Happy Friday to all of you! Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey is stopping by my place today. If you've been following the tour, you have probably noticed all the great reviews for this book! I certainly have and today the author answers some questions about the book itself and her inspiration for writing it. So for this post, we have an interview with the author, a blurb and an excerpt. Of course, you can take part in that wonderful giveaway. Be sure to use the Rafflecopter to enter.If you want to check out the first visit to More Agreeably Engaged by Ginger Monette, follow this link. Darcy's Hope, Beauty from Ashes is spotlighted on that post. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the interview.
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Q: What inspired you to write Darcy's
Hope at Donwell Abbey?
Matthew Crawley of Downton Abbey! The
war dealt him a tragic blow that played an important role in the storyline of
season 2. I was really fascinated at how wealthy English families offered their
lavish homes as hospital facilities during WW1. I began to imagine Darcy with
his own wartime tragedy, then mixed it with the characters and homes from
Austen's works and, voila, Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey was born.
Q: You've described Darcy's Hope at
Donwell Abbey as a 'stand-alone sequel' to Darcy's Hope ~ Beauty from
Ashes. That sounds like a contradiction of terms. Can you explain?
A: Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey
picks up moments after Darcy's Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes ends. For those
who have read Beauty from Ashes, the story will seem like a
seamless continuation. For those that have not read book 1, book 2 can
be enjoyed on its own, as the backstory from book 1 is woven into the content
of Donwell Abbey as part of the dialog and internal thoughts of the
characters. Some readers may experience minor confusions at the beginning, but
soon the story moves into its own realm, making the specific backstory details
somewhat inconsequential.
A: I chose to make them two novels
because both books are complete stories on their own—with a definite beginning,
middle, and end. And although Donwell Abbey can be read by itself,
consensus among reviewers is that the overall experience is more enjoyable if Darcy's
Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes is read first.
Q: That brings up another question.
Some readers may be hesitant to read Beauty from Ashes due to its
wartime setting. What would you say to those who “don't
do war stories?”
I would say it isn't a war story : )
The Darcy's Hope saga is very much a romance in a wartime setting.
Just like Downton Abbey, the war provides a dramatic backdrop against which the
romance unfolds. The war's fast pace and ever-changing situations meant that
nothing was predictable, and things could (and did) change in an instant.
Readers have commented that they couldn't predict where either story was going!
And much of that is due to the volatile nature of the setting.
Q: Darcy's
Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes
is primarily set on the Western Front of WW1. Can we expect the same in Donwell
Abbey?
A: Although
Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey opens with Darcy still in Belgium, the
setting quickly shifts to England. Most of the story takes place at Hartfield
and Donwell Abbey, homes from Austen's novel Emma.
And yes, the two homes are still in the Knightley family, and the descendants
of George and Emma Knightley are important characters in this story.
Q: Did you face any particular
challenges in writing Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey?
A: Yes! Writing to accommodate the
tragedy that befalls Darcy was an enormous challenge. But if I tell you what
the injury is and the accommodation it required, I would be giving away a major
spoiler!
Q: If this tragedy plays an important
role but you can't elaborate on it, what can you tell us about the
story?
A:
It is a tender romance between Lizzy and Darcy with their romance central to
the plot. In lieu of specific plot details, I've made up a list of 'notables'
to whet readers' appetites and pique their curiosity. Here goes:
Notable scenes
-Breakfast at Pemberley
-Horseback ride for two
-Secrets at a cemetery
-Dancing on the terrace
-Excursion on a rowboat
-Drama at a pond
-A visit to a prison
Notable characters
-A meddling matriarch
-John Thornton
-Margaret Hale
-Colonel Brandon
-Marianne
Dashwood
-Sarah Knightley
-A dog
Notable objects
-A newspaper report
-Lavender
-A factory smokestack
-A music box
-Morphine
-A garnet bracelet
Other notables
-Romance in the air for several
couples
-Hands touching. (Yeah, lots of hands
touching hands)
Q: I see your notable characters list
contains several characters familiar to fans of Austen and Gaskell. Can you
elaborate?
A: Elizabeth Gaskell's John Thornton “saves
the day,” and readers will catch a glimpse of his romance with Margaret Hale.
And Austen's Colonel Brandon and Marianne Dashwood from Sense &
Sensibility make an appearance.
Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey also contains some original but “familiar” characters as well. Sarah Knightley is a spirited
descendant of George and Emma Knightley, a couple from Austen's novel Emma. Dr. Matthew Scott is a creation of my imagination who
debuted in my first book Tree of Life. I liked him so much, I've given
him a similar role in Donwell Abbey. And finally, readers are treated to
matriarch extraordinaire, Mrs. Knightley, who is on par with none other than
Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Q: Why only glimpses of these budding
romances?
Because I have plans for all of the
couples to have their own Great War Romance! If you would like to be kept
abreast of the progress of these dear couples, please join my low-volume
newsletter family at GingerMonette.com. (And if you like period drama, Downton Abbey,
and Jane Austen, join me on Facebook at Ginger Monette Author.)
Q: Anything else you would like
readers to know about Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey?
A: Yes, three things:
•Rest assured the story focuses on
Lizzy and Darcy and has a happily-ever-after ending.
•It’s a clean romance that will keep
you guessing until the very end! But do know that tense moments can
occasionally prompt mild language, and there are some references to war that
might be too intense for sensitive readers.
•And finally, in April of 2017,
America will commemorate its 100th anniversary of participation in WW1. If you're
like me, you learned almost nothing about this period of history in school. The
Darcy's Hope saga is an entertaining way to get a glimpse of what our
great-grandfathers experienced, and will give readers some context as they will
undoubtedly be hearing a lot about this pivotal event that ushered the world
into the modern era as we know it.
I hope readers will give the Darcy's
Hope saga a try! I don't think they'll be disappointed : )
Thanks so much for hosting me on your
blog!
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Thank you, Ginger Monette for the interview. I enjoyed your answers and the thought that went into them. Now, Readers, here is the blurb and an excerpt for this book.
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Thank you, Ginger Monette for the interview. I enjoyed your answers and the thought that went into them. Now, Readers, here is the blurb and an excerpt for this book.
Blurb
Darcy’s
Hope at Donwell Abbey
1917. Amidst the chaos of WW1, Captain
Fitzwilliam Darcy has won the heart of Elizabeth Bennet. Finally.
Then she disappears.
Still reeling from the loss, Darcy is
struck by a battlefield tragedy that leaves him in a dark and silent world.
Sent to Donwell Abbey to recover, he's
coaxed back to life by an extraordinary nurse. A woman whose uncanny
similarities to Elizabeth invite his admiration and entice his affections.
His heart tells him to hold on to
Elizabeth. His head tells him to take a chance with his nurse.
But Donwell Abbey holds a secret that
just might change everything.
Escape to the era of Downton Abbey in
this enthralling stand-alone sequel* to Darcy's
Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes that includes appearances by John Thornton,
Margaret Hale, Colonel Brandon, Marianne Dashwood, and descendants of George
Knightley.
•*May be enjoyed as a stand-alone
novel, but readers may experience some minor confusions without the context of
the mystery of Darcy's Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes.
•Has a happy ending for Lizzy and
Darcy.
•Romance is clean. Minor language and
some recollections of graphic war scenes.
Excerpt: Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey by
Ginger Monette
Elizabeth
bolted from the chair. “Fitzwilliam, wake up!” She nudged his arm in the
darkened room, but he continued writhing with great heaving breaths. “Captain!”
She squeezed his hand, but he jerked it away, whimpering.
On
impulse, she slid her arms under his shoulders and held him close. Instantly
his thrashing ceased.
Gently
rocking him, she massaged the unbandaged hair at his temple and whispered
against his cheek, “It’s all right. Just a dream.”
He
breathing slowed, but his body remained tense. “My ribs...hurt.”
She
lowered him back to the pillow, then tapped on his hand, Try to relax. All
right now?
“Mmm....
Water. And morphine.”
She
squeezed his hand and poured water into the hospital cup. She touched the pill
to his lips then offered the porcelain straw.
He
swallowed. “Who are you?”
Elizabeth
froze and closed her eyes. How she longed to tell him the truth, then brush a
kiss on his lips, assure him of her love, and promise to stay by his side.
She
took his hand and spelled, Miss Thomas.
“Thank
you...Miss Thomas.”
Elizabeth
sank into the wing chair and released a heavy breath. Could she bear to be so
close and yet so far away from Fitzwilliam?
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Heartbreaking!!! After the blurb and the excerpt, are you ready to read more? If so, guess what? The first book is on sale for $2.99 right now. Get started with it and then be ready for this one. That's what I plan to do! It is for a limited time so don't miss out on this special deal!
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It's giveaway time and what a nice giveaway! Open to US winners only, there will be three lucky winners. If you want to participate, fill out the Rafflecopter below the prize picture. Good luck to all!
Heartbreaking!!! After the blurb and the excerpt, are you ready to read more? If so, guess what? The first book is on sale for $2.99 right now. Get started with it and then be ready for this one. That's what I plan to do! It is for a limited time so don't miss out on this special deal!
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Blog Tour Schedule
Link to webpage with tour schedule and hyperlinks:
http://www.gingermonette.com/blog-tour-links
Link to webpage with tour schedule and hyperlinks:
http://www.gingermonette.com/blog-tour-links
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It's giveaway time and what a nice giveaway! Open to US winners only, there will be three lucky winners. If you want to participate, fill out the Rafflecopter below the prize picture. Good luck to all!
To contact the author or for purchase links, look below.
Author: Ginger Monette
Website: GingerMonette.com
Book length: 347 pages DHaDA Publication Date: Jan 1, 2017
Romance sizzle rating: mild. Clean story with minor language, and
some graphic recollections of war.
Link to webpage with
tour schedule and hyperlinks:
http://www.gingermonette.com/blog-tour-links
Purchase Links for
Darcy’s Hope at a Donwell Abbey:
-Universal link that shows links to
every outlet (including all international ones). books2read.com/u/3yP2Le
-Amazon USA
: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6A76CZ/
Purchase Links for
Darcy’s Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes:
Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/47kXOj
-Amazon USA : http://bit.ly/2cy01KFBlogTourAmaUS
This sounds so lovely! Congratulations on two gorgeous books, Ginger!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicole! I'm anxious to read your book, Northern Rain : )
DeleteYou should definitely read, or listen to Northern Rain, which is what I'm doing, Ginger. Without giving too much away, the kitchen scene is delicious, Nicole!
DeleteThank you, Janet, for the lovely feature! I've been so pleased that readers are loving the Darcy's Hope saga : )
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. It is a pleasure having you visit. I'm happy for you that it is so well received. That's wonderful and congratulations!
DeleteThese are two of my top favourite books since the beginning of last year and both got ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star reviews from me. Yes, I wrote some reviews! They were so worth it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that, Anji! I must read them.
DeleteThis series is fantastic. I love how it feels so authentic for the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, Sophia. I'm glad to hear them.
DeleteOh, Lizzy and Darcy in any era is pure romance! Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI must agree, Eva. We just cannot get enough of Darcy and Lizzy, can we?
DeleteGreat interview, Janet. Both books are fantastic, but 'Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey' is my favorite. :) Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteShe had some good questions and answers, didn't she. I enjoyed posting the interview, though I must confess, it was all done by MS. Monette.
Delete
ReplyDeleteYour interviews are always incredibly interesting Janet! You are really good at this!
I loved the Darcy’s Hope series and getting to know a little more about it and Ginger through this interview, thanks for sharing it with us.
Wish I could take credit for this interview but I cannot. Ginger Monette does a fantastic job of setting up many different posts and letting you choose which ones you want to include. The credit is all hers.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Glad you all enjoyed the interview! This book is tricky to talk about without giving away major spoilers, so I tried to address questions readers had raised while giving some hints of what readers could expect.
ReplyDelete