Miss Darcy’s Companion Review & Giveaway

Joana Starnes is one of those authors whose new releases I’m always impatient to read, so it is no surprise that I could not resist to read Miss Darcy’s Companion nonstop shortly after its release date, and guess what? I loved it! But of course, that is also no surprise as Mrs. Starnes has become one of those authors whose books I always love to read.

In this variation Mr. Bennet dies and Mr. Collins loses no time in sending his cousins to the hedgerows. Or that is where they would have been were it not for their uncles assistance and Elizabeth’s resilient character. Being thrown out of her house, Elizabeth seeks employment as a governess and her employer is none other than Col. Fitzwilliam’s sister in law, Lady Stretton.

This is the point where the book starts and we soon realize that Lady Stretton is a snobbish, insupportable person who treats others as inferior beings. So, it comes as no surprise that when Georgiana Darcy requests her guardians to hire Miss Bennet as her companion instead of Mrs. Younge, and they acquiesce, Elizabeth finds herself in the position of Miss Darcy’s Companion.

Joana Starnes starts this book by teasing us! She places Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in the same house, in close proximity, and we spend the entire first chapter eagerly waiting for them to meet, but that pleasure is delayed, and we only see them together when the position as Miss Darcy’s Companion is proposed to her.

From there, the book continues with a structure that I personally like very much. The first chapters will focus on the day to day activities at Pemberley and the interactions between all characters. The authors knowledge of all things regency is transmitted in these first chapters, and it is also during this first part of the book that we, as readers, get to know the characters and that they get to know each other. We are given the pleasure to see Elizabeth falling in love with Mr. Darcy by getting to know his true character, we see her pining for him (yes, yes, yes), and we see Mr. Darcy unknowingly falling in love with Elizabeth.

After this pleasurable peaceful time, the twists and angst appear. And even though this is a lighter book compared to others Mrs. Starnes has written before, we do have action, suspense, fear and angst, or this would not be a Joana Starnes book.

I could point out numerous scenes I loved in the book, but what I loved the most about it was Mr. Darcy. The character remained true to the original, and Joana Starnes created what I call the perfect imperfect Darcy! He was still proud, stern and firm, yet charming all the same.

He was portrayed in this book exactly as I imagine Mr. Darcy to be, and that is something that doesn’t occur that frequently. I loved Mr. Darcy’s reactions towards unpleasant situations and his attitudes. The entire scene after he sees Elizabeth leaving the inn was just heart breaking. The carriage ride that follows was one of those scenes that pulled me into the book and made me read fervently! There was so much emotion present in that scene, his jealousy and anger so adoringly painful, that I knew I was reading a Joana Starnes book. Scenes like this are the reason I still love reading JAFF and they are a boost to my addiction and love for Mr. Darcy.

Another detail that I enjoyed in this book were the letters from Mr. Wickham and Miss Bingley. They were clearly an added value, and it was interesting to see how Mr. Wickham applied to the Kympton Parsonage after having accepted the money instead of it. This is something we rarely see in JAFF novels, and Mrs. Starnes did a beautiful job in including it through a letter.

There wasn’t anything I disliked in this book, and I would only add a few more self-conscious scenes between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to make it absolutely perfect.

As always, Mrs. Starnes has wrote a book that cannot be missed by any JAFF reader! If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it.

 

Miss Darcy’s Companion is availabe at:

Amazon.com – Miss Darcy’s Companion

Amazon.co.uk –Miss Darcy’s Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

 

 

Find out more about Miss Darcy’s Companion on the other stops of the blog tour:

Austenesque Reviews: 8 – 14 May 2016 – Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Austen Authors: 11 – 18 May 2016 – Excerpt and Giveaway

Just Jane 1813 – 15 – 22 May 2016 – Review and Giveaway

Historical and Regency Romance UK – 17 May 2016 – ‘Playing Quoits with Miss Darcy’s Companion’

My Jane Austen Book Club – 25 May 2016 – ‘Music, Magic and Miss Darcy’s Companion’ – Guest post and Giveaway

Diary of an Eccentric – 27 May 2016 – Guest post and Giveaway

From Pemberley to Milton – 30 May 2016 – Review and Giveaway

Laughing With Lizzie – 2-3 June 2016 – Guest post and Giveaway

Babblings of a Bookworm – 10 June 2016 – Excerpt and Giveaway

A Covent Garden Gilflurt’s Guide to Life – 25 June 2016 – Excerpt and Giveaway

More Agreeably Engaged – 28 June 2016 – Guest post and Giveaway

Austenesque Reviews – 13 July 2016 – Guest post and Giveaway

.

***It’s Giveaway time***

As a sign of appreciation for her readers, Mrs. Starnes would like to offer a copy of Miss Darcy’s Companion to one of lucky winner.

The giveaway is international and is open until the 9^th of June, all you have to do is comment this post and share your opinion with all of us.

Good luck everyone!

Complicated Attachments Giveaway Winners

Hello dear readers,

 

As most of you noticed, this month From Pemberley to Milton was the one revealing the cover for Denise O’Hara’s latest book, Complicated Attachments, and to share with all of you the first excerpt of the book.

I know that covers are not the most important part of books, but I love beautiful covers and feel easily attracted to books with such covers, so it gives me great joy in doing cover reveals.

I was very happy to see that my readers were interested in the book and it’s cover, and even more happy to see that several people gave their opinion on the cover and that those suggestions were used by the author to adapt the cover before release day. Isn’t that amazing? I love the interactivity that exists between authors and readers in the JAFF world.

Thanks to your comments the final cover looks like this:

 

I would like to thank all of you for your constructive comments and your support, and I would like to give a special thanks to Mrs. O’Hara from the opportunity to do the cover reveal and the generous giveaway she hosted.

I’m sure your eager to know who the lucky winners for the 3 ebooks copies of Complicated Attachements is, so without further ado… The randomly selected winners are:

 

*** Megan Calloni ***

*** Tgruy ***

*** Opisica***

 

Congratulations everyone! I hope you enjoy the book and share your thoughts with all of us once you’ve read it 🙂

 

Please send me your e-mail contacts to ritaluzdeodato at gmail until the 5th of June, so that I can pass them along to Mrs. O’Hara for the ebooks to be sent to you.

Shadows Over Longbourn & Giveaway

Shadows Over Longbourn is a Pride and Prejudice variation that strays away from canon. The book starts 4 years before the original story with a widowed and very ill Mr. Bennet contacting a distant cousin to ask him to become the guardian of his daughters, and this way saving them from a cruel fate at the hands of his evil cousin Thaddeus Collins, who is bound to inherit Longbourn. The distant relation that comes to the Bennet family’s aid is none less than our very own Mr. Darcy!

By accepting to become the girls’ guardian, Mr. Darcy is forever changing their fates. Lydia and Kitty are still at a very young age and for that reason it is still very easy to teach them proper behavior, especially as they receive the same education as Georgiana. And their presence will be determinant in the Ramsgate incident. In fact, this variation of the incident was one of the most interesting I’ve ever read. Lydia goes with Geogiana to Ramsgate and she is the one reporting Mr. Wickham’s plan to Elizabeth. One would never say that Lydia Bennet would be the responsible one protecting foolish Georgiana, or that Georgiana would be the impertinent brat refusing to behave properly, but that is precisely what occurs. This scene also impressed me due to Elizabeth’s behavior. She remained true to herself but was not as tolerant as I see characters behave in other variations, and I really enjoyed it because I always feel characters are frequently too forgiving and tolerant towards Georgiana. Usually she is poor Georgiana and Lydia is foolish Lydia when in fact they both considered doing the exact same thing: to elope with a man they believed themselves in love with. Well, this book is a refreshing change in that aspect and Elizabeth was very firm in her reaction to Georgiana.

Jane and Mary’s life’s are also influenced by this change and they soon find their perfect matches. I won’t say too much, but I did enjoy the husband Mr. Rowland found for Mary.

And then…we have Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth whose fates were also changed… Well, not exactly changed because they will obviously have their HEA, but the path they took to achieve it was quite different. I have been a proud member of the “Let’s torture Elizabeth club”, and this was definitely the best book in that area! On this variation Elizabeth will be living with Mr. Darcy at Pemberley since she is 17, so she soon realizes how he truly is, and obviously, falls in love with him. However, he will only see her as his ward, so Elizabeth will suffer from unrequited love for pretty much the entire story (big smile on my face right now), how’s that for a change?

Shadows Over Longbourn really surprised me because I wasn’t expecting, based on the premise, that I would love it so much, nor was I expecting to not want to stop reading it since the very beginning, but after chapter one I could not stop. I was not certain that I would love a variation were love between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth would grow very slowly, not that I like the plots with love at first sight, I don’t. My favorite books are those that show us why the characters fall in love with one another, that show us why they are so well suited for each other. But still, I wasn’t sure I would like to see Mr. Darcy watch Elizabeth grow from a teenager to a grown woman. However, this plot ended up being just perfect! We were given a rare gift, which is to see Mr. Darcy slowly understating how Elizabeth is perfect for him and how she suits him so well, how his life would not be the same without her.

This may seem a bit out of context but I’m sure some of you already know I am a big fan of The X-Files, even more addicted to it than I am to JAFF, and I cannot resist quoting a Dana Scully line (it’s becoming a habit on this blog, I know) because I believe it describes exactly what Jann Rowland transmitted in this book:

“It seems to me that the best relationships– the ones that last– are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is… suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with” – Dana Scully, Ep. 6×07

 

Summing up, Darcy and Elizabeth have a complicity rarely seen on a JAFF book and that could only exist after spending so many years together, which makes the premise quite perfect.

Something else I loved about this book was that Jann Rowland took the time to present us all the characters in the book, and to let us know their personality. He was able to characterize them through their speech and actions instead of just describing them himself, and this shows a true literary talent.

I believe the author is quite aware of human nature, of people’s characters, their qualities and faults and transmitted them all into this book through the display of a diversity of personalities and reactions. I know some people didn’t like Mr. Collins senior in this book, but to me the most annoying was Miss Bingley, she was the one truly insupportable, but the fact is, there are people like that in the world, and this book just portrayed the human nature in its several variants.

The only 2 things that kept me from rating the book 5 stars were first the long dialogues between characters and the description of their actives, etc. While this was clearly an added value to the story, it also made it a bit slow paced for my taste; and second, I thought Mr. Darcy was not so proud as we would expect when he first met and talked to the girls.

But Shadows Over Longbourn was so far the surprise of the year for me. I loved it and highly recommend it!

 

You can find Shadows Over Longbourn on:

Amazon.com – Shadows Over Longbourn

Amazon.co.uk –Shadows Over Longbourn

Goodreads

***

Curious about the book? Don’t miss the Blog Tour:

April 27/ Interview Post & Ebook Giveaway at Babblings of a Bookworm

May 1/Journey to Longbourn Estate & Ebook Giveaway at Just Jane 1813

May 5/ Book Review & Ebook Giveaway at Half Hope, Half Agony

May 26/Book Review & Ebook Giveaway at From Pemberley to Milton

May 30/ Book Review & Ebook Giveaway at Diary of an Eccentric

June 2/Bringing Thaddeus Collins to Life & Ebook Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged

***

What about the author? Have you read anything else from him? Find our more below:

Jann Rowland is a Canadian writer. He enjoys reading and sports, and he also dabbles a little in music, taking pleasure in singing and playing the piano.

Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interest in Jane Austen stems from his university days when he took a class in which Pride and Prejudice was required reading. However, his first love is fantasy fiction, which he hopes to pursue writing in the future.

He now lives in Alberta with his wife of more than twenty years and his three children.

 

To connect with Jann, check out the following links:

 

Website:             http://rowlandandeye.com/

Facebook:          https://facebook.com/OneGoodSonnetPublishing/

Twitter:               @OneGoodSonnet

Mailing List:       http://eepurl.com/bol2p9

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jann-Rowland/e/B00F0LP374/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 

***And…It’s Giveaway time!***

That’s right! Mr. Rowland brought and e-book copy of Shadows Over Longbourn to offer to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and let us know what you think of this or any other of Mr. Rowland’s books.

The giveaway is international and it’s open until the end of the blog tour on June 2nd.

Good luck everyone!

Hope for Mr. Darcy

Hope for Mr. Darcy is more than an Austen inspired romance, it is a book that will lead us in a journey of hope and belief in something grander than ourselves.

The entire book will use metaphors to show the reader that we all have a place in the world, a role to fulfill before leaving this plain of existence, and that love is the right inducement to make us choose a fulfilling life.

After reading Mr. Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth falls terribly ill and in her delirious state writes Mr. Darcy a letter that will give him the hope he thought was lost. She loses conscience and calls for Mr. Darcy who will be at her side during those terrifying hours. While Mr. Darcy is at the Hunsford Parsonage by her side, Elizabeth remains in a delirious state and her mind takes her to a garden where she finds Mr. Darcy. The time they spend together at the garden (in Elizabeth’s mind because in fact they remain at the parsonage) will change Elizabeth’s perception of Mr. Darcy and of her role in life.

The belief in something grander than ourselves is a vast part of this book which has a big religious component, so readers need to be aware of this aspect when reading the book. It requires either the belief in God or an open spirit to truly get immersed in Hope for Mr. Darcy, but if you can accept the premise, than you will enjoy it immensely. I know I did.

The book is a clean romance which is something I always appreciate, and has some minor twists in the minor characters that I have also enjoyed; Mr. Darcy’s kindness towards Mary was interesting and as we rarely see these two characters talk it was a nice addition; and Lydia’s reaction towards Wickham was without a doubt a refreshing change.

Mrs. Ellsworth also provided me great pleasure in what concerns Caroline Bingley and Mr. Collins, but even though Mr. Collins deserved what he was given, I confess I started to feel sorry for Caroline… maybe she will find her own happiness in the next books of the trilogy.

Hope for Mr. Darcy is the first volume of the Hope Series Trilogy, a Regency variation series focused on Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana Darcy and from I could tell from the first volume, the trilogy will not be composed by separate stories, but the continuation of the story under the perspective of another character. The transition between the books is extremely well done, to the point of frustrating me to have to wait a few months to see what Mr. Darcy will find in Liverpool 😉

The ending of the book was very interesting as the roles got reversed, and Darcy gives Col. Fitzwilliam hope the exact same way that he had received it from his cousin in the beginning of the book.

Col. Fitzwilliam’s love life caught my attention from the beginning of the book, and I was enjoying immensely to follow this side story until I realized that I would not actually see the outcome in Hope for Mr. Darcy, but in Hope for Col. Fitzwilliam, so I’m quite eager to see how his story will unfold and how he will overcome the obstacles he will face. I am not sure yet of what the author prepared for Georgiana, but I already know I will like the good Colonel’s story 🙂

Until the next book is released we can dream about Mr. Darcy’s most common words:

You are my love. My life. You are the love of my life

 

You can find Hope for Mr. Darcy in:

Amazon.com – Hope for Mr. Darcy

Amazon.uk – Hope For Mr. Darcy (Hope Series Trilogy Book 1)

Complicated Attachments Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Hello everyone,

Today, and for the first time, I’m receiving Denise O’Hara as a guest on From Pemberley to Milton.

And why is she a guest today you may ask? Well, Mrs. O’Hara will release a new novel called Complicated Attachments on the 23^rd of May and From Pemberley to Milton is happy to be doing its cover reveal!!

I don’t know about you, but I love to see book covers, and even if we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, truth is, I have bought some books because of the cover.

But before the big reveal, let’s get to know a bit more about the book itself! Mrs. O’Hara is bringing us the book blurb and an excerpt to satisfy our curiosity.

 

***Book Blurb***

Timing can make all the difference! What if the Militia and the Netherfield party arrived at the same time in Meryton? As events unfold, Jane first meets Mr. Wickham, while Elizabeth encounters Mr. Bingley. Introductions to new acquaintances can lead to attachments that become complicated. Wickham is enchanted and seriously pursuing the lovely Jane. Mr. Bingley is interested in Elizabeth, but it becomes complicated when he has a chance to spend time with her older sister. And Darcy finds himself increasingly drawn to a woman he is adamant he will never marry, which an unlikely source has much to say about,  in Complicated Attachments, A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Denise O’Hara.

 

***Complicated Attachments Excerpt***

I believe we are both in a predicament,” Bingley said to Darcy while they were alone in the library and unlikely to be overheard. “I am unsure how to handle this situation.”

“Bingley, I warned you about getting involved with these country girls. Although I admit, from what I know of them, the eldest Miss Bennets appear to be unusually well bred compared to most. Even so, they are still not cut from the same cloth as those in our London circle. These girls are not used to the nuances of flirting for fun.”

“That is not fair, Darcy! I was not flirting for fun. I truly liked Miss Elizabeth, I still do in fact. It is just that…”

“It is obvious to me that you have come to hold a great deal of affection for Jane Bennet,” Darcy inserted. “It is evident you have a great deal in common. Your tempers are beyond similar. However, I too am unsure if you could declare that affection without causing hurt or offense to her sister, considering she was the one who originally had your attention.”

“Not to mention the fact that Jane Bennet already has a suitor.”

Darcy’s face turned stony. “Ah yes, Wickham. I had forgotten about his part in the picture.”

“I had not, for it has come back to me that he has been making constant enquiries about her all over town. It is obvious that he is desperate to find out more about her stay here, and to see her again.”

“And more than likely to see her for all the wrong reasons.”

“Perhaps, but perhaps not. What if this time, his affection is genuine? It would not surprise me if even the likes of Wickham would not have his head turned but such an angel as Jane. Not only is she the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, but she has the sweetest and most generous nature I have ever encountered. It pains me to think of her with anyone else, for I feel as if we are the perfect match, but I cannot deny that Wickham knew her first, and there is a chance that they hold genuine affection for each other.”

“I would not give myself a moment’s concern over stepping on his toes. In fact, I would be more than happy to squash him completely.”

Bingley laughed. “I dare say you would, but it would not do my reputation here any good. Having made discreet inquiries and found that so many of the townspeople have been fooled by Wickham already, if I made such a move it would be I whom would be the blackheart and blaggard. I would rather like to fit in here and not go upsetting my new neighbors.”

“Yes, I suppose I can see your point, but I can also see a solution for it. There is no doubt that Wickham will not be able to keep up his charade for long. You must keep up your acquaintance with Miss Bennet until such time as Wickham has shown his true colors to everyone, and then no one will consider you out of line for declaring yourself. It would also be beneficial if they could be kept apart so he has no more opportunity to work his charm upon her.”

“How do you suggest we do that?”

“Well, for one, it is fortunate for you that this tempest English weather is keeping her here. He would not dare to call here while I am in attendance, nor will she depart without her sister. Besides, I do not think she is in any hurry to leave, for it appears to me as if she has grown very fond of you.”

Bingley beamed. “Do you really think so?”

“I do, although it does seem likely she only feels friendship for the man she believes to be interested in her sister. It is hard to know since her countenance is always so serene.”

“Yes, I know what you mean. But sometimes, I think, or perhaps it is just hope, that I see something more than friendship when she looks at me.”

“Well then, if you are correct, then perhaps Wickham is no longer a concern and she has already forgotten him. After all, there acquaintance was not of a long duration before she joined us at Netherfield to attend her sister. If she has not forgotten him, then there is another way, although I would be reluctant to use it unless it was absolutely necessary.”

“Darcy! What are you thinking?”

Darcy chuckled. “Nothing as untoward as you, apparently. I merely meant that if the worst came to the worst, I might be forced to tell her the truth about the scoundrel.”

“But you said you have never told a soul other than me and your cousin! You would do that? For me?”

“Charles, you and Richard are my closest and probably my only true friends. Of course I would if it would help, although it is not in my nature to share my sister’s misfortune with others unnecessarily. However, I would not stand by and see you lose the object of your affection to that despicable cad. I also confess that I too have come to like Jane Bennet and would not wish to see her hurt.

“Thank you, Darcy. That you would act so means a lot to me.”

“However, Bingley, your sisters did inform me of a conversation they had with Miss Bennet. While she is a gentleman’s daughter, I understand her mother is not. Having only a brief introduction to Mrs. Bennet I have no knowledge of her character. Perhaps she is as lady-like as her daughters, but even if she is, she is not a lady by birth. I also believe she has relatives in trade? Have you taken this into consideration?”

“That makes no difference whatsoever to me. No one who gets to know her would think any less of her for having such relatives. She is a true lady in every sense of the word.”

Darcy shrugged. “I think you may be overestimating the ton, my friend. They are quick to judge those not of their class. Your sisters may very well do the same, though they seem quite taken with Miss Bennet, much more so than with her sister. But, as you have never been one to care about such things, and may settle among her neighbors, you are probably correct that it will make little difference to your circle. However, that still leaves us with the small problem of Elizabeth Bennet. The more I get to know her, the surer I am that you two are not well suited for one another. However, you do rather seem stuck with an obligation to her and I cannot see a way out of it without causing her distress or embarrassment.”

“I am surprised that you care about such a thing, although as I know you so well, it has not escaped my notice that you have been spending more time with her.”

Darcy smiled ruefully at Bingley. “I confess that over the last three days while I have been visiting with her and reading to her while she recovers her strength, I have found myself growing increasingly fond of her. She is everything that I admire; intelligent, quick-witted, assured, and impossibly stubborn and determined. I find her company such a refreshing change from the simpering fools that are normally foist upon me by adoring mamas. But, you have already shown that you favor her, remember? Besides, I have made my reasons clear to her; that of killing two birds with one stone. While we must endure remaining indoors lest we be drowned,” Darcy rolled his eyes in contempt, “ I am selfishly indulging in my favorite pastime of reading without feeling I am neglecting my friends, while at the same time allowing Miss Jane Bennet a chance to have a break from the strain of caring for her sister all day, every day. I have no interest in furthering my friendship with Miss Elizabeth, I assure you. Unlike you, I have a responsibility to my family to marry well, in every sense of the word. Although her company has been more enjoyable than the usual empty-headed women I regularly encounter, Elizabeth Bennet is among the class of women I shall never marry.

 

And now, it is time for the big cover reveal!!!

 

 

***It’s giveaway time***

What did you think about the cover? Is it to your liking?

What about the excerpt? Give us your opinion by commenting this post and get eligible for the 3 ebooks Mrs. O’Hara is offering our readers.

The giveaway is international and is open until release day, the 23^rd of May. Don’t miss this opportunity to be one of the firsts reading this book.

Side by Side, Apart – Guest Post & Giveaway

Hello everyone,

Today I’m pleased to be hosting Ann Galvia with her last guest post on the Side by Side, Apart blog tour.

Ann started writing sometime before she knew how letters functioned. Her first books were drawings of circus poodles heavily annotated with scribbles meant to tell a story. Upon learning how letters were combined to represent words, she started doing that instead. This has proven to be much more successful.

Sometime after that, she decided she wanted to study Anthropology and sometime after that, she decided she liked cats more than dogs. And sometime after that, she decided to become an educator and teach a new generation of kids how to combine letters to represent words, and use those words to express ideas.

And sometime after that, she realized all she really wanted to do was write, which probably should have been evident from the beginning.

And that brings us to the present day, Side by Side, Apart was written, released and Ann Galvia would like to share with you all how Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were present in her mind while writing it.

Persuasion is my second favorite Austen novel, after Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey one of my least favorites, so I was curious to see Mrs. Galvia’s thoughts on them. It appears are tastes are not that similar, but I’ll let you read her guest post and understand why 🙂

 

 

***Guest Post***

Side by Side with Northanger Abbey and Persuasion

 

This will be my final guest post during the Side by Side, Apart blog tour! (Fear not, though…still 4 more stops after this one!) Thanks to Rita for giving me this fourth opportunity to talk about my debut novel, Side by Side, Apart! If you have been following along since May 2nd, then you know I have been using the blog tour to talk about the various ways Jane Austen’s other novels were never far from my mind when writing Side by Side, Apart. Even though it’s a story about Elizabeth and Darcy, there are still influences from Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Emma woven throughout. So if you know me by now, you are probably wondering who got named after characters from Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

And this is where I throw my curveball because it’s no one!

Unsurprisingly, Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen novel. I’m kind of obsessed with it. (And, to finally do the requisite ‘How I got into P&P’ blog post: I read it for the first time in 2013 because my best friend made me. At that point, I’d been ignoring her entreaties for years, but given that it was the 200th anniversary, she stepped up her nagging. Joke’s on her, though, because I have not shut up about it since. Though I think I have gotten better about the flailing text messages sent at all times of day.)

Perhaps more surprisingly, my second favorite Austen novel is Northanger Abbey. After I read P&P the first time, I immediately read Austen’s other completed novels. For me, Northanger Abbey was an immediate favorite. I enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than Pride and Prejudice. But I think P&P has more re-readability. I love P&P just as much every time I read it. Northanger, I only really loved the first time. I will always enjoy it enough to rank it my #2 Austen, but the humor isn’t as powerful on re-readings as it was on the first.

Because I read and loved NA before I ever sat down to write JAFF, when I did, I always liked to throw an NA reference in there somewhere. More often than not, this is just Elizabeth Bennet reading a Gothic novel. In this spirit, there are a few conversations about how women just love stories where a man spirits the heroine off to a decrepit castle on the continent in Side by Side, Apart.

Between references like that and all the theme-naming of original characters, it occurred to me that I needed a Persuasion reference as well. Here’s another confession: Persuasion is my least favorite Austen novel. Unlike Austen’s other works, Persuasion is not a coming of age story. Anne Elliot is wise, mature and knows exactly who she is. She doesn’t grow or change over the course of the story. No matter how much I love a writer, I don’t find stories where the central character doesn’t undergo some kind of transformation to be very interesting. Wentworth’s letter was romantic, but it wasn’t nearly enough to make me forget about how poorly he’d behaved during the rest of the book.

Still, I needed some nod to Persuasion. But I was out of new characters and had no ideas for ways to throw a reference to Anne Elliot into the dialogue… In the end, there’s one nod to Persuasion. Blink and you’ll miss it. Sorry, Persuasion, I’m just not feeling you. Edmund Wickham is in the Navy. I guess you can tell yourself that he’s an homage to Wentworth instead of William Price if you really want to. I find it unlikely Edmund will ever show the kind of promise and success of Wentworth’s career, though. But then again, Edmund’s future life is just as much of an open book as anyone else’s. There’s really no telling where his life will lead.

But that’s the fun of fanfic, isn’t? The book is over, but life is still wide open.

That’s it for me on the Side by Side, Apart blog tour! Still four more stops to go and more chances to win your very own copy! I hope you’ll follow along!

 

***Book Blurb***

 

“You see what a strange circumstance it is,” she said, feeling some fleeting relief. “You know our acquaintance has not been easy.”

Elizabeth Bennet—stubborn, quick to judge but slow to revise her opinions, and entirely prejudiced against the man who had just proposed marriage at Hunsford—awakens to learn she has been in an accident. Bedridden in an unfamiliar house, she learns eleven years have passed since the last moment she can remember.

She finds herself a married woman, the mother of four, and pregnant yet again. Her children are strangers, and most mystifying of all, Fitzwilliam Darcy is her husband! How could she have married a man she loathes?

Confined to the house by her injury, Mr. Darcy’s company is inescapable. But is just being side by side enough to overcome their differences? What happens when Darcy, improved in manners and happily married to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, is faced with an obstinate, bewildered Miss Elizabeth Bennet?

 

***It’s giveaway time***

 

Did you like the guest post? And did the book blurb sound interesting? I haven’t read it yet, but I have heard from the best sources that it is one of those books I simply must read! If like me you haven’t read it, you have the opportunity to win a copy by clicking on the link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Blog Tour***

Don’t miss the last stops of the blog tour! There are still reviews, excerpts and giveaways to come 🙂

 

5/2: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Jane Austen Book Club

5/3: Review at Half Agony, Half Hope

5/4: Excerpt & Giveaway at Romance Novel Giveaways

5/6: Review at Just Jane 1813

5/8: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice

5/9: Review at Diary of an Eccentric

5/10: Guest Post & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged

5/11: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars

5/12: Guest Post & Giveaway at From Pemberley to Milton

5/13: Review at Margie’s Must Reads

5/14: Excerpt & Giveaway at Liz’s Reading Life

5/15: Review at Babblings of a Bookworm

5/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at So Little Time…

Hope for Mr. Darcy Giveaway Winner

Hello everyone
Jeanna Elsworth launched a new book called Hope for Mr. Darcy a couple of weeks ago, and I was lucky to be the first to receive her on a guest post to launch the book. Well…that’s not exactly right…in fact, she was not the one visiting From Pemberley to Milton, Mr. Darcy was 🙂

The result of his visit was an interview that might have changed his course of action when it came to fighting for Elizabeth. If you have not read it yet, just click here and you’ll be in contact with Mr. Darcy’s deepest feelings.

Jeanna Elsworth was kind enough to allow Mr. Darcy to visit me, but she didn’t think only of me 🙂 She also had my readers in mind, so she asked Mr. Darcy to bring a copy of Hope for Mr. Darcy to offer to one lucky winner.

I will be posting my review of Hope for Mr.Darcy on the 19th of May, so you can drop by and see what I though of it, but before that, I am sure you all want to know who the winner of the giveaway is, so, without further ado the winner is:

*** Carole in Canada***

Congratulations Carole ! I hope you enjoy the book and share your thoughts with all of us once you’ve read it 🙂

Please send me your e-mail address to ritaluzdeodato at gmail dot com so so that we can send you your prize.

The Falmouth Connection – Giveaway Winner

Hello Dear readers,

As many of you noticed, last month I reviewed The Falmouth Connection by Joana Starnes, and along with the review, we launched a giveaway for a signed paperback. That’s right! It was not just a paperback, but one that Mrs. Starnes will personally sign and dedicate to one lucky winner.

To be eligible for the giveaway, all my readers had to do was to comment the post and share their thoughts with us. I was very pleased to see that Joana Starnes is a loved author among JAFF fans, and I would like to thank all of those who shared their thoughts and kind words about Mrs. Starnes work with us.

I have not yet replied to all of you, but I read all the comments and enjoyed each one of them (I’m always saying this, but I love to talk about JAFF books and authors). In this particular post you all shared a lot about your experiences reading Mrs. Starnes books and I promise to reply to each one of you shortly.

But more than my comments, I’m sure you all want to read who the winner is, so without further ado, the randomly selected winner is:

 

*** Erika Messer ***

 

Congratulations Erika! I hope you enjoy the book and share your thoughts with all of us once you read it 🙂

Please send me your address to ritaluzdeodato at gmail dot com until the 7th of May so that we can send you your book. Please note that as this is a personally signed paperback we will have timing constraints and we do need to have your address until this date. Thanks for understanding, and good reading!

A Fine Stout Love Excerpt & Giveaway

Hello everyone,

I’m very pleased to receive Renée Beyea in From Pemberley to Milton today to open the blog tour for A Fine Stout Love and Other Stories!

Renée Beyea was a wonderful guest and A Fine Stout Love and Other Stories is clearly on top of my TBR list, not only because I’ll have 5 different opportunities to get amused, but also because I loved the wonderful excerpt we’re sharing today. I wonder what Mrs. Beyea has prepared for the other stops of the blog tour! I am sure to follow it 🙂

But now, without further ado, I will let you read the book blub and the first excerpt of A Fine Stout Love and Other Stories so you can form your own opinion…I don’t won’t to influence anyone, but again…I loved it 🙂

 

***Book Blurb***

Discover what happens when Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy meet fancy and fantasy in this novella-length ensemble of Regency stories.

– What if two inexplicable trails of words led to the Meryton churchyard on the same blustery morning?

– What if Darcy stumbled across suggestive lines of verse following Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield?

– What if a rumored engagement so thoroughly shocked Lady Catherine that she could not interfere?

– What if Elizabeth learned the last man she would ever marry was the only man she could marry?

– What if every Bennet family member read the love poem Darcy intended only for his bride?

With all the intimacy and lyricism of a chamber concert, these five whimsical shorts will inspire the heart, prompt a smile, and entice readers to many happy returns.

 

***

Thank you so much, Rita, for hosting me at From Pemberley to Milton and launching the first day of the blog tour for A Fine Stout Love and Other Stories! Each excerpt stop on the tour features an excerpt from a different story. Today’s comes from the title story, though it actually falls second in the collection. “A Fine Stout Love or The Efficacy of Poetry” gives the account of a wayward love poem told first from Elizabeth’s and then from Darcy’s point of view. Enjoy!

 

***Excerpt – A Fine Sout Love of The Efficacy of Poetry***

 

Lydia rocked from foot to foot, the offending paper fluttering like a flag atop a ship’s mast. The words were only idle imaginings but intended solely for Elizabeth’s personal diversion. She must conceal them.

Elizabeth stretched, balancing on tiptoe and grunting with effort. Her body pressed against her sister’s, but her fingers barely reached Lydia’s wrist. She stepped back onto her heels, held out her hand, and leveled her fiercest glare. “Give. Me. The. Paper.”

“What? You think I should simply hand it to you for nothing? This is too delicious!” Lydia snickered and reciprocated Elizabeth’s glare. “Papa will find them very interesting, I’m sure.”

“You would not dare.”

“I would.”

Elizabeth’s heart raced. Lydia never did understand their father. He would not be cross but amused—would probably call Elizabeth silly—and she would be mortified by having to explain to him. “Very well—my pin money for the week.”

“For the month.”

“That is extortion!”

The younger girl shrugged her shoulders.

Elizabeth folded her arms, held her sister’s eyes, and refused even a peek at her hostage verses. She was not a Bennet for nothing. She could outlast Lydia for sheer stubbornness.

A gust assaulted them, and Lydia whooped with glee. Elizabeth swiped away the tendrils slapping her face and saw the paper consigned to the blast just as her sister pirouetted from reach. The little chit. She would race to the house in feigned innocence, and Mamma would grant her immunity. This was how it had transpired ever since she was a tiny dimpled thing hiding in her mother’s skirts.

The white square tumbled end over end, floating, sinking, and diving like a gull on a coastal draught. Elizabeth raced down the drive, her eyes affixed to the sheet as if she could leash it with a look, but it soared too swift and too high. If only Mamma had not insisted they wait for Mr. Collins to walk into Meryton, then this trouble might have been avoided!

A massive, black charger paraded into view, her paper careening toward its head. The horse scrambled sideways in a flurry of dust and hooves. The rider sprang from the saddle. He seized her paper with one hand and the reins with the other. Her heart froze. Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth would have fled if she could have commanded her feet to move, but dread turned every reflex, every nerve, every muscle to stone.

His eyes scanned the paper while his voice soothed his mount. “Easy, Samson, easy now.”

Mr. Bingley, whom she had not noticed before, stopped abreast of Darcy, but his friend only waved in dismissal. “Go on, and I shall join you directly.”

Bingley nodded and urged his horse forward, examining Elizabeth with drawn brows as he approached. “Good day, Miss Bennet.” He tipped his hat.

Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder at his retreating form. Did she curtsey and greet him? She could not recall, riveted as she was by her poem in Darcy’s hands. Apprehension quavered in her stomach. This was infinitely worse than explaining herself to her father. What had she been thinking to frame such fancies in ink?

There were not many lines that Darcy should linger long, yet he did. Elizabeth’s fingers bunched and twisted her skirts. If only she could simply disappear!

Darcy’s horse prodded him, the breeze stirring his black mane. His master rubbed the solid neck, crooning inarticulate sounds from deep in his throat.

When Darcy finally raised his head and peered toward Longbourn, Elizabeth strained to read his expression. Not bemused or scornful or angry, but pensive. He seemed lost in introspection, his stare unseeing. Her laughter bubbled inaudibly. To craft such verses and have him appear only thoughtful? What did she expect? He may have been the object, but not once did she conceive him as the reader.

Then his gaze retracted and snagged on her like fleece on a nail.

 

***

A Fine Stout Love and Other Stories is available at:

• Amazon.com: A Fine Stout Love and Other Stories
• Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/FSLnook or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-fine-stout-love-and-other-stories-renee-beyea/1122782686?ean=2940152402568
• Smashwords (ebook only): http://bit.ly/FSLsmash or https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/583950

 

*** Author Bio***

Renée Beyea holds an undergraduate writing degree from Taylor University and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary. She serves as full-time wife, mother to two sons, and ministry partner with her husband, an Anglican priest and chaplain. Her free time is devoted to crafting stories and composing poetry that delight the senses and touch the soul.

You can contact her through the below media links:

• Email: renee.beyea@gmail.com
• Website: www.reneebeyea.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/reneebeyea
• Goodreads:
• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27147359-a-fine-stout-love-and-other-stories?from_search=true&search_version=service

 

***It’s giveaway time***

The blog tour comes along with a giveaway of 8 books, open internationally (including up to 4 paperback), to enter it just click on the link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note that there is a small issue with the FB link inside Rafflecopter that leads to an error page, so to enter the FB link, please use the links mentioned on the author contacts in this post.

***Blog Tour***

 

The Blog tour for Fine Stout Love is just starting! Don’t miss it on the below sites:

5/2: Excerpt & Giveaway at From Milton to Pemberley

5/3: Guest Post & Giveaway at So Little Time…

5/4: Excerpt & Giveaway at Half Agony, Half Hope

5/5: Review & Giveaway at The Calico Critic

5/6: Guest Post & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews

5/7: Guest Post & Giveaway at Babblings of a Bookworm

5/8: Review & Giveaway at Delighted Reader

5/9: Review & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews

5/10: Interview & Giveaway at Savvy Verse and Wit

5/11: Review & Giveaway at Diary of an Eccentric

5/12: Review & Giveaway at Just Jane 1813

5/12: Excerpt & Giveaway at Laughing with Lizzie

5/13: Review & Giveaway at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

5/14: Excerpt & Giveaway at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice

5/15: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars

5/16: Review & Giveaway at Margie’s Must Reads

 

I would like to thank Mrs. Beyea for being such a wonderful guest, and to  Jakki for thinking of me for this blog tour. And of course, to all my readers, I hope you liked what you read today 🙂

Hope for Mr. Darcy – Character Interview & Giveaway

Hello dear readers,

How are you today? I am incredibly happy today, in fact I’m as happy as I could be to be hosting Jeanna Ellsworth on her first post for the launch of Hope for Mr. Darcy which was released two days ago.

Hope for Mr. Darcy is the first volume of the Hope Series Trilogy, a Regency variation series based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

This trilogy promises hope and will always light our way through the darkness of unrequited love, but eventually bringing tremendously gratifying outcomes for our three favorite characters: Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana Darcy.

I’m looking forward to read this book as Mrs. Ellsworth previous books are amongst some of my favorites, namely Mr. Darcy’s Promise that I have recently reviewed.

 

I hope you get as enthusiastic about it as I am after reading the book blurb and getting to know it’s main character a little better. That’s right everyone, Mr. Darcy himself visited from Pemberley to Milton and allowed me to ask him some questions.

Let me remind you that he came to visit just after he had been refused by Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and I might have been a bit impertinent for his taste, so his temper might not have been very tempered at the time. In fact, he had to leave and return a little later to finish the interview. But I won’t take your precious time anymore, I will leave you to read the interview and see for yourselves the state a man who has just been refused finds himself in.

 

 

***Book Blurb***

 

Still shaken from his horrible proposal, Elizabeth Bennet falls ill at the Rosings Parsonage upon reading Fitzwilliam Darcy’s letter. In her increasingly delirious state, unfathomable influences inspire her to write an impulsive response. The letter gives Mr. Darcy hope in a way that nothing else could.

As her illness progresses, Darcy is there at her side, crossing boundaries he has never crossed, declaring things he has never declared. A unique experience bridges them over their earlier misunderstandings, and they start to work out their differences. That is, until Elizabeth begins to recover.

Suddenly, Elizabeth is left alone to wonder what exactly occurred between the two of them in her dreamlike state. And for the first time since meeting the man from Pemberley, she finds herself hoping for Mr. Darcy to return and rekindle what once was.

 

 

***Interview with Mr. Darcy***

 

Welcome to From Pemberley to Milton Mr. Darcy!

It’s an honor to have you here sir, especially as I’ve been told this is a particularly hard time for you. I don’t mean to intrude, but I can’t resist the temptation to ask. What is it like to find your soul mate, or what some people call your touchstone, your one in five billion, and lose it before she was even yours to lose?

There really are no words to describe the torment. It is as if you truly have nothing and never did, nor will you ever have anything of value again. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, a gentleman raised without needs. I have never had a desire long enough to know how to define it. But Elizabeth, pardon me, Miss Elizabeth––I still have a hard time thinking of her in any other way but intimately––she . . . she changed that for me forever. The only need I have ever had, the only thirst that has ever tortured me, will never be quenched.

 

I am sorry for being so frank, but why give up so easily? Fitzwilliam Darcy is not a quitter. Where there is love, there is hope. How far will you chase that hope and turn it into reality?

Hope? Ha! Pardon me, a gentleman should never scoff like that. Do be serious! My reaction to that question makes me just shake my head in disbelief. You think I should try again? I was refused! I haven’t been refused anything! Not in all my eight and twenty years . . . Nothing . . . ever.

 

Are you well, Mr. Darcy? You sighed just now and stopped talking. Would you like some wine?

Oh, yes, actually, no. What I mean is, no, I do not need wine, and yes, I am well, strangely so. Forgive me. I allowed myself to ponder that question a bit more. The idea that I might have a chance, and truly, if the chance was one in a million, I have to admit I would take it! How odd this feeling is. Hope.

 

You are smiling, sir. But you did not answer the question. How far would you go?

Well, for starters, my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, just told me she was ill. He has been begging me to go see her at the parsonage. It was only this morning that I gave her the letter in the grove. I needed a minute to consider it before I answered him. I remember thinking, could I really be in her presence so soon after she refused me? The wound is still raw, so terribly raw. You have to understand that. But, I have to admit, I am considering it. I tend to journal my thoughts sometimes. Would you like to hear my exact thoughts from that moment?

 

Of course. What a privilege.

 

Just to explain, it is easier to write in the third person. I do not know why, but it helps me. These are my thoughts: “What did Richard mean that she was ill? Ill like one of those headaches ladies employ when they want to be left alone? Yes, surely that was it. “The last man in the world . . .” He had to distance himself emotionally from anything that had to do with Miss Elizabeth. He had no choice. He could ill afford to demonstrate any interest in her welfare. Even if he were still desperately interested. More than anything, he wanted to know whether his letter had helped to refute the two accusations she had spat at him yesterday. But was there really any hope of that? No. There was no hope; not for Mr. Darcy.”

 

There is no hope for Mr. Darcy? Might I parrot your sentiments from a moment ago; do be serious! Are you worthy of her if you are not willing to fight for her? What kind of man would give up hope?

I am sure what I said was not what you were expecting. I suppose we all have suffered some disappointment today, I know I have. Perhaps we should end this. I hate to say it, but this has been a very difficult interview. I suppose you see a prideful man too. I truly thought I had been sufficiently humbled yesterday when miss Elizabeth refused me. Yet, your probing, your sword of honesty has been a direct hit. I am being interviewed, questioned in every way, and the impertinence is quite foreign for me. Ha, well, perhaps not so foreign.

 

Why did you just chuckle? What is so humorous?

Do you mind if I postpone the rest of the interview? I find my mind is not engaged at the moment, at least not with you. I find a small rector’s cottage on the northeast corner of my aunt’s property has completely overtaken my mind. I shall return.

 

*****

 

Welcome back, Mr. Darcy. Oh my, I do not believe I have seen you smile so charmingly. It is late, but I see you have returned from the parsonage. But from the look in your eyes, you are ready to burst forthwith. Do not let me stop you.

Thank you Mrs. Deodato. You are absolutely correct! I did it! I went and saw her! And although feverish, and perhaps a little delusional, something was there.

––Something to hope for? Oh dear, forgive me, I did not mean to make you emotional. Here is a fresh handkerchief.

Yes, you took the words right out of my mouth. As miniscule as it sounds, there was something there. It can only be described as hope. It was amazing, truly unbelievable. She fell asleep shortly after we talked, for she is truly ill, but then this happened. May I share again what I have written?

 

If you do not, you will have several disappointed people.

Thanks you. After she fell asleep on the chaise, while we were waiting for the apothecary to come, this happened: “Darcy slipped his hand into hers just as her eyes closed peacefully. Colonel Fitzwilliam handed him a cool washcloth, and Darcy wiped her brow with it again and again. After a few minutes, her breathing slowed, and it was clear she had fallen asleep.

Darcy took a deep breath. These last moments with her had been the most pleasant interaction he had ever had with her. She was confused and feverish, but she had been kind and concerned about him. And for the first time, he had been honest and open with her. He had nearly forgotten anyone else was in the room.

Just then, as if determined to not be forgotten, Colonel Fitzwilliam loudly cleared his throat and curiously eyed Darcy’s hand clasping Elizabeth’s. The expression on his face spoke silent volumes. Darcy suspected that his cousin knew the whole truth now, and that irritated him somewhat. But that was Richard’s way. He investigated and searched out answers much like a lawyer who twisted and turned his witnesses until the truth burst forthwith in an onslaught. Yes, Richard wanted him to lay his cards out on the table. But this wasn’t any card game. His very heart was lying on a chaise, with new beads of sweat on her brow, gently reaching out to him with her tiny limp hand. He didn’t have time to explain himself to Richard.

He wiped her brow again and rubbed the cloth along her forearms down to the hand that he held. Every brush of the cloth seemed to calm her. She gently squeezed his hand. Whatever was ailing her, she seemed to find comfort with him there holding her hand. He could do that much. He would be happy to do whatever she desired. With a pang of anxiety, he paused with the cloth and wondered just how delirious she was. Was he taking liberties with her? Her words from yesterday still stung . . . “the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.” He heard Mrs. Collins pass by on her way to the front door, welcoming the apothecary. He leaned down and kissed the back of her hand and then folded her arm against her chest and reluctantly left it there.

Ever so quietly, he heard Elizabeth whispering in her sleep, “Mr. Darcy, do not leave me . . .”

 

What powerful prose. I can only imagine how light your heart felt with her asking you to stay. I am afraid our time is almost up. I want to thank you for your private feelings you have shared with us today. Is there anything else you would like to share with us before we end?

Most definitely. You cannot be more shocked than I was, but, Miss Elizabeth responded to the letter from this morning. She wrote me a letter in return! It is far too personal to include in this interview, but I will share my reaction after I read it. Allow me to share one more excerpt, if I may. “Darcy sat back and relaxed a bit. It was a good letter; it offered him a bit of peace. There was much to be thankful for. He folded the letter and took the lantern and stood up. As he walked to Rosings, his step had a bounce to it. His eyes saw all the many paths that he and Elizabeth had walked over the last few weeks. Each moment that he had found her on her walk, he had never once imagined that she thought ill of him. But she did. At least back then. He smiled slightly. But perhaps she felt differently now.

He reminded himself that she was feverish and confused, and that her kindness and civility towards him might not represent how she truly felt. But the letter still affected him, even more powerfully than holding her limp hand or cradling her sleepy head on his shoulder.

For the first time since yesterday, he felt hope.”

 

How did you do it? Few people have the strength of constitution to independently draw the line for themselves between defeat and perseverance. Did Elizabeth’s letter really affect you that intensely?

Most definitely. I cannot say more. It has been a long, taxing day. Thank you for pushing me in this direction. She is worth fighting for. She is my love, my life, the love of my life.

 

Wow, that just left me speechless. I won’t take more of your time Mr. Darcy! Thank you so much for visiting From Pemberley to Milton, and good luck with winning Miss Elizabeth’s heart!

A good friend of mine, Miss Dana Scully, once said something I believe is adequate for you at this time, and I would advise you to remember it: Maybe there is hope…

 

I hope you have enjoyed this interview and that it has piqued your interest, if it has, you can always find Hope for Mr. Darcy at:

Amazon.com – Hope for Mr. Darcy

Amazon.co.uk – Hope For Mr. Darcy (Hope Series Trilogy Book 1)

Amazon.fr – Hope For Mr. Darcy (Hope Series Trilogy Book 1) (English Edition)

 

***It’s giveaway time***

 

Mrs. Ellsworth would like to celebrate the release of Hope for Mr. Darcy by offering one copy to one lucky reader at From Pemberley to Milton. The giveaway is international and the winner may chose a paperback or an eBook copy.

Leave a comment on this post and share your thoughts on Hope for Mr. Darcy with us until the 8^th of May and stop by on the 9^th to see who was the winner.