Tuesday 11 January 2022

A Promise of Forever by Christine Combe - Blog Tour, Guest Post and Giveaway

Book cover: A Promise of Forever by Christine Coombe
Today I’m welcoming Christine Combe back to the blog as part of the blog tour for her new Pride & Prejudice variation, A Promise of Forever. Christine joins us with a guest post and a giveaway opportunity. Let’s take a look at the blurb – I think it’ll grab your attention!

Book Description

“How dare you think that you can just come along after four years and dictate the course of the whole rest of our lives, Mr. Darcy!” she cried. “You don’t have the right!”

He stood and stepped up to her, and stared down at her with an equally determined expression. “I am your husband and he is my son—I have the only right.”


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In this new Austenesque tale, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are Elizabeth’s parents and she grows up happy and carefree in Lambton. At sixteen, Lizzy meets and falls in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy, future Master of Pemberley. The couple decides to elope but they are torn apart by their closest relatives, and when reunited must determine whether the pain of the years that have passed can be overcome to regain the love that was lost.

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Guest Post from Christine Combe

Thank you for having me again, Ceri. I’m so excited to be visiting Babblings of a Bookworm today to announce my new book and answer some questions.

What’s this new book about? Well, let me tell you… 

In this new Austenesque tale, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are Elizabeth’s parents and she grows up happy and carefree in Lambton. At sixteen, Lizzy meets and falls in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy, future Master of Pemberley. The couple decides to elope but they are torn apart by their closest relatives, and when reunited must determine whether the pain of the years that have passed can be overcome to regain the love that was lost.

 

If you’d care to purchase the book or borrow it in KU, head over to Amazon (the link is for the US store, but the book should be available in all Amazon markets). You’ll also be able to purchase in paperback or hardcover too!

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Now, here’s a little question and answer session to tell you a little bit about me…

Are the characters in your book based on people you know?

Almost every character in the book was created by Jane Austen, and they’re not a thing like anyone I know, lol.

What books have influenced your writing?

I don’t think I could name just one. However, different genres have certainly influenced my writing. I love to read all the romances. Mysteries and thrillers are also among my favorites and they’ve influenced me as well.

Do you have a critique group/beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I self-edit as I am writing and I’ve also discussed certain scenes with my author friends — it’s both great fun to talk to another writer as well as get an opinion from someone who understands what you’re doing (writing a book). Every now and then I’ll post an excerpt on my Facebook author page or my blog to see what readers think, but for A Promise of Forever and The Reintroduction of Fitzwilliam Darcy, I posted the story chapter by chapter at fanfiction.net and an Austen group, respectively, for feedback.

Would you be willing to have one of your books made into a movie? Which one?

I would love to—what author wouldn’t want to see their characters brought to life? Of the four Austenesque novels I’ve written, Promise and Reintroduction are probably the best candidates. And while the big screen would be the ultimate dream come true, it could be a made-for-TV or made-for-cable movie and I’d still be satisfied.

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?

There was a time in my life that I was determined to become a police officer. It was my dream. Then declining health issues (I’m asthmatic) forced me to admit that actual police work just wasn’t going to work out for me. So I thought I’d be a lawyer, but frankly couldn’t afford to go to college for four years, let alone eight, and wasn’t about to put myself in debt for life by taking out insanely large student loans. In the end I chose to set my sights on writing because through all of those other dreams, the urge to be a writer was one that had always stayed with me.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Haha, A Promise of Forever was just released yesterday (well, the ebook went live early on the 9th), but I do have a prologue and first chapter of another P&P variation waiting for my attention.

Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate, hands down.

Pepsi or Coke?

Actually I prefer Code Red Mountain Dew, but if my only choices are Pepsi or Coke, then I go with Coke.

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

Both. Right now I have a Chihuahua that’s almost 14 and two cats under three.

If you gave your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Some of them are probably wondering when it’s going to be their turn to be featured in a story — so many of Austen’s background characters are crying out for a story of their own! Some may also whisper in your ear that I’m just a little bit crazy, given all the ideas that pop into my head. 

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About the Author:

Christine, like many a JAFF author before her, is a long-time admirer of Jane Austen’s work, and she hopes that her alternate versions are as enjoyable as the originals. She has plans to one day visit England and take a tour of all the grand country estates which have featured in film adaptations, and often dreams of owning one. Christine lives in Ohio and is already at work on her next book.

Links:

Blog: All That They Desire / Facebook: Christine Combe | Facebook


Book Cover: A Promise of Forever by Christine Combe
Giveaway Time!

Leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win an ebook copy of A Promise of Forever. The contest is open until January 25, 2022. Good luck!

If you have any problems adding your comment please contact Ceri and she will add your comment for you :)

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Disclaimer – I had to Google Code Red Mountain Dew! I don’t know whether you can get it in the UK. I’m more of a tea drinker!

As Christine has said, A Promise of Forever is available to buy now in Paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.  

Amazon USAmazon UKAmazon CA • Add to Goodreads shelf

 

Blog Tour Schedule

This is just one stop on Christine’s blog tour. Check out the other posts!

Blog Tour - A Promise of Forever by Christine Combe


 


41 comments:

  1. Oh my! Poor Elizabeth! Looking forward to reading this, as I want to see Darcy's turnaround.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words. I hope you enjoy the story!

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    2. It's a premise that makes me curious to find out what has happened to bring them to this position, and what will happen next.

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  2. This definitely sounds like one I would enjoy. I plan to read it soon. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.

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    1. Thank you! I hope you enjoy the story when you read it. And you are welcome!

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    2. Hope you enjoy it, Sheila!

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  3. Carole in Canada11 January 2022 at 14:24

    Wow! Looking forward to learning what has made Darcy return after four years and where Elizabeth has been as well...Longbourn? Delightful interview! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!

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    1. You will like what makes Darcy come back to Lizzy, I think! ;) And yes, she spends those years at Longbourn with her dear Bennet relatives. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  4. Thanks, Ceri for hosting. Special thanks to our author for the excerpt.
    Oh, this sounds amazing. I can't wait to read it. D&E elope and are torn apart... with consequences. Wow! That is different. I wish you all the best with the launch of this work.

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    1. Thank you so very much for the kind words! I hope you enjoy the journey Darcy and Elizabeth took me on in this version of their story.

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    2. Thanks for commenting. I'm really intrigued to find out how it came about and what went wrong!

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  5. I have a comment to add from Eva:

    I agree - chocolate is the best! I was so surprised to read that Darcy approached Elizabeth and then stated that she was his wife and the boy was his son. What has happened with them? I so want to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Chocolate is absolutely the best!

      As to Darcy and Elizabeth, you have to read the book to learn how that happens, lol! Hoe you enjoy the book, and good luck!

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    2. Another vote for chocolate here! Big fan.

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  6. What a fun interview and teasing excerpt. Congratulations! AND best wishes.

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  7. That is a bold take on the story! I wonder what the characters in this variation will feel like. Super young Elizabeth, Darcy agreeing to/suggesting eloping? I bet they've both changed a lot during the time they were apart.
    Have I wished you, all, a Happy New Year? I do now!
    Alexandra

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    1. I definitely think they both changed in the time apart. Thank you for the kind words!

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    2. I know, I hope we get to see how that happened, can't imagine the very proper Mr Darcy eloping. I agree too that they will both have changed hugely, especially as I'm assuming that a lot of experience will have happened to them in the time apart, parenthood, possibly estate duties.

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  8. I'm already cheering for this pair to find a way. Thanks for fun interview, too.

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    1. I'm glad you're cheering for them -- but then, they are ODC! Who wouldn't?! lol And you are welcome. I figured it would be nice to change the blog tour up a bit with interview questions rather than just excerpts.

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    2. Glad you enjoyed it, Sophia, I'm so grateful to Christine for such an enjoyable post to share with you :)

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  9. The premise reminds me of Persuasion and I love that theme so this is a must-read for me.

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    1. Second chances are a big favourite with me too.

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    1. It's a nice one isn't it. I get the feeling that there's a bit of conflict between this pair.

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  11. Oooh, sounds like a fun premise! I look forward to enjoying it.

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  12. I couldn't wait and so "borrowed" this book from KU and am about halfway through. Enjoying it!

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    1. That is good to know. I love that it's available on kindle unlimited, must make the book budget stretch further!

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  13. Interesting excerpt. Eager to know all that had and will happen. Thank you for sharing about yourself!!! and the giveaway

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  14. Congratulations on the release! I think it was interesting about what you said in regards to dogs and cats. I love animals no matter what shape they come, even if I lean towards cats!

    So I want to ask which characters and/or sections of the book were the easiest and hardest to craft. Thank you for answering in advance!

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    1. I don't define myself as a dog or cat person either, I am a both! I used to have a dog because I had a cat allergy, but having the dog must have made me less sensitive to fur and dander because the cat allergy went. After the dog passed on we got two cats as they are less time consuming pets and I love them to bits. In an ideal world I'd have both.

      Thanks for posing a question for Christine, I hope she pops by and sees it.

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  15. Just to let you know, Christine chose a winner of the book from her blog tour, and it was Glynis.

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  16. Congratulations to Glynis. I know she will enjoy this story.

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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