The Elizabeth Papers...Jenetta James

Available on Amazon

Oh happy day, dear readers....you are in for a fun and special post today! The lovely Jenetta James stops by on her busy virtual blog tour for The Elizabeth Papers. From what I have been reading, there has been a fabulous reception for these 'papers' and the new book is getting rave reviews. I haven't read it yet but it is at the top of my TBR list! If any of you have read it, let us know some of your thoughts, if you will, without giving anything away!!! No spoilers here, please! :)

And now, folks, for your Wednesday morning treat, Jenetta James interviews Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy...sigh!

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Firstly, thank you to Janet for graciously welcoming me back to her fine blog as part of The Elizabeth Papers blog tour. As some of you will know, The Elizabeth Papers is a novel in two eras - so there is a bit of time hopping that goes on between our own time and the nineteenth century. A few people have asked me - is it time travel? The answer is, no, it isn’t time travel. Rather, it is about two people in the present sleuthing away at the past until they find out a long hidden truth about Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, a truth that our dear couple have worked hard to conceal.  (Oh, dear, Jenetta James, you do have me feeling much angst after reading this sentence...now I must read your book, sooner rather than later!)

However, for the purposes of this blog post, I am thrilled to announce that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy has agreed, possible against his better judgement, to travel into the future, or as far as I am concerned, the present, and submit to a number of questions. I am greatly indebted to both Mr. Darcy and Janet for agreeing to take part in this experiment.

Jenetta: Welcome Mr. Darcy.

Darcy nods and looks around, searchingly.

Mr. Darcy: Erm, thank you, Mrs. James.

Jenetta: You can call me Jenetta if you like.

Darcy raises eyebrows, appearing doubtful

Jenetta: Mr. Darcy, you have joined me today from 1822, is that correct?

Mr. Darcy: I have.

Jenetta: And you have travelled in time and space haven’t you? Because you live in Derbyshire and have come to London to meet with me today. Do you find the city to be much changed from your own time?

Mr. Darcy: I find it to be barely recognisable Madam. I have always considered Town to be overcrowded and hectic by nature. I must say that having now seen it two centuries in the future, I shall cease complaining. Darcy’s expression, softening. Mrs. Darcy would be amazed.

Jenetta: Do you intend to tell her about this interview?

Mr. Darcy: I have a strong inclination towards honesty with my wife Mrs. James, so I suppose I ought to. On the other hand, I worry that she shall think me out of my wits if I relate the totality of this experience.

Jenetta: That sounds rather damning. Would she not simply credit you with an excellent imagination?

Mr. Darcy: That is how she would put it. Eliz—I’m sorry, Mrs. Darcy has a talent for sophistry when she so chooses. It does not necessarily reflect what is in her mind.

Jenetta: Do you mean that sometimes, she is a fibber?

Mr. Darcy: No. I do not. I merely meant that if she were doubting my sanity, on account of my reporting this incident of time travel, she may not say so outright. I would not impugn her honesty for a moment. You may relent with this line of questioning. You will not persuade me to present as a lunatic to my wife. Next question.

Jenetta: If you could be an animal, what would you be?

Darcy, looking disbelieving.

Mr. Darcy: A horse. My horse Herodotus is a fine animal and I would hope to live up to his example.

Jenetta: If you were a country dance, what would you be?

Mr.Darcy: Mrs. James, may I ask to what these questions tend? I was invited to attend a serious interview.

Jenetta: I’m sorry Mr. Darcy. I’m trying to bring out your character. People want to feel as though they know you. I’m trying to fill in the blanks.

Mr. Darcy: fill in the blanks?

Jenetta: Yes, you know, get to know you. Discover the private man behind the public mask.

Darcy, appearing completely shocked, remains silent.

Jenetta: You are father to no fewer than five daughters, is that right?

Mr. Darcy: It is.

Jenetta: Is that rather overwhelming?

Mr. Darcy: Certainly not.

Jenetta: But a man can have too many daughters, can he not?

Mr. Darcy: Not this man, Mrs. James. Mrs. Darcy and I have five daughters and our family is expected to increase in the spring. I do not find their number to be in any way excessive.

Darcy takes a sip of his coffee, before replacing the cup, looking somewhat uncertain.

Jenetta: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your family life?

Mr. Darcy: No.

Darcy smiles, somewhat uncompromisingly.

Jenetta: Does that mean “interview over”?

Mr. Darcy: I believe it does.

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The Elizabeth Papers by Jenetta James

Book Blurb:

“It is settled between us already, that we are to be the happiest couple in the world.” —Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice

Charlie Haywood is a London-based private investigator who has made his own fortune—on his own terms. Charming, cynical, and promiscuous, he never expected to be attracted to Evie Pemberton, an emerging and independent-minded artist living with the aftermath of tragedy. But when he is hired to investigate her claims to a one hundred and fifty year old trust belonging to the eminent Darcy family, he is captivated.

Together they become entwined in a tale of love, loss, and mystery tracing back to the grand estate of Pemberley, home to Evie’s nineteenth century ancestors, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy.

How could Evie know that in 1817 Elizabeth Darcy began a secret journal? What started as an account of a blissful life came to reflect a growing unease. Was the Darcy marriage perfect or was there betrayal and deception at its heart?

Can Evie and Charlie unearth the truth in the letters of Fitzwilliam Darcy or within the walls of present-day Pemberley? What are the elusive Elizabeth papers and why did Elizabeth herself want them destroyed?

The Elizabeth Papers is a tale of romance and intrigue, spanning the Regency and modern eras, reminding us how the passions of the past may inspire those in the present.

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Author Bio:

            

Jenetta James is the nom de plume of a lawyer, writer, mother and taker-on of too much. She grew up in Cambridge and read history at Oxford University where she was a scholar and president of the Oxford University History Society. After graduating, she took to the law and now practises full time as a barrister. Over the years she has lived in France, Hungary and Trinidad as well as her native England. Jenetta currently lives in London with her husband and children where she enjoys reading, laughing and playing with Lego. Suddenly Mrs. Darcy is her first novel which was published by Meryton Press in April 2015. The Elizabeth Papers is her second novel.  (If any of you have not read, 'Suddenly Mrs. Darcy', I highly recommend it!)

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Links:

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The Elizabeth Papers Blog Tour Schedule:

5/30: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Jane Austen Book Club

5/31: Excerpt & Giveaway at Romance Novel Giveaways

6/1: Review at Tomorrow is Another Day

6/1: Guest Post & Giveaway at Liz’s Reading Life

6/2: Review at From Pemberley to Milton

6/3: Guest Post at Moonlight Reader

6/4: Review at Babblings of a Bookworm

6/5: Review at Just Jane 1813

6/6: Guest Post & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews

6/7: Excerpt & Giveaway at So Little Time…

6/8: Character Interview at More Agreeably Engaged

6/9: Author Interview at Savvy Verse & Wit

6/10: Review at Diary of an Eccentric

6/10: Excerpt & Giveaway at Skipping Midnight

6/11: Review at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice

6/12: Review at Margie’s Must Reads

6/13: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars

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Now it is giveaway time! Hooray! Please use the Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway for the intriguing book, The Elizabeth Papers, by Jenetta James!

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Well, Ms. James, I must tell you that I did enjoy your interview with Mr. Darcy. He was a bit 'close-mouthed', was he not? But then, what else should we expect, it 'was' Mr. Darcy, afterall, and he is a very private man! I did find it interesting about his choice of animal to be and his reasons given. In talking about his lovely wife, he just cannot help himself, can he? He softens, period! (swooning here) 

It was so good to have you back at More Agreeably Engaged. You are always a welcome visitor and I hope to have you back many more times in the future. As I mentioned already, it seems this newest release, The Elizabeth Papers, is making quite a splash in the Jane Austen literary community! (I promise I will let not let the angst I feel prevent me reading it!) Congratulations on such success! Oh, I understand that today is your birthday?! Here's to wishing you a very happy one! I'm glad to have you visit on your special day! :)

I think the cover of this book is stunning! I truly love covers that relate to the actual story and give hints or are pertinent to what is inside. This one certainly does.

Now back to you, dear Readers, I hope you will visit all the blogs that are taking part in Jenetta James's blog tour. There are eight books in the giveaway for eight lucky winners. If you will be so kind, take a few minutes to leave us a comment on the book and/or Mr. Darcy's interview! Thanks as always for popping in.