my vices and weaknesses

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY of “Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter” by Joana Starnes

I am happy to participate on Joana Starnes’s Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter‘s blog tour. It is almost finished but you have to check out other entries where you can find really good reviews, guest posts and excerpts. You can always read my review first 🙂

Blog Tour Schedule

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 1/ My Vices and Weaknesses/ Book Review & Giveaway

December 2/ Austenesque Reviews/ Excerpt & Giveaway

My review

Heartache will be the best emotion to describe what I felt while reading Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter. It was distressing and agonizing to read this masterpiece where Elizabeth and Darcy almost destroy themselves!

No, you may be thinking that I liked that they almost torn apart each other, but no, I did not enjoy the feeling but I loved the reading. Joana Starnes has made me cry, has made suffer but also she has made me smile with her latest book Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter.

While in Rosings, the news of Mr. Bennet’s illness is made known to Lady Catherine by his lapdog and henpecked Mr. Colllins. Lady C.’s parson is more interested on telling his patroness than informing his own cousin, so Mr. Darcy rides as quickly as he can to find Elizabeth who happens to be having a stroll on Rosings grounds with Colonel Fitzwilliam who is about to praise his cousin on helping a friend to avoid an attachment to a country girl (you know who I mean, right?). So, Colonel is stopped and the news need to be told just after Mr. Darcy instruct his cousin to have everything ready to take Miss Bennet to her home.

Elizabeth is distress and she is very grateful to Mr. Darcy for being so kind to her and offer to take her to Longbourn. She is puzzled to say the least when he offers for her, he says that he loves her and wants to protect her. He declares his love and he laments that this is the most ill-timed moment to propose but he wants to protect her and her family from the heartless Mr. Collins who is like a vulture waiting for his prey.

Elizabeth has too much on her right now: “Her father. Apoplexy. Mr. Collins. Mr. Darcy. Marriage. Mourning.” Enough to make anyone to forget her ideas about marriage and love and accept a man who you find insufferable and proud. However, the same man is showing kindness to you as well as caring love, from time to time. Let’s say that Mr. Darcy is like the bitter with the sweet per moments.

Before their arrival to Longbourn, Elizabeth accepts the proposal because her main interest is the security of her family and there is no other way that one of Mr. Bennet daughters could have an imminent proposal after Mr. Bingley left Jane’s heart broken when he left without a goodbye.

As you can imagine, Longbourn is a sad place to be with the uncertainty of their future and Mr. Bennet’s recovery. Mrs. Bennet is surprised when Elizabeth arrives with Mr. Darcy and his cousins but when she learns about the engagement, she cannot believe, it is like her least favourite daughter becomes of a sudden the best daughter ever and the rescuer of the family.

So many things happen during those days between the newly engaged couple that it is not surprising that the wedding takes place just after Mr. Darcy can obtain a special license. Elizabeth enters the marriage half-hearted because she does not know what to do with Fitzwilliam, one moment he is arrogant and disregards her family and the next moment he is extremely affectionate and loving to her.

I will not mention the wedding day or night, I will just leave the suspense for you to read the book.

It is important to remember that Darcy is still Darcy, he never thought that he may have been refused in other circumstances or that Elizabeth may not love him. He believes that her mood is just due to her father’s illness and her sorrow.

The dialogues between them and the encounters, intimate and personal, are just amazing to read and enjoy. Elizabeth starts knowing him more and sees a different face to the grand master of Pemberley. However, not everything is hearts and flowers between them even after Mr. Bennet’s demise. The worst occurs when they are back to Meryton and Elizabeth learns what was the last straw before his father’s passing. She is devastated, she is alone with her mother and Darcy’s nemesis, Mr. Wickham, who tries to “help” her and be her friend. Unfortunately, Mr. Darcy listens to all the conversation and miscontrues some of the things he listens to but unluckily he cannot misunderstand Mrs. Bennet saying that her daughter married him out of duty to her family.

That was the last thing he wanted to listen to, even less in the presence of George Wickham, he is hurt, he is pained and he is mad. From then on, he does not want to listen to Elizabeth, he repudiates her, he does not allow her to talk to him, he thinks he hates her he even starts a separation contract with his solicitors. Now is when the horrible heartache has started, where I wanted to shake him and put some sense on him. I could understand his disappointment and pain but he is over the top! I have never ever believed that I would say or write this but I have hated Mr. Darcy in this book for a long part of it!!

Spoiler alert!!

After all the heartache and more, there is a happy ending but OMG! Joana makes you suffer!

By the way, watch out for Mr. Bingley!! How amazing he is towards his sister Elizabeth, yes, Elizabeth, because he comes back to marry Jane! Charles is an awesome discovery when it comes to scolding!

Imagine how painful the situation between Elizabeth and Darcy is that even dear Jane says:

“I did not tell you because… because I could not boast of my happiness when you are so unhappy.”

About the author

Joana Starnes lives in the south of England with her family. A medical graduate, in more recent years she has developed an unrelated but enduring fascination with Georgian
Britain in general and the works of Jane Austen in particular, as well as with the remarkable and flamboyant set of people who have given the Regency Period its charm and sparkle.

Joana Starnes is the author of:
– From This Day Forward ~ The Darcys of Pemberley, a Pride & Prejudice sequel
– The Subsequent Proposal ~ A Tale of Pride, Prejudice & Persuasion
– The Second Chance, a Pride & Prejudice ~ Sense & Sensibility variation
– The Falmouth Connection, a Pride & Prejudice variation where Jane Austen’s beloved characters are compelled to leave their tame and reasonably peaceful lives in the south of England and travel to the far reaches of Cornwall, into a world of deceit and peril, where few – if any! – are what they seem to be…
– The Unthinkable Triangle, a Pride & Prejudice variation that dwells on the most uncomfortable love-triangle of them all. What if Mr. Darcy’s rival for Miss Bennet’s hand and heart is none other than his dearest, closest friend? And how can they all find their ‘happily-ever-after’?
– Miss Darcy’s Companion – a variation that explores what might have happened if the warm-hearted Miss Elizabeth Bennet were employed instead of the scheming Mrs Younge.

To follow one of my favourite writers, check these:

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

Twitter: Joana Starnes/ Twitter

Goodreads: Joana Starnes Goodreads Author Page

Website: joanastarnes.co.uk

Amazon US: Joana Starnes Amazon US Author Page

Amazon UK: Joana Starnes Amazon UK Author Page

GIVEAWAY

Joana is offering an ebook giveaway to my readers. One copy for one fortunate winner.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below. Please, leave your email address, write () around (at) and (dot).

For extra entries, tweet or share publicly on Facebook (once daily) and copy the link in the comments.

The winner will be picked randomly.

Last day to enter the giveaway will be the 9th December 2016, 11:59pm GMT.

WINNER of “The Courtship of Edward Gardiner” by Nicole Clarkston

Thank you very much to Nicole for writing this lovely book and also for sharing the blog tour of The Courtship of Edward Gardiner with My vices and weaknesses.

The winner of a copy of The courtship of Edward Gardiner is… Vesper! Congratulations, please check your email as soon as possible because you need to tell me what format you prefer.

I have used random.org to select the winner.

If you have not been able to win this dear book, remember you can always buy it on:

Amazon US Amazon UK

To follow Nicole Clarkston, you have different ways:

Website Goodreads Author Page Goodreads Blog

Facebook Amazon Author Page

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY of “The Courtship of Edward Gardiner” by Nicole Clarkston

Today I bring you my honest review of The Courtship of Edward Gardiner by Nicole Clarkston and as this post is part of her blog tour, she is offering a copy of her book to one person. The giveaway is international and the winner chooses the format of the book, ebook or paperback. Read below the instructions on how to participate, it is really easy!

I was very interested on reading the courtship of Mr. Gardiner, the lovely uncle of the Bennet sisters and the one who, together with his wife, brought Darcy and Elizabeth together.

As usual I am going to avoid any spoilers for two reasons: 1) I do not want people spoiling books or films to me and 2) it will leave you with the need to read such an awesome book!

You may have gather already that I have immensely enjoyed this book and not only because it is related to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I believe Mr. Gardiner and Mrs. Gardiner are two of the forgotten characters when it comes to JAFF but I can understand that other characters give more chance to write about.

Let’s start: Mr. Bennet has to go north to see his brother as he is quite ill and some things need to be done. He takes his two oldest daughters, Jane and Lizzy, two lovely little girls but with already the behaviour and personality that later on is told in Pride and Prejucide. Mr. Bennet’s brother-in-law, Mr. Gardiner travels with them in an attempt to forget his broken heart after being refused when he proposed to the lady that he thought was in love with.

The trip is thwarted because Jane gets ill and after the insistence of Mr. Gardiner, the girls and their uncle are going to remain in the nearest town to take care of the eldest Bennet sister. This town is a small but apparently lovely town of Lambton. However, even being their uncle, Mr. Gardiner, once Mr. Bennet continues the trip, needs a woman to take care of the little girls. Thanks to the owner of the inn where they are staying, they found a Miss Madeline Fairbanks, a young woman whose father is not a gentleman but who has taught his daughter to behave as a lady. She lives in the town and she accepts to help nursing Jane and taking care of Lizzy.

Here is where we have our two main characters for the first time. They will share a lot of nice moments, they will know each other better. He is a man in trade but close to a gentleman due to his education and savoir-faire. She, an only daughter whose brother is in London working, helps her father with the accounts and takes care of him who is suffering as he cannot read properly anymore. I will not tell you much more about them as it is very endearing and I think I cannot make it justice.

By the way, what do you think it may happen when one of the worst storms breaks in Derbyshire? What about having mainly one know-it-all little girl is actually helping two adults inderectly? What happens when a sensible woman meets Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips?

Apart from the adorable love story, I have really enjoyed reading about Lizzy and Jane when they were little. Moreover, as we are in Lambton, only five miles from Pemberley, Nicole Clarkston also shows us how Master Fitzwilliam, Miss Darcy and George Wickham were when little. It was very interesting to read how Fitzwilliam had to deal with George and how he learnt his principles , the same ones that would cost him quite dear on his first proposal years after to Elizabeth Bennet.

A couple of teasers, a quote and a picture:

“What prodigious care, and what maternal pride must this girl’s mother find in her child! The woman, Madeline was almost certain, had to be a wise, sensible creature to have borne such a beatific daughter.”

Author Bio:

Nicole Clarkston is the pen name of a very bashful writer who will not allow any of her family or friends to read what she writes. She grew up in Idaho on horseback, and if she could have figured out how to read a book at the same time, she would have. She initially pursued a degree in foreign languages and education, and then lost patience with it, switched her major, and changed schools. She now resides in Oregon with her husband of 15 years, 3 homeschooled kids, and a very worthless degree in Poultry Science (don’t ask).

Nicole discovered Jane Austen rather by guilt in her early thirties- how does any book worm really live that long without a little P&P? She has never looked back. A year or so later, during a major house renovation project (undertaken when her husband unsuspectingly left town for a few days) she discovered Elizabeth Gaskell and fell completely in love. Nicole’s books are her pitiful homage to two authors who have so deeply inspired her.

Contact Info:

Website Goodreads Author Page Goodreads Blog

Facebook Amazon Author Page

Buy Link – If you cannot wait to read it, go to:

Amazon US Amazon UK

Blog tour schedule:

find all the schedule here

This awesome blog tour is coming to an end but you can still go to:

11/17: Guest Post & Giveaway at A Covent Garden Gilflurt’s Guide to Life

11/26: Excerpt & Giveaway at Margie’s Must Reads

11/30: Review & Giveaway at Diary of an Eccentric

12/01: Guest Post & Giveaway at From Pemberley to Milton

GIVEAWAY

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below. Please, leave your email address, write () around (at) and (dot).

One copy of the book for one person (ebook or paperbaks, winner’s choice).

Open internationally.

For extra entries, tweet or share publically on Facebook (once daily) and copy the link in the comments.

The winner will be picked randomly.

Last day to enter the giveaway will be the 24th November 2016, 11:59pm GMT.

Good luck!!

REVIEW of “Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth” by Colette L. Saucier

Colette L. Saucier‘s Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth, the sequel to Pulse and Prejudice narrates the first year of marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. What could go wrong?

Elizabeth and Darcy’s life after the wedding is anything but dull: passion, love and sex but also jealousy, love triangle, arguments and blood, a lot of blood.

Elizabeth and Darcy are totally in love but life is not easy when you are married to a vampire, even if he is the “divine” Mr. Darcy. In Pride and Prejudice, we get to know the strength and depth of Darcy’s feeling but quoting the author from Babblings of a Bookworm “in Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth, he repeatedly demonstrates both his passion and his possessiveness for Elizabeth as his new bride“, in DBE Darcy’s love is even more powerful and also scary.

Darcy supposedly does not drink from humans but he will protect Elizabeth at any price, he will do anything to protect her even if that is something that can cost him her love. I do not want to spoil this part of the story but I will mention that Darcy does something that makes Elizabeth rethink her heart while he is tormented thinking that she hates him. It is a passage on the book where Elizabeth’s thoughts are very unclear and her heart does not know what to do after that episode. Colette has describe Elizabeth’s turmoil in a great way and you can even understand Elizabeth’s internal fight, brain and heart opposed.

In the meantime, our protagonists receive the news that Mr. George Wickham has been killed in the war in America. Lydia Wickham, née Bennet, is destroyed but not everyone believes the news as Elizabeth and Darcy know that Wickham has the same condition as Darcy. Lydia is even more distressed as she is pregnant and she returns to Longbourn, her family’s home.

Before going to Longbourn for Lydia’s confinement, the Darcys are in London and Elizabeth is still healing her heart wounds and she starts drinking while Darcy is like a caged wild animal in his own house. Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy’s cousin, tries again to convince Elizabeth to go away from Darcy because according to him Darcy is dangerous but even in her state, she stays with her husband.

While in London, Darcy receives the visit of a dwarf, not a human but a dhampir (born from a human mother and a vampire father). This character did his first appearance on Pulse and Prejudice and now he comes back to put Darcy’s life upside down. He threatens Darcy with revealing his secret if he does not go to America to kill Wickham, as he thinks he will create a coven of vampires. So Darcy is forced to go but what to do? Elizabeth has just lost her sister after giving birth and she wants to go with him. Here starts the second part of the book because to America they go but it is not easy, as a couple they are not back to normal sometimes and society there does not make their stay easy at the beginning. However, with the arrival of Colonel Fitzwilliam, now Mr. Fitzwilliam, as he has sold his commission and he is finally engaged to Mina, an English woman with a French title who grants them entry in society and invitations flow to the Darcys.

However, this arrival is not a happy one for everybody. A vampire Darcy with the love of his curse life gets to know the green monster of jealousy and the result can be very steamy. Colette Saucier knows how to solve a fight with your hubby 😉 Although at the same time Darcy became very annoying, I wanted to slap him on the face!

I have not forgotten about Wickham, because they have cross the ocean to look for him, they find him but I am not going to give any details about what happens next because it is just incredibly awesome!

I will just leave you with a few questions to try to pique your curiosity:

What if you could not stop loving Darcy even when he is being a complete obstinate headstrong and stupid man? What happens when you don’t want to accept your own fate but eventually it ends in an eternal love?

It is almost Halloween and I was doing a bit of google images research and I found this lovely necklace, I quite like it, a vampire’s bite…

To buy this passionate and sensual book, go to:

Kindle US Nook Kobo iBooks Kindle UK

If you want to follow Colette L. Saucier, follow her on:

www.colettesaucier.com

www.facebook.com/ColetteSaucierAuthor

http://colettesaucier.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/Colette_Saucier

Tomorrow!! Blog Tour: “The Courtship of Edward Gardiner” by Nicole Clarkston

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner are two of the dearest characters of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. However, I believe they do not always have all the focus they deserve. Although, Nicole Clarkston has given them the attention they are worthy of. (If you have not read anything by her, you are missing something really good! Not Austen inspired, also Gaskell.)

I am glad to announce you that the blog tour of Nicole’s last book The Courtship of Edward Gardiner is starting tomorrow. A blog tour that will stop here at MVAW on the 15th November and you will be able to participate on the giveaway. On that post I will give you my honest and fair opinion of this homage to Elizabeth Bennet’s relatives. Below you have the dates and the places where this tour is going to take place. Do not miss any opportunities to enter the giveaways! To have a chance, you just need to comment on those posts. Reminder: this is not a post within the blog tour, it is a post to introduce the blog tour and the author if you do not know her.

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.

Author Bio:

Contact Info:

Website Goodreads Author Page Goodreads Blog Facebook Amazon Author Page

Buy Link: If you cannot wait to participate on the giveaways, go and buy it now!!

The Courtship of Edward Gardiner

Blog Tour Schedule:

10/21: Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged

10/22: Review & Giveaway at Just Jane 1813

10/27: Review & Giveaway Savvy Verse & Wit

11/01: Excerpt & Giveaway at Half Agony, Half Hope

11/08: Guest Post & Giveaway So little time…

11/10: Review & Giveaway My Kids Led me Back to Pride and Prejudice

11/11: Guest Post & Giveaway at Babblings of a Bookworm

11/15: Review & Giveaway at My Vices and Weaknesses

11/17: Guest Post & Giveaway at A Covent Garden Gilflurt’s Guide to Life

11/26: Excerpt & Giveaway at Margie’s Must Reads

11/30: Review & Giveaway at Diary of an Eccentric

12/01: Guest Post & Giveaway at From Pemberley to Milton

Giveaway Info: Nicole Clarkston would like to offer one copy of The Courtship of Edward Gardiner on each stop of the blog tour (remember that this is not a stop on the blog tour). The format is readers’ choice (eBook or paperback) and is international. To participate you will have to comment on those posts.

REVIEW of “The Elizabeth Papers” by Jenetta James

I am going to be a bit naughty and I will start the review of this book with a negative comment: it is far too short. I wrote it, that’s it. I would have loved to read two hundred pages more!

Jenetta James was so extremely kind as to offer me a copy of her book in exchange of a honest review and here you have it. I do apologise for taking so long but life got in the middle.

If you like books like The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown or The Eight by Katherine Neville + Jane Austen, you will love this book. The Elizabeth Papers features two intertwined storylines set two centuries apart where the protagonist of the 19th century are Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, yes, the characters from Pride and Prejudice. Whereas the protagonists from the 21st century are Charlie Haywood, a private detective, and Evie Pemberton, a young artist.

Both Charlie and Evie come together due to a Darcy Trust that gives money to all Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s female descendants. But why? Why only the women and what does Charlie and Evie have to do with it?

In order to know the reasons behind that trust, Charlie investigates to know the truth and what will make this book awesome is a secret diary written by Elizabeth Darcy about her life and her secrets. Do you believe that Darcy and Elizabeth were always happy? Do you think that there was no betrayal or infidelity? Are you of the opinion that Elizabeth and Darcy were happy ever after their double wedding with the lovely couple of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley?

You must read this book and discover it for yourself. There will be moments of disbelief and incredulity but you will have to keep reading and find out why does this trust exists and what happened to the protagonists of, I believe, the most famous novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

I want to also mention a bit more about Charlie and Evie: there is mistrust, there is chemistry, there is attraction, there is pain but eventually things get better for them after they solve the enigma of The Elizabeth Papers. However, will there be a happy ending for the 21st century characters?

I recommend you to go directly to your usual bookshop and buy this book. It is easier to go online and get a ebook copy or a paperback. You can find The Elizabeth papers on:

Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon ES (English version) BN Book Depository

Moreover, follow Jenetta James to see what else she is writing.

Facebook Goodreads Meryton Press Twitter

She has another novel: Suddenly Mrs. Darcy, it is on my to-be-read list and it is very intriguing because Mrs. Bennet declares that Mr. Darcy has compromised Elizabeth and they must marry. (I have checked and it is only 170 pages… guess who is going to complain about that on her review 😉 )

Book Tour “Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth” by Colette L. Saucier + Giveaway

Book Tour of Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth by Colette L. Saucier

I am glad to announce the new release by Colette L. Saucier: Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth. It is a standalone book but I have to confess that it is even better if you have read Book I, Pulse and Prejudice, as you have all the version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Click here to read my review of Pulse and Prejudice and here my re-review (yes, I have read it twice, it is so good). However, I will soon review the book that we are talking about, Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth.

Please check below about the book and the author. Colette L. Saucier is also giving away two hardback copies and five ebook copies of her passionate new release: Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth.

“Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth: The Confession of Mr. Darcy, Vampire. Book II” by Colette L. Saucier

Genre: Historical paranormal romance

Publisher: Southern Girl Press

Date of Publication: eBook August 8, 2016;

Date of Publication: print October, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-9969974-0-9

ISBN: 978-0-9863718-8-2

ASIN: B01K3DP652

Word Count: 80,000

Cover Artist: Dawné Dominique

Book Description:

The Confession of Mr. Darcy, Vampire

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy – elegant, dark, brooding…vampire. In Pulse and Prejudice, the definitive vampire adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic, the Master of Pemberley reveals his haunting tale of unquenchable desire and forbidden love.

His story continues in Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth, the lurid, lusty sequel to Pulse and Prejudice, as death shadows the newlywed Darcys from Pemberley to the parlors of Regency London to the courtyards of Antebellum New Orleans. As Elizabeth discovers the trials and travails of marriage to a vampire, can Darcy ever believe that she loves him as he is? Or will his jealousy tear them apart?

Note: Pulse and Prejudice is not “fan fiction” but a complete stand-alone adaptation. No prior knowledge of Pride and Prejudice is required for full enjoyment of this remarkable novel.

On Sale Throughout October for $2.99 or £2.31

Kindle US Nook Kobo iBooks Kindle UK

Excerpt from Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth:

Crimson drops fell onto the white snow, staining it pink.

Darcy had not intended this—to drink from his wife—when he claimed his prize of a kiss after catching her as they raced through the hedge maze at Pemberley. Elizabeth had actually done surprisingly well in evading him, considering his intuitive abilities; but, of course, he caught her—laughing in his arms, eyes ablaze, cheeks chafed from the cold.

“And now my prize!” As had so often occurred in the span of their brief marriage, his tender kiss had escalated quickly into fervent ardour. The laughter then in her eyes, his wife had taken hold of the lapels of his greatcoat and, falling back onto the snow, pulled him down with her. As their kisses deepened, so, too, had his hunger and desire. He pulled off his gloves and trailed his cold fingers down her face. Untying her bonnet and unfastening her cape, he exposed her neck for his lips and his teeth.

She moaned softly as he drew the blood from her throat, sharing her warmth and her pulse, savouring the rich, metallic taste. He pulled back to watch her, only then noticing that a few precious drops of lifeblood had escaped his embrace and fallen onto the snow.

“William,” she whispered in a half-plea, her hand running over the front of his trousers to convey her intent.

He gazed into her eyes. “Should we not go in? Are not you cold?”

“Cover me to keep me warm.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth onto hers, sharing the taste of her blood as their tongues intertwined.

Darcy pulled at her skirts and brought the hem to her knees. He reached his hand up between her cold thighs to the hot core that drew him in. She gasped against his mouth as he touched her there, but he wasted little time in freeing himself from his trousers and thrusting deep within her.

About the Author:

Colette Saucier began writing poems, short stories, and novellas in grade school. Her interest in literature led her to marry her college English professor, but eventually a love of history encouraged her to trade up to a British historian.

Technical writing dominated her career for twenty years, but finding little room for creativity in that genre, she is now a full-time author of fiction.

Pulse and Prejudice was named “A Most Inventive Adaptation” by Elle Magazine (April, 2016). It was the 1st Place Winner in its category in the 2013 Chatelaine Awards Romantic Fiction Contest and is listed in Chanticleer’s 2013 Best Book Listing. Colette dedicated 15 months traveling to Europe and Britain, researching Regency England and vampire lore and literature, to complete for historical accuracy. It remains faithful to nineteenth century literary conventions and Jane Austen’s narrative to create a compelling, thrilling paranormal adaptation.

Colette was selected a “2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award” Semi-finalist and named “Debut Author of the Year” by Austenprose for All My Tomorrows—now expanded and republished as The Proud and the Prejudiced—which was also chosen Austenesque Reviews “Favorite Modern Adaptation” 2013.

Colette’s romantic thriller Alicia’s Possession was the publisher’s #1 Bestselling Romantic Suspense for 4 straight weeks following its debut in June of 2013 and then again in January, 2014, after being voted a “Top Ten Romance Novel of 2013” (P&E Reader’s Poll). Colette is also the author of the controversial and erotic noir romantic suspense The Widow, an Amazon bestselling new release and Kobo bestseller.

Colette’s latest novel—Book II: The Confession of Mr. Darcy, Vampire—entitled Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth, follows the newlywed Vampire Darcy and his bride Elizabeth from Britain to Antebellum New Orleans. Due to her devotion to historical accuracy, she spent two years researching Creole Society and Nouvelle Orleans in the years following the War of 1812.

A bestselling and award-winning author under multiple pseudonyms, she is currently working on multiple projects including a parody of Wuthering Heights and a children’s book based on the inspiration for the dog Amadeus from Pulse and Prejudice and Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth.

Colette lives in a lakeside community in South Louisiana with her historian husband and their two dogs. When not researching or writing her next novel, she enjoys wine, reading, and cooking gourmet meal with her husband and pups underfoot.

www.colettesaucier.com

www.facebook.com/ColetteSaucierAuthor

http://colettesaucier.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/Colette_Saucier