Those four words are soooo dangerous! I have a dreadful time stopping anywhere before the end of a book — I always have. These four words played a part in what I did and did not get done this week. 🙂
Writing Life
Due, in part, to some poor choices on my part 😉 — see the info about reading past my bedtime at the bottom of this newsletter — I got less written this week than I had wanted.
The other part of the not getting as much done as wanted is that with all the things I am doing this year and things I have been learning about and experimenting with, I am finding my writing process is shifting somewhat. I used to reread what was written the day before and then jump right into the new chapter.
Clicking this image will take you to the Historical Romance 40% off page where my book is listed. Use the code FEBSALE at check out for the discount.
Kobo has included Persuading Miss Mary in its February 40% off sale! So from now until Monday is a fantastic time to pick this book up if you are a Kobo reader. You must use the code FEBSALE at checkout to take advantage of the special pricing.
About the book:
Reginald Arthur Fitzwilliam, Viscount Westonbury, has never met a lady like Mary Bennet. Most debutants would be happy to have his attention, and who could blame them? He’s titled, wealthy, charming, and handsome — everything one could want for in a husband unless you’re Mary Bennet.
From their first meeting when she scolded him for his behaviour and made it perfectly clear that she did not care one jot for his title or fortune, Wes has known that Mary is no standard-order, ton-approved debutant. She is something far better. She is a lady who sees him for himself and not his accouterments.
However, there are two things that Mary Bennet absolutely despises — a flagrant disregard for the rules of propriety and disrespect, and Lord Westonbury, who has treated her sisters ill, embodies both. She would rather he ignored her, but sadly he seems bent on provoking her at every turn. It is, therefore, with trepidation that her father allows her to accompany her sister to town.
When Wes discovers that his mother is hosting Mary and her sister at Matlock House, he sets about the task of persuading Mary that he is not so bad as she thinks, for he would dearly love to court her. However, he will soon discover that even his charm is not going to be enough to sway her. She demands more than pretty words, which will require him to take a serious look at his life of pleasure and weigh it against those demands and his growing love for her. But can he make the necessary changes to prove his devotion, and if he can make them, will they be enough? Or will he always be found wanting in her eyes?
You may like to also know:
Persuading Miss Mary is book four in my Marrying Elizabeth series and was a Thursday’s Three Hundred weekly work in progress before it was published. Book 5 of that series is now posting on Thursdays.
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY THE TENORS VEVO ON OCTOBER 7, 2015.
When I heard this song a couple of weeks ago, a short scene from Listen to Your Heart sprang to mind. It’s only a few paragraphs long and comes at the end of Chapter 14. Because this is nearing the end of the book (the novel has 17 chapters) and, therefore, contains spoilers, and because it is a rather long chapter, I have only excerpted a portion of the beginning of the chapter, then indicated a break with three dots and continued with the short but sweet reunion between Cranfield and Lady Catherine. Hopefully, I have kept the most critical spoilers from appearing here, but as always, read at your own risk. (And remember, this book is on sale everywhere for 99c or so until February 15, 2020.)
Listen to Your Heart, Chapter 14 Excerpt
“Cranfield.” Lord Matlock clapped the man on the shoulder in a welcoming fashion as he entered the dower house. “A word, if you do not mind.” Noting the look of suspicion on the man’s face, he added, “A friendly word.” He chuckled. “My wife constantly reminds me I need to spend time on small talk and pleasantries. She says neglecting them makes people uneasy.”
“She would be right.” The right side of Cranfield’s mouth curved up into a half smile.
“My apologies.” Lord Matlock motioned for Cranfield to enter the room ahead of him before turning to Bingley and Darcy. “I believe you will find your ladies, as well as the rest of the guests, in the garden.” Bingley took a step toward the sitting room, but Lord Matlock held up his hand and lowered his voice. “You have nothing to fear, my boy. I have a family apology to make, and I believe a reunion would be better in private.”
“Right,” agreed Bingley and followed Darcy toward the garden.
Lord Matlock closed the door gently. “My father was wrong.”
Cranfield gave a small snort of laughter. “You do not circle a topic, do you?”
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY HOME FREE ON OCTOBER 19, 2018.
By the end of the excerpt below, Richard is feeling as upbeat and free as today’s song choice — and it is all thanks to the lady standing with him. This is a proposal scene, and as you can see from the header below, it happens in chapter 5. That seems a bit soon, now doesn’t it? Let’s just say that by the scene right after this (as in the second half of this chapter) that happy, upbeat, free feeling is about to get burst in a most distressing fashion. But for now, let’s just focus on the happy, ok?
Sometime later that day, after the sun was gone and the darkness of night had fallen, Richard stood before the Gardiners’ home, waiting to be allowed entry. He did not wait long, for the door was opened nearly before the sound of his knock had faded. Giving his name along with his hat and coat to the servant, he again waited, this time in the hall, to be introduced. He took note of his surroundings with an eager eye. This was the home of a well-to-do merchant, and as such, it was the sort of living arrangements he might hope to one day have for himself.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, a pleasure to see you, sir. A pleasure.” Mr. Gardiner greeted him with a firm handshake and motioned for him to have a seat. “Dinner will be served shortly. Might I offer you a drink while you wait? A bit of wine perhaps?”
“My husband prides himself on his wine selections, Colonel,” said Mrs. Gardiner with a laugh. “It would do you well to enjoy it.”
“Then I shall,” said Richard, taking a seat near Kitty, who smiled and gave a brief greeting.
“My wife and niece tell me that you are thinking of stepping down from the first circles of society to join my realm.” Mr. Gardiner handed Richard a glass of wine. “I shall refill it for your supper. No need to sip like a lady, so to speak,” he said with a wink.
^^That’s not the most creative title, is it? 🙂 I was running low on creativity when it came time to create this blog post. The clock just rolled past midnight here — which means it is now Saturday in Nova Scotia as I write this. I’m pretty sure that has a lot to do with why my creativity is running low.
Writing News
This week, with the help of a friend, I managed to add another chapter to both His Irreplaceable Belle and Marrying Elizabethbook 5. These chapters were not easy ones for me to write — not because the content of them was challenging but because I felt stuck, which, I think, happens at least once with every story. There were a few questions I needed to answer before moving on. This is where my very patient friend, Zoe Burton, helped me by being a sounding board when I needed to talk through some details. She also helped me come up with a possible title out of a long list of options for Marrying Elizabethbook 5.
No, I have not yet started that third writing project. Maybe I’ll get some planning done this coming week? Maybe. 🙂
Publishing News
There’s nothing new here. Just a reminder that Her Secret Beau is now available in the Kindle store for purchase or to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one of those.
Book Promotions
Listen to Your Heart (ebook edition) will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020. This sale is across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced. Continue reading The Saturday Broadsheet for February 1, 2020
