D’Orazio’s story and the first on the book, and I am now on my way to read Insufficient Vanity by LM Romano so I can review it shortly here at From Pemberley to Milton. Until that time comes, I can share with you an excerpt of No Improper Pride. I hope you enjoy it and join me in wishing both authors the best of luck with this new release 🙂

---

An excerpt from No Improper Pride by Amy D’Orazio

The two little Gardiner ladies were excited to near raptures by the park. Some young boys their age were sailing boats, and a gentleman was walking about with a poodle on a leash, and they found both crafts and canine enchanting. Mrs Gardiner wore her maternal satisfaction like a mantle, looking down on the sweet picture of her daughters’ happiness.

Into this scene, a handsome blond gentleman of unmistakably noble bearing intruded. “I happen to know that dog personally,” he informed Elspeth and Millie. “It is perhaps the stupidest creature ever to draw breath. If you would like to meet a dog of true worth, I shall retrieve my Florizel from Mayfair to introduce to you.”

So astonished were the ladies by hearing such an address, and from such an obviously elevated personage, that they stood rooted in silence for a time. It was Jane who first noticed the gentleman who came up behind him. 

“Mr Darcy! How do you do, sir?”

Elizabeth barely repressed a gasp as she turned to see him, looking handsomely uncomfortable and staring directly at her. He did not answer Jane. In fact no-one said anything for what seemed an interminable length of time. She would have wagered anything that Mr Darcy would have assiduously avoided her and her sharp tongue. Yet, there he was. Would that she could still be angry at him! But her fury had long since passed, subsumed into the justice of much of his censure and overridden by his declarations of love. 

A love which she would have imagined he had put aside as quickly as he could, save for the fact that he stood before her. 

The blond man at last sighed and gave a quick glance heavenward . “Well then, Darcy? You were in such a fever to observe the proprieties, and now you only stand there! Introduce me, man!”

Elizabeth observed in astonishment as Mr Darcy’s countenance flushed deep scarlet. He stammered through an awkward presentation of the man whom they soon learnt was his cousin, Viscount Saye, the elder brother of Colonel Fitzwilliam. 

“And owner,” he informed the two young Miss Gardiners, “of Florizel, a vastly superior beast in both appearance and cleverness to that poodle you so admire.” The little ladies giggled.

The viscount was a charming man, as easy and friendly as his brother, and began at once to entertain them all. He proved to be the sort who could make a subject of anything, and soon, they were laughing and talking as if he had known them all since their infancy.

Once he had performed the introductions, Mr Darcy went silent. He stood with his legs unnaturally stiff, one hand gripping his walking stick as his eyes stared blankly at his own feet. After a time, Elizabeth also lapsed into silence, gazing absently over the river and wondering why Mr. Darcy had approached them if, as it seemed, he had no intention of speaking.  

It would be his cousin who at last provoked him into conversation. The viscount was intent on taking them into the rose gardens and would not permit any manner of persuasion against it.

“It is what must be done,” announced Lord Saye. “Excessively fashionable. I am sure Mrs Gardiner here would not settle for less. Come, madam, let us take the children. I do not mean to boast but I am something of an expert.”

This assertion caused Mr Darcy to scoff, albeit quietly, and give a small shake of his head.

With that, Lord Saye took Mrs. Gardiner on his arm, offering his other to Jane. With an unmistakable look of triumph towards his cousin, he set off, motioning Miss Franklin to bring the young Miss Gardiners and come along.

Elizabeth was left alone, standing by the Serpentine with Mr Darcy. She looked at the gentleman whose countenance bore a look of outright humiliation. 

He saw her look and lowered his face. “You must forgive my cousin. He has an exuberant character.”

“I do not dislike him,” Elizabeth replied. Then, in a fit of boldness, she said, “I fear this scheme of his must be more distressing to you than it is to me.”

“I am not distressed by it,” he said immediately. 

“Perhaps, then, we ought to follow them.”

To this Mr Darcy offered a small nod and then, hesitantly, extended his arm. She took it, and they began to move, the top of Lord Saye’s hat their guide.

---

Without Vanity or Pride is a collection of two short story variations of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

Insufficient Vanity by LM Romano
All I have ever desired—what I long for and crave with every fibre of my being—is that one day you would love me as fiercely and constantly as I love you.

When an unfortunate accident results in a prolonged, and somewhat torturous, visit by the recently wedded Wickhams at Longbourn, Elizabeth Bennet is miserable. Despite knowing all that Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy has done to save her family’s reputation, Elizabeth cannot believe that the gentleman could ever bring himself to renew his offer of marriage to her, not when she is now sister to Mr George Wickham.

When Mr Darcy returns to Hertfordshire, the romantic hopes of Darcy and Elizabeth are rekindled–but hope can be a very fickle thing indeed. Will it be enough to afford them a second chance at love?

No Improper Pride by Amy D’Orazio
Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable.

Following his disastrous proposal at Hunsford, Fitzwilliam Darcy is resolved to giving up on his hope of winning Elizabeth Bennet’s heart and hand. His cousin, Viscount Saye has a different view of the matter; he believes that in handing her a letter and disappearing from her life, Darcy has done no more than assure himself of the last word in their argument.

A chance meeting of Darcy, Saye and Elizabeth in Hyde Park in London proves a second chance for Darcy to prove he has been humbled. He offers her a chance for her own last word in the argument, to say to him whatever truth is within her heart. It turns out that the truth is a surprise to them both, but where will their candour lead them?

You can find Without Vanity of Pride at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

and on Kindle Unlimited

---

Quills & Quartos is giving away 1 ebook copy of Without Vanity or Pride to one lucky reader who stops by at From Pemberley to Milton. To apply to the giveaway, all you have to do is comment this post and let us know what you think of this book. Quills & Quartos will announce the winner on their Facebook page, so check it out to see who won 🙂

Good luck everyone!

From Pemberley to Milton’s 2024 BINGO – April Results

Good afternoon everyone,

It’s time to share our monthly BINGO cards progress  🙂 As expected, and as we fill out our cards our group numbers are now decreasing and we have read 42 books in April. However, some people have actually started a second card which makes me very happy, because that means you’re really engaged in this initiative! The 2nd cards will not run to the end of the year giveaway, but it is nice to see the progress of those who are brave enough to venture on the 2nd card, so I will share them here too 🙂

And, we have another reader who has finished her card! Congrats Anji!

Top Books in April

1. Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library – Read 2 times
2. Rising Courage by Heather Moll – Read 2 times
3. Where the Waters by Susan Adriani – Read 2 times
4. The Riches of a Life Well Lived by Elizabeth Frerichs – Read 2 times
5. A Matter of Prudence by Lucy Marin – Read 2 times

Fun Fact:  It’s the second time in a row that both Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library and Rising Courage are our Top Books !

---

We’ve read books from 37 different authors this month. Here is our Top Authors list:

Top Individual Authors in April

1. Heather Moll – 2 different books were read 3 times
2. Lucy Marin – 2 different books were read 3 times
3. Shana Granderson – 2 different books were read 2 times
4. Susan Adriani – 1 book was read 2 times
5. Elizabeth Frerichs – 1 book was read 2 times

It’s the second time in a row that Heather Moll is in our Monthly Top Authors list, so kudos to her 🙂

---

Top Categories in March

1. Fantasy – 4 occurrences
2. Part of a Series – 4 occurences
3. Mash Up – 4 occurences

---

Now it’s time to see our individual progress 🙂

Once more I have only added 2 books to my card, so I am advancing very slowly, but I have already finished 2 books in May that I can add to the card, so next month will definitely be better 🙂

P&P Paperback Variation – Where the Waters Agree by Susan Adriani

Part of a Series – A Matter of Prudence by Lucy Marin

---

Fantasy – Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library by Monica Fairview, Abigail Reynolds, Victoria Kincaid, Sarah Courtney, Melanie Rachel, Lari Ann O’Dell

---

Mystery – Doubt Not, Cousin by Barry Richman

Debut Author – The Warmth of Her Affection by Elsie Fullbrook

Modernization – A Searing Acquaintance by Jan Ashton

---

Persuasion Inspired – Captive Hearts by Kelly Miller

---

Secondary Character – So This is Love by Laura Hile

---

Finished in March 🙂

---

 

Mash Up – Much Pride, Prejudice and Sensibility by Shana Granderson

---

Finished in March!

P&P Variation Ebook – The Engagement by Ola Wegner

New Author to Me – The Riches of a Life Well Lived by Elizabeth Frerichs

Trapped Together – Rising Courage by Heather Moll

Part of a Series – The Elopment Project by Elizabeth Adams

Released in 2024 – Crossroads by MJ Stratton

Mash Up – The Correction of Folly by Christine Combe

P&P Variation Audiobook – The Bad Miss Bennet by Jean Burnett

---

Part of a Series – A Matter of Prudence by Lucy Marin

P&P Variation Paperback – Mr. Darcy’s Devotion by Lyr Newton

Christmas Story – A Christmas Miracle at Longbourn by Catherine Bilson

Persuasion Inspired – That Voice by Heather Moll

Paranormal – The Curse by Kate Speck

---

Mash Up– The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

Recommended by a Blogger – The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet by Melinda Taub

Modernization – Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta

---

Fantasy – Spellbound at Pemberley by Abigail Reynolds

Trapped Together – The Riches of a Life Well Lived by Elizabeth Frerichs

Part of a Series –  The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet by Christine Combs

Mash Up – The Sailor’s Rest by Don Jacobson

---

Fantasy – Transforming Mr. Darcy by Melanie Rachel

Secondary Character – From Another Perspective by MJ Stratton

Modernization – Relative Strangers by A.H. Kim 

---

Trapped Together – Rising Courage by Heather Moll

P&P Variation Paperback – Where the Waters Agree by Susan Adriani

P&P Variation Audiobook – A Chance Encounter by S. Neha

---

Finished in March!

---

Secondary Character – The Courtship of Edward Gardiner by Alix James

---

Fantasy – Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library by Monica Fairview, Abigail Reynolds, Victoria Kincaid, Sarah Courtney, Melanie Rachel, Lari Ann O’Dell

Christmas Story – Meet Me at Pemberley by Rose Fairbanks

Persuasion Inspired – The Second Ending by Riana Everly

Lady Anne is Alive – Her Grace by Shana Granderson

---

Short Story – An Accidental Letter by Melissa Anne

Love Triangle – From Highbury with Love by Corrie Garret

---

What did you think of our progress?

If you’re still missing some categories and don’t know what to read I’ve noticed today that Amazon has a 3-Month Promotional Plan for new subscriptions to Kindle Unlimited, so the first 3 months are FREE, that may be a good solution to find books to finish your cards. 

Thank you all for participating and bringing some fun into my reading in 2024 😊

Happy Reading Everyone!

Meet Your Mark by Elizabeth Adams

Meet Your Mark is a cute Pride & Prejudice variation with a supernatural element. In this regency tale people may choose to receive a soul mark on their thirteenth birthday, which means their soulmate will receive a matching mark indicating that Fate believes those two people are meant to be together. The aristocracy stopped choosing to be marked because they didn’t want to risk being matched with people below their station, but Elizabeth Bennet thinks differently, and on her thirteenth birthday she chooses to go through the marking ceremony to find true love. Her soulmate, Fitzwilliam Darcy, is not happy to see that a mark starts appearing on him, but Fate is never wrong, and as soon as he meets Elizabeth Bennet, he knows she is different than any other woman he has ever met.

This is a short book, but I absolutely loved it and could not stop reading it. I loved the entire background story concerning the soul marks, how they work, and I especially loved seeing each person’s connection with their soul mark. All Bennet family members faced different situations and dealt with them in their own way which carved their personalities. The marks they received, or did not receive, altered their behavior because the marks changed their circumstances and backgrounds, therefore the people in this story still have the same personality traits, but are somewhat a bit more moderate.

I loved how Lydia’s mark was special and how it helped her redeem herself and become a better person, how Kitty’s premature mark allowed her to develop her own pastime and establish a connection to her elder sisters, and I loved Mary’s fate and the outcome she had because she did not receive a mark. It felt like every single character had the mark they needed to become the person they needed to be to achieve happiness. Even Georgiana’s storyline was interesting and demonstrated there is more to the soul marks society than people originally though.

The differences the soul marks created in the characters behaviors also altered their relationships, and I loved the dynamics that were developed in this book. The closer connection between Mr. Bennet and Lydia, the playful friendship between Kitty and Elizabeth, and even the estrangement between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet was interestingly explained by the soul marks. I loved how every single aspect of the storyline was intrinsically connected to the characters personalities and fates.

Another aspect of this book I truly loved were the flirtatious dialogues between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, Elizabeth Adams as a way with words that makes us feel exactly what the main characters are feeling, and she made me vibrate with Darcy and Elizabeth in their encounter by the billiard table at Netherfield.

The humor was another detail that made me love this book, Meet Your Mark is incredibly well written and extremely funny in an effortless and classy manner. Kitty was a particularly funny character, and I would love to have seen her character and her soul mate a little bit more explored at the end of the story, just as I would love to know more about Mr. Bennet’s mark, which means this book asks for a sequel to be written!

Elizabeth Adams is an incredible writer, and she did an amazing job with this book which is a light, funny but also exciting romance between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. The world building was so well executed that I felt I was there with the characters, and in fact I wanted to continue there with them for much longer. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

You can find Meet Your Mark at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

---

 

The Vocation of Mary Bennet by Carrie Mollenkopf

In this Pride & Prejudice sequel Mary Bennet is unmarried and still living at Longbourn, and despite the fact that Jane Bingley lives close by at Netherfield Park, it is Mary who takes care of her aging parents.

She is considered an oddity because of her love for science and medical procedures, but when the people of Meryton start passing away from unidentified diseases it is Mary who comes to their aid.

I loved Mary’s, Georgiana’s and Anne’s storylines and relationships in this book. Despite their bluestocking characteristics they were smart, independent women who were true friends to each other and found someone who could see their true value.

I also liked seeing Charlotte’s take in this book, it was a somewhat interesting storyline that had an especially innovative outcome. Another aspect of the book I enjoyed was how Mr. Collins was finally useful in an incredibly gruesome manner, his ending fit him perfectly as he was an unbelievably cruel and stupid man in this novel.

Despite having enjoyed the main plotlines of the book, I did have some quibbles with it. Firstly, the writing and even behaviors of some characters sounded too modern, secondly there were too many plotlines being developed, giving the book a very fast pace, but maybe not enough depth into each individual character. Just like in the first book I’ve read from this author, it felt like several storylines were put together in a single book without enough development going into each one of them. Lastly, I found that Mary had unrealistic abilities and seemed to be perfect at everything. This was probably my main issue with this book because even though I love to see a strong independent Mary, this character was simply not a believable one.

Summing up, The Vocation of Mary Bennet has many interesting plotlines, but it lacks the proper development for the reader to feel immersed in the book, I believe some readers who enjoy Mary Bennet will like reading this book, but there are better secondary character books based on this character that I would recommend instead.

You can find The Vocation of Mary Bennet at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Kindle Unlimited and Audible

---

 

Where the Waters Agree by Susan Adriani

Where the Waters Agree is a second chance Pride & Prejudice Variation where Mr. Darcy doesn’t return to Netherfield with Mr. Bingley after the Hunsford fiasco, however, he does reencounter Elizabeth a few months later at Evermore on Sea, a small and cozy seaside town where the entire storyline will take place.

It is evident these two characters are already in love with each other by the time they reunite, but the author took the time to show the reader how their feelings were developed, making this a swoon worthy tale. Where the Waters Agree is therefore an angst free romance in which Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth rediscover how well suited, they are for each other.

I absolutely loved this novella because it is exquisitely built and written, and even though I loved everything about it, if I had stood out something it would be the setting, the plot, the characters, and the writing style.

The setting was absolutely perfect! Evermore on Sea is a calm and beautiful seaside town where Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth can stroll on the beach, feel the breeze on their cheeks and observe the waves and sunsets together. I couldn’t imagine a more romantic and calmer environment in which these two characters could spend some quality time together while reconnecting with their feelings and overcoming their fears of rejection.

The second chance romance is a trope I always love and even though I usually say I love angsty novels, I believe I can also love angst free romances when they are well written and engaging! And that is exactly what happened with this book. Susan Adriani has such a way with words that she made me feel Darcy’s tenderness and intense feelings for Elizabeth with each action, each look, each silence, and each word he pronounced. I could clearly picture him gazing at her while he reassured her of his feelings, and even when he wasn’t talking about his feelings, I could feel his gaze demonstrating them. The plotline is in fact very simple, but the writing made it into an incredible romance.

The author took the time to explore Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship, and nothing felt rushed in this book, every new feeling was carefully laid out before the reader and that made me feel everything the characters were feeling.

Where the Waters Agree revolves around Darcy, Elizabeth and their relationship, and they occupy most of the page time, but the writing is so splendid that all other characters, no matter how small their part in the story was, brought something interesting and enriching to the narrative. The Bennet sisters were joyful and true to themselves but not irritating, I laugh with them and loved witnessing Lydia disclose Elizabeth’s refusal of Mr. Collins, but particularly enjoyed seeing all of them having fun with Mr. Darcy as they played cricket. Even Jane who has a small role in this book, and only appears at a later stage, was a very positive surprise by taking an impactful part in mending Mr. Darcy and Bingley’s relationship, which was also a very interesting aspect in this book, and beautifully developed.

Emerson, Mr. Darcy’s cousin, was also a great character that brough some humor to the book and allowed us to see a part of Mr. Darcy’s personality that was not visible when he was with Elizabeth. I loved that because this secondary character allowed the hero to be a three-dimensional character. Even Anne and Lady Catherine were interesting, especially Anne as she revealed to everyone her thoughts on getting married to Darcy.

Susan Adriani has an incredibly vivid and beautiful writing style that made me smell the salty ocean, feel its breeze on my skin and dream with Mr. Darcy’s intense gazes and words. Her writing is so exquisite that she was able to bring to life a simple storyline with an intensity that is hard to describe.

In short, Where the Waters Agree in an magnificent novella that should not be missed by anyone who loves low angst and swoon worthy romances. It is beautifully written, presents interesting characters and has a setting that is everyone’s vacation dream. I highly recommend it.

You can find Where the Waters Agree at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

and Kindle Unlimited

---

The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet by Christine Combe – Guest Post & Giveaway

Good Afternoon everyone,

Today I am hosting author Christine Combe who is here to talk about two of her newest releases: The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet vol. 1&2, and these books appear to be very daunting because both Elizabeth and Darcy were married before the narrative starts. Is this a sub-genre you love to read? Let us know in the comments and apply to the giveaway Ms. Combe in kindly offering 🙂

Thank you so much for visiting Ms. Combe and best of lcuk with these releases 🙂

---

Hello there fellow Austenians! I am so very happy to once again be visiting From Pemberley to Milton to talk about my work. Today’s visit is about my last two releases, The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet, Volume One and Volume Two. 

In volume one…

In volume two…

What I had initially expected to be a single novel where Lizzy’s first marriage would sadly be of short duration before an appropriate period passed and she was free to see the true Darcy… well, it quickly took on a life all its own, and I knew before I was even half finished with the book that it was going to have to be two books, and that each man to win Elizabeth’s heart would get his own chance to truly shine. 

But how did I come up with the idea in the first place? Let me tell you:

We all know how much Elizabeth loves her long walks. I remember thinking one day, What if she found an overturned carriage? I wondered what Lizzy would do and was certain she would do whatever she could to help. I then wondered, What if the survivor turns out to be a nobleman who happens to fall in love with her?

I know there are many Austenesque novels out there where Elizabeth marries a nobleman, and even those where he is an older man with hope of siring of an heir. I knew straight away that I wasn’t going to put ODG in that kind of situation—to marry for security, for herself or her family, isn’t her way (normally). I wanted her to have met someone who was as rich if not richer (and Henry is definitely richer!) than Darcy but who, unlike him, would decide he didn’t care what anyone would think. He would be as charmed by Elizabeth’s impertinence and playfulness as Darcy, but not afraid to show it—or to go after what he wants. 

It is this forwardness that leads Darcy to see how very wrong he is to not follow his heart. Only, by the time he realizes he is in love with Lizzy, she’s already being charmed by the marquess, and ODB feels there’s no way he can compete. 

Although Henry’s sister takes Elizabeth under her wing to help introduce her to society, there’s still his jealous daughter and a murder plot to complicate their lives before she and Henry can go on to their happily ever after. And please, don’t skip volume one just because it ends with Elizabeth married to someone other than Darcy! I assure you it’s a very fun story with a very charming man whom you will adore getting to know as much as I adored writing him. 

Now, given the title of the duet is The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet, I knew that dear, sweet Henry would eventually have to meet his demise so that she could eventually meet her destiny with Darcy. 

There are nine years between the epilogue of volume one and the first chapter of volume two. In that time, both Darcy and Elizabeth have lost their spouses (yes, he did eventually marry) and are left to raise young children alone. They are both pressed by relatives to re-enter society, and immediately upon doing so, they are besieged with speculation as to whether they will marry again.

I felt like Elizabeth would not want to—or so that’s what she firmly believes. Her husband has only been gone a year, after all. No one who knows her well should even expect her to, as she truly loved Henry. Darcy feels much the same—he doesn’t need to marry again, because even though his only child is a daughter, Pemberley isn’t entailed, so his daughter is his heir.

But as so often happens, true love finds its way. On seeing Lizzy again for the first time in years, Darcy is immediately reminded of feelings he thought buried deep, and though he fights his attraction to Elizabeth, he eventually accepts that he can’t. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is stubbornly digging her heels in saying she has no desire to marry again, all while falling in love a second time without even realizing it. 

Amidst the marriage-minded machinations of their families and the gossiping members of the ton, Darcy and Elizabeth manage to establish a friendship through the interaction of their children, and when both see that they need each other, that’s when it becomes clear that love is what unites them.

***

What do you think, folks? I hope the blurbs and my thoughts on bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together after being apart for a decade intrigue you. Thanks so very much for stopping by to learn about The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet today, and thanks again to Rita for having me!

---

Leave a comment below to enter for your chance to win a copy of one of these novels — winner’s choice! Contest open until April 30th.

---

Christine, like many a JAFF author before her, is a long-time admirer of Jane Austen’s work, and she hopes that her alternate versions are as enjoyable as the originals. She has plans to one day visit England and take a tour of all the grand country estates which have featured in film adaptations, and often dreams of owning one. Christine lives in Ohio and is already at work on her next book. 

Links: 

Blog: All That They Desire / Facebook: (1) Christine Combe | Facebook

Where the Waters Agree by Susan Adriani – Excerpt & Giveaway

Good Afternoon everyone,

It’s release day for Where the Waters Agree by Susan Adriani so I couldn’t be happier to have her visiting today with an excerpt of this wonderful novella. I was very lucky to receive an advance readers copy and spoiler alert: it’s going to be my first 5 star review of the year! I simply loved this novella and I can’t wait to bring you my review! I’ll publish it next Monday, so if you want to know why I loved it, stop by next week 🙂

Until then, I’ll let you read this beautiful excerpt that demonstrates exactly the type of romance and incredible writting you’ll find in the book.

Thank you so much for visiting Ms Adriani, and thank you Quills & Quartos for the opportunity to spread out the word about this book.

---

Elizabeth Bennet was walking with him.

She was not ignoring him, or glaring at him, or ringing a peal over him as he had so often imagined would happen should their paths ever cross again.

When she had first set foot on the bluff and beheld him, there was no denying she was shocked. Darcy had been shocked himself. How could he have felt anything but shock? He had come to Evermore on Sea hoping to find clarity and direction. He had hoped to find some modicum of peace. Instead, he had found Elizabeth, whose fine eyes and handsome countenance inspired thoughts and sensations and emotions that were the very opposite of peaceful.

Somehow, Darcy had managed to ignore the pounding of his traitorous heart and find the courage to speak with her of mundane things: the weather and the state of the roads. Elizabeth, however, had been uncharacteristically subdued, and the responses she gave to his questions, while perfectly civil, were disinterested. It was as though their personalities had been reversed, at least when they had first encountered each other.

Now, things had settled into a more familiar pattern as Darcy listened with rapt attention as Elizabeth recounted her impressions of the coast—her awe upon beholding the sea for the first time, and her enjoyment as she watched the sun inch towards the horizon at the end of each day and slowly melt into the sea. Then, after expelling a breathy little laugh, she told him, “I believe I could live quite happily here but for my mother’s daily admonishments. Of late, I have developed an unfortunate habit of returning home at dusk with sunburnt cheeks.”

Darcy smiled. At that very moment, her cheeks were in fact tinged with pink, the result of spending countless hours out of doors exploring the shore and the bluffs or perhaps even bathing in the sea. “When it is not obscured by clouds,” he told her, “the sun does tend to burn brighter here. As a boy, my cheeks were often sunburnt as well and by the end of my stay my skin was rather tan. Evermore on Sea felt like a magical place. The sea itself was vast, and the waves were like nothing I had ever seen, cresting and breaking and rolling without pause. It was spectacular and awe-inspiring and a bit frightening as well. And yet, the colours of the land were not nearly as vibrant as they were at home in Derbyshire. They were subdued, almost to the point of appearing drab. I found it difficult to reconcile the blandness of the landscape with the strength and vitality of the sea.”

“They are very different entities,” said Elizabeth, plucking a tall blade of pale grass from the ground as she went. Her ruined bonnet, which had become a makeshift basket for the myriad wildflowers she had collected as they ambled along the bluff, swung from her arm. “I confess I have grown quite fond of the subdued hues of the seaside. When compared to the lush fields and woods of home, the landscape here appears a bit bland, it is true, but it has a subtle, understated beauty I have found to be soothing. The sunsets, though, are so vivid! Even more so than those I have seen in Hertfordshire from atop Oakham Mount.”

“The sunsets here are indeed something to behold, but I have found Hertfordshire to be very beautiful as well,” Darcy replied, all the while thinking that she was the true beauty, more vibrant than any sunset, more mysterious than the sea. Thankfully, he was master enough of himself to refrain from speaking such words aloud.

---

He ached from just looking at her. From wanting her. And from wanting to tell her—again and again—that she was the very best thing that had ever happened to him.

EVERMORE ON SEA IS NOT BRIGHTON. There are no horse races, no balls or parties held every other night, and no red-coated officers to provoke the two youngest Bennet sisters into behaviour that would embarrass themselves and their family, which is precisely why Elizabeth Bennet believes Mr Bennet sent his wife and daughters there when her mother had pestered him for a seaside holiday.

WHILE MRS BENNET FINDS THE VILLAGE much more to her liking than the seaside itself, Elizabeth finds solace and pleasure amongst the sandy strands and grassy bluffs of the coast, which are very different than the woods and fields of Hertfordshire. It is atop one of those picturesque bluffs that she unexpectedly comes face to face with Mr Darcy.

MR FITZWILLIAM DARCY HAS COME TO EVERMORE ON SEA to find clarity. Instead, he unexpectedly meets Elizabeth Bennet, who has only ever provoked him, confused him, and broken his heart. Now, after making amends, she has offered him her friendship. Friendship, however, is the last thing Mr Darcy wants from the woman he loves but he accepts in any case, hoping to show her he has taken her reproofs to heart and changed for the better.

THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE does not always run smoothly, however, especially when surrounded by family—Mr Darcy’s as well as Elizabeth’s. They are no longer enemies but will this second chance meeting move them from friendship to love? Will he be able to win her heart and therefore her hand? Or will complications arise that prohibit their being together, even in friendship?

WHERE THE WATERS AGREE is a novella length variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

You can find Where the Waters Agree at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

and on Kindle Unlimited

---

Quills & Quartos is giving away 1 ebook copy of Where the Waters Agree to one lucky reader who stops by at From Pemberley to Milton. To apply to the giveaway, all you have to do is comment this post and let us know what you think of this book. Quills & Quartos will announce the winner on their Facebook page, so check it out to see who won 🙂

Good luck everyone!

Giveaway Winners Announcement

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! Mine has been quite good and I’m glad it’s ending with a fun post in which I announce the winners of the last giveaways we had here at From Pemberley to Milton! But before announcing the winners, I want to thank Jeff Bigler and Melissa Anne for having visited this blog and for offering ebooks of Rewinding Time and Worthy of Her Trust to readers stopping by at our little corner in the internet 🙂

I hope this was the first of many visits here at From Pemberley to Milton for both of you 🙂

Now, without further ado, the winners are:

Rewinding Time

*** Robin G. ***

*** Glory ***

Worthy of Her Trust

*** Anji ****

Winners, can you please send me your contacts to ritaluzdeodato at gmail dot com so that the prizes may be sent to you.

Happy Reading everyone!

Mr. Darcy’s Abducted Bride by Julie Cooper

In this book Elizabeth is drugged by her mother to force her to accept Mr. Collins’ marriage proposal and Mr. Darcy is forced to abduct Elizabeth to prevent her marriage to her idiot cousin.

Given that Mr. Darcy’s Abducted Bride is a novel in the farce genre, we need to be aware that we will find in it a bizarre plot, exaggerated characters, and over-the-top situations, if we accept that, we will be able to enjoy its comedic effect. I personally loved Mrs. Bennet’s character, her interventions, but especially her inner thoughts. She is much smarter than what she leads others to believe, and her internal dialogues were incredibly funny, she made me laugh really hard, to the point that I forgave her for what she tried to do.

The early chapters of the book are particularly noteworthy not only because of Mrs. Bennet, but also because Mr. Collins is an extra humorous figure who added a distinct sense of comedy to the work, he wasn’t funny on his own, but he was crucial for the comedy to play along.

There is plenty of Darcy and Elizabeth page time, even if the novella is too short, humorous and action packed for a real romance to be developed, so I believe that readers who enjoy seeing this couple in close quarters together will enjoy it. The second part of the book had more potential for a deeper romance to be developed as I felt Elizabeth and Darcy’s love start growing, especially in the moments they were apart from each other, but being this a novella with a focus on humour and especially taking place in such a brief period of time (Darcy and Elizabeth only spend a couple of days together with her drugged most of the time), I believe the author lacked the page time to further develop the intensity of the romance.

The epilogue was the perfect ending for this book as it is not only humorous but also shows the camaraderie that was created between Elizabeth and Darcy while letting us know how the story ended for all the characters.

Summing up, Mr. Darcy’s Abducted Bride is a humorous, action-packed novella that gives readers an opportunity to spend a lot of time with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.

 

You can find Mr. Darcy’s Abducted Bride at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Kindle Unlimited and Audible

---