Hey, Everyone! I'm delighted to be part of the Then Comes Winter Blog Tour! I'm super excited to have the lovely Sophia Rose as a guest today on So little time...
Hello Candy and the readers of So Little Time...!
I am tickled to be here today for this stop on the tour while watching the flurries from my warm chair by the fire. I’ve followed Candy’s blog for a few years now and enjoyed her posts and reviews. I’ve added so many books to my TBR pile after reading her reviews. #ReaderGirlProblems Right?
Today I get to be on the other side and introduce you all to a darling cozy holiday short story anthology, Then Comes Winter, in which my own short story is featured. Okay, well to be exact, I’m sharing a little snippet from my story to whet your appetites. ;)
In my modern New Adult romance retelling of Northanger Abbey, I set my story, ‘North for the New Year’ at Lake Tahoe (California/Nevada) during the New Year’s. My Mr. Henry Tilney and Miss Catherine Morland are updated to be Chris and Cate and like Miss Jane’s original pair these two begin their journey to love on the dance floor.
Enjoy a bit from their first meeting:
Chris led them out to the hotel patio looking toward the lake. It was crisp and cold, but it felt refreshing after the stuffiness of the ballroom. He looked up at the starry night sky, breathed deeply of Tahoe’s clean air, and then looked at her.
“You should know that you’re utterly irresistible when you stare at me like I’m the most devastatingly handsome man in the ballroom and give me such compliments on my dancing.”
“Ha, ha. But I was speaking the truth…and besides you complimented me first by saying I was a good dancer.” Smirking, she said, “And you’re not devastatingly handsome. That’s Justin. You are, however, very charming.”
Chris broke into a laugh.
He darted a glance around and whispered, “It’s tradition to kiss at New Year’s, you know?”
Grinning, he then leaned towards her slowly.
“Glad you’re not one to buck tradition.” Cate rose up on her toes to meet his lips.
Chris’s kiss was soft and tentative, lingering a moment before pulling back. They swayed to the music drifting out to the terrace. Cate had been kissed before, but this was the first time she understood how a girl could go all weak in the knees. Fireworks lit up the night along the shore of the lake, matching the ones going off inside her. Chris wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him, and cupped her cheek in his other hand. His eyes closed as he kissed her again. She brushed her hand up his silk-clad back. He smiled against her lips as his eyes opened. After the kiss ended, she put her head on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. When the music stopped, Chris slowly moved away, and she reluctantly stepped back too. He kissed the tip of her nose and led her back inside.
I had a good time writing about Chris and Cate, and I hope you get the chance to read their full story which has a few bumps along the way.
Out of curiosity, have you read the original Northanger Abbey or seen one of the movie adaptions? Did you like it? Anyone a Mr. Tilney over a Mr. Darcy fan? Does Catherine beat out Emma for you? Haha! Do share! Loved to know your thoughts.
Sophia’s bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate. Writing has been a compelling need since childhood. Being published is a dream come true.
If you want to connect with me, these are the places I hang out most on social media:
GoodReads • Facebook • Twitter • Delighted Reader (romance book reviews as associate reviewer)
Thanks for your hospitality, Candy!
It was my pleasure to have you here, Sophia Rose! To be the first to answer your questions, yes, I've read the original Northanger Abby, and no, I do not take Mr. Tilney over Mr. Darcy! Lol! I'm not sure whom I like better, Catherine or Emma, but I do prefer the story Northanger Abby over Emma.
Then Comes Winter holiday anthology blog tour
Edited by Christina Boyd
Authors Beau North & Brooke West, Melanie Stanford, Natalie Richards, Erin Lopez, Sophia Rose, Anngela Schroeder, Suzan Lauder, Maureen Lenker, Denise Stout, Linda Gonschior, and Lory Lilian
Edited by Christina Boyd
Authors Beau North & Brooke West, Melanie Stanford, Natalie Richards, Erin Lopez, Sophia Rose, Anngela Schroeder, Suzan Lauder, Maureen Lenker, Denise Stout, Linda Gonschior, and Lory Lilian
Book Blurb:
“Then comes Winter with bluster and snow, that brings to our cheeks the ruddy glow…” Gertrude Tooley Buckingham
If you long for a toasty snuggle on a cold winter’s night, this compilation of original short stories inspired by the magic of the holiday season—and more than a nod to Jane Austen—is fancied as a sublime wintertime treat. On the heels of the summer anthology, Sun-kissed: Effusions of Summer, and in concert with some of Meryton Press’s most popular authors, this romantic anthology introduces more promising writers. With a robust mix of contemporary and Regency musings, Then Comes Winter rekindles passionate fires with equal wonder, wit, and romance.
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads.
FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!
Then Comes Winter blog tour schedule
11/30: Guest Post & Giveaway at FLY HIGH
12/1: Excerpt & Giveaway at So Little Time…
12/2: Character Interview & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged
12/3: Excerpt & Giveaway at Jennifer Vido
12/4: Guest Post & Giveaway at Liz’s Reading Life
12/5: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars
12/6: Guest Post & Giveaway at Delighted Reader
12/7: Review at Just Jane 1813
12/8: Review at Babblings of a Bookworm
12/9: Review at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice
12/10: Review at From Pemberley to Milton
12/11: Review at Diary of an Eccentric
12/12: Excerpt & Giveaway at The Calico Critic
12/13: Review at Margie’s Must Reads
12/14: Author/Character Interview & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews
12/15: Author Feature at Songs and Stories
12/16: Author Feature & Giveaway at Tome Tender
12/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at Chick Lit Plus
12/17: Author Feature & Giveaway at Skipping Midnight
* * * GIVEAWAY * * *
It's giveaway time! Meryton Press is doing a group giveaway! There are FOUR paperbacks and FOUR e-copies up for grabs, and EIGHT different people will win! Giveaway is open Internationally! To enter, fill in the Rafflecopter below and leave a comment.
- Only one copy of Then Comes Winter per winner.
- Winners picked randomly by Rafflecopter at the end of the Blog Tour.
- Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once a day and daily commenting on a blog post for the tour. Entrants must provide the name of the blog where they commented (which will be verified). If an entrant does not do so, that entry will be disqualified.
- Open Internationally.
Many thanks to Meryton Press, Jakki @ Leatherbound Reviews, Christina Boyd, Sophia Rose, and all the authors of Then Comes Winter!
Remember, to enter the giveaway you MUST fill out the Rafflecopter (shown above) and leave a comment below. If you need help entering, email me by clicking on the email icon at the top of the sidebar. Don't forget to visit other stops on the tour! Thanks and good luck! :)
Thanks for hosting me, Candy!
ReplyDeleteOh how nice you made my scraps and pieces look for a blog post. :)
Oho, a Darcy fan, but Northanger edges out Emma. I look forward to seeing what everyone says to these questions.
DeleteHi, Sophia Rose! You are so welcome here! That's the fun (and sometimes the frustrating) part of blogging! Making the page look pretty! :)
DeleteIt's been a busy day for me, and I just sat down and read all the comments! So fun! I would have thought Darcy would have won, hands down! Lol! I'm surprised at the Tilney love here! That's good!
Looking forward to reading your interpretation in Then Comes Winter! :) And I'm glad to hear you're working on a full length novel!! Awesome!
Henry Tilney is a favorite because he is so charming and funny but strong and has morals. I think he is often overlooked by readers.
ReplyDeleteYour short story is a lovely short interpretation. I look forward to one day reading your full length novel. Working on anything?
I couldn't agree more. I know I overlooked him with my Captain Wentworth crush, but writing this short and re-reading the book looking at him for who he was at his core made me really appreciate him.
DeleteOh yes, I do have something I'm working on. :)
Thank you, Candy, for hosting the stop on the tour!
ReplyDeleteHi, Christina! You're welcome! Anytime! :)
DeleteI've read the book and have seen one adaptation multiple times. Love Henry, but still prefer Darcy.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Hey, Denise!
DeleteThat is great that you've spent some time with Northanger Abbey both in print and on the screen. I hadn't for years and it was amazing how much I found to appreciate in my recent reads.
LOL! It's okay about Henry being nudged out by the Darcy charm. :)
I love Northanger Abbey, as I love Jane Austen and her entire work, immensely. Catherine is an interesting character, as Mr Tilney is a lovable young man. Anyway, my favourite Austen hero is ...hear, hear ... not Mr Darcy, but Captain Wentworth followed by preaching old Mr Knightley. Darcy only come third in my list. But, you know, I've been loving all of them for decades now and my tastes and inclinations change with the passing of time ;-) Lovely excerpts, by the way! Can't wait to read the entire collection :D
ReplyDeleteShe is interesting. I didn't give her much credit when I was younger, but now I can appreciate Catherine much better. So winsome and open. Love her and Henry together.
DeleteAnd hey, the Captain is my favorite, too. And look at your good taste to prefer Mr. Knightley. :)
Hope you enjoy the stories when you get the chance, Maria!
I'm definitely on Team Tilney! He is a real, swoony hero riding to the rescue, but also a smart, funny, well grounded man. I have a fantasy that some clever writer of Austenesques will write an alternate storyline version in which he gets to woo Mary Crawford. But in the meantime, we get to read "North for the New Year"--can't wait!
ReplyDeleteWhoa-ho! Now that would be a story, Henry Tilney and Mary Crawford. I do little exercises in my head to push me, but I think that one is beyond me. Haha!
DeleteYay! Thanks for your support and excitement for North for the New Year, Abigail!
definitely a Mr Darcy fan!
ReplyDeleteHard to resist a man who will change for love.
DeleteThanks for dropping by, Nova!
I love Mr. Tilney when he's played by JJ Field opposite Felicity Jones. Swoon!
ReplyDeleteGah, yes...Maureen. Definitely made me turn to a puddle of goo seeing that charming smirk.
DeleteWell, I ~attempted~ a comment. It hasn't shown up, so I will try to replicate it.
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia Rose,
I ~have~ read "Northanger Abbey", and I hope this doesn't disappoint you too much, but it and its characters are not my favorites. That would be "Persuasion". However, I look forward to reading your story!
Yay! Second time was the charm, Ginna.
DeleteNo, you don't disappoint me with that answer. Persuasion is my first favorite of the Austen novels. I actually had Northanger Abbey low on my list until recently and it was my new appreciation that stirred me to write my story. Hope you like it, Ginna!
Northanger Abbey was the first Austen book I ever read, and the snarky parts about how people judge those who love novels were what sold me on Austen! I have a soft spot for the book, plus I loved the adaptation with JJ Field and Felicity Jones. It was perfect to show their youth and personalities. I can see being inspired by those scenes. Cool that this is your second anthology, Sophia. Good luck with future writing endeavors. Thanks to Candy for making sure we got a slice of Sophia on this tour.
ReplyDeleteSuzan, you are my first person who read Northanger Abbey first of all the novels. Neat-o!
DeleteAnd yes, the wit was what really grabbed me, too, this last go-around especially. I thought the actors did a fantastic job of portraying Henry and Catherine's personalities on the screen.
Thanks for the well-wishes.
Hi, Suzan! I'm glad you enjoyed Sophia's post! I think you are the first person I've heard of that read NA first also! Cool! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI still haven't had the chance to read the book but the launch party was a blast!
ReplyDeleteI had a blast, too, Tere. You guys made it so much fun that I was disappointed when my hour was up. :)
DeleteHope you get a chance soon to read the stories.
I have read Northanger Abbey and have watched two adaptations. I really enjoyed the one with JJ Feild. This is my third favorite book.
ReplyDeleteI thought the newer Northanger Abbey adaption did a much better job of casting and catching the spirit of the novel.
DeleteNow you have me curious about your first two favorites, Patty. LOL
Great Excerpt, Sophia Rose! I love Mr. Tilney, he's always been a favorite of mine!
ReplyDeleteHandsome, humorous, and sensible, gah, yes. :)
DeleteRead Northanger Abbey and I kinda do like Mr. Tilney... he's a lot more fun than Darcy, although I don't think he wins for swooniness. ;)
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. he is so likeable, but no competition for the dark, smoldering Mr. D.
DeleteWhat a fun excerpt! Looking forward to reading the anthology
ReplyDeleteThanks for this wonderful excerpt. I have seen two adaptations of Northanger Abbey and I like them although the last ( 2007)is the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering this giveaway! I’ve read Northanger Abbey and I’m intrigued by your excerpt. Northanger Abbey usually is overlooked, so I’m glad it’s getting some attention :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading the excerpt as a sort of teaser to what the short story is about. I've not read the book but watched the fabulous TV adaptation featuring JJ Feild as Henry Tilney and Felicity Jones playing Catherine Morland.
ReplyDelete