The Redemption of Lydia Wickham by MJ Stratton - Character Interview and Giveaway

Today I’m happy to be welcoming a new visitor to Babblings of a Bookworm with their debut novel. MJ Stratton has written an Austensque book which focusses on a character that not everybody is fond of; Mrs Lydia Wickham, née Bennet. I am not super-fond of Lydia due to her selfishness, but I also feel quite sorry for her. Her behaviour has so much that is due to her upbringing, and seems such a shame that a poor teenage decision would have such a lasting impact on her life. 

This means that I am pleased at the title of this book: The Redemption of Lydia Wickham as it sounds like Lydia is getting another chance. Let’s look at the blurb and then I will move on to bring you an exclusive interview – one with Mrs Wickham herself! There’s also an opportunity to win a copy of the book so you can find out more. Read on for details.

Book Description

I may not be the most book-learned girl in the country, but I would like to think that I am wiser than I was, and much less silly.

Lydia Wickham used to think herself rather clever, having caught a handsome man and being the first to marry of her sisters. Soon, however, she finds herself trapped in a marriage to a man who is not what she thought him to be. Her pride keeps her from revealing her plight to her sisters and family, suffering in silence for years.

Unexpectedly, Lydia is freed from her marriage and begins life away from her misery in Newcastle. The changes in her are apparent to most, but there are those that resist seeing her for who she is and not who she was. As Lydia seeks to reconcile the girl she was with the woman she has become, she reunites with her loved ones and makes many friends along the way. But will Lydia get what she always wanted? Will she have what her sisters have, that which she craves desperately? Will Lydia Wickham find love of her own?

The Redemption of Lydia Wickham is a full length novel centered on the idea that even a foolish 16 year old girl can grow up and become wiser.

Warning: this book contains brief, non-graphic mentions of spousal abuse and assault

* * *

Mr Darcy's Phoenix by Lari Ann O'Dell - Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

Today I’m pleased to be welcoming Lari Ann O’Dell back to the blog as part of a blog tour. I love that there are more Austen-inspired reads with a magical slant, and I am pleased to say that Lari’s latest book, Mr Darcy’s Phoenix is one of them, combining Pride & Prejudice with magic. Read on to learn more on the book, plus have the chance to win an ebook of Mr Darcy’s Phoenix. 

Book Description

A phoenix brings them together. Will a curse keep them apart?

When the hauntingly beautiful song of a phoenix lures Elizabeth Bennet to the Netherfield gardens, she has a vision of an unknown gentleman. He whispers her name with such tenderness that she wonders if this man is her match. Unfortunately, her gift of prophecy has never been exactly reliable.

Mr. Darcy is a celebrated fire mage, the master of Pemberley, and the man from her vision. But he is not tender; he is haughty, proud, and high-handed. His insult of her during the Summer Solstice celebration makes her determined to dislike him in spite of her love for Dante, his phoenix familiar.

After Mr. Darcy is called away by his duties, Elizabeth’s magic runs wild, and it is only their reunion at Rosings that offers her any hope of controlling it. They are drawn together by their love of magical creatures and their affinity for fire. But Elizabeth soon has another vision about Mr. Darcy, one that may portend a grave danger to his life.

Can Darcy and Elizabeth overcome misunderstandings, curses, and even fate itself?

A Season of Magic by Sarah Courtney - Blog Tour - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

Happy Friday everybody! The blog tour for Sarah Courtney's new Pride & Prejudice-inspired book, A Season of Magic visits us for its last stop today with an excerpt and giveaway. As you can tell from the title, it has magic, but to learn more let's look at the book description:

Book Description

Everyone knows Elizabeth and Jane’s parents were magical murderers. But blood isn’t everything.

When the girls are forced to reveal their elemental magic, it does not matter to the Mage Council that they did so only to save lives. Their parents were traitors, and the entire magical community is simply waiting for them to descend into evil themselves.

The Council reluctantly admits Elizabeth to the magical university (and unofficial marriage market) called The Season, where she will learn how to control her powers. If she can keep her head down and avoid drawing any untoward notice, she might be able to graduate and finally be accepted as a fire mage.

But fading into the background will be difficult. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, nephew to Lord Matlock of the Mage Council and a student himself, is assigned to observe her and report any misstep. One mistake could send her back to her foster parents, the Bennets—or worse, to prison. Yet when that mistake inevitably comes, he stands up on her behalf. Could he be an ally instead of an enemy?

When pranks between classmates become something more dangerous—and potentially deadly—Elizabeth will be forced to depend upon her friends—including Mr. Darcy. There’s something terrible lurking beneath the surface of the Season, and it will take everything Elizabeth has to survive it.