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

Good Afternoon everyone,

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

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

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

In volume one…

In volume two…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links: 

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