'Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey' Blog Tour by Ginger Monette ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hello fellow Readers!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing an excerpt of 'Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey', by Ginger Monette! As an added bonus Ginger is kindly offering readers a chance to enter a giveaway! (US Residents only)

I first met Ginger, when I was contacted by another, lovely JAFF blogger; to find out if I would like to be a UK beta. Of course I was thrilled and daunted with the opportunity. Although we had never met in person, Ginger was very gracious and wonderful throughout the whole process. I had such fun. Therefore, I was so happy to see Ginger's story, 'Darcy's Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes' come to fruition.

I am excited to be participating in this current blog tour for Ginger's second instalment, 'Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey'! I simply, cannot wait to read it, to find out what Wickham's been up to. To watch Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship blossom and grow under the challenges ahead is something I look forward too.
Thank you Ginger, for sharing today and for allowing me, to be a part of your journey.

Blurb ~

1917. Amidst the chaos of WW1, Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy has won the heart of Elizabeth Bennet. Finally.

Then she disappears.

Still reeling from the loss, Darcy is struck by a battlefield tragedy that leaves him in a dark and silent world.

Sent to Donwell Abbey to recover, he's coaxed back to life by an extraordinary nurse. A woman whose uncanny similarities to Elizabeth invite his admiration and entice his affections.

His heart tells him to hold on to Elizabeth. His head tells him to take a chance with his nurse.

But Donwell Abbey holds a secret that just might change everything.

Excerpt ~

Elizabeth bolted from the chair. “Fitzwilliam, wake up!” She nudged his arm in the darkened room, but he continued writhing with great heaving breaths. “Captain!” She squeezed his hand, but he jerked it away, whimpering.
On impulse, she slid her arms under his shoulders and held him close. Instantly his thrashing ceased.
Gently rocking him, she massaged the unbandaged hair at his temple and whispered against his cheek, “It’s all right. Just a dream.”
His breathing slowed, but his body remained tense. “My ribs...hurt.”
She lowered him back to the pillow, then tapped on his hand, Try to relax. All right now?
“Mmm.... Water. And morphine.”
She squeezed his hand and poured water into the hospital cup. She touched the pill to his lips then offered the porcelain straw.
He swallowed. “Who are you?”
Elizabeth froze and closed her eyes. How she longed to tell him the truth, then brush a kiss on his lips, assure him of her love, and promise to stay by his side.
She took his hand and spelled, Miss Thomas.
“Thank you...Miss Thomas.”
Elizabeth sank into the wing chair and released a heavy breath. Could she bear to be so close and yet so far away from Fitzwilliam?

Oh my word what an excerpt! I am even more intrigued now, why can't she tell him? I guess i'll find out soon enough. Thank you again Ginger and thank you for the giveaway!

Giveaway!

Thank you Ginger, I know it was difficult to find an excerpt without giving too much away or haveing spoilers. 

Ginger has a lovely giveaway of Downton Abbey Tea! Unfortuantely this giveaway is open to US residents only.

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Feb 1  The Ardent Reader

Feb 2 From Pemberley to Milton

Feb 3 My Jane Austen Book Club

Feb 4  My Love for Jane Austen

Feb 5  vvb32reads

Feb 6  Just Jane 1813

Feb 7  Savvy Verse & Wit

Feb 8  Austenesque Reviews

Feb 9  My Kids Led Me Back to Pride & Prejudice

Feb 10 Babblings of a Bookworm

Feb 11  Obsessed with Mr. Darcy

Feb 12  Musings from the Yellow Kitchen

Feb 13  Half Agony, Half Hope

Feb 14  My Vices and Weaknesses

Feb 15  Diary of an Eccentric

Feb 16  Every Savage Can Dance

Feb 17  More Agreeably Engaged

Feb 18  The Calico Critic

Feb 20  Austenesque Reviews

Feb 21  More than Thornton

Feb 22  Margie’s Must Reads

Feb 23  Delighted Reader

Feb 24  Becky’s Book Reviews

Feb 26  Linda Andrews

Feb 27  Every Woman Dreams

Feb 28  Tomorrow is Another Day

As always, it is a pleasure to hear your thoughts!

“A Lie Universally Hidden” by Anngela Schroeder Blog tour ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hello Fellow Readers!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing an excerpt with you, from ‘A Lie Universally Hidden' by Anngela Schroede, Plus a Giveaway!

I first came across Anngela's work, in the 'Then Comes Winter' Anthology, where she wrote a lovely Pride & Prejudice variation called "Winter's Awakening"; which I reviewed back in December 2015. Therefore I was delighted to hear about the new P&P variation she had written and now only look forward to reading it!
I would also like to thank Claudine at Just Jane 1813, for her part in bringing this blog tour to fruition.

“The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favorite wish of his mother…” —Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Fitzwilliam Darcy was raised to never stray from the path set before him: ensure the continued prosperity of his estate, Pemberley, protect and educate his sister to become an accomplished woman, and marry the woman his mother chose for him—his cousin Anne de Bourgh. With a letter bearing his late mother’s signature, Darcy presumes his fate is sealed and prepares to wed one he does not love. However, his destiny begins to unravel when he glimpses a pair of fine eyes on a quiet, country road.

Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter of a respectable though insignificant gentleman. She is flattered to have captured the attention of a local squire, a childhood friend, and everyone believes her path is secure—until a handsome, rich gentleman arrives at a neighboring estate. Happenstance begets the unlikely pair together, bridging a forbidden love long past a mere friendship.

In “A Lie Universally Hidden”, two of literature’s most beloved romance characters are destined to marry for fortune and obligation rather than love. How will Darcy and Elizabeth fulfill their true destiny under such circumstances? Shall honor, decorum, prudence—nay, a signed letter from the grave—forbid it?

"A Lie Universally Hidden" is a Regency Romance suitable for most audiences, teen and up.

Exceprt ~ In this excerpt we find Colonel Fitzwilliam paying a call upon Anne de Bourgh in London.  We are flies on the wall of a conversation which promises to bring to light some inner thoughts and struggles from a number of our favorite characters. ~ Anngela Schroeder.

Colonel Fitzwilliam looked around the sitting room and breathed a sigh of relief that his aunt Catherine was meeting with her solicitor. His cousin Anne was pouring his tea and he could not catch her eye. “My dear Anne. We have spoken of your time in London, your visit to the theatre, and all that has occurred since I was last here two weeks ago.”

She smiled. “We have yet to speak on the lovely London weather. Do you believe the smoke and fog will hinder our entire stay in town?”

He chuckled. “If we are lucky, we may yet see more dark clouds on the horizon.”

She let out a most unladylike snort and covered her mouth. “No, my mother is not expected back until after luncheon.” 

Richard let out a whoop and slapped his knee. “You are filled with impertinence.  I forgot you had it in you, my Annie.”

Her eyes locked onto his at the familiar name before she lowered her lashes.  “You have not called me that since we were children.”

He stood and walked over to sit on the sofa beside her. “No, I have not, and I should have…every day for the last fifteen years.” She sat with her mouth agape, her eyes not leaving his. “Your mother interrupted our last conversation, Annie. You never answered my question.”

“Question?” She breathed slowly, while her teacup seemed to rattle as she returned it to its saucer on her lap. 

He took her empty hand in his. “Annie girl, do you want to marry Darcy?”

“I…I­” Her words were stopped by the shattering of the tea cup as it slipped from her lap and onto the floor. She only hesitated a moment before summoning a maid.

After the maid departed, she faced Richard who was grinning boyishly. She cleared her throat and sat back down, before dropping her eyes. Her voice betrayed her anxiety. “Richard, I…”

“Mister and Miss Darcy,” Thurston announced, opening the door and walking into the room.

“Blast!”

Anne immediately started and walked toward the fireplace before turning to face the door.

 “Richard!” Georgiana squealed, rushing to him and throwing her arms around his neck. “Oh, pardon me.” Seeming to remember herself, she stopped and her arms dropped quickly. “It is so lovely to see you. When did you arrive home?”

“Just this morning, poppet.” He embraced his young cousin before clasping Darcy’s hand. “I came as soon as I was able to get leave and will be here for a se’nnight.” As the ladies quietly greeted each other, he said to Darcy in a low voice, “When can you apprise me of the situation you alluded to in your letter?”

“Tonight, after dinner, if you are available? Actually,” he interjected, “I would rather not discuss it in Lady Catherine’s home. It is of a sensitive nature.” At his cousin’s questioning look, Darcy continued. “Why do you not return to Darcy House with us?  Your room has been ready since you left and Georgiana would welcome your lively disposition.”

“Lively? Mother said that you have had two unmarried ladies staying with you these last few weeks. Is that not lively enough?”

“Two unmarried ladies at Darcy house indeed. Miss Katherine Bennet is a friend of Georgiana’s and would have dined with us this evening if she had not taken ill earlier today.” Darcy cleared his throat and flushed. “And Miss Elizabeth Bennet is her older sister. She is staying in Cheapside with her uncle and aunt and has visited a number of times. But no, she does not reside with us.”

“Oh, how interesting.” He smirked. “And how often is a number of times? Once? Twice? Maybe daily?”

Darcy cleared his throat again, before looking up at his betrothed. “She has mostly visited when I have been at the club or conducting business. Anne,” Darcy said, interrupting his and Richard’s conversation, “you are flushed. I believe you are standing too near the fire.”

Richard looked at Darcy’s awkward interaction before allowing a seed of hope to take root in his breast. Curious. Who is this Miss Elizabeth Bennet?

Thank you for sharing the except Anngela, I look forward to reading the rest of the book! I have enjoyed following and taking part in the blog tour, Thank you again.

Anngela is giving away two autographed hard copies (US mailing addresses only) 

2 kindle versions (Open to international winners), 

An autographed copy of Then Comes Winter (US mailing address only) and an autographed 5x7 of the A Lie Universally Hidden book cover.

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Blog Tour Schedule 

January 16/ My Jane Austen Book Club/Launch Post & Giveaway

January 17/ From Pemberley to Milton/ Book Review & Giveaway

January 18/ A Covent Garden Madame Gilflurt's Guide to Life/Guest Post

January 19/ So Little Time…/ Excerpt Post & Giveaway

January 20/ My Vices and Weaknesses/ Book Review & Giveaway

January 21/ Babblings of a Bookworm/ Book Review

January 22/ Just Jane 1813/ Excerpt Post

January 23/Austenesque Reviews/ Author Spotlight & Giveaway

January 24/ Obsessed with Mr. Darcy/ Book Review & Giveaway

January 25/ Every Savage Can Dance/Book Review & Giveaway

January 26 / Diary of an Eccentric/Book Review & Giveaway

January 27 / Austenesque Reviews/ Book Review & Giveaway

January 28/ My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice/ Excerpt & Giveaway

January 29/ Savvy Verse & Wit/ Guest Post & Giveaway

As always I delight in hearing your thoughts!

"The Best Part of Love" by Amy D'Orazio Blog Tour ~ Vignette & Giveaway!

Hello Fellow Readers, Happy NEW YEAR!

I am delighted to welcome Amy D'Orazio author of "The Best Part of Love", for my first blog post of the year!

Welcome Amy, it is a pleasure to have you here. I have enjoyed following the blog tour thus far, each blog stop has only increased my interest further and had my kindle screaming "read me" every time I glanced in its direction!!. Especially when you read vignettes, like the one you are kindly sharing with us today!

Book Blurb:

Avoiding the truth does not change the truth

When Fitzwilliam Darcy meets Miss Elizabeth Bennet he has no idea that she — that indeed, the entire town of Meryton — harbors a secret. Miss Elizabeth, a simply country girl from a humble estate, manages to capture first his fascination and then his heart without him ever knowing the truth of her past.

When she meets Darcy, Elizabeth had spent the two years prior hiding from the men who killed her beloved first husband. Feeling herself destroyed by love, Elizabeth has no intention of loving again, certainly not with the haughty man who could do nothing but offend her in Hertfordshire.

In London, Elizabeth surprises herself by finding in Darcy a friend; even greater is her surprise to find herself gradually coming to love him and even accepting an offer of marriage from him. Newly married, they are just beginning to settle into their happily ever after when a condemned man on his way to the gallows divulges a shattering truth, a secret that contradicts everything Elizabeth thought she knew about the tragic circumstances of her first marriage. Against the advice of everyone who loves her, including Darcy, Elizabeth begins to ask questions. But will what they learn destroy them both?

Vignette ~

“We meet again, Lady Courtenay.” Mr. Darcy bowed. “May I have the honour of—”

“Joining me?” Elizabeth gave him a sidelong glance. “I could not dare refuse you, sir.”

He drew back. “I beg your pardon?”

Elizabeth repressed her grin wondering if it was cruel of her to enjoy teasing him so, particularly when, ofttimes, he seemed rather bewildered by what to make of it. 

“Only think, Mr. Darcy, all these many lanes, the acres and acres of park land… and yet somehow we have managed to meet one another each of these three days past. Extraordinary, is it not?”

Mr. Darcy stood silent and still with one hand resting comfortably on his walking stick and the other by his side. He would have been the picture of sedateness, but his ears betrayed him, turning a delightful shade of mortified crimson. 

“How can one account for such a concurrence of whims and undertakings? There are only two explanations I could contrive.”

He spoke carefully. “I should be delighted to know them, I am sure.”

“If one of us had hoped to avoid the other, then I must presume it is all the perverseness of mischance which keeps throwing us in each other’s way. But I am not trying to avoid you. I do hope you are not trying to avoid me?”

Mr. Darcy, who seemed to have perceived the light humour in her tone, conceded a faint smile to her. “Of course not.”

“Then I must attribute these unlikely meetings to fate. In either case, I should not dare to disoblige whatever forces keep contriving to unite us.”

“It is excessively unwise to disoblige mystical forces.” After a moment’s hesitation, Mr. Darcy added, “Perhaps, to be perfectly obliging, you should take my arm.”

“Of course,” she agreed. They set off into the feeble but burgeoning warmth of the spring morning, the weather an apt metaphor for the strange feeling Elizabeth found within her heart. His society was not unwelcome, she realised. A surprise, for in truth, Elizabeth prized the solitude of her rambles as much as she prized the ramble itself. But here, at Rosings — well, she rather liked having him along. Indeed, she almost would say she preferred it. 

With that understanding came a bit of guilt for how she had teased him. He had clearly expended some effort in learning her planned course — she had varied it over these last three days and yet somehow he found her every time. She should not tease him for it. 

“Shall we have some conversation, my lady?” He had noticed her reverie. 

“We shall — but first I must beg your pardon.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

She smiled up at him. “I fear my teasing might imply distaste for our present arrangement.”

He stared straight ahead. “I do hope you would tell me if I was intruding on your pleasure.”“No.” She squeezed his arm, making him look at her. “Truly, no. I am glad you are with me.”

She watched, with odd delight as his ears again told his secrets. “You are always welcome to join me, Mr. Darcy.”

Lightly, he said, “I pray you speak in earnest, Madam, for I do find a great deal of enjoyment in these outings.”

“Then it is settled,” she said. “For whatever forces have begun this — be it fate or the perverseness of mischance — we shall continue it on our own inclinations.”

Thank you for sharing Amy! Was not that, a lovely little scene? Wouldn't you like to read what inspired it? Amy D'Orazio is kindly giving readers the opportunity to win one of eight copies! I would also like to thank Janet at More Agreeably Engaged for helping to bring this blog tour to fruition.

Terms and Conditions:

Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once a day and daily commenting on a blog post that has a giveaway attached for the tour. Entrants should provide the name of the blog where they commented (which will be verified).

Tweet and comment once daily to earn extra entries. 

Each winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter. Paperback or ebook format will be randomly selected for each winner as well. 

**NOTE: Paperback copies are available for continental US winners! Ebook copies are available for all winners, including international winners! If more international winners are randomly chosen than the 4 allotted ebooks, then that will decrease the number of paperbacks. 8 books will be given away to 8 different winners.**

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Blog Tour Schedule:

  
  6 Jan My Jane Austen Book Club; Guest Post, Excerpt, Giveaway

  7 Jan Just Jane 1813; Review

  8 Jan Babblings of a Bookworm; Vignette, Giveaway

  9 Jan Every Savage Can Dance; Guest Post, Excerpt, Giveaway

10 Jan Tomorrow is Another Day; Review

11 Jan Savvy Verse & Wit; Character Interview, Giveaway

12 Jan Half Agony, Half Hope; Review

13 Jan Austenesque Reviews; Vignette, Giveaway

14 Jan Darcyholic Diversions; Author Interview, Giveaway

15 Jan Delighted Reader; Review

16 Jan From Pemberley to Milton; Review  

17 Jan A Covent Garden Gilflurt’s Guide to Life; Guest Post   

18 Jan Obsessed with Mr. Darcy; Review

19 Jan My Kids Led Me Back to Pride & Prejudice; Vignette, Giveaway  

20 Jan Diary of an Eccentric; Review

21 Jan More Agreeably Engaged; Vignette, Giveaway

Author Bio:

Amy D’Orazio is a former breast cancer researcher and current stay at home mom who is addicted to Austen and Starbucks in about equal measures. While she adores Mr. Darcy, she is married to Mr. Bingley and their Pemberley is in Pittsburgh PA.

She has two daughters who are devoted to sports which require long practices and began writing her own stories as a way to pass the time she spent sitting in the lobbies of various gyms and studios. She is a firm believer that all stories should have long looks, stolen kisses and happily ever afters. Like her favorite heroine, she dearly loves a laugh and considers herself an excellent walker. 

Where you can find Amy

Website     

Goodreads Author Page  

Facebook: Amy D’Orazio

Twitter  

Instagram: amydorazio

Pinterest    

As always, I delight in hearing your thoughts!

Book winners! 'The Courtship of Edward Gardiner' & 'Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter'

Congratulations ladies!

Eva you have won a copy of  'The Courtship of Edward Gardiner' by Nicole Clarkston, your choice of either a paperback or e-book copy.

Vesper You have won an e-book copy of 'Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter' by Joana Starnes.

Please contact me ladies, with your details.

Thank you again, Nicole Clarkston & Joana Starnes for your generous giveaways!

(Winners picked using Random.org)