Thursday 5 September 2019

A Matter of Honor by Abigail Reynolds - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

As long time visitors to the blog may know, I am a huge fan of Abigail Reynold's books and she's visited the blog many times. Therefore I am thrilled, and consider it a matter of honour ;)  to be hosting her on launch day for her newest book, A Matter of Honor. It looks fantastic and I can't wait to read it! Abigail joins us today with a guest post, excerpt and giveaway. Let's look at the blurb first.

Book cover: Mr Darcy's Honor by Abigail Reynolds
Book Description for A Matter of Honor

Pride & Prejudice goes to Scotland!

When Fitzwilliam Darcy, still smarting from Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection, discovers she was forced to flee her home in disgrace owing to his actions, his course is clear. He must marry her. It is a matter of honor. All he has to do is find her and propose. Surely that will be simple enough.

But Elizabeth does not want to be found, especially not by Darcy. From the moment he entered her life, he has caused disaster after disaster. Now he has followed her all the way to Scotland, foolishly certain it’s within his power to fix all her problems. But far more is at stake than Darcy knows.

Darcy’s quest takes him from backstage at Edinburgh’s Theatre Royal to the wilds of the Scottish Highlands, where mysterious Highlanders prove both friend and enemy. And now his search risks exposing long-hidden secrets that threaten his happiness and her future.

On the run and in danger, Elizabeth is forced to make impossible choices to protect those whom she loves – including Darcy. Her growing attraction to him is at war with her need for caution, and the stakes are impossibly high. Can she trust him to continue to fight for her protection when he knows the whole truth? And if he does, will it be for love… or will it be merely a matter of honor?

Guest Post from Abigail Reynolds

I’m so excited to be launching A Matter of Honor! Giving Darcy and Elizabeth to a new country to explore has been challenge and a delight. After all, what could be more fun than digging into Scottish history and being forced – forced! – to spend hours staring at pictures of the Highlands. It’s a sacrifice, I tell you. 😉 It’s been particularly interesting because of the amazing online records, especially the digital collections of the National Library of Scotland. I found everything from records of the weather for any given day to the original playbills for the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. Period maps, gazetteers, and travel guides gave me an amazing virtual tour of Scotland in 1812.

Playbill from Scotland
All but the first two chapters of A Matter of Honor takes place in Scotland, starting with several chapters in Edinburgh. Those playbills came in very handy as the Edinburgh Theatre Royal became a focus of activity for many of the characters. As an old theatre techie, I’ve always wanted to write backstage scenes, but English Regency theatres attracted pretty disreputable characters, and the people likely to show up backstage wouldn’t be the sort I could put in my books. Imagine my delight when I discovered the theatre in Scotland was forced into a sort of respectability lest the Church of Scotland force them to close!

Loch Ard
But as Darcy becomes a little too close to Elizabeth’s secrets, she flees from Edinburgh into the Highlands. I’m embarrassed by how much time I spent choosing the perfect Highland hide-out for Elizabeth. There were so many wonderful possibilities! In the end, I put her in the midst of the Trossachs, on the shores of Loch Ard, not far from Loch Lomond. I didn’t want her too far from Edinburgh in the days when travel on Highland roads was painfully slow, and it put our dear couple right in Sir Walter Scott country, just as his The Lady of the Lake was taking society by storm. And that turned into a plot twist by itself!

I hope you’ll enjoy visiting Scotland with Lizzy and Darcy in A Matter of Honor. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Book cover: A Matter of Honor by Abigail Reynolds
Excerpt from A Matter of Honor

Mrs. Graham excused herself for a few moments after an informal dinner in the drawing room, leaving Darcy alone with Elizabeth for the first time that day. Elizabeth had been particularly attentive to him at dinner, perhaps trying to distract him from the pain in his leg, which was nothing to the ache in his heart. But the laudanum-laced wine had relaxed him enough that he could drink in the lively expressions that crossed Elizabeth’s face and the way her hair shone in the candlelight without too much thought of the future, as if intimate dinners with her were something that could be a natural part of his life.

Now Elizabeth walked past him toward the bookcase, the slight sway of her hips almost hidden by her woolen dress, the curve of her neck outlined by the moonlight from the window. A surge of desire nearly overset Darcy, the longing to run his hand along that silver-lit skin so strong that he had to fight to keep himself on his chaise longue, broken leg be damned. In that moment, being lame forever seemed a small price to pay for being able to touch Elizabeth, to feel the silk of her skin, the little shiver she would give at his touch.
Then she turned and met his gaze, and he knew he was not alone in his desire. She wanted him, too. There was hunger and yearning in her fine eyes, and, as they stared at one another in silence, a hint of despair.
She bit her lip and shook herself, as if waking from a reverie, and looked away. She picked a book from the shelf at random, clutched it tightly, and hurried back to her seat by the fire, never looking his way.
The ache in his chest was like a burning coal he could not ignore. “Elizabeth,” he said softly.
She hesitated before raising her head. “Yes?” Her voice was weighted with resignation.
You cannot deny what is between us. Surely there must be some way we can work together to overcome whatever stands in our way.” He did not know why she might answer differently this time, but he could not remain silent.
Her hands tightened into fists. “Do you think I have not tried to find a way? But there is no answer. And trying to pretend otherwise only makes it worse.” Her voice caught. “Perhaps you have never before been denied something you wanted desperately, but there are very few in this world who have that privilege.”
His face burned at her reproof. “I have been fortunate, but I have faced adversity. It is not stubbornness but the strength of my sentiments which will not be denied.” Even as the words left his mouth, he knew it was the wrong approach.
As she looked at him, her pain evident in the lines of her face, she opened her mouth to say something, but apparently changed her mind. Instead, she rose to her feet and hurried from the room, her skirts swishing around her.
Elizabeth!” he called after her, but there was no response, just the sound of her feet on the steps.
Devil take it! He could not follow her, could not do anything but wait for her to return. If she did return. He pounded his fist on the arm of the chaise longue, wincing at the pain as the movement jostled his leg. Damn it! Why could she not have stayed and talked to him?
He heard someone outside the door, but it was Mrs. Graham’s quick footsteps, not the soft sound of Elizabeth’s slippers. The older woman hesitated in the doorway, looking back in the direction Elizabeth had gone, and then turned to Darcy with an exasperated expression. “I canna leave the two of ye alone for even a few minutes!”
It is nothing,” he said automatically. Another reproof was the last thing he needed.
From what I saw of Lizzy’s face, it did not look like nothing,” she said tartly. “I will give ye one piece of advice, whether ye like it or not. When a lass says nae, ye must take her at her word. Show her that much respect.”

I have the greatest of respect for her,” he said stiffly. But he had not shown it. She had begged him not to press her, and he had not listened. What a fool he had been!

Author Bio

Author Abigail ReynoldsAbigail Reynolds may be a nationally bestselling author and a physician, but she can't follow a straight line with a ruler. Originally from upstate New York, she studied Russian and theater at Bryn Mawr College and marine biology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. After a stint in performing arts administration, she decided to attend medical school, and took up writing as a way to retain her sanity during her years as a physician in private practice.

A life-long lover of Jane Austen's novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod. Her most recent releases are Mr. Darcy’s Enchantment, Conceit & Concealment, Mr. Darcy’s Journey, and Alone with Mr. Darcy. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.


Buy Links

A Matter of Honor is available to buy now - in paperback, kindle and Kindle Unlimited Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon Canada / Goodreads


Giveaway Time!

Book cover: A Matter of Honor by Abigail Reynolds
Abigail Reynolds is kindly offering a giveaway. Two lucky commenters on this blog post will be selected to win an ebook of A Matter of Honor. To enter, just leave a comment on this blogpost by the end of the day worldwide on Thursday 12 September. Please ensure that you leave your name. You can gain an extra entry to the giveaway by tweeting about this post, but please make sure you tag me @Frawli1978 to make sure I see it.

Note about comments: I love to read your comments, but a few blog visitors have reported difficulties in commenting while using the Safari browser. If you are unable to comment, please try using another web browser, such as Google Chrome, or please contact me and I will add your comment for you :)

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89 comments:

  1. I am so looking forward to being able to read this book. I've been enjoying the chapters that have been posted, and have no idea how E&D are going to get together!
    Love that picture of the Loch that you've included above.

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    1. Thanks, Ginna! The picture is of Loch Ard, which plays a big role in the book. It's a smallish loch, but gorgeous!

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    2. Abigail, is it actually a photo? When I first looked at it, I thought, "That is one awesome painting!"

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    3. Hi Ginna! Glad you're enjoying the chapters you've read so far. :)

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  2. Just writing to wish you good luck with the new book!
    I wish it a "good sailing" as we say in Greek. ;-)
    Thank you--both ladies!-- for the giveaway.
    Alexandra Rivers

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  3. When I saw mentions of this one earlier, I was excited for the release. Love Abigail's books and this one looks like it will be no exception especially since I enjoy Scotland as a setting.

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    1. It was such a treat to write a story set in Scotland. The country becomes part of the story!

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    2. Hi Sophia. I love to go somewhere outside the usual areas with P&P variations so I'm looking forward to going to Scotland with the characters.

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  4. Thrilling excerpt! How lucky we are that Abigail Reynolds keeps producing such great works! Thanks, Ceri and Abigail!

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    1. Thanks, Christina! I'm thrilled readers keep reading my books!

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    2. So glad you enjoyed the excerpt Christina!

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  5. I am eager to read this book! I've recently discovered Outlander, so I have a new fascination for Scotland, having Elizabeth and Darcy there will certainly be awsome! Thanks for putting this post together Ceri, and please do not include me in the gievaway as I already have a copy of the book.

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    1. Scotland really is a fascinating setting. I loved my virtual explorations of the Scottish countryside.

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    2. I hope you enjoy it Rita! I haven't read Outlander, but I know it's a phenomenon :)

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  6. After living in Scotland for 16 years and travelling the country I look forward to seeing if I recognise any of the areas mentioned in the book

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    1. Lucky you! I tried to research everything as well as I could, but mistakes always creep through. Fortunately there were a lot of period images of Regency Edinburgh to help me with that part!

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    2. Hi Vesper. Your knowledge of Scotland must give you an added reason to read this book. I have only been there once for an event, to Motherwell, so a far cry from the beautiful loch pictured in Abigail's post! I'd love to go there properly.

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  7. I can't wait to read... oh, hold on... it is downloading... like at this very minute. I can't talk right now!! Oh, where are my manners. Congratulations... if I could just peek... on the launch... one page... of this new work, Abigail. Oh, that cover is simply beautiful. I wish you much success... what on earth has happened to Lizzy? You have certainly give us much to think about... I bet Darcy will sort it all out. Please excuse me I need to... go... and read a bit now. Oh, I have that appointment... DANG!! Blessings, my dear.

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    1. Loved your comment! I hope you enjoy the rest of the book, and do remember to pay attention at your appointment! ;)

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    2. Jeanne, you kill me! So funny. Hope you enjoy, my friend :)

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  8. Always love a new release from Abigail. Have all the “first” releases sitting proudly on my shelf from the beginning of my Austen obsession. Congratulations and thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Thanks, Becky! I'm proud that my books are on your shelf.

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    2. That's so great, that you have the paper books. I don't have the space for anywhere near as much as I'd like. I only have one of Abigail's books in paper, and I bought that one in kindle too, so I could enjoy it wherever I was :)

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  9. Ooh this sounds so intriguing! I love Abigail's books!

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    1. It's an intriguing premise, isn't it Maria! Looking forward to reading it.

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  10. As Abigail knows, I'm a long time fan of her books, and I'm looking forward to reading this new one! (Though it may take a while, I have a huge TBR pile of both physical and e-books... I'm currently working on Mr. Darcy's Enchantment)

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    1. Mr. Darcy's Enchantment will keep you busy for a while - it's a lot of book! But I hope you have fun with it. :)

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    2. I know all about the colossal TBR pile, both virtual and physical. I have both! Hope you manage to get to this one sooner rather than later :)

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  11. Oh the Trossachs are beautiful as is Loch Ard! Love the photo and can't wait to read this. I've stopped reading the chapters, as I want to be completely surprised with this when I do read it. I'm just a bit behind in your books though. I recently bought the paperback of 'Mr. Darcy's Enchantment' and once I have undisturbed time, I will read it! Then on to this one! Congratulations!

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    1. The nice thing about the paperback of 'Mr. Darcy's Enchantment' is that you can also use it for weight-lifting. My longest book by far, though this one comes pretty close! The two of them together are longer than 6 copies of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Enjoy!

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    2. Thanks for your comment Carole. I didn't realise Mr Darcy's Enchantment was so much longer than Abigail's other books until I read the answer to you!

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  12. I'm intrigued by the premise and love the setting of Scotland. I also tweeted this post. Thanks for the chance to win.

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    1. Hi Darcybennett. Hope you enjoy the book. I saw your tweet, thank you!

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  13. Oh heavens! Poor Darcy! How on Earth has he broken his leg? how can Elizabeth leave him there? Why can’t she tell him what the problem is? Why don’t I shut up and finish my current book so I can start this one and get the answers for myself?
    Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I have this already and thanks for this teaser (I think ��)

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    1. Darcy broke his leg when he encountered a vicious author who needed some way to force Elizabeth to stop running away from him, and we know she can't abandon a wounded Darcy! ;)

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    2. So much angst, Glynis! Although a broken bone can be useful in terms of plot, it always makes me wince to think of these poor people in past times who broke bones. Hope it heals well!

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  14. Bonjour,
    je lis depuis quelques mois les variations de Orgueil et Préjugés (Pride and Prejudice) en version originale. Mon anglais n'est pas parfait mais je me débrouille bien. L'intrigue a Matter of Honor me plait énormément. J'espère pouvoir le lire. J'aime l'idée de voir Darcy prisonnier de son corps, sa jambe blessée le rend vulnérable. Ce dernier chapitre donne envie d'en savoir plus. Sorry but I write in French. I hope you would appreciate my comment. Happy to read your book.

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    1. Poor Darcy didn't deal well with being an invalid, I'm afraid! It's hard for a man who is used to being in control of everything to give up control.

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    2. Hi Lyrod, merci bien for commenting! I hope you can read the book. If it helps you, if you access my blog on the desktop version, I have a translate gadget on the right :)

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  15. What an intriguing excerpt! I'm sure this will be as wonderful as the rest of Ms. Reynold's books, and Scotland, Oh my! I'm currently enthralled with Outlander as well, books and tv series, so you couldn't have chosen a better setting for your new book afaic, Abigail! --Laurie McClain

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    1. Thank you, Laurie! I loved my virtual time in Scotland. It was such a fantastic, rich setting.

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    2. Hope you enjoy it when you read it, Laurie!

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  16. Great excerpt Regina. I love variations with D&E taking place in a totally new environment. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaway.
    KateB or @cleob68 on Twitter

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    1. Sometimes it's fun to put our dear couple in a new place!

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  17. I plan to read this one way or another as I have enjoyed all your other books. I have a lot of your first ones in paperback as I did not have a Kindle. Thanks for a chance to win.

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    1. Hi Sheila. The prompt for me to discover the genre was the fact that I got a kindle so I don't have many in paperback. As a keen reader, I'm sure your storage space is thankful that you can read on ebook these days but there is something special about having a physical book, isn't there!

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    2. Thanks, Sheila! I hope you enjoy this one, too.

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  18. Still have a good wait until the Canadian paperback release, but I'm reading the 5 chapters every day. So excited for this book!!!

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    1. Hi Sara, glad you are excited to read this book, I am too!

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  19. Love when P&P variations are set in Scotland! Looking forward to reading this one!

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    1. Hi Claire, I love to visit different settings with variations. It will be interesting to see how Scotland differs from England.

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  20. Another masterpiece! I can only say, go people and read it - you won't regret. Please don't include me in the giveaway as I already own it :-)

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    1. Hi Agnes, thanks for coming by and commenting, that's such lovely praise which I am sure Abigail will appreciate :)

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    2. Thank you, Agnes! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.

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  21. I love all of Abigail's books! This one sounds like so much fun! Can't wait to read it.

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    1. It sounds great, doesn't it Leah, although I can feel myself getting angry with Mr Bennet already!

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    2. Thanks! I think you'll like it. :)

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  22. Very eager to know what is stopping EB to get close to FD. Poor FD. Looking forward to know more .

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    1. It's mysterious isn't it Buturot!

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    2. Yes, this book has quite a bit of Darcy torture! But Elizabeth has a hard row to hoe, too.

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  23. I am always excited to see a new book from you, they never disappoint!!! I bought the book so please do not include me in the giveaway.

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    1. I hope you enjoy the book, Danielle! Although giveaways are fun, sometimes it's too long to wait to get our hands on a book :)

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    2. Thanks, Danielle! I hope you enjoy it!

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  24. Hello Abigail! You are a new-to-me author. Your book sounds wonderful!

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    1. Oh Carol, you have so many treats ahead of you. Abigail has an amazing back catalogue of books. Two of her books are my top 1 and 2 of all Austen-inspired reads, Mr Darcy's Obsession and Fitzwilliam Darcy:The Last Man in the World. Love them!

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    2. THanks, Ceri! That means a lot. :)

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    3. I hope you give it a try, Caryl! I've got quite a few Pride & Prejudice variations out there.

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  25. I have a comment from Eva which was emailed through:

    just love all of Abigail's books.  Scotland is a beautiful country and would be very rugged during this time period.  What is Elizabeth's secret that she cannot be with Darcy?  Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Hi Eva, this is what I want to know too; what is the impediment!

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    2. You'll have to read the book to discover the secret, but good luck with the giveaway!

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  26. What an intriguing excerpt! Poor Darcy! Usually in JAFF I prefer him to Elizabeth because I think he tries much more than her to be together, and now he is wounded too!

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    1. I think that's a good point, Sophia. Authors quite often put Darcy through the mill in JAFF.

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    2. I'm afraid I was pretty rough on poor Darcy in this one. He's definitely more invested than she is for most of the book - it takes her a while to realize her feelings. :)

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  27. Thank you for your generous giveaway, I look forward to reading your newest release in the future. Several of the first Austenesque Books I read were written by Abigail Reynolds and they helped me to learn to love this genre.
    Thank You again for this giveaway and for sharing your wonderful stories with us.

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    1. Abigail was one of the first authors of the genre that I discovered as well, Chelsea. I hope you enjoy this one when you read it.

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    2. Thanks, Chelsea! I'm glad my books helped bring you into the Austenesque fold.

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  28. Love reading about your writing journey. Glad you decided to publish your writing and creating your debut novel! I’m looking forward to reading it!

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    1. Thanks, Dung! It's amazing to think of how much it changed my life that I finally found the courage to click that button and post the chapter.

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  29. I'm at the point in my life where I am searching for a good source to which to donate my collection. Is there anyone who lives nearby who would be interested? Bethlehem Pennsylvania. The libraries here don't keep many of the books they get but sell them off and I want to make sure they go to someone who is interested in the genre, JAFF. I want to reread a few as I read them before I retired and began to write reviews.

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    1. Are you going to the Reader/Writer Get Together in November? If so, you could bring them with you, to offer.

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    2. Hi Sheila, that's such a generous thought. I seem to recall that you don't do facebook, but if you like I could ask on Mr Darcy's Extensive Readers if anybody has suggestions of where you could find an appreciative new home for your books?

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  30. I am intrigued about the plot in A Matter of Honor. As I haven't been reading your posting on Austen Variations, I don't know what is really going on. Why would Elizabeth not accept Darcy's love and be together with him since she does love him?

    And thank you for the generous giveaway, Abigail.

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    1. I don't know either, Luthien. We will have to read the book to find ouut :)

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    2. Reading the posting won't help you, I'm sorry to say. You won't find out until well into the book. There are layers and layers of secrets here!

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  31. Thanks, Ceri. With so many I can't afford to pay postage to mail the books out but if anyone lives close enough to the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania I am willing to drive an hour to deliver some or all to a new home. There are some I want to reread in order to post a review. Those are ones I read before I began posting reviews. This would give me the impetus to do just that.

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If you're not logged in to Google please leave your name in your comment or it will post as anonymous. Thanks! - Ceri