A Very Austen Christmas by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite

Today I'm happy to be able to bring you an excerpt of A Very Austen Christmas by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite. I really enjoy anthologies, and I'm looking forward to reading this one. Laura Hile is kindly offering an ebook giveaway of A Very Austen Christmas to an international commenter on this post too :)

Let's read the book blurb and then I'll share an excerpt with you


Book Description

Four favorite authors, four heartwarming stories set in Jane Austen’s Regency world.

Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite revisit Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park to deliver the uplifting holiday storytelling you’re looking for.

Her Christmas Gift by Robin Helm

Elizabeth Bennet finds herself snowbound at Rosings with two rejected, but highly eligible, suitors. Does either man have a chance? Will her childhood friend, Meryton’s golden boy, win her affection, or will she accept the master of Pemberley? Perhaps she will refuse them both a second time. Her Christmas Gift deftly combines tension and emotion with humor and romance.

The Christmas Matchmaker by Laura Hile

It’s raining; it’s pouring – and what could be better than a little Christmas matchmaking? So says Emma Woodhouse who is unexpectedly stranded at Netherfield Park. Mr. Darcy disagrees, for she has someone else in mind for adorable Elizabeth Bennet. Amid meddling, misunderstanding, and an unwelcome proposal or two, will True Love find a way?

No Better Gift by Wendi Sotis

On his way to Derbyshire to spend Christmas with his family, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy plans to retrieve an item he left behind during his rushed escape from Netherfield—and the country miss who touched his heart. Finding Meryton practically deserted, he fears the worst. What fate could have fallen upon this once-thriving village in only three weeks? More importantly, was Miss Elizabeth Bennet in danger?

Mistletoe at Thornton Lacey by Barbara Cornthwaite

When Edmund Bertram realizes that Fanny is the perfect wife for him, he wants to propose without delay. What better time than at Christmas? Ah, but the course of true love never does run smooth …

* * *

Excerpt from The Christmas Matchmaker by Laura Hile

After dinner Charles Bingley was intent on receiving the stream of callers his sister had predicted, and so he cheerfully led the entire party to the drawing room. But word must have had spread that there was sickness at Netherfield, or else the storm kept people at home. Only one person was waiting for them: Mr. Collins.

He rose to his feet. “My dear Mr. Bingley,” he began, with impressive formality.

Still talking, Miss Bates came into the room, without noticing Mr. Collins. “Now then,” she said, striking her hands together, “Christmas is a time for merrymaking. So we must play games in keeping with the holiday spirit.”

“What sort of games?” Tom Bertram wanted to know. “Whist? Loo? Better yet, shall we set up a faro bank?”

“Goodness, no. Children’s games, Mr. Bertram, the very best kind. Grandpapa and his friends were especially fond of Charades.”

“My dear Mr. Bingley,” began Mr. Collins again.

“Does anyone know how to play How, Why, When, or Where?” said Emma Woodhouse.

“A game of questions?” said Bingley. “Famous! Do teach us.”

“Mr. Bingley,” repeated Mr. Collins.

“My good fellow,” said Bingley, “do sit down and enjoy yourself.”

“Since there are so many of us, what about Reverend Crawley’s Game?” said Miss Bates. “It is always most amusing, and not nearly as fatiguing as guessing. To play, we must stand in a circle.”

“Oh, yes,” cried Emma. “Let’s do.”

Immediately Darcy was on his guard. He had played this one before. Apparently Collins had too, for his expression was eager. 

“We link hands,” said Miss Bates, “but not with those on either side, or not both hands with the same person. And then we must untangle ourselves—but without letting go of the hands you are holding.”

“Untangle ourselves?” said Elizabeth, laughing, “But how? We will be an enormous human knot!”

Vividly Darcy recalled the twisting and turning and stepping through, often at very close quarters. Collins—and Tom Bertram—must not be allowed to come smash up against Elizabeth Bennet like that.

He raised his voice about the babble. “What about dancing, instead?” 

Had he truly suggested this? But the word dancing acted like magic. Darcy was voted a capital fellow; Bingley and Bertram began rolling back the carpet. “Will you play for us, Miss Bates?” Darcy enquired.

“Oh my, bless me,” she fluttered and clucked. “I have not played in a good many years, not since I was a girl—a very long while ago—”

“I will play,” said Emma, and she opened the pianoforte. “You must dance, Miss Bates. Country dances,” she added, over Miss Bates’s objections. “I’m sure you remember how.” She spread her fingers over the keys and played an opening chord. 

Darcy took hold of Elizabeth’s hand. “Do me the honour,” he said in a low voice. “You suffered enough last night with Mr. Collins.”

Elizabeth’s startled eyes met his; he could see the refusal forming on her lips. “He is coming this way,” Darcy murmured. Elizabeth looked round.

Sure enough, Collins was already making his bow. “My dear, dear Cousin Eliza,” he said. “Will you do me the honour? As I have come all this way just to speak with you—”

Darcy saw Elizabeth stiffen. “I beg your pardon,” she said. “I am, as you see, engaged to Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy’s brows went up. He grinned, and she broke out laughing. “Too late, Mr. Collins,” he said smoothly. “Dance with Miss Bates instead.”

Tom Bertram was left standing to the side, blinking. “What we ought to do,” he said stubbornly, “is set up a faro bank.”

* * *

Giveaway Time!

Laura Hile is kindly offering an ebook giveaway of A Very Austen Christmas to a commenter on this post. To enter, just leave a comment below by the end of the day on Friday 24 November.  Do you play any Christmas games? Reverend Crawley's game sounds fun, doesn't it, especially with Mr Darcy... but not so much with Mr Collins :) Please makes sure you leave me a way to contact you in case you are the lucky winner.

Thank you so much to Laura Hile for stopping by, and all the best to all the authors for the success of this Christmas anthology.