I love a good long novel but nowadays I do not have much time, so what about a novella? Yes, please! and here we have three novellas!
Very different plots but I hope they all have a lovely ending. Let me share the blurbs with you.
What Became of Miss Mary King – Miss Mary King was whisked away to Liverpool by her uncle, thus escaping the clutches of Mr. Wickham. What became of the heiress once removed from the fortune-hunting cad that wished to marry her? In Liverpool, she struggles with sadness and regret, battling the memories of what occurred in Meryton and resenting the fortune that made her so gullible a target for the charming rogue that stole her heart. This story completes Mary’s saga as she learns to trust and love again. At First Slight – What happens when an angry fairy takes offense to Mr. Darcy’s insult of one of his favorite mortals? Eros and his bride, Psyche, boasted many names over the eons, but their purpose has always been the same: unite mortals with the potential for love and see them off to their happy endings. Their magic draws them about to the moment possibly lovers are fated to meet. The magic guides them as they aid the couples. But what happens when Eros is angered by Mr. Darcy’s cruel words to Elizabeth? He takes matters into his own hands, of course, bumbling and erring the entire way. After acting impulsively, he and his bride must work to correct the course before Elizabeth and Darcy lose their chance at a happy ending forever. A Change of Outcomes – What would happen if Lydia Bennet, while snooping in her sister’s room, discovered Lizzy’s letter from Darcy before going to Brighton? How would her perception of Mr. Wickham’s attentions change? Lydia goes to Brighton with eyes wide open, and instead of falling for Mr. Wickham’s charm, chooses a steadier path. Her friendship with Harriet Forster takes a different turn, and she sees life and marriage in an entirely new way. But Mr. Wickham seems determined to win her good opinion, much to Lydia’s vexation. Will she get her own happy ending, or will she remain the vapid, foolish child she has always been?
What do you think? To be honest I have never thought about Mary King, so I fins this story interesting and I hope she had a nice ending to her story.
I am not sure about getting the fairies in!! That could be very problematic for Elizabeth and Darcy… good! 😀
I really want to read Lydia’s impression about the letter and how she then behaves. Is Mr. Wickham really in love with her?
MJ Stratton is a long-time lover of Jane Austen and her works, having been introduced to Pride and Prejudice by a much-beloved aunt at the age of sixteen. The subsequent discovery of Austenesque fiction sealed her fate. After beta reading and editing for others for nearly a decade, MJ started publishing her own work in 2022. MJ balances being a wife and mother with writing, gardening, sewing, and many other favorite pastimes. She lives with her husband and four children in the small, rural town where she grew up.
I am very glad to having MJ Stratton back on the blog, I enjoy her writing and I think she shared very nice things with us. Just keep reading!
Here you have some link where you could buy this collection of novellas:
I’ve been asked recently where I get my ideas for my books. I can’t say that I have one or even two places where I get them. They tend to just…happen. Sometimes a conversation will trigger an idea, or research will pull a new idea to the surface. I have a note in my phone that I record them in, and my husband will tell you that I’ll often pull my phone up in the middle of the night and put ideas down. So many things come to my mind as I try to drift off to sleep. I have struggled with insomnia for many years, and so while my husband is asleep in what seems like seconds, I often lay there for a while before I fall asleep. As a teenager I started telling myself stories to pass the time and I guess I never stopped. The difference is that now I actually write them down! Miss Mary King was lately on my mind, and I asked myself the question, what happened to Miss Mary King? Did she go to Liverpool and get married off to one of her uncle’s associates? Did she heal from her disappointment? Did she become more cautious about losing her heart? Mary’s story was a lot of fun to write, and it gave her a happy ending after Wickham. At First Slight was one of those almost asleep ideas. It’s similar to From Another Perspective in that we are seeing Pride and Prejudice from the eyes of others. In this case, those eyes belong to a pair of fae that are responsible for bringing people together in love. Eros, the more hotheaded of the two, gets angry when Darcy insults Elizabeth and intervenes. His actions set off the events of Pride and Prejudice, and he and his bride hilariously try to fix things. A Change of Outcomes is another Lydia story. This time, she finds Elizabeth’s letter from Darcy before her trip to Brighton, and it completely changes how she behaves during that visit. Lydia is still herself, but a little more… aware of herself and her goals. These three stories did not feel like there was enough to tell to make them novel length, so I decided to put them in a collection Crossroads is the title I chose for this book, and it will be used again next time I have a collection of novellas to publish. Thus, this book is volume one of hopefully several! I hope you give Crossroads a chance!
I enjoy reading how authors get their ideas and it is quite fascinating that they can come at any moment and then many of them become a story!
MJ Stratton is giving away an ebook of Crossroads. You just need to click on the link and follow instructions. Good luck!
This is what WordPress is telling me today. I have not done much during the last two years or so but I am glad that I started it. Mostly because I get to share books and books are really good!
Thank you for being there, I do not have hundreds or thousands of followers but I am always happy to have some very nice people commenting on the books I share. Thank you very much!
I would like to do a giveaway but not only JAFF but other genres too.
I am going to send a paperbook to three different people who comment on today’s post. Therefore, three books for three different people. You will not know what book it is, but you can choose the genre:
Mythology
JAFF (secondary character is the main character)
Rom Com
In order to enter the international giveaway, please read the instructions and conditions:
Answer the following question(s): why do you enjoy reading? how can you recommend it?
Choose one of the three genres that I have written above in case you are the winner.
If you are the winner, I will ask you to email me with your mail/post address. I will not share this address with anybody apart from the shop where I buy the book. I am almost certain that it will be Amazon as it reaches many countries.
Enter before the 6th of April 2024 at 23:59 CET.
I am choosing the winners after reading the comments, I am not using a randomiser this time.
How much I am enjoying this book! I wish I had more time to read during the day. I will just give you a tiny tiny spoiler: “Who is now the matchmaker?” 😀
Now to the important part of this post: the winner of Summer Hanford’s copy of Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop is…
SamH., congratulations!! You can choose between an ebook copy or a paperback copy of the book. Please email me with your email address (for an ebook) or your post address (for a paperback) to myvicesandweaknesses(at)gmail(dot)com – I will only share this information with Summer Hanford.
As it has happened before that I have not received an answer from the winner, if somebody knows SamH, please pass this post to claim the prize. I will leave a month for the prize to be claimed, if not, I will randomise the names again. Hopefully this is not needed!
Happy New Year to all! I know it is the 10th but it is my first post. Let’s get the reading started!
To be honest, this book has me only with the title, and the author. Mr. Darcy has a bookshop? He likes a bookshop? Of course he likes bookshops 😉 I hope you like this blurb as much as I do!
Cut off from his family’s fortune because he refuses to marry the woman his father has selected for him, Fitzwilliam Darcy takes up the only employment he deems tolerable, that of bookseller. Darcy is determined to support himself and to marry for love, but his powerful relations use their clout to keep customers and fashionable young ladies away. Worse, Darcy’s absence from Pemberley allows treachery to flourish.
Determined to see her older sister marry as well as possible, Elizabeth Bennet orchestrates their removal to London. Elizabeth isn’t searching for a husband of her own, but she is always looking for a good book. At a pleasant little bookshop in Cheapside, she finds plenty to read, and so much more. But should she give her heart to a bookseller and leave the life of a gently bred lady behind?
Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop asks what would happen if George Darcy and Sir Lewis de Bourgh had lived, and taken up their deceased wives’ quest to see Darcy and Anne wed. This is a lighthearted variation with laughter, love, a touch of villainy, and a happily ever after for our dear couple.
What do you think? I really hope you like it because I find it really interesting that he has to have a job and this is the only one that he would do. As we know too, Elizabeth is fond of walking and books!! Moreover, I am glad that it is a light-hearted variation because I dearly love to laugh too.
You can get this book on the link below. To be fair, I would not need anymore than this blurb, but you can keep reading too.
Summer Hanford writes gripping Epic Fantasy, swashbuckling Historical Romance, and best-selling Pride and Prejudice retellings. She lives in the Finger Lakes Region of New York with her husband and compulsory, deliberately spoiled, cats. The newest addition to their household, an energetic setter-shepherd mix, is (still) not appreciated by the cats but is well loved by the humans.
While Summer’s education is in Experimental Psychology and Behavioral Neurology, her true passion has always been writing. As a child growing up on a dairy farm, she built castles made of hay and wielded swords made of fence posts. She is passionate about gardening, travel, and organizing her closet. Nothing pleases her more than a row of tops broken down by sleeve length and ordered by color, hung on corresponding hangers…except working on her latest novel.
Summer, I wished I had a bit more of your more of organisation on my closet 🙂
Dear readers, you are here for a treat, enjoy! This is the first chapter of Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop.
Fitzwilliam Darcy pushed his spectacles up on his nose, for they were forever slipping. A more finely crafted pair might better remain in place, but could he afford those, he would need none, for he would be back in Pemberley with more activities at hand than going over his shop records by tallow light. At Pemberley, he would read during the day, for pleasure, with bright sunlight streaming into finely furnished rooms. And if he wrote, there would be no need for cramped letters he could hardly make out, simply to save on watery ink and coarse paper.
Finishing with his records for the day, he snuffed out all the tallow candles but one, then carefully trimmed down the wicks. Rising from the counter at the front of the bookshop, he took the remaining candle and made a check of the doors, front and back, though why anyone would want to rob a bookseller he didn’t know. Satisfied his wares were safe for the night, he took the cashbox and went up the back stairs to the room above, where he finished the watered ale and half-eaten hand pie he’d procured earlier that day.
Going to the other side of the room, he readied for bed, then blew out the candle. By memory and feel, he crossed back to his narrow cot and climbed beneath thin sheets. So far, November had been mild, but soon enough London would grow cold and cloaked in a smoky miasma, and Darcy would shiver in his sleep. Perhaps if he went to his cousin Richard…but no. He wouldn’t put Richard in the position of being at odds with the patriarchs.
Darcy sought rest, his mind on books and ledgers and the price of tallow. It did not help that he had sold only a single volume today, most of which had been spent dusting to keep the shop in good order and to give him something to do. Nor was tomorrow likely to be much different, although soon patrons would trickle in, seeking gifts to take back to their country estates for the Yuletide. December would be a better month. It always had been in years past.
He listened to the light patter of rain on the eaves, well aware he would face the same worries on the morrow. And the next day, and the following. Every day would be thus, until he relented to his father’s and uncles’ command that he marry his cousin Anne de Bourgh. Though he certainly wished no harm to his kin, no matter how they tormented, sometimes Darcy liked to imagine how his circumstances would differ if his father, Matlock, and Sir Lewis had died when he was young, rather than his mother and his aunts. Surely, as a mother, Lady Catherine would have laid to rest this nonsense about Darcy and Anne marrying. Were she alive still, Anne would be happily wedded already, and Darcy would be free from his imagined obligation to espouse her. He was certain of it.
Darcy drifted off during his wistful musings, to wake cold and stiff shortly before dawn. He dressed for the day then stoked his small stove to heat water for tea, which he brewed in a chipped pot. The precious leaves and the heat to boil water for them were the one luxury he wouldn’t do without, his morning cup far more important than a second blanket.
Later, down in the shop, he unlocked the front door and put out the sign, then returned to his dusting. He began with the low, chest-height shelving at the front of the shop, then moved on to the taller shelves in the back of the store. Dust and disorderliness, he’d found, were the greatest enemies of a bookshop, aside from a lack of patrons. Immersed in his work, he didn’t consider that it was the third Monday of the month until much later when the front door opened, the bell jangling, to admit George Wickham.
Darcy started to scowl, then mastered the expression as a second man entered on Wickham’s heels. An amiable looking fellow in his early twenties, with neither great height nor over-fine looks to distinguish him, but a cheerful air of affability. By his garb and his presence with Wickham, Darcy assumed him to be wealthy. Wickham had no use for companions he couldn’t count on to foot the bills, no matter how much money Darcy’s father showered him with.
“Darcy,” Wickham greeted with false warmth, sauntering over to the short ladder on which Darcy stood to reach the highest shelves. “Hard at work, I see. Come down here and I will introduce you.”
Leaving the feather duster on the shelf, Darcy climbed down the ladder. He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.
“Bingley, may I present an old friend of mine, Fitzwilliam Darcy?” Wickham turned back to Darcy. “And this is Mr. Charles Bingley.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Mr. Bingley said affably. “Darcy? Isn’t that the name of your patron, Wickham? Any relation? I hear the Darcys are quite the thing in Derbyshire.”
“Why yes, Fitz here is somewhat related to the Darcys in Derbyshire,” Wickham said. He eyed Darcy sardonically and added, “He’s a poor relation, though, to be certain. I come by once a month to check on him.”
“Too good of you,” Mr. Bingley said, looking about. “Fine shop you have here, Darcy.”
“Thank you.”
“Quite a lot of books, isn’t it?” Mr. Bingley continued. “I wish my collection were larger, but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more than I ever look into. Still, can’t hurt to browse.”
“You do that,” Wickham said. “Darcy and I are due a chat.”
“Books on horseflesh and fencing are up front on those back two shelves there,” Darcy added, pointing to the front corner of the shop.
“Excellent,” Mr. Bingley said and wandered in that direction.
Darcy turned to Wickham. “My father won’t approve of you bringing me a customer.”
“Bingley?” Wickham raised his eyebrows. “You heard him. He’s not the reading sort. He’s having a devil of a time at university.”
“Is that where you found him? Haven’t you finished at university yet?”
Wickham shrugged. “I recently decided to give law a go. Had to start all over. Your father was more than happy to sell off that living he wanted me to fill and give me the funds to further my education.”
Darcy eyed the loathsome being before him and wondered how much money Wickham had swindled from George Darcy this time.
“Five thousand,” Wickham said, following Darcy’s thoughts, for they knew each other well, having been raised nearly as brothers. “The living didn’t go for that much but my dear, dear godfather wanted to ensure I am comfortable while at my studies, so he augmented the sum.” Wickham leaned near, lowering his voice to say, “By the time you give up this ridiculous show of independence, you will be begging to marry your hoyden of a cousin just to refill Pemberley’s coffers, the way your father spends money on me.”
“Anne is not a hoyden.” Not that anything about Anne was why Darcy would never relent to his father’s demand that they wed. They simply did not suit, and being cut off from his family’s money wouldn’t persuade Darcy that they did. He would never give in to his father’s tyranny.
“Of course she is,” Wickham countered. “She rides and hunts and shoots. I have only ever seen her in boots and a habit, a crop in hand. Your uncle raised her to be the son his late wife didn’t give him, which is why I sympathize with you not wanting to wed her, but you’ll get Rosings, man. Stop this ridiculous charade and get the banns read.”
“Must we do this every third Monday?” Darcy asked. “I have dusting to do.”
Wickham shook his head. “Who would have thought, back at Eton, that the great Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley would spend his days dusting piles of worthless books.”
“I take exception to the notion that books are worthless.”
“Do you?” Wickham shrugged again. “Never found a single one I liked. Well, not here. You don’t stock any of those bawdy ones with the pictures that they bring back from India.”
“No,” Darcy said coldly. “I do not. This is a respectable establishment.”
“This? Only by dint of you being here. We are in Cheapside, after all. It is a stone’s throw to the grand import warehouses.”
“Did you say import warehouses?” Mr. Bingley said, striding over with three books in hand. “Fine places, those. Always trying to convince my sisters to get their fabrics and feathers and whatnots there. All the modistes do. Why pay for the markup, I say.”
Darcy agreed. The great open-air market in the center of the warehouse district was where he made many of his purchases, including his tea.
Wickham chuckled. “My dear fellow, you pay for the markup so everyone will know that you can afford to.” He shook his head, his charming countenance molded into amusement, with just a touch of condescension. “How about you treat me to lunch and I will expound on the subject for you? You have a lot to learn if you wish to properly disentangle from your roots in trade.”
Mr. Bingley pulled a face. “Don’t I know it. My sisters are constantly on about the same thing.”
“Well, if there is anyone who can educate you on how to best employ money to appear every inch the gentleman, it’s me.” Wickham cocked an eyebrow at Darcy. “Would you not agree, Darcy?”
“Yes,” Darcy said dryly. “On that, Mr. Wickham and I can very much agree.”
“Splendid,” Mr. Bingley said cheerfully. “I’ll let you take me under your wing, then.”
Darcy shook his head, pitying the affable young man. Who knew what terrible advice Wickham would give, all the while taking Mr. Bingley for every penny he could get. It would almost be worth marrying Anne simply to be able to influence George Darcy against Wickham and his copious spending.
Almost.
Mr. Bingley held up the books. “I’ll get these, Darcy.”
“Don’t you want to know how much they will run you?” Wickham asked before Darcy could speak. “You want to make certain he does not take advantage of you.” He smirked at Darcy.
Mr. Bingley chuckled. “Can’t see as a fine fellow with the Darcy name would swindle anyone. I’ll take them regardless of the cost.”
“Very well,” Darcy said stiffly. No matter how many years he’d been at his bookselling business, nor how much he truly needed funds, it always dismayed him to accept payment. He would rather gift the books to Mr. Bingley. As things stood, he gave the man a discount to make up, in some small way, for the money Wickham would separate him from.
After Mr. Bingley made his purchase the two said their goodbyes, Wickham trailing his new friend out. He paused at the door, letting it swing closed behind Mr. Bingley, and looked back to say, “I will report to your father that you remain stubbornly opposed to bettering your circumstances, then, shall I?”
“Do what you like,” Darcy replied. “You always do.”
Wickham grinned. “Yes. I do, don’t I?” With a parting smirk, he left.
Through the shop window, Darcy watched the two stride away. Both were fashionably dressed. Both appeared to be gentlemen. Not that Wickham ever would be, no matter how much he spent on his clothes. Darcy only hoped he didn’t fleece his new friend too badly. Charles Bingley seemed like a good, if overly trusting, sort of fellow.
Shaking his head, Darcy climbed back up on the ladder and returned to dusting. At least Wickham’s visit had put a bit of money in the till. Not enough to be worth Wickham’s badgering, but enough to eat for a week which, added to what Darcy had, would see him into the new year. Perhaps with the influx that would come with the Christmas season, he’d be set until March, when he and his cousin Richard would take their annual pilgrimage to visit their Uncle Lewis at Rosings, to endure his list of their failings and Anne’s endless badgering for them to hunt with her.
The visit was always a strain, but a welcome break from his shop and a nice augmentation to Darcy’s diet. He would eat more meat in one week at Rosings than during the remainder of the year, most of it hunted and brought down by Anne. As an added boon, after a week with her and Sir Lewis, Darcy’s resolve to defy his father would be bolstered and he would be longing for the quiet occupation of his bookshop.
That thought in mind, he cheerfully dusted. His thoughts turned to the happier topic of the upcoming Yuletide and the influx of purchases he always saw at the end of the year. Who knew what new delights the year’s end might bring?
What do you think of this first chapter? I am hooked because Bingley is also there and Wickham is not a nice person as Darcy, and we know how Bingley is… Moreover, I cannot wait to see Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s first encounter!
Let me know your impressions about the book so far.
What a great giveaway Summer is bringing. One winner will get a copy of Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop and this winner can choose if he/she wants to get an ebook copy or a paperback. The winner will be selected randomly from the ones commenting on this post and it is open internationally. You have until the 16th of January 2024 at 23:59 CET. Good luck!!
Cecilia’s Mismatches are back!! How good is that? Suzan Lauder is showing us a lot today of The Reluctant Chaperon, her second book of Cecilia’s Mismatches. Even if Book 2 is a stand-alone novel, if you missed my post or want to remember Book 1 with a lovely vignette of An Accomplished Woman, check it here.
However…
Who is Cecilia? She’s Lady Hoxley, a recently married young lady whose husband is old enough to be her father. Theirs is a love match. She loves his money and title, and he loves her youth and vivacity. Cecilia is so gratified with her own match that she is determined to match her friends with worthy gentlemen—but what happens when all her grand schemes seem to go awry?
Let’s get into The Reluctant Chaperon and read the blurb!
The beautiful and perfect widow Lady Reddener lives an admirable life. With an estate in the country, a house in town, and a considerable fortune, the former Miss Cassandra Hales has no need for a husband to complicate her days. Why does she need a man? She has her mama and sisters, as well as her best friend and neighbour, Marcus Brand, Lord Broadmead. One and all proclaim Cassie the very picture of serenity.
However, Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, matches Cassie’s vibrant and argumentative sister Miss Alexandra “Lexie” Hales with Cecilia’s own brother, the gentle yet charming Mr. Reeve Charington. Thus, Cassie finds herself in the position of chaperon while they court. What is she to do when their constant interactions draw her towards Reeve’s allurement? Meanwhile, Lexie wishes for a husband who will challenge her in debate, and Mr. Charington seeks harmony. A problem indeed!
When Marcus and Reeve go missing, Cassie’s calm world collapses, and she’s faced with her true passion for Reeve. But could it be too late?
If Reeve and Marcus are found, Cassie must discover whether Reeve shares her admiration. Can Cassie allow herself love when she has sworn herself to a life without a man? What will Cecilia say if another of her matches goes awry?
Poor Cassie! What a problem she has in her hands! Would she find Marcus and Reeve on time and what would happen to her heart?
A lover of Jane Austen, Regency period research and costuming, yoga, fitness, home renovation, design, sustainability, and independent travel, cat mom Suzan Lauder keeps busy even when she’s not writing novels based on Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, all of which are published by Meryton Press.
She and Mr. Suze and their rescue tabby split their time between a loft condo overlooking the Salish Sea and a 150-year-old Spanish colonial casita in Mexico. Suzan’s lively prose can be found on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/SuzanLauder; on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest as @SuzanLauder; and on her Meryton Press blog, road trips with the redheadwww.suzanlauder.merytonpress.com. Her Amazon author page is https://www.amazon.com/author/suzanlauder.
Prior to publishing An Accomplished Woman of the Cecilia’s Mismatches series, Lauder had four novels, a novella, and a novelette published by Meryton Press and has short stories in two Austenesque anthologies. All are popular, most earning four-plus star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads. Accolades include Amazon bestseller for Letter from Ramsgate and The Barrister’s Bride, a Finalist for Sexy Scribbles for an excerpt from Alias Thomas Bennet, and several of her books were placed on top ten of the year lists by influential bloggers.
Thank you, Suzan, for being today with us and for what you are sharing next!
If anybody want to check this book, you can do it here! It is the universal link to Amazon.
Now it is time to read a Character interview with the possible bride (maybe I am rushing it here 😉 ): Miss Alexandra Hales. We have the exclusive of this interview!
Alexandra Hales, or Lexie, is a secondary character of interest in The Reluctant Chaperon since she and Mr. Charington are the ones being chaperoned by our heroine, Cassie. Today, Suzan Lauder interviews Miss Hales for My Vices and Weaknesses.
/~/
SL: Today I have the pleasure of a discussion with Miss Alexandra Hales, sister of Lady Reddener, also known as Cassandra or Cassie. How do you do, Miss Hales?
AH: I am well.
SL: As I understand it, you have had a Season in town already, but have not found any gentleman who suits you. Were they not handsome or rich enough?
AH: No, that was not the problem. At many balls, I danced with men who would suit me well in those areas. Thus far, none has had the capability to stand up to the level of intellect that I demand. In addition, I prefer a gentleman with which I am able to carry on witty repartee that leans almost to the level of adversarial discussions for sport.
SL: I assume that you like to argue?
AH: Very much so. It is one of the most stimulating activities one can participate in. A good verbal dispute opens the mind and energizes the soul. I have never felt better than when I am joining in a hearty quarrel.
SL: What other characteristics do you prefer in a man?
AH: Obviously, he should be tall, handsome, and comfortable in his wealth. In addition, a suitable gentleman should enjoy reading, be responsible to his estate, and act as a generous master.
SL: You seem to have thought a great deal about these attributes. What could be the reasoning behind their selection?
AH: My sister, Cassie, is a widow and the owner of Fanshaugh Manor. I help her with her estate, and thus, know what it means to be a respectable landlord. I should think that a proper gentleman should be at least as good at this effort as two ladies.
SL: I have heard that you have been matched by Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, to Cecilia’s brother, Mr. Reeve Charington. Does he fit this description?
AH: I shall have to see. I do not know him well at the present moment, since I have only met him twice. However, I am not encouraged by the way he has spoken out thus far. The gentleman is handsome and rich for certain, but as for his integrity—this is an area he has not given me any reason to believe that he is any better than the men I danced with during my Season.
SL: How do you find his intellect and ability to live up to a verbal challenge? Those were areas you were concerned about at the balls you attended in the past.
AH: (scoffs) One cannot discover much at a dinner party or in a parlour with family. A man will tend to speak in generalities meant to appease the others in the room, and not just the one he means to court. His speech may be clever and even interesting, but it is rare that he will show a great deal of what he has read or vary his opinions any more than to agree with those in the room.
SL: So you are saying that Mr. Charington is an amiable conversationalist to all, but not that interesting to you?
AH: (brightening) You are correct! I should like to speak with him alone and challenge him to a small spat to see how he fares. We have an upcoming excursion planned where I might have that opportunity. My sister, Cassie, has agreed to chaperon. I do hope that she does not try to smooth over our quarrel. She is too sweet for words, my Cassie, and she detests discord.
SL: I do hope you find out what you wish to discover.
AH: I thank you.
SL: Good day, Miss Hales.
Well, that does not look promising… for Miss Hales at least, but we are ok with that, right?. However, I want to read her trying to challenge him and how he reacts!
Short but sweet? You tell me what you think of the excerpt.
Cassandra, the widow Lady Reddener, has been insulted by a guest at her sister Audra’s wedding to the Duke of Alderton. Mr. Reeve Charington is the sister of Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, and he has been courting Cassie’s sister Lexie, though Cassie is enamoured with him. He, the duke, and Marcus, Lord Broadmead, who is Cassie’s best friend, have all rushed in to protect her from the insult and scare the man away.
/~/
Mr. Charington spun around and rushed off behind the man. “I will beat him, I will!” Oh, no! He should not become involved! What could she do?
Marcus grabbed Mr. Charington by the arm and spoke to him in hushed tones. “No need in implicating yet another man as Lady Reddener’s paramour, Charington. Let him go.” She breathed a heavy exhalation. What a relief!
Mr. Charington shook himself free of Marcus’s hold and straightened his coat. “How dare he insult such an angel! You know what I refer to, Broadmead, Your Grace. Of course, you do.” Even as he said it, he had the dignity to appear ashamed of his bravado. He did not deserve to be too regretful, though. Gratitude filled her for the actions of all the men, as they spoke louder than words. She was protected in this case.
“I agree with you, but I do believe we are embarrassing Lady Reddener,” said Marcus, and Alderton nodded. At least they were the only ones within comprehending earshot of the rumpus, though a few people nearby were now moving closer in case they missed some gossip. The drama needed to be ended now! A story like this would be fodder indeed for the denizens of the London ton.
Cassie shook her head. “Do not think anything of it. I am grateful for the intervention of the three of you. But this is His Grace’s wedding, and we should be celebrating.”
“I thank you for your hospitality, Lady Reddener. I am appalled that the breakfast you took pains to plan was blackened by such a revolting man, and I wish I could make amends for it. Instead, I must now take my leave.” Mr. Charington spoke in an uneven way before he bowed and returned to his family group. A short discussion with Cecilia took place during which his sister motioned towards Lexie. Mr. Charington shook his head, red-faced with pursed lips. No courting would take place today. Did Cecilia know that Lexie had not seen him in almost a month? Cassie was frozen in place with no knowledge of how to respond. In the end, she looked away before her face gave away her disappointment in the loss of Mr. Charington’s company.
/~/
Meryton Press is giving away 1 ebook copy of The Reluctant Chaperon to 1 person who comments in this post about the book and the story. The giveaway is international and it is open until the 23rd of October 2023 at 23:59 CET. Good luck!
Apologies for being late on posting this review and the cool excerpt that Brigid is sharing with us.
I am very glad to be back with a review of a really good book with a bumpy story for our two protagonists. This story takes us to a fantasy world that I hope you will enjoy.
A land of myth and legends. . .
A world out of balance. . .
And a last hope to heal an ancient pain.
Cleona Willow is more than ready for college. Though it means leaving her best friend Brian behind, studying in Ireland is her dream. She longs to explore the land her grandmother knew so well, but leaving Brian is harder than she would like to admit.
Two worlds collide when a necklace left to Cleona by her grandmother magically pulls her and Brian to Terratalam, a world apart from their own—and a world out of balance. It rains nearly every day, the crops barely produce, and kingdoms wage war. The Great Tree, Terratalam’s fabled life force, was destroyed so long ago that only stories and legends remain.
Navigating the secrets of the past and their growing feelings for each other, Cleona and Brian must unite the mythical Foll Stones and heal the land. If they fail, what will become of Terratalam—and what will become of them?
What do you think? Will this land heal? Will Cleona and Brian learn what the other feels?
I hope you enjoy the excerpt because it gives you some hints of what is happening to these two.
Cleona was cold. She desperately wanted to snuggle closer to Brian’s body heat, but he’d been so reserved lately, she worried that it would make him uncomfortable. So, she shivered instead. For some reason, Cleona and Brian were always allowed to sleep the night. Perhaps it was their inexperience, or perhaps the others didn’t trust their human eyes. Cleona didn’t care; she needed the sleep to stave off her growing fears. But she wasn’t sleeping now. She sighed in frustration and felt Brian roll over behind her. Suddenly his strong arms came around her, enveloping her in warmth. “Thank you,” she whispered, but he didn’t respond. Maybe he was still asleep. She took a deep breath, feeling oddly comforted by the smell of his skin, and drifted off to sleep. As promised, the travelers reached the falls by mid-morning. They were beautiful—gorgeous, symphonic reminders of the raw power of this wild world. Crispa led them up a hidden path to the base of the waterfall. There they slipped behind a boulder so well camouflaged it seemed like part of the cliff face. And then they were safely behind the roaring waterfall. “We should rest here a moment,” Aine called over the din. “Yes,” Crispa replied. “And we should scout ahead. If the Queen of Kellen is as dreadful as you say, we should take extra precautions.” “Agreed,” Wren said. The falls hid a medium-sized cave from view, offering the little group a perfect hiding place. The cave went far enough back into the cliff face that some of the rock floor remained dry. It was there that Cleona and the others took their rest while Crispa scouted ahead. “How can you be so sure that this Queen has the Turling stone?” Cleona asked Wren. He laughed, but without humor. “We are not sure. But we have heard many rumors that, when combined with our knowledge of the stones, leads us to believe she possesses one of them. No one has any knowledge of Socare, so we assume she has Turling.” “What rumors?” Brian asked. “She has sent many excursions into the Sliab Mountains, mining for precious stone. And has entertained alchemists at her court at Caslean.” “Alchemists?” Cleona said. “As in, men who want to turn base metals into gold?” “Aye. You have those?” “Yeah. Well, we had those. None were successful so far as I know.” “Well, it is not gold that the queen seeks,” Aine added. “The elixir of life,” Brian breathed. “What? Like in Harry Potter?” Cleona said incredulously. “Yes,” Brian replied. “Exactly like in Harry Potter.” “Who is Harry Potter?” Wren asked, confused. “Don’t get her started,” Brian said to Wren. “So how are we supposed to steal this stone from the crazy queen anyway?” Cleona asked, ignoring Brian’s teasing. The silence that followed was in no way reassuring. “I have an idea,” Brian said. At that moment, Crispa appeared. “We must wait here until nightfall. The hillside beyond the river’s edge is heavily patrolled.” As night came, the five travelers quietly emerged from the cave behind the falls. Crispa led the way, as the Siog possessed excellent night vision. Cleona wasn’t too surprised; there was almost something animal-like about the Siog, despite how gentle Crispa seemed to be. A heavy tension lay upon the travelers, like a thick blanket. Because they feared discovery, they kept talking to a minimum, speaking in whispers and then only when necessary. The darkness was even more terrifying in this strange land. Brian walked close to Cleona, and she longed to reach out and take his hand, to dispel the fear and isolation that threatened to overtake her. But she could not bring herself to do it. Brian had come up with what was, in Cleona’s mind, an exceptionally terrible plan to locate the fourth stone. She was afraid that taking his hand might indicate her acceptance, and she most definitely could not accept his plan.
What do you think? Do you have any questions that I may be able to answer? Let me know and I will try to answer them without spoilers.
Let me (re)introduce you to the author: Brigid Huey. You may remember her from some JAFF books she has written
Brigid Huey lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. She dreams of living on a farm where she can raise as many chickens, ducks, and goats as she likes and write romance novels in an airy study overlooking the wildflowers.
I have to warn you that it is a bit complicated to write a review without spoilers, so I will do my best to leave it “clean”.
The past is linked to us but in this case, it is much more than the past as it links Cleona and Brian to another world/land. Magic is real and as it happens with most of the magic, there is always a link with love, any kind of love.
Cleona’s grandmother knew that but never revealed anything until Cleona and Brian found something she left hidden. Then, everything changes and they are now trying to help other people without losing each other.
Cleona is pretty stubborn but in a kind of good way. Brian is courageous but maybe not for everything in life… yet. Their friends have all the good qualities that good people have and know how to protect and help those who they love.
Our protagonists have to go through some obstacles to find their objective. They have to fight, they have to hide or they have to pretend to be alchemists, for instance.
This book has hooked me almost from page one and even if their story is bumpy, as I mentioned, the reading was smooth and entertaining.
Little spoiler: there is a happy ending 🙂
Meryton Press is giving away one ebook copy to one winner. Comment on this post about the excerpt, the blurb and let me know what you think. Good luck!
The giveaway is open internationally and finishes on the 9th of October 2023 at 23:59 CET.
Hello! I am so sorry for being so late with this post! We arrived from holidays and it seems like we are back an eternity but without time for much! However, here we have the post with the winner of this ebook from Victoria Kincaid and her Spells and Shadows.
Congratulations mcmcbrayer!!! Please send me an email to myvicesandweaknesses(at)gmail(dot)com and tell me what email you want to use for the ebook. I will share your email address only with Victoria Kincaid for her to send you your ebook.
Here we have the winner of the ebook copy of An Accomplished Woman by Suzan Lauder:
List Randomizer
There were 3 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
Glynis
Janet Taylor
Kelly Miller
I have used random.org as I normally do. My computer is playing up and it is not letting me do a screenshot, so I copied and pasted.
Congratulations, Glynis!!
Glynis, could you confirm that I have is the same email address you want to use? If you want to use a different address, please email me to myvicesandweaknesses(at)gmail(dot)com
I am very glad to have MJ Stratton again in the blog and even a bit happier as I am the lucky person to reveal the cover of her latest book!!
Let me tell you a bit more about From Another Persepctive:
The events of Pride and Prejudice are well known by those familiar with Jane Austen’s work, but what would we see if the minor characters told the story? What were Mrs. Hill’s thoughts on the heir to Longbourn? How did Anne de Bourgh feel about her cousin’s fascination with the guests at the parsonage? Did Mrs. Younge willingly help Mr. Darcy find Wickham? From Another Perspective follows the events of Pride and Prejudice as seen through the eyes of some of the lesser players found in the novel, along with some others of the author’s own creation.
What do you think? I really want to know Mrs. Hill´s opinion of Mr. Collins 😀
MJ Stratton grew up in a small town in rural Utah, moving back in 2021 after being away for ten years. Her love of Jane Austen was born at a young age when she read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. Her first ever exposure to JAFF was watching Lost in Austen as a teen. MJ recently left her teaching job to be at home with her four children, and hopefully pursue her passion for writing more fully. After feeding her love of books by editing and beta reading for years, she hopes to commit more fully to penning her own stories. MJ loves food, growing things, and the quiet of the countryside.
I am aware that I have not put the cover on the main image of the post, because I would like to read the thoughts on the cover by MJ Stratton:
I saw this picture by Carl Herpfer when I was looking for a cover image and fell in love with it. Though the couple on the cover probably resembles Jane and Bingley more so than Lizzy and Darcy, I loved the surrounding people watching them, which totally fits with writing Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of other people.
Here you have it!
I agree that fits, other people looking at the main characters, living with the main characters, havind their own opinions but not being protagonists.
MJ Stratton is giving away three ebook copies during this tour. Check the link below and follow instructions. Good luck!
I hope I find you all well and enjoying this lovely season. I adore the colours of fall and I imagine them on the book that I am happy to show you todays: The Last House in Lambton by Grace Gibson.
There is a lot to read today, so I will start sharing the blurb.
Does it ever stop raining in Lambton?
Darcy and Bingley depart Netherfield Park, leaving Elizabeth Bennet acutely aware of the monotony of her life. Seeking a reprieve, she volunteers to serve as temporary companion to Mrs. Gardiner’s elderly aunt who lives in Lambton. Nothing turns out as Elizabeth expects, and she is forced to dig deep into her reserves of common sense, humor, and stubborn persistence to prove herself equal to the dreary circumstances.
Initially unaware that Pemberley is only five miles away, Elizabeth crosses paths with Darcy annoyingly often. When the gentleman rescues her from a shocking situation, Elizabeth faces some hard choices, at the same time struggling against the smoldering attraction that can neither be repressed nor fulfilled.
Mr. Darcy, meanwhile, in whose heart a fire has also been lit, is shocked by the lady’s stubborn refusal to accept his help. Alternating between alarm and begrudging admiration, he stands helplessly on the sidelines while she struggles to retain her independence. He, too, must make some hard choices in the end. Will he let her go?
Yes, the situation from where he rescues her it is pretty schocking but I think Elizabeth tries to manage it quite well…
Anyone is surprised that she is stubborn? 😀
Look at the mosaics on Grace´s picture!
In addition to mosaic art, which she creates at Studio Luminaria (her home-based glass shop in El Paso, Texas), Grace enjoys writing Regency romance and Pride and Prejudice variations.
It is lovely to visit My Vices and Weaknesses today, Ana. Thank you so much for having me!
We all adore Mr. Darcy, otherwise we would not be here today talking about him! But don’t you also enjoy seeing his confidence shaken for once? Perhaps, as I do, you also chuckle with satisfaction when his perfect manners slip, his storied composure breaks, and he is made more than a little uncomfortable by a pert young lady with a rather sharp tongue.
Here is an excerpt told from Mr. Darcy’s point of view in which just this sort of humbling takes place:
“What do you hear from Mr. Bingley, sir?” she asked.
Bingley! I did not want to talk about Bingley. I mumbled a vague reply that I had left him in London, to which she mused aloud that she had thought he might have since left town. To my horror, she then related to me in the most knowing manner that her sister had been in London, had tried to reestablish a connection with that family, and had been rebuffed!
I formulated a pathetic explanation that I thought he might indeed have left for Scarborough, only to be exposed by my artless sister who blurted out unhelpfully, “But I saw Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst very lately, and they made no mention of leaving London.”
As my face flushed at having been caught out, I was then treated to a verbal mauling the likes of which took my breath away.
Oh lord. Elizabeth is about to unleash her wit on poor Mr. Darcy! If you would like to find out just what she said to him on this and many other occasions in this retelling, sign up to win a free copy of The Last House in Lambton. I hope you will discover that an imperfect Darcy is more loveable than ever.
I have really enjoyed having both Elizabeth and Darcy´s point of view. I always like how Darcy reacts with Elizabeth, and example that you can find on the excerpt that Grace Gibson has shared with us.
As you have read in the blurb, Elizabeth is pretty empty and bored, however, perhaps she was to hasty to help her aunt´s relative. It is not even closed to what she had in mind, she actually has to work (gasp!). Although it is Elizabeth and we know she is strong and all but she is up for a scare at the beginning. Hopefully, she also gets Mrs. Reynolds’ help even before she sees Darcy. I will not tell you about their meeting at Mrs. Reynolds’ office but I can say I find it funny and a bit endearing (and it won´t be the last time Elizabeth has to ask for her help).
Elizabeth has to learn so much about managing a household that she realises how deficient her education in that aspect it. However, without knowing it, this will be very useful to help her with her relationship with her mother and will aslo be useful for her sisters.
When Elizabeth starts seeing that Darcy is actually caring, she is quite stubborn to accept help, as it can be read on the blurb, however, she knows she has to accept the offer from Darcy to protect also her “aunty”, but this may be seen as something that it is not. Yes, you are reading it well, it could be mistaken. Fortunately, Georgiana is there and Elizabeth is able to rest because she is not the only one helping her aunty.
There is a point when Elizabeth returns home that I do not like. She is the one making the decision for others, or another, when she used to dislike Darcy doing that.
Anyway, I have really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend you. It is a nice read, it is not angsty per se but many things happen around this couple.
Moreover, you will then meet the neighbour in the second to last house in Lambton ;D
Follow the blog tour, you will get so much more from this book!
Meryton Press is giving away an ebook copy of The Last House in Lambton to one person commenting on this post. Let me know what you think of the book so far, or my review. The contest is open until 23:59 (CEST) on the 17th of November 2022. Good luck!
my vices and weaknesses 