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Friday 26 July 2019

His Choice of a Wife by Heather Moll - Blog Tour - Excerpt and Giveaway

Blog Tour - His Choice of a Wife by Heather Moll
Today I'm welcoming debut author Heather Moll to Babblings of a Bookworm as part of her blog tour. Heather has written a Pride & Prejudice variation, His Choice of a Wife, and she has come here to share an excerpt with us, and give us the opportunity to enter the blog tour giveaway. Let's take a look at the blurb and then hand over to Heather.

Book Description

Book cover - His Choice of a Wife by Heather MollWhen a man’s honor is at stake, what is he willing to risk for the woman he loves?

After a disastrous marriage proposal and the delivery of an illuminating letter, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet hope never to lay eyes on one another again. When a chance meeting in Hunsford immediately throws them in each other’s way, Darcy realizes his behavior needs correcting, and Elizabeth starts to appreciate his redeeming qualities. But is it enough to forgive the past and overcome their prejudices?

Jane and Bingley’s possible reconciliation and Lydia’s ill-conceived trip to Brighton pose their own challenges for two people struggling to find their way to love. When scandalous news threatens their chance at happiness, will Darcy and Elizabeth’s new bond be shattered, or will their growing affection hold steadfast?


Guest Post / Excerpt

Thank you, Ceri, for hosting me today! I’m very pleased to share this tidbit with your readers and give them a chance to read something from an early chapter in His Choice of a Wife. This begins after Darcy has ridden to Longbourn to see if he has any hope of earning Elizabeth’s affections after what passed between them in Kent and in London. In this exchange, Darcy has gone back to town, and the officers are dining at Longbourn. Elizabeth has a tense conversation with Mr. Wickham…
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Full Wrap Book cover - His Choice of a Wife by Heather Moll
Wickham appraised her with a calculating countenance that could not hide his agitation. He bit his bottom lip and tapped his foot feverishly. Elizabeth attempted to see beyond him to determine whether Jane was on her way back, but he abruptly leant back into his chair and crossed his legs in front of her, his arm on the back of her chair and his legs preventing her from standing.

I heard an interesting report from Denny and Pratt last week, and I have been anxious to speak of it to you.”

Elizabeth gave a slight inclination of her head but said nothing. “They were returning from Meryton by way of Lucas Lodge, and both men say they saw you walking on the arm of none other than Mr. Darcy, having an intimate tête-à-tête! They thought he might have even kissed your hand. They were adamant although I told them that they could not have suggested a more unlikely couple. After all, Mr. Bingley and his party have been removed from the neighborhood for six months.” Here Wickham lowered his voice, and Elizabeth could not mistake his contempt. “So do now tell me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, how could it be that Fitzwilliam Darcy lent you his arm to stroll about Hertfordshire?”

Elizabeth remembered Mr. Darcy’s letter and his assertion that Wickham had followed Georgiana to Ramsgate by design, induced by both fortune and revenge. A shiver of revulsion ran down her spine. Could he be so angry about my knowing the truth that he tries to exact revenge upon me? She now knew Wickham to be a man without scruples, but surely he was not dangerous and desperate? She was too poor to be an object of prey, after all, and she held too much disgust for him to continue their acquaintance, let alone be duped by his lies. He could have no power over her.

Are you asking that I account for my whereabouts?” She affected an air of indifference. “Such a responsibility falls to my father.”

Wickham scoffed. “Yes, Mr. Bennet is alert to his family’s cares and concerns.” Elizabeth blushed with shame; it was well known in their neighborhood that Mr. Bennet was a careless father. “I mean no offense. I am...surprised that you would choose to pass your time with a man whose foul misconduct has caused me such suffering. You yourself have on many occasions said how little you can tolerate Darcy, for he does so despise his fellow creatures in general.”

Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth began slowly, “Mr. Darcy improves on further acquaintance. At Rosings I had the opportunity of knowing him better, and I now understand his true nature.”

Wickham’s complexion heightened and his eyes narrowed as he, for a moment, sat silent. He exhaled loudly and nodded then said slowly in a low voice, “To whom, may I ask, do you owe this newfound information? Perhaps the good colonel?”

My knowledge of Mr. Darcy and the quality of his character comes from the gentleman himself.” Her patience was wearing thin, and she was in no humor to indulge Wickham. There was little doubt in her mind that he understood her to know the truth behind his connections to the Darcy family, but he did not appear embarrassed, only angry. Elizabeth wished he would be gone.

I can imagine few inducements that would drive a man as private and reserved as Darcy to discuss his intimate dealings with one wholly unconnected to him.” He paused and allowed his gaze to linger over her in a manner that could only be described as lecherous. “Or perhaps you are not as unconnected to Darcy as you would have me believe?”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened in affront, but before she could reply, Wickham rose and left to give the other ladies their share of his attentions. Elizabeth was unsettled, and she desired never to meet him again. 

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Ewwww! Isn't he awful!

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Author Bio

Author Heather MollHeather Moll is an avid reader with a B.A. in European history and a M.A. in library science, so it is astonishing that she did not discover Jane Austen until her late-twenties. Making up for lost time, she devoured all of Austen’s novels, her letters, and unpublished works, joined JASNA, and spent far too much time researching the Regency era. She is thrilled to have found fellow Janeites and the JAFF community, if only to prove that her interests aren’t so strange after all. Heather is a former librarian turned stay-at-home mother who struggles to find time for all of the important things, like reading and writing.

Connect with Heather - Facebook - Twitter - Amazon US Author PageGoodreads

Book cover - His Choice of a Wife by Heather Moll
Buy Links

His Choice of a Wife is available to buy now!


Giveaway Time

Meryton Press is giving away 8 eBooks of Heather Moll’s His Choice of a Wife! To enter, please use the rafflecopter.


Thanks so much to Heather, for visiting here with the blog tour, to Janet Taylor, for arranging the tour, and to Meryton Press, for the giveaway. I wish you all the best of luck!

Blog Tour - His Choice of a Wife by Heather Moll
Blog Tour Schedule

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74 comments:

  1. This interaction with Wickham should have definitely put to rest any doubt that might have lingered over his true character. Congrats on the release!

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    1. Wickham is trouble with a capital T, that’s for sure! Thanks so much!

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    2. He seems very unpleasant in this excerpt, doesn't he!

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  2. I wonder though what he will do next

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  3. Eww, Wickham is slimy. Run, Elizabeth, run!

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    1. He’s really awful isn’t he? Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Yes, steer well clear Elizabeth!

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  4. Ah, I already hate this Wickham. :)

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  5. Why on Earth was Elizabeth left alone with such an obnoxious man? I hope she stops walking out on her own while he’s in the neighbourhood!
    He needs to be revealed as the scoundrel he is and arrested for the debts he has no doubt already run up!

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    1. Poor Elizabeth had to deal with him when they officers came to Longbourn for dinner. He is a terrible scoundrel, though! Thanks Glynis.

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    2. I find it worrying that Elizabeth walks on her own with such people in the neighbourhood too :(

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  6. Great excerpt! Wickham is such a snake, isn't he? I hope he doesn't exact some kind of revenge on Elizabeth.
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book!

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    1. He gives reptiles a bad name, doesn’t he? Thanks for stopping by Pam.

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    2. Me too, Pam. I think a lady would be pretty safe from canon Wickham, but a variation Wickham might be another kettle of fish.

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  7. Love Elizabeth's encounter with a threatening Wickham.
    I do want to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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    1. So glad you loved it! Thanks for entering the giveaway!

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    2. I felt quite creeped out by it!

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  8. Yuck! I'd hate to be Elizabeth in that situation. Wickham is just as sleazy as usual. Thanks for the excerpt, Heather, and thanks for hosting, Ceri!

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    1. Wickham’s such a creeper. Beware, Elizabeth! Thanks Suzan.

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    2. Hi Suzan. It was an uncomfortable scene wasn't it!

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  9. Heather, you really know how to make Wickham a bad boy. I got the creeps while reading, and I mean that as a compliment to your writing. Good job!

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    1. I have no problem giving readers the creeps :) (File that one under “weird things I never thought I’d say”) Thank you for the compliment, Jan!

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    2. Glad you enjoyed it, Jan, thanks for commenting!

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  10. Ugh, the manner of Wickham's entrapment of Lizzy, both verbal and physical, was quite sickening. And in a roomful of people! Well done, Heather.

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    1. He’s truly stomach-turning, isn’t he? Thanks so much, Jan!

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    1. Wickham is awful isn’t he? Thanks for saying hello Patricia!

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  12. That's Wickham for you, so sleazy! I can imagine Elizabeth's relief to have him walk away. Nice excerpt, Heather!

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    1. A huge sigh of relief, right? Thanks for stopping by Kelly!

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    2. Glad you enjoyed it Kelly!

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  13. Thanks for hosting me today Ceri!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Heather. I was very happy to host you :)

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  14. What a snake. That really gave me chills. Looking forward to reading this. Thanks for the generous giveaway, Heather. Best of luck on the launch of His Choice of Wife.

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    1. Wickham is truly disgusting here, Thanks for the well wishes, Michelle!

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    2. I found it creepy too :(

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  15. Ewww, indeed!! OMG! That was the gauntlet thrown down. We are not finished seeing Wickham and now the gloves come off. All appearances of goodness in him are not gone. What she will see from here on is his contempt for Darcy and his revenge directed at her. Run, Lizzy, run. Don't be stupid and allow yourself to be caught out by him. La!! This will be a mess. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks to Ceri for hosting and to Heather for this excerpt and the generous giveaway. Blessings on the launch and success of this work.

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    1. It will SO be a mess, but with a happy ever after! Thanks for your kind words!

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    2. You are on the money there, J W, all appearances of goodness have now gone!

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  16. I enjoyed reading all the comments above, and the general consensus is in. Wickham is indeed a sleazy snake that definitely gives all reptiles a bad name! Oh yes, indeed, all appearance of goodness is gone. Heather, congratulations on writing that brings about such emotion. Best wishes with your release.

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  17. I am really looking forward to reading this one! I hate Wickham but now I am looking forward to seeing him get what's coming to him in this story....please tell me you really let him have it!

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    1. As far as Wickham getting what he deserves ...I think you won’t be disappointed, Danielle! Thanks for reading the excerpt!

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    2. I enjoy a bad Wickham take down :)

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  18. I like the fact that Wickham's true nature is revealed to Elizabeth and that she believes the worst in Wickham. I wish he would leave her alone after this. But I fear something bad will happen to our beloved heroine or her family since he guessed that Darcy fancies her.

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    1. He’s an opportunist schemer and nothing but trouble. Thanks for saying hello!

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    2. I agree, Luthien, it's good when Elizabeth knows the type of person Wickham is, but also worrying, because if he knows that she knows he doesn't need to keep up a pretence of being a decent person.

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  19. Wickham sounds ominous in this excerpt. Thanks for a chance to win this book as it sounds intriguing. Also thanks for sharing the excerpt. Good luck with its release.

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    1. Thanks for your support Sheila!

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    2. Hi Sheila, I found the excerpt slightly worrying too. Hope nothing too bad happens!

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  20. Yikes! Wickham gives off a creepy vibe. He’s up to no good. I wonder what he’s up to...

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    1. He’s up to nothing good :) Thanks for reading Dung!

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    2. Thanks for commenting, Dung. I wonder too!

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  21. Oh I shudder to think what Wickham will do now! Hope he gets his just desserts! Looking forward to reading what is hopefully your first of many JAFF books! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Wickham sure deserves his just deserts in this one! Thanks for your encouragement Claire!

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    2. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Claire!

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  22. Wickham is up to no good, I'm looking forward to reading the story. Congratulations on the release.

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    1. I’m glad you’re looking forward to it! Thanks for your kind words KateB.

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  23. Heather, your writing is very good and highly entertaining! Ceri your blog is as always stellar!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you stopped by.

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    2. Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I hope you enjoy the book when you read it :)

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  24. Congrats on the release! This book sounds so fun!

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    1. Oh, I’m so glad you think so, Leah! Thanks so much :)

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    2. Hope you enjoy the book when you read it, Leah.

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  25. Oh my goodness, he's such a slimeball, isn't he? I mean Wickham, by the way! Thank goodness Elizabeth now sees him for what he really is. Thanks for teasing us with this excerpt, Heather.

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    1. He’s truly reprehensible. At least Elizabeth knows it, right? I’m glad it piqued your interest :)

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    2. He’s a total slimeball, but he gets what’s coming to him. Thanks for reading!

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    3. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Anji! He made my flesh creep!

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