Tag: Nature’s Fury and Delights

Music Monday: Jane Austen Couples, You and Me (Lifehouse)

Elizabeth laid a hand on her heart and reminded herself to breathe.  He had not been critiquing and criticizing her every movement?  “Miss Bingley holds no place in your heart?”

He chuckled.   “Only as the sister of a friend because she must.  I find her trying, at best.”

Elizabeth tilted her head.  Her brows were still furrowed.  Was there anything she had accurately deciphered about Mr. Darcy?

“There is only you,” he added, stepping just a half step closer to her.

She shook her head.  “I do not know you.”  She gave a half shrug. “I thought I did, but I do not.”

“What do you wish to know?” He clasped his hands behind his back to keep from touching her.

[from Discovering Mr. Darcy]

Published to YouTube by tori2103 on September 14, 2007.

Today, we have two excerpts that go with the song choice. The first, which is at the beginning of this post) is from a place in the story where the hero (Darcy) is finally getting an opportunity (given to him by his scheming aunt and cousin and a locked door) to explain himself to the heroine (Elizabeth). The second, which is at the end of this post) is from a place in the story when both the hero (Gabe) and the heroine (Mary Crawford) are starting to realize that there is only “You and Me” — she’s the only one for him, and he’s the one gentleman who Mary might actually be able to trust with her heart.

Before we get to that excerpt, however, let me tell you what I have been up to in my writing time this past week:

I have begun getting my three Nature’s Fury and Delights short stories (novelettes) ready for publication as it just dawned on me one day that we are almost halfway through November and if I want these out before Christmas, I had better get a move on! 🙂 Time can sometimes slip away from me. 😀 I still have to make some decisions about how to publish and how to brand the covers and such, but the editing is about a third of the way completed.

We only have three posts of Delighting Mrs. Bennet left, and my brain is beginning to work on the story that will follow. I am also beginning to get posts ready for December as I’m taking a little break from the Marrying Elizabeth series and starting that again in January. I am also considering making some changes on the blog — but Thursday stories won’t go away. Wednesday and Monday things might or they might change. I really don’t know at this moment, but I thought I would give you an advance heads up on that. (It’s that time of year when you look back at what has happened and plan for the future. 🙂 )

And finally…drumroll please…I finished the first draft of Mary: To Protect Her Heart. I know there are a few things I need to go back and add in in the last portion of the book, but the story arc is done. It will just creep into novel territory as listed by Romance Writers of America, which is over 40,000 words. I do not have a publication date right now as I am behind on getting the book ready. I am expecting that instead of the end of this month it will be the beginning of next — which means there will be lots of Christmas time Leenie stories to read with this novel and three novelettes, right? 🙂 Sweet things are on their way!

Now, on to…

AN EXCERPT FROM Mary: To Protect Her Heart:  Continue reading Music Monday: Jane Austen Couples, You and Me (Lifehouse)


Music Monday: What Ifs (Kane Brown)

“I agree with Mary and your father,” said Mrs. Gardiner, climbing off the bed. “He cares for you.” She bent and kissed Elizabeth’s forehead. “It will be a good match. I believe that confused look on your face and that fluttering of your heart…” She smiled at the surprise on Elizabeth’s face. “I felt it myself many years ago,” she explained. “It is the beginnings of love. Be brave, my dear Lizzy. Do not let those feelings frighten you, for they can lead to a very happy life for you as they have for me.” 

[from Her Father’s Choice]

Published to YouTube by Kane Brown on May 14, 2017.

One evening, a while back now, as I was pushing a lawnmower around my backyard, the song in the video above came on the radio station I was listening too as I mowed, and I knew as I listened to the lyrics that this was the song for Mary’s story. She was going to need a hero who would maybe appear to be a player but who wouldn’t be. He would be someone she would have to learn to trust. I hadn’t yet conceptualized Mr. Gabreil Durward as he appears in the story, but that moment with the lawnmower and this song was the beginning of that process.

There is an element of trust that accompanies accepting love from someone and giving it in return. One individual places their trust in another that either the love will not be taken away and so it is safe to accept it, or they place their trust in the fact that the person to whom they are offering their love will not disrespect it, crush it, misuse it, or reject it. In the excerpt above the video, Elizabeth is struggling with accepting that Darcy cares for her and that she cares for him.

In the excerpt below the writing news section of this post, Mary Crawford is just at the beginning of possibly trusting a gentleman, Mr. Gabriel Durward, with her heart. In this portion of the story that I am sharing today, we see part of why Mary is so reluctant to trust freely, and we hear Mr. Durward tell her for a second time that he will not let her take on water, which is his way of saying he’ll never hurt her and his way of asking for her trust.

As you read, I hope you can see how the what if questions in the lyrics of today’s song apply to Mary and Gabe.

I only have a little bit of writing news this week.

I have made a good amount of progress on Mary’s story and am continuing to post two chapters per week on Patreon. I am hoping to reach the end of the story this week (fingers crossed), since, on Friday, I put the full evil plan, which will put Mary’s trust to the test and provide our dark moment before the happy ending, into action. 🙂

I finished writing my third short story. This one is called Frosted Windowpanes and is an original story with a Persuasion sort of plot to it.

After some planning and thinking, I have come to the conclusion that the story to follow Delighting Mrs. Bennet will be called Loving Lydia because it is through loving Lydia that Darcy’s objectives (which I cannot fully share at this time although one of them is to help Lydia improve) will be met. Thank you all for leaving your comments last week as those did help me work through this in my mind. 🙂

And now for…

AN EXCERPT FROM Mary: To Protect Her Heart: Continue reading Music Monday: What Ifs (Kane Brown)


Music Monday: Start of Something Good (Daughtry)

Richard rode in silence for a full two minutes before deciding that it was best just to lay out the whole sorry business before his cousin and endure whatever teasing might come. “I am considering selling my commission and applying to my father for the land he has promised me.”

“Have you had your fill of military life or is it more than that?”

Richard rolled his eyes both at the question and the way his cousin was tipping his head and studying him. That look always said that Darcy already knew the answer.  “I do not wish to ask a wife to either follow the drum or wait for whatever remains of me to be returned to her, nor do I wish to leave fatherless children if there should be any such blessings to come our way.”

Richard cast a wary sidelong glance at Darcy, expecting his cousin to have some comment, but Darcy did not. Instead, Darcy just rode on, looking forward with an occasional glance in Richard’s direction.

Richard blew out a breath. “It was likely three or four o’clock this morning when I came to the realization that following a lady around and studying her finer qualities to assure her of her worth was not a good way to keep one’s heart from becoming attached to that lady.”

A lifted brow? That was all the response he was going to get? He sighed. Very well, he would continue as Darcy expected him to do. “In battle, it is good to scout out the enemy, study their tactics, and make notes of their strengths and weaknesses. It is not the same with ladies.”

[from One Winter’s Eve]

Published to YouTube by Daughtry on September 28, 2012.

Well, today I have three excepts for you that contain gentlemen at that moment when they are about to admit that their lives need a lady — a particular lady — in them. The first one is from a book that is already published (above the video), the second (just below this paragraph) is from my new release, and the third is from a current work in progress (at the end of this post) which is currently posting on Patreon.

“Congratulations,” Darcy replied, and then after a moment to ponder Bingley’s words, during which he considered his friend married to the sister of the only lady who had, to this point in his life, captured his attention as none other had ever done, he added, “Do not play with her emotions.”

Bingley scowled at him. “I would not.”

“No, I do not think you would, but you must appear to be above such since if you are found wanting, then I shall also be found wanting, seeing as I am your friend. That is, of course, if we can prove to the younger Mr. Bennet that I am not as reprehensible as my actions have accused me of being.”

Bingley grinned. “You do not wish to be found wanting?”

Darcy shook his head. “I think your advice is excellent. I believe I must marry Miss Elizabeth.”

[from Assessing Mr. Darcy]

So that ^^ is my big news for this week. Assessing Mr. Darcy has been published! Thank you to those who have purchased the book and to who have left reviews.

Now that Assessing Mr. Darcy is published, I must turn my mind toward the next release. Mary: To Protect Her Heart has a “Release Day?” sticky note in my planner for next month. I am working diligently toward that goal, but I  still do not have the first draft completed. Therefore, that sticky note might have to shift a bit. I hope it doesn’t but that is why it is on a sticky note so it can. 🙂

I am also working on my third short story in the Nature’s Fury and Delights collection. I hope that once I have this third story done, I can start releasing them individually and perhaps in a bundle for those who like bundles.

This third story has been more challenging than the others because I am taking elements of Persuasion and inserting them into a new plot with original characters who live in the vicinity of Willow Hall.  It’s the combination of trying to let my imagination run but with a few boundaries that has created the challenge.

New (original) characters and plots take a different sort of effort compared to writing a story with familiar characters (such as Darcy and Elizabeth) because you have to establish who these new characters are and why a reader should care for them.  There is also the need to create the source of trouble for the hero and heroine. In a Pride and Prejudice inspired story starring Darcy and Elizabeth, there are some handy villains one can always call up on to stir things up. Not so in an original work. 🙂 And honestly, that’s the part that had me thinking hard this week. I think I have it sorted out, however. This week’s writing sessions will test the veracity of that statement. 🙂

I want to say thanks to pedmisson, who left a comment on last week’s Music Monday, because the characters and the estate in this short story now have names. 🙂 Yay! (I can now stop calling the hero Mr. Bob because he’s Patrick Mullins.]

The next project that is written in my planner is to start the next Thursday’s Three Hundred story. I have two titles I am kicking around at present. They are Loving Lydia and Improving Miss Lydia. It will depend on the direction of the goals and motivations in the story and what the end result should be, and I won’t know that until I get elbow deep into it. But, I’d love to know which title you would pick. Just drop your choice in the comments. [To clarify, this story will be like Confounding Caroline and Delighting Mrs. Bennet. It will feature our dear couple as they move along the path to wedded bliss, but Lydia will be involved in some fashion as part of whatever it is that has to be overcome << that’s vague, huh? purposefully vague]

That’s all the writing news I have for you today, so now, that third excerpt I mentioned above.

AN EXCERPT FROM Mary: To Protect Her Heart:   Continue reading Music Monday: Start of Something Good (Daughtry)


Music Monday: Burn the Ships (For King and Country)

“Let me put a point on it for you, my dear sister. Had I not attended that last party at your persuasion and had I gone to Norfolk as I had planned, we might both be happily married. But,” he dropped her hand and held up a finger to mark his point, “you wished for me to see Mrs. Rushworth. You thought there would be great entertainment in it. Do not cast this debacle at Fanny’s feet. She was the only one in this whole sorry tale who was without guile. She refused me because she knew I was not worthy of her, and I was not — as anyone who reads a paper or sits in a drawing room with a cup of tea knows, I was not. And with that blackness attached to my name, I shall have a difficult enough go of it trying to find a lady of substance to accept me. To throw myself back into the society I kept before…” He shrugged and shook his head. “It would be foolish. Therefore, I will gladly welcome you and your friends at soirees such as this, but I will not be accepting any invitations to private parties, save for those held by Dr. and Mrs. Grant. I will call on them next week after I am truly settled in town.” He bowed to the gaping women and hastened out into the corridor.

[from Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy]

Published to YouTube by ForKingAndCountry on October 4, 2018.

Talk about cutting ties and burning the ship! Henry knew that he had to cut ties with his former life if he wished to make a lasting change. His sister Mary is going to have to do the same before she can be free to become her best self. Jane Austen tells us at the end of Mansfield Park:

…and Mary had had enough of her own friends, enough of vanity, ambition, love, and disappointment in the course of the last half-year, to be in need of the true kindness of her sister’s heart, and the rational tranquillity of her ways.

In the excerpt that follows my writing news, Mary has gotten to the point of having had enough of her friends, enough of vanity, ambition, love, and disappointment, and she is ready to move on with new friends toward a happier, more contented life.

That is why I have selected today’s music video. I think the song expresses the concept quite well.

But, before we get to that excerpt, let me give you a few updates about what’s happening in my writing life.

First, Assessing Mr. Darcy is available for pre-order. ARC copies will be sent out to my mailing list and Leenie’s Sweeties Facebook Group today, and my $2 patrons will receive their copy of the story.  Assessing Mr. Darcy will go live on Friday, October 26, 2018 (a day later than I had expected but as early as I could schedule it with one of my distributors). Tomorrow, I will have an Austen Authors post with an excerpt and a giveaway for this book.

Second, I have started a new short story set during December and in the Willow Hall world. This story will feature original characters who are part of the community that surrounds Willow Hall and Kympton, and there will be at least one cameo appearance by a couple of Willow Hall characters. I am also hoping to give it just a touch of Persuasion flavour as there has been a rejection and a separation of lovers before the story begins.  I still need to name the main characters (both the guy and gal) as well as the estate that the hero has inherited.

Third, Mary’s story has reached about the halfway point — I think. I will start posting this story on Patreon this week (hopefully today). I did a lot of research this last week for this story since Gabe is not just your standard landed gentleman but rather a fellow who is in trade, was born in India to a Company man, and now owns his own business and partners in backing privateers. And those are all new to me things to weave into the backstory and character of a hero.

And I think that is all the writing news I have for today. So, now we can get to that excerpt where Mary set a new course for her life by leaving her old friends behind.

AN EXCERPT FROM Mary: To Protect Her Heart: Continue reading Music Monday: Burn the Ships (For King and Country)


Music Monday: When You Walk In (Home Free)

Anne looked at her aunt.  “Did my mother ever love my father?”

Lady Sophia shook her head.  “I do not know, my dear.  I certainly never saw it.  There was an admiration and concern, but nothing of the giving of one’s very soul to the other as I had with my husband.”  She sighed.  “That is where the issue lay — not with rank or fortune.  Do you understand?”

Anne nodded.

“I do,” said Alex stepping around the hedge. “A man or woman who loves another completely would not allow harm to come to the one they love, no matter the source.”

Anne gasped, and her lips trembled as tears sprang to her eyes at the sight of him.

Lady Sophia stood and after a quick word of greeting and a whispered comment to Alex, left the two alone.  Alex took the place on the bench which had just been vacated by Anne’s aunt.

“You came,” Anne whispered.

[from Her Heart’s Choice]

Published to YouTube on June 29, 2018, by Home Free.

I have two “walking in” moments for you today to go with this song. The first one, above,  comes nearly at the end of the story after it seems all hope of the hero and heroine ever getting together has been lost. The second, in the story excerpt at the end of this post, comes in the second chapter of the story when the hero first meets the heroine.  There were many moments of meeting from previous stories that I could have shared. It was difficult to pick just one.

Now, before I get to sharing that second moment of meeting, I have some rather exciting story news for you.

First, I finished the first draft of my second short story. This one is an alternate first meeting between Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon that has Marianne being rather smitten from the beginning. It is called Morning Mist, and I hope to have it ready to release with a couple of other stories in December. I just need to write a couple more before then. 😀

Second, Assessing Mr. Darcy will be on preorder before the day is out. It’s expected release date is October 25, 2018. The story will finish posting on Patreon this week, and I hope to start posting it on darcyandlizzy.com.  I have just gotten my final edits back, and as soon as I have those taken care of, I will be sending out an email to my mailing list with a limited number of advance reader copies. Things were slowed down just a little as I was sick this past week and organizing a preorder and all those sorts of activities were not as easy as just sitting still and playing with my imaginary friends (aka writing). That’s why the short story is done already. 🙂 It also means I was able to make progress with Mary Crawford’s story. So, while some parts of being ill were not great (the watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, fever, and so on), others were rather pleasant as I am really enjoying getting into Mary’s story and telling Marianne’s story was a real treat.

I think that is all the news I have for you today, which means now it is time to meet the hero of Mary’s story and allow him to meet her in…

AN EXCERPT FROM Mary: To Protect Her Heart: Continue reading Music Monday: When You Walk In (Home Free)