The May 2024 Saturday Broadsheet

With this edition of my monthly Broadsheet, I am going to start posting the full thing here rather than just sharing a link to read it on Substack, since it’s just a matter of copy and pasting it here. I do also post this on Substack, Patreon, and Ream Stories.

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May 11, 2024

Has it been a month already since the last Saturday Broadsheet?

My! Time sure seems to fly sometimes.

I’ve been busy with life and writing things, so that’s probably why it seems like only a couple of weeks ago that I was writing my previous Broadsheet.

Unfortunately, not all the busyness was pleasant. My father-in-law was suddenly moved from home care to palliative care and then, died shortly after that. So, there was a lot of dreading the sound of a phone call and then, the proceedings that accompany a funeral. And now, there are some matters that must be sorted through as happens when someone dies. But he is no longer sick or in pain, and his funeral was lovely and as hope-filled as such a thing can be since he requested that it focus on Jesus and not on him.

In my writing life, I’m starting to get settled into a schedule that allows for me to write a bit on several projects at once. I used to work on multiple stories at one time, but then, I hit some burnout and then, I got long covid, which I still am struggling with. So, I’m so very happy to be able to take even small steps towards a return to a new form of normal. (I’m trying to keep things low and slow to avoid set backs or finding myself feeling burnt out again.)

As you will see below, the new schedule has helped me reach the point of being able to share my Sweet Possibilities work in progress with my members and patrons. That means I’m at least four chapters into the writing process. You’ll also notice below that a few chapters will be available as a preview to non-paying followers.

The funeral has me one week behind on getting into the Oxford Cottage refresh. I would really like to be able to start sharing the refreshed chapters on Thursdays on my blog, Patreon, and Ream by the end of June. Just like with the new stories I write and share, I also like to be a few chapters ahead when it comes to doing refresh projects. Honestly, refreshing a book can be more challenging than writing from scratch. But it’s so nice to have the stories get another polish, and the process is a good exercise for my writing muscles.

Because I am just opening up Oxford Cottage and getting ready to refresh it, this month’s story vignette goes with that novel. So look for that at the end of this newsletter.

NOW POSTING IN THE REPOSITORY AND ON PATREON

The first early access chapter of this story posted for everyone (followers or non followers) to read yesterday. This story is a Patreon and Repository exclusive story. So, that’s where you will find it posted. Only in those two places. I did set the first chapter to be open to everyone to read as a preview. Chapters 2 and 3 will be free to read as an extended preview for all followers (paid and unpaid) on both platforms, and then from chapter 4 until the story ends, you’ll either have to be a Repository member or a Patron to continue reading.

IN THE TEAROOM

It was Zoe Burton’s turn to post in the The Sigh-worthy Romance Tearoom this month. She shared about how she enjoyed the solar eclipse with friends.

eBOOK DEALS

These are the deals you will find on my Book Promotions page HERE. « Go here to find links to stores, etc.

Her Secret Beau is book 3 in my Touches of Austen series of original sweet Regency romances that nod (deliberately) to Miss Austen’s work. This novel has a few nods to Northanger Abbey and a couple to Sense and Sensibility. Will you notice them as you read? Or will you see other nods that aren’t mentioned here?

This book is 99c in USD, CAD, NZD, AUD, EUR, and GBP, with all other currencies also reduced. It is available for purchase on a whole host of retailers and included in your the Everand or Kobo Plus subscription and is included in my Sweet Regency Reads Repository at Ream Stories for all Repository Members to read. (Links for all that are on the Book Promo page of my website.)

Speaking of Ream…

Follow me on Ream to read this book for FREE this month. (This book is also free to read this month if you follow me on Patreon.)

SOMETHING NEW TO READ

Oxford Cottage begins with four scenes of Elizabeth as she grows up that are called “The Path to Oxford Cottage.” One of those scenes is when she visits Pemberley as a young teen. She makes quite the impression on the elder Mr. Darcy. The short vignette below is of Mr. Darcy having a conversation with his wife’s memory about meeting Elizabeth.

Enjoy!

George Darcy put down his pen, picked up his glass of wine, rose from his place, and crossed the room to the door that opened to a small balcony. He leaned against the door frame and looked across Pemberley’s park in the direction of his wife’s grave. He lifted his glass to her before he took a sip.

“I have started a new project, my dear. Time is of the essence on this one since it is not something that I wish to leave unfinished – at least, I do not wish to have my part left undone. It will not be complete when I join you, but then, I don’t expect it to ever be complete.”

He chuckled and took another sip of his wine. “I can see the expression you used to wear when you thought I might have lost my mind. I assure you that I have not.”

He took another sip of his drink and pulled a miniature of his wife from the breast pocket of his dressing gown. “I started writing a book. It will be a collection of tales from my youth and the early days of our family. You will be in it, of course. You are in everything I do. Oh, you may not have had an actual hand in any of it, but you are never far from my mind when I make decisions.”

He swirled the wine in his glass as he remembered the first time he saw his precious Anne. “Do you remember how your brother introduced us?” He shook his head. “I was late, and you had begun to wonder if I would make an appearance at the ball or not.”

An image of a pretty young lady taking a seat in front of his desk earlier today popped into his mind, chasing away the shadows of young couples dancing at Matlock House. “He introduced me to the lady he thinks will take your place as mistress of Pemberley. No, I am not marrying. I am far too unwell to consider such a thing, and I have no desire to do so even if I was well. You were my one and only love.” His head bobbed from side to side. “Perhaps I would have taken a second wife as a companion in my later years, but we will never know that now, will we, since I am already in my final days?”

He drained the liquid from his glass and returned it to the small table that stood near the fire in his bed chamber. Anne had been the one to insist upon placing this piece of furniture here. This was where she often wrote in her diary at the end of the day, which is why he now was writing his book here. It was also where they would sit and talk as they played cards or chess in the evening.

“Remember how you taught Fitzwilliam the names of all the chess pieces here?” He could still see his son’s furrowed brow and serious look as he attempted to learn each name on the first try. Fitzwilliam had always been diligent and eager to please his mother.

Matlock had the right of it. A less serious sort of lady would be a perfect counterweight for him. Especially a less serious, but still quite intelligent, young lady, who was a great reader and excellent chess player.

“She came to call on me and wait for her father.” He chuckled and then coughed. The two actions had been going together a lot lately. “Actually, she came to make a delivery. Do not worry. She is a gentleman’s daughter. Do you remember my stories about Bennet – my friend from Oxford? She’s his daughter and so much like him – though much prettier. Ah! Her eyes dance, my dear. She is lively and has a quick wit. She overruled Mrs. Reynolds about tea and sent Wilkinson to summon us to join her before the tea was lukewarm and only good for watering the roses.” Again, he chuckled and coughed.

“She is perfect, my dear. Precisely right for Fitzwilliam I saw her heart on full display a couple of times in our brief meeting. I would venture that there is not a cruel bone in her body – unless, perhaps, if she is provoked. I heard a tale about her tricking Lawrence into a tree and leaving him there over his treatment of a kitten.” The thought of the viscount being stranded on a tree branch still made him smile and shake his head. That young man still needed reminding about what was proper. “She will care for our home and our children – both of them – very well.”

He settled into his chair and placed the miniature of his wife on his knee as he continued speaking. “I wish you could have met her. Her name is Elizabeth. I know you would have liked her, but I doubt your sister Catherine will be as welcoming.” He sighed. “She has captured my heart in an afternoon, and Matlock has doted on her for years. I just pray our son will be as easily swayed, but then, I suppose I should not worry so much. Your brother is quite the matchmaker. He will see to it.” He lifted the miniature to his lips and kissed it before placing it on the table next to his empty wine glass. “There never was a better match he made than you and me.” He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. “Unless Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth marry. I can see that match being just as good as ours.”

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