tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30602371145719918622024-03-18T02:58:59.454+00:00Babblings of a Bookworm A book blog which mostly features books about or inspired by Jane Austen.Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.comBlogger671125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-35193650541639333622023-10-25T07:33:00.003+01:002023-10-25T07:33:45.841+01:00Mr. Knightley In His Own Words by Shannon Winslow - Excerpt<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKOViShgRHW_GWC0dBwRJYSSUfOz0ImvlGwGdOXIzmEHsjuQBHURy4zLVKemYbui7RAZQXCauFYg3BKCHJxoRZYE5JwdbemRvASx32o7QvvKyCKMCVDfCdErfNMIj_c4YmED1edw-Vn76U4z28RNnAg2VOKUCQzMI2aj4uAnvD9DfAYlBL6HtkbPEeg/s1275/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Mr Knightley in His Own Words by Shannon Winslow" border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKOViShgRHW_GWC0dBwRJYSSUfOz0ImvlGwGdOXIzmEHsjuQBHURy4zLVKemYbui7RAZQXCauFYg3BKCHJxoRZYE5JwdbemRvASx32o7QvvKyCKMCVDfCdErfNMIj_c4YmED1edw-Vn76U4z28RNnAg2VOKUCQzMI2aj4uAnvD9DfAYlBL6HtkbPEeg/w207-h320/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" title="Book cover: Mr Knightley in His Own Words by Shannon Winslow" width="207"></a>Today
<b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Shannon%20Winslow" target="_blank">Shannon Winslow</a></b> visits the blog with an excerpt of her new book, <b><i>Mr.
Knightley in His Own Words</i></b>. As the name will suggest, it’s a book looking
at one of the main characters from Jane Austen’s <i>Emma</i>, but it’s not just
the events from that book that we get to look at from another perspective. More
events from Mr. Knightley’s life are included to consider how he became the man
that we meet in <i>Emma</i>. Shannon has
written a series of this type of book, looking at <i>Sense & Sensibility</i>
in <i><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/07/colonel-brandon-in-his-own-words-by.html" target="_blank">Colonel Brandon in His Own Words</a></i> and <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> in <i><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2021/05/fitzwilliam-darcy-in-his-own-words-by.html" target="_blank">Fitzwilliam Darcy in His Own Words</a></i>. Let’s
take a look at the blurb and then I’ll bring you the excerpt for your
enjoyment. I found it to be charming, and I am sure you will too.</div><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Book
Description</span></b></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mr.
George Knightley. According to Emma Woodhouse, you won’t see one in a hundred
who is so clearly the gentleman. Respected by all, he’s kind, unpretentious,
and scrupulously honest, with an air so remarkably good that it’s unfair to
compare other men to him. We also know he’s been his “own master” from a young
age. But Jane Austen tells us little more.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What
were his early years like, and how did he lose his parents? A man in his
mid-thirties, he must have had at least one romance along the way. Did it end
badly? Is that why he’s never married? When and how did his relationship with
Emma shift from friendship to love? And what can explain his incredible
forbearance towards the eccentric Mr. Woodhouse? Now, <i>Mr. Knightley</i>
reveals these answers and more <i>in His Own Words</i>.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
is not a variation from but a supplement to the original story of <i>Emma</i>,
chronicled in the hero’s point of view. Two-thirds completely new material, it
features key events in Mr. Knightley’s past – events that still haunt him and
yet have shaped who he’s become, the superior man Emma can’t help falling in
love with.<span></span></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/10/mr-knightley-in-his-own-words-by.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-39882339691301792902023-10-20T22:40:00.001+01:002023-10-20T22:40:24.182+01:00Jane And The Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron - Review<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEc_c4x_6jMbnreFxecrOVOhd5ue1UvzSLG4yf9m8XR6eNruP7qfMdH-FscU3YWatrbqPsnLNZ1j1nsdCynuvRqM8f5C0dmx5wzTtWYESDmBjbwgnnMsyB7275bHJLgGffIgOJt0u7HwomTsjfczx3P5kFtWzXeLigiNV6tYbOtpwfJ5yzO63-6LW9g/s1080/Jane%20and%20the%20Final%20Mystery%20Book%20Tour%20graphic%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Blog Tour: Jane And The Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron. Graphic shows hardback and ebook. The cover of the book shows a woman's silhouette" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEc_c4x_6jMbnreFxecrOVOhd5ue1UvzSLG4yf9m8XR6eNruP7qfMdH-FscU3YWatrbqPsnLNZ1j1nsdCynuvRqM8f5C0dmx5wzTtWYESDmBjbwgnnMsyB7275bHJLgGffIgOJt0u7HwomTsjfczx3P5kFtWzXeLigiNV6tYbOtpwfJ5yzO63-6LW9g/w320-h320/Jane%20and%20the%20Final%20Mystery%20Book%20Tour%20graphic%20.jpg" title="Blog Tour: Jane And The Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron" width="320"></a></div>Today
the blog tour for the last (sob!) book in <b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Stephanie%20Barron" target="_blank">Stephanie Barron</a></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">’s </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Being%20a%20Jane%20Austen%20Mystery" target="_blank">Being a Jane Austen Mystery</a></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Jane And The Final Mystery</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> stops by for
my review. Let’s take a look at the blurb and then I’ll let you know what I
thought of the book.</span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Book
Description</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The final
volume of the critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Jane Austen as
amateur sleuth</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br>
<br>
March 1817: As winter turns to spring, Jane Austen’s health is in slow decline,
and threatens to cease progress on her latest manuscript. But when her nephew
Edward brings chilling news of a death at his former school, Winchester
College, not even her debilitating ailment can keep Jane from seeking out the
truth. Arthur Prendergast, a senior pupil at the prestigious all-boys’ boarding
school, has been found dead in a culvert near the schoolgrounds—and in the
pocket of his drenched waistcoat is an incriminating note penned by the young
William Heathcote, the son of Jane’s dear friend Elizabeth. Winchester College
is a world unto itself, with its own language and rites of passage, cruel
hazing and dangerous pranks. Can Jane clear William’s name before her illness
gets the better of her?<br>
<br>
Over the course of fourteen previous novels in the critically acclaimed Being a
Jane Austen Mystery series, Stephanie Barron has won the hearts of thousands of
fans—crime fiction aficionados and Janeites alike—with her tricky plotting and
breathtaking evocation of Austen’s voice. Now, she brings Jane’s final
season—and final murder investigation—to brilliant, poignant life in this
unforgettable conclusion.<span></span></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/10/jane-and-final-mystery-by-stephanie.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-75521338924660031852023-09-23T23:53:00.001+01:002023-09-23T23:53:28.889+01:00When Given Good Principles by MJ Stratton<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/MJ%20Stratton" target="_blank">MJ Stratton </a></b>is visiting with an excerpt and giveaway of her latest book <i style="font-weight: bold;">When Given Good Principles</i>, which came out yesterday. There's also a giveaway - read on for more!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wLeLmKETngJTQxCJKaT-ZSZi4r5Xc08g6WmN9A9noZkkf-jzHAoMvgkkVEJ4ERbuAlsH9zc7lUixUCm_CxqYNqdjQpsizCTVcltd76zkutVVsBwLvzjRXUzng1-liTyDVfZfmi2OhsIH9vApSAGnKCoFZ9ZqDphFJ_RAA2iFtaLvfU01X3OeUVGUsA/s1650/Kindlecover.jpeg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Book cover: When Given Good Principles by MJ Stratton" border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wLeLmKETngJTQxCJKaT-ZSZi4r5Xc08g6WmN9A9noZkkf-jzHAoMvgkkVEJ4ERbuAlsH9zc7lUixUCm_CxqYNqdjQpsizCTVcltd76zkutVVsBwLvzjRXUzng1-liTyDVfZfmi2OhsIH9vApSAGnKCoFZ9ZqDphFJ_RAA2iFtaLvfU01X3OeUVGUsA/w247-h320/Kindlecover.jpeg.jpg" title="Book cover: When Given Good Principles by MJ Stratton" width="247" /></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Book Description</span></b><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">“When one is given good principles, one must take care never to follow them in pride and conceit.”</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">George Wickham was content to ride the coattails of his well-connected friends, right up until they declared him a lapdog good for little else other than his connection to Fitzwilliam Darcy. Properly humbled, and with his father’s death imminent, he returns to Derbyshire in hopes of seeing the man who raised him before it is too late.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One last conversation with his father sets George’s feet on the right path and on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way he makes new friends and pursues new interests better suited to his disposition than that of a clergyman, eventually finding himself in Meryton, clerk to Mr. Philips, a country solicitor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Stunned to encounter his friend Darcy and others he knows in the area, Wickham sets out to correct the poor impression Darcy has made on the citizens of Meryton… one lady’s opinion, in particular.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What happens when Mr. Wickham, charming, charismatic, and affable, uses his amiable nature to influence and guide the behavior and actions of those around him, and how will his reformation affect Darcy’s and Lizzy’s courtship? And what will happen when an unexpected source seeks to thwart his efforts?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When Given Good Principles follows an alternate path of our favorite <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> characters. Mr. Wickham joins Darcy and Lizzy in the spotlight in this <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> Vagary, featuring a reformed George Wickham and an unexpected villain.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wLeLmKETngJTQxCJKaT-ZSZi4r5Xc08g6WmN9A9noZkkf-jzHAoMvgkkVEJ4ERbuAlsH9zc7lUixUCm_CxqYNqdjQpsizCTVcltd76zkutVVsBwLvzjRXUzng1-liTyDVfZfmi2OhsIH9vApSAGnKCoFZ9ZqDphFJ_RAA2iFtaLvfU01X3OeUVGUsA/s1650/Kindlecover.jpeg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Book cover: When Given Good Principles by MJ Stratton" border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wLeLmKETngJTQxCJKaT-ZSZi4r5Xc08g6WmN9A9noZkkf-jzHAoMvgkkVEJ4ERbuAlsH9zc7lUixUCm_CxqYNqdjQpsizCTVcltd76zkutVVsBwLvzjRXUzng1-liTyDVfZfmi2OhsIH9vApSAGnKCoFZ9ZqDphFJ_RAA2iFtaLvfU01X3OeUVGUsA/w247-h320/Kindlecover.jpeg.jpg" title="Book cover: When Given Good Principles by MJ Stratton" width="247" /></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Excerpt from <i>When Given Good Principles</i> by MJ Stratton</span></b><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">1 June 1804</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Northmore Estate, Wiltshire</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Nineteen-year-old George Wickham was rather enjoying his time at Viscount Northmore’s estate. The summer weather was beautiful, the sport marvelous, and best of all, he was having the time of his life on someone else’s coin. George had met the viscount at Cambridge at the beginning of his first term. After being tormented for years at Eton, even with Darcy’s protection, it was a nice change to have a peer to be paying him some attention. Darcy had been his only friend through their years in school up until last term. Now George had been invited to spend the summer at Northmore with the viscount and several other friends. Yes, things were truly looking up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The door to the salon opened and a footman entered. “For you, sir,” said the stiff-lipped servant, as he handed the envelope in his hand to George.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Immediately, George’s curiosity piqued. This was an express. No one he knew would send him such a missive…He tore it open, reading rapidly before collapsing in the chair.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>George, </i></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Your father fell ill three weeks ago with a spring cold. He has been unable to recover, and it has moved to his chest. We do not expect him to last through the summer. Enclosed are some funds to see you home to Pemberley.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>G Darcy</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>George reread the missive in his hands many times, barely daring to breathe. His father? No. The man was a tower of strength. He had fallen from a ladder and broken his leg five years ago. The doctors had all claimed he would never walk again, yet six months later the man had been about his business as the Darcy’s steward as if nothing had happened. Surely Mr. Darcy was mistaken.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Not that it mattered. He would be on the next post coach home, if possible. George refused to risk the chance that he would not be present if his father passed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>He gathered his thoughts and strode out to find the viscount. There were voices coming from the library, and George assumed that was where the rest of the gentlemen in the party were. As he approached the door, he happened to hear his name. He stopped outside, interested to hear what was being said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Come now, Northmore!” Lord James Rutherford said loudly. “What do you see in Wickham? He’s the son of a steward! Hardly a gentleman and definitely not worth your time.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I concede that point, James,” Northmore said, “but Wickham is a useful fellow. He is passingly good at cards and willing to do just about anything to keep my patronage.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“So, he is a lapdog?” snorted Marcus Hawthorn, heir to a baronetage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Very much so,” Northmore said. “Obviously he will not be in our circles once university is complete, but for now, I do not mind having him around. Besides, it is a connection to the Darcys, tenuous though it is.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Ha!” guffawed James. “In that you are correct. We know old Mr. Darcy favors him. Young Fitzy is too much of a stuck-up prig to get close to. I hardly know anyone else in our set that is at Cambridge to actually learn.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The three laughed uproariously at their humor. George stood just outside the doorway, equal parts angry and dismayed. He had thought he was accepted in the group based on his own merits; that besides his lack of fortune and breeding, those of the first circles had seen his value and sought to cultivate his friendship for that reason. To find out he had been acquired due to his connections to the Darcys was appalling. For a moment, he wondered if this was what Darcy felt like all the time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>George retreated a few steps, then made a show of entering the room loudly, which stopped all conversation. “Gentlemen,” he said in greeting. “Northmore, I have received an express and am required at home immediately.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Northmore’s apparent concern would have seemed genuine if George had not just heard their discussion. “Nothing terribly wrong, I hope?” he said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>George swallowed tightly. “My father is ill,” he said mildly, trying his hardest to hide his distress.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Northmore’s response was lukewarm. “Oh, well,” he said, “I do hope that all is resolved shortly. ‘Tis a pity that your holiday has been cut short.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Nothing was said about feeling regret at his departure. There was no expression of distress at his news. George felt as if the world had been laid bare before him. He was not wanted here. And so, he bowed succinctly at that remark and excused himself to pack. He was on the next post coach back to Pemberley, determined to forego all comforts until he was at his father’s side.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Author Bio</span></b></p><p><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;">MJ Stratton grew up in a small town in rural Utah, moving back in 2021 after being away for ten years. Her love of Jane Austen was born at a young age when she read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. Her first ever exposure to JAFF was watching Lost in Austen as a teen. MJ recently left her teaching job to be at home with her four children, and hopefully pursue her passion for writing more fully. After feeding her love of books by editing and beta reading for years, she hopes to commit more fully to penning her own stories. MJ loves food, growing things, and the quiet of the countryside. You can find MJ on Facebook and Amazon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wLeLmKETngJTQxCJKaT-ZSZi4r5Xc08g6WmN9A9noZkkf-jzHAoMvgkkVEJ4ERbuAlsH9zc7lUixUCm_CxqYNqdjQpsizCTVcltd76zkutVVsBwLvzjRXUzng1-liTyDVfZfmi2OhsIH9vApSAGnKCoFZ9ZqDphFJ_RAA2iFtaLvfU01X3OeUVGUsA/s1650/Kindlecover.jpeg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Book cover: When Given Good Principles by MJ Stratton" border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wLeLmKETngJTQxCJKaT-ZSZi4r5Xc08g6WmN9A9noZkkf-jzHAoMvgkkVEJ4ERbuAlsH9zc7lUixUCm_CxqYNqdjQpsizCTVcltd76zkutVVsBwLvzjRXUzng1-liTyDVfZfmi2OhsIH9vApSAGnKCoFZ9ZqDphFJ_RAA2iFtaLvfU01X3OeUVGUsA/w247-h320/Kindlecover.jpeg.jpg" title="Book cover: When Given Good Principles by MJ Stratton" width="247" /></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Buy Links</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">When Given Good Principles </i>by <b>MJ Stratton</b> is available to buy now in Paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">• <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Given-Good-Principles-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B0CJ5XKPSN/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> • <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Given-Good-Principles-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B0CJ5XKPSN/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> • <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/When-Given-Good-Principles-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B0CJ5XKPSN/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon CA</a> • Add to<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199079111-when-given-good-principles?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Goodreads</a> shelf</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Giveaway Time</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>MJ Stratton</b> is giving away 3 ebooks of <b><i>When Given Good Principles</i></b>. To enter, please use the linked <b><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/af643a384/?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rafflecopter</a></b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Note about comments: If you'd like to comment on this post and have any problems adding your comment please <a href="http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">contact me</a> and I will add it for you :)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* * *</span></p><p class="Standard" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 16.478px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you don’t want to miss any of my future posts, please subscribe</span></p><p class="Standard" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 16.478px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://follow.it/babblings-of-a-bookworm?action=followPub" style="color: #d93c11; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Subscribe to Babblings of a Bookworm</span></a></p><p class="Standard" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 16.478px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> If you'd like to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/14329971-ceri" rel="nofollow" style="color: #d93c11; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">be friends on Goodreads</a> then please invite me - just say that you visit my blog when it asks why you'd like to be friends with me.</span></p><p><br /></p>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-47455399244884898902023-08-11T09:01:00.001+01:002023-08-11T09:01:41.727+01:00Cyanide and Sensibility by Katie Oliver - Cover Reveal<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogK6Y6gInAXAK3O-11HMlCA1Brz1CSY8I-ZK1xsrd63mqnjgfcX8sl04DoVCb6hD7yu136YoqqFtvJXUb-FDOzKtsnt60uEa08DEYdbjDFQTE1i5IQJqPZqcT8AsgI764JO5Af0g8V-I2Fp7Pz0V4B6WGiKdK7YOLT19nqYEgXqeSiO9uBu5H9F8qrA/s940/Cover%20Reveal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cover reveal graphic - picture shows a rosette saying 'cover reveal' in front of a full bookcase" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogK6Y6gInAXAK3O-11HMlCA1Brz1CSY8I-ZK1xsrd63mqnjgfcX8sl04DoVCb6hD7yu136YoqqFtvJXUb-FDOzKtsnt60uEa08DEYdbjDFQTE1i5IQJqPZqcT8AsgI764JO5Af0g8V-I2Fp7Pz0V4B6WGiKdK7YOLT19nqYEgXqeSiO9uBu5H9F8qrA/w320-h268/Cover%20Reveal.png" title="Cover reveal graphic" width="320"></a></div>Today I’m taking part in a cover reveal book blast for the next book in <b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Katie Oliver</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">’s </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> series. It’s called </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Cyanide and Sensibility</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. Let’s look at the blurb first.</span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Book
Description</span></b></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is
called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br>
<br>
While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content
with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra's sister Hannah is the Jane to
her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for
her next adventure—opening a business. <br>
<br>
All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand
unveiling of Hannah's new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local
celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so
divine, one bite will make you think you've died and gone to heaven.<br>
<br>
Of course, you never want that to happen literally. <br>
<br>
When one of Hannah's famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to
the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra's help to save her reputation
and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the
cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take
their target off the menu—permanently?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">*
* *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span></span><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/08/cyanide-and-sensibility-by-katie-oliver.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-61797795398576815102023-08-05T18:26:00.005+01:002023-08-05T18:26:54.450+01:00Loving Miss Tilney by Heather Moll - Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today
<b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Heather%20Moll" target="_blank">Heather Moll</a></b> is dropping by with an excerpt from her new Austenesque novel. I
am always especially pleased when an Austenesque book isn’t <i>Pride &
Prejudice</i>-inspired, as although that’s my favourite Austen book, most JAFF is
based on P&P so it makes a nice change to have one that comes from another
story. As you may well have guessed from the title, <b><i>Loving Miss Tilney</i></b> has its
roots in <i><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Northanger%20Abbey" target="_blank">Northanger Abbey</a></i>.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I’ve
been lucky enough to read this book already, and I’ll share my review with you
in the next few days.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Let’s
look at the blurb and then I’ll hand over to Heather Moll for an excerpt of the
book. Heather has also brought a worldwide giveaway with her!</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQduu6tZdSWC4ZQDCKsyXihNc98RaJEHYR7v9ajJMLi-Z7JamdAsXjsnrD9mOntcUf8XNOxeAyzYWpzz34xU3vNPWDu3iMKBYOjNoxjTw2bfhd6ZZ8uq-4uD_avWwVHSGRptia4BVQEX-1r30ymxbrDECy3KKjdvAY4u4pXTwbyA4q-KnPkdXcNmVIw/s2700/HeatherMoll_LovingMissTilney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Loving Miss Tilney by Heather Moll - cover shows a blonde haired young lady in Regency dress in an embrace with a young man, whose face is not visible to the viewer. She is looking down and to the side as if she is about to pull away from the embrace" border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQduu6tZdSWC4ZQDCKsyXihNc98RaJEHYR7v9ajJMLi-Z7JamdAsXjsnrD9mOntcUf8XNOxeAyzYWpzz34xU3vNPWDu3iMKBYOjNoxjTw2bfhd6ZZ8uq-4uD_avWwVHSGRptia4BVQEX-1r30ymxbrDECy3KKjdvAY4u4pXTwbyA4q-KnPkdXcNmVIw/w213-h320/HeatherMoll_LovingMissTilney.jpg" title="Book cover: Loving Miss Tilney by Heather Moll" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She’s
forbidden to wed a nobody. He’s nothing in society’s eyes. Will their desperate
schemes backfire before they find a way to be together?</span></i></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Northanger
Abbey. Eleanor Tilney can’t bear her lonely life any longer. Distraught when
her tyrannical father throws her friend out of the house because the girl lacks
an inheritance, the long-suffering general’s daughter decides anything is
better than a future all alone. So in a frantic bid for freedom, she puts aside
her tender feelings for a man of no standing to pursue a wealthy husband.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Philip
Brampton understands that fortune is against him. And he tries gallantly to
bury his distress and support his lonely beloved, even after she starts
pursuing an arrogant buffoon. But when he catches the fellow about to kiss her,
their resulting harsh words cause a heartbreaking rift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Stiffening
her spine in a world that refuses to acknowledge her value, Eleanor attempts to
navigate the impossible situation without quashing her desires. And though his
shy nature abhors a scene, Philip braces himself for a confrontation with her
cruel and abusive patriarch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Do
these childhood sweethearts have any hope of achieving lasting happiness?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span></span><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/08/loving-miss-tilney-by-heather-moll.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-29732390464207339892023-07-29T21:50:00.002+01:002023-07-29T21:50:38.064+01:00Spells and Shadows by Victoria Kincaid - Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m
really pleased to be welcoming </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Victoria Kincaid</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> to Babblings of a Bookworm
today with her latest </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pride & Prejudice</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> variation, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Spells and
Shadows</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, which has a magical element.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Victoria
has joined us with an excerpt of the book and an ebook giveaway. Read on for
more details!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguino1DzUmNBR-EsOEsbhbN-bHcYcTH311C_ROlpQEchoUEIgV762dZE5346YS7TmcABHW4FQa8Vtshy5iNobTuGl5n7wWb7Y-xLFt7MqLig0Wx3HvRWJ4ofO6zaYIZUwesTiMiOTNxvMeUJorn6fBisgJsLzdyVKMti6oKKu_VmhftxGnKZrBLpnAwA/s2700/Spells-and-Shadows-web%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Spells and Shadows - A Pride & Prejudice variation by Victoria Kincaid. Picture shows a young man and woman in Regency attire. They are in a creepy forest, with silhouettes of leafless trees. Both of them are holding what looks like a conjured ball of light" border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguino1DzUmNBR-EsOEsbhbN-bHcYcTH311C_ROlpQEchoUEIgV762dZE5346YS7TmcABHW4FQa8Vtshy5iNobTuGl5n7wWb7Y-xLFt7MqLig0Wx3HvRWJ4ofO6zaYIZUwesTiMiOTNxvMeUJorn6fBisgJsLzdyVKMti6oKKu_VmhftxGnKZrBLpnAwA/w213-h320/Spells-and-Shadows-web%20(1).jpg" title="Book cover: Spells and Shadows - A Pride & Prejudice variation by Victoria Kincaid" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><i>Spells and Shadows,
A Fantasy Pride and Prejudice Variation</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As a secret
agent for the Mages’ Council, Mr. Darcy investigates a necromancer who is
leading his followers down a dark path. When they discover him, a fight and a
chase drive Darcy—injured and close to death—into the river. He is rescued and
healed by Elizabeth, a talented mage at the Longbourn estate. Darcy cannot help
developing feelings for her, but he dares not reveal his true identity while the
necromancer’s creatures search for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth
Bennet is intrigued by the family’s new guest as he recovers at Longbourn. But mystery
surrounds the man, and strange happenings plague the neighborhood while he
visits. Elizabeth herself harbors a secret that she cannot share with the
handsome stranger. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When Darcy’s
enemies come calling, the Bennet family is caught in the crossfire. Worse,
Elizabeth’s magic draws the necromancer’s particular interest. Darcy is falling
in love with her and believes she returns his feelings, but the secret of his
true identity could destroy their budding relationship—if they survive the upcoming
danger. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Can Elizabeth
and Darcy protect themselves and their families from the necromancer’s plots? What
will happen when learn each other’s secrets? Can Elizabeth and Darcy’s love
survive when it is entangled in a web of secrets, spells, and shadows?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p><span></span></o:p></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/07/spells-and-shadows-by-victoria-kincaid.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-14220518490790719732023-07-14T07:00:00.016+01:002023-07-14T07:00:00.138+01:00Doubt Not, Cousin by Barry S Richman - Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYUrSb1DSZ80hfTqH7K4t5mA3vxRncArJ2cDFN-6KvJPGR2sd7LG3AHv0Skhf95Py6wHFrrs-9LPlpzboO4GDcWXi1_OkdAYxak6zjT990Xa-f6WINkzvqJeWGvYt1FHWbr1Njai8z5QQ4pItbpeoLv6l2XzuHVtbzmu60V8Pkt5Gw2l6Vg3JpzOO2g/s1200/DNC%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Blog Tour Promo Graphic: Doubt Not, Cousin by Barry Richman" border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1200" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYUrSb1DSZ80hfTqH7K4t5mA3vxRncArJ2cDFN-6KvJPGR2sd7LG3AHv0Skhf95Py6wHFrrs-9LPlpzboO4GDcWXi1_OkdAYxak6zjT990Xa-f6WINkzvqJeWGvYt1FHWbr1Njai8z5QQ4pItbpeoLv6l2XzuHVtbzmu60V8Pkt5Gw2l6Vg3JpzOO2g/w320-h196/DNC%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" title="Blog Tour Promo Graphic: Doubt Not, Cousin by Barry Richman" width="320"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Today
I’m happy to be welcoming a new visitor to the blog as the blog tour for <b>Barry S. Richman</b>’s book, <b><i>Doubt Not, Cousin</i></b> drops by. This is a <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> variation. Let’s look at the blurb, after
which I can share a very romantic excerpt and ebook giveaway with you, courtesy
of Meryton Press.</span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4yEDzvQtzcuAo8rPFHETMdqT4uYxe0qhk_MRpAStWs2sTLFhSaZzNjUIfAeoO3p--qvzVES0QqI_YQdc3b9lP1UdUPzAr48p4RmcB_xyLi-km8s8QXwFag8Guv8KKi3QN-yvh7frc6FaI53Q6EgmL6lbPD_48Xo4ES05ssi5eFpNfffBpxArr3u3aw/s1200/DNC%20Final%20FC%207_02_23%20S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></b></div>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Doubt Not, Cousin by Barry Richman" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4yEDzvQtzcuAo8rPFHETMdqT4uYxe0qhk_MRpAStWs2sTLFhSaZzNjUIfAeoO3p--qvzVES0QqI_YQdc3b9lP1UdUPzAr48p4RmcB_xyLi-km8s8QXwFag8Guv8KKi3QN-yvh7frc6FaI53Q6EgmL6lbPD_48Xo4ES05ssi5eFpNfffBpxArr3u3aw/w213-h320/DNC%20Final%20FC%207_02_23%20S.jpg" title="Book cover: Doubt Not, Cousin by Barry Richman" width="213"></span><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Book Description</span></b></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Darkness, in many forms, must be conquered to emerge into the light and embrace one’s happily ever after.</span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fitzwilliam Darcy. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.<br>Two cousins, closer than brothers.<br>One finds love despite his inner demons; the other resists love because of them.</span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Elizabeth Bennet. Kitty Bennet.<br>Two sisters, strengthened by adversity.<br>One willingly yields to love; the other pridefully misinterprets it. </span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An epic saga steeped in intrigue and gift-wrapped in romance, Doubt Not, Cousin chronicles the trials and tribulations of three extraordinary families during England’s Regency era. </span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">… But who is the girl with the violet eyes?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></b></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/07/doubt-not-cousin-by-barry-s-richman.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-48760732758615512122023-07-08T10:59:00.003+01:002023-07-08T10:59:36.866+01:00A Far Better Prospect by MJ Stratton - Except and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/MJ%20Stratton" target="_blank">MJ Stratton</a></b> is visiting the blog today with a book which focuses on one of Jane
Austen’s secondary characters; Mrs Hurst, formerly Miss Louisa Bingley, sister
of Charles Bingley from <i>Pride & Prejudice</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We don’t see a huge amount of
Mrs Hurst in <i>P&P</i>, and what we see isn’t necessarily to her advantage,
although we have met her through the eyes of an unreliable narrator, so there
is scope for her to be different to our perception. This is the heroine of <b><i>A
Far Better Prospect</i></b>. Let’s look at the blurb and then I will hand over to M Stratton for an except from the book and a giveaway opportunity.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVIdy5lU6FYPiJrl8oVXmlNzWxxj4GLiuS23l1yGiqQfWBmyNDnAiU1V7F0v_nYS04iUfKSju8f8pH1fsBIWQNQSgudWdMSHlZLE0QAOBewgm8FeJW0uUUygiaH2UceYzC6HIgUL3Z00JSIE8oRuE3uPUbie37xE75aWbKIJfzNWsrJSjjv3zrYeRfA/s457/Cropped%20cover%20AFBP.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: A Far Better Prospect by MJ Stratton - picture shows a woman in regency dress walking through a flower garden" border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVIdy5lU6FYPiJrl8oVXmlNzWxxj4GLiuS23l1yGiqQfWBmyNDnAiU1V7F0v_nYS04iUfKSju8f8pH1fsBIWQNQSgudWdMSHlZLE0QAOBewgm8FeJW0uUUygiaH2UceYzC6HIgUL3Z00JSIE8oRuE3uPUbie37xE75aWbKIJfzNWsrJSjjv3zrYeRfA/w210-h320/Cropped%20cover%20AFBP.jpeg" title="Book cover: A Far Better Prospect by MJ Stratton" width="210"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Louisa
Bingley had never defied her mother in her life, until she found something she
wished to fight for. In love with a man with close ties to trade, Louisa
refuses to give him up when her mother demands it.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">But
Mrs. Bingley is not to be reckoned with and through despicable means manages to
force her daughter into a much more ‘appropriate’ marriage to a gentleman named
Mr. Hurst.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Married
to a man she does not love, the newly wed Louisa Hurst must learn to navigate
her husband's expectations and demands while still holding on to the threads of
herself. Through all of this she must also survive the malice of her younger
sister Caroline, a responsibility thrust most unwillingly upon her.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Convinced
contentment in life is all that she can expect, Louisa finds herself quite
unexpectedly free to pursue her own happiness. But does she dare take the
chance at allowing herself to feel again?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Along
with Jane and Lizzy and all our favorites, Louisa Hurst gets her own happy
ending in this <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> Vagary.<span></span></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/07/a-far-better-prospect-by-mj-stratton.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-82427716924999441252023-06-26T07:00:00.001+01:002023-06-26T07:00:00.136+01:00The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy by Sophie Turner - Guest Post and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today
I’m happy to be welcoming <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Sophie%20Turner" target="_blank">Sophie Turner</a></b> back to the blog with what sounds like
a potentially very angsty new book, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy</i>, which is already getting some great reviews. Sophie has
brought us a guest post and giveaway. Let me share the book blurb and then hand
over to Sophie for her guest post.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffVrpf4dg5A3Dku7WT73Uc61nBaCk4tcaBXaia2UfONIVXTzIXOD_z-lrnZCb7WgzNI3-sp7ybMzmANAW40jT0tjoD6IAcV4YoUQl55Ndo1TsOIbdPoWQC-MgUpUAb_a1FL8mCT8pKpWdP8JT19lKl3xTlJps6XgtbBHjguXJ3DqZ_MR710xqXuJFww/s500/Bookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover: The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy by Sophie Turner. Picture shows a silhouette of a face in profile. The background of the silhouette is black, but the picture overlaid on the silhouette is a boat on a sea at sunset" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffVrpf4dg5A3Dku7WT73Uc61nBaCk4tcaBXaia2UfONIVXTzIXOD_z-lrnZCb7WgzNI3-sp7ybMzmANAW40jT0tjoD6IAcV4YoUQl55Ndo1TsOIbdPoWQC-MgUpUAb_a1FL8mCT8pKpWdP8JT19lKl3xTlJps6XgtbBHjguXJ3DqZ_MR710xqXuJFww/w213-h320/Bookcover.jpg" title="Book Cover: The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy by Sophie Turner" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">After
a tragic accident, Fitzwilliam Darcy is left for dead. His grief-stricken wife
vows to do what is best for their children, including an ill-advised second
marriage in the peerage.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Years
later, Will Trevills leaves his happy life in Cornwall to discover the truth
about his past. Thrust into a strange world after life as a fisherman, he gains
a family he cannot recall. Lady Neston becomes Mrs. Darcy once more, and is
grateful for her escape. But her husband questions his purpose as a gentleman,
and cannot remember the love they shared.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Charged
with bigamy, she may face the ultimate punishment, while the family she sought
to protect has never been in greater peril.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Part
thriller, part romance, and part courtroom drama, this Elizabeth and Darcy
story is a long, absorbing read.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Readers
should be aware that this story contains scenes of rape and sexual assault as
well as a depiction of an abusive marriage and more general physical violence.<span></span></span></i></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-crimes-of-elizabeth-darcy-by-sophie.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-40861411907262197562023-05-19T23:48:00.003+01:002023-05-20T11:01:07.765+01:00The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray - Review<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Today
the blog tour for Claudia Gray’s <b><i>The Late Mrs. Willoughby</i></b> stops by for my
review. Let me share the blurb with you, and then I’ll tell you what I thought
of the story.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_mBaDfxdSklZZXUEz1GBQQsYChD8jbK1tpvGWLr0u3RIXJMhlLpBgcCKcAjqfhEfWHuqxWiPRpJIJwGiaGUdF3Tt99rFEyKeGUkBi5cEqq8IHEQ9Q1ywoJx-qPWpzbOEiRzw4Rzx9XEuJ3AcVpWY776H9gQCFaPNjbE7WavIC8SM8-2C0xw-hYc/s2400/The%20Late%20Mrs%20Willoughby%202023.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray. Picture shows silhouetted figures" border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_mBaDfxdSklZZXUEz1GBQQsYChD8jbK1tpvGWLr0u3RIXJMhlLpBgcCKcAjqfhEfWHuqxWiPRpJIJwGiaGUdF3Tt99rFEyKeGUkBi5cEqq8IHEQ9Q1ywoJx-qPWpzbOEiRzw4Rzx9XEuJ3AcVpWY776H9gQCFaPNjbE7WavIC8SM8-2C0xw-hYc/w207-h320/The%20Late%20Mrs%20Willoughby%202023.jpg" title="Book cover: The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray" width="207"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The
suspenseful sequel to <i>The Murder of Mr. Wickham</i>, which sees
Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve:
the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby's new wife.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Catherine
and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey are not entirely pleased to be sending
their eligible young daughter Juliet out into the world again: the last house
party she attended, at the home of the Knightleys, involved a murder—which
Juliet helped solve. Particularly concerning is that she intends to visit her
new friend Marianne Brandon, who's returned home to Devonshire shrouded in
fresh scandal—made more potent by the news that her former suitor, the rakish
Mr. Willoughby, intends to take up residence at his local estate with his new
bride.<br>
<br>
Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley are thrilled that their eldest
son, Jonathan—who, like his father, has not always been the most socially
adept—has been invited to stay with his former schoolmate, John Willoughby.
Jonathan himself is decidedly less taken with the notion of having to spend
extended time under the roof of his old bully, but that all changes when he
finds himself reunited with his fellow amateur sleuth, the radiant Miss Tilney.
And when shortly thereafter, Willoughby's new wife—whom he married for her
fortune—dies horribly at the party meant to welcome her to town.<br>
<br>
With rumors flying and Marianne—known to be both unstable and previously jilted
by the dead woman's newly made widower—under increased suspicion, Jonathan and
Juliet must team up once more to uncover the murderer. But as they collect
clues and close in on suspects, eerie incidents suggest that the killer may
strike again, and that the pair are in far graver danger than they or their
families could imagine.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span></span></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-late-mrs-willoughby-by-claudia-gray.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-20890744467939583502023-04-12T16:48:00.000+01:002023-04-12T16:48:29.792+01:00Handsome, Clever & Rich by Jayne Bamber - Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m
happy to be welcoming <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Jayne%20Bamber" target="_blank">Jayne Bamber</a></b> back to the blog with her latest book,
<b><i>Handsome, Clever & Rich</i></b>. It’s a <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> variation
but some of you might recognise this title as being words Austen uses to
describe Emma Woodhouse…</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let’s
have a look at the book blurb and then I’ll hand you over to Jayne, who has
brought us both an excerpt from <b><i>Handsome, Clever & Rich</i></b> and
an ebook giveaway.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsDE3M5p0f5i1L0qfy8s8Ts9fKiAxoSMvK8CZw0bErv9yqU8K3TkRMzoKKkvr-wqbNAfEd-79bGq628sGuQxOvpVGpdTegYoP-9zOJ7Xlkco4bZ3UPC-PW7dqt9DzG1Cs_VxfLVibsC5PQX037jzxtBJiYLN_qjHe6iLwZHDKojzhTvzOO1ChXo4/s626/Kindle%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Book cover: Handsome, Clever & Rich - Austen's Emma Meets Pride & Prejudice. Picture is a painting of a pretty young lady in period feathered bonnet" border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsDE3M5p0f5i1L0qfy8s8Ts9fKiAxoSMvK8CZw0bErv9yqU8K3TkRMzoKKkvr-wqbNAfEd-79bGq628sGuQxOvpVGpdTegYoP-9zOJ7Xlkco4bZ3UPC-PW7dqt9DzG1Cs_VxfLVibsC5PQX037jzxtBJiYLN_qjHe6iLwZHDKojzhTvzOO1ChXo4/w214-h320/Kindle%20Cover.jpg" title="Book cover: Handsome, Clever & Rich - Austen's Emma Meets Pride & Prejudice" width="214"></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Book
Description</span></b><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What
if Elizabeth is not a Bennet by birth, but by marriage?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When
Netherfield Park is let at last, the village of Meryton is inveigled in
romance, intrigue, and a few less-than-happy reunions. The Bingley siblings
return to the home of their youth, an estate purchased just before the death of
their father. The neighborhood, especially the Bennet family, is ready to
welcome them back with open arms, but Mr. Bingley’s attempt to make a good
impression on his community backfires so badly that it is his awkward friend
Mr. Darcy who is obliged to salvage the situation in the aftermath of Mr.
Bingley insulting Jane Bennet at the Assembly.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Young
widow Elizabeth Bennet begins her acquaintance with Mr. Darcy on amiable terms,
but the reckless folly of his friend and the regrets from her own past create a
bumpy path to Happily Ever After for them.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not
long after an injury obliges Elizabeth to recover at Netherfield Park, her
estranged sister finally discovers Elizabeth’s whereabouts, and journeys from
Highbury to Meryton in all haste, suitors in tow.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When
one unexpected betrothal arises out of necessity, Jane Austen’s most notorious
matchmaker is inspired to work her magic at Longbourn, Netherfield, and Lucas
Lodge – but she, too, will have met her match in matters of meddling &
mischief….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">* * *</span></b></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></b></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/04/handsome-clever-rich-by-jayne-bamber.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-33360322995005569832023-03-28T07:45:00.002+01:002023-03-28T07:45:23.714+01:00The Sailor’s Rest by Don Jacobson – Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m
very pleased to be welcoming </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Don%20Jacobson" target="_blank">Don Jacobson</a></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> with a guest post and excerpt
of his new book, which is released today! </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>The Sailor’s Rest</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> is a
book which features characters from both </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Persuasion</i><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">as well as </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pride
& Prejudice</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. First, I’ll share the blurb with you and then hand over to
Don for a guest post and excerpt from </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Sailor’s Rest</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. There’s also an
ebook giveaway. Read on for more details.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7DMGMkWqHKZQhN5GZF_H6M9euLb5D18fwQzk24Fg3dF1NwJk_STZsSrfmzhOQlr6LJEBZWx-y-pY4X_IxmJ6bvT_ABOnqG8Ry5zlgqHiWCqsrf2OJPfLYhUBeXx9Bb2Uw6vVqJuXxRw6jkNUA2mQ95Q3bztWLKV6APMJ1GAknzofi-pciO8brts/s2701/ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: The Sailor's Rest by Don Jacobson. The picture on the book cover is a painting of ships in a dockyard" border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="1801" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7DMGMkWqHKZQhN5GZF_H6M9euLb5D18fwQzk24Fg3dF1NwJk_STZsSrfmzhOQlr6LJEBZWx-y-pY4X_IxmJ6bvT_ABOnqG8Ry5zlgqHiWCqsrf2OJPfLYhUBeXx9Bb2Uw6vVqJuXxRw6jkNUA2mQ95Q3bztWLKV6APMJ1GAknzofi-pciO8brts/w213-h320/ebook.jpg" title="Book cover: The Sailor's Rest by Don Jacobson" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Sailor’s
Rest: The Naval Adventure Jane Austen Could Have Written!</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Jane Austen’s greatest lovers come
together to be tested in the crucible of war on the Mediterranean’s blue waters
and in the smoky confines of a prestigious London gambling den. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <i>Sailor’s Rest</i> is inspired by <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>
and <i>Persuasion</i> and is set on the stage of Napoleon’s 100 Days. Discover
how the two betrothed couples—Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, along
with Frederick Wentworth and Anne Elliot—find their love tried by separation,
battle, and deception. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The novel immerses readers first in a
mystery, then a sea chase, and, finally, a satisfying comeuppance. From the
tattered rooms of a waterfront inn to three frigates engaged in a deadly game
of naval chess, readers will experience the yearning as four hearts come closer
to one-another. Before the tale ends, the audience will step into the gilded confines
of London’s preeminent card room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Sailor’s Rest </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">uses the characters formed by Austen as
a starting point in an Austenesque excursion that will leave readers both
challenged and richer for the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Sailor’s Rest </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">is set in the <i>Persuasion </i>timeline
of 1815 but leaves in place the age and plot constructs established by Austen
in <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. This is a full-length novel of 115,000 words.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Part mystery, part adventure - and all
heart - This has the feel of a Hornblower epic.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Alice McVeigh, author of </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Susan:
A Jane Austen Prequel</span></i></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span></span></span></b></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-sailors-rest-by-don-jacobson-guest.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-40244782554651436122023-03-24T07:34:00.000+00:002023-03-24T07:34:22.582+00:00The Bennets: Providence & Perception by KC Cowan - Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVxHlN1QOC7-EirXVGcpBHGDB2p5hPrhvjJYb7qS-gdrWgl1_MPM3wUUb-vYdtRVo_awu3xLnEfPU2CPYC3KR7f1--xvZolOUhhVNuNMM9eoSCgOBdNEalMpKAp05kKgosGNKSI5rLxYP8aj2ngffxjPEdqS9rh4MTtnfE1QJLIinzJxm47WBCdo/s1200/TB%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Bennets: Providence & Perception by KC Cowan Blog Tour Graphic. Illustration of a young man and woman in regency costume. The woman has spectacles. The man is holding her hand as if greeting her. In the background an older man is arm in arm with a woman whose face you can't see as her bonnet covers it." border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1200" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVxHlN1QOC7-EirXVGcpBHGDB2p5hPrhvjJYb7qS-gdrWgl1_MPM3wUUb-vYdtRVo_awu3xLnEfPU2CPYC3KR7f1--xvZolOUhhVNuNMM9eoSCgOBdNEalMpKAp05kKgosGNKSI5rLxYP8aj2ngffxjPEdqS9rh4MTtnfE1QJLIinzJxm47WBCdo/w320-h253/TB%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" title="The Bennets: Providence & Perception by KC Cowan Blog Tour Graphic" width="320"></a></div>Today
I’m welcoming a new visitor to the blog, <b>KC Cowan</b>, who has published a book with
Meryton Press, and the blog tour stops here today. <b><i>The Bennets: Providence & Perception</i></b> is a <i>Pride &
Prejudice</i> sequel that focuses on a Bennet sister that many readers have a soft
spot for, Mary Bennet.<p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
have a guest post from KC Cowan, plus an excerpt from <i>The Bennets: Providence
& Perception</i>, plus an ebook giveaway to share with you. Let’s start with the
blurb.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2LkMTr3ER6FAiaRNKDI5opHNySf04kI2km1adcYDDzRZQ6SnGVjZ1-4Vj42B93laZmw8unUM0lc6Our6_A8X5av3H_84VqovObdSpsO5ccS3zJReaSA-TIIyZPMrqysvrjTnjcX-OpZV62bHNrXsQFCtxUVRYgxBRtMqVcLjLgI_uXcKQqg7oh4/s1200/TB%20%20Final%20FC%2003_03_23%20S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover: The Bennets: Providence & Perception by KC Cowan. Illustration of a young man and woman in regency costume. The woman has spectacles. The man is holding her hand as if greeting her. In the background an older man is arm in arm with a woman whose face you can't see as her bonnet covers it." border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2LkMTr3ER6FAiaRNKDI5opHNySf04kI2km1adcYDDzRZQ6SnGVjZ1-4Vj42B93laZmw8unUM0lc6Our6_A8X5av3H_84VqovObdSpsO5ccS3zJReaSA-TIIyZPMrqysvrjTnjcX-OpZV62bHNrXsQFCtxUVRYgxBRtMqVcLjLgI_uXcKQqg7oh4/w213-h320/TB%20%20Final%20FC%2003_03_23%20S.jpg" title="Book Cover: The Bennets: Providence & Perception by KC Cowan" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Either
ignored or ridiculed by her family, Mary Bennet desires only happiness—</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Poor
Miss Bennet—with three sisters married, she will no doubt be left “on the
shelf” unless she takes steps to secure her own happiness. So, with the arrival
of Mr. Yarby, a handsome new rector for Longbourn chapel, Mary decides to use
her Biblical knowledge to win his heart.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Meanwhile,
her recently widowed father finds himself falling for the older sister of his
new reverend. But Mr. Bennet is officially in mourning for his late wife—what a
scandalous situation! Unfortunately, Longbourn’s heir, Mr. Collins, has the
antennae for a scandal and makes blackmail threats.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Will
an overheard conversation between the Yarby siblings break Mary’s heart? Or
will it impel her to a desperate act that threatens everyone’s hopes for
lasting love?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span></span></span></b></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-bennets-providence-perception-by-kc.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-27562697777269417322023-03-20T07:42:00.004+00:002023-03-20T07:42:55.503+00:00Death in Sensible Circumstances by Riana Everly - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m
pleased to be welcoming <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Riana%20Everly" target="_blank">Riana Everly</a></b> back to the blog with her new book, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Death in Sensible Circumstances: A Sense and Sensibility Mystery</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. This is the fourth book in the <i><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Miss%20Mary%20Investigates" target="_blank">Miss Mary Investigates</a></i>
series, where Mary Bennet, the middle daughter of the Bennets in <i>Pride &
Prejudice</i>, turns sleuth to find out who committed a murder. In this book she
meets characters from another of Austen’s novels, <i>Sense & Sensibility</i>.
Previously she’s met characters that feature in <i>Emma</i> and <i>Mansfield Park</i>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Read
on to learn more about the book, a guest post from Riana on one of the
locations that the book will take us, an excerpt of the book to whet your
appetite and finally have the chance to win an ebook of <b>Death in Sensible
Circumstances</b> for yourself.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGikd-pOzviSbB6quj5n6nJAePx1z0c20LnVMXKR1PhBKRViu5JL0MSVuvjfGEm-9E74UwVgPnxUMoM7tuxUA73fdZ93Y31R2tWKFf4Z7jJe1DwbrfzI-hU1BFy1cQIkRTQ-hW6ADx0cASiJ6wdESZNmMNbP5Z7f5ANc0w0Vf2XjoTqfzQ8eRdFg4/s600/Death%20in%20SC%20400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Death in Sensible Circumstances: A Sense & Sensibility Mystery. Picture shows a silhouetted man and woman in conversation, standing in a grove of blossom trees." border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGikd-pOzviSbB6quj5n6nJAePx1z0c20LnVMXKR1PhBKRViu5JL0MSVuvjfGEm-9E74UwVgPnxUMoM7tuxUA73fdZ93Y31R2tWKFf4Z7jJe1DwbrfzI-hU1BFy1cQIkRTQ-hW6ADx0cASiJ6wdESZNmMNbP5Z7f5ANc0w0Vf2XjoTqfzQ8eRdFg4/w213-h320/Death%20in%20SC%20400x600.jpg" title="Book cover: Death in Sensible Circumstances: A Sense & Sensibility Mystery" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A
Jane Austen-inspired mystery, set in the world of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>
and <i>Sense and Sensibility</i>, being the fourth novel in the Miss Mary
Investigates series.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When
Mary Bennet befriends Elinor Dashwood, she expects to become part of the young
lady’s circle and be introduced to her friends and relations. She does not
expect that one of this circle should die, far too young, and in most
unfortunate circumstances. Worse, Elinor is secretly in love with one of the
suspects, Edward Ferrars, and he is inconveniently engaged to somebody else.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When
an investigator is called in to assist, Mary is more surprised still.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Alexander
Lyons expects to find death and deceit in his line of work, but he does not
expect to come face to face with Mary, who hasn’t replied to his letters of
late. What is she doing in London? And how is she involved with this sorry
business of murder? Still, despite the tension between the two, they make a
good team as they seek to unravel the mystery surrounding them.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">From
the elegant drawing rooms of Mayfair to the reeking slums of St. Giles, the two
must use every bit of wit and logic they possess to uncover a killer, all the
while, trying to puzzle out the workings of their own hearts.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Join
Mary Bennet, Lizzy’s often overlooked sister from <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>,
and her intriguing and handsome friend Alexander Lyons, as they are pulled into
the world of Jane Austen’s <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> in this, their latest
adventure.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span></span></span></b></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/03/death-in-sensible-circumstances-by.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-84231414875091342022023-02-06T07:00:00.008+00:002023-02-06T07:00:00.187+00:00Mr. Darcy 's Valentine by Heather Moll - Blog Tour, Guest Post, Review and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today
I’m really pleased to be welcoming <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Heather%20Moll" target="_blank">Heather Moll</a></b> back to the blog with the blog tour for her
newest book, <b>Mr. Darcy’s Valentine</b>. I love a bit of seasonal reading and have
been lucky enough to read this one. As you will have gleaned from the title it’s
a Valentine’s day story. Read on to learn more about the book, read a guest
post from Heather, see what I thought of the book and finally have the chance
to enter a worldwide giveaway.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdzZnbVq24T2_eWveeeVxi6Xnva3yWJ_9DbQ6ebMu43z2JyJmV3HcsDGSKRFfTIYhpMlXq7CjnmjhuZe8qIbmKFehfIh60Xu8rXI-vDJIHg4URx-EMz20hiBYGXa_6C4NIJPtFneHf_UppJhJPGQ4-4JTJ2DzFxTIJXOB4NQDt4bOLuT9i5R-EPI/s1080/blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blog Tour - Mr Darcy's Valentine by Heather Moll" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdzZnbVq24T2_eWveeeVxi6Xnva3yWJ_9DbQ6ebMu43z2JyJmV3HcsDGSKRFfTIYhpMlXq7CjnmjhuZe8qIbmKFehfIh60Xu8rXI-vDJIHg4URx-EMz20hiBYGXa_6C4NIJPtFneHf_UppJhJPGQ4-4JTJ2DzFxTIJXOB4NQDt4bOLuT9i5R-EPI/w320-h320/blog.png" title="Blog Tour - Mr Darcy's Valentine by Heather Moll" width="320"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">WILL
AN EXCHANGE OF SECRET VALENTINES LEAD TO LOVE?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">After
her aunt notices her partiality for Mr Wickham, Elizabeth Bennet is invited to
town for the winter along with her sister Jane, and February in London gives
Elizabeth the chance to become better acquainted with the Gardiners’ friend Mr
Elgin.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth cross paths at a concert, Darcy must account for how Bingley
left Hertfordshire as he considers his deepening feelings for Elizabeth.
Bingley is determined to renew his attentions to Jane, and an evening’s
diversion of writing valentines leads to disastrous results for Darcy.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When
Valentine’s Day arrives, who will Elizabeth want to receive a valentine from:
the lively man she just met or the man whose proposal she already refused? On
sale Feb 1, 2023 by Excessively Diverted Press in ebook and paperback. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Content
note: this is a 50,000 word kisses-only variation<span></span></span></i></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2023/02/mr-darcy-s-valentine-by-heather-moll.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-46428620463910170492023-01-06T07:00:00.012+00:002023-01-06T07:00:00.231+00:00Three Brides for Three Cousins by Christine Combe - Excerpt<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted! I hope you had a good Christmas (if you celebrate) and that 2023 has good things in store for you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today
I’m happy to be welcoming <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search?q=christine+combe" target="_blank">Christine Combe</a></b> back to the blog with her latest book,
<b><i>Three Brides for Three Cousins</i></b>. Read on to learn more about the book and enjoy an excerpt, which Christine has come to introduce.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">* * *</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b>Excerpt from Three Brides for Three Cousins, Introduced by Christine Combe</b></span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank
you for having me again, Ceri! I’m so excited to be visiting Babblings of a
Bookworm today to talk about my latest Austenesque novel, <b><i>Three Brides
for Three Cousins</i></b>. This new story is a <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> tale
set on a slightly alternate timeline than the original. Many of the same events
will happen just not at exactly the same time as Jane wrote.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K53A0AGDrSFMoReqpLeNLfcY51famjVqNZQ9ejDPSkF7vLUQWP0TCWYNK8MD-WRO8jM_uThAriXVxUAJodn6F6ZKO-rgZq24XrQ3vcXPA5bvacHNeHssNJJI2n62KHYNq-M_bsehPdF_45-X1iEJUSV9fskLbxT693sOuBTiXM6VZ8WK2-oYLWg/s1462/Cover,%20Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover: Three Brides for Three Cousins by Christine Combe - picture shows three young ladies in period costume. They seem comfortable with each other and are standing with linked arms." border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="889" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K53A0AGDrSFMoReqpLeNLfcY51famjVqNZQ9ejDPSkF7vLUQWP0TCWYNK8MD-WRO8jM_uThAriXVxUAJodn6F6ZKO-rgZq24XrQ3vcXPA5bvacHNeHssNJJI2n62KHYNq-M_bsehPdF_45-X1iEJUSV9fskLbxT693sOuBTiXM6VZ8WK2-oYLWg/w195-h320/Cover,%20Kindle.jpg" title="Book Cover: Three Brides for Three Cousins by Christine Combe" width="195" /></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Fitzwilliam
Darcy’s twin cousins are ready for their debut in society, and one might think
that would keep their mother—the Countess of Disley—well occupied. But even
preparing her daughters for presentation to the Queen and their debut ball has
not stopped Lady Disley’s plans to marry off her two sons and her nephew at
last.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth
Bennet and her elder sister Jane are in London with their aunt and uncle at
Gracechurch Street to enjoy some of the delights of the Season. They do not
expect that meeting Mrs. Gardiner’s cousin from Derbyshire and the young lady
to whom she is companion will lead to a reunion with the young man who wrote
Jane some verses of poetry when she was 15 … or that he will be revealed to be
a viscount.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Although
sure this means the end of their new acquaintance with the shy Miss Darcy,
Elizabeth and Jane are surprised when her brother lets the friendship continue.
More than that, Lord Rowarth is forced to confess that his feelings for Jane
remain strong, and his determination to defy convention and pursue a match with
her unintentionally draws Elizabeth and Darcy to each other. Amidst supporting
his brother's attachment to one Bennet sister and encouraging his cousin
Darcy’s growing feelings for the other, Colonel Theodore Fitzwilliam is
enlisted by a duke’s daughter to help prevent her family’s ruination from
scandal.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Family
drama, misunderstandings, and the expectations of society are difficult waters
to navigate. Can these three cousins get through it all to win the hearts of
their chosen ladies and secure their own happiness?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Now that I’ve
piqued your interest with the blurb, how about a look at chapter 2?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">***</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Monday,
6 January 1812</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth Bennet had never been more
pleased to be in London than she was upon reading her father’s letter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">His writing at all was rare enough a
treat—Mr. Bennet rather enjoyed receiving correspondence, but disliked being
obliged to write back—so for him to write to her voluntarily, without her
having written first, was a special occasion indeed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The contents of his letter were
excessively diverting; he had received a letter from his cousin Mr. Collins, a
young gentleman he had never met, about the beginning of December that he
admitted to not having replied to for a fortnight. Mr. Collins apologized for
not having written before but had feared disrespecting his father’s memory to
be on good terms with one whom the late Mr. Collins had been at variance. His
mind was now made up to “heal the breach” in their family; having been ordained
the previous Easter—and having been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the
patronage of someone called Lady Catherine de Bourgh—he felt it his duty to
promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of
his influence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mr. Collins further apologized for being
the next in the entail of their family estate, as it would prove an injury to
Mr. Bennet’s “amiable daughters,” assured him of his intention to make them
“every possible amends,” and proposed coming to visit at Longbourn for a week. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He seems to be a most conscientious and
polite young man, Lizzy, upon my word, and I doubt not will prove a valuable
acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine should be so indulgent as to let him
come to us again. He cannot possibly be sensible, I think—and in fact, I have
great hopes of finding him quite the reverse. There is a mixture of servility
and self-importance in his letter, which promises well. I am impatient to see
him. The only thing that could make the endurance of this visit more enjoyable
would be if you were here to laugh with me, my dearest girl. There will not be
two words of sense spoken together in this house until you and Jane are
returned</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth smiled as she folded the
letter and put it away. Though she would certainly miss having the opportunity
to meet this cousin of her father’s—who was due to arrive at Longbourn that
very day—she could not say she was entirely sorry. She and her elder sister
Jane had both of them been invited to spend a few months of the London Season
with their aunt and uncle who lived there, and though they were not likely to
attend any grand balls—and were neither of them expecting to land a husband, as
was the general purpose of the Season—they were promised as much pleasure in
shopping, theatre, concerts, and museum tours as their uncle could afford. They
would meet many of their relations’ acquaintance who lived in Town, so there
would also be dinner parties and card parties to enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">That she and Jane would also be free of
the foolishness and insipidity of their mother and youngest sisters was a
bonus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh, what joy!” cried her aunt suddenly.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth looked to her aunt with a
curious gaze. “I see your letter has brought you as much amusement as mine has
given me, Aunt. May I ask what is so joyful?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Marjorie Gardiner smiled as she looked
back at her niece. “My cousin Edina is come to London! I’ve not seen her since
before my marriage, though we have corresponded frequently. Oh, how I long to
see her—the poor dear was married just four years when her husband died of an
infection, and they had no children. Rather than return to her father’s house,
she took a position as companion to Miss Darcy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Who is Miss Darcy, Aunt?” asked Jane. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mrs. Gardiner looked up again as she
folded her letter. “Miss Darcy is sister to Mr. Darcy of Pemberley—do you
remember me telling you of that beautiful estate?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth nodded slowly. “Vaguely, yes.
Did not you say that the grounds are delightful, and did not my uncle once
claim there were woods and groves enough to satisfy even me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Her sister smiled and her aunt laughed.
“Yes, Lizzy,” said the latter. “I have heard that seeing the park at Pemberley
is a hard business, as it is a full ten miles round. I went there once—with my
cousin Edina and her parents, as a matter of fact—and we toured the gardens
about the house. I should have liked to see inside it as well, but the family
were home that day and my uncle would not disturb them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She lifted her letter. “Edina proposes
to call on me when they are settled, so perhaps in a day or two you shall meet
her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“’They,’ Aunt?” queried Elizabeth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“She is come with Mr. and Miss Darcy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth shared a look with Jane. “Does
Mr. Darcy bring his sister to Town for the Season’s marriage mart?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mrs. Gardiner laughed again. “Oh,
certainly not! Miss Darcy is not yet out, as she is but fifteen and her brother
thinks her too young to begin the search for a husband.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">If only Mamma were as pragmatic as Mr.
Darcy on that score</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">,
Elizabeth thought sourly. She and Jane were the second and eldest of five
daughters, respectively; Mary was third; Catherine—whom the family called Kitty—was
fourth. Though the youngest of her sisters, Lydia was also the most outrageous;
she was but fifteen years old, and her behavior was wild and inappropriate. Mr.
Bennet had allowed her to be out in Meryton society when she was only fourteen,
at first resisting the idea but then relenting under the pressure—and
vexation—of the incessant complaints of his wife and her second favorite
daughter. Above all things, Mr. Bennet desired peace and quiet in which to
enjoy the books in his library, and if allowing the youngest of his children to
join her sisters in the society of their neighbors would achieve that, he was
glad to do it so long as they let him be. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mrs. Bennet was sure that Jane’s
“angelic” beauty would save them from starving in the hedgerows when their
father was gone, for she was sure to get herself a rich husband, and she
believed Lydia’s “liveliness” to be equally certain of as fortunate a match as
her sister. Elizabeth knew that their chances of marrying well were not very
great, considering the limited society in Meryton. And if her father could not
be stirred to check her younger sisters’ behavior—for Kitty followed wherever
Lydia went despite being two years older—she feared that some misstep of theirs
would make any chance of a respectable match non-existent for all. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“No, my dears,” Mrs. Gardiner was
saying, “Edina said Mr. Darcy did not wish to leave his sister all alone in
Derbyshire, so brought her along while he conducts business in London.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh, how very kind he is to his sister!”
Jane declared. “But… What of their parents, Aunt?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth watched her aunt’s countenance
fall a little. “I am afraid they are both of them deceased,” she replied. “Lady
Anne Darcy passed… oh, about twelve or so years ago now. Mr. Darcy the elder
has been gone near five years.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“And how old is the present Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth asked. “To have a sister so very young, he cannot be much older than
Jane.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I believe he is about
seven-and-twenty,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“One cannot help but feel for such a
young man, to have both the burden of his estate and fortune as well as a
sister’s guardianship thrust upon him at only two-and-twenty,” said Jane then. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Indeed, my dear,” Mrs. Gardiner agreed.
“But from what my family and acquaintance in Lambton have told me, he is just
as kind and generous as his father was. I think it would be a privilege to be
noticed by him.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth scoffed. “Is it not said to be
a privilege and an honor to be noticed by anyone richer than oneself?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Now Lizzy, do not speak so uncivil,”
her aunt admonished her lightly. “You know it is the way of things that those
of greater fortune and rank are afforded greater respect and deference, and
therefore it is an honor to be acknowledged by them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Suppressing a sigh, Elizabeth nodded. “I
know it, Aunt. And you are right—it would be an honor indeed to be the
acquaintance of a man who owns half of Derbyshire.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfD348fS2LSSIbY4jC5tb-LxASAjvCz8dJzLWYknPGl4xPva5JtzD6CuLLcwVTmbGfGzmZ3p_-yfDgETqNmiWOwXwN5nAcBhjw_KoloRy4ZlSf_pQlmCtnkhc8mXK5FY-yUIO3bkZXIK7PSLIgZmEnDTzD7jVi_xrza8AUB6gaB61zNg-gf1MxWY/s714/Author%20Pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Author Christine Combe - in cartoon form" border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="652" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfD348fS2LSSIbY4jC5tb-LxASAjvCz8dJzLWYknPGl4xPva5JtzD6CuLLcwVTmbGfGzmZ3p_-yfDgETqNmiWOwXwN5nAcBhjw_KoloRy4ZlSf_pQlmCtnkhc8mXK5FY-yUIO3bkZXIK7PSLIgZmEnDTzD7jVi_xrza8AUB6gaB61zNg-gf1MxWY/w183-h200/Author%20Pic.png" title="Author Christine Combe" width="183" /></a></b></div><b><br />Author
Bio</b><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Links:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Blog: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="https://allthattheydesire.blogspot.com/">All That
They Desire</a> / </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Facebook: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChristineCombe/">Christine Combe</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K53A0AGDrSFMoReqpLeNLfcY51famjVqNZQ9ejDPSkF7vLUQWP0TCWYNK8MD-WRO8jM_uThAriXVxUAJodn6F6ZKO-rgZq24XrQ3vcXPA5bvacHNeHssNJJI2n62KHYNq-M_bsehPdF_45-X1iEJUSV9fskLbxT693sOuBTiXM6VZ8WK2-oYLWg/s1462/Cover,%20Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover: Three Brides for Three Cousins by Christine Combe - picture shows three young ladies in period costume. They seem comfortable with each other and are standing with linked arms." border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="889" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K53A0AGDrSFMoReqpLeNLfcY51famjVqNZQ9ejDPSkF7vLUQWP0TCWYNK8MD-WRO8jM_uThAriXVxUAJodn6F6ZKO-rgZq24XrQ3vcXPA5bvacHNeHssNJJI2n62KHYNq-M_bsehPdF_45-X1iEJUSV9fskLbxT693sOuBTiXM6VZ8WK2-oYLWg/w195-h320/Cover,%20Kindle.jpg" title="Book Cover: Three Brides for Three Cousins by Christine Combe" width="195" /></a></b></div><b>Buy
Links</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you are keen to read more, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Three
Brides for Three Cousins </i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">is
available to buy now in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">•
<a href="https://www.azonlinks.com/B0BPRRQZ8T" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Universal Amazon Buy Link</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> • Add to <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65649190-three-brides-for-three-cousins" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b> shelf<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p>If you'd like to leave Christine a comment about the book please leave a comment on this post. </o:p></span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you
have any problems adding your comment please</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">contact me</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and I will add your comment for you :)</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">*
* *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">If
you don’t want to miss any of my future posts, please subscribe</span></p>
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<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">If
you'd like to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/14329971-ceri" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">be friends on Goodreads</a> then please invite me</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> - just say that you visit my blog when
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<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-72980414821763947042022-11-07T07:00:00.005+00:002022-11-07T07:00:00.164+00:00The Last House in Lambton by Grace Gibson - Blog Tour<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY35MYECU5lTEkOZW7WnnKEAeQ3fVaMQMYMTxvTUUfdZm1aSnMvXscjnqyNjDda1X0Ebg5BjgFILaSJwXnXfsizvmxIqz0jbrJAUCwR4h1aipAmGoP7XFs71zaYVi8ISkOtIWvgHrZspiEU3nCCaaCjyGXbrD7P1YAOu8-lL-h_toxE69nvEZ0lpc/s1200/LHIL%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Blog tour promo for The Last House in Lambton by Grace Gibson. Picture shows a young lady in period costume, with her back to the viewer. She is in a house, and appears to be looking through the hallway, perhaps at a new arrival" border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1200" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY35MYECU5lTEkOZW7WnnKEAeQ3fVaMQMYMTxvTUUfdZm1aSnMvXscjnqyNjDda1X0Ebg5BjgFILaSJwXnXfsizvmxIqz0jbrJAUCwR4h1aipAmGoP7XFs71zaYVi8ISkOtIWvgHrZspiEU3nCCaaCjyGXbrD7P1YAOu8-lL-h_toxE69nvEZ0lpc/w320-h226/LHIL%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" title="Blog tour promo for The Last House in Lambton by Grace Gibson" width="320"></a></div>Today I’m really
pleased to be welcoming <b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Grace%20Gibson" target="_blank">Grace Gibson</a></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> back to the blog with the first stop in the blog tour for her newest <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> variation, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>The Last House in Lambton</i></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">.</span><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br></span></div><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Publishers Meryton Press are
giving away an ebook on each stop of the blog tour so you will have the chance
to win a copy of it too! Let’s look at the blurb and then I will hand over to Grace
for a guest post about the book.</span><p></p>
<p class="Standard"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZzWbPIpXwv3pWmzZRifEILJ2BgtxBOQJaHWg4LJ-qZvn2d_5ToLHHu8GuOTajUYNCnaCnX2IETkRT_GunGGyDFWRQCaUSnANaLN2AmySL3t2Ept6DmDTE_U9hPbWJ9vlSneeid5rINo-0ZPxpcFGsILEUT4WowcVDk8Xe9ucmDKYx0t5YRqlyWE/s900/TLHiL%20Final%20FC%2010242022%20S.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: The Last House in Lambton by Grace Gibson. Picture shows a period scene, of a village covered in snow. There are figures walking in the snow, a man, woman and child." border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZzWbPIpXwv3pWmzZRifEILJ2BgtxBOQJaHWg4LJ-qZvn2d_5ToLHHu8GuOTajUYNCnaCnX2IETkRT_GunGGyDFWRQCaUSnANaLN2AmySL3t2Ept6DmDTE_U9hPbWJ9vlSneeid5rINo-0ZPxpcFGsILEUT4WowcVDk8Xe9ucmDKYx0t5YRqlyWE/w213-h320/TLHiL%20Final%20FC%2010242022%20S.jpg" title="Book cover: The Last House in Lambton by Grace Gibson" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><p></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-color-alt: windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Does it ever
stop raining in Lambton?</span></i><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-color-alt: windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Darcy and Bingley depart Netherfield Park,
leaving Elizabeth Bennet acutely aware of the monotony of her life. Seeking a
reprieve, she volunteers to serve as temporary companion to Mrs. Gardiner’s
elderly aunt who lives in Lambton. Nothing turns out as Elizabeth expects, and
she is forced to dig deep into her reserves of common sense, humor, and
stubborn persistence to prove herself equal to the dreary circumstances.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-color-alt: windowtext; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-color-alt: windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Initially unaware that Pemberley is only five
miles away, Elizabeth crosses paths with Darcy annoyingly often. When the
gentleman rescues her from a shocking situation, Elizabeth faces some hard
choices, at the same time struggling against the smoldering attraction that can
neither be repressed nor fulfilled.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-color-alt: windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Mr. Darcy, meanwhile, in whose heart a fire has
also been lit, is shocked by the lady’s stubborn refusal to accept his help.
Alternating between alarm and begrudging admiration, he stands helplessly on
the sidelines while she struggles to retain her independence. He, too, must
make some hard choices in the end. Will he let her go?<span></span></span></p></div><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-last-house-in-lambton-by-grace.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-40312248104967564472022-10-28T14:38:00.000+01:002022-10-28T14:38:39.608+01:00Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby - Review<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNBUR3_kmZ3LN8ubJKbskPt5N1y-jmzJ_B-F1-DDnxtrzWT5ahsfI9PYpQm3vf8WVV4UatggOnQByusCEoc7RJ5g6lVFR2EkLQyz_jzViUF9BfjGH5WPSyCCKi5mz_suiWIIVemsFOgP-zq5USMtPAQOPTtnWhKwkaDz1xTI_G7tw247UQa25hic/s1200/Godmersham%20Park%20Book%20Tour%20Banner%20(1200%20%C3%97%20675%20px).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Blog tour promo graphic: Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby. Cover shows a young lady in dark period clothes in the foreground, while young ladies in lighter colours are in the background outside." border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNBUR3_kmZ3LN8ubJKbskPt5N1y-jmzJ_B-F1-DDnxtrzWT5ahsfI9PYpQm3vf8WVV4UatggOnQByusCEoc7RJ5g6lVFR2EkLQyz_jzViUF9BfjGH5WPSyCCKi5mz_suiWIIVemsFOgP-zq5USMtPAQOPTtnWhKwkaDz1xTI_G7tw247UQa25hic/w320-h180/Godmersham%20Park%20Book%20Tour%20Banner%20(1200%20%C3%97%20675%20px).jpg" title="Blog tour promo graphic: Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby" width="320"></a></div>Today
the blog tour for <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Gill%20Hornby" target="_blank">Gill Hornby</a></b>’s <b><i>Godmersham Park</i></b> stops by at Babblings of a
Bookworm. Godmersham Park is where Austen’s well-off brother Edward lived, and
this book is a fictionalised account of the time that real-life governess Anne
Sharp spent there. Read on to find out more about the book, and what I thought
of it.<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdur7ZjZhWgZGM1L3scUPoHVFeqpc40lAD-nheia-jjHCJ2KXE0xQ056JdTN3ZvMgIAgHrUBL8hgP7RtsV3QMtuXQaRkxHXHFaOU0_u0Zy2txX3cle8RpNyJ1JJUQ_IKtDXfVhQSYdb-3Z7-udrD3NhpwE5UyqGzNqdOKWI0NzWbML6vR1FaJrGQ/s2211/Godmersham%20Park%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby. Cover shows a young lady in dark period clothes in the foreground, while young ladies in lighter colours are in the background outside." border="0" data-original-height="2211" data-original-width="1399" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdur7ZjZhWgZGM1L3scUPoHVFeqpc40lAD-nheia-jjHCJ2KXE0xQ056JdTN3ZvMgIAgHrUBL8hgP7RtsV3QMtuXQaRkxHXHFaOU0_u0Zy2txX3cle8RpNyJ1JJUQ_IKtDXfVhQSYdb-3Z7-udrD3NhpwE5UyqGzNqdOKWI0NzWbML6vR1FaJrGQ/w202-h320/Godmersham%20Park%202022.jpg" title="Book cover: Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby" width="202"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">A richly imagined novel inspired by the true
story of Anne Sharp, a governess who became very close with Jane Austen
and her family by the #1 International bestselling-author of <i>Miss
Austen.</i><br>
<br>
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">On January 21, 1804, Anne Sharp arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to
take up the position of governess. At thirty-one years old, she has no previous
experience of either teaching or fine country houses. Her mother has died, and
she has nowhere else to go. Anne is left with no choice. For her new
charge—twelve-year-old Fanny Austen—Anne's arrival is all novelty and
excitement.<br>
<br>
The governess role is a uniquely awkward one. Anne is neither one of the
servants, nor one of the family, and to balance a position between the
"upstairs" and "downstairs" members of the
household is a diplomatic chess game. One wrong move may result in instant
dismissal. Anne knows that she must never let down her guard.<br>
<br>
When Mr. Edward Austen's family comes to stay, Anne forms an immediate
attachment to Jane. They write plays together and enjoy long discussions.
However, in the process, Anne reveals herself as not merely pretty, charming,
and competent; she is clever too. Even her sleepy, complacent, mistress can
hardly fail to notice.<br>
<br>
Meanwhile Jane's brother, Henry, begins to take an unusually strong interest in
the lovely young governess. And from now on, Anne's days at Godmersham Park are
numbered.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b><span></span></b></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/10/godmersham-park-by-gill-hornby-review.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-22513719831827582942022-10-21T07:00:00.001+01:002022-10-21T07:00:00.174+01:00A Dutiful Son by Kelly Miller – Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPr0uYquBLaYrDpcSWiyueZcQV3MdHJHFv2XFz0cLWqvN7zBIGemGaD2icL3kcY9pTWpDsQhcVAfFKncC7UrdSuD37JWut6Il91vRF6QRPo-f8DsC3SbKSRo-lZjueBh5NEi0b2yZRYOaIC_E5j2QitDuMyBddyFKOsaEyjUAt7UKDAM04eARoOQ/s1200/ADS%20Blog%20Tour%20Horz%20M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Blog tour: A Dutiful Son by Kelly Miller. Faces of a young woman and young woman shown in a single colour, like a cameo" border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1200" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPr0uYquBLaYrDpcSWiyueZcQV3MdHJHFv2XFz0cLWqvN7zBIGemGaD2icL3kcY9pTWpDsQhcVAfFKncC7UrdSuD37JWut6Il91vRF6QRPo-f8DsC3SbKSRo-lZjueBh5NEi0b2yZRYOaIC_E5j2QitDuMyBddyFKOsaEyjUAt7UKDAM04eARoOQ/w320-h214/ADS%20Blog%20Tour%20Horz%20M.jpg" title="Blog Tour: A Dutiful Son by Kelly Miller" width="320"></a></div>Today
I am welcoming <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Kelly%20Miller" target="_blank">Kelly Miller</a></b> back to Babblings of a Bookworm with her latest
book. It’s a <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> variation called <b><i>A Dutiful Son</i></b>. Read on for
a lovely excerpt from the book, plus an ebook giveaway.<p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjamhrmw0bKtKVj2vDHJWZUwbkGjrmOm-T9m3d2i5JvpJurdJm2_dZ9rw9u1TOFSyG-DTgrrkylwnvDLG7sDLUgAmkeV8h2Xw2Z-84LAgJGXTTnfgx_Y1YDgXxwPhFXQnUnplCsmPEIQ13TKTSxIuUesJAxzs7YLdbyidBEmP8u1vOmIlFrtD2HA/s1200/ADS%20FC%20Final%2010092022%20wobld%20S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover: A Dutiful Son by Kelly Miller. Faces of a young woman and young woman shown in a single colour, like a cameo" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjamhrmw0bKtKVj2vDHJWZUwbkGjrmOm-T9m3d2i5JvpJurdJm2_dZ9rw9u1TOFSyG-DTgrrkylwnvDLG7sDLUgAmkeV8h2Xw2Z-84LAgJGXTTnfgx_Y1YDgXxwPhFXQnUnplCsmPEIQ13TKTSxIuUesJAxzs7YLdbyidBEmP8u1vOmIlFrtD2HA/w213-h320/ADS%20FC%20Final%2010092022%20wobld%20S.jpg" title="Book Cover: A Dutiful Son by Kelly Miller. Faces of a young woman and young woman shown in a single colour, like a cameo" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">What will Fitzwilliam Darcy do when his
beloved father stands between him and happiness?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">Darcy has always emulated his wise and
honourable father, George Darcy. But following a sinister act of betrayal by a
former family friend, his father rejects his most benevolent principles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">When Georgiana forms a friendship with Miss
Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy convinces his father to allow the association to
continue. However, Elizabeth soon presents a thorny problem: she entices Darcy
as no other lady has before, and with his father’s current outlook, he would
not approve of her as a daughter-in-law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">Still, Darcy’s problem may resolve in time:
his father, after getting to know Elizabeth, is certain to recognise her many
admirable qualities and change his mind. <i>But what if he does not?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">In this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride
& Prejudice</i> Regency variation, Fitzwilliam Darcy is caught between the
influences of love and duty. Which of these will wield the greatest power? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span></span><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-dutiful-son-by-kelly-miller-blog-tour.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-37901444022377147152022-10-10T21:07:00.006+01:002022-10-10T21:07:57.328+01:00An Appearance of Goodness by Heather Moll - Blog Tour, Guest Post and Excerpt<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sAIwcsSQYym-OdnlApoxCSnIt4O3IQCun-2vbCdBv-lLXENJYkbDrOknUQBaaFS6m7GupXEHEN8QAkG4d6T8vIpUrfors9JqCJWoT5_BIYCEkqZ9xKD72KDbGimxpGAi8o5zeqdVlvYPh5a7_HslzMiFdMl_HZqBiJUwVppSl-0vSpEqMqZ_DGs/s940/Blog%20Tour%20FB.png" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Blog Tour Graphic: An Appearance of Goodness by Heather Moll. Picture shows a man and woman in period costume. The woman is looking behind her" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sAIwcsSQYym-OdnlApoxCSnIt4O3IQCun-2vbCdBv-lLXENJYkbDrOknUQBaaFS6m7GupXEHEN8QAkG4d6T8vIpUrfors9JqCJWoT5_BIYCEkqZ9xKD72KDbGimxpGAi8o5zeqdVlvYPh5a7_HslzMiFdMl_HZqBiJUwVppSl-0vSpEqMqZ_DGs/w320-h268/Blog%20Tour%20FB.png" title="Blog Tour Graphic: An Appearance of Goodness by Heather Moll" width="320"></a> The blog tour for <b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Heather%20Moll" target="_blank">Heather Moll</a></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">’s latest book, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>An Appearance of Goodness</i></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> stops by here today, with an excerpt and a giveaway. Let’s look at the blurb, and then I’ll hand over to Heather to introduce the excerpt.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ19ZKuiWOB-dSY-flQk-3dZEg6fd9AsXc8Vn42rj1_lnm-k5PxW2pS61ob6vEO1jAHSYP26X864tULD2DMwCqoK2TubECRzXILJyYEEEHHKhOJr1_GyjfaSKVv-lxRCNvPv30n4NjDQwn9Y3NlBWknhkBaED5smiSK5v6dtJatO_vhS-pYfATurw/s2700/HeatherMoll_AnAppearanceOfGoodness.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: An Appearance of Goodness by Heather Moll. Picture shows a man and woman in period costume, standing side by side on a bridge over a river. The woman is looking behind her" border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ19ZKuiWOB-dSY-flQk-3dZEg6fd9AsXc8Vn42rj1_lnm-k5PxW2pS61ob6vEO1jAHSYP26X864tULD2DMwCqoK2TubECRzXILJyYEEEHHKhOJr1_GyjfaSKVv-lxRCNvPv30n4NjDQwn9Y3NlBWknhkBaED5smiSK5v6dtJatO_vhS-pYfATurw/w213-h320/HeatherMoll_AnAppearanceOfGoodness.jpg" title="Book cover: An Appearance of Goodness by Heather Moll" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book Description</b><p></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><i>Can a Derbyshire meeting lead to love or will Pemberley be plunged into mystery?</i></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">In the rainy summer of 1812, Mr Darcy returns to Pemberley with a large party in the hopes that coming home will help him recover from the disappointment of his failed proposal. He lost Elizabeth Bennet’s good opinion, but Darcy did all he could to rectify his errors. Meanwhile, Elizabeth hopes that travelling with her newly-wed sister and Bingley will raise her spirits and distract her from thoughts of Darcy.</span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">When a misunderstanding causes the Bingley party and Darcy’s to spend a fortnight together at Pemberley, both Elizabeth and Darcy wonder if the other could love them. When the season’s wet and cold weather causes flooding throughout Derbyshire, Darcy’s attention reluctantly shifts from his guests–and Elizabeth–to managing the tragedy.</span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">But when someone drowns and Darcy refuses to believe their death was an accident from the storm, he and Elizabeth must work together to uncover the truth before his houseguests leave, and before anyone else gets hurt.</span></p><p class="Standard" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><i>Content note: mature content, mild violence<span></span></i></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/10/an-appearance-of-goodness-by-heather_28.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-5537368526332036672022-10-03T23:46:00.000+01:002022-10-03T23:46:22.293+01:00Preludes: A Modern Persuasion Improvisation by Riana Everly - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m
very happy to be welcoming </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Riana%20Everly" target="_blank">Riana Everly</a></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> back to Babblings of a Bookworm
with her latest book, which is something quite different for her. Rather than a
historical story it’s a modern update. The story is called </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Preludes: A
Modern Persuasion Improvisation</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. I have the blurb to share with you, a guest
post from Riana about </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Preludes</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, plus an excerpt. Riana is also kindly
offering an ebook giveaway. Read on for more details.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U5XsRtM9_U4dUe9B_n4Xrg_F87khOurhsCQWkhDpYUxxFwrJjtJLG9pmrV0Q6-GgPDTgAAtMpjYBarvG-0qrIKIxgHwzu08YWzIRMhs8f0v1iRNIlOxd1e4wvCxuq7mEWTCukPQgxcSPdLjsEce59iGqnbYVxyfmOmo7PJWoww1UZMqlWI299aU/s600/Preludes%20cover%20400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Preludes: A Pride & Prejudice Improvisation by Riana Everly. Picture shows the Toronto skyline at night. Musical notes float in the air. A couple dancing in silhouette dance in the foreground" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U5XsRtM9_U4dUe9B_n4Xrg_F87khOurhsCQWkhDpYUxxFwrJjtJLG9pmrV0Q6-GgPDTgAAtMpjYBarvG-0qrIKIxgHwzu08YWzIRMhs8f0v1iRNIlOxd1e4wvCxuq7mEWTCukPQgxcSPdLjsEce59iGqnbYVxyfmOmo7PJWoww1UZMqlWI299aU/w213-h320/Preludes%20cover%20400x600.jpg" title="Book cover: Preludes: A Pride & Prejudice Improvisation by Riana Everly" width="213"></a></b></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Book
Description</b> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A heartfelt and absorbing modern interpretation of
Jane Austen’s <i>Persuasion</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eight years of heartache…</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anne Elliot is a successful composer, a shining light
in the world of music. But her heart still aches for the man who left her eight
years ago when she was persuaded to put her career above her heart.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eight years of anger...</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Fred Valore has found fame and glory as a brilliant
orchestra conductor. He has studied in Europe, travelled the world, but cannot
forget how Anne rejected him eight years ago. And now he’s coming home.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Suddenly, Fred and Anne are living in the same city
again, and forced to work with each other. Old feelings are hard to ignore, but
now Fred is waltzing about town with an attractive musician, and Anne has
caught the eye of a handsome businessman.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When a whirlwind of misunderstandings gets in the way
of a tentative reconnection, is their long-lost love doomed to remain a thing
of the past? Or can they somehow find a path back to each other to make
beautiful music once again?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">~ ~ ~</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Set in the vibrant and arts-loving city of Toronto,
Canada, <i>Preludes</i> is perfect for Austenites and Contemporary Romance
lovers alike.<span></span></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/10/preludes-modern-persuasion.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-4472651346340102632022-09-23T09:16:00.001+01:002022-09-23T09:16:19.252+01:00Once Upon a Time in Pemberley by Summer Hanford - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today
I am really happy to be welcoming </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Summer Hanford</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> for her first visit to
Babblings of a Bookworm. Summer usually releases books with her writing partner
Renata McMann, but this latest title, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Once Upon a Time in Pemberley</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
is a solo project. Summer has joined us with a guest post explaining how this
book came about. There are aspects to this book that I didn’t pick up on from
reading the book description so I found Summer’s post a really interesting
read and I am sure you will too. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Summer
has also brought a giveaway, plus a nice long excerpt from the book. So, grab
yourself a cuppa and settle in for a read! I’ll share the blurb first and then
hand over to Summer so she can tell you more.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnSvp_y9-4GRQ_JyI6NQyGIB7fUEygmz_fzRQZuq0owJQ701TwtJEWFt4lO13SMx8oyAX78WMWNR0YlWNw_7BH6hs1NmmhgNnlhW0INU3ydYT7WuI8_7oNIUNcBi5mO5UuPqERHNCXzFk-U-c-7jrphfshClp5hGA2o4jOpASBfLRCuovyoL5KE0/s2100/Once%20Upon%20a%20Time%20in%20Pemberley%20by%20Summer%20Hanford%20Front%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover: Once Upon a Time in Pemberley by Summer Hanford. Picture shows a young girl, from behind, facing trees with a lake beyond" border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnSvp_y9-4GRQ_JyI6NQyGIB7fUEygmz_fzRQZuq0owJQ701TwtJEWFt4lO13SMx8oyAX78WMWNR0YlWNw_7BH6hs1NmmhgNnlhW0INU3ydYT7WuI8_7oNIUNcBi5mO5UuPqERHNCXzFk-U-c-7jrphfshClp5hGA2o4jOpASBfLRCuovyoL5KE0/w215-h320/Once%20Upon%20a%20Time%20in%20Pemberley%20by%20Summer%20Hanford%20Front%20Cover.jpg" title="Book cover: Once Upon a Time in Pemberley by Summer Hanford" width="215"></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Book
Description</span></b><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Can
the course of a life be altered by the stroke of a pen?</span></i></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Widowed
at a young age, Fitzwilliam Darcy has no reason to think he'll ever find the
love his first marriage lacked. Instead, he dedicates himself to his roles as
father and co-guardian, determined to excel at both. But when love finally
finds him, will he be too mired by the strife of the past to recognize it?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth
Bennet does not care for the newest addition to Meryton society, no matter how
handsome and wealthy Mr. Darcy might be. She is, however, rather fond of his
children and his sister. If only Mr. Darcy needn't be so certain of his own
worth, she would tolerate him on their behalf, but that change in him seems
very unlikely.</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><i>Once
Upon a Time in Pemberley</i> is a sweet, Regency era Pride & Prejudice
Variation of approximately 92,000 words. While this is Summer Hanford's first
variation without co-author Renata McMann, it will not be her last. Plus, you
can look for more joint Renata McMann & Summer Hanford variations to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p><span></span></o:p></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/09/once-upon-time-in-pemberley-by-summer.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-12192155682488888862022-08-27T07:00:00.003+01:002022-08-27T07:00:00.178+01:00The Redemption of Lydia Wickham by MJ Stratton - Character Interview and Giveaway<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Today
I’m happy to be welcoming a new visitor to Babblings of a Bookworm with their
debut novel. <b>MJ Stratton</b> 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. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This means that I am pleased
at the title of this book: <b><i>The Redemption of Lydia Wickham</i></b> 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.</span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvATwBz_POmKREsnKjR2aopBhRFzW7J5ggAQAWSjHoan7ijmt8_0HCunkPwLNbdWkAxMiVllaj3c-XrVclA_NUuwjPmPBrj17v4QzzcOHDRXYl_HZafAMS-ZF1FO_kGii-M3jdwWdtXPP_6qew7EQneLi2o-yYlYoQTbHEzH3Wieqvd5wW-BzZjKU/s240/TRoLW%20by%20MJ%20Stratton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Book Cover: The Redemption of Lydia Wickham by MJ Stratton. Picture shows a young woman in period costume looking directly at the viewer" border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvATwBz_POmKREsnKjR2aopBhRFzW7J5ggAQAWSjHoan7ijmt8_0HCunkPwLNbdWkAxMiVllaj3c-XrVclA_NUuwjPmPBrj17v4QzzcOHDRXYl_HZafAMS-ZF1FO_kGii-M3jdwWdtXPP_6qew7EQneLi2o-yYlYoQTbHEzH3Wieqvd5wW-BzZjKU/s16000/TRoLW%20by%20MJ%20Stratton.jpg" title="Book Cover: The Redemption of Lydia Wickham by MJ Stratton"></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Book
Description<o:p></o:p></span></b><p></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="color: black;">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.</span></i><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;">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.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;">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?</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;">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.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="color: black;">Warning:
this book contains brief, non-graphic mentions of spousal abuse and assault</span></i><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* * *<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-redemption-of-lydia-wickham-by-mj.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-91055142088852283062022-08-22T08:48:00.000+01:002022-08-22T08:48:53.191+01:00Mr Darcy's Phoenix by Lari Ann O'Dell - Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl29FwmwX2WIuHLs7G8Y8JiJcmXrUW46IauRuIhYYB5B2_uR6Sod336gSQ3zMz5_DvRFmmBCMVt8pLXiozZk79gbvswJHbecbI2C5sp7lZ9h2D9i9GAjaCf_T-R-hME9Z8qlWECv0cjUfyKNEHDThwrm_5oKmj9fIfQlWOWZ66Iva3hl1oBXHBvLk/s1200/MDP%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Blog Tour Graphic for Mr Darcy's Phoenix by Lari Ann O'Dell. Picture shows a young woman in period costume. In the background is a stately house and a large fire phoenix in the sky. The wording for Mr Darcy's Phoenix has a magical swirl around it" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl29FwmwX2WIuHLs7G8Y8JiJcmXrUW46IauRuIhYYB5B2_uR6Sod336gSQ3zMz5_DvRFmmBCMVt8pLXiozZk79gbvswJHbecbI2C5sp7lZ9h2D9i9GAjaCf_T-R-hME9Z8qlWECv0cjUfyKNEHDThwrm_5oKmj9fIfQlWOWZ66Iva3hl1oBXHBvLk/w320-h213/MDP%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M.jpg" title="Blog Tour Graphic for Mr Darcy's Phoenix by Lari Ann O'Dell" width="320"></a></div>Today
I’m pleased to be welcoming <b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lari Ann O’Dell</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> 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, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Mr Darcy’s Phoenix</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
is one of them, combining </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pride & Prejudice</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> with magic. Read on to
learn more on the book, plus have the chance to win an ebook of</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i> Mr Darcy’s
Phoenix</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdICoXXV4RCELmZdraWZSt8Vh_V9N2HwpkB-xN2juZ034r_9MmyMwmvX5PbujY5s0Qlxghac2MnNET11QM2yugDpku5nXkHBfUyxJMu1oYchVoABr73LACXZt0IId5Wdbcut1AZgh9361I9qMeKd_QWVPpDyeDTR3bU0muyHnuOBffspUxUBYehUE/s2700/Mr%20Darcy's%20Phoenix%20Cover%20LARGE%20EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover of Mr Darcy's Phoenix by Lari Ann O'Dell. Picture shows a young woman in period costume. In the background is a stately house and a large fire phoenix in the sky. The wording for Mr Darcy's Phoenix has a magical swirl around it" border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdICoXXV4RCELmZdraWZSt8Vh_V9N2HwpkB-xN2juZ034r_9MmyMwmvX5PbujY5s0Qlxghac2MnNET11QM2yugDpku5nXkHBfUyxJMu1oYchVoABr73LACXZt0IId5Wdbcut1AZgh9361I9qMeKd_QWVPpDyeDTR3bU0muyHnuOBffspUxUBYehUE/w213-h320/Mr%20Darcy's%20Phoenix%20Cover%20LARGE%20EBOOK.jpg" title="Book Cover of Mr Darcy's Phoenix by Lari Ann O'Dell" width="213"></a></b></div><b>Book
Description</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "\.SFNSText-Regular";">A phoenix brings them together. Will a
curse keep them apart?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "\.SFNSText-Regular";">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "\.SFNSText-Regular";">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "\.SFNSText-Regular";">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "\.SFNSText-Regular";">Can Darcy and Elizabeth overcome
misunderstandings, curses, and even fate itself?</span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span></span></span></b></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/08/mr-darcys-phoenix-by-lari-ann-odell.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060237114571991862.post-45685088772521649742022-08-05T08:37:00.002+01:002022-08-05T08:37:30.263+01:00A Season of Magic by Sarah Courtney - Blog Tour - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway<p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKK8kpn7QqI30xntiIJDFfWdhI73YNJ7LmxLPxTkudz88fE-EpWDE8d0za6KFJZec7uO6b0bbSBth9AcJxvfg7djTnVPx8yv4bQLPBzfTIhaQRyQUPdrZwXmo7NCEjB3vvv9ZWFh4EMXtG8QoRiDkM2wEwv-Z1NqAYIX4AVzlYOH8x2glYD4O2O8/s1200/ASoM%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M%20Correct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Blog Tour Graphic - A Season of Magic by Sarah Courtney. Picture shows a young woman in period costume standing in front of a relatively grand building. There is an aura of flames around her" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKK8kpn7QqI30xntiIJDFfWdhI73YNJ7LmxLPxTkudz88fE-EpWDE8d0za6KFJZec7uO6b0bbSBth9AcJxvfg7djTnVPx8yv4bQLPBzfTIhaQRyQUPdrZwXmo7NCEjB3vvv9ZWFh4EMXtG8QoRiDkM2wEwv-Z1NqAYIX4AVzlYOH8x2glYD4O2O8/w320-h213/ASoM%20BT%20Banner%20Horz%20M%20Correct.jpg" title="Blog Tour Graphic - A Season of Magic by Sarah Courtney" width="320"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy Friday everybody! The
blog tour for <b><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Sarah%20Courtney" target="_blank">Sarah Courtney</a></b>'s new <i>Pride & Prejudice</i>-inspired book, <i><b>A
Season of Magic</b></i> 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:</span><p></p>
<p class="Standard" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojDLoilwaofKiaexqD1cyaJbFWwr3GdVwVAp3QG7fPEJg4QrcYBH8NlRUP3q5aBYd7embRE5eHaVUZYXlTudyQxRE5eSC9MyMmE3m3BQH8K78SBo6zg_eSX_mTF-X9KYOiSheFGHmDg9HCuOo4piCR5APPa6iISSHED_763XY0NPoC22jDcJN1-Q/s1200/ASoM%20FC%20M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Book cover - A Season of Magic by Sarah Courtney. Picture shows a young woman in period costume standing in front of a relatively grand building. There is an aura of flames around her" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojDLoilwaofKiaexqD1cyaJbFWwr3GdVwVAp3QG7fPEJg4QrcYBH8NlRUP3q5aBYd7embRE5eHaVUZYXlTudyQxRE5eSC9MyMmE3m3BQH8K78SBo6zg_eSX_mTF-X9KYOiSheFGHmDg9HCuOo4piCR5APPa6iISSHED_763XY0NPoC22jDcJN1-Q/w200-h320/ASoM%20FC%20M.jpg" title="Book cover - A Season of Magic by Sarah Courtney. Picture shows a young woman in period costume standing in front of a relatively grand building. There is an aura of flames around her" width="200"></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Book
Description</span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;">Everyone knows Elizabeth and Jane’s parents were
magical murderers. But blood isn’t everything.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;">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?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2022/08/a-season-of-magic-by-sarah-courtney.html#more">Read more »</a>Cerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01908542708518435282noreply@blogger.com28