Before we get into the writing news for this week, I wanted to say that I know the past nearly two weeks have been fraught with strife for my American readers, relations, and friends. You have and will continue to be in my prayers, and I want you to know that I will continue to strive, as I always have, to demonstrate through my actions and words my love and respect for you all.
Writing News
So far this week, I have written one chapter of Protecting Miss Darcy. That’s it. That’s all I wrote. 🙂 I hope to have time later today (Friday) to write another chapter of something.
My reason for such a low amount of writing this week was editing. I finished my first round read-through of Matching Mr. Darcy and have sent that off to my sister for her critique.
Publishing News
Sneak peek time!
By this time next week, I expect to have preorder information for Matching Mr. Darcy to share with you. If you’d like to see the book cover and read the first (unfinalized) chapter of this book, you can find both of those things at this link.
Book Promotion
This book is the first book that I ever published, and it begins with four glimpses of Elizabeth Bennet when she is growing up. The first glimpse is of when she was five and met Lord Matlock when he was playing chess with her uncle and she was playing hide and seek with her sister Jane. Below is that short first glimpse.
October 1797
Elizabeth Bennet clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle as the marble rolled across the floor and hit the boot of the finely dressed gentleman sitting in the armchair across from her uncle.
The gentleman’s leg leapt in the air, and he muttered a startled oath as he looked about the floor trying to discover what had thumped his foot.
In her hiding spot behind the velvet draperies, Elizabeth sat as still as a five-year-old girl possibly could. She was sure she was not supposed to be hearing those words. Mama scolded Papa when he said that. She waited, counting to ten before she sent another marble rolling. This time, she could not quite catch her giggle.
Edward Gardiner felt the marble hit his foot and heard the muffled giggle. He smiled and looked at his guest. He gave a little nod of his head toward the window and placed his finger on his lips, indicating that neither of them should pay attention to the wiggling fabric. He studied the chess board which lay on the table between them. Selecting a piece, he made a show of moving it. Holding up a finger to indicate that his opponent should not make a move, he turned back toward the fire and continued the discussion the two men were enjoying.
Elizabeth crept out of her hiding place. Fortunately, the back of her uncle’s armchair was just as tall as she was, so she could stand behind him without being seen.
Cautiously, she reached out her hand and grabbed the chess piece that her uncle had moved. She had just wrapped her fingers around it when she was snatched from behind.
“I caught you.” Edward Gardiner swung Elizabeth around and placed her firmly on his lap.
Elizabeth squealed and laughed. Her eyes sparkled with delight. “What are you up to my little scamp?”
“You were going to lose. You moved the wrong one.” Elizabeth reached over to the table and placed the chess piece in what she considered a better location. “There that is better.”
Elizabeth looked pleased with herself for a moment before concern crossed her face. She placed a small hand on each of her uncle’s cheeks, tipping his face so she could look in his eyes. “Did you mean to lose? Papa does that sometimes when he is playing with Jane.”
Her uncle chuckled. “No, I did not mean to lose. I meant to tempt my tormentor from her hiding place, and it worked.” He gave her nose a little flick. “Matlock, I would like you to meet my niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Bennet’s second daughter. Lizzy, this is Lord Matlock.”
“It is an honour to meet you, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Elizabeth used her most proper voice and bobbed her head instead of a curtsy since her uncle still held her securely within his arms.
“And what is a young lady such as yourself doing hidden away in a study?” asked Lord Matlock. “Should you not be playing games with the other children?”
“But, I am, my lord. I am playing with Jane. I am hiding, and she is looking for me, and since Jane never comes in here, I am going to win.”
“Now, why would Jane not come in here?” Her uncle raised his brows in question.
Elizabeth looked at her hands. “Aunt told us not to disturb you because you were working. But you are not working. You are playing.” She caught the corner of her lower lip in her teeth and turned soft brown eyes up at her uncle.
Her uncle chuckled. “It definitely would appear that way to young eyes, I suppose, but I assure you, we are working. Now, I think you should go back to the nursery before your aunt discovers you here.”
“Yes, Uncle.” Elizabeth slipped off her uncle’s lap and gathered her marbles. She stuffed them in her pocket before dipping a quick curtsy that caused her chocolate brown curls to bounce. Opening the door to the study, she looked up and down the corridor before racing toward the nursery.
It is at this first meeting when the matchmaking Lord Matlock first gets the notion that the precocious young miss and daughter of a friend from his university days might just be the perfect match for his nephew. As he watches her grow over the years, he becomes convinced that he is right. What follows from there is a not-so-chance meeting when the pair are old enough to consider marrying. However, not even Lord Matlock would expect how the match would endanger the lives of both Elizabeth and Georgiana.
You can find Oxford Cottage at your favorite ebook retailer here.
Book Review
So far, His Irreplaceable Belle has three reviews that I have seen on Amazon. (1 on the Canadian site and 2 on the US site). I have shared both Robin H’s and Vesper’s reviews on my Facebook page, but I haven’t shared Texas Bookworm’s review yet. Thank you to all three of you for reading and reviewing His Irreplaceable Belle. I am delighted that you each enjoyed the story, and yes, Texas Bookworm, there will be more books in this series. 🙂
Something Extra
“An excellent walk around the east part of the City of London. By that, I mean the financial district around Liverpool Street and Leadenhall Market. Joolz tells you all about Liverpool Street station, the kinder transport, St Botolph’s Without Bishopsgate, Bedlam, St Mary Axe, The Gherkin, where Shakespeare first lived, the birth of the stock exchange and why a man died because a mouse stole his lunch!”
I thoroughly enjoy these videos (or at least, the ones I have seen so far). They are entertaining and stuffed with interesting little tidbits of London history. This one, I watched before bed Thursday night and plan to share it on my Facebook page and in a few groups next week. However, I decided to share it here first.
For me, the really interesting thing in this video was seeing and hearing about places that I had researched when writing Tom: To Secure his Legacy. If you’ve read that one, you’ll know that the heroine, Faith, is good with numbers and money. She visits the financial district and it is in a coffeehouse where Tom first meets her. (She has met him before, but he doesn’t know that.)
“Throw caution to the wind, indeed!” Faith stepped out of the carriage and stood beside her brother in front of the coffeehouse. Her heart beat a rapid rhythm in her chest just as it always did before she entered the building. Being discovered would not do her any favours.
“Can we be quick?” she implored.
“Do you wish for a cup of coffee?” Robert asked.
“If it can be brought to Mr. Clarke‘s room, yes. Otherwise, no. A little faster, please?”
“Trotting into the establishment would draw more eyes than sauntering.”
“Can we perhaps not saunter but just walk?” She must have made him excessively irritated with her lecture, for he appeared to be enjoying tormenting her with his nonchalance.
“Oh, very well,” he replied with a chuckle. “I shall join you as soon as I have spent a few minutes doing what I do best.”
Faith shook her head as she parted from her brother. Talking. Gabbing. Sharing and hearing whatever bit of gossip there was. That is what Robert considered his duty upon entering the coffeehouse. It did not matter to him that other business-minded gentlemen set straight to work.
“Much can be gleaned from a few moments of conversation,” she muttered to herself. That was what Robert always said. How much he was gleaning was the issue. He rarely returned to her with any news which was truly useful.
“I would agree.”
Faith froze. Her rapidly beating heart leapt into her throat. She had never had to speak to anyone other than Mr. Clarke on the few trips she had made to this establishment. She would box Robert’s ears for this later.
“Tom Bertram,” the gentleman, who had agreed with her, introduced himself.
Faith swallowed. Mr. Bertram needed no introduction. She knew him – intimately – far more intimately than she knew any other gentleman. Not that he knew that.
“Fa – Fredrick Eldridge.” She pitched her voice lower than was normal.
[from Tom: To Secure His Legacy, and yes, Faith has disguised herself by wearing gentleman’s clothing. 🙂 ]
Have a good weekend! Be safe and well. (And maybe read a book 🙂 ) I’ll see you on Monday.
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That excerpt of a very young Elizabeth was so adorable. At five she could already play chess and I loved how Lord Matlock was already matchmaking her for his nephew. How cute. Then we have the video or a walking tour of London. That guy was hilarious. I remember poor Faith and her dressing as a man in order to do business. How sad for her. I really enjoyed that story. Oh-my-goodness, I am behind in my reviews. I am so sorry. Real life has been pretty hectic lately. Thank you for your concerns. I will get caught up soon. Blessings, Leenie and stay safe and healthy.
Oh, don’t feel you have to rush on any reviews. I appreciate them whenever they arrive, and you’re so faithful with them. I nearly found myself rereading Tom’s story while getting this Saturday update ready. Selecting excerpts to share is always dangerous in that way. LOL I hope the rest of your weekend is good.