An Unexpected Merry Gentleman by Anngela Schroeder - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

Are you feeling festive yet? I hope so, because I am welcoming author Anngela Schroeder back to the blog with a seasonal novella, An Unexpected Merry Gentleman. I'll share the blurb with you, and then hand over to Anngela for her guest post. She's also brought a giveaway!

Book Description

 ‘Tis the season to be jolly and Mr. Darcy and his sister have been invited to Netherfield for Christmas with Bingley’s business associate and the Bennets of Longbourn. There is no comfort or joy for this taciturn man when he discovers the sparkling Elizabeth Bennet finds him proud and arrogant. His only choice is to win her heart, but is it too late to change her opinion of him?

Guest Post from Anngela Schroeder and Excerpt

Hello, Babblings of a Bookworm readers. I am so grateful Ceri has allowed me to share an excerpt from my Christmas novella, “An Unexpected Merry Gentleman” with you this holiday season. It was quite a labor of love, attempting to complete it between the anthologies “Rational Creatures” and “Yuletide.” But, I succeeded in my endeavor––to make a light ‘frothy’ Christmas story one could curl up with under the covers in front of a roaring fire. Who doesn’t want to get lost in the pages with our favorite couple?

And, who doesn’t love the holidays? Hot Cocoa, snow men and pine trees? Christmas means so much to so many, but hopefully it gives us a chance to slow down and remember what is really important––our families and loved ones. That is what “An Unexpected Merry Gentleman” is all about––how the love of families unites us and makes us the best version of ourselves.

In the following excerpt, Elizabeth is able to see the love Mr. Darcy has for his sister. This affection compounds on the already new feelings Elizabeth is discovering while observing his interactions with her young cousins, the Gardiner sisters, Miss Victoria, and Miss Emily Gardiner. I hope you enjoy! 

“And you, Mr. Darcy? What are some of your Pemberley traditions?” [asked Mr. Gardiner.]

“Like most families, we have several traditions handed down for generations.”

“Yes,” Miss Darcy said. “My favorite is the gingerbread men. Nanny Flora used to have Cook decorate them like me and my pony, Butterscotch.”

“I remember how you cried when I ate one of those biscuits.”

“William, you ate her head!”

The room erupted in laughter and Elizabeth was gratified to see Mr. Darcy joining in the joke.

“Somehow I feared it meant her death! I begged and begged Father to allow me to run to the stables to check on her, but he refused because of the snow.”

Jane’s eyes grew wide. “However could you sleep? I would be wide awake with worry all night.”

Miss Darcy looked up at Mr. Darcy and smiled. “I slept because my dear brother could not.”

He shifted in his seat as all eyes glanced his way, before settling back on Miss Darcy.

“After father had retired, William put on his boots and stole down to the stables. He trudged through the snow to bring me back a piece of Butterscotch’s mane and assure me she was well.”

It was evident Mr. Darcy was embarrassed by the praise, but he turned to his sister and said, “And not once have I ever eaten another of those biscuits, have I?”

“You have not.” The look passing between them was of tender affection.

“You make me quite envious, Miss Darcy. I have always wished for a brother to spoil me and protect me as yours appears to,” said Elizabeth.

“Yes, he is the best of brothers. And the piece of Butterscotch’s mane was what a worried young girl needed.”

“I am beginning to think he is quite a thoughtful man.” Elizabeth looked at him with a twinkle in her eye, causing his breath to catch.

Is that a hint of Elizabeth’s famous mixed signals/misinterpreted sighs and impertinent remarks? Perhaps Darcy is imagining things; perhaps Elizabeth has changed; perhaps there is more under the surface than we originally believed. Whatever the truth may be, it appears Darcy might be an “Unexpected Merry Gentleman” after all.

I do hope the excerpt has enticed you to check out the full novella of “An Unexpected Merry Gentleman” available on Amazon, and on Kindle Unlimited. I have also included the opportunity to win a kindle version of the book, which is open internationally. Comment to be entered to win. Have a Merry Christmas, and a happy holiday!

About the Author

Anngela has a degree in English with a concentration in British Literature and a Masters in Education. She loves to travel, bake, and watch college football with her husband of 18 years and 3 rambunctious sons. Her weaknesses are yellow cake with chocolate frosting, her father's Arabic food (namely grape leaves, and falafel), and frozen Girl Scout Thin Mints. She lives in California where she dreams of Disney adventures and trips across the pond.

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Buy Links

This novella is available to buy now, in both paperback and ebook format/ You can get it on Amazon UK / Amazon US / Amazon CA and elsewhere. You can also add it to your Goodreads shelf.

Giveaway Time

As mentioned above, Anngela is giving away a kindle version of An Unexpected Merry Gentleman to an international commenter on this blog post. To enter, just leave a comment by the end of the day on Saturday 15 December. Please leave contact details in order that I can let you know if you are the lucky winner.

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