Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future – Guest Post & Giveaway

Good Afternoon everyone,

Best selling author Sharon Lathan has recently released Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future which is already #1 new release in Historical European Fiction in the Amazon charts. This is the second book in the two-volume Darcy Saga Prequel Duo, and today I am very glad to receive her at From Pemberley to Milton to talk to you about the book and challenge you to do a very interesting quiz 🙂

I hope you have as much fun doing it as I did, but I shall not reveal how many answers I failed 😉

 

 

Sincerest thanks to Rita for welcoming me to the blog today! It is a true joy sharing my latest novel with the From Pemberley to Milton visitors.

Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future is the second book in the two-volume Darcy Saga Prequel Duo, which began with Darcy and Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship. These two novels perfectly fit with my Darcy Saga Sequel to Pride and Prejudice, the series now including nine lengthy novels and one novella. A whole lot of the Darcys living “happily ever after.”

After writing Austen’s beloved characters for over ten years now, they are as close to my heart as my flesh-and-blood friends. I can hear their voices in my head and recognize who is talking by the smallest snippet of dialogue. The trick is to convey the individual personalities in such a way that my readers know them as intimately.

With this in mind, I have decided to do something different today. Rather than one long excerpt from Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future, I have chosen random bits of dialogue from assorted characters, given without any scene set-up, for a fun guessing game. I have given three choices for each dialogue set, just so it isn’t too difficult. Hopefully, even if never having read one of my novels, everyone can figure out who is talking.

Who is the Character Talking?

1.  “I have never hosted a tea party all on my own and admit that doing so unnerves me. Why I initiated the idea is unfathomable! What if I embarrass us by saying something inappropriate? Or what if my tongue refuses to move at all and I stare dumbly for hours?” . . . “Now you must describe your wedding gowns. Is the train four feet and of the spun silk you wanted?” . . . “I’ll spare you guessing my favorite aspect of the chapel. It is the organ! It dates to 1732, and the sound is incredible. The rector let me play it once. Oh, it was such a thrill!”

1. Georgiana Darcy
2. Mary Bennet
3. Anne de Bourgh

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2.  “Men are always thinking about…that. This is part of the problem with the male gender if you ask me.” . . . “Why are your new shifts and other undergarment made of such thin fabrics and adorned with lace and ribbon accents? Why, this stay is barely boned at all! And it is pink!” . . . “Precisely why the wedding must be perfect. Two Bennet daughters marrying wealthy, respected gentlemen of Society. We shall be the talk of the county for ages!”

1. Mrs. Gardiner
2. Kitty Bennet
3. Mrs. Bennet

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3.  “I am glad to hear of it, Lizzy. Long private audiences during one’s betrothal period are necessary for a happy, fulfilled marriage. A new bride should not be wholly surprised on her wedding night. A bit of prior knowledge and practice is most beneficial for early and lasting pleasure with your husband in the bedchamber. Make sure you arrange a few private interludes with Mr. Bingley, Jane dear.”  . . .  “Now, I wonder, which has you two the most shocked? That I would approve of such scandalous behavior before marriage? That an old woman like me still engages in and enjoys bedroom antics? Or that I would openly broach the topic in the first place?”

1. Mrs. Bennet
2. Mrs. Gardiner
3. Lady Lucas

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4.  “Females and weddings! A most riveting topic of conversation! Please, do tell us all about the wedding gown, Miss Bennet. I can’t fathom anything more fascinating. Can you, Darcy?” . . . “Very well, I concede. You are the superior horseman. Just never forget that I trump you at dancing and witty conversation!” . . . “I am incognito. Actually, I am a notorious spy blending in with the common folk for an ultra-secret mission for the Crown. Quite heroic and dangerous. Are you impressed?”

1. Mr. Bingley
2. The Earl of Matlock
3. Colonel Fitzwilliam

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5.  “Oh, we have so much to talk about! I have known Fitzwilliam since he was born, you know? Just imagine the stories I have accumulated.” . . . “In due course, you will visit much of the country. William is fond of travel, although not as fond as he is of staying at Pemberley.” . . . “In all seriousness, Miss Bennet, you have no cause to worry. Pemberley may seem imposing, but the Darcys have made it a home. William is the soul of patience and kindness. I assure you, you will be most happy there.”

1. Colonel Fitzwilliam
2. Mrs. Reynolds
3. The Countess of Matlock

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6.  “Ooh la! Fancy Mrs. Darcy to have a fancy lady’s maid. Shall I wear the taffeta or the silk? The mink or the ermine? Oh! And what jewels shall I choose?” . . . “You must eat or you will faint at the altar. Can you imagine the horror? Come, come! You can sleep later. Oh! I forgot. You won’t be getting much sleep for days and days and days!” . . . “I maintain it is a travesty to conceal and restrain these lush locks, which God gave me, may I remind. Besides, all the pulling and tugging, and those pins stuck into my scalp give me a headache.”

1. Georgiana Darcy
2. Kitty Bennet
3. Lydia Wickham

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7.  “If two open carriages driving together as allowable under the rules of propriety, who am I to argue? Besides, we both have excellent vision so can see the other carriage even if little more than a dot on the horizon. If asked, we can swear we were within eyesight the whole time.” . . . “She was but a babe in a wheeled miniature carriage, Miss Darcy. Although, now that you mention it, I never recall nurse being as generous with flowers for my younger sister.”

1. Jane Bennet
2. Lizzy Bennet
3. Mr. Bingley

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8.  “Mr. Darcy specifically noted that allowing modest decoration inside the church was his request as a gift to Mrs. Bennet for her kindness. Is that not kind of him? I do not think he wanted you to know, so do not make a fuss over it. He does not like undue attention.” . . . “I believe it is imprudent to squander the time God has given us in pointless anxiety. As the wise proverb of Solomon instructs, ‘Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.’” . . . “You judge Mr. Collins too harshly, Lizzy. He is a gentleman and has devoted his life to serving God. That is a noble calling with heavy burdens and, as such, is worthy of respect.”

1. Charlotte Collins
2. Mary Bennet
3. Mrs. Gardiner

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9.  “Frankly, I cannot fathom how the ton manages the endless dances, dinner parties, and theatre events of the Season! I feel a bit overwhelmed merely thinking of it.” . . . “At the first mention of gowns or hair accessories he would run screaming from the room. To be fair, my mind wanders the second the topic of cigars or firearms is broached.” . . . “It is an excellent house with generous proportions to the rooms, tall windows, a pleasant garden, and a parlor on the uppermost floor with a superb view of the square. The decor is…unique. There are plenty of furnishings, no doubt of that. Some are not quite my taste.”

1. Jane Bennet
2. Mrs. Bennet
3. Georgiana Darcy

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10.  “A scolding by Lizzy is a rather fearsome thing, as I suspect you know. A rousing challenge, most of the time, but I’m not up to it tonight.” . . . “You two want to make a grand entrance, do you not? Trust me. You two just concentrate on breathing. I can’t drag both of you down the aisle.” . . . “The foyer is fine, if you wish, but you might consider the terrace. Lizzy has a fondness for starry skies and fresh air. You may have learned that already.”

1. Mr. Bennet
2. Mr. Gardiner
3. Mrs. Bennet

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Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet will soon be joined in Holy Matrimony!

The initial month of their Season of Courtship has passed. Together, the lovers strengthened their bond through honest communication, as they dealt with adversity, jealousy, and distrust. Ever growing in mutual love and understanding, a dramatic confrontation broke through the final barriers.

Now their Hope of the Future “happily ever after” is assured!

As long as Lady Catherine can be stopped in her scheme to interfere, that is. Or, will Mrs. Bennet’s bad advice ruin future marital felicity? Might increasing liberation lead to overwhelming passions that cannot be controlled, with catastrophe a result?

Continue the journey begun in Darcy and Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship. Delight in their flourishing romance, ride along on their escapades in London, and be a witness at the wedding of the century.

The miraculous design of how Two Shall Become One begins before the sacred vows.

Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future is Volume 2 of the “prequel duo” for Sharon Lathan’s Darcy Saga sequel series to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Purchasing links—

Amazon Kindle and Print 

Barnes & Noble Nook and Print

Kobo digital

iBooks digital  

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Sharon Lathan is the best-selling author of The Darcy Saga sequel series to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Her first novel, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, was published in 2009. Sharon’s series of “happily ever after” for the Darcys now totals nine full-length novels and one Christmas themed novella.

Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship and Darcy & Elizabeth: Hope of the Future complete the “prequel to the sequel” duo recounting the betrothal months before the Darcy Saga began.

Sharon is a native Californian relocated in 2013 to the green hills of Kentucky, where she resides with her husband of over thirty years. Retired from a thirty-year profession as a registered nurse in Neonatal Intensive Care, Sharon is pursuing her dream as a full-time writer.

Sharon is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, JASNA Louisville, the Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Beau Monde chapter of the RWA, and serves as the website manager and on the board of the Louisville Romance Writers chapter of the RWA.

Sharon is the co-creator of Austen Authors, a group blog for authors of Austenesque literary fiction. Visit at:  www.AustenAuthors.com

Connect with Sharon at the following places—
Website/blog:  www.SharonLathanAuthor.com
Facebook at Sharon Lathan, Novelist
Twitter @SharonLathan
Pinterest  SharonLathan62

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Sharon Lathan would like to offer 3 ebook copies of Darcy & Elizabeth: Hope of the Future to my readers.

ALL those who comment this post will be entered into the drawing! Sharon will be popping in to chat and answer questions, so feel free to ask whatever you want 🙂

Taking the “quiz” is optional but those who attempt the quiz will earn 1+ bonus point for the attempt and 1+ bonus point for each correct answer. The total points earned equal a name entry into Random.org which increases the odds of winning an eBook copy of my her newest novel 🙂 It’s a fun idea for a giveaway isn’t it?

The giveaway is international and will end on the 1st of September.

Good luck everyone!