Interview with a Mill Master & Northern Rain Giveaway

Hello everyone,

If you have seen some of my latest posts you know that Nicole Clarkston released a new North and South variation book called Northern Rain, and today the blog tour stops at From Pemberley to Milton with a character interview.

Even though he is a very busy man, Mr. Thornton conceded some of his time to a young journalist whose family I’m sure you all know very well. But I won’t say much more. I’ll leave you to read the interview and get your own conclusions about John Thornton’s state of mind and the young journalists identity. Even though we share the same initials, I’m sorry to say I am not part of his family 🙂

 

Interview with a Mill Master

RD: Pardon me, Mr Thornton, sir?

JT: Yes? What can I do for you?

RD: Forgive my intrusion, sir. I am from the Times, and I was hoping to speak to some of Milton’s mill owners on the outlook of the cotton trade.

JT: By all means, my good man, although I have only a few moments. I had another appointment which had to be rescheduled, and I am to depart again shortly.

RD: Of course, sir, I will try not to take too much of your time. I only wished to be able to quote an experienced master such as yourself. If I may, how do the mills fare at present?

JT: Excellently, sir. I think there is no stronger export just now, particularly with war looming in the Baltic, and our increased presence in India. Cotton is certainly a utilitarian material in both cases.

RD: Yes, I would expect as much. Now, there was a rather bad strike last year affecting a number of mills. How did that affect your business, and do you expect future difficulties?

JT: Naturally, any disruption to the flow of commerce is an unfavourable circumstance. It is unfortunate, but the mills and laborers involved have since come to a working agreement. I do not expect it shall be the last strike we will see, but at present, I see no immediate cause for concern.

RD: So the Union is presently content with your terms?

JT: (Laughing) The Union is rarely content, but their grievances are not serious enough at this juncture to cause any real trouble. I pay my men better than others, sir, and Marlborough Mills is equipped with many new innovations to make the work safer and more comfortable. Of course, I would pay good men more if such an expense were justified, because I have an interest in keeping the best working for me. As profitable as cotton is, however, even I have my limits.

RD: Quite so. Mr Thornton, I am very glad to speak with you, in particular, because I have been told something of how you came to your position here. You are rather unique among Milton’s masters, in that your father did-

JT: My father had nothing to do with it, sir. I can account for my success purely by tireless diligence and careful planning.

RD: You do not find any circumstances in your past to be the work of fortune?

JT: Not at all. If you will forgive me, sir, I am afraid I must make my appointment. Had you still some questions?

RD: Indeed, sir, I should like to speak with you further. May I wait on you later this afternoon?

JT: That would be agreeable. I shall return by three o’ clock. Will that suit?

RD: Quite.

4:30

JT: Do forgive my tardiness, sir.

RD: Not to worry, Mr Thornton, your overseer has given me a most enlightening tour.

JT: Tour? Oh, yes, that is well.

RD: Sir… do forgive me, sir, but you look as though you have had some bad news. I hope that is not the case!

JT: Bad news? No! Nothing of the kind. A gentleman has just moved to Milton to become a Classics teacher, and he was referred to me by a mutual friend for assistance in settling. He… and his daughter… were having some difficulty in securing lodgings.

RD: I am glad it was nothing serious, sir. Now, we were speaking of how you got your start here at Marlborough Mills.

JT:

RD: Sir?

JT: Pardon me, what was that?

RD: Ahem. I was wondering, sir, how a man like you starts from nothing, and then finds himself confidently the master of the finest mill in the city.

JT: Confidently? Nothing is certain in this industry, sir.

RD: Mr Thornton, I have heard nothing but that your peers admire and respect your opinions. I should say you have every reason for confidence.

JT: I have, then, do I? Tell me, sir, have you ever covered any story relating to the labour unions?

RD: Er… Well, no, Mr Thornton. I know little of them.

JT: They can be fickle, like a woman. One moment, a man might fancy himself the master, and the next… and the next… he finds himself quite humbled.

RD: That is an interesting analogy. You are not married, are you Mr Thornton? I wonder that you should think of such a comparison.

JT: Half of the people in this country are women, sir. I encounter their kind daily… though I do not wish to sound a churl, for most of them are gentle enough.

RD: Forgive me, Mr Thornton, but you are looking rather unwell. Might you wish to call off the remainder of the interview?

JT: I am quite well, sir. Now, then, you were asking how I got my start in the mill?

RD: Let us return to that in a moment. You have made me think of something else. Are you not the only mill master in the city who is presently unmarried, Mr Thornton?

JT: That is rather a personal question, sir!

RD: Not necessarily. A married man is seen as stable, where an unmarried man might be prone to take greater risks in his business.

JT: I have my mother and sister, sir. You cannot think I would act rashly with them in my care!

RD: I did not mean to imply that you would, sir. Only that a family man has greater incentive toward stability. There is a vast difference between having a mother who keeps house for you and a having wife and children of your own.

JT: A… a wife?

RD: I say, Mr Thornton, have you taken a chill?

JT: No! I only… Sir, are you married?

RD: (Laughing) No, sir, but I am well familiar with the power a woman might hold over a man. My grandfather still gets a look on his face very much like yours when my grandmother chooses to contradict him!

JT: Your grandmother must be a rather provoking woman. I wonder that your grandfather does not put some stop to it!

RD: My grandfather counts himself the most fortunate of men, I assure you. Were I heir to the estate, I should do exactly as he did- find a sharp-tongued, clever woman such as my grandmother, and marry her regardless of circumstance. It will be a number of years before I have earned the security which would permit such a marriage, but… well, a man in your position, on the other hand….

JT: Did you not come here to ask questions about the mill?

RD: I believe I have what I need for my article, Mr Thornton. Perhaps I may call for another interview should the occasion arise?

JT: What? Oh, yes, certainly. Forgive me, sir, but I do not think we were properly introduced.

RD: That was intentional, sir. I beg your pardon. I am but a humble reporter, wishing to succeed on my own merits, but it becomes rather awkward when I tell people my last name. Richard Darcy, at your service. I hope, sir, that… er… your new friend and his family find Milton to their satisfaction. Good day, sir.

 

***

As I said this interview is part of the Northern Rain blog tour organized by the talented Janet B Taylor of More Agreeably Engaged, so along with the interview I bring more information on the book, the author and a very generous giveaway. Continue reading for more details 🙂

 

Book Blurb

There is nothing like a long walk in the rain to guarantee a little privacy… unless the last person you wish to encounter happens also to be in search of solitude.

John Thornton is a man of heavy responsibilities who has many things on his mind, but the most troublesome of them all is Margaret Hale. She wants nothing to do with him, and he wishes he could feel the same. When a moment of vulnerability allows her a glimpse into his heart, she begins to see him very differently.

Is something so simple as friendship even possible after all that has passed between them? Thornton has every good reason to move on, not the least of which is the lovely Genevieve Hamilton and her wealthy father. Will Thornton act according to duty and accept an opportunity to save his mill, or will he take a chance on love, hoping to change Margaret’s mind?

 

 

Author Bio

Nicole Clarkston is the pen name of a very bashful writer who will not allow any of her family or friends to read what she writes. She grew up in Idaho on horseback, and if she could have figured out how to read a book at the same time, she would have. She initially pursued a degree in foreign languages and education, and then lost patience with it, switched her major, and changed schools. She now resides in Oregon with her husband of 15 years, 3 homeschooled kids, and a very worthless degree in Poultry Science (don’t ask). Nicole discovered Jane Austen rather by guilt in her early thirties- how does any book worm really live that long without a little P&P? She has never looked back. A year or so later, during a major house renovation project (undertaken when her husband unsuspectingly left town for a few days) she discovered Elizabeth Gaskell and fell completely in love. Nicole’s books are her pitiful homage to two authors who have so deeply inspired her.

 

 

If you want to contact Nicole Clarkston, you can do so using the following social media:

Website

Goodreads Author Page

Goodreads Blog

Facebook

Amazon Author Page

 

And if you are curious about Northern Rain or any of Nicole Clarkston’s books, including the Pride and Prejudice variation Rumours and Recklessness, you can find them in the below links:

 

CreateSpace:

Rumours & Recklessness

No Such Thing as Luck

Northern Rain

 

Amazon:

Northern Rain

No Such Thing as Luck

Rumours&Recklessness

 

Don’t miss out the other stops of the blog tours for more excerpts, vignettes, reviews and giveaways 🙂

 

 

7/8-9: Launch Vignette, Excerpt & Giveaway at Fly High

7/10: Guest Post & Giveaway at Babblings of a Bookworm

7/11: Vignette & Giveaway at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride & Prejudice

7/12: Author Interview at More Than Thornton

7/14: Review & Giveaway at Just Jane 1813

7/15: Excerpt & Giveaway at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride & Prejudice

7/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at Half Agony, Half Hope

7/17: Vignette & Giveaway at Laughing With Lizzie

7/18: Author/Character Interview & Giveaway at From Pemberley to Milton

7/19: Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway at So little time…

7/20: Vignette & Giveaway at Stories from the Past

7/21: Vignette & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged

7/24: Review, Excerpt & Giveaway at Margie’s Must Reads

7/26: Guest Post & Giveaway at A Covent Garden Gilflurt’s Guide to Life

9/10: Review & Giveaway at The Calico Critic

 

***It’s Giveaway time***

As I said, today’s posts brings all of you an opportunity to win several goodies, namely 4 ebook copies of Northern Rain. To enter the giveaway, just click the below link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0ca86b9b0/?

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Interview with Elaine Owen

Hello everyone,

Elaine Owen first fell in love with Jane Austen as a young teenager. She read Pride & Prejudice for the first time in the summer between eighth and ninth grades, and while other kids were giving book reports on things like The Hardy Boys and the Mystery of The Ticking Clock, she was describing the ways that character faults are explored in Jane Austen’s classic. Although her English teacher was vastly entertained, it is possible that her classmates viewed her as a cross between Mary Bennet and Lady Catherine.

Elaine eventually discovered Jane Austen fan fiction books in her local bookstore and spent lots of money she did not have in order to devour them all. When her credit cards were maxed out and store clerks said she really had to leave, she became desperate and discovered fan fiction sites online. Around this time her therapist suggested that she find some kind of creative outlet for herself. Elaine took a deep breath, swallowed nervously, and wrote down the first chapter of what eventually became her first book, Mr. Darcy’s Persistent Pursuit. And this year, she published Common Ground her first North and South variation book, making her one of the few authors writing fan fiction for my favorite novels: Pride and Prejudice and North and South.

With this background I obviously had to invite her to visit my blog. She happily agreed to concede me an interview, and I hope you all enjoy getting to know Mrs. Owen and her work as much as I did.

 

 

First of all let me thank you for taking the time to visit From Pemberley to Milton Mrs. Owen. It is a pleasure to have you here!   Your first published book was Mr. Darcy’s Persistent Pursuit, and after that one, JAFF books followed. Why did you decide to write a North and South fan fiction book?

At some point last fall I noticed N&S referenced again and again on the various JAFF boards, and I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. So I downloaded the book and started reading that, and I was about halfway through when I watched the movie. I was hooked! Who wouldn’t be, after both of *those* experiences? So then I just wrote a one-shot with my idea of what might have happened on the train ride back to Milton after that famous kiss. I only meant for it to be that one chapter, but the reaction I received convinced me to continue the story, and things just went from there.

 

Why did you choose to write a sequel and not a variation?

That was just where the story seemed to lead me, since I had started on the train platform.

 

Many authors choose to begin their sequels after the train station scene created by BBC and not the original ending scene in the book. Do you believe the BBC adaptation is crucial to the success of the story? Or would Gaskell’s work have the same effect on the public without the wonderful Richard Armitage performance?

No, I don’t think it would have. Gaskell’s book is easier for modern readers to absorb than Pride and Prejudice, but it is still fairly dry by today’s standards. The movie version is much more for modern audiences, and it helps that the movie was done so well.

 

In North and South Gaskell explores the workers difficulties and struggles. In Common Ground you choose to explore the difficulties faced by the masters. Would you like to tell us more about that?

Again, this story was inspired by the train platform scene, so automatically it was told from Thornton and Margaret’s viewpoint. That meant that the story would be more about their struggles together, which then put more focus on Thornton as a master and the difficulties he faced. However, in the end it becomes apparent that the fates of the masters and the workers are inextricably tied together, and they all profit when they learn to work together. I hope Gaskell would approve.

 

I am sure she would. North and South was much more than a romance and the social struggles played a big part on her writing. It is not common to see fan fiction who also delves on that, however, you did it in your book. In fact, in Common Ground you clearly explain what was the speculation in which Watson entered. Where did you come up with this specific idea?

There was a story I had read some years ago which had the same basic idea– basing the possibility of profit on a specific event in a foreign country. (No spoilers here! 🙂 ) The idea sounds horrifying to us today for moral reasons, as well as for the risk involved, but banks were not regulated then like they are now, and things like this *did* happen. The novelty of the idea stuck in my head, so I adapted it for my own use. I wish I could remember the exact book or author.

 

This book was released as part of the Margaret of Milton series, does that mean we are to expect another North and South book?

Yes. I am still working on a Darcy and Elizabeth story, tentatively titled Duty Demands, and then I will finish up my Longbourn Unexpected series. After that I would like to write in detail about the first ten years of the Thornton’s marriage, and possibly also base a story on the character of Nicholas Higgins. Who wouldn’t want to see more of Higgins?

 

I know I would! And I often wonder what would have happened to Higgins if Bessy didn’t die. Is there hope for a variation where she does not die?

I haven’t really thought about it, but that sounds like an excellent idea!!!

 

The number of writers who started with JAFF but are now also writing about North and South is increasing, do you believe we will start to see a boom of North and South fan fiction? Do you believe it will ever get to the proportions of Pride and Prejudice fan fic?

I hope to see it increase, as the dramatic possibilities are endless. But for it to swell to the almost cult-like devotion of Pride and Prejudice proportions is probably a number of years in the future. But that’s good news—we have years and years of Thornton and Margaret ahead of us!

 

Once again I would like to thank Mrs. Owen for her availability to chat a little bit with me. I hope you have all enjoyed the interview and if you are curious about Common Ground you can always see the review I posted last week.

Thank you, Rita, for taking the time to introduce my book on your blog. Also I really appreciate the thoughtful questions you put together. It has been a pleasure to “speak” with you, and I look forward to following From Pemberley to Milton for myself!

 

Until our next North and South post…which will be very, very soon 🙂

 

Northern Rain Giveaway Winners

Hello everyone,

Last month Nicole Clarkston published a new North and South variation called Northern Rain which I could not resist to buy and read as soon as I heard about it.

I had been a fan of Nicole Clarkston’s work for a while but had never spoken with her so this new release was the trigger for me to finally contact her. I’m very glad I did because after getting to know her, I discovered she is one of the nicest, sweetest, funny and creative authors I have known.

I fell incredibly blessed to have had the chance to know her, and to have her as a guest in my blog for the first time with a vignette she wrote especially for From Pemberley to Milton.

Her visit was prior to the blog tour that started on the 8^th of July and in which I will also participate with a character interview on the 18^th, and she brought with her a very generous offer of 4 e-book copies of Northern Rain and one signed paperback.

The blog tour is still on going and will bring you a lot of new vignettes, interviews, excerpts and giveaways, but today I’m very glad to announce the winners of this pre blog tour giveaway:

Paperback:

*** Mary ***

E-book:

***AnaDarcy ***

***Joana Starnes ***

*** Kirsten***

*** Vesper ***

 

Congratulations everyone! I hope you enjoy the book and share your thoughts with all of us once you’ve read it 🙂 If you are curious about my opinion, I will be posting a review on the 25^th of July with another giveaway (did I mention Nicole Clarkston is a very generous author?). So, if you are not one of the lucky winners, there is still a chance 🙂

May I ask the lucky winners to please send me your e-mail contacts to ritaluzdeodato at gmail so that I can pass them along to Mrs. Clarkston for the Books to be sent to you.

Common Ground

Hello everyone,

Common Ground is a continuation of the BBC 2004 adaptation of North and South, and starts right after the epic train station scene. As always I was thrilled to read more about the trip to Milton and John and Margaret’s lives, especially because Common Ground proved to be a very balanced paced book which kept my attention from the beginning until the end.

Unlike many novels that are mainly focused on John and Margaret’s relationship, or the working classes’ struggles, Common Ground actually gives a lot of relevance to the difficulties faced by the masters, namely the effects speculation had on their business. I personally thought it was interesting to see the author explore the topic of speculation itself instead of just mentioning it, the historical research behind this idea and its transposition to the book made this a very unique variation. Also, the fact that it’s not the workers but the masters facing difficulties made this story particularly different and refreshing as in a twist of events the masters need to come together and unite their efforts to save their business, with Thornton assuming a main role, of course :). I will not go into much detail because I don’t want to spoil the book, but it is indeed a very different storyline.

I highly appreciated the focus on these topics but on the other hand I also felt that the moments between John and Margaret were not enough, and I did miss the romance between these two characters. Even so, the epilogue was satisfying and I liked seeing what happened to the cotton mills and our beloved characters, especially John Thornton 🙂

Another change in this book was Hanna Thornton’s character who was not portrayed as an overbearing mother and cold distant mother in law. Curiously enough, in Common Ground the anti-hero role is delegated to Fanny who is shown to be an irrational girl posing many problems to our couple.

Margaret’s family was not the cause for many troubles, but they were against the wedding and even though this is something I would expect to see in a N&S variation, it doesn’t happen very frequently, so once again Elaine Owen surprised me on the creativity of her plot and character development. And speaking of characters, Dixon is absent during the majority of the book and is only briefly mentioned in the end of it, isn’t that different? Honestly, I’m not very fond of this character, so when at 60% of the book I realized she was not there, I truly liked it 🙂

This was the first North and South book Elaine Owen released, and I hope she continues to write books on this category because Common Ground was indeed a different and original book with a lot of creativity in the narrative.

 

Common Ground is available at:

Amazon.com – Common Ground

Amazon.co.uk – Common Ground

 

Elaine Owen is stopping by at From Pemberley to Milton next week for an interview on her P&P and N&S works, so if your curious, don’t miss the opportunity to get to know her a little better.

 

Chaos Comes to Longbourn – Excerpt and Giveaway

Hello everyone,

Apparently in June the number of JAFF releases decreased in comparison to the previous month, but still, we had some very interesting new releases, and one of them was Chaos Comes to Longbourn from Victoria Kincaid.

Today she is visiting From Pemberley to Milton to talk a little about the writing of this story, to share with you an excerpt, and offer a copy of Chaos Comes to Longbourn to one lucky winner.

I would like to welcome and thank Mrs. Kincaid for her visit, it is always an honor to receive her in From Pemberley to Milton! And I hope you enjoy her guest post and excerpt 🙂

 

*** Chaos Comes to Longbourn by Victoria Kincaid***

Chaos Comes to Longbourn is a bit of a departure for me. Of course every book an author writes is a new adventure and presents different issues, but this one offered some very particular challenges.  It is only the second of my Pride and Prejudice variations that I would consider to be an out-and-out comedy.  All of my books have humor and funny moments, but this is only the second one (after Mr. Darcy to the Rescue) where I set out with laughter as a consistent goal.

In addition, it is the first P&P I’ve written with multiple points of view. My previous books have focused on two main characters, the people falling in love—who are usually Darcy and Elizabeth (although When Mary Met the Colonel focused on Mary Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam).  Usually we see events unfolding only through these characters’ alternating viewpoints.  But the point of Chaos Comes to Longbourn was to have everyone engaged to the wrong person.  I needed to get inside the heads of other characters to observe their reactions to their various betrotheds.

I was more than halfway through the first draft when I realized I was writing from eight different points of view! On the one hand it was great fun.  In the original P&P, we never have a chance to see Charlotte encounter Wickham or hear Darcy’s thoughts about Lydia.  So it was endlessly amusing to imagine how those characters would react to each other (especially when they are engaged to each other).

On the other hand, it was very challenging to keep eight different perspectives and storylines going at the same time—and intertwining them effectively. I’d never done it before, so I didn’t realize how difficult it would be.   I was forever looking back to make sure the story made sense.  Did Elizabeth learn about X before or after she met Darcy on the road?  Should Wickham talk to Lydia after his conversation with Charlotte or after seeing Darcy?  When I sent a draft to my betas I begged them to check for errors in continuity, fearing a character knew something or said something when the chronology didn’t make sense.

But writing Chaos Comes to Longbourn was a great learning experience and I would do something like it again in a heartbeat—if the right plot bunny came along that necessitated multiple POVs.  I learned so much more about the various characters of P&P—beyond Darcy and Elizabeth— by entering their heads and imagining how they would think and act.  It reminded once more how brilliant Austen is.  Just when I thought I knew all about the novel, it surprised me again!

 

Now that we know how Mrs. Kincaid came up with the concept for Chaos Comes to Longbourn we are ready to read the blurb and the excerpt. I hope you find it as curious as me 🙂

 

*** Book Blurb ***

While attempting to suppress his own desire to dance with Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy flees the Netherfield ballroom only to stumble upon a half-dressed Lydia Bennet in the library. After being discovered with her in a compromising position, Darcy is forced to make her an offer of marriage.

Fearing the Bennets will attempt a similar “trick” with their brother, Mr. Bingley’s sisters convince him to leave Hertfordshire without any intention of returning. After Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins, a heartbroken Jane Bennet accepts his proposal.

Having resolved to propose to Jane, Bingley returns to Longbourn; but when he learns of her betrothal, he makes an offer to Elizabeth instead. She accepts, with the hope that Jane will change her mind if Bingley remains at Netherfield.

Meanwhile, Sir William Lucas is aware that Wickham had actually compromised Lydia in the Netherfield library and blackmails him into proposing to Charlotte Lucas, who is in danger of becoming an old maid.

Hertfordshire has become a tangled web of misbegotten betrothals.

Although Darcy yearns for Elizabeth, he feels honor bound by his promise. Elizabeth is also developing feelings for the master of Pemberley, but he has never seemed so far out of her reach.  How can Darcy and Elizabeth unravel this tangle and reach their happily ever after?

 

*** Excerpt ***

 

“Is your estate very grand?” Lydia interrupted.

Darcy blinked at the rapid shifts in conversation. “My family house is Pemberley…” he temporized.  Did she wish him to brag about his possessions?  He found the thought distasteful.

“How many rooms does it possess?”

He rubbed his forehead. This was not how he had imagined his first conversation with his fiancée.  “Two hundred and twelve.”

Lydia clapped her hands as if she had received a sweet. “Two hundred and twelve!  How wonderful!  There should be plenty of space for my friends to visit.  There is Maria and Helen and—”

Darcy disliked interrupting people, but he could not tolerate any more. “Are you certain they would all like to travel to Derbyshire to visit you?”

Lydia’s eyes grew wide. “Pembleton is in Derbyshire?  But that is so far away!” she squealed.  “It must be closer.  That is impossible!”

Darcy sighed. “Unfortunately, I cannot relocate my family’s estate to a more convenient location.”

Lydia waggled her head. “How vexing!”  But then she sat up straighter.  “Do you have a house in town?”

“Of course.”

“Then I shall live there most of the year, and I will not need to go all the way to Peckerly!” she declared triumphantly.

“If you wish.” Darcy silently resigned himself to years of avoiding London.

“It will be wonderful!” Lydia clasped both hands to her bosom.  “I shall host the most elegant balls in all of London.  And I shan’t invite anyone who has been cruel to me.”

He needed to redirect the conversation. “About the—”

“And I shall have ostrich feathers for my hair!”

Darcy had never given a moment’s consideration to what women wore in their hair. “If you wish—”

“And I—”

Darcy was not sure when this conversation had gone wrong, but he must regain control. She would never stop spinning fantasies in her head.  “Lydia, you and I both know there was another man with you.”

Lydia froze, suddenly wary. “I am sure I do not know what you mean,” she sniffed.

Darcy stepped closer, deliberately looming over her. “I must know the man’s identity.”

“There was no man.” Lydia’s voice quavered as she stared straight ahead, refusing to meet Darcy’s eyes.

“You did not untie your bodice yourself. Nor did I.  I never touched you, save inadvertently when I fell on you.”  Lydia clamped her lips together tightly.  Darcy raised his voice.  “I agreed to a betrothal to salvage your reputation, but we cannot marry.  You must marry the man who is actually responsible for your plight.”

Lydia jumped up from her chair. “Mama says it will be a great scandal if you do not marry me!  You cannot renege on your promise!”

Darcy scrubbed his hands over his face. Lydia was correct about the scandal, unless Darcy found the other man and persuaded him to marry her.  If she jilted Darcy, it would be a minor contretemps, but if he did not keep his word, the Darcy name would suffer.  He prayed that the other man was not already married—and that he would be susceptible to monetary inducement if necessary.

Lydia’s lower lip protruded stubbornly. It was time for a different tactic.  “Miss Lydia, please see reason.  We do not suit each other.”

“Of course we suit each other!” she cried. “You shall buy me jewels!  And I can be very charming!”  She gave him a winsome smile.  Darcy shook his head, endeavoring to think of an appropriate argument if such was Lydia’s notion of compatibility.  “And I shall be a good hostess for your elegant balls!”

The Darcy family had not hosted a ball since his mother’s death, and he had no intention of remedying that situation. He sighed.  “I could not make you happy.”

Lydia slumped into her chair, pouting in a most unladylike manner. “Am I not pretty enough?”

Darcy sighed. This was like arguing with Georgiana at age ten—and at her most petulant.  “That is not the issue at all.”

Her eyes glistened. “I know I do not have Jane’s beauty or Elizabeth’s eyes, but—”

“I pray you, do not misunderstand me. You are very pretty.”  Lydia preened. Oh, Good Lord! “You are…very young—a full thirteen years younger than me.”

 

***It’s giveaway time!***

 

Victoria Kincaid would like to offer one copy of Chaos Comes to Longbourn to one lucky reader who will be able to choose either a paperback or an e-book copy.

The giveaway is international and to participate all you have to do is comment this post. Let us know what you think of the blurb or the excerpt and share your love for JAFF with us.

The giveaway is open until the 14^th of July and the lucky winners will be randomly picked and announced a few days later.

Good luck everyone!

Win, Lose, or Darcy – Giveaway Winners

Hello everyone,

Last month I was very happy to do the cover reveal for Jennifer Joy’s latest release Win, Lose or Darcy.

Along with the cover reveal, we posted an excerpt and Jennifer Joy brought 4 e-book copies to giveaway to some lucky winners.

As always both the cover and the excerpt were a success with lots, and lots of comments and positive remarks, so I would like to thank once more to each and every one of you! You are the ones who keep us motivated to write and share the latest news in the JAFF world.

I would also like to thank Jennifer Joy for once more hosting such a generous giveaway and for always taking the time to reply to all our readers.

Now without further ado… The randomly selected winners are:

 

*** Pam Hunter *** 

*** Sophia Rose *** 

*** Priscillateh *** 

*** Sheila Majczan *** 

 

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 so that I can pass them along to Jennifer for the eBooks to be sent to you.