Monday, June 30, 2014

Lory Lilian author of The Perfect Match ~ Guest Post and GIVEAWAY

Hey Everyone! I'm so pleased to have Lory Lilian visiting us! She has written and published a new Pride and Prejudice novella, The Perfect Match.



The Perfect Match : where did the short sequel came from? 
About eight ago – when I used to be much more active on JAFF sites – I entered into a short story contest and wrote this ‘mini sequel’ called The Perfect Match. The original was focused on Jane and Charles’s marriage, and it started from the premise that, despite their happily ever after, neither of them changed much during the course of Pride and Prejudice events, and the problems that occurred from their lack of understanding of each other’s feelings might appear again. 
This small story was long forgotten in a folder, until a couple of months ago when I discovered that it was still posted online on two sites. 
At the same time, I was working very hard on a long and much more complex story, called “My Husband, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.” As I used to do every time I work on a new story, I started re-reading (for the 100th time!) Pride and Prejudice. I need to have the characters fresh in my mind, especially when I write difficult scenes ☺. Anyway, once I got to the end of our beloved book, the inspiration struck me so intensely that I put the WIP aside and I started to write the sequel. 
The last two pages of Pride and Prejudice offered so many clues, so many small details, such clear indications of the happily ever after that the sequel practically wrote itself. So I kept the old title, as I found it very adequate, but I changed almost everything else. The focus turned to Elizabeth and Darcy, although Jane and Charles still had their fair share of attention.  So in less than a month, the story was up online – a true record in quickness for me.  
Since the genius Jane Austen indicated nothing about any problems, sufferings, major conflicts or other similar issues in ODC’s marriage, I thought it would be best to follow her description, with humble respect; after all, nobody knows Elizabeth and Darcy better than she does, right? ☺ 
The first major problem with this sequel was that the Regency rules completely ruined the idea of a ball for me; as a married couple, especially if they were hosting the ball, Elizabeth and Darcy were essentially not allowed to dance together. Darn! How can that be? Well, it was – and I had no other choice but to have Darcy and Bingley express my frustration by their words. ☺ 

The ballroom was decorated with floral arrangements and garlands, and Elizabeth required that some arrangements be redone three times as she was not satisfied with them. The servants only smiled and obeyed her orders; it was the first time the mistress had been displeased with anything, but her distress was easily understood.
In the library, Darcy, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Gardiner, Bingley and the colonel were discussing the day, savouring a glass of wine.
“So Darcy, may I ask Elizabeth to dance, since you are not allowed to dance with her?” asked the colonel in good humour. Oh, and Bingley—I will surely dance with Mrs. Bingley, too.”
“You know, I have always loathed this arrangement; who invented the rule that I cannot dance with my own wife as much as I like? Forgive me, but this is nonsense,” Bingley said, visibly distressed. “What is the point for a married couple to go to a ball if they are not allowed to dance together as they like? I would find it more logical that, since I am married, I do not have to count how many times I dance with my wife without raising gossip.”
“You may dance, Bingley; I allow you to do what you want,” Darcy said in conciliation.
“I beg to differ!” the colonel intervened. Mother instructed all of us for about two hours yesterday; you know that very well, Darcy. She specifically insisted that it is your job—and Bingley’s—to make certain everyone is feeling comfortable and entertained, that every lady has a dance partner, that everything is beyond reproach. She said she will be very upset if there are ladies without partners and if either of you do not comply with the duty of dancing.” The colonel could hardly restrain his laughter, joined by Mr. Gardiner, while Darcy rolled his eyes.

The second major challenge was to keep the story pretty “clean” – considerably less steamy than I would like to make it! ☺ It was so tempting to go on writing hot sex scenes – as the story itself was offering generous opportunities for that.  However, I succeed (at least I hope so) to convey the passion and sensuality without any explicit intimate scenes. It was like a small gift for all the readers who, during the years, complained about the mature content of my books.  However, the biggest surprise was that I got quite a lot of messages, asking why I did not “enhance” the story more.  
(Well, well – this is quite a dilemma, right? How much hot sex is too little or too much? ;-). Anyway, the dilemma will be easily solved in my next story, where the intimacy will be a major issue and will be thoroughly explored. ) 
Returning to The Perfect Match – here is a short excerpt from it – hopefully enough to raise your curiously about my interpretation of Elizabeth and Darcy – the happiest couple in the world. 

She stopped and looked at him, a smile lighting her face. “You know very well that I am teasing you now. I will be happy to receive my family’s visits and to have Georgiana with us, but I could never be bored with you, nor can I wish or need any other company but yours. How could I want anyone else around when I have the fortune of marrying the most worthy and most handsome gentleman? The most perfect husband, indeed.” She continued to tease him, though her loving eyes proved the seriousness of her words.
“I am not perfect, by no means. As I told you some time ago, I have faults enough. If I am a good husband to you, it is only because you made me this way; your love for me and my love for you made me a better man—you made me a better man, Elizabeth. I cannot forget that, in my mind and in my heart, I had been waiting for you for so many years, and when I found you, I almost lost you because I could not see how perfect you were for me.”
“Oh, but it is I who failed to see how perfect you were for me, William. Had I been wiser and less hasty in my judgments, I would have known better than to refuse you so harshly. I often think that we lost eight months; had I accepted your first proposal, we would have had eight more months of happiness.”

“Those eight months were not lost; they helped me to understand what true love and passion mean, to become the man I am now, the one who will do everything to give you a lifetime of happiness. So, my beloved Elizabeth, I can say without a doubt that you accepted me at the right moment.”


Oh, isn't that lovely! I'm looking forward to reading this! Not only has Lory Lilian incited us with a peak into The Perfect Match, she comes bearing gifts! See below.


Book blurb:


“The Perfect Match” is a sequel to “Pride and Prejudice” that takes place a year after the events of Jane Austen’s novel. Her beloved characters are approaching their first wedding anniversary as the Darcys and Bingleys experience somewhat different marriages.

In addition, Elizabeth Darcy has the burden of organizing her first ball while she encounters the challenges of the high circles of Regency London, not to mention a mysterious “affliction” that has Mr. Darcy in a panic . . .

This novella is light and sensual, with several scenes suggested for a mature audience. There is no explicit sexual content.





~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Now's your chance to enter to win to copy! Lory Lilian is generously giving away one paperback and one e-copy of The Perfect Match! To win, just fill out the Rafflecopter below and leave a comment! Last day to enter is July 7th, 2014.

Thank you, Lory!


  • One person will win a paperback.
  • One person will win an e-copy (kindle or Nook).
  • Open Internationally.
  • Last day to enter: July 7th, 2014
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We'd love to hear from you! Please, leave a comment! Remember, to enter the giveaway, you MUST fill out the Rafflecopter above. If you need any help entering, email me! Just click on the icon at the top of the sidebar. Thanks! 

61 comments:

  1. Lory, I always enjoy learning the circumstances surrounding the writing of a variation. Since i only do clean reads, it was a pleasure to know the "rating" of your book. My moral compass thanks you for that very much. That alone moved this to the top of my wish pile. It sounds sweet.

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    1. Thank you Dawn, I hope you will have a chance to actually read the book and enjoy it. And I might say,although the book is "clean", it is also sensual and passionate, in a sweet, tender way :).

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    2. I agree, clean is always better—that’s how Austen wrote!

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  2. I've learned something here. I had no idea that married couples weren't allowed to dance together at balls! Sounds a bit illogical and I love Darcy's reasoning in the excerpt.

    I haven't read any of your work yet, Lory, but they are all on my extremely long TBR/wish lists.

    Thanks for the excerpt and the giveaway.

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    1. Anji, I am very sorry that you did not read any of my books :-), but I well understand, since there are so many lovely PnP variations out there. (But really, did you not read Rainy Days? Not even online, on one of JAFF sites ? :-) :-) :-). I am asking, because the story is one of the old ones and it had been online for a very long time; I thought that, by now, everybody read it and got tired of it LOL).

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    2. Hi Lory. I'm very much a newbie when it comes to JAFF. We're only talking six months here, apart from a few audiobooks I listened to about three years ago (Pamela Aiden's trilogy and Amanda Grange's Darcy's Diary). So, as you can see, I've a lot of catching up to do and there are so many authors and works available. I have a very looooooong TBR/Wish list and it seems that there are more books coming out every week, faster than I can keep up with, let alone make inroads into the backlog!

      Is Rainy Days still available online? If not, it will have to stay on my list for now.

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    3. Oh, how I envy you - so many lovely things to read for a newbie ! Yes, Rainy Days is still available online on one of JAFF sites. The most astonishing thing is that the book was published 5 years ago, it was online for free since 2005 and it still sales very well, after all this time :). Send me a private message on Facebook and I will give you the link to the site, if you want :).

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    4. Hi Anji! I loved Rainy Days!! Oh, to be able to read it again for the first time! Lucky! :)

      Lory, I'm surprised you still have it online. That's very kind of you. I'm glad the sales are doing well! I would rather have the book, because I'm not fond of reading online. But everyone's different (and I'm so glad of that! LOL).

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    5. Yes Candy, both Rainy Days and Remembrance of the Past had been online for free all this time :). I am grateful that so many people still decided to purchase them :).

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  3. I am glad there is no explicit sexual content and having recently finished one of Lory Lilian's books I look forward to trying another

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    1. Hi :).
      Hmmmm - which of my books you just finished? I am asking because all three of them are pretty hot and have some explicit scenes, hope you did not mind them too much. Anyway, I try very hard to always have a reason for the sex scenes, to use them for the story or character's development, not just sex for the sake of sex ... Thanks for your comment.

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    2. Oh, quite alot of explicit scenes in the last part of HUF ... hope you did not find it too difficult to read. :)

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  4. Waw Lory! You took a month to arrange your book! It's so impressive!

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    1. Thanks Loren, you are very kind but I have little merit in that :). I mean - I did write the story pretty fast, because I was very inspired and I had everything very clear in my mind. I always have lots of things in my mind about Elizabeth and Darcy LOL
      But the arrangements, the editing and the beautiful cover are the result of my awesome's editors' hard work (Margaret and Ellen).

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    2. Lory, I love to write too (even if only for me :)), but in a month I am able only to write some story slices that are not connected. For this reason for me you are an ispiration! For me is impossible to have everything clear in mind! Your editors have done a good job, congratulations to all of you!

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    3. I am not a fast writer, at least not these days (due to a very hectic RL) ... I only wrote three books in about 9 years - plus this one - and I am working on the next one.
      But can you believe that I first wrote Rainy Days (my first attempt of fanfiction and the first long thing that I ever wrote in English) in about three and half months? 360 pages :). Now that was quick, I admit LOL.
      If you like to write - don't be shy! If it is JAFF related, you should post it on AHA - people are very nice and very supportive there. It is the perfect place for a writer to begin. :)

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  5. This book sounds lovely Lory. Thank you for being clear regarding the exclusion of sex scenes. Personally I don't mind them but I know some people prefer to avoid them so it's good to have it stated.

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    1. Thanks, Ceri :). If you will manage to read the story, please let me know what you think of it. ;)

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  6. I do love a Pride & Prejudice story whether it is variation, sequel, prequel or modernised version. Thanks for sharing the wonderful excerpts, Lory. Since it whets my appetite, I'll have to put it in my tbr list.

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    1. I am glad you enjoy the excerpts and good luck with the giveaway !

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  7. It is always funny and interesting to find out how a novel comes out!! You discover it is a part of your life during the development!!!
    I am italian and I understood the giveaway is open internationally, but I don't know if I can partecipare for both, paperback and e-book copy. However,Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Hi Chaira! Yes, both paperback and the e-copy are open Internationally! :)

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    2. Chiara, you are are Italian? How lovely! I am Romanian :).

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  8. I also appreciate that this is a book that I will enjoy reading, without explicit sex, language or violence. I will look forward to reading it. Thanks for this giveaway and blessings for your continued success.

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    1. Connie, I hope you will read and enjoy the book and good luck in the giveaway!

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  9. Thank you for a "clean' version of the married couple's life. Looking forward to reading this one! Hoping there is lots of Bingley/Darcy dialogue about their marraiges.

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    1. Thank you June; yes, there is quite alot of dialog, the book is rather dynamic and hopeful even amusing. Thanks for telling me that you enjoyed my version of Darcy in Rainy Days :).

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  10. Lory's portrayal of Darcy in "Rainy Days" is one of my favorite Darcys. I am sure I will love this one too! Thanks for the giveaway offer!

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  11. I have so much curiosity for this book. I have read all books of Lory, and I love her style, so I am looking forward to reading her last one. Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Thank you, Natali. I really loved your review of Remembrance of the Past :). Hope you will read and enjoy this little story, too.

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  12. Am I the only one who likes the steamy stuff? Lol

    *cricket cricket*

    I just got this one in my mail recently and I can't wait to read it. It's actually in my purse right now. I'm taking my grandma to the Dr today and hoping to read it in the waiting room!

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    1. I'm in the pervy horde too Monica! Hope you enjoy the book :-)

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    2. Monica, I like the steamy stuff too :). Do you know that people on JAFF sites used to call me "the queen of mush" ? Not hard to guess why :). However, I confess that I found too much sex in a JAFF book boring ... I mean - in my opinion, sex scenes should use to something, should show a development in the characters' relationship ... If not, it is annoying for me to read about Elizabeth and Darcy having sex every other page ... I mean - come on, I doubt they wold not do anything else except sex all day long, even in their honeymoon :). Oh - and I also find it really annoying to read about the "names" of the ... intimate parts of men and women :). I like hot scenes which focus on their feelings and senses rather than on their anatomic parts LOL.
      Ps: hope you enjoy The Perfect Match.

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    3. I completely agree with you Lory. I remember reading one book where they were at it like rabbits and I remember wishing she'd tell him she had a headache for once so the story could progress :-)

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    4. Headache! Lol! I agree! Too much sex is annoying! I will admit I like a little of the steamy stuff. I mean, I get so wrapped up in the characters, it becomes personal to me too! haha! I don't have to hear every detail though.

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    5. But....loveytime is good for headaches...lol!

      It definitely can be too much at times, and unrealistic. But sometimes I feel cheated if it's not enough! I know, you can't please everyone. ;)

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  13. The novella sounds great, Lory. I have read all of your other books, some more than once, and enjoyed them. I look forward to reading this one too. Thanks for the tempting excerpts and the giveaway!

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  14. I have had this on my wish list for a while; looking forward to reading it and the "steamy" novel to follow! ;)

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    1. Hi RS! I'm looking forward to this and the next novel myself! I love Lory's work!

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    2. Thanks :). The "steamy" book which follows it's called "My husband, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy" and it is a forced marriage scenario, which is not quite "forced" ... I try very hard to have both Elizabeth and Darcy strong and decided characters ... Although circumstances force them to marry, they both agree on that; none of them is a victim of this situation and none of them will be "forced" to do anything against their own will :). (except marrying, of course LOL).

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    3. Ooh, that sounds great, Lory! Retellings are my favorite!

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  15. I love the insight into how the story came about and as you know I love the book :)

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    1. Oh, thank you Tamara - I know you enjoyed it. Thanks for your support.

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  16. I loved Rainy Days so I'm keen to read this book too. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity :D

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    1. Thanks so much, Brenda, hope you will read and enjoy this one, too. Good luck with the contest. :)

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  17. I absolutely adored this story when I read it, as I have your others. Rainy Days is one of my favorites. I could so picture Lizzy's reaction. :-). Please enter me in the give away for the paperback as I already have the eBook. Thank you for your generosity with the give away. skamper25@gmail.com

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    1. Oh, thanks so much, Deborah Ann! I am so happy that you read the story and liked it! Thanks for the comment and good luck with the paperback version :).

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  18. Sorry, posted before I finished. I am also eagerly anticipating the release of your new book.

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  19. My comment vanished, or did it? :S
    Well - I loved Rainy Days and His Uncles Favourite very much and am very looking forward to reading this novella soon too! :) :)

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    1. HI Katrin! I guess it did vanish. I looked in the spam file and it's not there. :( Yours vanishes and Deborah's keeps posting and posting! LOL! Strange!

      Yes! Rainy Days and His Uncle's Favorite are my favorites of Lory's! I don't know which one I like more. :)

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    2. Hi Katrin ! Thanks for your kind words about my books - you are very kind. Good luck with the giveaway !

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  20. This sounds really good. I can't wait to read it!!:)

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    1. Hi Kelly, I am glad you are intrigued and curios about this novella. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!

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  21. I still haven't read this book but I will. And in the mean time I might as well try to win a free copy :)

    I loved reading your thoughts on the story. What I found most interesting is that married couples were not allowed to dance together at balls. This is the first time I heard of this. There are so many stories out there that have them dancing so I just assumed. It seems like I learn something new with every story I read. Thanks for adding it to yours. :)

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    1. It was rather that "married women" were not allowed to dance when they were hosting a ball ! It was their job to simply walk around and make sure everyone was having a good time. And generally, the married couples rarely danced together, as it was accustomed that unmarried women had to be asked to dance before the married ones! I read alot about those rules and I was very displeased, as I written a lovely scene with them dancing together and I had to delete it lol. Really, after reading all those rules, it was hard for me to understand why would married women want to go to a ball LOL.

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  22. Your book sound really interesting!!! I will put it in my TBR list (who became always longer, unfortunately). Thanks for the giveaway

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