Missing Jane by Bronwen Chisholm - Guest Post and Giveaway

Today I’m very happy to be welcoming Bronwen Chisholm back to Babblings of a Bookworm with a post about her latest story, Missing Jane. Bronwen has come here today with a guest post and giveaway.

What I find particularly exciting about this story is that it crosses over into Wales, which is the part of the UK where I come from. I’m not sure how polite the society was here in Regency times, which is why Wales may be a bit of a mystery to some historical romance readers (there is also the interesting point of the moving border, which means that although I live about 30 miles from the England/Wales border, the part of Wales I live in was part of Monmouthshire which was technically considered part of England in those times!). I think the closest Austen gets to Wales is a mention of a picture of Tintern Abbey (also in Monmouthshire) in Fanny Price's little room in Mansfield Park.

Let’s take a look at the blurb and then I will and over to Bronwen for her guest post.

Book Description

Mr. Bennet is dead; his daughters “scattered to the winds,” according to Mrs. Bennet.

And the eldest Miss Bennet? No one really knows.

Poor Mr. Bingley is led to believe she is no more, but her sister swears she is alive.

Can Mr. Darcy and his friend find her and, in turn, their own happily ever afters?

Guest Post from Bronwen Chisholm

Hello! I am so pleased to be back at Babblings of a Bookworm today as this is the release date for the Kindle version of my latest novella, Missing Jane. When I was here last summer, Ceri asked me about my next book, so it is only fitting that I come back to visit today.

This story quickly became my favorite – even before I finished it. Most of my books focus on Elizabeth and Darcy, but this one had to be Jane and Bingley’s. When I get a story idea, it normally comes in the form of a scene. Those that really grab me then get a rough outline (well, my version of an outline) and go into the “To Be Written” file. The scene for this one was an argument between Bingley and Darcy that ends with Bingley tossing Darcy out of Netherfield. From the moment I wrote it, I could not get it out of my head. The reason Bingley is so upset is he believes Jane Bennet has died. So this leads us to the outline. Obviously, I could not kill off Jane, but where was she?

Many of you probably know that Bronwen (or the traditional Bronwyn) is Welsh. My family is not Welsh, but I had an aunt who read How Green Was My Valley and determined someone in the family would be named after her favorite character. As the last girl born of that generation (and because my mother could not think of any other name), I was that someone. I have always loved my name even if it isn’t spelled with the y (it made me stand out from the other 4 Bronwyn’s who came after me in York, Pennsylvania). The same aunt loved Wales and had a pen pal from there. When I took a school trip to Great Britain my senior year of high school, the two ladies demanded my itinerary and then attempted to find a place where I could be snatched and taken to Wales until I had to return. Unfortunately, the tour was a whirlwind and the closest I got to Wales was Stratford-upon-Avon.

When the scene between Bingley and Darcy came to me, I quickly decided that whatever happened to Jane, she had to be in or near Wales. Like my aunt, I have always loved the country even though I had never been there. With that decision made, the story came rather quickly, but when I went back to reread it, I realized my characters sounded Scottish, not Welsh. You see, on that trip back in the 80s, I did make it to Edinburgh. In addition, Chisholm is Scottish, so I was more familiar with that accent. I put the story aside and decided I just had to go to Wales and in 2018 my friend and I did just that. Well, technically, I invited her to go with me to Scotland and then added the side trip to Wales after she agreed, but she loved it. The country was as beautiful as I had anticipated and I was only sorry I could not see more of it. Plus, the fabulous manager at Mellington Hall Country House Hotel reluctantly agreed to read aloud the dialogue I had written so I could hear what I needed to change. Fingers crossed, I got it right. I can guarantee that without her, it would have been much worse.

The fun part about writing this story was tossing in little things for people. The manager I mentioned said “crikey” so, of course, one of my characters had to say it also. And you might see a tribute to our lovely mistress of Babblings of a Bookworm. (If you are going to set a story in or near Wales, you must have Welsh names.)

So that is a little bit of the backstory to this short, sweet novella. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

And now, a GIVEAWAY! Just make a comment on this blog and Ceri will pick 1 lucky winner to receive an ebook copy of Missing Jane. Good luck! I can’t wait to read your comments.

Author Bio:

Bronwen Chisholm began her writing career working on suspense romance, but finally became a published author with her Pride and Prejudice variations. She takes great pleasure in searching for potential “plot twists” and finding the way back to a happy ending.

Her love of writing has led her to several writing groups, and she is currently serving as the vice president of the Riverside Writers and organizes the Riverside Young Writers.

For more information, visit her at www.bronwenchisholm.com.

Buy Links

Missing Jane is available to buy now for Kindle.

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

Giveaway Time!

Bronwen is kindly offering to giveaway a kindle version of Missing Jane to one of you. To enter, please just comment on this blog post by the end of the day worldwide on Friday 17 July 2020. 

If you have any difficulties adding your comment please contact me and I will add your comment for you :)

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