When Charlotte Became Romantic by Victoria Kincaid - Guest Post and Giveaway

Victoria Kincaid is visiting us today to tell us about her latest story, When Charlotte Became Romantic. This is focusing on Charlotte Lucas, who, as we all know was prudent rather than romantic... but what if things had been different? Let's take a look at the blurb and then hand over to Victoria, who has brought an excerpt of the book for us to enjoy and a giveaway.

Book Description

In the original Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s friend, Charlotte Lucas marries the silly and obsequious clergyman, Mr. Collins.  But what if fate—and love—intervened?

Desperate to escape her parents’ constant criticism, Charlotte has accepted a proposal from Mr. Collins despite recognizing his stupid and selfish nature.  But when a mysterious man from her past visits Meryton for the Christmas season, he arouses long-buried feelings and causes her to doubt her decision. 

James Sinclair’s mistakes cost him a chance with Charlotte three years ago, and he is devastated to find her engaged to another man.  Honor demands that he step aside, but his heart will not allow him to leave Meryton.  Their mutual attraction deepens; however, breaking an engagement is not a simple matter and scandal looms.  If they are to be happy, Charlotte and James must contend with her parents’ opposition, Lady Catherine’s nastiness, and dangerous figures from James’s past. 

Charlotte had forsworn romance years ago; is it possible for her to become romantic again?


Guest Post from Victoria Kincaid and Excerpt from When Charlotte Became Romantic

Hi Ceri, Thank you for having me back for a visit! Have you ever thought that Charlotte Lucas got a raw deal? Have you ever wondered how her life would be different if she hadn’t married Collins? After spending quite a bit of time wondering about it, I decided to write a book the envisioned a different future for Charlotte. It was a bit of an experiment to see what happened when we challenge our assumptions about her.

She marries Collins in part because she feels she has no choice. But what if she did have another option (even if that option had its own disadvantages)? She claims not to be romantic. But what if some romance was deeply buried in her soul—in a place that even she didn’t recognize? She puts up with Collins’s stupidity and selfishness. But what if pushed back against him instead?

Below is an excerpt from close to the beginning of When Charlotte Became Romantic—set at a Lucas Lodge Christmas soiree. Enjoy!

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Did you hear the news?” Lydia asked, bouncing on her feet. “Mrs. Hargrave has a visitor for the season! A young man. A young man of good fortune. And he is unmarried!”

A shock blazed through Charlotte. Surely it was not— No, that would be a ridiculous coincidence.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Lydia, every single man of good fortune is not in search of a wife.”

“But he must be! He is terribly old. Eight and twenty.”

The age he would be! Charlotte’s heart beat faster, and her hands trembled. “Pray tell, how is this visitor connected with Mrs. Hargrave?”

Lydia waved her fan. “La! He is her nephew or some such.”

Knots formed in Charlotte’s stomach. “Did you learn his name?” Apparently she had spoken with unusual intensity, for Elizabeth regarded her strangely.

Lydia frowned. “Mr….James Sinclair. I believe he is hereabouts.” Her gesture encompassed the entire house. “Catherine Bell said he would attend tonight.”

Oh, good Lord.

Charlotte’s body might have fallen into a frozen lake, her limbs were so cold and immobile. James, here? When I might turn around and encounter him at any minute? When her sister Maria might approach her and whisper something about how fine the man appeared? When she might spy him partnering another woman in a dance? Or, worse, he might invite her to dance?

“Charlotte?” Elizabeth face expressed concern. How had she guessed—? Oh. Charlotte’s entire body tilted toward the entrance of the drawing room as if she could somehow escape.

Instantly, her eyes darted about the crowded room, searching for danger. She clasped her trembling hands together and resolutely pointed her gaze at the floor. She could not draw attention to herself. At any second James might appear, and she had been oblivious to the danger. She had wandered onto a battlefield, blissfully unaware that she might be shot.

Unlucky fate that placed him in a party at her own home! Were she at a neighbor’s house, she might order the carriage to take her home early, as she had done at countless previous events. But she could not retire early from a soiree at Lucas Lodge.

However, the party was quite a crush. Perhaps she would not encounter James.

And if she did… Well, I am engaged, she reminded herself sternly. James does not know Mr. Collins; he will only know that I am betrothed to another. He cannot see into my heart.

Surely she could survive a conversation with James Sinclair.

Charlotte thought she might be sick.

“Charlotte?” Elizabeth said again. “Are you quite well? You are extremely pale.”

She seized on the excuse. “I am feeling a bit— Perhaps I will go upstairs to lie down.”

If she remained in her bedchamber until the party was nearly over, then he would have departed by the time she emerged again. Perhaps she was being cowardly, but she simply was not equal to encountering the man. Thank goodness Elizabeth did not know of her history with him.

Elizabeth trailed in her wake as Charlotte hastened into the front hall. With her head lowered to ensure that she did not trip on the hem of her gown, she did not notice who was in front of her until a voice intoned, “Char—Miss Lucas?”

Reflexively looking up, her gaze was caught by brown eyes, as warm and kind as she remembered—and yet impossible to turn away from. For a moment her voice deserted her; then she managed a thin and reedy approximation of her normal tones. “Mr. Sinclair…er, greetings.” She had the sinking feeling of having been just a little too slow; a minute sooner and she would have made it to safety.

* * *

Author Bio

Victoria has a Ph.D. in English literature and has taught composition to unwilling college students. Today she teaches business writing to willing office professionals and tries to give voice to the demanding cast of characters in her head.

She lives in Virginia with an overly affectionate cat, two children who are learning how much fun Austen’s characters can be, and a husband who fortunately is not jealous of Mr. Darcy. A lifelong Austen fan, Victoria has read more Jane Austen variations and sequels than she can count – and confesses to an extreme partiality for the Colin Firth miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice.

Visit her at www.victoriakincaid.com

Goodreads • Twitter • Amazon US Author Page •                                

Buy Links

When Charlotte Became Romantic is available to buy now in ebook and paperback!

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Amazon CA / Add to Goodreads shelf

Giveaway Time!

Victoria Kincaid is very kindly offering to give away an ebook of When Charlotte Became Romantic to one of you! To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post by the end of the day worldwide on Sunday 3 November. Please ensure you include your name with your comment.

Note regarding 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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