An Interview with Ginger Monette

An Interview with Ginger Monette 

I am happy today to be welcoming Ginger Monette today as she makes the rounds on her blog tour.  Ginger reached out to me to be a part of the tour, and I was happy to have her visit and tell us her ‘Austen story’.  The tour is for her second book in the Darcy’s Hope series.  For any of you, like me, who have not watched the entire Downton Abbey series, I still enjoyed reading Ginger’s latest book.   Her second book in the series is an easy, intriguing story for any of you wondering if you have to read the first novel first.  Ginger is giving away Downtown Abbey tea as a part of her blog tour.

BTCole:  How were you first introduced to Jane Austen's works? Was it love at first read, or did your love come later?

GM: Love at first sight! But my introduction to Austen is not your usual story.... I homeschooled my children and was working in an educational consignment store. Pride & Prejudice was a big seller, and my colleagues couldn't believe I had NEVER read (or seen!) it. My boss promptly lent me both the 1995 and 2005 DVDs, and a few days later I slid the 2005 version into my DVD player. Obsession soon followed... I bet I watched the sparring of Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen ten times in ten days. When my daughter became interested, if she put the DVD in, all it took was for me to hear the music, and it beckoned me to the TV like a Siren.

Then, oh glory, I discovered Jane Austen fan fiction and period dramas, both of which opened new worlds to me.

BTCole: Did you enjoy the original P&P novel?

GM: I have to confess, I didn't read Austen's original work until just before writing my first JAFF novel. I'd been binge-reading fan fiction, so I was very familiar with the storyline and characters of P&P, but before I undertook writing a spin-off, I thought I'd better read the real one first!

I found it a hard read. I'm a practical, left to right, top to bottom person. I don't generally care for poetry as I have a hard time understanding it. My philosophy is “if you have something to say, just say it! Don't dress it up or veil the meaning with vague symbols and words chosen simply because they sound pretty.” But I digress—back to Jane Austen. The formal language patterns and her long sentences made it tough for me to absorb. I was also really surprised how much she tells rather than shows. But I understand that was the accepted style in her day.

BTCole:  What drew you to Jane Austen's works?

GM: They are great romances! I also love her characters. Each one has a very distinct personality, which adds depth and interest to the plot. Many of her characters have personalities that just have to be “tolerated.” Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine are the first to come to mind. And everyone in Elizabeth's family (except Jane) have annoying quirks. But it is this kaleidoscope that makes for a very “colorful” story.

BTCole: What is your favorite Austen novel and why?  

GM: Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Austen book.  : ) I tend to gravitate towards brooding men. (My husband is one, and I LOVE John Thornton as portrayed by Richard Armitage.) And I also think the conflict between Darcy and Elizabeth is brilliant. In all of their encounters, she challenges him verbally but is never overtly rude. Accustomed to being fawned over, Darcy is attracted to this woman who, though beneath him, doesn't fall at his feet. In addition, she is smart, clever, and holds her own. It's not until his botched proposal that she lets loose her fury—and he is gobsmacked!

BTCole: Who is your favorite character?

GM: As a reader, my favorite character is Darcy. To see a man in a position of power who is also kind and romantic is, dare I say...sexy?

As a writer, Colonel Fitzwilliam is my favorite. He's very easy for me to write—I can easily “hear” him in my head. I watched Master and Commander, the Far Side of the World and instantly decided that Captain Jack Aubrey as portrayed by Russell Crowe was my perfect Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy, however, is much harder for me to “hear.” On numerous occasions while writing the Darcy's Hope saga, I went to Youtube and watched P&P clips. Darcy has very distinct speech patterns, is methodical in his approach to things, and uses very few exclamations. Colonel F, on the other hand, is gregarious, animated, and is quick to spout-off. They are wonderful contrasts.

BTCole:  What about it made you want to write an Austen-inspired book yourself?

GM: I became intrigued with an idea: What if Colonel F met Charlotte at a ball? The ideas kept coming, but I had never (ever!) written a fiction story. I'm not kidding! In all my schooling, I never had to write creatively. However, I had a good bit of experience writing inductively. When another JAFF author offered to help me, I thought I would give it a go—just for fun. But within fifteen minutes of tapping out the first scene on my laptop, I was hooked. I loved the challenge of taking information (the basic plot) and weaving it with descriptions, dialog, and precise words in an attempt to create a story that sucks readers in and flows effortlessly. 

After four and a half months of typing away in a small closet office, I emerged with a completed manuscript and an email inbox of 120+ email exchanges with my British mentor on topics ranging from the role of adverbs in fiction to the roles of horses in Regency England.

I then offered Tree of Life to an online JAFF community and got a good response. I realized it wasn't that much more work to publish it. Four months and six beta editors later, my first glossy-bound book arrived at my door. That moment stands out as one of the most exciting of my life.

BTCole: Tell us about writing your latest novel.

GM: I thought it would be a repeat of my euphoric experience writing Tree of Life, Charlotte and the Colonel, but it wasn't—at all. It certainly wasn't because I lacked enthusiasm. The Darcy's Hope saga was inspired by Downton Abbey, for heaven's sake! But it was HARD.

All I knew about WWI was “trench foot” and “trench warfare.” I thought reading a few diaries would suffice as research.... Boy was I wrong! Since Darcy was to be a captain in the army, I needed to be familiar with army structure and protocol. And since Elizabeth was on the medical side of things, I needed to know a lot about WWI medicine and the evacuation chain. And both of those were ENORMOUS and very detailed topics. If I wanted to get the details right (and I did) it was going to take some serious study. And study I did—for six hours a day for nine months. (Yes, I now feel like a semi-expert on WWI.)

But back to the experience of writing. Probably the biggest reason Beauty from Ashes was such a challenge was the plot. Though first and foremost a romance, it also includes character arcs for both D&E, a complex setting unfamiliar to most readers, and it all unfolds in the context of a mystery.

Donwell Abbey was no easier. I can't elaborate much without giving away major spoilers, but suffice it say that the injuries that befall Darcy set me up for trouble every time a scene was told from his point of view, and having Darcy fall for his “nurse” without appearing to betray Elizabeth was a feat as well.

BTCole: How would you characterize your writing style?

GM: From a plotting standpoint, I work to keep romance central to the story with everything else serving that. I want readers to feel immersed in the war setting without feeling like it is a “war story.” I plot with high action, suspense, surprises, and lots of plants with payoffs.

From a writing standpoint, I really value optimal use of language. I slave over nearly every word—searching for the best word to describe the exact image I mean for the reader to see, and the precise action I mean to convey. I work to be concise.

As for characters, I try to create colorful new characters while keeping Austen's original ones true to their personalities, even though they are living in an era a hundred years after canon. And finally, I write from what is called deep point of view. By putting myself in the character's shoes, I describe what he sees as he sees it, and interpret it as he would interpret it. The goal is to immerse the reader so deeply in the story that she feels like she is there, personally experiencing the drama, as if the author is nonexistent.

BTCole: Are you happy with the response to your novels?

GM: Yes : ) Hearing that readers love it on so many levels is immensely gratifying. The frustration and angst of three years of hard work fades away.

BTCole:  Are you working on another book?  Want to give us any hints?

GM: I have notes for Great War Romances for most of the couples mentioned in the Darcy's Hope saga. Readers seem to be clamoring the loudest for Thornton's Hope, but I'll have to see. Before I can begin, I have to feel that I have a compelling plot as well as the enthusiasm and determination to bring it to life.

BTCole:  Anything else you would like tell readers?

GM: I would say that even if you don't normally care for stories set outside of the Regency Era, I would encourage you to give Darcy's Hope a chance. 

Enjoy : )  And thank you, Barbara, for hosting me today!

General Info & Links

Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey

Author: Ginger Monette

Email: SperoBooks@gmail.com

Website: GingerMonette.com

Ginger’s Facebook Page 

Ginger at Goodreads

Book length: 347 pages     DHaDA Publication Date: Jan 1, 2017

Romance sizzle rating: mild. Clean story with minor language, and some graphic recollections of war.

Ginger’s Blog Tour Schedule and Links

Enter Rafflecopter Giveaway Here

Purchase links:

Darcy’s Hope--Beauty From Ashes

Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey

Transported to Blackberry Winter While Reading Snowbound at Hartfield

Transported to Blackberry Winter While Reading Snowbound at Hartfield

by 

Barbara Tiller Cole

(First of all I would like to thank Laura Hile for her recent post and announce that Anji was the winner of Laura's book.  There is also an ebook give away with this post.  A commenter will win a copy of Maria Grace's latest book featured here today.  For extra chances:  follow this blog, follow Barbara Tiller Cole, Author on Facebook, Tweet this post, post it to Facebook, Post a link on your site, blog or Facebook group.)

It is a pleasure to be featuring my friend Maria Grace's latest book, Snowbound at Hartfield today.  Friendships made in the Austen world have often been a lifeline to me.  And none of those have been more important to me than my friendship with Maria Grace. 

Maria's creative talent, dependability, professionalism and spirituality make her someone that many other authors want to know.  I count it a true honor to consider her a friend.

Darcyholic Diversions is a place to celebrate authors and readers alike and when I got back to regular postings Maria was the first I reached out to, to see if I could feature her newest book.  

While I am grateful that Atlanta area seems to be celebrating an early spring, there is still plenty of time for a blackberry winter.  (For anyone not familiar with the term 'Blackberry Winter' it is a colloquial expression used in the South for a cold snap after spring time has arrived.)  Maria's book loaded into my Kindle,  I poured a cup of my favorite Bingley's Austen Tea Series -- Miss Lucy Steele -- and let Maria Grace's story transport me to a very snowy winter's day. 

While Snowbound at Hartfield may be considered by many to be a mashup, to me it took characters from three of Austen's works and created a brand new story.  Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Persuasion are, in order, my top three favorite Austen works.  Snowbound at Hartfield find characters from the three novels into one setting due to a bad snow storm.  

With plenty of advice from Mrs. Elton, matching making skills from Emma, and advice from Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy a love match is sure to become a reality.  Here is an exerpt from Maria Grace's latest novel.  Download it today. You won't be sorry you did!

An Excerpt from Snowbound at Hartfield

By Maria Grace

Whenever my husband and I watch Jane Austen movies, we almost always end up wonder what would happen if characters from her different novels met each other. One day that idea got stuck in my craw and wouldn’t leave until I’d full explored it.  So a blizzard, a hone theatrical and a very smart riding habit later, here it is!

What happens when Emma meets Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice? Courtships of course!

Chapter 1

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam pulled the scarf a little tighter around his neck. If the winds grew any stronger, they might topple the coach.

What madness had seized the weather? Snow was unusual enough, but a storm such as this? Who would have expected it? Certainly not his cousin Darcy. Careful and meticulous as he was, he would never have set out if he had any inkling a blizzard were a possibility, especially in the company of his wife and father-in-law.

The Darcy carriage was as snug and warm as such a vehicle might be in such anomalous weather. For that he could be glad. They were not in imminent danger of freezing to death. Still, the winds howled just as the wind on the French plains before—

No! He clenched his gloved hands into fists. Returning there, even in memory alone, did him no favors. Elizabeth—Liza as she permitted him to call her now, mostly to annoy Darcy—Liza reminded him to remember the past only as it gave him pleasure. She was right. He must do precisely that.

He drew a deep breath, then another, forcing his clenched hands to open. Warm fires, fine port, good company. His heart slowed just a bit.

She was watching him from the corner of her eye. She knew. She always knew.

Perhaps they would talk about it later. But first, they needed shelter.

The first inn they had stopped at had no room available at any price. Now, Darcy was inquiring at a decidedly seedy-looking establishment, the Ram’s Horn. Seedy was better than no shelter at all, though it meant there would be little sleep to be had for any of them. Still, he would count it good fortune if Darcy’s blunt could smooth the way to a room and a warm fire for the night.

The coach door creaked open. A blast of wind and snow burst in ahead of Darcy who jumped in and slammed the door behind him.

“Were you able to procure rooms?” Fitzwilliam pulled his coat tighter around his chest, shoulder throbbing with the fresh burst of freezing air.

“No. Not even the baronet who arrived just after we did could command lodgings.”

Liza gasped and glanced at her father who hunched for warmth and rubbed his hands together.

Darcy lifted his hand with a mildly dramatic flair.

How Liza had changed him.

“That is not to say we do not have accommodations though. The hand of Providence has provided in a most unexpected way. Just inside the inn, I encountered an old school friend of mine, George Knightley, who lives but a mile from here. He has invited us—and the baronet and his daughter—to stay with him.”

“What a spot of good luck.” Bennet nodded vigorously, perhaps to cover his shivering.

It seemed far too easy that Darcy’s old school chum just happened to be there, only too ready to extend an offer of hospitality. Nothing in life ever proved so convenient. Fate would surely exact some sort of price for this succor.

Still, refusing would be foolish.

Darcy finished telling them about his acquaintance with Knightley just as the coach pulled up to Hartfield’s front steps, the baronet’s coach just behind. No doubt, Darcy’s characteristic brevity managed to leave out the most interesting parts.

By his description, Knightley seemed decidedly odd. Why did a married man, with an estate as respectable as Donwell Abbey, live at his father-in-law’s neighboring establishment? It was just not done.

Darcy’s friends were usually so conventional.

Then again, Bennet proved decidedly odd himself. Darcy had learned to tolerate him with greater equanimity over the—what was it now, fifteen months?—of his marriage to Liza.

Perhaps Darcy was becoming less particular about his connections.

He handed Liza out of the carriage and steadied Bennet as he followed.

Fitzwilliam stepped into the wind and skidded on a patch of ice, barely catching himself on the carriage door.

Blast and botheration! This was not fit weather for man nor beast.

***

Sir Walter Elliot climbed into the coach, leaving the door open until the driver closed it. There had been little enough warm air within as it was. It would have been nice for him to try to preserve it. But the act of closing the door himself might have been enough to compromise his dignity. He could not have that, could he?

Elizabeth Elliot pulled her hood over her head and huddled into it. The fur within was cold, too. Yes, it would warm soon, but her teeth chattered in the meantime, and Father would likely scold her for the noise.

Thoughtless, self-absorbed …

No, those thoughts were ungracious and unsuitable, and Lady Russell would probably scold her for it. She scolded over so many matters, so what was one more added to the list? Elizabeth bit her lip and pulled the edges of her hood around her face.

Another unkind thought.

Surely it was this horrid storm that had compromised her composure. Usually she was better than this.

She had to be. There was little choice. Father was so very particular about all things that touched his pride—vanity, really. It was not worth the consequences if she vexed him.

Father brushed the snow off his shoulders and stomped his feet. The carriage lurched into motion.

“There was no room at the inn?”

“There was not.” He smoothed his coat over his lap. “But being a baronet has its privileges. I have made arrangements.”

“What kind of arrangements?” She cringed. Father’s arrangements usually did not consider their budget and cost them in privation later—not that he would ever admit to it, but they did. And it would inevitably fall to her to make some way to provide for his comfort despite whatever he had done.

She had become quite good at it.

“The inn was dreadful, totally unsuitable.” He waved his gloved hand dismissively. “But there I met the leading gentleman of this little community. He recognized the honor of hosting a family of our rank and invited us to stay at his estate.”

“Do you know this man?” She covered her face with her hand.

There had been many so-called gentlemen that had proved themselves otherwise. Pray there would be a lock on her door tonight. Even if there was, it might be best that her maid sleep with her as well.

“I do not. But he introduced me to his friend Darcy, whom he also invited to stay, and though that family does not have a title, they are connected to Matlock, and that is recommendation enough for me.” Father settled back in that attitude that declared the conversation over.

Of course connections would be enough for him.

Stop now. That thought was headed nowhere productive—or polite.

She sucked in a long slow breath, and another. The searing cold air made her head ache, but it slowed her thoughts enough to rein them in.

The Darcy reputation was well known, and it was impeccable. Even his surprise marriage to a country gentleman’s daughter had not tarnished it. What was more, his wife was very well received herself. A credit to the Darcy name, she had been called. Perhaps the friend of such a family would be more gentlemanly than not.

The coach rolled to a stop.

She would find out soon enough.

***

Fitzwilliam stomped snow from his boots as he ascended the front stairs. Knightley himself opened the door for them. “Pray come in.”

Warmth and light the color of a roaring fire poured through the door. No matter how peculiar the man might be, the invitation was too inviting to ignore.

Mother would approve of the vestibule—tasteful, neat, and a bit old fashioned. She always maintained that traditional décor spoke of taste and respect when it was clean and well preserved. The house seemed all those things.

But most of all it was warm. Delightfully, soothingly warm.

Fitzwilliam unwrapped his scarf.

A startled-looking butler met them and took their coats.

A woman, who must have been the housekeeper, trundled up to Knightley.

“Prepare rooms for our guests and their servants. Send the grooms for their horses.” Knightley ducked around the housekeeper. “Emma! Emma!”

Darcy cringed.

No surprise. One did not bellow for his wife as one did a servant.

Bennet sniggered under his breath.

There was a reason the younger Bennet girls were not known for their fine manners. But best not dwell upon that now.

Liza smiled softly, slipped her arm in Darcy’s, and pressed her shoulder to his. His tension eased. She was a master at restoring his composure.

Lucky man.

Thankfully, Darcy seemed to appreciate that fact and treated his wife very well. Anything less would have made him intolerable.

A young woman, blonde and pretty-ish, and looking not much older than Georgiana, hurried down the grand stairs. “I was so worried with you out there in the weather!”

Knightley caught her hands in his. “Now you are sounding like your dear papa. As you see, I am quite well and have brought guests seeking shelter from the storm. May I present Sir Walter and Miss Elliot of Kellynch Hall?”

No wonder they looked so familiar!

And offended.

Clearly Sir Walter did not appreciate being presented to the mistress of the house when he clearly outranked her. The question was, did Knightley do it intentionally or were his manners that sloppy?

Interesting.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” Mrs. Knightley curtsied with girlish energy, far better suited to a miss than a missus.

 “I am most pleased to renew our acquaintance, sir.” Fitzwilliam stepped forward and bowed.

Sir Walter looked at him, forehead knotted and brows drawn together.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Miss Elliot peered at him, eyes widening. “Father, you recall, we were introduced by the Dalrymples, at a card party, three, or was it four months ago?”

“Fitzwilliam? Oh, you are Earl Matlock’s son!”

Amazing how the man’s countenance brightened at that memory.

Fitzwilliam bowed. “Yes sir, I am. This is my cousin, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, and her father, Mr. Bennet.” 

Sir Walter bowed from his shoulders, just enough to be proper. Miss Elliot’s curtsey demonstrated a touch more civility. Just as they had at Bath.

Their haughtiness had not won them many friends there. In truth, though, it was more the baronet, than his daughter whom people avoided. When she was apart from her father, uncommon as it was, she seemed rather pleasant.

The tall, dark-haired woman might have once been regarded handsome, but years on the shelf left her worn and weary along the edges. A little like her garments—once fashionable, but now a bit threadbare. Society was not kind to women who did not ‘take’ soon enough.

Knightley took his wife’s hand as she descended the last few steps.

Given his expression, he was as fond of his wife as Darcy was of Liza. Perhaps that was the common disposition he and Darcy shared.

Knightley tucked his wife’s hand into the crook of his arm. “Darcy is an old school chum of mine. Imagine encountering him in Highbury at such a time.”

“That is very good luck, indeed. You are all very welcome. I should very much like to hear tales of my husband’s school days. He rarely mentions them.” Mrs. Knightley’s eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief, much like Liza’s did.

Knightley flashed his brows at Darcy.

What was that?

Darcy never indulged in any sort of high spiritedness during his school days, did he? The look on Knightley’s face suggested otherwise. That was one conversation Fitzwilliam would definitely follow up on.

This could be a very interesting house party after all.

Snowbound at Hartfield Book Blurb

Colonel Fitzwilliam should have been happy facing retirement. No more Napoleon, no more tromping the Continent, and his distant cousin had unexpectedly left him an estate. What was more, two of his favorite people, Darcy and Elizabeth, were travelling with him to visit his new home.

But the colonel wasn’t happy, not when he was forced to watch Darcy exchanging enamored glances with his wife. No, he wanted to pitch his cousin out the window. It didn’t help when Darcy kept lecturing him on the joys of wedded life— as if women like Elizabeth Darcy grew on every tree.

Then the snow started.

Now they were stranded at the home of George and Emma Knightley, another intolerable, blissfully wedded couple who wanted nothing more than to see his bachelor days come to an end. Thank heavens they never thought of matching him with the proud spinster who had also been caught in the storm. That would have been utterly intolerable.

Or would it?

About the Author

Though Maria Grace has been writing fiction since she was ten years old, those early efforts happily reside in a file drawer and are unlikely to see the light of day again, for which many are grateful. After penning five file-drawer novels in high school, she took a break from writing to pursue college and earn her doctorate in Educational Psychology. After 16 years of university teaching, she returned to her first love, fiction writing.

She has one husband and one grandson, two graduate degrees and two black belts, three sons, four undergraduate majors, five nieces, is starting her sixth year blogging on Random Bits of Fascination, has built seven websites, attended eight English country dance balls, sewn nine Regency era costumes, and shared her life with ten cats.

She can be contacted at:

author.MariaGrace@gmail.com

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Link to Purchase Snowbound at Hartfield at Amazon

The Frog Prince Had It Easy: A Guest Post By Fitzwilliam Darcy

The Frog Prince Had It Easy

Intro by Barbara Tiller Cole

I am very happy to be hosting Fitzwilliam Darcy and his discussion of Laura Hile's book, Darcy By Any Other Name.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it!  It was a bold idea for a body swap story, but under Laura Hile's authorship was a fun treat.  I am a comedienne at heart, so I am always looking for comedic Austen inspired stories.   I have to admit that I have NEVER enjoyed Collins except as a character to torture.  But when Fitzwilliam Darcy entered his body he became more than simply tolerable.   I most definitely chose Tom Hollander's portrayal of Collins as I read Hile's book, as he had the most ability to transform into someone that Elizabeth could tolerate (if and only if Darcy was inhabiting his body of course).  

There is a give away of an ebook copy of Darcy By Any Other Name to one lucky commenter.  Be sure to include your email address if I do not have it or if you aren't a facebook friend.  Extra entries for posting on Facebook, tweeting, following this blog, liking Laura or my author page on Facebook.  Post what you have done at the end of your comment.  Deadline for commenting is Sunday 2/19/17 at 9:00 pm.

And Now........ Presenting......

A guest post by Fitzwilliam Darcy

 

Perchance you recall that frog fellow in the fairy tale.  He’s a handsome prince, caught in a spell that changes him from a man into a toadish amphibian. The cure? Love’s first kiss. And therein lies the dilemma. What woman would ever kiss a frog?

I can go one better. What woman would ever kiss William Collins?

No one, that’s who. And I am in a position to know, because in Darcy By Any Other Name, Laura Hile has made me, Fitzwilliam Darcy, switch bodies with William Collins.

You read that right, with Collins—that podgy, pompous bounder who can empty a room simply by opening his mouth. A kiss from adorable Elizabeth Bennet? Not on your life. As Collins, I’d have a better chance if I were the frog.

I would! See here, ugly animals are much cuter than ugly men. Then too, a talking frog is a miracle. A talking Collins is a menace.

That Frog Prince is a lucky dog. In fact, all of the heroes in romantic fairy tales have it better than I do. Don’t believe me? Read on.

• Cinderella eagerly dances with her prince. No woman wants to dance with Collins. She’d need to wear combat boots, not slippers made of glass.

•  The Little Mermaid falls in love from afar, simply by gazing at her prince. That’s never going to happen for Collins. Women see him, shudder, and move in the opposite direction.

• Aladdin is poor, like Collins, but he is also clever and resourceful. And he can sing. Collins can sing, but who wants him to?

• Sleeping Beauty’s prince fights a dragon for her (according to Disney). Collins would never do that. When confronted with a dragon, he would faint or play dead.

• Beauty’s Beast? He is well-read and intelligent, as am I. However, he has the advantage of being rugged, whereas Collins is flabby and soft.  What woman wants that? Moreover, the Beast has a ferocious roar. Collins squeals and scuttles away.

I trust I have proven my point.

So, as Darcy By Any Other Name progresses, I have had to watch Collins attempt to fill my shoes as Fitzwilliam Darcy. It has been beyond galling—and once I stopped laughing, I took Laura Hile sternly to task.

She told me that I have overlooked a major benefit. Namely, that as Collins, I have the freedom to speak my mind—because no one cares what Collins says. Thus I have discovered that wisecracks and snarky asides can be rather fun. Especially because Elizabeth has been listening.

Hile went on to say that I would have a chance to kiss Elizabeth. Oho! And also to cross swords with my Aunt Catherine, give a set-down to Caroline Bingley, and kosh George Wickham on the nose.

Perhaps being William Collins won’t be so very bad after all.

Darcy By Any Other Name has turned out to be rather better than I expected—although I do wish it was my face, instead of Collins’s, on the cover. You will sigh, cry, laugh, and cheer me on when (as Collins) I clonk George Wickham. And then there’s that promised kiss...

Absolutely worth the wait, that. Even if I don’t end up being transformed into a prince.

Why not give this story a go? I think you’ll enjoy it.

*********

Purchase link at Amazon

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30188809-darcy-by-any-other-name

Amazon page with photo and bio: https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Hile/e/B003UT6VDS

Barb, thanks again for sharing Darcy’s article, hosting the giveaway, and helping promote this book. I sincerely appreciate it.