Mr. Darcy's Promise Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY!

Hey Everyone! I'm excited to be apart of the

Mr. Darcy's Promise Blog Hop! 

First, let me tell you that Mr. Darcy's Promise is on sale right now for 99¢ on Amazon US and Amazon UK,

during February 8 -14! 

You can read my review here.

Second, let me tell you some exciting news! Jeanna Ellsworth's new book Pride and Persistence is due to be published mid to end of March! You can read the first chapter of that on Jeanna's website, Hey Lady Publications.

Book blurb for Pride and Persistence:

Undaunted by a threatening storm, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley insists he must deliver his letter to Miss Elizabeth Bennet–– then tragedy strikes. Riddled with guilt, Elizabeth comes to the aid of the comatose Mr. Darcy and stays by his side until he regains consciousness. She soon learns that although Mr. Darcy has awoken, he has not returned to himself. And with no memory of his first disastrous proposal, he has concluded that there is nothing he wants more than to propose to Miss Elizabeth.

This humorous journey of love leaves one asking, does persistence pacify prejudice? Can Elizabeth see the real gentleman behind the injury, a man who persists in professing his love to her every chance he gets? In this Regency variation of Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet both learn the value of persistence.


Third, I am one of seven blogs posting a section of Mr. Darcy's Promise - chapter 1. At the end of my section is the link to the next. For a full list of blogs participating go to the bottom of this post.  

Fourth, Jeanna is generously giving away one copy of Mr. Darcy's Promise [paperback (US only) or an e-copy (International)]! You can fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. 

Excerpt:

   The next morning’s weather was somewhat dreary and Elizabeth was ready and looking forward to going out walking when Mr. Bennet called her into his study.

“My dear sweet Lizzy, how I have missed you. Did you give Netherfield a good once over?” Mr. Bennet was a father first before anything else, and he had noticed the quiet mood his Elizabeth had been in since returning from Netherfield. He suspected she was contemplating some great issue and he wanted to let her know he was available to talk. Since it was hardly natural for him to express his concern openly, he preferred to make light of it.

“No, Papa, I am afraid I did not, but I did try! Some in the Netherfield party may have wished to part with my company sooner, but I could not leave Jane.” She looked at her hands then.

Mr. Bennet loved hearing his favorite daughter call him “Papa,” for it always warmed his heart. It was what he called his own late father. Only his Lizzy used it on him and only to her advantage. His teasing usually curtailed quickly when Lizzy used this endearment. He suspected that the “some” of Netherfield party was Mr. Darcy. He didn’t know much about the man, but had heard on more than one occasion how he scorned Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly. The fact that she hinted at his wishes for her to leave only made him suspicious that Mr. Darcy was the real reason for the quiet mood. Could his Elizabeth have developed feelings for Mr. Darcy? He could not imagine that such a fancy would go far, and regretted again the entail that had so reduced his daughter’s dowries. But, Mr. Bennet reasoned, he could be wrong. So once again, humor was far easier than asking her feelings for the man outright. 

“Well, I hope the old Mr. Darcy was not too hard on you. Knowing you, your impertinence only made him curious about you. After all, not all women speak to gentlemen the way you do, my dear, and I am guessing Mr. Darcy appreciates your opinions as opposed to silly conversations about dresses and bonnets. Do not worry; Mr. Darcy is sure to be an intelligent man who likes intelligent conversation. And I have no doubt you gave him that!”  

Elizabeth looked up at her father. Was he teasing her about Mr. Darcy? Sudden memories engulfed her of the warmth of his hands as they danced and that warm welcome she witnessed with his sister, and that smile . . . the smile that changed his features into something quite handsome. She had been shocked with her father teasing her, but more shocked that she was examining his handsome smile in her mind. Where were these foreign feelings coming from? She colored slightly and became further embarrassed when she saw the grin on her father’s face. It will not do to have two parents scheming to be matchmakers! “Perhaps I best be off on my walk, Papa,” she said abruptly while she curtsied and hurriedly exited the room. But she had not exited soon enough to avoid hearing her father chuckle and mumble something about his dear Lizzy’s heart. 

It was this departing experience that sent her mind into turmoil. What did it matter that Mr. Darcy had a side of him that can be charming and pleasant? She certainly did not care! She rehearsed in her mind all the looks of disdain and haughty pride that she was more used to seeing and that provided much-needed comfort. She thought about everything he had said and done that was proof that he only looked down on her. It felt less foreign to think of Mr. Darcy as he had always been, and not someone she could admire. She tried to convince herself of this thought but it only frustrated her. Why would she blush when her father asked about him? By the time she returned from her walk she had worked herself up into quite a frenzy and was not looking forward to Georgiana’s visit, let alone Caroline Bingley’s!

Lydia came down the stairs at that time and grabbed Elizabeth by the shoulders, “Lizzy! You should not have gone out walking! Kitty and I are going to walk to Meryton to see all the officers that are sure to be in town! Oh, please come! Those red coats make any man so handsome!”

“I am sorry Lydia, but I am expecting guests this morning.” She shrugged her shoulders free and went to get a scone for breakfast. She could tolerate her younger sisters most days with good spirit and affection, but not in the mood she was currently experiencing. She heard her youngest sisters shout their goodbyes as they left for Meryton. For a moment, Elizabeth thought, the silence of any Darcy is preferable to the silliness of my sisters. 

Tomorrow you can read more from this chapter at Calico Critic! Or you can read the full chapter on Hey Lady Publications.

Blog Hop Participates:

February 8  ~  Addicted to Jane Austen

February 9  ~  My Love for Jane Austen

February 10  ~  Laughing with Lizzie

February 11  ~  So little time... (me)

February 12 ~ Calico Critic

February 13  ~  My Jane Austen Book Club

February 14  ~ Royal Reviews

* * *  GIVEAWAY * * *


Jeanna is generously giving away ONE copy of
Mr. Darcy's Promise! 

To enter fill out the Rafflecopter below.

Thank you, Jeanna!

• One person will win.
• One paperback (US only) OR e-copy (International)
• Last day to enter: February 17, 2014
• For more chances to win, head over to the rest of the Blog Hop Participates listed above!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments are always welcome! Remember, to enter the giveaway you must fill out the Rafflecopter above! Good luck!