Author: Leenie Brown

Leenie Brown fell in love with Jane Austen's works when she first read Sense and Sensibility followed immediately by Pride and Prejudice in her early teens. As the second of five daughters and an avid reader, she has always loved to see where her imagination takes her and to play with and write about the characters she meets along the way. In 2013, these two loves collided when she stumbled upon the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction. A year later, in 2014, she began writing her own Austen-inspired stories and began publishing them in 2015. Leenie lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her two teenage boys and her very own Mr. Brown (a wonderful mix of all the best of Darcy, Bingley and Edmund with healthy dose of the teasing Mr. Tillney and just a dash of the scolding Mr. Knightley).

Music Monday: Hide Away – Period Drama Music Video

Janeaustenbooks. “Hide Away – Period Drama Music Video.” YouTube. YouTube, 19 July 2015.

CONNECTION BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY: 

Finally Mrs. Darcy goes “live” this Wednesday.  So, that must mean I am working on something new, right?  Absolutely! I am always working on some story.

Right now, I am several thousand words into Waking to Mr. Darcy, and I am going to share the first bit of that first draft with you because it answers the question “Where do the good boys go to hideaway?”

 

EXCERPT FROM Waking to Mr. Darcy: 

“Rude! That is what my sisters are.” Bingley placed another piece of wood none too gently on the pile he and Darcy were making near the fireplace.  “They were barely civil to Mrs. Bennet and spoke not word to any of the Misses Bennet, save Miss Elizabeth.”  He gave a harsh laugh.  “And they only spoke to her when absolutely necessary and with such a superior air!”  He stomped out the door, to the wood pile, and back into the cabin.  “I have a mind to send them both off with Hurst.  Let him deal with them. Not that he would know much of what they were about since he is constantly in his cups.” 

Darcy closed the door to the small hunting cabin and shrugged out of his overcoat.  “Have you considered that their lack of civility is not fully unwarranted?” 

“Out!” Bingley pointed to the door.  “I have escaped to this cabin to be rid of such sentiments.  You may go spread your vitriol with my sisters. Caroline would be delighted.” 

Darcy winced at the thought of spending time with Caroline and grimaced a second time as he realized that his friend was comparing him to that very lady.  “Let me explain,” he began. 

“I have no desire to hear about the Bennets being of low standing.”  Bingley knelt before at the hearth applying himself to the starting of a fire.  The November evening air was cool and damp.  “Mr. Bennet is a gentleman.”  He turned his head to look at Darcy.  “A gentleman ─ born that way.” 

“He is married to trade.” 

Bingley growled something at the tinder and was then silent. 

Darcy watched him work for a moment and then satisfied that the fire was about to start, went in search of two cups and a bottle of brandy.  “How many days worth of supplies did you have them deliver?” 

“Five.” Bingley took the bottle of brandy from Darcy and doubled the amount Darcy had poured for him. “I am not certain how long it will be before I am willing to see my sisters again.”  He peered over his cup with raised brows.  “The same will be said for you if you continue with your disparagements of the Bennets.”  Continue reading Music Monday: Hide Away – Period Drama Music Video


Music Monday: At Last, Etta James

Brimenting. “Etta James ~ At Last (Dancing with the Stars).” YouTube. YouTube, 05 Feb. 2013.

CONNECTION BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY: 

A reader, after concluding her reading of Finally Mrs. Darcy, told me that the story made her think of this song.  I think it is an excellent choice.  In this story, Darcy and Elizabeth meet after having been separated for five years.

Here’s the description of the book:

After Lydia’s elopement, Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield, but sadly he is alone.  His connections to Mr. Darcy are severed, crushing any hope Elizabeth Bennet had of finding happiness with the man to whom she has lost her heart. 

As the years pass, grief turns into acceptance and Elizabeth marries.  She is content to settle into her new life, but it is not to last.  A fever claims the lives of both her husband and father, leaving her in the care of her new uncle, Gareth Amberly, who is determined to see her happy.

As this Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella opens, Elizabeth’s uncle introduces her to the man he suspects will make her happy ─ Fitzwilliam Darcy.  It takes very little time for Darcy and Elizabeth to come to an understanding and for Elizabeth to discover the true reason for their separation.  Is a complete restoration of relationships possible, or will their happily ever after always be tainted by separation?

The story moves quickly.  By the end of the first chapter, Darcy and Elizabeth have come to an understanding.  This story is about their short trip from reunion to wedding, but it is also about forgiveness and restoration.

The following excerpt is from the first chapter and is when Darcy finally knows for certain that Elizabeth loves him.

EXCERPT FROM Finally Mrs. Darcy: 

“When you did not return with Bingley, I thought it was because you did not wish to be associated with a family tied to Mr. Wickham or such foolish girls as Lydia — and who could blame you?” She turned to face him.  “It broke my heart. I refused to attend assemblies for nearly a year.  Mama thought it was because I missed Jane, but it was you I missed.” She took one of his hands. “Eventually, I could no longer refuse to attend, and I met Jack.  He was a pleasant man.  He smiled much and spoke well of all he met.  I believe he was constitutionally incapable of being disagreeable.  He respected me, and I was happy, but he was not you.” She squeezed his hand.  “I loved him, but not as I love you.”

“You love me?”  Darcy stood perfectly still. His breath caught in his chest as he waited for her reply.  The thought that his affections might be returned threatened to make him embarrass himself by either causing him to weep or shout or, heaven forbid, both.

“For these five long years, I have loved you.  I have tried not to, but it is impossible.  I fear I shall always love you.” A breeze tugged a wisp of hair free, and she brushed it away from her face.  “It is why I have told my uncle I do not wish to marry again — not that he will hear of that, but it was not fair to Jack and would not be fair to another to give him only part of me.”

“You love me.”  Thankfully, his delight only spread across his face and did not express itself with any more exuberance than that.

She nodded.

“Are you certain you will never marry again?” He stepped closer to her, looked into her eyes and brushed that wayward wisp of hair from her cheek.

“Never.”   She drew the hand she held around her waist.  “Unless it is you.”

“You will marry me?” Again, the happiness of his heart wished to be released in a cry of victory, but he would not allow it.

“If you will have me.”  She smiled up at him as his arms pulled her close.

“You will marry me.”  He bent his head to kiss her softly.  “My feelings and wishes have never changed. I love you now as I loved you then, most ardently.”

Elizabeth drew his mouth back down to hers.  These were the kisses for which she had longed. The kind of kiss that sent fire racing through her body from her lips all the way down to her toes.  The kind of kiss that caused her to long for greater intimacy.

“Elizabeth,” he whispered near her ear as he pressed kisses along her neck. “When?  When will you marry me?”

She sighed and held him tightly to her.  “This very moment if it were possible.”

“I shall acquire a special license.  One week,” he claimed her lips once again, “one week, and you shall be mine.”

FMD_front cover_small

 

Finally Mrs. Darcy is available for preorder on…

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Advance Reader Copies of Finally Mrs. Darcy

FMD_front cover_smallIn advance of the July 20, 2016 release day for Finally Mrs. Darcy, I would like to make available 5 Advance Reader Copies of the book to my Blog Followers. These copies can be found at this link:

http://dl.bookfunnel.com/2in17byod5

and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis until all 5 copies have been claimed. You may choose from mobi, epub, or pdf format.

There are ABSOLUTELY no strings attached to this freebie; however, a review or a shout out on social media would be appreciated if you wish to give one. BUT it is not a requirement.

If you have a book review blog or an active book review account somewhere and would like a copy of this book for review purposes and miss out on the links, please feel free to contact me at leeniebrownauthor@gmail.com, and I will add you to my list of reviewers for each book release.  When contacting me, include a link to where you post your reviews.

And, of course, the book is either now or soon to be available for preorder on …

KOBO      AMAZON      NOOK      IBOOKS 


Blog Share: The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts

In my reading this week, I found this interesting article about circulating libraries in the Regency Era on Jane Austen’s World.  Luckily, the site allows for reblogging, so I can share a snippet and link along with a picture. (I love pictures! 🙂 )  As I read, I was reminded of some of our modern subscription services as well as our bookshops and libraries that are more than just places to read and acquire books.

Circulating libraries in the 18th and 19th century were associated with leisure, and were found  in cities and towns with a population of 2,000 and upward. They were as much of an attraction in wea…

Source: The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts