Monday 5 July 2021

Twists of Fate by Joana Starnes - Guest Post and Giveaway

Book Cover: Twists of Fate by Joana Starnes
I’m happy to be welcoming back an author who I have featured many times, Joana Starnes. Joana has written a new book, Twists of Fate, which is a Pride & Prejudice variation coming out later this month, and it looks like it will be an excellent read! 

Joana has been so kind as to come here with a guest post and ebook giveaway. Let’s look at the blurb and then I’ll hand over to Joana.

Book Description 

What if Mr Collins shocked Elizabeth with his base conduct at the time of his proposal, thus sending her dashing out of her house, and into the arms of Mr Darcy? What if that accidental encounter was witnessed, and impropriety was assumed? What if Mr Darcy was glad of the excuse to marry his heart’s desire – only to have his best hopes blasted within hours of his wedding? What if he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time more than once?

Evil rumours, an early marriage, a dreadful misunderstanding, an old secret and good intentions gone awry. What if ‘I do’ is not the end, but the beginning of the adventure? 

Guest Post from Joana Starnes

Hi, Ceri! Thanks for hosting me today on the blog tour for Twists of Fate, my latest Pride and Prejudice variation.

The book trailer has the premise in a nutshell (and the background music is so dreamy!):

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So, it’s an early-marriage scenario – which, I must admit, is my favourite trope. I love to read and write books that focus almost entirely on our dear couple. It’s so appealing to imagine them thrown together sooner, and brought into a compact bubble where they are compelled to interact virtually all the time. They must live together before they even know how that is to be done. It’s a journey of discovery for both of them as they learn more about each other and about their own feelings. 

Sometimes they get it wrong and, as Jami Dragan said a few years ago, “they hurt each other’s feelings in a rich variety of ways.” (I love the poignancy of that phrase! You have such a way with words, Jami!).

So it would be fair to say that in early marriage scenarios Elizabeth and Mr Darcy are the heroes but also the villains of their own story, and the ones who, knowingly or unknowingly, set up the main stumbling blocks on their way to each other.

Such is the case in my upcoming book. Mere hours after their wedding, Mr Darcy puts two and two together and makes 500 (the dreadful misunderstanding mentioned in the trailer), so the early days of their marriage of necessity are more fraught than they should have been (because I just can’t keep things simple and angst-free :D ).

Teaser from Twists of Fate by Joana Starnes


So, where do they go from here? To their HEA of course (I can’t bring myself to write anything else). But how?

I think that, even at the best of times, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy would have difficulties in communicating, given their different personalities. She speaks the language of the extrovert. He needs to learn to share his thoughts after years of keeping them largely to himself.

When those natural difficulties are compounded by misconceptions, our favourite couple will need that much more courage and common sense in order to break the wall of silence and find their way to each other.

I hope you’ll enjoy their journey down this alternate path, and especially their courtship dance (three steps forward, one step back), once Mr Darcy has his late-night epiphany:

‘…if it was not in his power to set her free, he could strive to make her happy. Court her. Lavish her with affection. Was it so unreasonable to hope that, in time, she might come to love him too?

Darcy leaned back in his seat, and his lips curled up into a faint smile. It was an engaging prospect, courting his own wife. The fact that he had never courted anyone was dismissed as immaterial. Throughout his time on the marriage mart, he had received more than his fair share of attention without the slightest effort – or, to put it plainly, he had received ample attention while actively working to discourage it. So, why should he not succeed when his heart was in it? When he would do anything to please the one and only woman worthy of being pleased?’

(Twists of Fate © 2021 Joana Starnes)

For all my appalling habit of torturing Mr Darcy, I did try to rein in the angst this time, I promise! Twists of Fate was written as a sunny replica to Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter. Mr Bennet is alive and well. Elizabeth doesn’t enter into marriage with foreboding and reluctance. Mr and Mrs Darcy’s misconceptions are resolved sooner rather than later. Thus, when new challenges come, they are dealt with very differently.

Twists of Fate will be released on 22 July and is now available on pre-order. 

Check out the Amazon page, there’s an excerpt posted there for your reading pleasure :)

Thanks for stopping by, and thanks again, Ceri, for having me as your guest today!

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I am with Joana on this one, I love an early marriage scenario - lots of page time together, and the drama in such books often comes from within, which I prefer to a very eventful book, particularly as Joana has assured me of a happy ending! I am really excited to read this one.

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Author Joana Starnes
Author Bio

Joana Starnes is the author of eleven Austen-inspired novels and a contributor to the Quill Ink anthologies. All her novels are available at Amazon in Kindle and paperback, and some in Audible too: Joana’s Amazon Page.

You can connect with Joana on:

Facebook / Austen Variations / Website / Instagram / Twitter

As a many time visitor to Babblings of a Bookworm, I've featured Joana many times. Here are link to some previous posts:

  • From This Day Forward ~ The Darcys of Pemberley ~ A Pride & Prejudice sequel - My review
  • The Subsequent Proposal ~ A Tale of Pride, Prejudice and Persuasion - My review
  • The Second Chance ~ A Pride & Prejudice / Sense & Sensibility Variation - My review
  • The Falmouth Connection ~ A Pride & Prejudice Variation taking the characters to  Cornwall - My review
  • The Unthinkable Triangle ~ A Pride & Prejudice Variation that dwells on the most uncomfortable love-triangle of them all. Still not been brave enough to read it! - Guest post
  • Miss Darcy’s Companion ~ a variation which sees Miss Elizabeth Bennet employed instead of the scheming Mrs Younge. - Guest Post / My review
  • Mr Bennet's Dutiful Daughter - a Pride & Prejudice variation that sees Elizabeth marrying for the good of her family - but the bridegroom isn't aware of her feelings - My Review
  • The Darcy Legacy ~ a Pride & Prejudice variation with some 'spirit' - My Review
  • The Journey Home to Pemberley  ~ Pride & Prejudice variation which sees E&D meeting close to Pemberley - My Review
  • A Timely Elopement ~ a Pride & Prejudice variation which sees Mr Darcy's Hunsford proposal interrupted by news of an elopement - My Review


Book Cover: Twists of Fate by Joana Starnes
Buy Links

Twists of Fate is available to pre-order now. You can pre-order in kindle, but Joana's books are available in Paperback, Kindle and some are also available in audio, so let's keep our fingers crossed that it becomes available in more formats :) 

Amazon USAmazon UKAmazon CA • Add to Goodreads shelf


Giveaway Time!

 

Book Cover: Twists of Fate by Joana Starnes

Joana is offering 2 Kindle copies of Twists of Fate. The giveaway is international and is open until 12 Jul 2021. Please leave a comment for a chance to win. Best of luck!

More giveaways already are or will be available on the blog tour, details below!

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

 

17 Jun 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Giveaway and Excerpt: A ride in the rain

 

24 Jun 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Ongoing Giveaway and Excerpt: A fiery Mr Darcy

 

28 Jun 2021 ~ Austenesque Reviews ~ Cover Reveal, Giveaway and Excerpt: A very un-Hunsford-like proposal

 

5 Jul 2021 ~ Babblings of a Bookworm ~ Giveaway and Guest post: Breaking the wall of silence

 

8 Jul 2021 ~ From Pemberley to Milton ~ Giveaway and ‘Ask me anything!’ (I’ll try to answer without too many spoilers)

 

1 Jul 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Ongoing Giveaway and Excerpt: If anything can go wrong… (Murphy’s Law ~ the JAFF version)

 

16 Jul 2021 ~ Austenesque Reviews ~ Giveaway and… [my lips are sealed, but I hope you’ll like it]

 

22 Jul 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Launch Day!

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If you'd like to be friends on Goodreads then please invite me - just say that you visit my blog when it asks why you'd like to be friends with me.

 

 

 

96 comments:

  1. I also love the early marriage scenario! I’m sure this book will be great just like all of Ms. Starnes’ other books. I can’t wait to read it!

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    1. Thanks, Cyndy! I'm so glad you enjoyed my other books and that you love early marriage scenarios. Hope you'll like this story too. Best wishes and thanks for visiting.

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    2. Oh me too. Hope you enjoy this one when you read it, Cyndy.

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  2. I do not have an ereader, so I cannot win. But I just wanted to say I’m excited about your new book Joana!! Have several print copies of your earlier work & an loving them :D

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    1. I'm so glad you loved them, Charlotte! Hope you'll enjoy this one too. It will come out in paperback around the same time as the eBook, or not long afterwards. Thanks for stopping by to chat today and all the best.

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    2. Thanks for commenting, Charlotte. Hope you enjoy this book when you read it :)

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  3. It’s so good! I thank you for letting me read an early draft!

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    1. Thank *you*, Christina, for everything! I'm so happy you liked it!

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  4. By far my very favourite trope, the early marriage! All the misunderstanding, subsequent making up and courtship are safely within the marriage bonds!! And as Joana wisely said - in cases such as these, the fewer the merrier! (less of Bennets, Bingleys, Wickhams and other nuisances!) 🤪

    As for torturing Darcy less that it is your wont, Joana... I'll have to wait and see it before believe it😈

    See you at next hop!

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    1. LOL "I'll have to wait and see it before believe it😈"
      Wise words, Mihaela! You know me soooo well :D :D

      I'm so glad this is your favourite trope! Yessss, less of Mrs B, Miss Bingley, Wickham, Lady Cat and all that lot. Just peace & quiet (in theory :D) and slow-burn courtship.

      Thanks for stopping to chat, especially today! Have a fabulous time and a great party, and see you at the next hop :))

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    2. It's my favourite too. Thanks for commenting.

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  5. Thanks so much for having me round today, Ceri! It's always so wonderful to be your guest. Take care and have a lovely summer with your family!

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    1. It's always lovely to host you, Joana, thanks so much for stopping by. I am really looking forward to reading this one :)

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  6. Loving the concept for Joana's new book! Thanks for featuring here and I look forward to a great read!

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    1. I'm so glad you like the premise! Thank you!!

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    2. I am looking forward to it too :)

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  7. This seems really good! I’m excited to read it.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I'm so glad you like the sound of it. Hope you'll like the full story.

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    2. It's a very enticing premise isn't it!

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  8. I read one excerpt and decided not to read more....I want to dive in completely unawares.
    Waiting and distracting myself with other reads.
    I love to be included in their mutual and self discovery. I love to be there when they finally realise their own and each other's love.
    My favourite couple in the whole wide universe.

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    1. I'm honoured that you'd like to read my take on your favourite couple, Laura! Thank you, and I hope you'll like it!

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    2. Same! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Laura.

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  9. Thank you, Ceri, for the great post with links to your reviews for Joana's previous books. It was a pleasure to read them all in one go! I too, have "The Unthinkable Triangle" waiting in my library for a bit more courage, even though I know Joana will have done the job beautifully!
    With "Twists of Fate", I am certain to be rendered senseless by a married Mr. Darcy focusing his considerable talents on courtship (his heart in it no less!) to prove his admiration.

    What a brilliant plan he has decided upon, Joana. Little courage is needed on my part I think, but my fan is definitely at the ready! See you on the 8th!

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    1. Hi, Deborah! I hope you'll like 'The Unthinkable Triangle' when you get to it, but I think reading 'Twist of Fate' first is a good call :). There's more courtship than angst, a fair dose of yearning & liberal sprinklings of besottedness. A fan at the ready is a definite advantage ;)
      Thanks for stopping by today and see you on the 8th!

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    2. I'm so glad you appreciated the links to my other posts about Joana's work. I was surprised how many there were, I think she must be the author I've blogged about the most (with the exception of Jane Austen of course!).

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  10. So looking forward to fully reading this story! Early/forced marriage is my favorite!

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    1. I'm so glad this is your favourite trope, Wendy! I hope you'll like my take on it. Best wishes and thanks for reading the post!

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    2. Me too and me too! Hope you enjoy reading it :)

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  11. Can't wait to read the entire story! Your books are AMAZING!!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Dés! I'm so happy you enjoyed them! Hope you'll like this one too. Have a good week and thanks for stopping by.

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  12. Thank you Ceri for sharing your thoughts of the story. Do love such scenario!!!

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    1. Thanks for visiting! Best wishes and I hope you'll like the story.

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    2. Thanks for commenting Buturot!

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  13. I just finished Unthinkable Triangle. Wonderful! Love early marriage scenarios too.

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    1. I'm so happy you liked The Unthinkable Triangle! I keep wanting to write a sequel, but all these other ideas jump up an get in the way :D . But I still hope it'll happen. I'm so glad you like early marriage scenarios. Hope you'll enjoy my take on this trope :) . All the best and thanks for reading.

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    2. I still have not been brave enough!

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  14. This is in my amazon wish list, looking forward to reading it!

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    1. Thank you! I'm so glad it's on your wish list. I hope you'll like it.

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    2. I hope you enjoy it when you read it. If you'd like to enter the giveaway please can you comment or contact me with your name :)

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  15. I also love the "forced marriage" scenario. And your books.

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    1. Thank you, Beth! Much appreciated! I can't wait to hear what you think of this one. I've gone down a couple of routes I haven't tried before :)

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    2. Thanks for commenting Beth!

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  16. I like how this combo of forced to marry and early in the Austen story scenario has the built in conflict and two people have to work out their differences and misunderstandings. Sounds like the set up for a fab story, Joana!

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    1. Thank you, Sophia Rose! I'm so glad you like the sound if it! Best wishes and I hope you'll enjoy it.

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    2. This is why I love an early marriage scenario too.

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  17. Looking forward to reading another wonderful story from a gifted author. Dear Mr. Darcy--will he be successful in courting his wife??

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words!
      Great question1 "Dear Mr. Darcy--will he be successful in courting his wife??" He'd better be! ;)
      This is one of the things I absolutely adore about this genre BTW. We *know* that we'll get the HEA, no matter what.
      Best wishes and thanks for reading!

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    2. I was just about to comment that he had better be when I saw Joana beat me to it!

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  18. So excited for your new release. You are always a must read for me. I am looking forward to this variation! Congratulations!

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    1. Becky, I'm so happy and honoured that my books are a must read for you! Thank you!! I hope you'll enjoy this one too.

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    2. Joana is a must read author for me too, Becky :)

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  19. I have loved all of Joana's stories and all were 5 star reviews from me. Like so many others here, I love the FMS premise. I was privileged to read this story already and now want to reread it. Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Joana.

    Obviously don't include me in the giveaway.

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    1. Thank *you* Sheila, for your wonderful words and all your support, and huge thanks for your patience with the updates whenever the tweak monster struck :))
      Best wishes and have a lovely and relaxing summer!

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    2. So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Sheila.

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  20. Excellent - a new Starnes to look forward to! That's brightening up a rainy Tuesday...

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    1. I'm so glad it brightened a rainy Tuesday, Julia! Thank you! Best of luck in the giveaway and I hope you like it.

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    2. Glad we could cheer your day!

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  21. Sounds like a definite must-read.

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    1. Thanks, darcybennet, I'm so glad you like the sound of it :)

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    2. Yes, I agree, a must-read.

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  22. Patricia Finnegan6 July 2021 at 22:59

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! I ove your previous books! looking forward to this one. :)

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    1. I'm so happy you loved my other books, Patricia! Thank *you* and best of luck in the giveaway.

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    2. Thanks Patricia! Good luck in the giveaway.

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  23. I have a comment to add from Eva:

    I have truly loved all of Joana Starnes' books. I, too, like a forced marriage for Elizabeth and Darcy because they always misunderstand each other and there are always hurt feelings. Darcy should court his wife, but let's hope that Elizabeth is open to the courting. Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Thanks for adding Eva's comment, Ceri!

      Eva, I'm so happy you loved my other books. Thank you! It's so lovely to hear you like this sort of premise and the ways ODC are blundering on their way to each other :) . Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part.

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    2. I hope Elizabeth is open to it too. I am hopeful that as it's an early marriage scenario rather than a forced marriage that she won't have so much dislike to overcome.

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  24. Looks like this is going to be another winner! Thank you, Joana. I hope that you have many more stories in you.

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    1. Thanks, Ginna, I hope so too :) I just can't have enough of picturing the early years of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy's beautiful love story. All the best and thanks for reading.

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    2. I will say hear, hear to your wish Ginna! All Joana's stories have been excellent, and I join you in hoping that there will be many more of them to look forward to.

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  25. I love Elizabeth in this cover. Excited to read this latest installment from my favorite JAFF author!

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    1. Huge thanks for your kind words, TC! I'm so glad you're looking forward to reading the story, and that you love Elizabeth on this cover. I love her eyes! So 'Elizabeth'! Thanks for stopping by and best of luck in the giveaway.

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    2. It's such a striking picture isn't it! Hope you enjoy the book when you read it.

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  26. Congratulations I do love an early marriage scenario. They learn more quickly this way when they are 'stuck' with one another.

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    1. "They learn more quickly this way when they are 'stuck' with one another." I love this, Patty! Nothing like being thrown at the deep end :))
      Thank you and best of luck in the giveaway!

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  27. Joana is the best at writing these stories!

    denise

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    1. Thank you, Denise! All the best and I hope you'll like it.

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    2. I love her stories too :)

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  28. This is going to be quite an exciting story! I think there needs to be so much angst for a truly fulfilling story, although at this moment I am not in a need of a high amount but more like medium. (Of course, eventually I'll want a high pressure story. The HEA is the most important and it's assurance helps me with the angst.) Thank you for the guest post and giveaway.

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    1. Hi Jen!
      Oh yes, there has to be a HEA! That's one of the things I love about JAFF: we can pick up any story and brave all the angst while knowing right from the start that the HEA is a must, and we won't be cheated of it :)
      I hope you'll find the right mix of angst and sweetness in Twists of Fate. Thanks for stopping by to read the post and best of luck in the giveaway!

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    2. I am a bit of a wimp so I don't generally want a lot of angst, but you need some to add spice to the story! I definitely couldn't read a high angst one if I wasn't assured of a happy ending, which is probably what brought me to JAFF in the first place!

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  29. Beautiful cover, and such a dreamy video! Your books are always amongst my favorites (in fact, The Journey Home to Pemberley IS my all-time favorite), and I’ve no doubt this one will be added to that list. Can’t wait to read it!

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    1. I think my favourite is still The Subsequent Proposal, but Joana's books are all excellent :)

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  30. Hi, Pam!
    I'm so happy you like the cover and the video!! Making them was more fun than editing the book :D

    So wonderful to hear that you loved The Journey Home to Pemberley so much! Thank you!! I can't wait to hear what you think of this one. All the best and have a lovely weekend.

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  31. I love the premise of this upcoming new release. An early marriage scenario with a promise of HEA is another kind of my favourite read.

    Did you design the cover yourself, Joana? The lady on the cover is beautiful and reminds me of actress Lily James. Has she always been your vision of Elizabeth Bennet in your mind?

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    1. I'm so glad you like the premise, Sylvia! I hope you'll enjoy the full story too. I do enjoy designing my covers, especially when there's not much coming out of the inspiration tap :D . I started desiging this one when I barely had 2-3 chapters written down. The lady does look a little like Lily James, doesn't she? Wonderful actress and a fantastic Elizabeth (even if the PPZ plot was a bit of an acquired taste :D ). She hasn't always been my vision of Elizabeth, I started writing some years before PPZ, but she's gorgeous. As for this lady, I love her eyes and her smile. Thanks for stopping to chat, and have a lovely day.

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    2. It hadn't registered with me, but once you mentioned it, I could see the Lily James resemblance! Thanks for commenting.

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  32. I am trying to be organised, so am choosing a winner in a timely fashion for once!

    Joana was kindly giving away 2 kindle copies of Twists of Fate. The winners were chosen using a random number generator and they were...

    Cyndy Henry and Beth Glixon!

    Congratulations to both of you. Please can you contact me within the next couple of days to claim your prize? If I don't hear from you I will choose again.

    Thanks so much to Joana for visiting and for offering a giveaway. All the very best with this book!

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  33. "‘…if it was not in his power to set her free, he could strive to make her happy. Court her. Lavish her with affection."

    What a wonderful idea, Darcy! If we're fortunate, our spouses continue to court us even when assured of our love.

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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