A Life Worth Choosing by Anngela Schroeder - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

Today I’m happy to be welcoming Anngela Schroeder back to the blog with her upcoming Pride & Prejudice variation, A Life Worth Choosing. This book has such a great premise, melding my favourite book, P&P, with one of my favourite Christmas films, It’s a Wonderful Life.

Now, let’s look at the blurb and then hand over to Anngela for a guest post, excerpt and giveaway opportunity.

Book Description

“You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it.” 

Reeling from the unexpected rejection of his proposal, Fitzwilliam Darcy prepares to quit Hunsford for London but not before he defends himself against Elizabeth Bennet’s accusations. He cannot forgive her harsh words; her assertion Mr. Wickham would have made a better son has cut him to the core.

Suffering an accident while delivering the fated letter, he wakes to a world he does not know—and to those who do not recognize him. With a new life, a different  name, and a fresh chance at winning the woman he loves, Darcy must decide which is A Life Worth Choosing ––the past he remembers or a future he has created for himself.

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Guest Post from Anngela Schroeder

Hi, Ceri!

Thank you so much for being a part of the blog tour for “A Life Worth Choosing”, my latest Pride and Prejudice variation. This one has been a ‘bumpy ride’ for me since the beginning. Well, not the beginning. The idea for this book happened like all my other ideas: ‘what if.’ However, it wasn’t my ‘what if,’ it was my husband’s.

I had lived over thirty-five years, and had never watched the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Three Christmases ago, my husband sat me down for a private screening with popcorn and red vines to share his love of the movie. Long before George Bailey was sitting in Martini’s bar, I had bought in. I asked my husband if he ever wondered how his life would be without me, which then led to a conversation about choices.

He is a history teacher and his greatest discussions with his students are about choices––had Archduke Ferdinand’s driver not made a wrong turn; had Adolph Hitler not been rejected from art school; had Abraham Lincoln not gone to the theater that night. All those choices were so simple, yet affected others without their control.

At the end of the movie, after the townspeople have poured into the Bailey household to show their love for George, my husband turned to me and said,

“You should write a story about that.”

“About what?”

“About ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ What if Mr. Darcy hadn’t been born? How would things be different for everyone?”

And that’s how it happened. It started as a Christmas short story, and then grew and grew. There were some CRAZY plot lines that had to be discarded because…well…people (including myself) would not have been happy with how some of our beloved characters’ lives turned out. I do want to stress, though that this is inspired by ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ It is not a remake. I didn’t want to just drop Darcy in the life of George Bailey. There are some obvious as well as subtle nods to the movie which I hope my readers pick up, but it is its own story entirely.

And the difficulties were rampant. I had to base character’s circumstances on the point where Darcy would have entered their lives, and not any earlier. For example, Darcy’s absence would not have made Mr. Bennet a wealthier landowner, Mrs. Bennet’s nerves less jittery, or affected if the man who had written Jane some ‘pretty poetry when she was but fifteen’ had proposed. The characters’ lives had to go on as normal until the moment Mr. Darcy would have stepped into their world. That was tricky!

However, with the ongoing help of my editor Christina Boyd of “The Quill Ink,” and many wonderful beta readers, this book took shape. I hope you enjoy this excerpt and look forward to your reviews when “A Life Worth Choosing” is available on Amazon in January of 2021. 

Excerpt from A Life Worth Choosing

Darcy’s head was pounding, and he saw bits of light shooting across his closed eyelids. His limbs felt cumbersome, and his tongue thick. I do not remember drinking into such a stupor, but obviously, I attempted to drown my sorrows last evening. In vain, he slowly attempted to sit up and open his eyes.

“Oh,” he moaned, leaning back.

“He is conscious,” a voice said. “Please tell Mrs. Collins that he is awake.”

Elizabeth? He willed his eyes open, but much like his torpid limbs, they were heavy and refused to obey.

A presence came into the room, and a vaguely familiar voice asked, “Has he opened his eyes?”

“No,” Elizabeth said again. “But, he was moaning and attempting to move.”

“Continue with the cold cloths, Lizzy. I will have a servant fetch the apothecary.”

He heard footsteps retreat and felt a cool, wet cloth trace across his brow. “There you go. Just rest, and we will take care of you.”

What has happened that Elizabeth would be attending to me, and Lady Catherine would allow it? I must be dreaming!

However, he began to force his eyes open and discovered he was not dreaming. As the woman before him came into focus, he could see she was, in fact, Elizabeth Bennet, but he was not in his room. No, he somehow recalled that this furniture had come from Rosings years previous when Lady Catherine had chosen to redecorate her small sitting room. The faded draperies hung limply at the window, and the threadbare cushions rested on the chair by the parlor door.

“Am…am I at the parsonage?” he asked, his voice cracking.

“Oh, you speak! Yes, you are at the parsonage, and I am so grateful you have awoken. Allow me to get you some water.” She stood and retrieved a glass from the pitcher on the sideboard.

He could scarce believe— This was Elizabeth, and her kindness soothed him. This was not the look she gave him last night after so cruelly rejecting his proposal or this morning when taking his letter. And his heart swelled with hope.

With her assistance, he satiated his thirst. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. How have I come to be here?” He allowed his eyes to meet hers and was surprised at her look of confusion. “Miss Bennet?”

“How…how do you know my name?”

“Excuse me?” He reached up and touched his head, which began to throb anew.

“It is only…We have never…”

At that moment, a maid entered. “Miss Bennet, Mrs. Collins has asked if the gentleman is hungry.”

Elizabeth turned back, carefully eyeing him. “Would you care for some nourishment, sir?”

“I thank you, no. But, if you could have both the Colonel and Dr. Wiley summoned?” As the servant left, Darcy grimaced attempting to shift his weight and maintain composure. “Where is my horse?”

“He is at Rosings.

“Excellent.” Although his head throbbed, he was still surprised at Elizabeth’s lack of conversation. “Shall Mrs. Collins join us?”

She still stared at him in wonder, but nodded an affirmation, not making a sound. “Please excuse me. It is just that…”

At that moment, in walked Jane Bennet followed by both a maid and a gentlemanly looking man. “You are awake. I am so pleased you are recovering. This is Mr. Clarence, the apothecary. He has been waiting for you to regain your senses. Elise, inform Cook we will have tea once the examination is concluded. How are you feeling, sir?” she asked, turning in Darcy’s direction.

He looked back and forth between Elizabeth and Jane Bennet. “I…I am well, thank you, Miss Bennet. When did you arrive in Kent?”

Jane gasped slightly, before glancing at Elizabeth, then responding. “I am here with my husband. Pray, excuse me, sir. Have we met?”

Exhausted by their strange behavior, he attempted to sit up and winced, ignoring his pounding head. “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, I am unwell and should retire to my aunt’s. Please send for the colonel to retrieve me, and I shall not trespass any longer.” He leaned back against the chaise and sighed at the exertion. “While I wait, would you please inform me what transpired to cause my injury? I would be most grateful.”

The room remained silent after his pronouncement, save the sound of Clarence scribbling notes and clearing his throat. The two women’s mouths were agape as the master of the house walked into the room, and stood with his hand upon the back of Miss Jane Bennet’s chair.

“Good day, sir,” Mr. Collins effused, nodding at Darcy. “My servant informed me you had regained your senses, and I am glad. I have just come from telling my patroness, the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of your unfortunate accident. It was a blessing my sister came upon you and called for help before more harm could have come to you.”

Jane Bennet interrupted Mr. Collins. “Sir, pray do not overtax our guest with your concerns.”

“Of course, my darling. Forgive my unseemliness.” He walked around and sat on a chair by Miss Bennet and looked back at Darcy. “It is only that I have just come from meeting with my noble patroness, and she was certain of your demise. I will gratefully rush to Rosings and inform her at once.”

“My dear,” Jane Bennet replied, reaching for Mr. Collins’s hand. “You have only just returned. Allow Her Ladyship to have some time alone with her guests.”

Darcy’s jaw had gone slack, and his mind was whirling. What is the meaning of this? “Mr. Collins? Where is Miss Lucas? Miss Charlotte Lucas? I thought she was the mistress of the Hunsford Parsonage and Mrs. Collins.”

Mr. Collins stared dumbly at him. “Miss Lucas? Sir, I am uncertain how you have such an intimate knowledge of the people of Hertfordshire, unless you have resided there yourself. With no slight intended to the playmate of my dear sister,” he said, glancing at Elizabeth, “I could not hide my intentions once my dear Jane was presented to me by her benevolent mother. Would you deny such beauty when it is before you?”

A stillness had settled on the room as Darcy stared in disbelief, while the apothecary’s pencil continued to scratch across his paper. “You,” he said, uncharacteristically pointing at Jane. “And he?”—indicating Collins–“You are married?”

“Yes, sir. Am I not the luckiest man in all of Christendom?” Collins replied, while Jane Bennet remained silent, eyes averted. 

Darcy looked at Elizabeth and then back to Jane. “Miss Elizabeth, I…you…”

“Excuse me, sir. Pray tell. How do you know my wife and sister?”

“Mr. Collins,” Clarence interrupted. “Might I ask you to clear the room so I might examine the patient? I fear I am losing valuable time.”

“Of course. Of course,” Collins blustered, pulling Jane beside him. “My darling, shall we go out into the garden?”

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Oh the possibilities! I love this type of premise, really taking us off on a 'what if' path! Poor Jane, being married to Collins, but with no Bingley on the horizon I think it's probable that would have been her fate :(

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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 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 

A Life Worth Choosing isn’t out yet, and I don't have any pre-order links to share with you. However, the book is coming soon, in January 2021!

Giveaway Time!

Anngela is very kindly offering a giveaway of either an ebook (kindle, US only) or hardcover signed (worldwide) copy of A Life Worth Choosing to a randomly selected commenter on this post! Please comment by the end of the day worldwide on Thursday 3 December. 

Note about comments: If you have any problems adding your comment please contact me and I will add your comment for you :)

Blog Tour Schedule 

Please follow Anngela’s blog tour for fun and prizes:

23 Nov - Austenesque Reviews

27 Nov - Babblings of a Bookworm

2 Dec- Diary of an Eccentric

7 Dec - From Pemberley to Milton

15 Dec - FB Live 6pm PST- Anngela Schroeder-Author

17 Dec- Instagram Live 6pm-AnngelaSchroederAuthor

21 Dec- Austenesque Reviews

30 Dec - Laughing with Lizzie

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