The Subsequent Proposal and a Perfect Fire-rose...Joana Starnes Tells of Their Connection

It is with great pleasure that I welcome back Joana Starnes to my blog! She has a new book that has just been released, and it's cover is stunning! In her post Joana introduces us to the gloriously perfect fire-rose, the object of her cover and a hint of its significance to her new book, The Subsequent Proposal. This new book combines two of Austen's works. I have to say that I am fascinated with the idea! (and enjoyed this post immensely) Ms. Starnes will be giving away an eBook so be sure and read about it below.

“There is a rose that begins life as a small, ungainly yellow rosebud, tentatively tinged with hints of orange. Yet, as it blooms, the tones of jealousy slowly lose ground to the vibrant red of love everlasting as it spreads into the petals, until they open fully into a gloriously perfect fire-rose. By happy coincidence, this is precisely what ‘The Subsequent Proposal’ is about!”

Many thanks, Janet, for welcoming me back to ‘More Agreeably Engaged’ to talk about my second book, just as you did when I released the first one!

I would like to take this opportunity to also thank all the wonderful people who had taken the time and trouble to write such amazing, sensitive and in-depth reviews at Amazon for my debut novel, ‘From This Day Forward’, as well as for my second. I hope you are visiting Janet’s blog and you can read this! Your warm support is hugely appreciated and it cheered me up no end, especially when I most needed cheering!

‘From This day Forward’ was written at a time when I wasn’t even dreaming of publication. It was my sweet escapism, into the long lost world of Regency charm and into a vanished way of life. Looking back, in many ways it makes me think of a trip I once took to visit ‘The Vyne’, a Hampshire country house where Jane Austen herself is thought to have visited, though not as a tourist but as a guest to the balls once held there. (Please bear with me. It may not look like it, but I promise I do have a point, and it’ll make sense in the end – I hope!)

During that visit, some of us, myself included, were very much inclined to linger and look in awe at the ink stains that the former owner left on his well-worn desk, as he was writing to his friend and boon companion, Horace Walpole – or to reverently admire a marvellous, richly embroidered coat he might have worn at the balls he had hosted. The room steward was kind enough to open secret drawers and let us share in that little piece of history – and got into trouble with his supervision for doing so, because the precious item was only supposed to be brought out on special, ‘Secrets of The Vyne Revealed’ days! Oooops! Oh, dear!

While some of our little group were mesmerised by such hidden gems and could have stared at them for absolute ages, others, quite understandably, were eager to move on, see other rooms, find other gems, hear other stories.

With hindsight, ‘From This Day Forward’ was the lingering quest for long-lost detail.

‘The Subsequent Proposal’, on the other hand, is the faster-paced walk with lots of ups and downs, followed by a lovely cup of tea – or maybe coffee – alongside a freshly-baked scone, smothered in clotted cream and topped with a dollop of strawberry preserve.

‘The Subsequent Proposal’ sprang from my fascination with both ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and ‘Persuasion’. I have always wondered what might have happened if, on a rebound after Hunsford, Darcy came across someone who was very like him in temperament and manner. Or if the dashing Captain Wentworth came home from the high seas to settle down – and did not encounter the cheerful and scatter-brained Louisa Musgrove, but someone else, who had cheerfulness aplenty, but also sparkling wit, intelligence and charm. Someone like, say, Elizabeth Bennet…

I have often wondered – and I have always found that, after ‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘Persuasion’ is Jane Austen’s second most romantic novel, and it was very tempting to bring the two together!

‘The Subsequent Proposal’ does exactly that. It brings together characters who are very much alike, at a time of upheaval in their lives, when they should have known better than making life-altering decisions on the heels of heartache and disappointment!

Perhaps I should stop here for fear of spoilers, but I just can’t go away without saying that, in this wonderful JAFF world of ours, I believe there is another truth, just as universally acknowledged: no matter what crazy obstacles are dreamed up and heartlessly set before them, Elizabeth and Darcy should never be apart!

‘The Subsequent Proposal’ is now available at Amazon and Smashwords, and also at the online retailers that Smashwords distribute to. 

You can find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/joana.a.starnes or at www.joanastarnes.co.uk

Please drop by for that scone with clotted cream – or just for a chat and a cup of coffee!

Ummm,...clotted cream, a cup of coffee and a chat...who could resist? Not me!  Thanks so much, Joana. It is great having you here again. I loved reading about your visit to 'The Vyne' and how that visit influenced your writing. Thank you for sharing with us and also for your willingness to host a giveaway. I wish you much success with your new book.

For the giveaway of her book, The Subsequent Proposal, Joana Starnes is generously offering an eBook, to one winner and the giveaway is open internationally. To be entered leave a comment below as I always love reading your 'say in the conversation'! Good luck to all. Be sure to include your email address in the comment. To prevent unwanted spam, put your email address with an (at) instead of @. Winner will be chosen in a random drawing. Giveaway ends at midnight, November 4.