"The Cherry Trees of Rosings" by Morgan Blake ~ Blog Tour ~ Excerpt

Hello, my friends! I'm back again with an excerpt from Morgan Blake's new book, The Cherry Trees of Rosings! This looks like a cute story to me, and after reading the first couple of chapters (see below), I'm ready to read on!

The Cherry Trees of Rosings

by Morgan Blake

Publication Date: Oct 30th, 2025

Pages: 180, Kindle Edition

About The Book 

A Pride & Prejudice variation with a slightly paranormal, mainly comic twist! 

When Elizabeth Bennet visits her newly-married friend, Charlotte Collins, at the Hunsford parsonage, she has no idea that Mr. Darcy (he of the arrogant demeanor and perpetual cause of annoyance!) shall turn up to ruin her blissful, idyllic days. 

Only, Mr. Darcy is not himself. 

And then Elizabeth stumbles straight through him one day... like one would an apparition! Goodness gracious! 

 “Mr. Darcy, I do not know what you mean, but I would appreciate it if you would desist from haunting me!” 

 “I apologize, Miss Bennet, for scaring you,” Mr. Darcy said, almost regretfully. 

To solve her haunting problem, Elizabeth must team up with Mr. Darcy to find out what happened to him, and along the way discover that maybe he is not all that he seemed at first. And that maybe...she doesn’t hate him after all. 

 “You wish to write the letter now?” he asked as she moved past him with the candle. 

 “Well, to be honest,” she glanced at him. “I would prefer to sleep. But since you are here, I do not see why not.” 

From the antics of Lady Catherine de Bourgh to the hilarity of Mr. Collins’ advice on staying fit, The Cherry Trees of Rosings shall make you laugh and cry in equal measure. And wonder: Will our favourite couple find their happy ever after? 

Spoiler: Yes, they will! 

This Pride and Prejudice variation features our favourite Regency romance couple from Jane Austen's original classic in a somewhat spooky setup. But fear not, dear readers! This story is not scary in the least. Prepare for a chuckle fest and abundant cups of tea!

 

Excerpt: 

Chapter 1: An Eerie Encounter

Elizabeth Bennet had only been at the Hunsford parsonage for three days when she saw Mr. Darcy under the cherry trees. 

Her heart raced—a quick thump, thump, thump!—as she sped off the walking path to hide behind an ash tree. What was Mr. Darcy doing at Rosings? 

That was when she remembered: he was the esteemed nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. 

Elizabeth had yet to meet the benefactress of her cousin, Mr. Collins—though he spoke of her in practically every sentence, of every conversation, every day. She was certain one would not find a more devout champion of any patron anywhere in the lands if they tried. But she would not have to wait much longer to satisfy her curiosity about the lady. After all, they had received an invitation just that morning to present themselves at Rosings for tea. 

Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Darcy from around the trunk of the ash tree. It appeared she had one less surprise waiting for her in those quarters.

She quickly turned around and started off on a different path for her morning walk.

 

The way she saw it, there was no need to inconvenience the gentleman with frivolous civilities and hellos. He would surely be the last person to welcome such overt social mores.

***

Later that evening…

Elizabeth finished arranging her hair in a simple fashion before stepping out of her room. The rest of the inhabitants of the parsonage were already at the foyer of the cottage.

“Hurry along! Hurry along! Charlotte, Sister Maria, Cousin Elizabeth!” Mr. Collins called. “We must not keep her ladyship waiting!” 

He was sweating profusely. Perhaps at the thought of arriving a few minutes late and having to prostrate at his patroness’ feet. Elizabeth coughed into her hand to cover her smirk as she joined them.

“Oh! What was that?” Mr. Collins asked, turning towards her. “Cousin Elizabeth, are you unwell?” He looked comically red in the face. “Perhaps you should stay behind. Her ladyship has strict rules about bringing disease into the great house!”

Elizabeth barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes. Though she did arch her eyebrows in amusement.

“I think I swallowed some dust. Nothing to worry about surely.”

“Dust? Did you say dust?” Mr. Collins’ eyes widened. He turned to his wife. “Charlotte! You must tell Mrs. Bishop to be more meticulous! I cannot have her humiliating me if her ladyship visits one day and sees such deplorable state of affairs. You know how…”

Elizabeth tuned out her hapless cousin’s words. It was surely an irony that the man had a housekeeper named Bishop—one who had arrived at the recommendation of Lady Catherine herself—while he worshipped nobody higher than his patroness. She only hoped that Charlotte would not be too vexed at her for stirring up Mr. Collins’ humors. 

“Mr. Collins, I assure you,” Charlotte said, with the patience of a saint once her husband stopped to catch his breath. “I have matters well in hand. Perhaps we should start for Rosings if we wish to arrive on time.”

“Yes, yes, at once!”

 

The party soon left the cottage.

…and reached Rosings, right at the dot of four o'clock.

It never failed to amaze Elizabeth how Mr. Collins managed to arrive everywhere at just the precise hour. But she could not ponder on it too long as they found themselves following the butler (rather briskly), as he led them to the west parlour of the house, where her ladyship was to be found. Though, she did notice—along the way—how unerringly accurate Mr. Collins had been in his description of all the interiors. Right down to the number of stained glass arches above every window set!

“And there, you see, right beside the doors are the prized suits of armour that were gifted to Sir Lewis de Bourgh during his lifetime. By the Earl of Nottingham, no less!” Mr. Collins announced helpfully. “Her ladyship prefers the light in this particular parlour at this time of the day. But not when her gout is acting up.” 

A steady stream of commentary on such matters had accompanied them all the way from the gates of the parsonage. And it did not appear Mr. Collins would stop anytime soon.

 

Elizabeth eyed the armours. They were polished to a shine and clearly well-maintained. So much that she wondered if they might spring to life any moment. But her attention was soon drawn away. 

Because, just then, the butler pushed open the grand doors of the parlour and held up a hand for them to wait.

 

He walked in. Nose in the air.

 

“Mr. Collins and Mrs. Collins are here, your ladyship,” he announced. “As are Mr. Collins’ two relatives.”

Elizabeth felt her eyebrows arch at the excessive ceremony. Then she wondered if she would find Mr. Darcy inside, sitting beside his aunt, and possibly his cousin. All their noses high in the air. Collective disdain palpable at the substandard guests about to enter their inner sanctum.

 

Her lips twitched into a grin.

“Yes, send them in!” A loud—slightly shrill but decisive—voice boomed out from within the parlour. 

It startled Maria Lucas. Enough that she clutched at Charlotte’s arm. But there was no time to offer any reassurances.

They were now very much within the lioness’ den. 

Chapter 2: No Green Beans

“Mr. Collins, you know how I despise green beans!”

 

Lady Catherine’s brows drew down with annoyance as she looked over the tiny list Charlotte had handed her a few moments ago. It was about the gift baskets the Collinses were tasked with distributing for Easter; one of the yearly tasks of the parsonage.

 

“You shall not present that vegetable to the congregation,” she emphasized, mouth twisting into a moue of distaste.

 

Mr. Collins nodded his head vigorously. “Indeed, your ladyship.”

 

“Potatoes will do very well. Very well, indeed…”

More head nodding from her cousin.

 

Elizabeth held back a chuckle as the spectacle unfolded before her.

 

She had been somewhat right in her estimation of Lady Catherine from Mr. Collins’ extensive effusions. But once the introductions were made, she was pleasantly surprised to find that the great lady was even more ridiculous than she had imagined. Her father would be dearly entertained by such human folly once she wrote to him.

 

“Potatoes are vegetables for the hard-working,” Lady Catherine continued sagely. Then she picked up a cream tart from the platter before her and bit into it.

 

“You are quite right, your ladyship, as always,” Mr. Collins said. “I merely wished to place the beans in the baskets for the sick—”

“You should speak on the virtues of potatoes in your sermon, Mr. Collins,” the lady said, dusting off the crumbs from her fingers before fixing a glare on her parson. “Remind them of their good fortune and the evils of laziness.”

 

Elizabeth discreetly watched as a stray crumb held on to dear life against the whiskered mole to the side of Lady Catherine’s mouth. The one to the left of her beaked nose.

 

“Mrs. Collins, you may ask Mrs. Stone to give you some of the dried orange peels she is making with Jenkinson. A little bit of colour will not be unpious in an Easter basket. Mr. Collins, you must remind the congregation to keep their homes clean and take baths regularly…”

Yes, Elizabeth would have to write to her father soon.

But there was one thing that surprised her greatly that evening.

 

Mr. Darcy never appeared.

Not once.

 

Nor did his aunt mention him outside of one lengthy diatribe on how he and Miss Anne de Bourgh, Lady Catherine’s daughter, were made for each other. And that he needed to hurry up and do his duty by his family by marrying her.

 

It confused and perturbed Elizabeth.

 

Did the man consider himself so above them that he could not be bothered to join them for tea? 

Or… was she mistaken about who she had seen earlier that day?

***

The next morning, when Elizabeth neared her favourite walking path, she was startled to see Mr. Darcy under the cherry trees once more.

 

The blossoms were gently floating around him, falling out of the white- and pink-hued boughs. There was a crisp breeze blowing through the trees. It was a vision of peace and tranquility.

 

Elizabeth stood there for a moment, and simply gazed at him.

  

No one could deny that Mr. Darcy was an exceedingly handsome man. And standing where she was, she could almost feel her heart softening at the sight.

 

That was… until she remembered his odious behavior in Meryton and what he had said about her on their very first meeting. A familiar grimace replaced the smile she had not realized had appeared on her lips. Elizabeth straightened her shoulders and approached him.

 

“Hello, Mr. Darcy!” she called, as she neared. “How are you doing on this fine day?”

The man seemed to jolt into awareness at her voice.

 

He turned, fixing her with a gaze of such intensity that she took an unconscious step back.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said. Then he peered at her in confusion.

 

“I am visiting Mr. Collins and his wife at the parsonage,” she offered helpfully. “You may know the new Mrs. Collins as Charlotte Lucas from when you were last in Meryton.”

Mr. Darcy did not reply.

 

When the silence became awkward and he continued to stare at her oddly, Elizabeth asked, “Did you only just arrive at Rosings?”

The confused look on Mr. Darcy’s face intensified.

 

“Rosings?”

Elizabeth tipped her head to one side. She did not believe she had ever been in an interaction as strange as the one she was in right then.

  

“Yes. We had tea there yesterday.” A frown touched her brows. 

“Perhaps you heard about it from your aunt?”

Mr. Darcy’s unceasing stare was beginning to disconcert her. Elizabeth felt a strange coldness tip-tap down her spine. She took another step back.

“Right, well… I shall leave you to it,” she said. She gestured at the blooming cherry trees around them. “Good day, Mr. Darcy!”

She practically fled the scene. 

About the Author

Morgan Blake writes regency romance novels and Austenesque variations of Pride & Prejudice that are sometimes steamy, sometimes not. Satire is the name of the game and happy ever afters the goal!

Morgan loves exploring themes of personal identity, inner strength, social discourse, and hope alongside enduring love in her stories.

She also believes that strong heroes and heroines are not enough to make a tale worth telling. They need a supporting cast of good and not-so-good characters that add more punch and vibrancy... and some dramatic ridiculousness!

Morgan is a cat friend, tropical girl who prefers winter clothes, perennial fantasy/scifi/historical fiction nerd, and a night owl.

Connect with Morgan

Website • Facebook • Instagram

Book Links

Amazon US (paid link) • Books2Read (universal link)

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Thank you, Morgan, for stopping by today! Fantastic excerpt! I enjoyed it so much! Congratulations on the release of The Cherry Trees of Rosing!

So friends, what are your thoughts? Did that excerpt tempt you also? Let us know in the comments below! 

"Georgiana Darcy's Magical Meddling" by Leah Page ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! I'm delighted to have Leah Page on the blog today with an excerpt from her new book, Georgiana Darcy's Magical Meddling! 

Leah is also giving away an eCopy of her book! Details are at the bottom of the page.

Book Blurb 

Sixteen-year-old Georgiana Darcy harbors a secret—she's recently discovered she is a witch! Under the tutelage of a wise and witchy companion, she spends her days casting spells and plotting the occasional hex against the irksome Miss Bingley. 

When the tea leaves reveal that her brother, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, is destined to meet his one true love at a local assembly, Georgiana cannot resist using her newfound powers to eavesdrop. Unfortunately, the encounter is far from magical. Fitzwilliam's clumsy attempts at affection are doomed without her intervention. Armed with her trusty diary and a knack for magical mischief, Georgiana vows to document—and secretly improve—each of her brother's courtship efforts, ensuring he never strays from his path to true love. But when Lady Catherine de Bourgh senses a budding romance, the stakes rise. 

Will the fledgling witch secure her brother’s happiness and manage the magical realm’s unpredictable twists? Or will her enchanted endeavors fizzle just when she needs them the most? 

Humorous, heartfelt, and utterly enchanting, Georgiana Darcy's Magical Meddling invites you to experience Darcy and Elizabeth’s romance through the eyes of a clever, charming, and slightly meddlesome young witch. Her diary isn't just a record of magical mayhem—it's a confirmation of the love, laughter, and lunacy that make up her witchy life.

 

Excerpt

Chapter One

Midday, 24 October 1811

Dear Diary, 

     I am bursting with excitement. Today I learned the most thrilling news! Tonight, my brother will meet his one true love! Mrs. Annesley, my companion, read Fitzwilliam’s tea leaves (after he left the table, of course), and that is how I discovered it. He is to attend a ball with his friend, Mr. Bingley. There, he will meet his one true love. Is that not the most romantic thing you have ever heard? It is doubly romantic given Fitzwilliam’s aversion to attending balls, as will be the case tonight.

     I suppose I should start from the beginning, little niece, as you are likely quite confused by now. Greetings from your Aunt Georgiana, who, as it happens, is also a witch. I have started a fresh diary for your benefit, as you are likely a witch as well. Do not worry about others finding this book. My companion has placed a spell on the pages that allows only witches to read them. After all, it would not be proper for those without magic to peruse the secrets held within this tome.

     I learned of my powers when I met my companion, Mrs. Annesley. Before her, I had a terrible companion who took advantage of my youth and inexperience and led me astray. We will not discuss that further. Suffice it to say Fitzwilliam (your father) separated me from that lady posthaste upon discerning her vile nature. He then introduced me to Mrs. Annesley, and I could not have been happier with any other companion. 

     Mrs. Annesley is the third daughter of a baron. As she explained it to me, females of rank almost always have magical powers. Their power is, usually, the reason the family gained rank and power in the first place. However, the wealthiest and most powerful homes have long forgotten their powers and stopped practicing. Perhaps, having grown complacent like fatted calves, these families saw no need to pursue their arcane studies further. It is likely that my own mother, the daughter of an influential earl, was a powerful witch. Unfortunately, she died when I was a small child, so I never learned from her. It is possible she was never even aware of her talents.

     Yet, this tale concerns both Mrs. Annesley and my own foray into the craft. As I said, Mrs. Annesley is the third daughter of a baron. Though he held a title, he was not particularly wealthy or powerful, and thus, the ladies of that family never stopped practicing their craft. Witchcraft can be a potent boon for a gentleman. A witch who knows what she is about can secure bountiful harvests, avert blights, and influence her husband towards wise investments. Men may fancy themselves powerful and clever, yet it's truly the women steering the course. Remember that, little niece.

     At the age of twenty, Mrs. Annesley left home to marry Mr. Annesley. He was the second son of a gentleman farmer, and though he did not inherit the family property, he did receive a very lovely little place along the shore in Kent. Mrs. Annesley has shown it to me in visions, so I can attest to the beauty of the home and setting. Alas, their love was but brief, her husband succumbing to a consumptive disease mere years after their union. I asked once why she did not save him, and she explained that witchcraft does not work like that. She was able to offer him comfort, but even a witch cannot suspend God’s will. Currently, a tenant rents the house in Kent, which adds to Mrs. Annesley’s small annuity. She opts to serve as a companion until she deems herself ready to wed anew or till work becomes untenable with age. 

     That is quite a sad story and not at all why you are here, dearest niece. You are here to learn the story of your father’s one true love. And to do that, I must share my background a bit. When Mrs. Annesley became my companion, she began to test me in small ways to understand my powers. Given my father's considerable lands, she suspected our lineage harbored latent talents, but when she learned my mother was the daughter of an Earl, she was convinced I had dormant abilities. 

     At first, she tried me in little ways that were hardly decipherable to me. For instance, she once offered me tea that was terribly hot, but before it settled on my tongue, I had unwittingly cooled it. Another time, she spelled a young child with messy hands to hug me close. I was left with small handprints of sticky syrup along my skirt. While the child’s mother apologized for her son’s actions, I took out my handkerchief and dabbed at the stains. They removed themselves with no more effort than a wave of my cloth across the untidiness. I was quite unaware that I had used magic to clean myself, for it happened unconsciously. 

     Once she was satisfied that I did possess some powers, she tested me further. One day, Fitzwilliam joined us late for breakfast. He greeted each of us and turned to the buffet to make his selections. My reply of, “Good morning, Fitzwilliam,” barely had time to echo before the morning’s tranquility was shattered —not by the expected clink of China, but by an unexpected maneuver from Mrs. Annesley. Without warning, she sent the sugar bowl hurling through the air toward Fitzwilliam, who stood behind me, gathering his breakfast from the buffet. 

     A sudden "eep" escaped me, an instinctive reaction to the potential disaster I sensed rather than saw. My hands reached out futilely, as if I could somehow catch the bowl through sheer will. But the expected crash never came. Confused, I turned just in time to see the sugar bowl floating to the ground before landing innocuously behind me on the floor, as if it had chosen to leap from its perch in a bid for freedom and then thought better of it.

     “Georgiana, why is the sugar on the floor?” My brother placed his plate near mine and then stalked behind me to pick up the dish. 

     Stammering, I managed, “I, uh, deemed the sugar too great a temptation and opted to remove it from my sight, especially since my dresses have grown snug around the middle.” A lame excuse, but the only shield I could muster on the spur of the moment.

     “Nonsense. You look quite well, sister. In any case, if you desire to limit yourself, have a footman remove it from the table. Placing it on the floor is a filthy habit. What would Father have said had he lived to witness this?” His words were stern, yet I sensed his concern was born more of confusion than reprimand.

     My eyes darted across the table to my companion. Her expression was one of unperturbed serenity. She sipped her tea as if flying sugar bowls were among the most common breakfast activities. I admit I was a trifle irritated with her at the time. But when we settled in the yellow salon later that morning, she shared the news of my powers with me, and all was forgiven. 

     That is a bit of a stretch. All was not immediately forgiven because I did not believe her claims. She reminded me of the child’s sticky hands, but I dismissed that. “That was not magic,” I argued, “it was the result of my own actions.” With a scoff, she dotted my skirt with jam! Before I could set myself back to rights, she stilled my hand and suggested that I could clean one stain but leave the other for my abigail, La Roche. The spot I chose disappeared with no more than a wave of a napkin, but La Roche was forced to spend several minutes scrubbing the spot with water and soap before it was put to rights. 

     Since that day, she has been teaching me to harness my powers. I have practiced just a few short months, so I have not yet learned much, but I am able to make the roses bloom on command, and I can sweeten my tea as desired without adding so much as a cube of sugar or a drop of cream. That is a more useful spell than one might imagine. Miss Bingley’s tea, so bitter it could scandalize, would surely appall you. She allows it to steep for far too long, and the result is an undrinkable brew. With a small tap of my index finger against the porcelain cup, I can take tea with the lady without gagging. 

     Mrs. Annesley has advised me to keep my powers secret for the time being. Fitzwilliam himself remains oblivious to these powers. He is also, obviously, ignorant of her tea reading skills. Be careful of the lady who always offers to take up the teacups, for I have discovered that is Mrs. Annesley’s tactic. Whenever possible, she reads everyone’s leaves. 

     And that, my dear niece, is the abbreviated tale behind this new journal’s beginnings. But let us move on to more exciting things. As I mentioned, I have delicious news. Tonight, your father will meet his one true love (as told by his tea leaves this morning) and I have chosen to record their love story for you. If your mother turns out to be as reticent as your father, then you shall never hear the story without my intervention. 

     My brother and I recently arrived at the estate of Mr. Charles Bingley. Mr. Bingley is Fitzwilliam’s good friend. I believe they met during their time at Cambridge, though Mr. Bingley is a few years younger. Mr. Bingley resides at a place known as Netherfield Park. It lies in the county of Hertfordshire just outside a small village called Meryton. I do not believe Fitzwilliam has yet to meet anyone in the community, though perhaps he has met a gentleman or two. He and Mr. Bingley did go shooting yesterday and men do like to do those things in groups. But the point is that Fitzwilliam needs to meet a lady, and I do not believe he’s yet had that pleasure. So, unless he plans to accidentally stumble upon a lady this afternoon, the only place he could possibly meet his one true love is at the ball.

     My brother is the best of men, but young as I am, I am not blind to his faults. Fitzwilliam might, at best, be described as reticent. He might, at worst, be described as a pompous snob. He hates to be the center of attention and is very uncomfortable among new people. Unfortunately, when he is uncomfortable, he often appears to be rather terrible, at least to those who do not know him. That is why tonight is so special. For a man as reserved as my brother to find his one true love amid a public ball —oh, it will be truly amazing! I cannot help but wonder about the lady who will capture his attention. Will she be shy like Fitzwilliam, or will she possess a natural wit and vivacity that will help to draw him out?

     Because I am not yet out, being sixteen, I asked if there was a spell that would allow me to watch the events unfold without attending. Mrs. Annesley believes there are several that might work and is just now checking her books to determine the best options for a young, inexperienced witch. While she is searching her spell books, I shall share some necessary background information for the sake of my future nieces. 

     I have been studying the art of tea reading myself, but I have not yet mastered it. Yesterday I believed I read that Mr. Bingley would fall off his horse, but it turns out that he was only to fall off the porch, and even that interpretation was not quite right, for he simply tripped down the final step and landed with surprising grace on his feet in the driveway. 

     Mrs. Annesley’s predictions always prove themselves to be correct, however, which is why I was so excited to hear this morning’s forecast. My brother (your father) will meet his one true love this evening, and I will finally have a sister! And eventually, little one, I will have you, too. 

***

     Mrs. Annesley returned with a list of possibilities. There are, it appears, three spells suitable for a witch of my novice level to witness another's experiences. The first is a transformation spell. This enchantment might allow me to attend the ball not in person but cloaked in the guise of a small creature. Alas, as a fledgling witch, it is unlikely I could master the art of assuming a form as complex as a bird, to perch unnoticed at the event. Mastering a mouse's form might be within my reach, yet how much could I discern from a vantage so low upon the ground? Inevitably, I would startle at least one lady, and likely a gentleman too, with my mousey presence. Someone might even swat at me with a broom, or perhaps a cane. Attending a ball as a mouse seems like a very good way to lose my life. 

     The second type is a mirror spell. This would necessitate charming an object already present at the ball. It would then act as a mirror, allowing me to see events happening around the room. Unfortunately, I do not have the ability to place an object at the ball because I will not be attending. 

     The final option is a riding spell. This is the most complicated of the options, but it is probably the only one that is truly available to me. A riding spell would enable me, the witch, to experience events through another's senses. Obviously, I would need to charm Fitzwilliam for his are the eyes and ears that will matter this evening. Mrs. Annesley has assured me this is physically taxing magic and has urged me to take a long afternoon nap so that I can maintain the connection for the duration of the ball. So that is what I shall do. 

     I will return this evening to share what I learn. Wish me (and Fitzwilliam, of course) luck!

About the Author

Leah Page loves books, hiking, and the Bengals (Who Dey!).  She has a passion for travel, is doing her best to learn Spanish, and has plans to live “a little bit of everywhere” when her husband retires. For now, you can find her sitting at her writing desk in Kentucky while her sidekick pup sleeps in her lap.   

Leah writes Pride and Prejudice fan fiction. If you would like to learn more, visit www.leahpageauthor.com. 

Book Links

Amazon (paid link) • Goodreads

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. I will receive a small commission, at no cost to you,  if you purchase a book through the link provided. Thanks!

* * *GIVEAWAY * * *

Leah Page is offering one free e-copy of Georgiana Darcy’s Magical Meddling to a lucky reader. To qualify for the drawing, enter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to Leah Page for stopping by today! Congratulations on the release of Georgiana Darcy's Magical Meddling! 

I absolutely loved that excerpt. It was so fun. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the story! How about you? Let me know in the comments below. 

"Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Undone" by Sue Barr Blog Tour ~ Interview & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving or a great weekend! Today I have an interesting interview with Sue Barr as she discusses her new book, Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone! 

What would Pride & Prejudice be like if Darcy and Elizabeth had a touch of magic in their lives?

What first inspired you to the story, and what do you personally love about the voice, style, and legacy of Miss Austen?

 

There is a LOT of back story to this book. The genesis began in 2012 when I wrote erotica under a pen name for a publishing house. I began an epic naughty trilogy called The Miatharan Chronicles: Craven Desires / Dark Desires / Forbidden Desires. When I left the publishing house in 2014 and got all the rights of my books back, I switched genres and began self-publishing. The Desire manuscripts languished on my hard drive. Then, on A Happy Assembly (a Jane Austen Fan Fiction site), one of the playground themes was magic. Lightbulb moment. Could I adapt one of the scenes into a Pride & Prejudice variation? I did, and it was quite successful with clamours for more from those devoted, lovely readers. I added a few more scenes over the year, and finally, after much virtual pleading from a few writer friends, Melanie Rachel being one of the ring leaders, I put hands on the keyboard and began to seriously adapt the vignette into Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Undone.

 

How does this relate to the style and legacy of Miss Austen? Well… I don’t think she’d approve of some aspects of Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Undone, my style is my own. I love her wit and her complete understanding of human nature and how things worked in ‘her time’. For the first half of the book, I stayed as close to canon as possible in order to retain her theme. Of course, once the magic came out full-blown the story took on a totally different direction. That’s where my voice definitely became stronger than hers. 

 

What did you intuit about Darcy, his nature, that made you want to tell this particular story?

 

I’d always wondered how Darcy would behave if he met Elizabeth and circumstances allowed him to show his passion. I wanted her to get under his skin in a way he could not control because we all know he is about control and decorum. With the advent of magic and soul marks (fated destiny), it was easy to write his passionate nature. At first, lust drove his actions, then certain physical manifestations caused him to really look at Elizabeth in a different light. Of course, he fell in love with her but once again, societal expectations (this time with a magical bent) threatened to keep them apart. Maybe the tag line of this book should read, "He wanted her but couldn’t have her".

 

Did you have a favourite scene in the novel? And if so, what was it about it that drew you in as deeply as it had? 

 

I have several and all for different reasons. I had fun writing the scene where Lizzy’s magic is revealed to Darcy in a fun and unique way and the following sensual scene. However, my secret favourite is Lizzy and her mother. We see a different side to Mrs. Bennet that surprises everyone. It’s a sliding fastball through the strike zone that the batter (ie: reader) never sees coming. It gave me great joy to drop in that unexpected nugget of fun.

 

What extra research did you do to prep for this novel? How did you approach getting into the head and heart of Darcy?

 

My research was done years before and centered on the Tuath de Naan. In order to write about magic I needed to understand the reason for it. When I began to convert some of the Craven scenes into Darcy Undone, I already had an inherent knowledge of how the magic worked in my story. As for the head and heart of Darcy, well, I’ve read a LOT of JAFF and over time I’ve developed my own sense of who he is. To me, Darcy is akin to a dormant volcano. Forbidding. Strong. A ton of hot lava flowing beneath that calm surface, and when it wakes up… Whoa Mama! I adore hot alpha males, and he is one of my top three.

 

Were there any secondary characters or non-canon characters that you particularly enjoyed writing?

 

Anyone who’s read my JAFF books knows I love to redeem secondary characters, and I started with one of the most hated - Caroline Bingley. Although I do think she’s redeemable, in this story I portrayed her in an extremely vile manner. Miss Bingley spouts opinions that will, frankly, shock some readers, but I wanted her to become undone in her own twisted way.

Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Undone

by Sue Barr

Book Blurb: 

She’s the outcast in her family…   

Elizabeth knows she’s different from the rest of her family. She has visions and strange dreams and sees things others do not. With the advent of the odious Mr. Darcy and his friends from Netherfield Park, as well as the amiable Mr. Wickham of the _____shire Militia, her powers seem to increase and her greatest fear is that she won’t be able to contain them and will be discovered.   

He has eight hundred years of tradition to uphold…   

No Darcy has married a non-magical woman since arriving on the shores of England with William the Conqueror in 1066. However, his kind – Miatharans – are dwindling in numbers. Miatharan magic only flows through aristocratic bloodlines, so his strange obsession with Miss Elizabeth Bennet is puzzling as she is not of noble blood. Just a country squire’s beautiful daughter who has him slowly becoming undone. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Undone is available in Kindle Unlimited (Amazon) until Dec 12 when it will be released to other major digital retailers.

 

Buy: Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CA

Add to Goodreads

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon US. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

About the Author

‘The prairie dust is in my blood but no longer on my shoes.’

 

Although it’s been over forty-two years since Sue called Saskatchewan home, her roots to that straight-lined province and childhood friends run deep. The only thing strong enough to entice her to pack up and leave was love. When a handsome Air Force pilot met this small-town girl, he swept her off her feet and they embarked on a fantastic adventure which found them settled in beautiful Southwestern Ontario when hubby retired from the military and began his second career as an airline pilot.

 

Sue started writing in 2009 and sold her first manuscript in 2010. Always a reader of Regency romance, she discovered Jane Austen Fan Fiction in 2014 and almost immediately wanted to know – Whatever happened to Caroline Bingley after her brother and Mr. Darcy became engaged to a Bennet sister? From that question, her first JAFF book was launched.

 

In her spare time, Sue cans and preserves her own food, cooks almost everything from scratch and grows herbs to dehydrate. Her latest venture is to create her own spice seasonings, experiment with artisan breads and make her own homemade vanilla. Hubby has no complaints other than his jeans keep shrinking. At least that’s what he claims…. Her sons, their wives and all seven grandchildren don’t mind this slight obsession either.

Connect with Sue Barr

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Amazon Author Page

Blog Tour Schedule

Nov. 17 - Austenesque Reviews

Nov. 18 - Diary of an Eccentric

Nov. 19 - From Pemberley to Milton

Nov. 20 - Interests of a Jane Austen Girl

Nov. 23 - Babblings of a Bookworm

Nov. 25 - My Vices & Weaknesses

Nov. 27 - My Jane Austen Book Club

Nov. 30 - So Little Time...

Dec. 2 - More Agreeably Engaged

* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

It's giveaway time! Sue Barr will give away an ebook of this latest novel to 3 random winners for the entire blog tour. Follow the tour and join in the comments to be entered to win. Sue will choose the random winners and announce the winners on social media on December 5.

Many thanks to Chistina Boyd and Sue Barr for having me on this blog tour! 

***

I hope you enjoyed the interview with Sue! If you have any questions for her, please feel free to comment below! And remember, those comments enter you in the giveaway! Thanks! 

TEMPT ME by Julie Cooper Blog Tour ~ Deleted Scene & Giveaway!

 Hello, my friends! I have a treat for you today! I have a deleted scene from Julie Cooper's new book, Tempt Me! This book looks fantastic! I'm going to have to put it on my October reading list! Yummy! 

Plus, there is a blog wide giveaway going on! Details at the bottom of the page.

TEMPT ME

by Julie Cooper

"He raged inwardly at fate’s gift of the one female he could never, ever have..." 

IT IS A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED that a single vampyre must be in want of a wife. Someone biddable, her memories easily expunged to allow for strange, inexplicable deeds and baffling circumstances. A tractable creature, of average intelligence, willing to attend to the business of producing heirs and keep out of all else. A girl easily moulded, incurious, indifferent, and demanding nothing beyond access to his fortune. 

FITZWILLIAM DARCY knows exactly who he needs. He can fix on the hour, the spot, the look, and the words which laid the foundation for an obsession he rejected. But ten years later, at an assembly in an obscure village in Hertfordshire, he finds himself in the middle once more. 

His needs are unalterable. But can he resist the one woman he truly wants?

 

Delete Scene

To her surprise, however, Caroline approached her. “Mrs Darcy, let me persuade you take a turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so long in one attitude.” 

Though distrustful of the woman’s motives, Elizabeth felt she had no choice but to join her. Fitzwilliam eyed them curiously, but Lydia began begging him to hold a ball at Pemberley to celebrate the wedding, with Kitty taking Dutch courage from her sister. Mrs Bennet added a third voice, and he began to look distinctly beleaguered. With an effort, she pulled her attention away from their embarrassing conduct to the repellent woman by her side. Caroline tucked Elizabeth’s arm in hers and it was all she could do not to tug it away...or break it. 

“My, it is excessively warm in here. Shall we stroll in the gallery?” Caroline asked. 

Elizabeth nodded, walking with her up the stairs and into the long corridor lined with portraits and landscapes, idly wondering if she had allowed herself to be thus directed so that she might have the privacy required to rip the smirk off Caroline’s face. The next moment, she was appalled at the direction of her thoughts, forcefully reminding herself of the need for control. She used the beauty surrounding her in paint and portrait to distract herself from her aversion to Caroline’s presence and new, unlovely instincts far too near the surface. 

“How do you find your new life? I must admit to a certain envy in your accomplishments,” Caroline said coyly. 

“I am adjusting,” Elizabeth answered noncommittally, using the excuse of examining a bronze to pull away from Caroline’s grip.

“Adjusting? I should say so! The riches of immortality at your feet, a handsome and powerful husband by your side? One would say you have everything a woman could ever want.” 

“Yes,” Elizabeth replied in quick agreement.

“Except,” Caroline added, “for a child.”

Elizabeth stiffened in surprise and anger. Do not kill her, do not kill her, do not kill her. She will be Jane’s sister. Killing her would be impolite. “You are very bold, Miss Bingley,” she managed.

“I am very practical, Mrs Darcy. What might sound offensive to you, in your inexperience, is only pragmatism in the world in which I have been raised. How do you think dynasties continue, when offspring are not possible? Mr Darcy will need a mortal womb to bear his child. I have one. I approach you, with all due respect, to offer mine.”

“How very...magnanimous of you,” Elizabeth murmured, imagining her blood spilling across 

the carpeted floor.

“Magnanimity has nothing to do with it, of course,” Caroline replied. “I would expect to gain 

materially in return for the child. And an opportunity to be Turned afterwards.”

Though her own thoughts were admittedly the furthest thing from benign, Elizabeth blinked at the inherent coldness of the offer. As though a baby and motherhood were coin, to be traded. She found her voice at last. “I imagine I would murder any woman who bedded my husband,” she said, in as emotionless a tone as she could manage. “Her death would be neither neat nor quick, I promise. I find I am far from...predictable these days.” 

For the first time Caroline truly looked at Elizabeth, and for once her smile wavered; she backed up an involuntary step. “There would be no reason for... resentment,” she quickly assured. “I have no love for your husband, nor he for me. This is purely an exchange of commodities. Your line will need an heir in order to maintain its strength. I can give it, with no expectations beyond those I’ve named. A practical alliance, and a very common one.” 

“Be that as it may, your plan has a flaw,” Elizabeth said reasonably calmly, considering the evisceration she contemplated. “Perhaps you were not aware. Mr Darcy is bonded to me. He can have no other woman.” 

“Charles mentioned that Mr Darcy had bonded,” Caroline replied, her smirk back in place. “But I have an idea.”

* * *

About the Author

Julie Cooper, a California native, lives with her Mr Darcy

(without the arrogance or the Pemberley) of nearly forty years, two dogs (one intelligent, one goofball), and Kevin the Cat (smarter than all of them.)  They have four children and three grandchildren, all of whom are brilliant and adorable, with the pictures to prove it. She works as an executive at a gift basket company and her tombstone will read, "Have your Christmas gifts delivered at least four days before the 25th."  Her hobbies are reading, giving other people good advice, and wondering why no one follows it.

You can connect with Julie Cooper on Facebook and Instagram.

* * *

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! 

* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

Quills & Quartos Publishing is giving away 5 e-copies of Tempt Me to 5 readers who comment on any of the posts on this blog tour! Winners will be picked after the tour is over.

Many thanks to Quills & Quartos Publishing for inviting me on this tour! 

Oh!! A deleted scene with a cliffhanger! No fair! Lol!

Friends, what did you think?! Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

What Are You Reading ~ April 22, 2020

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *

What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finished reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Current Read 

I'm currently reading Attachments* by Rainbow Rowell. I'm loving this story! I started reading it because I needed something to read in bed. I read on my Kindle Fire with the blue light turned off and very dim so I don't disturb my husband. The problem with this story is that it's funny and I have to muffle my laughter! LOL! 





Recently Finished

I finished reading In the Shadow of Blackbirds* by Cat Winters. I loved this paranormal mystery set during the 1918 Flu epidemic. Historically, I didn't realize (it just didn't click in my head) that this epidemic hit at the same time WWI was going on and we lost so many men during that too. What a crushing time. Plus, there were photographers claiming to be able to capture the spirit of a loved one on film. ~ 5 stars.





What's next?

I'm going to start reading Taken* by Mary Anne Mashatt soon. 








*Disclaimer: Links 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! 


So, tell me, what are you reading? I hope you are all doing well!