Celebrate Regina Jeffers's Birthday with Mr. Darcy's Present!

Happy Birthday, to you! I'm so glad to have you here today and help you celebrate. (even if you are not too big on birthdays) Part of the celebration is...well, I will not spoil your surprise, but...what a great gift to have on this day! Congratulations. I know it will be a big success. I have read many of your books and am eager to read this one. As you know, I am a big fan of your writing.

Dear Readers, help me welcome Regina and send warm wishers her way.

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Today is my BIRTHDAY, but you will receive the present if you are one of the two winners of the giveaway below. I am 69 this year. In truth, I am not a big one for birthdays or holidays, in general. I would prefer to give and receive gifts for other reasons than counting 365 days. I give gifts throughout the years to loved ones.

Moreover, those who know me know I have a SARCASTIC sense of humor, and so instead of the traditional “Happy Birthday” song, I find the song from Arrogant Worms more appropriate…

Once a year we celebrate

With stupid hats and plastic plates

The fact that you were able to make

Another trip around the sun

And the whole clan gathers round

And gifts and laughter do abound

And we let out a joyful sound

And sing that stupid song

Happy birthday

Now you’re one year older

Happy birthday

Your life still isn’t over

Happy birthday

You did not accomplish much

But you didn’t die this year

I guess that’s good enough

So let’s drink to your fading health

And hope you don’t remind yourself

The chance of finding fame and wealth

Decrease with every year

If you wish to hear the whole song, you may do so HERE: http://www.streetdirectory.com/lyricadvisor/song/pwplw/the_happy_happy_birthday_song/

So, what PRESENT from me has arrived? It is something special. I think it is special, and I hope you do also. This has been a long hot summer in North Carolina, and so I am fast forwarding to Christmas. No time for Halloween or Thanksgiving! We need a little Christmas right NOW!  Therefore, I bear the gift of Mr. Darcy’s Present: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Vagary.

Available on Amazon

The Greatest Present He Would Ever Receive is the Gift of Her Love…

What if Mr. Darcy purchased a gift for Elizabeth Bennet to acknowledge the festive days even though he knows he will never present it to her? What if the gift is posted to the lady by his servants and without his knowledge? What if the enclosed card was meant for another and is more suggestive than a gentleman should share with an unmarried lady? Join Darcy and Elizabeth, for a holiday romp, loaded with delightful twists and turns no one expects, but one in which our favorite couple take a very different path in thwarting George Wickham and Lydia Bennet’s elopement. Can a simple book of poetry be Darcy’s means to win Elizabeth’s love? When we care more for another than ourselves, the seeds of love have an opportunity to blossom.

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Words of Praise for Mr. Darcy’s Present…

Jeffers takes a familiar story and reinvigorates it with humor, warmth, and wisdom. - Roses and Lilacs Reviews

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Scene from Chapter 1. Darcy had a “dangerous” encounter with an overturned coal cart.

“Darcy? Darcy? Can you hear me?” It was Georgiana and she sounded frightened. “Please, William. Open your eyes.”

He did not wish to leave Elizabeth’s image behind. There was still much he wished to say to her. It was imperative that he convince her to accept his hand, but he held a duty to Georgiana. And so he lifted his heavy lids to welcome the worried features of his sister.

“Oh, William.” Her sob of relief had her bottom lip trembling. “I feared we had lost you. I could not bear it.”

He wished to take her in his arms to comfort her, but try as he might, Darcy could not lift his arms.

Bingley nudged Georgiana from her place. “You gave us quite a scare, Old Chap,” his friend said with a reassuring smile. “Do not worry if you cannot yet move about. Doctor Nott and Mr. Harvon could not agree upon your treatment, but it was decided that they would tie your arms to the bed frame. Broke you right wrist and suffered a blow to your head, as well as multiple cuts and bruises. Neither Harvon nor Nott wished you to bolt up unexpectedly and do more injury to yourself.”

Darcy made himself form the word “Water.” His mouth was excessively dry.

“Miss Darcy, fetch your brother some water,” Bingley ordered. His friend remained sitting with one hip on the edge of the bed. At length, Georgiana handed Bingley the glass. Darcy could feel her worried eyes upon him, and so he made the effort to appear alert. “I shan’t attempt to brace you. Let us use this spoon.” Bingley held up the utensil before spooning the water into Darcy’s mouth. “A coal cart toppled over on you,” Bingley explained as he tended to Darcy. “You will be quite stiff for a few days, but Harvon says your wrist is the worst of it. Once the laudanum wears away, Harvon will untie your arms. Miss Darcy says the opiate provides you nightmares, and no one wishes you thrashing about in the bed.”

Darcy thought of his dream of Elizabeth. It was far from perfect, but certainly not a nightmare. “Thank you,” he said as he refused another spoonful of the water. “Sheffield?”

“Your man is fine. He took Lord Joyner’s son to task for the youth’s lack of forethought. His lordship was less than pleased with Sheffield’s tongue lashing of his son until he realized young Mr. Joyner had struck Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.” Bingley winked at him. “Lord Joyner prays you will not withdraw your investment in the canal in which he holds the primary interest.”

Darcy pronounced through stiff lips, “Would be foolish.”

“My sentiments exactly,” Bingley said as he sat the glass of water and the spoon aside. “When you are well enough to consider the situation, the magistrate awaits your decision as to addressing a complaint against his lordship’s heir. But there is no need for you to place your mind to it at this time. Just rest. It will do young Joyner good to wait a few more days until he learns whether he faces charges of assault. I heard he has known great anguish at considering a charge of murder if you died. The wait will make him appreciate the privileges his father’s barony provides him. As to Sheffield, he tended you for the last two days. I sent him to his bed for some much required rest.”

“Two days?” Darcy asked weakly.

“The reason for your sister’s distress,” Bingley replied. “Miss Darcy and I have fended off all those more curious than sincere. You have nothing of which to worry. The Matlocks and I will tend to Miss Darcy. For now, just rest.”

Darcy attempted to nod his gratitude, but the movement sent a wincing pain shooting through his head. He squeezed his eyes shut to quell the piercing ache between his eyes. “I am in your debt,” he murmured through gritted teeth.

“None of that,” Bingley insisted. “No soul can claim a truer friend.”

Bingley’s words had Darcy wondering if he had betrayed his friend’s trust by permitting Miss Bingley to separate Bingley from Miss Bennet. Was I protecting myself rather than my friend? he wondered. If Bingley claimed Miss Bennet, I will lose a friend, for I cannot bear to be in Miss Elizabeth’s presence and view her choose another. With that doubt planted firmly in his mind, he drifted to sleep only to return to the Netherfield ball and the disaster that marked his rejection.

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If you did not like the above song for birthdays, perhaps this one from Don McLean will be more to your suiting. Perhaps, Darcy could sing it to Elizabeth on her first birthday they celebrate together…

If I could say the things I feel, it wouldn’t be the same

Some things are not spoken of, some things have no name

Though the words come hard to me, I’ll say them just for you

For this is something rare for me this feeling is so new

You see I love the way you love me

I love the way you smile at me

I love the way we live this life we’re in

Long ago I heard the song that lovers sing to me

And through the days with each new phrase I hummed that melody

And all along I loved the song but I never learned it through

But since the day you came along, I’ve saved it just for you.

(You can hear the whole song HERE

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!! LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO BE PART OF THE GIVEAWAY. TWO WINNERS WILL WIN AN eBOOK COPY OF MR. DARCY’S PRESENT: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE HOLIDAY VAGARY. THE GIVEAWAY WILL END AT MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21.

Purchase Links:

Mr. Darcy's Present: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Vagary is now available in PRINT and eBOOK formats.  

CreateSpace

Amazon

Kindle

Kobo

Nook

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Connect with Regina at…

Regina Jeffers is an award-winning author of Austenesque, Regency, historical mysteries, and contemporary novels. She is a retired English teacher and an often sought after consultant for media literacy and language arts.

Every Woman Dreams Blog   

Austen Authors Blog    

Regina Jeffers Website (excerpts, news and events, reviews, etc.)   

You may also find Regina at

Amazon Author Page  

Twitter @reginajeffers     

Facebook   

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Thank you, Regina Jeffers, for sharing such a riveting excerpt with us! Poor Darcy! I'm happy he was not hurt seriously. It's also good to see Bingley taking charge! My interest is piqued in anticipation of how Mr. Darcy will receive his 'present'. What all will he have to go through to get Lizzy's love? Ahhh, what will she think when she receives a gift from him with a risque note, no less? Questions, questions...

Your blurb did just what it was supposed to do, make me want to read the book. I love your cover too. 

Again, I wish you a very happy birthday. It's a pleasure sharing time with you today.

Remember, you must leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway and please do not lose out by failing to leave me contact info. That would be such a shame. I have it for some of you but every week there are people not entered because I have no way of finding them. Help me make sure you are not one of them. Thanks and good luck to each of you.