Darcy’s Clan by Lari Ann O’Dell – Cover Reveal

Good Afternoon everyone,

This is the week of cover reveals here at from Pemberley to Milton. Just a few days ago we revealed to you the magnificent cover of When Duty Calls from Belén Paccagnella with a design created by my favourite artist, Janet Taylor. The cover was stunning with a taste that can hardly be copied, and today we are once more bringing to your attention the cover of another wonderful book. This time, we will bring to you Darcy’s Clan by Lari Ann O’Dell.

This cover is very different from When Duty Calls, but equally appealing! I’m currently reading the book, and I must say the cover really depicts what you’ll find in it.

But Mrs. O’Dell would like to share with you what her initial ideas for this cover were, and how it could connect with the plot itself, so it’s time to give her the floor 🙂

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Hello, Rita. I am thrilled to be here at From Pemberley to Milton. It is with great excitement that I tell you and your lovely readers about my upcoming release, Mr. Darcy’s Clan, and share a bit about my amazing cover. 

When I was writing Mr. Darcy’s Clan, I knew I wanted to create a compelling portrayal of vampires. In some ways, my vampires, also called Firstborn Sons, are very much like the vampires we have seen across all mediums. (No, they don’t sparkle. Mr. Darcy would hate that.) Yet, it was also my intention to build new characteristics into my vampires. In this variation, vampires are fully integrated into English society. They are revered and respected, and they live by a strict set of laws called the Dictates. I felt that my cover should also be unique, but still be recognized as a JAFF novel. I worked with a talented cover designer, Jane Dixon-Smith, and asked for a cover with a a touch of blood and no direct sunlight, while admitting that beyond that I was not quite sure what I wanted. 

Jane is a brilliant designer, and she took my vague suggestions and worked her magic to create the cover I am revealing today. It is definitely my favorite of all my book covers. In this variation, the sun never shines directly in England as that would be very deadly for the vampires who reside there. This element of the story is mentioned several times throughout the novel, but three particular instances stand out, and I would like to share a few teasers that refer to this phenomenon. 

The first occurs in an exchange between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, just after they learn that Jane is stranded at Netherfield.

“This was a lucky idea of mine!” she cried, as if she had been personally responsible for the rain.

Her husband scowled at her. “My dear, you must be descended from Henry VIII to have such control over the weather. Why, ever since his reign the sun rarely shines in England, which makes it so accessible for the vampires and their ilk.”

The second is at the Netherfield Ball, and gives a glimpse of how Darcy feels for Elizabeth.

Darcy sensed the moment Elizabeth Bennet entered Netherfield. Her scent was a heady mix of lavender, roses, and something that was uniquely Elizabeth, something akin to sunshine. Darcy was unsure how that was possible, as the sun never shone directly upon England, and had not done so in centuries.

Finally, the third key reference, again at Netherfield Ball, is spoken in jest by Elizabeth, toward the end of the evening and before a very important reveal. 

“You seem to hold yourself responsible for a great deal, sir. Is it your fault the sun does not shine directly in England as well?” Elizabeth said in a desperate attempt to diffuse the tension.

Mr. Darcy’s Clan’s intriguing cover sets the tone for my book. It depicts Mr. Darcy, above Pemberley, where much of the story takes place, and the lack of direct sunlight on the cover hints at the darker tone of this variation. There is a bit of blood dripping from the title, as it is a vampire variation, but fear not, dear readers, this book is not overly graphic or violent. Darcy and Elizabeth endure many misunderstandings, trials, and tribulations over the course of their journey together, but it does indeed end with a happily ever after.

And now…without further ado, here is the cover:

 

 

So, what do you think of it? I think the ambience really reflects the storyline, which I’m absolutely loving! And the detail of the blood falling off the title is a nice touch. I also love the fact that Mr. Darcy does not appear transfigured in the cover because in the book we don’t really think of him as a vampire, but as a normal gentleman. And this guy’s features are really sexy, aren’t they? Pemberley seems a little different from the usual images we see, but if you read the book, you’ll see that there is indeed a difference 🙂

I am loving the book as much as I loved the cover, so if you want to know why, please stop by on April 2nd for more details 🙂

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The upper echelon of English society—comprised of vampires, or Firstborn Sons—is a world Elizabeth Bennet has no desire to join. She has little exposure to Firstborn Sons until Mr. Bingley arrives in the neighborhood and falls in love with her sister Jane. His mysterious friend, Mr. Darcy, attracts Elizabeth’s attention, but she is convinced he is hiding a dark secret. In spite of this, powerful feelings draw her to him. She learns a shocking truth when Mr. Wickham appears, and disaster strikes at Netherfield. Forced into Mr. Darcy’s supernatural realm, a confusing new world of danger threatens their deepening love. How can they find eternal happiness when members of his illustrious clan are plotting her demise? Can Mr. Darcy rise beyond his past to save her or will he lose her for all eternity?  

Mr. Darcy’s Clan is available for pre-order at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

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Lari Ann O’Dell first discovered her love of Pride & Prejudice when she was eighteen. After reading a Pride & Prejudice variation she found in a closing sale at a bookstore, she said, “This is what I want to do.” She published her first novel, Mr. Darcy’s Kiss, two years later.

Born and raised in Colorado, she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Creative Writing. After graduating college, she wrote and published her second novel, Mr. Darcy’s Ship. Her third novel, Mr. Darcy’s Clan, is her first supernatural variation, and she is working on two more fantasy variations. She is now back at school and pursuing a degree in Nursing. She adores her two beautiful nephews, Hudson and Dean. She currently works at a middle school and writes whenever she can.

 

You can find her through the following social media:

Facebook 

Twitter

Amazon Author Central 

Goodreads Author Page 

Facebook Author Page 

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When Duty Calls By Belén Paccagnella – Cover Reveal

Good Afternoon everyone,

After doing the cover reveal of Obstacles, Belén Paccagnella’s debut book, I was very pleased to be invited by Meryton Press to repeat the feature and bring you all the cover of Mrs Paccagnella second novel! When Duty Calls will be available for pre-order today and unlike Obstacles its action takes place in 1812.

The book explores a forced marriage scenario and I’m quite interested in seeing how Mrs Paccagnella will elaborate this plot. Will Elizabeth slowly fall for Darcy? Will she blame him for what has happened? Whatever path Mrs Paccagnella decides to take, it will be perfect for me because I am a huge fan of forced marriage scenario books 🙂

Want to know more about this story? Check out the blurb:

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The Netherfield ball brings about many changes for the population of Meryton, and more so for the female residents of Longbourn. Mr. Bingley’s departure leaves the eldest, Jane Bennet, heartbroken whilst Mr. Collins’s proposal induces Miss Elizabeth to make a hasty escape. During her flight, she happens upon Mr. Darcy, a gentleman she despises. A moment of solitude in the woods leads to rather improper behavior, and the couple departs with the promise they will tell no one about their minor indiscretion. When their secret is finally uncovered, marriage becomes the only solution to saving Elizabeth from social disgrace. Her other grudges against Mr. Darcy are amplified by resentment and the prospect of spending her life with a man she can never respect. Nonetheless, the marriage takes place, forcing the young couple to deal with their pride and prejudices as husband and wife.

Originally posted online almost twenty years ago, this Regency tale of redemption narrates the struggles of two people, their differences, and their rocky start. But will they succeed in overcoming lies, misunderstandings, and their own errors to finally find love?

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What do you think? And did you know this book was written over 20 years ago? That’s impressive isn’t it? And I bet it still has that feeling that books written in the beginning of JAFF had 🙂

But today we are not here to talk about such things, share any excerpt that may give you an idea of what to expect, nor to talk about the creative process behind the book. We are here to talk about one of my favourite things: Covers! If you want to have a sneak peek at the story, I invite you to visit Meryton Press’s site as their authors have been sharing their favorite romantic scenes there, and today it is Belen Paccagnella’s turn to do so. She chose a scene from When Duty Calls, so all you need to do is click on this link and get directed to this first scene of this hot new release 🙂

Here at From Pemberley to Milton, we will be focusing on covers, and this one is incredibly beautiful and the classic painting demonstrates an incredible taste in my opinion. It also appears to reveal a little of what we will find in the book, and if it does, I wonder how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth found themselves in this position if their feelings were not yet fully developed.

But what am I doing?! Talking to you as if you’ve seen the cover already…Well…here it is 🙂

What do you think? Don’t you think the faint colours in the path and grass give this cover a lot of elegance? What about the back cover? Do you think it will reveal something else? Let’s see!

What do you think this back cover means? Who are all those people in the picnic? And where are they? Is that at Pemberley? I really loved the type of painting that was chosen for this cover. Even if the style is not impressionist, some of the brush strokes do remind me a little of it, and the amount of detail we see in the back cover is very alluring! This is certainly one of the books I would love to possess on paperback 🙂

Have you noticed that small heart token in the spine? I bet it means something too! Now all we need to do it read it to find out exactly what it means 😉

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Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Belén Paccagnella discovered the world of Jane Austen fan fiction after watching the 1995 BBC miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. In her teens, she lived in Brazil when her family moved to the city of Curitiba due to her father’s work. She moved back to Buenos Aires a few years later, where she studied agronomy but finally pursued a different career and started working in the development and administration of shopping centers.
In 2001, she began writing both Regency and modern stories, adapting the Pride and Prejudice storyline to different backdrops, merging drama, humor, and adventure while creating characters with unique traits. Almost two decades later, she published Obstacles, a modern variation released in 2018 by Meryton Press.
Belén still lives in the suburbs of Buenos Aires where she shares her home with her pets while spending her time working, reading, and writing.

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The bog tour will start in a week, please stop by at the below blogs for more information on this book 🙂

March 11 Diary of an Eccentric

March 12 So Little Time…

March 13 Austenprose

March 16 Babblings of a Bookworm

March 17 More Agreeably Engaged

March 18 Savvy Verse & Wit

March 19 Interests of a Jane Austen Girl

March 20 Austenesque Reviews

March 23 From Pemberley to Milton

March 24 My Vices and Weaknesses

The Pilgrim – Cover Reveal

Hello dear readers,

How are you today? I am very happy because today I get to publish one of my favourite type of posts. Guess what? It’s cover reveal day!

I am even happier because the person who designed the cover we are revealing today is Janet Taylor, and I’m sure you know by now that I am a big fan of her work. She is incredibly talented and her covers are always classy, designed with superb taste, and always reveal small details about the story in them, which I consider a plus in a cover.

Today we are revealing the cover for Don Jacobson’s The Pilgrim: Lydia Bennet and a Soldier’s Portion which has just been released for pre-sale today, so if you are a fan of Don’s wonderful work, you can pre-order it asap on Amazon.

Before actually revealing the cover, we would like to share a little insight of the story and give you some more information about the cover.

 

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“My life has been very much like an unfinished painting. The artist comes to the portrait day-after-day to splash daubs of color onto bare canvas, filling in the blanks of my story. Thus grows the likeness, imperfect as it may be, which you see today.”

                                          Lydia Fitzwilliam, Countess of Matlock, letter to her sister

                                                         Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, March 14, 1831.

 

Does it matter how a man fills out his regimentals? Miss Austen never considered that query. Yet, this question marks the beginning of an education…and the longest life…in the Bennet Wardrobe saga.

Lydia Bennet, Longbourn’s most wayward daughter, embarks on her quest in The Pilgrim: Lydia Bennet and a Soldier’s Portion. This biography reveals how the Wardrobe helps young Mrs. Wickham learn that honor and bravery grow not from the color of the uniform—or the gender of its wearer—but rather from the contents of the heart.

In the process, she realizes that she must be broken and repaired, as if by a kintsugi master potter, to become the most useful player in the Bennet Wardrobe’s great drama.

The Pilgrim explores questions of love, loss, pain, worry, and perserverance. All of these are brought to bear as one of the silliest girls in England grows into the Dowager Countess., a legend within the Five Families.

This 151,000-word novel is the seventh, and next-to-last, volume in the Bennet Wardrobe Series. Each book along the way has revealed more about how the mysterious Wardrobe has led Miss Austen’s Bennets to learn that which they need in order to take part in its ultimate mission.

As Mirta Ines Trupp, author of The Meyersons of Meryton notes:

“Multifaceted and nuanced, The Pilgrim: Lydia Bennet and a Soldier’s Portion, speaks to the verities of life. Once again, Don Jacobson has combined the essence of Pride and Prejudice with an esoteric story line and the universal themes of redemption and forgiveness in this well-crafted narrative.”

The cover design by Janet Taylor offers readers insights into the great themes which run through the life of the young woman who has to pass through many veils to arrive at that place where she has learned that which she needs.

The band of roses across the bottom bears particular significance—the three roses with tears—as Lydia and the readers experience love and loss. Those who obtain a copy of the paperbound book will discover even more important iconography…the spine roses (also weeping), the kintsugi cup, the overarching presence of the Wardrobe, and the ribbon and music…that brings the visual and the word together.

Perhaps, though, the most powerful representation of Lydia’s long pilgrimage as she passes through the Wardrobe’s Universe is Maxim Vorobiev’s Oak Fractured by Lightning. Here the artist offers a visual metaphor for the ineffable loss he experienced in his life. Lydia is broken and reconstructed after facing trials of similar potency.

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Are you ready for the cover revea of  The Pilgrim: Lydia Bennet and a Soldier’s Portion? We’ve been talking about it, but now it is time for you to be the judge 🙂

 

What do you think of this cover? Isn’t it beautiful and proof of an excelent taste? Janet Taylor never dissapoints, and in my opinion the roses across the bottom do  give it a very beautiful touch.

But as you know, for me the back covers are just as important as the front covers, so I have to share the full cover with you so you may observe all the details!

What do you think about it? It made me very intrigued because there is something dark and profound about it. As this is never how I imagine Lydia to be, I believe this book must bring another layer to her character, which makes me want to read it.

If you want to know more about the Wardrobe series, please follow Don Jacobson and check his amazon page 🙂 His books are truly wonderful and well built so they definitely deserve your attention. 

As mentioned before this book is now available for pre-order and will be delivered to your kindle on September 10th.

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Don Jacobson has written professionally for forty years. His output has ranged from news and features to advertising, television and radio. His work has been nominated for Emmys and other awards. He has previously published five books, all non-fiction. In 2016, he published the first volume of The Bennet Wardrobe Series—The Keeper: Mary Bennet’s Extraordinary Journey, novel that grew from two earlier novellas. The Exile is the second volume of The Bennet Wardrobe Series. Other JAFF P&P Variations include the paired books “Of Fortune’s Reversal” and “The Maid and The Footman.”

Jacobson holds an advanced degree in History with a specialty in American Foreign Relations. As a college instructor, Don teaches United States History, World History, the History of Western Civilization and Research Writing.

He is a member of JASNA-Puget Sound. Likewise, Don is a member of the Austen Authors collective (see the internet, Facebook and Twitter).

He lives in the Seattle, WA area with his wife and co-author, Pam, a woman Ms. Austen would have been hard-pressed to categorize, and their rather assertive four-and-twenty pound cat, Bear. Besides thoroughly immersing himself in the JAFF world, Don also enjoys cooking; dining out, fine wine and well-aged scotch whiskey.

His other passion is cycling. Most days from April through October will find him “putting in the miles” around the Seattle area (yes there are hills). He has ridden several “centuries” (100 mile days). Don is especially proud that he successfully completed the AIDS Ride—Midwest (500 miles from Minneapolis to Chicago) and the Make-A-Wish Miracle Ride (300 miles from Traverse City, MI to Brooklyn, MI).

 

Contact Info:

Don Jacobson’s Amazon Author’s Page

Goodreads Author’s Page (with blog)

Author Website (with blog)

Twitter (@AustenesqueAuth)

 

 

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Obstacles – Cover Reveal

Good Morning everyone,

I hope you’ve enjoyed this beautiful week and that you are as ready as I am for the weekend! I had to travel to Germany on business this week so I decided to stay a little longer and do some sightseeing in Berlin which I hadn’t visited in over a decade. This time I’m visiting the city alone and even if it is strange for me to be all by myself for a couple of days, I’m finding it quite nice because not only I get to go exactly where I want to when I want to, but also because it gives me plenty of me time which I’m using to catch up with my TBR pile 🙂 The problem is that new books keep coming out and I am often taken off track. The latest book that took me away from my TBR pile was Obstacles by Belén Paccagnella. She is a new Meryton Press author who decided to take our dear characters into a completely different environment, and I have been feeling the need for something different lately, so this caught my attention.

But let me share the book blurb with you so you may know of what I’m talking about.

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Not all obstacles are restricted to the show-jumping arena…

Though Elizabeth Bennet lives an uneventful life instructing young equestrians at Longbourn, the family farm, she dreams of winning a show-jumping competition on Liddy, her spirited mare. But her life is upended when a team of world-renowned riders arrives at Netherfield, the neighbouring estate, and uses it as their training headquarters. As she assists the newcomers and their prize-winning mounts, she meets William Darcy, a wealthy and arrogant—albeit talented—rider with Olympic aspirations. He first insults and then ignores Elizabeth, and her feelings teeter between disgust at his hauteur and admiration for his equestrian prowess. As she discovers first-hand the rigors of a world for the elite, will Elizabeth change her perspective about love, trust, and the foibles of her own family?

Originally known as “Obstacles to Overcome,” Obstacles pays homage to Pride and Prejudice in the highly competitive world of equestrian show jumping.

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Different right? I had never heard of a premise like this and I can easily see it becoming a movie, but do you know what else caught my attention? The cover! You know how I love covers, and I really liked some details on the cover of Obstacles like the scrapbook and the scissor. These small details can make a huge difference:) Also the back cover is equally appealing, I can clearly picture Elizabeth Bennet in that environment, I know that in regency she is not that fond of horses, but if you think of a modern Elizabeth, this is just how I imagine her 🙂

Fun fact: the horses on the back cover where running in the fields surrounding Netherfield from the 1995 adaption when Janet visited the place in 2012. She took the picture herself and decided to use it here because it was fitting to the story 😉

But I’ll let you take your own conclusions and move along to the BIG COVER REVEAL🙂

So what do you think of it? Have you heard from this book before? What about the author? Do you want to find out more about her? You can read all about Belén I’m the author bio below 🙂

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Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Belén Paccagnella discovered the world of Jane Austen fan fiction after watching the 1995 BBC miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. In her teens, she lived in Brazil when her family moved to the city of Curitiba due to her father’s work. She moved back to Buenos Aires a few years later, where she studied agronomy but finally pursued a different career and started working in the development administration of shopping centres.

In 2001, she started writing both Regency and modern stories adapted from the Pride and Prejudice storyline, merging drama, humour, and adventure while creating characters with unique traits.

Belén still lives in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, where she shares her home with her daughter and her pets while spending her time working, reading, and writing.

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It’s already on Amazon!

If the blurb and cover got you curious, please don’t forget to follow the blog tour in the usual blogs starting on September 17th!

Also, if you want this book to be uploaded to your kindle as soon as it is out, you’ll be happy to know that the book is available for pre-order from today until the 3rd of September!

If you look for it at amazon it is already there! You can follow this link to go straight to it 🙂

The book will be released on September 4th, and I’m looking forward to read your reviews of it 🙂

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As I mentioned earlier I am currently traveling in Germany on business and yesterday when I was about to pay for a postcard I was buying, I saw this amazing tote bag!!!

Of course I couldn’t resist and bought every single one the store had, unfortunately they only had 3, so I’m keeping one to myself, I’m offering another one to a dear friend and I thought that one of my readers may like this bag too, so I’ll be offering it to a randomly chosen reader.

You know the drill, just comment on this post and let me know you’d like the tote bag. The giveaway is international and is open until the 8th of September.

Good luck everyone!

A Most Handsome Gentleman Cover Reveal

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of the weekend 🙂 I am having a wonderful time at home with hubbie and my kindle, that’s all a girl needs to be happy right?

I’m also happy because today I’m having the opportunity to share with you the cover for Suzan Lauder’s new book, A Most Handsome Gentleman.

You know how much I love covers, and how important I consider them, so I was thrilled to be doing the cover reveal of such an interesting book! Suzan Lauder is a talented author who comes up with very interesting premises and characters, so I was already expecting something different when I heard about this book, what I wasn’t expecting though was a HOT Mr. Collins!!! Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, there is a hot Mr. Collins in this story…but let me share with you the book blurb so that you can find out for yourself of what this book is all about.

 

 

Elizabeth Bennet’s life is uncomplicated until she meets a quartet of new men: the haughty but handsome Mr. Darcy, the pert-with-a-pout Mr. Bingley, the confident and captivating Mr. Wickham—and then there is her father’s cousin, the happy man towards whom almost every female eye has turned.

Mr. Collins is HOT—well, incredibly handsome in Regency-speak—beautiful of face, fine of figure, elegant of air, his perfect clothing and hair matching his Greek god-like form. Unfortunately, when he opens his mouth, Elizabeth wishes he were mute. With affected servility and prideful self-conceit, he capitalizes upon his exquisite appearance and fixes on Jane Bennet as his bride.

Can Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy form an alliance to stop Jane’s suitors from issuing challenges—and will Elizabeth coax a smile from Mr. Darcy?

Bestselling Regency romance author Suzan Lauder delivers a hilarious Austenesque romance suitable for all readers of Pride and Prejudice.

 

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Interesting isn’t it? I think this will be a very fun read and I can’t wait to get my hands into it.

What I also consider interesting is the cover! I never imagined I would ever like to see a Mr. Collins in a cover, but this book made it possible! As always Janet Taylor did an amazing job! This time she had the help of several handsome man…

But I guess it is time I share with you the beautiful cover of A Most Handsome Gentleman…

 

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What do you think of this cover? Isn’t it beautiful? My favourite gentleman is certainly the one at the center, who I’m hoping is Mr. Darcy. God…I hope that’s not Collins! In what world would I be if I considered Collins more handsome than Darcy?. The one on the left is also very appealing, but I clearly prefer the one in the center. There is something darker about him and I like that. Also, he has a book :))) If that book turns out to be Fordyce’s Sermons I’ll just go and hide my head in the sand for the next weeks…

I also love the heart on the word handsome, don’t you think that is an adorable detail?

And what bout the back cover? What do you think you’ll find in it? Well, a cover reveal is not a very good one if we do not reveal the entirity of the cover right? So here is the full cover 🙂

I love the back cover too and I wonder how Janet created such an image! Even though it’s not hard to imagine some couples in this circumstance during regency, I do not believe any painter would dare to put it on canvas, so I’m imagining this is all her creation… Either way, congratulations Suzan and Janet! this cover is absolutely gorgeous, I love it !!!

Book should be available on or about October 1, 2017.

 

 

A lover of Jane Austen, Regency period research and costuming, cycling, yoga, blogging, and independent travel, cat mom Suzan Lauder is seldom idle.

Her first effort at a comedy, A Most Handsome Gentleman is the fourth time Lauder has been published by Meryton Press. Her earlier works include a mature Regency romance with a mystery twist, Alias Thomas Bennet, a modern short romance Delivery Boy in the holiday anthology Then Comes Winter, and the dramatic tension filled Regency romance Letter from Ramsgate.

She and Mr. Suze split their time between a loft condo overlooking the Salish Sea and a

150-year-old Spanish colonial home near the sea in Mexico.

Suzan’s lively prose is also available to her readers on her blog, road trips with the redhead www.suzan.lauder.merytonpress.com, on her Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/SuzanLauder, and on Twitter @suzanlauder.

 

 

A note from Suzan Lauder on the cover for A Most Handsome Gentleman or #HOTCollins

When this novella was serial posting at A Happy Assembly, I included a handsome Regency man’s portrait at the end of each chapter, each one intended to represent Mr. Collins in the story. Commenters there added a few portraits of their own and piped in on their idea of who might be the best #HOTCollins in this comedy twist. Over the last couple of months, I’ve shared many of those portraits in weekly posts on Facebook and Twitter, and readers have replied with amusing compliments. Because each of these hot men could be Mr. Collins in my story, any one could become good cover art for a book. My readers are savvy enough to realize I wouldn’t post the “real” cover, however, which is here for your enjoyment today. I had a great time working with Janet Taylor on the choice of HOT gentlemen as well as the amorous scene on the back cover, which is from later in the novella. I’m sure everyone will agree it’s a catchy cover for a twisted plot twist on Pride and Prejudice!

 

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Thank you for allowing me to do the cover reveal today ladies, and I wish you much success with this book! Also, I hope you give me more information about each man on the cover, and maybe a little spoiler about the scene in the back 😉

 

My Mr. Darcy and Your Mr. Bingley Back Cover Reveal

 

Good Morning dear readers,

How are you today?

I’m very happy to bring you today a partial cover release for Linda Beutler’s latest book, My Mr. Darcy & Your Mr. Bingley! And why partial you may ask? Because I will only be revealing the back cover! The lovely Ceri is revealing the front cover at Babblings of a Bookworm, so I would suggest visiting her blog to check the lovely front cover Janet Taylor worked on.

I believe you all know how much I love beautiful covers, so it makes me very happy to be able to be a part of this double cover release, but I’m also very happy because I got a chance to work with Janet and Ceri! It is an honor to be doing a separate front and back cover reveal with such a lovely lady and JAFF connoisseur as Ceri, I love her blog and her reviews, so I’m very proud to be joining her on this post 🙂

But the back cover is not the only thing I would like to share with you today! My Mr. Darcy & Your Mr. Bingley has just gone live at Amazon during the night!!! If like me you cannot wait to read it, you’ll be able to buy it right away through the below links. As the book went live just a few hours ago, when half the world was still asleep, you might even be the first to get it 🙂

 

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

 

After reading A Will of Iron and considering it one of my top 10 favorites from 2015, this is the greatest of news for me and I’m looking forward to read it.

But I’m sure you’re eager to know more about this book, so before showing you the back cover, I’ll let you read the book blurb 🙂

 

Jane Bennet had a heart to break after all, and I am a party to it.

—Fitzwilliam Darcy

One simple, uncharacteristic subterfuge leaves Fitzwilliam Darcy needing to apologize to nearly everyone he knows! When Charles Bingley reaps the sad repercussions of Mr. Darcy’s sin of omission, Elizabeth Bennet’s clear-eyed view of the facts gives her the upper hand in a long-distance battle of wills with Mr. Bingley’s former friend. By the time Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth meet (repeatedly) in the groves of Rosings Park, neither knows the whole truth except that somehow, someway, their future is inextricably linked to the courtship of Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet.

In this Pride and Prejudice “what-if”, the additional dash of backbone and “far-sighted” action to the character of Mr. Bingley begs the question: how is Mr. Darcy to impress Elizabeth Bennet if Bingley does his own matchmaking? And how is Elizabeth Bennet to trust Mr. Darcy when even faith in a most beloved sister falters?

 

Linda Beutler’s professional life is spent in a garden, an organic garden housing America’s foremost public collection of clematis vines and a host of fabulous companion plants. Her home life reveals a more personal garden, still full of clematis, but also antique roses and vintage perennials planted around and over a 1907 cottage. But one can never have enough of gardening, so in 2011 she began cultivating a weedy patch of Jane Austen Fan Fiction ideas. The first of these to ripen was The Red Chrysanthemum (Meryton Press, 2013), which won a silver IPPY for romance writing in 2014. You might put this down as beginner’s luck—Linda certainly does. The next harvest brought Longbourn to London (Meryton Press, 2014), known widely as “the [too] sexy one”. In 2015 Meryton Press published the bestseller A Will of Iron, a macabre rom-com based on the surprising journals of Anne de Bourgh.

Now, after a year-long break in JAFF writing to produce Plant Lovers Guide to Clematis (Timber Press, 2016)—the third in a bouquet of books on gardening—we have My Mr. Darcy and Your Mr. Bingley bursting into bloom.

You can contact Linda Beutler though the following social media:

Twitter: @oregonclematis

Facebook: Linda Beutler Author

Wandering Pemberley’s Gardens (blog at MP)

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And now, without further ado…the back cover of My Mr. Darcy & Your Mr. Bingley!

Isn’t it lovely? And aren’t you curious about the design in the back? I’m personally eager for the blog tour to start to learn more about the story behind this cover and all the details involving its creative process… Or maybe we can even find out about it a little earlier, so stay tuned for more information on this book and its cover 🙂

And if you still haven’t seen the front cover, please check it out at Babblings of a Bookworm or visit Amazon.

 

Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Hello dear readers

Today I bring you a very special post! Along with 9 other wonderful bloggers, I’m happy to reveal to all of you the cover for Joana Starnes newest book, Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter!

Along with the cover, I would like to share with you some fun facts I discovered while doing my research for this post, the book blurb and…a giveaway sponsored by Joana Starnes.

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Joana’s new book has a very beautiful portrait on it’s cover, it is titled Portrait of Miss Frances Vinicombe, date unknown, and it’s an oil on canvas that measures 92×71 cm painted by John Opie, a Cornish historical and portrait painter.

He painted many great men and women of his day, including members of the British Royal Family, and others who were most notable in the artistic and literary professions. One of the people he painted was Mary Wollstonecraft who was an English writer, philosopher, and advocate of women’s rights. During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book, and a children’s book. Wollstonecraft is best known for A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), in which she argues that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education. She suggests that both men and women should be treated as rational beings and imagines a social order founded on reason.

Wollstonecraft died at the age of 38, eleven days after giving birth to her second daughter, leaving behind several unfinished manuscripts. This daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, became an accomplished writer herself, as Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.

I believe Mary Wollstonecraft’s life story and beliefs would make her a perfect Elizabeth Bennet, but John Opie painted her in a later stage of her life so the person on Joana’s book cover is not Mary Wollstonecraft but Miss Frances Vinicombe.

I tried to obtain more information on her, but I couldn’t find much. I know she was born in Devon, England ans she was painted in mourning clothes but everything else remains a mystery. I guess that is a good thing isn’t it? We will not have any prejudice concerning the cover as we will be left with only our own imagination and creativity. Every time we look at Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter we may imagine what type of live that beautiful woman may have had.

 

But I’ve been talking and talking (or writing) without even showing you the cover, and I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours, so you can find the cover below:

What do you think? Miss Frances Vinicombe was a better choice for the cover wasn’t she?

I am very intrigued by the painting on the cover, especially by the clothes Miss Vinecombe is wearing. Why is she wearing black? Where was she when this portrait was painted? Who ordered this painting, and where was it kept? I’m not sure if I will ever know the answers to these questions, but at least some might be answered if I ever visit Russia. And, no, that was not a mistake, the painting is currently on display at The Hermitage Museum in Russia, so if you ever visit St. Petersburg, you’ll have a chance to look at the intriguing Miss Vinecombe.

You can also find in this museum paintings of some of my favorite artists such as Van Gogh, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, and Alfred Sisley, but also from Degas, Gaugin, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, , Kandinsky and so on.

Isn’t this a major enticement to visit St. Petersburg? Not that I needed another excuse to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world 🙂

 

 

But I’m digressing and by now I already spoiled who Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter is, but in case you are still wondering why Elizabeth Bennet is a Dutiful Daughter, please read the book blurb.

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***Book Description***

When Colonel Fitzwilliam’s disclosures are interrupted by the bearer of distressing news from Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is compelled to consider an offer she would have otherwise dismissed out of hand. An offer of marriage from the all-too-proud Mr Darcy.

Yet how is she to live with a husband she hardly knows and does not love? Would she be trapped in a marriage of convenience while events conspire to divide them? Or would love grow as, day by day and hour after hour, she learns to understand the man she married, before she loses his trust and his heart?

Available at: Amazon.com

***Author Contacts***

Facebook: All Roads Lead to Pemberley/ Joana Starnes Facebook Page

Twitter: Joana Starnes/ Twitter

Goodreads: Joana Starnes Goodreads Author Page

Amazon:  Joana Starnes Amazon Author Page

 

 

***Blog Tour***

This book will go on a tour, don’t miss the several stops to find out more about it, and have an extra chance at the giveaways!

 

November 17/ My Jane Austen Book Club/Launch Post & Giveaway

November 18/Pemberley to Milton/Book Review & Giveaway

November 19/Obsessed with Mr. Darcy/ Book Review & Giveaway

November 20/ A Covent Garden Madame Gilflurt’s Guide to Life/Guest Post

November 21/ Margie’s Must Reads/ Book Review & Giveaway

November 22/ Babblings of a Bookworm/ Book Review & Giveaway

November 23/Diary of an Eccentric/Book Review & Giveaway

November 24/ Happy Thanksgiving

November 25/ So Little Time… So Much to Read/ Excerpt & Giveaway

November 26/ Just Jane 1813/Interview with Joana Starnes

November 27 / My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice/ Guest Post & Giveaway

November 28/ More Agreeably Engaged/ Vignette & Giveaway

December 2/ Austenesque Reviews/ Excerpt & Giveaway

 

***It’s giveaway time***

 

Joana Starnes would like to offer our readers 3 copies of Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter. One reader will receive a paperback and two will receive an ebook copy. They will also receive assorted Austen-related mini-gifts. The giveaways are open to international winners.

Also, as a special bonus, all Rafflecopter entrants will receive an exclusive excerpt of the book that will not be included in the Amazon sample.

To enter the giveaway, just click here.

 

The Honorable Mr. Darcy – Launch Post & Giveaway

Hello Dear Readers,

Today I’m pleased to celebrate with all of you the release of Jennifer Joy’s new book!

It doesn’t seem too long ago that she released her last book Win, Lose or Darcy, but after writing Accusing Elizabeth, Jennifer Joy developed a tender regard for mysteries, and some ideas could not get out of her head, so a few months later The Honorable Mr. Darcy came to life and today it’s being released for sale in Amazon. You can check it by cliking here.

 

The Honorable Mr. Darcy is the first volume of the Meryton Mystery Series and revolves about the murder of George Wickham, but do not fear, you will have some closure with this book as the identity of the murderer is revealed, quite surprisingly I might add!

Curious about the premise? You can read more about it below:

 

***Book Blurb***

Everyone has a secret. Who will kill to keep theirs?

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Lieutenant George Wickham is dead.

The shot rings out in Wickham’s tent as the good citizens of Meryton dance the night away at Mr. Bingley’s Netherfield ball. The only person who can confirm Fitzwilliam Darcy’s alibi faces the loss of her reputation and her freedom if she comes forward.

Convinced that her sole motive is the pursuit of justice— and not her growing attraction to Mr. Darcy— Elizabeth Bennet begins an investigation to clear his name and evade an unwanted marriage.

If Darcy didn’t shoot Wickham in cold blood, who did? Which of Longbourn’s neighbors is not who they seem?

With a killer on the loose, can Elizabeth avoid being the next victim as she comes closer to revealing the truth?

Bestselling author, Jennifer Joy, brings you The Honorable Mr. Darcy, the first standalone book in the A Meryton Mystery romance series. If you like falling in love with characters as they fall for each other while uncovering shocking secrets, then you’ll love this mystery romance.

 

***

 

To celebrate the launch of the book we bring you today an excerpt of my favourite scene in the book.

I hope you like this little teaser 🙂

 

***Excerpt***

 

A rustle in the corner of the room startled Darcy from his thoughts. Squinting his eyes against the darkness, he saw a lump on top of the couch.

He drew closer, his steps hushed against the carpet. When he saw that it was a young lady, he started. He ought to leave the room. But something about the lady made him peer closer.

Her dark hair blended into her surroundings. However, the familiar curve of her lips and the mischievous arch of her brows– even in sleep– identified her. It was Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She had avoided him all evening, and now here she was. He would have enjoyed her conversation.

Leaning down, he appreciated how peaceful she looked in slumber with her eyelashes spread across her cheek. She sighed and shifted her weight, freezing Darcy in place. Slowly and deliberately, he shifted his weight to his toes so that he might depart without waking her. He took a step back and lost his balance when he stumbled on an object lying on the floor. Flailing his arms out to avoid toppling over, his hand whacked against a vase or lamp or something inconveniently placed. It clattered to the floor in the one place not covered by a rug to soften its fall just as the clock struck the top of the hour. Darcy reached for the offending object which had caused his stumble and soon held in his hands one of Miss Elizabeth’s slippers.

“Who is there?” asked Miss Elizabeth in a startled voice.

Darcy groaned. “I apologize if I startled you, Miss Elizabeth. I was not aware anyone else was in the library. I shall depart.”

He had closed the library door behind him. If anyone chanced upon them alone in the dark room, Miss Elizabeth’s reputation would be compromised.

“What time is it?” she asked, looking around her frantically.

“The clock just struck midnight.”

“Midnight? Drat it all, I must have fallen asleep. I must go.”

She scrambled to her feet, her stocking toes searching for her slippers. Darcy reached down and placed the one he held before her.

The door widened and Bingley’s housekeeper peeked in. “Is anyone in here?” she asked.

Miss Elizabeth moved forward. If they were seen… Darcy clamped his hand over her mouth, pulling her against him further into the shadows.

With a cluck, the housekeeper closed the door, locking it behind her. They were stuck.

 

***

 

Elizabeth’s immediate inclination was to bite Mr. Darcy’s thick fingers, which she did with enthusiasm. Though she heard him suck in air sharply, his arms did not loosen from around her. She would scream if only she could breathe.

“Hush!” he hissed, his breath tickling her ear and annoying her further.

She found herself stuck in Mr. Bingley’s library with Mr. Darcy. Alone. Together.

The clattering of the housekeeper’s keys stopped and after a few seconds, Mr. Darcy released his hold on her.

Taking a large step away, she spun around to face him. “Why did you prevent me from leaving? Now, we are locked in!” She ought to have stomped on his foot.

Taking off his glove and rubbing the finger she had bitten, he visibly controlled his breath. Only one angry tremor marred the control in his low baritone, “If Mrs. Harris saw you, she may very well have seen me too. Can you imagine the consequences to your reputation had she seen me attempting to hide from her in a dark library?”

His smooth voice and sound reasoning stood no chance before her ire. “And can you imagine the consequences when I am missed and it is discovered that both of us have gone missing from the ballroom?”

Mr. Darcy paced, reminding Elizabeth of a black panther she had seen at an exhibition once. “If we are caught here, you will be compromised and I will have to make an offer for you.”

“You would act honorably toward me when you have failed to do so for others?” she spat.

Running his uninjured hand through his perfect hair, he said, “I can only guess that you refer to Mr. Wickham. Let me assure you, Miss Bennet, that there is more to that tragic story than he would dare admit to you. He is not to be trusted.”

“And I am to trust you?” She poured as much sarcasm as she could muster into her tone.

“Trust is earned, not seduced with charm.”

She scoffed. “And what do you know of charm, sir? Perhaps you can enlighten me as I have yet to see its display in your behavior.”

He closed the distance between them with one step. His dark eyes lit with a smoldering fire which made her skin tingle. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and lifted her chin before her thoughts muddled.

“Of what use is charm when it is used to disguise one’s flaws?”

“Of which you have none, I suppose?”

“I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding nor so grave as those of Mr. Wickham.”

“You believe yourself more honorable than he when you are the one locked in a dark room with an unmarried lady?” It was a low blow, but the irony of his claims and their present situation was too great to ignore.

“I will marry you if it comes to that.” He sounded as thrilled about it as she did.

“And what makes you think I would accept your offer? Nay, Mr. Darcy, neither of us wants to be trapped in a loveless marriage. No more than we want to be trapped in this room. There must be a way out.”

She pulled out a hairpin and scurried to the door.

“You must be quiet lest someone pass by,” ordered Mr. Darcy.

Annoyed, she answered, “I suppose you have a better way?”

The doorknob rattled and Elizabeth jumped back, clamping her hand over her mouth to keep from exclaiming aloud. Jovial voices on the other side of the door conversed.

Mr. Darcy tugged his hand through his hair, resting it on the back of his neck. “This is lovely,” he mumbled.

Elizabeth remained by the door, hoping that the gaggle of people on the other side would leave.

“We must find another way out,” said Mr. Darcy. He turned to the window, pulling the curtains aside.

“I could climb out the window,” she suggested, opening the glass and peeking out. Nobody was about.

“Absolutely not!”

Crossing her arms, she asked, “Why not? I am light and can easily fit through the opening.”

“What if you fall?”

Must he object to her every idea? What an agitating man. “There is a nice ledge running around the house and I am certain that it will be no more difficult to jump down from it than from the branch of a tree.”

Mr. Darcy looked shocked. “You have experience climbing trees?”

Squaring her shoulders, she said proudly, “I have had sufficient practice over the years.” What did she care if he thought her a hoyden? His opinion meant little to her.

“Why does that not surprise me?” he smiled, disarming Elizabeth’s witty retort on the advantages of tree-climbing. He had a nice smile. A beautiful smile. She nearly smiled back at him before she remembered that she did not like him. Not in the least.

He continued, “I do not doubt your skills, Miss Elizabeth. However, I doubt you have attempted the feat in a gown and slippers. Were you to return to the assembly with your dress torn, it might prove difficult to provide a satisfying answer without compromising yourself further.”

There was that. She dearly wanted to contradict him, but she could find no fault with his reasoning.

“What do you propose then, Mr. Darcy?” She looked him squarely in the face, determined he not see how greatly his smile had disturbed her.

“I will do it.”

“But will you fit through the opening?” His superior height and wide shoulders would not allow it. Only the most agile of men could make such a climb without his size hindering him.

“I can squeeze through the side. Do you doubt my abilities?” he asked, his eyes full of… mischief? Mr. Darcy knew how to tease? He even appeared to look forward to the risky descent. Elizabeth did not know what to make of him, and it grew increasingly difficult for her not to smile at him.

“Who am I to doubt you, sir? The fact is that we need to leave this room before we are discovered, and our only other escape is blocked,” she said, keeping her voice down. She still held the hair pin with which she had planned to pick the lock. Frustrated and confused, she shoved it back into place, jabbing her scalp. Oh, how she wished she did not need Mr. Darcy’s help. She could manage well enough on her own.

“I will enter the house again as if I had merely stepped out of doors for some fresh air, and I will ask where you might be so that I may request a dance.”

So much for refusing to dance him. She really had no choice. “Ask Jane. She will know to look for me here.”

“It is the first place I would have thought to look.” He looked at her as if he expected her to say something, but his understanding of her only made her wonder why he would remember that unimportant detail. He had given no indication during her stay at Netherfield Park to care for Jane that he noticed her at all.

Accepting her silence, to which she was grateful, he bowed. “Very good. Now I must be on my way.” Like a cat, he hopped up and through the window, his coat slipping across the frame as he squeezed through in one smooth motion. “Please be so kind as to close the window,” he said as he inched across the ledge and leapt down to the ground with ease.

Elizabeth reached out to the glass, letting the cold breeze cool the spark of admiration and flame of curiosity. Tugging at the curtain, she paused. Was that a shadow behind the fountain?

 

***It’s giveaway time***

Don’t you just love these cliffhangers? When I read this part of the book I could not stop to find out what would happen 🙂

But…Now it’s giveaway time!

Jennifer Joy would like to offer 4 ebook copies of The Honorable Mr. Darcy to her readers across the globe.

The giveaway is international and to participate all you have to do is comment this post. Let us know what you thought about the story or the excerpt, congratulate Jennifer on this new release, or ask her anything about the story. The comments can be anything you like 🙂

The giveaway is open until the 23^rd of October and the winners will be announced shortly after.

The Courtship of Edward Gardiner – Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Hello everyone,

I know I have been away for a long time, and I apologize for that, but I’m finally taking some days off my job and that has given me the time I needed to get back to my favourite hobby: JAFFing! That may not be a real word, but it’s the closest one I could find 🙂

After this time away, I’m very happy to be returning with a post that is very special to me ! I’m incredibly honored to be the one doing the cover reveal to Nicole Clarkston’s new Pride and Prejudice novel: The Courtship of Edward Gardiner.

This is a sweet prequel of Pride & Prejudice taking Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner as main characters and will be released on October 21^st. The book is already available for pre-order, so if you are curious about it, you can check it here.

Before showing you the cover, I would like to invite you to read the Blurb:

 

***Book Blurb***

 

Every great love has a beginning.

In Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, we meet with perhaps the most sensible, caring relatives a lovelorn young woman could hope for: Mr and Mrs Gardiner. What is their story?

Edward Gardiner has just been refused by the lovely young woman he had intended to make his wife. Heartbroken and eager for a diversion, he accepts an invitation from his brother-in-law, Thomas Bennet, to accompany him along with his two eldest daughters to the north on family business. Gardiner’s pleasure tour is interrupted, however, when his eldest niece falls ill and is unable to travel farther.

Stopping over in the scarcely remarkable village of Lambton, the men decide that Bennet must continue on, while Gardiner and the children remain. The only trouble is that Gardiner has not the least idea how he should care for one ailing niece and another who is ready to drive him to distraction… until he meets with Madeline Fairbanks.

***

What did you think? Did you find this appealing? Curious to know where Edward Gardiner meets Madeline Fairbanks?

The place where the story is developed is crucial because it will allow Nicole Clarkson to bring all characters from Pride and Prejudice to this prequel. With their paths crossing, we will see younger versions of our beloved characters and understand why they grew up to be the characters we know them to be… But you’ll learn more about this story during the upcoming Blog Tour 🙂

 

I’ve mentioned I’m honored to be doing the cover reveal and that is partly because Nicole Clarkston’s writing is exquisite, and partly because of the cover itself, or better yet, the cover creator.

This cover was created by Janet Taylor from JTOriginals, and I’m sure that many of you already noticed I’m a huge fan of her work!!

It all started when Janet’s close friend Jan Hahn suggested she drew a picture for the cover of one of her books, the soon-to be released, The Journey. Janet Taylor accepted the challenge and even if the cover ended up not being used for that book it was the beginning of many more drawings, the Jane Austen calendar, and merchandise featuring her drawings.

Janet Taylor’s first book cover was for Linda Beutler’s, The Red Chrysanthemum in the summer of 2013 but many more followed, namely Nicole Clarkston’s Northern Rain and now The Courtship of Edward Gardiner:

 

 

Janet started searching the internet for pictures and/or paintings that might work for this book, she sent several of them to Nicole Clarkston and she chose this one almost immediately.

This beautiful painting was Janet’s pick from the beginning because it fit perfectly to the story (she always wants covers to give hints to what is inside, everything on them needs to play a part in the story or depict something in the story, even the back cover) so she was very happy this was Nicole Clarkston’s pick as well.

The editing of the image began and the result is a little different from the ones Janet did in the past, but beautiful as always, don’t you think?

The painting on the front cover is titled, ‘The Newly Engaged Couple’, 1881, by Carl Thomsen of Denmark and I think it perfectly fits the story! What do you think of it?

As I said, Janet Taylor really loves to pay attention to the details of her covers and that also includes the back cover, so we would like to show you the entire book cover!

 

 

What do you think of it? Isn’t it incredibly tasteful?

 

***It’s Giveaway time***

 

Nicole Clarkston would like to offer 2 copies of The Courtship of Edward Gardiner to our readers.

The giveaway is international for ebook copies and is open until the 15^th of October. All you have to do is comment this post and share with us your thoughts and encouragement to Nicole’s new release.

Good Luck everyone!

 

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.