A Sneak Peek at Hatfield Falls

This image of a church in New Zealand in a field was purchased from DepositPhotos.

My new series, Hatfield Falls, written under the pen name Annilee Nelson, will not be set in New Zealand, but it will revolve around a church. That’s one reason why I picked this image for today’s post. Another reason I chose this image is that it reminds me of a church you might see here in Nova Scotia with trees all around and wildflowers growing nearby. I am setting this new series in a fictional Nova Scotia town called Hatfield Falls.

The family which is at the center of the series (at least to start) is closely tied to the church in Hatfield Falls since Mark Bennett, the father, is the pastor of that church. He is married to Amy who is a major Jane Austen fan and has named her six children after Austen characters. (I’m not going to tell you all of their names just yet, I think I’ll leave that for you to discover in the first book.)

This series will be a Christian romance series that adheres to the sweet classification I have written out in the article “Short and Sweet? What does that mean?” which can be found in the blog menu.

My faith has never been too far from my Leenie books. It’s there but often indirectly. In my Annilee books, it will be included directly just as part of the lives of the characters.

Now, here are the opening paragraphs from Hatfield Falls, Book 1, as they currently appear in the first draft of the story.


“It is a truth universally acknowledged –”

“Mother! It’s a cookie.” Will Bennett rubbed the sore spot between his eyes. His mother often made that part of his head hurt when she got into one of her moods, such as she was in today. “Even Edmund would tell you that that line is an excellent specimen for studying sarcasm. Therefore, if you say that it is a truth universally acknowledged that a man with a cup of tea is in want of a cookie, does that not mean that a man in possession of a cup of tea is actually NOT looking for a cookie at all?”

He looked at his younger brother, Edmund, who nodded his agreement – not that their mother saw him do it. A verbal response would have been more effective.

“Fitzwilliam.” His mother used her scolding a toddler voice and wiggled the plate she held in front of him.

Why did she take such pleasure in tormenting him? Was not the eldest son supposed to be the most beloved? Not in the Bennett family – or at least, not in his mother’s eyes. That favoured position was held by Edmund who adored many of the same things their mother did – most notably, Pride and Prejudice and all things Jane Austen.

Will closed his eyes and sighed as he shook his head. “My name is not Fitzwilliam, Mother. It is William. Just William. No Fitz.”

His mother, Amy Bennett, a diminutive woman whose size belied her ability to be moved on a point if she did not wish to be moved, rolled her eyes and shot a displeased look at his father. “That is only because your father would not allow it.”

“Yes, I know, and that is why he is my favourite parent.”  


So, what do you think? I hope it’s a fun start to what will be a fun series. 🙂 I have not yet finished the manuscript for this first book, but it’s well underway and slated to be published sometime in the autumn.

For now, you can always keep up with any Annilee updates on FB here or find Annilee on MeWe here. For those who prefer mailing lists, I’ll share a way to keep up with her that way in the next Saturday Broadsheet. 🙂 This is all very new and completely under construction. 🙂


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Sketches and Secrets of Summer Cover

Sketches and Secrets of Summer is in the final days of being prepared for publication, which is slated for August 20. It should be on preorder soon. I’ll post here on the blog when it is available. Now, how about a little teaser of an excerpt from the book that hints at why the word secrets is in the title. 😉


Aaron’s hands were clasped behind his back as he walked at a sedate pace towards where Miss Bennet and Miss Darcy were seated. He glanced warily at Stuart.

“Just say it.” Stuart knew that look. Aaron was thinking something that he thought needed to be said but was something which might make Stuart angry.

“A wife might make your job easier.”

“I am sure you are correct, which is why Broderick should have left the girls to you.”

“I have no wife.”

“No, but you also have no aversion to taking one.”

Aaron huffed. “Are you going to allow Sarah to steal all your happiness?”

“It was not Sarah who did the stealing.”

“Yes, it was.” Aaron took hold of Stuart’s arm and stopped him. “Broderick was not without fault, but the greatest share of the blame must fall to the schemer who played brother against brother to gain all she wanted.”

Stuart’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I cannot say. Not yet.”

[from Sketches and Secrets of Summer]


Darcy Family Holidays, Volume 1, is on sale for $2.99 until July 31, 2021.


The Fanshawe’s Sitting Room (Edward Gennys Fanshaw)

The Fanshawe’s Sitting Room, Admiral Edward Gennys Fanshawe (27 November 1814 – 21 October 1906). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The following excerpt is from a conversation had in the Linton’s sitting room when Kitty and Elizabeth call on Mr. Trefor Linton’s sister Constance (who is betrothed to Henry Crawford).


“And then I created a list of ladies for him.”

Miss Bennet looked like she was going to faint away. “No! You did?”

Constance nodded. “It broke my heart to do it, but I had promised I would.”

Miss Bennet’s hand covered her heart as she shook her head. “How tragic.”

“There are several interesting bits to that tale, which I will tell you when we are not beset on every side by gentlemen,” Constance assured her. “Suffice it to say that none of the ladies on that list met with Mr. Crawford’s approval, and I was fortunate to gain his favour.”

Again, the romantic Miss Bennet sighed wistfully. But then, she sat up a little straighter, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Then, perhaps you could help me.”

“With what?” Trefor asked before he could think better of it.

“With behaving as I ought while in town. It is not that I am an improper lady like Mr. Crawford was an improper gentleman. I just have never been to town before, and, well, I would like to make a good impression. After all, I would like to marry someday, and, to be frank, there are not many gentlemen from whom to choose in Hertfordshire – at least, there are none to my liking,” she clarified.

“If Miss Linton helped me, perhaps her brother could help you by giving you a gentleman’s viewpoint,” Mr. Crawford suggested.

Miss Bennet shook her head vigorously. “That would not work.”

Trefor was inclined to agree. He had seen what had happened when he had allowed his sister to help Henry.

“I am certain I need a lady’s advice,” Miss Bennet continued as Trefor recalled the article in the paper with his sister’s name attached to it.

“Besides, Mr. Linton is far too provoking,” she concluded, bringing Trefor’s full attention back to the discussion at hand.

“I am provoking?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes.”

“I do not see how.”

Her brow furrowed as a scowl settle on her lips. “Must you always argue with me?”

“I do not argue with you. You argue with me,” he retorted. Blast! That was not what he should have said. It was not what he would have said to any other lady, other than his sister.

Miss Bennet rolled her eyes and, making a sweeping motion with her hand towards him, said to Constance,  “You see what I mean?”

Constance laughed. “Yes, I know very well of what you speak. He provokes me regularly, but he means well – most of the time.”

“If you say so,” Miss Bennet replied, though she did not sound at all convinced of the fact.

[from A Scandal in Springtime]


A Scandal in Springtime can be found as a single title or as part of Darcy Family Holidays, Volume 1, which is on sale for $2.99 for the month of July.

For those who are interested and have not yet read it, Miss Linton and Henry’s story can be found here.

The Mistletoe Bough (Francis Wheatley)

The Mistletoe Bough, Francis Wheatley, circa 1790. Yale Center for British Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

That was a step too far, and Caroline could not contain her anger any longer.

“How dare you,” she spat. “Who placed you in a position to reprimand me on anything?” She stepped closer to him, her eyes narrowing.

“No one,” he replied. “Just me.” He left his place of repose against the door and matched her advance with a step of his own. Did she always smell of oranges and spice? The scent fit her.

She lifted a brow. “Why?”

He blew out a breath. “I’ll be hanged if I know.” He had attempted to keep his thoughts to himself, but for some reason he felt compelled to see her improve, to reach her potential. It was likely that glimpse of her thoughtful, quiet nature at breakfast which had done it.

She shook her head in bewilderment. He was making little sense. How could he not know why he thought it his place to admonish her?

He stepped to the side so that the door was free, but he once again caught her arm as she moved past him. Pulling her close, he whispered, “You are a beautiful, accomplished young woman who does not need to belittle others to make herself look better.”

Then, before he could do something foolish like make use of the kissing bough which hung just in front of the door, he released her.

[from One Winter’s Eve]


One Winter’s Eve can be found either as a single title or as part of Darcy Family Holiday, Volume 1, which is currently on sale (until the end of July).

The Library at Dingestow (Charlotte Bosanquet)

For July, I am going to do the Wednesday post theme differently. Instead of picking a particular sort or topic of images to share, I am going to pick a series of books to feature. This month, I’m choosing the Darcy Family Holidays series for two reasons. First, it is the book bundle I have on sale this month so it’s a great time to pick it up if you haven’t already added it to your collection. And second, book four in this series will be published in August, and I’d like to spend some time celebrating the series as I am deep in editing and publishing details. 🙂

We’ll start with book 1, Two Days before Christmas.

I chose this image because the rather long excerpt below is of a conversation that takes place in a library.


Brush and watercolor and pen and black ink over graphite, c1840. The Library at Dingestow, Charlotte Bosanquet (1790 – 1852). Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Am I being a fool?”

Richard shook his head. “No.”

Darcy looked at him, hoping that his cousin would elaborate on his reply.

“What can I tell you that you do not already know?”

“Her family is ridiculous,” Darcy said.

“And so is Aunt Catherine.”

“Her father’s estate is mismanaged.”

“That is not Miss Elizabeth’s doing,” Richard replied with a smile. “Her father has an estate; that is the relevant point — she is a gentleman’s daughter.”

“But she has little to bring with her to a marriage.”

“Besides herself,” Richard countered. “Is Pemberley in need of funds?”

“No, but she will likely bring her younger sisters with her — all three of them, hoping to be thrown into the paths of wealthy gentlemen. Silly younger sisters.” Darcy shook his head at the thought.

Richard grimaced. “That could be a problem, but is it great enough to require that you give up Miss Elizabeth to another?”

Darcy scrubbed his face again. “No. I have argued all these points over and over, and the answer is always the same.”

Richard cocked a brow. “A fool does not put so much thought into a decision, does he?”

Darcy shook his head. “I suppose not.”

“Then marry her. Claim some happiness for yourself.”

“Darcy, I had heard you were here,” Lord Matlock said as he entered the library through the door that led to his study. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” He tipped his head and surveyed Darcy from head to toe just as Richard had done.

“He’s getting married,” Richard replied.

[from Two Days Before Christmas]


Get Darcy Family Holidays, Volume 1 (books 1-3) for $2.99 until the end of July.