Happy November! We had our first snowfall of the season this week, and the days are growing so much shorter. I purchased a Happy Light for myself this year. I always seem to miss the sunshine as the greyness of November settles in, so I thought I would see if some artificial sunshine would help me miss the sun less.
Below, you’ll find all my news for the month which includes news of a couple of novelette releases and an update on the Christmas story I am trying to get done before Christmas, as well as a few other things.
Writing News
Currently, I am working on three different stories:
Christmas in Gracechurch Street: As I am writing this, I have completed chapter 12, and I think I’m quite close to the conclusion. This one has to be my main priority as I am working toward meeting a publishing deadline. I met Lord Matlock recently while writing this story. He’s different than any version of him I have written before, and I have enjoyed him so far. Here’s an excerpt from the story so you can get a feel for what he might be like.
“He is a handsome fellow,” Lord Matlock said. “And so is his bank account. I can see how a young lady might find him worthy of a flirtation.” He looked from Darcy to Richard and back. “What? Am I the only one who listens to Lady Matlock when she talks about who may or may not be a possible match for Georgiana?”
“Apparently so,” Richard answered.
“You really should listen to her more often. You would not believe the things I have learned by doing so.”
“Has she mentioned Hodgkiss?” Darcy asked.
Lord Matlock nodded. “Charming young chap. Fine looking and well-funded.”
“Has she spoken to Georgiana about these things?”
“To whom else would she speak?” Lord Matlock asked in surprise. “She surely was not speaking to me or any of her friends. She would not share such vital information with a potential rival, you see. Why do you ask?”
Look for pre-order information later this month. My tentative publication date is December 10. I have not yet gotten notifications about when some stores begin holiday hours which affect when a book must be uploaded to them by. This information could alter this schedule.
His Sensible Heart: I have had to push pause on the blog posts for this story for a week as I am trying to write enough to be one chapter ahead. I also happened upon a new character in this story in the last chapter I wrote.
“Ah, you are returned.”
Miles turned to find his tutor, Mr. Eyers, had just gained the landing to the floor they were on.
“You were looking for me?” It seemed an odd thing for the man to be looking for Miles when school was in session.
“Yes, I was. I have been here twice today already. I know it was foolish of me to expect you to be in your rooms when the weather begs to be enjoyed and while the term is not yet started. I, too, enjoy a bit of fun when there are no lectures to give.” Tall, stocky Mr. Eyers seemed to fill the corridor both with his presence and the aroma of a lack of soap and an abundance of poorly crafted fragrance.
Does that final sentence that describes Mr. Eyers make you think of any Austen character? If it made you think of Mr. Collins, they give yourself a gold star because he was the character who came to mind when I was thinking about what Mr. Eyers should look like.
Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball: I also had to push pause on the blog posts for this story. If I get my writing time done today, I should be one chapter ahead of what will be posted on the blog this upcoming Thursday. Shall I share a bit about a new character in this story as well? I think I shall. 🙂 Sadly, this character does not yet have a name because I have not gotten to re-reading what I wrote last time I wrote. He will get one today when I go back through this chapter before I schedule it on my blog and Patreon.
As Bingley’s lonely footsteps resounded down the corridor, he became resolved of one thing. A gentleman with a fortune and an estate needed a wife and neighbours to help fill the vast rooms and long corridors with something other than deafening quiet that was only broken by the scurrying of servants.
He shook his head. He was surrounded by people, waiting to fulfill his every request, and yet, he had no one to keep him company. He stopped just inside the billiards room. He was the master; he could remedy his present predicament. He poked his head out the door. “(name),” he called.
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you play billiards?”
“No, sir.”
“Good. Then, I will teach you.”
“Teach me, sir?”
Poor Mr. Bingley is bored, and one of his footmen has been selected to help him remedy that situation. It happens to be the same footman who was enlisted to hold the door to a room so Bingley could do some furniture rearranging. (It seems that one should not leave a bored Bingley unattended. LOL)
Publishing News
Moonlight, Mistletoe, and Mary is now available to purchase.
It is a sweet four-chapter novelette sequel to Matching Mr. Darcy and follows Colonel Fitzwilliam as he dodges mistletoe and matchmakers and attempts to find the right time and place to let the lady he loves know that he loves her.
This novelette has also been added to my welcome library for all new email subscribers, and if you are a current email subscriber, you should have received an email on Monday (November 2, 2020) with a link where you could download a copy of this story.
I am currently doing a final proofread of From Tolerable to Lovely, which was the first Teatime Tale I extended. What started as a short story of less than 2,000 words is now a four-chapter novelette of just under 11,000 words.
The plan is to have this novelette published by November 20, 2020.
If you are a current email subscriber, look for an email with a download link a few days before the publication date. This novelette will become part of the Welcome Library for all new email subscribers to replace the short story collection that I have removed both from publication and as a welcome gift.
Kindle Unlimited
I just wanted to give you a reminder that the Darcy Family Holidays collection leaves Kindle Unlimited today, November 7.
The complete Other Pens series will be gone from Kindle Unlimited by the end of November. Be watching for their publication in other stores.
Touches of Austen remain in Kindle Unlimited until some time after the end of the year. I will give you dates for their exit as I have them.
Links to all books in KU can be found on this page.
Book Promotions
Matching Mr. Darcy is on sale until Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
Click here to see all of the stores where this book is available.
*$0.99 USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, with all other currencies also reduced.
Book Review
Thank you, Patty, for your willingness to read and review Her Convenient Forever. I am delighted that you could feel the emotions of the characters and that you ended up loving the story.
There have been a number of new reviews that have been posted on books in various places recently. There is not time or space enough to list them all here, but I want you all to know that I am so grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts about my books with other readers.
Something Extra (x2)
Tricia, who is part of the Isle of Austen group from Vancouver Island, BC (Canada), sent me this unique gift-giving idea. Jane Austen House Museum is currently raising funds to make some vital repairs to the house which was, at one time, Jane Austen’s home. If you are looking for a non-material gift to give this coming holiday season, why not consider making a donation to the project in the name of a book-lover in your life?
There is a link to a fundraising page at the bottom of the home page, and about halfway down, there is a link to a page to donate for roof tiles. I’m not sharing links directly to the donation pages because there are other interesting things to see on the website, and I don’t want you to miss seeing that. 🙂
Click here to be taken to the museum’s home page.
This is a fun video I recently watched and enjoyed. I hope you find it to be entertaining as well. It is just 5:20 minutes long.
Have a good weekend! Be safe and well. (And maybe read a book 🙂 )
~*~*~
The next Saturday Broadsheet that you will receive will be on December 5, 2020.
MAILING LIST | PATREON | SOCIETY6
Goodness, Leenie. I’m tired just reading this post. Wow! You have been… em… are busy. Goodness. I thank you for the discount… as I greedily grab… I mean… purchase said books. LOL! Blessings, Leenie.
Thanks, J.W. I do seem to keep myself busy even when I don’t plan to. LOL Glad you could make use of the discounts. 🙂