Kelly Miller Interview & Giveaway

Good Afternoon everyone,

Last month I was honoured to reveal the cover of Kelly Miller’s most recent novel, Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match, and at the time I told you I considered the Blurb a little enigmatic. Because of that, I had a chance to interview her and ask her more questions about this book.

Today, as part of the blog tour, I am sharing this interview with all of you and I hope you like reading more about this book. If you have your own questions, or if something was left unanswered, please do not hesitate to say so on the comments, I’m sure Kelly Miller will be pleased to answer you 🙂

But before moving forward with the interview, let’s take a look at the blurb, so you may have an idea of what this book is about 🙂

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When secrets are revealed and a family agenda works against him, can Fitzwilliam Darcy recover his damaged spirits and find happiness?

Following his disastrous proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy returns to London from Kent broken-hearted and dejected. One bright spot penetrates his sea of despair: his sister, Georgiana, has finally recovered her spirits from the grievous events at Ramsgate the previous summer. She has forged a new friendship with Miss Hester Drake, a lady who appears to be an ideal friend. In fact, Lady Matlock believes Miss Drake is Darcy’s perfect match.

Upon Elizabeth Bennet’s arrival at the Gardiners’ home from Kent, she finds that her sister Jane remains despondent over her abandonment by Mr. Bingley. But Elizabeth has information that might bring them together. She convinces her Uncle Gardiner to write a letter to Mr. Bingley providing key facts supplied to her by Mr. Darcy.

When Mr. Bingley discovers that his friend and sisters colluded to keep Jane’s presence in London from him, how will he respond? Given the chance, will Darcy and Elizabeth overcome their past misunderstandings? What will Darcy do when his beloved sister becomes a hindrance towards winning the lady he loves?

 

You can find Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

and on Kindle Unlimited

 

 

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Hello Kelly,

Welcome back to From Pemberley to Milton! It is always a pleasure to receive you here, but today I am particularly happy to have a chance to talk to you a little more about Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match.

Now, I have to start with the plot of this book. I read the blurb and I know that Elizabeth will have a rival, in this story, at least in the eyes of Darcy’s family, what can you tell us about that?

KM – Thank you, Rita. It is a pleasure to be here. Miss Hester Drake is the youngest daughter of a close friend to Lady Matlock, aunt to Darcy and Georgiana. Georgiana is introduced to Miss Drake at a luncheon given by Lady Matlock and develops a close friendship with Miss Drake.

 

Why is Miss Hester Drake considered to be the perfect match for Darcy? And what does he think about that?

KM – Well, no doubt Lady Matlock was inclined to think well of Hester because of her long-standing friendship with Mrs. Drake. The Drake and Fitzwilliam family have been friends for generations. However, Lady Matlock was greatly impressed by the comfortable rapport Miss Drake and Georgiana developed almost immediately, and her niece’s fondness for Miss Drake was overt. I cannot say much in regards to Darcy, but he is accustomed to his aunt advocating eligible ladies in the hopes of piquing his interest; in the past the countess has not been successful.

 

I absolutely love stories where ODC have rivals because these plots always have powerful scenes where we can see not only the couple’s jealousy but also the depth of their feelings. Is there such a scene in Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match?

KM – I can reveal that both Elizabeth and Darcy have occasions in the story where they feel jealousy. Whether or not those feelings are rational or justified, I will leave for the readers to decide. 😊

 

And which was your favourite scene to write in this novel?

KM – There were so many scenes that I loved writing; I cannot pick one favorite! I am fond of the one with Darcy and Elizabeth at the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London and a couple of endearing scenes between Darcy and the Gardiner children at Hyde Park.

 

Is there any particular scene that you dislike reading about and therefore avoid writing in your own books?

KM – In general, I do not like reading or writing of Darcy or Elizabeth married to other people. I have never written of that, and at this moment do not think I will. But then I never say never.

 

I was lucky to reveal the cover for Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match last month and at that time realized the back cover is a scene from Hyde Park, a place of significance in the novel, what can you tell us about that?

KM – As I mentioned, Darcy and Elizabeth go to Hyde Park, but it is a popular destination and close to the Darcy town house; Georgiana and Miss Drake also have a significant scene at the park on a different day.

 

But going back to the books characters. The original female character is not the only one having an impact in how the plot is developed, is she? Mr. Bingley apparently will grow a backbone, isn’t that right?

KM – Yes, readers of my book will see Mr. Bingley show a certain assertiveness that might even border on impertinence at times. I think they will enjoy seeing this side of him.

 

How hard was it for you to make these changes in the story, while keeping the characters faithful to their original traits?

KM – I believe I stayed faithful to the characters I have become familiar with, but that is for readers to decide. Jane Austen shows us in Pride and Prejudice how Darcy alters his behavior. The Darcy who asks for an introduction to the Gardiners at Pemberley is so very different from the Darcy at the Meryton assembly! People have their natures and in general, they will remain constant, yet I have known people who altered after a life changing event such as falling in love. Love can motivate you to adopt a new maturity and sense of responsibility. Love is a great motivator, but I believe for the alterations to endure, a person must wish to change for his or herself and not just to please the object of their affection.

 

Is there any detail that you prefer to change when developing your characters?

KM – There is no specific detail, but sometimes characters, especially original ones, will develop new or different characteristics to go along with the plot. This is one reason why it might be argued that original characters are actually easier to write than familiar ones. In writing well-known characters, I attempt to keep them as true as possible unless I am including a circumstance that explains why the known character is altered.

 

What about those character traits that made you love P&P? I personally love Elizabeth’s wit and Darcy’s arrogance. I know most people prefer to depict him as shy, but I personally believe he was full of himself. What is your impression on his character? What do you love about him?

KM -I love Darcy’s constancy. Few gentlemen could continue to love a person who had so thoroughly abused him to his face as Elizabeth did. I share your love of Elizabeth’s wit and I also appreciate her ability to find delight in her surroundings. I would not describe Darcy as shy either, but more of an introvert.

 

Was that the way you characterized him in Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match? Is he much different from the Mr. Darcy you have in Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley?

KM – I characterized Darcy, at least in the beginning, as one might imagine he was on the day he handed Elizabeth his letter. The Darcy in “Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley” is quite different because he has been happily married to Elizabeth for almost three years. In contrast, the Darcy you meet in Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match is in low spirits following his disastrous marriage proposal in Kent.

 

You’ve mentioned before this novel is much different from your debut novel which has some fantastic elements. How would you characterize Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match?

KM -“Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match” is a “Pride and Prejudice” variation that takes Darcy, Elizabeth, and other familiar characters in new directions. I hope readers find it refreshing and satisfying.

Thank you so much for the time and patience Kelly. As always, it was a pleasure having you here 🙂

 

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Kelly Miller is a native Californian and Anglophile, who made her first visit to England in 2019. When not pondering a plot point or a turn of phrase, she can be found playing the piano (although like Elizabeth Bennet, she is errant when it comes to practicing), singing, and walking her dogs. Kelly Miller resides in Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter, and their many pets.

Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match is her second novel published by Meryton Press. Her first was the Regency novel Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley, a Pride and Prejudice romantic sequel with a touch of fantasy. Her third novel, Accusing Mr. Darcy, will be released later in 2020.

Contact Info:

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Author Page

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

 

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There is only one stop left in the blog tour but you can still go back and learn more about this book. The schedule is the following:

January 27 Austenesque Reviews

January 28 My Jane Austen Book Club

January 29 Austenprose

January 30 So Little Time…

January 31 Babblings of a Bookworm

February 3 More Agreeably Engaged

February 4 Savvy Verse & Wit

February 6 Donadee’s Corner

February 7 Diary of an Eccentric

February 10 From Pemberley to Milton

February 11 My Vices and Weaknesses

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Meryton Press is giving away 8 eBooks of Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match. To apply to it, all you need to do is click on this link.