“An assembly?” Clara questioned as if uncertain that such a thing was a good idea.
“It will be two years next month,” Mr. Watson said softly. “I think it is time.”
Clara drew and released a small breath. “You are likely correct.”
Her eyes dropped to study her hands. It was the first time since meeting her that Thomas had seen Mrs. Clara Watson look anything less than assured of herself.
[From Apple Blossoms, an original sweet Regency romance short story, and the current Sweet Tuesdays story]
Published to YouTube by Edelweiss on December 31, 2017.
Happy Victoria Day!
I just could not let this day pass without a holiday-appropriate music video, 🙂 and I think the bittersweet tone of the song goes with the above snippet from Apple Blossoms, as well as the tone of tomorrows story excerpt.
Now, I do not have an excerpt from any new story to share in today’s post because I am ‘between stories,’ but I will share a bit from a previously published story. However, that will come after I update you on my writing news.
If you saw the Friday Feature post last week, you will know that I have several books on sale from now until May 27, 2019. You can find the details about that sale here.
Some of these books are on sale because to get the most enjoyment out of A Scandal in Springtime, it would be best to read Two Days Before Christmas, Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy, and Charles: To Discover His Purpose.
Two of the book bundle are on sale because one will be leaving Kindle Unlimited in early June while the other will be leaving all stores except the Kindle store by the end of May so that the book bundle can take its turn in Kindle Unlimited.
I had a book release this past Tuesday! (It really feels like it was longer ago than a week! 🙂 )
His Darling Friend is now available to purchase in the Kindle store or to download and read with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription.
It is doing well. The ranking below is what it was on Friday evening as I typed up this post. Now, these numbers don’t look super fantastic at first glance. 
However, I happen to know that in less than a week after being released, this book has sold earned more through page reads and sales than the first book in the series, His Beautiful Bea, did in the first month after it was released. That’s a fantastic improvement! That being said, don’t get too excited about the money it is earning as it has yet to out-earn the expense that went into producing it. 🙂 It will. And I am pleased with the progress I am seeing.
I actually started the third book in this series this past Tuesday. This one has no title just yet and begins with these lines:
Grace Love was not the sort of lady who sat on the side during dances. She was not the sort of lady who stayed at home when there was an outing to the park. She was not the sort of lady who avoided any sort of fun. Or, at least, she had not been such a lady until now. And all it had taken for Grace’s world to change had been one house party.
Yes, indeed! It is time for Grace to find her happily ever after. I am looking forward to how the journey to her HEA plays out.
I have yet to meet the hero or even give him a name. But my notes say he’s going to be a self-made man (sort of like Bingley was in Pride and Prejudice). And that’s all I know at this moment.
I tend to wade into the story pond for a few thousand words as I am getting settled into who my characters are and what makes them tick. It’s not everyone’s process for writing, but it is mine. 🙂
This story is likely not going to harken back to any one Jane Austen novel, but will instead have characters which nod to Austen characters. Such as Miss Grace has a sister who is very like Maria Bertram in ways, while Grace seems less like Julia and perhaps more like Harriet Smith and will (according to my notes) find her HEA in a coming of age sort of story like Catherine Morland.
In addition to wading into Grace’s story pond, I also jumped into Mary and Wes’s story this week and have written the first chapter. Just like Grace’s story, I have yet to sort out all the details. 🙂 However, as these few lines from the first chapter seem to indicate, there should be some fun mixed into the plot:
The right corner of Mr. Nibley’s mouth tipped upward but only just. “Do you wish to be announced, my lord?”
Wes chuckled. “Indeed, I think I must be if I am merely a caller. Do you remember my name?”
“The name you use at every house, my lord?”
“No, the one that is precisely designed to annoy my mother.”
“I think I do.”
“Then, lead on my good man, and I shall not turn you out when I become master of Matlock House.”
In addition to spending two evenings writing, I have managed to get A Scandal in Springtime sent off to my first, and I am set to begin rereading Loving Lydia in preparation for that one to be sent off to my first reader. I hope to have some publication information for these books by next Monday.
I have not started a third work in progress yet. Maybe this week. Maybe not. 🙂 I think, however, that it will be book five in my Other Pens, Mansfield Park series — probably staring Robert Eldridge. In fact, I spend a bit of time last week trying to sort out my notes from the first four books to get my head back into that world. I just need to figure out what it is that Robert needs to do so I can fill in the title blanks — “Robert: To something something” 🙂
Now, for a story excerpt, which I think is going to be from one of the books which is on sale this week. Since A Scandal in Springtime is my next book to be published, I think, I will share an excerpt from Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy that I find rather humorous knowing what I know about Trefor’s ability to insult Kitty and to make things go from bad to worse without meaning to!
“Crawford,” Linton greeted the next afternoon as he entered the sitting room where Henry was waiting for Constance. “What brings you to my house again today?”
“Do try to sound civil,” Aunt Gwladys chided from her corner. “Remember that Mr. Crawford is your friend.”
Linton raised a brow at his aunt. “I remember precisely who Crawford is, and I see his curricle in front of my house and wish to know why.”
“He is taking Constance for a drive at my request.” Aunt Gwladys spared only a glance up at her nephew from her stitching. “Do you not remember that Constance and I are helping Mr. Crawford learn to be a proper gentleman?”
“You said you were going to instruct him on how to treat a lady.”
“And we are.”
“By sending Constance out in his curricle with him?”
Aunt Gwladys nodded and peered over her spectacles once again at Linton. “There is no better way to learn something than by doing. So, Mr. Crawford is going to practice courting a lady on your sister. There is nothing to fear. Constance is not so retiring that she will not tell him where he is going wrong, and you have been threatening the man with bodily harm for several years, have you not?”
Linton growled, and Henry worried the brim of his hat. “If you harm her or her reputation, I will see you pay.”
“I know, you have said so several times, and I do not doubt your words,” Henry replied. He swallowed as Linton stepped close enough to his side that their shoulders were touching.
“Do not break her heart,” Linton whispered, “or I will pierce yours.”
“I have no intention of engaging her heart.”
Linton scowled. “See that you don’t.”
Constance stopped at the doorway. She knew that her brother had said he threatened Henry on a regular basis, but she had never seen it until now. Though she did not hear any exchange of words, she could tell that Henry was not just uneasy but fearful. To give him time to compose himself and to spare him any embarrassment, she stepped back from view and called out cheerfully that she was ready as she entered.
Henry smiled at her. She was lovely. The blue of her eyes was heightened by the blue of her pelisse and hat. “Shall we go then?”
Constance shook her head and grinned. “No. A gentleman should always compliment a lady on her looks before they depart. We like that sort of thing. Begin again.” She caught how Henry darted a look at her brother. “He shall not harm you for saying his sister is lovely.” She crossed her arms and glared at Trefor. “Unless, of course, he thinks she is not.”
“Do not be ridiculous, Connie. You know I think you are beautiful.” He crossed the room to give her cheek a kiss. “I just find it difficult to hear other gentlemen say it.”
She patted the hand that had grasped hers. “Then do not listen.” She chuckled at his huff. “Mr. Crawford and I are only friends. He requested my help, and I am providing it.” She tipped her head and smiled up at her brother.
“Be careful,” Linton cautioned.
“When am I not?” Constance asked.
“You do not wish for me to answer that. However, I will say that you are intelligent enough to know how easily plans can go awry.”
“All will be well,” Constance assured him. “Now, my pupil awaits to tell me how fetching I look.” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “You can question me about every detail over dinner.”
She turned away from her brother and back to Henry. All would be well, she assured herself. She could entertain the attentions of a charming gentleman without falling under his spell. This was Henry Crawford, after all. She had never before fallen for his pretty words. Of course, that was before he had taken on his current persona. No, she shook herself mentally, this was Henry. All would be well.
“You look lovely,” Henry said as he approached her and offered his arm. “Now, shall we go?”
She nodded and placed her hand on his arm. “That was much better. However, in the future, a more specific compliment might be better. You might wish to mention the colour of my ensemble as being flattering or some such thing.”
“Not with your brother present,” Henry muttered.
“Are your intentions less than honourable?” she questioned in a teasing voice.
“No.”
“Then you should not fear what a brother or guardian might think. They do the same when they greet ladies. I have heard Trefor do it.”
Henry laughed, looking over his shoulder at Linton. “Perhaps I should not fear your brother, but I do.” He gave Linton a knowing nod and was rewarded with something less like a scowl and more like a smile as they left the sitting room.
~*~*~
Happy Victoria Day!!
Lots of good news in this post. Congratulations on the sales report. I like the excerpts and info on the new stories. I was really impressed with Henry Crawford’s story. You made me like him. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I wanted to hate and despise him for all times. As I read his story, I found myself rooting for him. That’s just wrong. Oh, well. I have really enjoyed these stories and look forward to the others you have planned. I was pleased to see Grace Love gets her story. I liked her. Her sister, on the other hand, I did not like. I can’t wait to see what you do to or for her. LOL!! Blessings on all your hard work. Lovely,and appropriate, music video.
It was fun to make Henry likable and quite a challenge, too, since I also never really wanted to like him. I still don’t like him in Mansfield Park, and I find his sorrow over losing Fanny to be a just reward for playing with her heart as he set out to do. However, I would hate to think that he could never learn from his mistakes. 🙂 (Perhaps there is a bit of Jane Bennet in me. LOL)
Grace, at present, is more than a little put out with her sister. However, I don’t know if she’ll get her fair reward in this story or not just yet.