Today, I am resharing this video that I made for my series of Pride and Prejudice Novellas called Choices. This series is now available on Kindle, iBooks, and Nook as a bundle at a very good price. It will be available on Kobo as soon as I hear back on a technical issue I had during the publishing process.
CONNECTION BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:
Finally Mrs. Darcy goes “live” this Wednesday. So, that must mean I am working on something new, right? Absolutely! I am always working on some story.
Right now, I am several thousand words into Waking to Mr. Darcy, and I am going to share the first bit of that first draft with you because it answers the question “Where do the good boys go to hideaway?”
EXCERPT FROM Waking to Mr. Darcy:
“Rude! That is what my sisters are.” Bingley placed another piece of wood none too gently on the pile he and Darcy were making near the fireplace. “They were barely civil to Mrs. Bennet and spoke not word to any of the Misses Bennet, save Miss Elizabeth.” He gave a harsh laugh. “And they only spoke to her when absolutely necessary and with such a superior air!” He stomped out the door, to the wood pile, and back into the cabin. “I have a mind to send them both off with Hurst. Let him deal with them. Not that he would know much of what they were about since he is constantly in his cups.”
Darcy closed the door to the small hunting cabin and shrugged out of his overcoat. “Have you considered that their lack of civility is not fully unwarranted?”
“Out!” Bingley pointed to the door. “I have escaped to this cabin to be rid of such sentiments. You may go spread your vitriol with my sisters. Caroline would be delighted.”
Darcy winced at the thought of spending time with Caroline and grimaced a second time as he realized that his friend was comparing him to that very lady. “Let me explain,” he began.
“I have no desire to hear about the Bennets being of low standing.” Bingley knelt before at the hearth applying himself to the starting of a fire. The November evening air was cool and damp. “Mr. Bennet is a gentleman.” He turned his head to look at Darcy. “A gentleman ─ born that way.”
“He is married to trade.”
Bingley growled something at the tinder and was then silent.
Darcy watched him work for a moment and then satisfied that the fire was about to start, went in search of two cups and a bottle of brandy. “How many days worth of supplies did you have them deliver?”
“Five.” Bingley took the bottle of brandy from Darcy and doubled the amount Darcy had poured for him. “I am not certain how long it will be before I am willing to see my sisters again.” He peered over his cup with raised brows. “The same will be said for you if you continue with your disparagements of the Bennets.” Continue reading Music Monday: Hide Away – Period Drama Music Video
This Wednesday on Austen Authors, we will be concluding our read along of Lady Susan. Next up is Emma. I admit that I am not overly familiar with this novel. I have only read it once and that was a long time ago, so I look forward to the reintroduction to the story. I would love to see you join us on this reading journey. Along with the discussion thread on the Austen Authors Writer’s Block Forum, you can often find my thoughts as I read on Twitter following the #AuAuReadAlong, and you can add your own thoughts to the discussion using that hashtag as well.
THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:
Twenty-four years ago today, this song was one of several that comprised the prelude music at my wedding. It may seem a strange choice to have The Holly and The Ivy played at a wedding in June, but there was a reason.
My husband and I met at college. The first “off campus” date (other than taking a walk or going rollerskating) was to see A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. It was a special night, and this song reminds me of that night.
Another thing that this song reminds me of is the time of year when my boyfriend finally made me “officially” his fiance. We had known we would marry for some time, but it was on COLD winter’s night during our Christmas holidays from teaching, as we took a short walk in a park, that he asked me to marry him.
And that brings us almost to the story excerpt from a book published one year ago today — For Peace of Mind. The dedication of this book reads:
To my husband, the love of my heart
It is the first book I dedicated to him, but not the last. He is the hero of my love story and as such really could have every book dedicated to him since he is the one who has taught me what it is to be loved truly and completely. And it is his support and belief in me that has led (or is that pushed 😉 ) me into publishing my stories and continuing to follow my passion for writing.
Ok, now to the excerpt. This is the scene where Darcy, on a cool night in December, takes Elizabeth for a short walk in the garden at Netherfield and makes their betrothal official.
EXCERPT FROM For Peace of Mind:
Elizabeth pulled her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders and rubbed her injured arm as she watched the carriages pull away from the front of the house.
“Are you well?” asked Darcy. “Is your arm paining you?”
“I am well, Fitzwilliam. My arm is just a little sore from yesterday.”
“Yesterday?”
“We have a small Feast of Stephen for the staff at Longbourn each year. The ladies of the house prepare the meal. I think my arm is just sore from the stirring and washing. Nothing a bit of rest and Charlotte’s tea will not cure. Do not worry, sir.” She laced her arm through his and snuggled closer to him than was entirely proper.
“It is a warm night for December,” commented Darcy. “Would you care for a quick turn around the side garden? It is in view of the drawing room.”
“I would like that very much, sir. I was getting tired of sitting in the same attitude for so long and since Miss Bingley is not here to escort me about the drawing-room, I shall have to fall on your mercy.”
Darcy laughed. “I am glad Miss Bingley is not here, Elizabeth.”
“As am I.”
They had come to a bend in the path leading past a stand of tall bushes surrounding a sitting area. Darcy pulled Elizabeth off the path and behind the bushes. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her gently. Stepping back he reached into his pocket and drew something out.
“I spoke to your father.”
Delight filled her eyes, but he placed a finger on her lips so he could continue without interruption.
“My love, you hold my heart. Though I faltered in my behaviour and disparaged with my words upon our first meeting, I believe you have held it since then, and it shall never truly be mine again ─ nor do I ever wish to have it returned.” He opened his hand revealing a band of gold engraved on the outside with entwined hearts and flowers. “Elizabeth Bennet, would you do me the honour of standing at the end of a court under a gauge with me and promise to be my wife?”
She placed her hand on top of his open one. She blinked back tears and nodded. “Fitzwilliam Darcy, I love you with every piece of my being and shall continue to do so for as long as I live. I would be honoured to be your wife.”
“My father gave this ring to my mother on their betrothal. It is inscribed. Love of my heart.” He placed the ring on her finger and a kiss on her hand before drawing her to him and giving her a long and passionate kiss.
“Are you cold?” he asked when he felt her shiver in his arms.
“No,” she said softly, “But I think we should go inside anyway.”
“Is something wrong?” asked Darcy in concern.
“Nothing a marriage will not fix, sir.” Elizabeth gave his hand a tug, urging him to follow her back to the house. “Might I suggest a short engagement,” she threw over her shoulder.
“Oh,” was all Darcy said as he followed behind her, a very satisfied look upon his face.
~*~*~
For Peace of Mind is available for purchase from the following vendors:
KOBO AMAZON NOOK iBOOKS 24SYMBOLS INKTERA
THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:
Brian Crain’s music often plays while I am writing. This week it was on nearly every day. There are so many of his songs that I absolutely love, and when it comes time to make a little video trailer for a book, I go to his collection to choice the background music. It has, after all, been the background music while I have written and edited. This week, I decided to make a quick video for my Choices series, and since each hero and heroine finds a true love and a kindred spirit, I had to use this song. So above, it the full song and below is the trailer I made which uses part of this song. I hope you enjoy it!
ABOUT THE SERIES:
This series is a re-imagining of Jane Austen’s classic tale, Pride and Prejudice. When Mr. Bennet makes a choice to help his eldest daughters find happiness, he sets off a chain of events that will affect the lives of all his daughters and many of Darcy’s relatives. Enjoy the stories as a Fitzwilliam family secret unfolds, new loves are formed in the face of opposition, and an old love is rekindled.
Music: Kindred Spirits by Brian Crain. Used with permission.
Find all four novellas at these ebook-sellers:
Nook: http://buff.ly/1NA4k5j
Kindle: http://buff.ly/1NA3Yvp
iBook: http://buff.ly/1NA4aLb
Kobo: http://buff.ly/1NA4slc