Georgia McCall...Obligation and Redemption

Available on Amazon

My guest today is new author and first time visitor to More Agreeably Engaged, Georgia McCall. Ms. McCall's book, Obligation and Redemption, is, in her words, causing a 'stir'.  She is sharing with us why she believes this to be true and why she wrote this novel. Her thoughts definitely gave me something to 'ponder' and I appreciate that! Please join me in welcoming Georgia McCall. There is a great giveaway too! :)

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From Obligation to Redemption:  why is Georgia McCall’s new book causing such a stir?  By Georgia McCall

When I first decided to put my musings down for posterity in the form of a novel, I had the story clearly laid out before me within the confines of my mind.  I had read many Austen variations, some so very good and others reminiscent of every other version.  They all looked similar:  Darcy easily falling in love (albeit against his will at times), with Elizabeth eventually following suit after various trials and misunderstandings.    However, no book had ever brought the couple together when neither of them had any inclination whatsoever towards the other – before Darcy had even developed an attraction to the impertinent woman with fine eyes.  I considered what it might look like for Darcy to suspect malfeasance towards a woman bound to him for life, his suspicions based on his past prejudices and experiences.

The possibilities for misconceptions and vexations were fun to contemplate as each fulfilled his and her obligations, but as I met new characters and discovered how the couple’s struggles were taking shape, a deeper and more meaningful impression began to emerge within the context of the story.  That a proud, arrogant and self-sufficient man could be humbled and changed to such an extent as to go from loathing to loving, I came to the conclusion that something rather miraculous would have to take place.  I had considered the similarities between our romantic hero and the Apostle Paul – stay with me now – that they both had come from an established pedigree, were educated, proud, influential, revered, yet thought meanly of those different from themselves.  Of course, this occurred at different degrees, as Darcy never would have murdered the innocent to promote his cause.  However, I felt my Darcy needed to be brought to his knees much as the great apostle had been.   Paul had been blinded yet received his sight again in a way that not only brought about a restoration of his vision, but also enabled him to see himself and others with new eyes.  He went from destroying to delivering.

Now you do not have to believe the stories of the Bible to enjoy my story.  I saw the similarities and use Paul as a model for Darcy’s journey, but what I strive to demonstrate in my book is Darcy’s overwhelming struggles with his own shortcomings.  He has always taken pride in the strength of his own virtue, building this pride on a straw-man.  Quite simply, Darcy worships Darcy.  His ultimate deficiency is not how he treats Elizabeth or those of inferior birth.  Rather, he congratulates himself on doing what is right and good, but he is unable to see his true motivation to garner praise and admiration from his fellow man and woman, which is the magnification of his own worth.  Darcy needs to recognize his own insufficiency and vulnerability hidden within his cloak of honor and respectability, and this comes about through the most unlikely source:  a woman of unknown family, meager accomplishments and little beauty.

The couple has a difficult beginning, full of all of the trials one might suppose between two people who distrust and exasperate one another yet bound in a way that leaves no room for escape.  Darcy attempts to exert the same degree of control in his marriage as he exerts everywhere else in his life but with no success – in fact, his life begins to unravel before his eyes.  But he cannot find fault in his own actions, so he seeks blame in the woman whom he suspects has manipulated him into marriage.  I found, at least for my story, that I desired Darcy to behave in a way that he never would have suspected himself capable of in order to truly see his frailty.  Within the context of the time period, he does nothing outside the social order of things, but his conscience tells him of his misdeeds and will not let him rest.

Elizabeth, hurt and betrayed by his fall from perfection, builds an immovable wall of distrust to protect her heart.  This is where Redemption enters the story.  I will not give away the details (enough people have done that in the reviews!) but I will say that healing and forgiveness are possible, as demonstrated in this story depicting the nature of redeeming love.

So why does the book cause a stir?  The quote I use at the beginning of my novel sums it up:

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved:

loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

Victor Hugo

And I believe that to many this idea is too good to be true.

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About the Author:

Georgia McCall resides in Memphis, Tennessee where she has practiced as a dietitian/nutritionist for the past twenty-four years.  Much to her delight, she has come to appreciate the joy of reading classic literature, including Jane Austen, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and the Brontë sisters, in addition to indulging in the vast array of Austen variations.  She also treats herself to a BBC drama and a glass of wine on occasion with her family, which includes a devoted husband of twenty–one years and two beautiful daughters, ten and fifteen.  Georgia enjoys jogging in the mornings during which time many stories have developed, although Obligation and Redemption is the first to make it from her active imagination onto paper.  She enjoys cooking, but not nearly as much as eating out, and being from Memphis, her favorite food is good ole’ Memphis-style barbecue.  Georgia faithfully attends a local Presbyterian church where she has been blessed with the best of friendships, and from where she experienced grace and learned the redeeming value of forgiveness.   

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 Contact: Georgia McCall on Facebook

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I'm glad to have you visit, Ms. McCall. I enjoyed reading your post and it gave me food for thought. I found it interesting that you used Paul and his redemption as your model for Darcy and his own sins. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. For any of those reading this post, maybe it will make them think on your book in a different 'light'. I love your quote at the beginning! It is so true. I hope you will come back and visit again.

It's giveaway time! Yes, dear readers, Georgia McCall is giving away three things: 1 Paperback, US only and 2 eBooks, International. Just leave a comment with your contact info, to be entered. Tell us what you think. We want you to have your share in the conversation! Giveaway will end at 11:59 P.M. on the 3rd of October. Good luck to all.