Music Monday: Morning Light (Brian Crain)

The morning had been as delightful as any ride through the countryside could be. The sun was shining in a nearly solid blue sky as only a few clouds were dotting the expanse above. The air was fresh and not at all close. The only thing which had dampened the enjoyment of the exercise had been that it was entirely too short. Well, maybe that was not the only thing which had not met with Victoria’s satisfaction. There had been one thing — or rather, person — missing.

“Have you seen Roger today?” Victoria had slipped into the library and taken a seat next to Diana on a sofa.

“He said good morning to me,” Diana replied, looking up from her book. “He was dressed to go riding. I had assumed he was going with the group.”

“He was not with us.” Victoria pulled her lower lip between her teeth. He could be anywhere. He had spoken of escaping after a few days of being at the house party when he first arrived, but then, when they had decided to help Grace find a match, he had said he would be required to stay longer. “Did he leave?” she whispered behind her book.

[from His Darling Friend, A Touches of Austen Novella, and the current Sweet Tuesdays’ story]

Published to YouTube by Brian Crain on Sep 20, 2016.

I know this video does not have any pictures with it, but the music is just so beautiful (and the title fits well with the excerpt from His Darling Friend). I find starting my day with music like this to be delightful, so beginning a week this way should be just as good if not better. 🙂 I just added this album to my Music to Write By playlist on Spotify this week. I’ve listened to songs from it many times on both Spotify and YouTube but hadn’t saved the album until this week. If you would like to listen to the full album, you can find the full Morning Light album playlist on YouTube at this link.

In writing news:

I am still one chapter behind on where I would like to be with Loving Lydia — as long as I get a chapter written later today. Otherwise, I will be two weeks behind.

I am still where I want to be with Roger’s story (4 chapters ahead), and I think I’m heading into the conclusion. Now, I am wondering what I will post on Tuesdays after this story is over, and currently, I have no clue as to what it will be. 😀

I wrote two more chapters on my newest work in progress which brings me up to a total of three chapters completed. I started posting this story on Patreon on Friday, and I’m going to share an excerpt from that story below. 

My first week with the first bundle of books that are part of my new Kindle Unlimited experiment was a good one. It looks like there are a good number of readers enjoying these books through the program. 😀 It’s fantastic to think these stories are finding new people to enjoy them! And, I am encouraged that my plan to rotate books might actually be a good one which will provide new reads to new readers and a bump up to my royalties between book releases. That way, I shouldn’t need to feel as much pressure to “produce” and can take some time to work on other business things or spend it on pleasurable pursuits like watching a movie with my husband (without having my laptop in front of me to work while watching — yes, my life has been rather unbalanced 🙂 I can be rather determined and intense).

To update you on how Tom’s story is doing:

Sales and page reads are a steady drip into the royalty pot, which is good. I knew going in that this series was not going to be a “have to have it” sort of series since the Jane Austen Fan Fiction genre skews toward Pride and Prejudice and Darcy and Lizzy in particular (which is fine, I’m just stating a fact based on my sales experiences), and Mansfield Park is not a favourite Austen book (even if it is one of my favourites 🙂 ).  So, the fact that this book is getting slow but steady reads and purchases is actually very exciting and encouraging to me.

Here’s an interesting detail about how well the book is performing based on sales/page reads: Comparing first-month sales numbers for books 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this series shows that book 4 has already outdone the other three books for its first month and the month is not even over. 🙂 I mean, the sales have not yet hit three-figures (I did mention these are slow sellers, right?), but I expect they will.

What is also quite lovely is that the first reviews of the book have been positive, meaning that readers (and not just me) are enjoying the characters and plot. If you want to read a few of the reviews, you can find the Amazon.com review page here.

And that is “all” my writing news. I hope you enjoyed the update on how my new strategy to use KU and on how Tom’s release is going. If you did, or even if you didn’t, feel free to let me know in the comments whether you’d like to hear more details like this (or not).

Now, to take a peek at that new story. 😀

And the title, which the members of my Leenie’s Sweeties Facebook page helped me pick is…

A Scandal in Springtime

Here is how it begins:

Kitty Bennet paused at the case containing the lace and brooches. There was a piece of lace intricately woven with leaves and flowers swirling along the edge and filling in the body which she would dearly like to purchase so that she could add it to her scarf. Just on the shelf above the lace was a brooch comprised of many tiny pearls which would be perfect for holding the scarf in place. Perhaps next week when Uncle gave her the allowance her father had sent to him, she would have enough to purchase those two items so that she could wear them to church on Easter Sunday.

“Catherine.”

Kitty jumped, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. “Forgive me, Uncle. I was distracted.” Thankfully, even though her uncle had used her full name, he did not look put out. “That brooch is just so pretty,” she added as she hurried to catch up to him.

“I am certain it is,” he replied. “Although I am certain your aunt would know better, my dear.”

“Do you think we can bring Aunt with us next time?”

The establishment through which they were walking was a new store that her uncle had said was nearly ready to open. And it appeared he was right, for the cases and shelves were filled with goods, the windows were being washed, and the floor looked as if it had already been polished.

Her uncle chuckled. “I am quite certain your aunt will demand it.”

Kitty was not yet completely comfortable with her aunt and uncle – not the way her older sisters had always been. Jane and Elizabeth were always so at ease with their aunt and uncle whenever the Gardiners visited Longbourn, but that was likely because they had spent so many visits with the Gardiners in town. However, now that her older sisters were married, that was about to change.

She and Mary were to take turns visiting their relations, for their mother hoped that in sending them to London, her daughters might happen upon some nice young gentlemen who would marry them and relieve Mrs. Bennet of two more worries. There was no greater worry for a mother than to see her daughters well-cared-for. That is what Mama had always said.

Kitty put all thoughts of scarves and brooches as well as handsome young gentlemen away as she stood behind her uncle while he knocked at the door to the store’s office before opening it when someone inside called come in.

“Mr. Gardiner, it is good to see you. With what can I help you?”

“Not a thing, Mr. Durward,” her uncle replied. “My wife insisted that we deliver a basket of muffins to you as a gift of goodwill for the success of your store.” He looked at Kitty. “The basket,” he whispered.

“I do apologize.” Her cheeks burned once again with embarrassment. “I was distracted.” The gentleman standing in front of the desk was far too attractive not to be distracting.

Her uncle chuckled. “This store seems to have that effect on you.” He took the basket from her and placed it on the desk. “There is one case containing brooches that my niece found of great interest. I think you will have a sale on your first day even if no one else enters the store.”

“I am happy to hear it,” the gentleman behind the desk said with a friendly smile for Kitty. “Please be seated,” he offered.

“I am afraid we are not able to stay today,” Mr. Gardiner replied. “There are a few other errands which need our attention. However, Kitty and I wanted to see the basket delivered first.” His brow furrowed. “I seem to have forgotten that you have not yet met my niece. This pretty young lady is Miss Catherine Bennet, and she is our houseguest for a few weeks this spring. Kitty, this is Mr. Durward and one of his partners Mr. Waller.”

Kitty dipped a curtsey. “It is lovely to meet you and to see your store. It is very well done up.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Durward replied, and Kitty found herself compelled once again to remove her eyes from Mr. Waller — handsome, tall Mr. Waller with his golden hair and piercing blue eyes.

“Have you settled into the apartment above?” Mr. Gardiner asked.

Mr. Waller lived here? Kitty’s heart sank a trifle at the thought. She probably should not like him if he lived above a store. Mama might not approve.

“I have, and I have even employed a maid and a cook. It is a luxury I have not allowed myself until now. However, I think, even with the extra expense, I shall still be able to save the money I need to secure my future.”

That seemed a funny thing for a gentleman to say, and Kitty wondered what it meant. However, she knew better than to ask. It was not right to be nosey, and while in town, Kitty intended to behave properly. Here she was not Lydia’s sister. Indeed, she was no one’s sister when she was alone with her aunt and uncle.   She still had to be Elizabeth’s sister when she was attending one function or another with the Darcy’s, but it was not so bad to say that Mrs. Darcy was her sister for Mrs. Darcy was married. But Miss Kitty Bennet was not.

She was still thinking about how delightful it was to not be anyone’s sister and have all the beaux to herself when her uncle said her full name – Catherine – once again.

~*~*~

 MAILING LIST    PATREON    SOCIETY6