Friday, July 7, 2017

Dreams of Pemberley...Joana Starnes


It is with great pleasure that I welcome my online friend, the lovely Joana Starnes, to More Agreeably Engaged. I always love having this sweet lady visit and today she is sharing a virtual holiday with us. I think you will love it! I certainly did. I loved looking at the photographs and imagining I was there with everyone mentioned, looking on as the scene unfolded. :) sigh

Joana has a fabulous giveaway. You will want to be sure you take a look at it. She asks you to answer one question to be entered. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? 

Take us away, Joana.

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Dreams of Pemberley

Thanks ever so much for the lovely welcome at More Agreeably Engaged today, Janet! You’re so kind, and I always love being your guest. As it’s the beginning of July and the holidays are fast approaching I thought this might be a good time for a trip, even if it’s just a virtual one, and I hope you and your readers will enjoy it.

Ever since I discovered the wonderful world of JAFF, dreams of Pemberley take over wherever I go. And, needless to say, I try to go to places where I can dream of Pemberley. I already mentioned in other posts how I used to drag my ever-so-compliant family to one grand country-house after another, until we all saw sense and came to a more convenient arrangement. These days, rather than grumbling as I advance at a snail’s pace because I’m taking hundreds of photos from every angle, for a day or two of our time away they drop me off to a National Trust house and go hiking to the top of the nearest hill or go cycling while I wander hither and tither and see glimpses of Pemberley in everything. Not only in the usual locations, Lyme Park, Sudbury Hall, Chatsworth. Just as Pemberley 1995 is in effect a collage of two beautiful properties, the Pemberley of my dreams is a collage too, as are all the other places our favourite couple walk though in my books, on their journey to their happily ever after.

Today I thought I’d share a little bit of the collage. This might be the secret cove where Elizabeth and Mr Darcy finally reach their understanding in The Falmouth Connection.



And this, the secluded spot where they share their midnight kiss (you’ll have to picture it in darkness, I drew the line at breaking into the property in the middle of the night to take a photo ;) ). 


This inspired the ancient great hall where Darcy duels Wickham, gives him his dues (and then some), and wipes the slate clean in the most satisfying manner 


This may be the breakfast parlour at Netherfield, where Elizabeth sits with her new husband in Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter as she seeks to reconcile herself with a marriage she entered into with so little forethought. Or in The Unthinkable Triangle it might be the ‘smaller dining room’ in the Darcy townhouse, where Elizabeth dines with her father, Georgiana, Mr Darcy and Mr Annesley when she comes to nurse Colonel Fitzwilliam back to health and unknowingly torments Darcy with images of what might have been, had he proposed before his cousin. 


This might be the theatre box where Darcy leans back into the shadows and spends the entire time watching ‘every play of emotion on Elizabeth’s countenance’, and thus betrays his feelings to ‘the very worst of men’, who doesn’t hesitate to take advantage and taunt him. 


This beautiful spot in Chatsworth’s extensive grounds inspired the scene where the star-crossed lovers finally manage to redirect their lives onto the proper path (because of course Elizabeth and Mr Darcy are meant to be together, regardless of wrong turns along the way). The temple/garden folly that stands there in real-life was not exactly right for the part (small and from another era). But this is why we have Photoshop, so hey presto, a larger temple is moved from Buckinghamshire to Derbyshire, just like that. 


This might be the spot where Elizabeth lashes out at her mother in Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter and they both make very unwise disclosures while, unbeknownst to them, Darcy happens to be on the other side of the wall and hears an awful lot more than he should.


And this might be the music room where Elizabeth comes to play pieces ‘as stormy as her heart’ after her disagreement with her husband who, having pleasantly surprised her with proof after proof of loving kindness, outrages her with glimpses into his proud and intolerant side when he objects to her calling upon her tradesman uncle. 


This might be the drawing room where everything is revealed and Darcy has the good sense to believe that his wife has actually grown to love him, regardless of how their marriage might have started. 



And in all seasons we can easily imagine our favourite couple losing themselves into the garden or on woodland paths, just for the sheer joy of spending time together and basking in each other’s love – or if they’re not quite there yet, to find some privacy, clear the air, exchange opinions and with any luck maybe a kiss or two.


It’s not essential to go to fancy places for inspiration. As many if not all of you know, the location of this image is the very opposite of fancy. But who knows, one day I might write something about lakes, wet shirts and Elizabeth and Darcy going boating. 


Until then I wish you a very happy summer. And if you go on long journeys and you’d like something to make them seem shorter I hope you’ll try one of Stevie Zimmerman’s narrations. She has kindly produced three of my books, and the depth of emotion in her performance is beyond exquisite. The Falmouth Connection, The Unthinkable Triangle and Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter are now available in audio format at Amazon and Audible, and I hope you’ll like them.

Which brings us to GIVEAWAY time. The giveaway is international and includes 5 audio codes so that you could listen to one of my audio-books for free, or you could win a bag of goodies collected on my travels. 



For a chance to win a code or the goodie-bag please leave a comment to let me know which one of my books you’d like to see produced in Audio next. Thanks for stopping by and many thanks again, Janet, for having me as your guest today, it’s been wonderful as always!

Joana Starnes is the author of:

* 'From This Day Forward ~ The Darcys of Pemberley', a 'Pride & Prejudice' sequel
* 'The Subsequent Proposal ~ A Tale of Pride, Prejudice & Persuasion'
* 'The Second Chance', a 'Pride & Prejudice' ~ 'Sense & Sensibility' variation
* 'The Falmouth Connection', a 'Pride & Prejudice' variation where Jane Austen's beloved characters are compelled to leave their tame and reasonably peaceful lives in the south of England and travel to the far reaches of Cornwall, into a world of deceit and peril, where few - if any! - are what they seem to be...
* 'The Unthinkable Triangle', a 'Pride & Prejudice' variation that dwells on the most uncomfortable love-triangle of them all. What if Mr. Darcy's rival for Miss Bennet's hand and heart is none other than his dearest, closest friend? And how can they all find their 'happily-ever-after'?
*'Miss Darcy's Companion' - a variation that explores what might have happened if the warm-hearted Miss Elizabeth Bennet were employed instead of the scheming Mrs Younge.
* ‘Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter’ – where distressing news from Longbourn compel Elizabeth to accept Mr Darcy’s first proposal, long before they both learn to understand each other – and themselves.

Joana’s books are available on all Amazon sites.




You can connect with Joana Starnes on
Or visit ‘All Roads Lead to Pemberley’ on Facebook, for places, events and titbits that have inspired her novels.

*****

This was such a wonderful virtual holiday. The pictures are stunning and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Hope each of you did too. I particularly liked imagining the characters in your books playing out scenes is these lovely places. That was fun and I want to thank you for making it seem real, Joana. You always have the most beautiful photographs of your visits and I enjoy seeing them. Being able to view them as a stage for scenes in your books made them even better!

Now for the fab giveaway that I mentioned earlier. Ms. Starnes has codes for 5 audio books! Isn't that wonderful! That means five winners get an audio book. But wait! That's not all. She also has a travel goodie bag. That means there will be another winner...six in all! Wow! Thank you, Joana Starnes. I know my readers are pleased. 

Remember Readers, to be entered, tell us which of Joana's books you would like to see as an audio book next. When you refer to her titles above, note the ones highlighted in deep red. Those are the three that have recently been produced in Audio. Peruse the others and make your decision. I will need to think on this before I choose. I adore all the books by Joana and would enjoy listening to any one of them. Tell us what you think and let me know how to reach you should your name be one of the lucky randomly selected winners. Giveaway is international and will end at 11:59 PM on the 13th of July. Good luck!

52 comments:

  1. Loved the virtual tour! I can totally imagine Elizabeth and Darcy in those beautiful settings.

    My choice for an audio book is "The Second Chance". It wasn't an easy choice, as I love all of Joana's books.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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    1. So glad you liked the virtual tour, Pamela, and thanks for sharing your choice. Lovely to see you here and best of luck in the giveaway!

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    2. Wasn't it a lovely tour. I'm so glad you got to enjoy it too, Pamela.

      I like your choice for an audiobook! :)

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  2. Hello there!! And hi Joana! I loved this post. Having read all of Joana's books and eagerly awaiting another, I love to see all of the inspiration! Good stuff! :) Hmmm... Miss Darcy's Companion would be lovely to hear!!

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    1. So glad you liked the post and the pics that inspired the stories, Jami! Hope you'll see as many of those lovely places as possible when you come over. Thanks for voting for MDC. No 'Desist' there, but close enough ;)
      Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

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    2. It was neat to see, wasn't it. I love all her books too. I'm leaning toward Miss Darcy's Companion myself although I am having a tough time deciding.

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  3. I loved it! Joana Starnes always entertains and I love seeing her inspirations for many scenes in her books.

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    1. Thanks ever so much for the lovely comment and your wonderful support, Brenda, much appreciated, as always!

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    2. Wasn't it great, Brenda! I'm so happy you stopped by. I can see why those pics would be inspirational!

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  4. I've read all of these books and really enjoyed them. And now to see the pictures is like icing on a cake! For an audio, I'll chime in for "Dutiful Daughter." Thanks so much for featuring Joanna. Jen Red

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    1. I'm so happy that you liked the books and the pictures, Jen! Thanks for stopping by to read the post. All the best and have a lovely weekend!

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  5. Ahhhhh! The cove. Yes, this perfectly captured what I "saw" in my imagination. And, the garden? Oh, yes. My choice for the next book to be produced? Any of them.

    (Please do not enter me as I have all these lovely goodies already on my Kindle.)

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    1. Many thanks for the lovely message, Joy, you're always so kind!
      Best wishes & lots of inspiration!
      Joana

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    2. I agree Joy, the cove is exactly as I imagined it.

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    3. I love the cove too and it is the perfect setting.

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  6. Hi Janet and Joana,

    With such beautiful pictures to provide additional inspiration,is it any wonder that the Muse works her magic,has her share in the conversation and encourages you in your literary endeavours,Joana!

    I loved these scenes as it's so easy to see ODC spending quality time together,ironing out minor disagreements or simply enjoying the peace,quiet and restorative qualities that Mother Nature bestows!

    With regards to your next audiobook,'The Subsequent Proposal' is the one that I choose.

    I've had the pleasure of re-reading this book recently and due to the fact that it involves characters from two of my favourite Austen books,it holds a special place in my heart!

    Janet and Joana,thank you both for such a lovely post,one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading! 😊


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    1. You are welcome. I'm always happy when you drop by, Mary. Loved your comments.

      Good luck in the giveaway.

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    2. Many thanks for stopping by, Mary, and for this beautiful and poetic message you left! You always write such soulful comments and you're so incredibly supportive!

      Wonderful to hear you've revisited The Subsequent Proposal and that Persuasion and P&P are your favourites. They're mine too, P&P because it's gorgeous and Persuasion because I think it's her most openly romantic novel, she unleashes so much emotion in this one! All the best and thanks again!

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  7. Joana,
    I love your books and your tour of where Darcy and Elizabeth might have been. It's so hard to choose but maybe The Unthinkable Triangle might be an interesting choice.

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    1. Thanks for going on the 'tour' with us. Good luck.

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    2. Thanks for visiting to read the post, Maria, and for the kind words about my books! So happy to hear you enjoyed them. Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part.

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  8. Enjoyed your ventures through the photos. Thanks for sharing.

    denise

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    1. Wasn't it lovely! Thanks for visiting.

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    2. Thanks, Denise! I'm so glad you liked the photos. Best wishes and good luck!

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  9. Great post Janet and Joana. :) Thanks for sharing.
    As to the question:
    1)'From This Day Forward' - I think it's one of the best sequels I've read, though I'm afraid it's not appreciated enough. Stevie's narration, with all the sweetness, emotions and drama would make it shine, like the diamond it is.

    But:
    2) 'Miss Darcy's Companion' would probably be more popular, it has more turns and twists and more drama, which I believe is more to the taste of many readers.

    Difficult choice. In the near future I hope to have ALL Joana's books in audiobooks (hint, hint) ;)

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    1. Thank you, Kate. I'm happy you popped in. I like your reasoning behind your choice. I'm like you. I hope they will all be audiobooks some day soon!

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    2. So very happy to hear you liked 'From This Day Forward' so much, Kate! I do have a soft spot for it too, probably because it was my first, I think, or maybe because I really enjoyed imagining how Elizabeth and Darcy's lives together would be, after their marriage. Thanks for writing so warmly about FTDF, it was so wonderful to see that. I'd love to hear it narrated by Stevie in her own inimitable way, so full of emotion, and I loved to hear that you would, too. It would also be a great joy to have Miss Darcy's Companion produced by her, and indeed any or all of my books. Many thanks for this lovely comment and your wonderful support, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

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    3. My pleasure Joana. 😀 It's nothing but the truth. ❤️

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  10. Great post. It's a tough decision but my vote would be for Miss Darcy's Companion to be the next one produced as an audiobook.

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    1. Forgot to include my contact info, it's jadseah4 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    2. I'm leaning more and more in the direction of your choice. I still vote for all of them! :)

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    3. Many thanks for your vote and for stopping by to read this post, darcybennet, and also for your vote and warm welcome, Janet, you're both so very kind!

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  11. I love all Joana's novels and couldn't pick one over the other. She has such talent to keep you engrossed in her novels. I have them all in book and Kindle form. Big fan of her writing!
    tollygal55@comcast.net

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    1. Doesn't she have a marvelous talent! I love all her books too and am also a huge fan! Thank you for stopping by MaryAnn. Good luck.

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    2. Oh, ladies, you're both ever so kind to me! I'm so happy that you liked my books, and huge thanks for your lovely messages. Wishing you both all the very best!

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  12. Please don't enter me in the drawing as I already own the 3 audiobooks. The one I would like to hear next is Miss Darcy's Companion.

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    1. We have another vote for Miss Darcy's Companion. I believe it is in the lead for now! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.

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    2. It sure is in the lead :) Many thanks, Jeansunny, for stopping by to read the post and let me know which one you'd like to hear next. Best wishes and have a lovely weekend!

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    3. LOL, exactly as I've predicted. ;) It's so good for ones EGO. ;)

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  13. Thanks for such a lovely virtual tour Joana. I've got several places in the countryside near us that remind me of scenes from certain JAFF books that I've read - the woods that Darcy and Elizabeth run through in Sketching Character, several bluebell woods that could easily be from Conceit and Concealment and a garden for The Falmouth Connection. It's been many years since I was in Cornwall but the photo anove is exactly how I imagined Landennis Cove to look. I've nearly finished my audio copy of The Falmouth Connection (today's commute will do that) and have to say it's been absolutely wonderful! Stevie Zimmerman's narration is just perfect - the way she expresses the emotions of the various characters, the voices she uses for them (Darcy is to die for!) and so much more, is amazing. Two fantastic talents merging to produce a brilliant finished article.

    If I'm lucky enough to win an audio code, I'll definitely be going for The Unthinkable Triangle, as I don't have that one yet but the collection of goodies looks pretty good too. As for what I'd like to hear next from you, Joanna? I'd love to hear The Second Chance, as it's the first one of your books that I read after winning it in a giveaway. Of course, I'd like to be able to listen to From This Day Forward, The Subsequent Proposal AND Miss Darcy's Companion as well - no pressure there, at all!

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    1. angmardee (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    2. What a lovely stretch of countryside you live in, Anji! I remember the beautiful photos you posted from some of your walks, the woodland paths you showed us make such a wonderful backdrop for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy's encounters. So glad you're surrounded by such beauty, and also that the coastline photo was just like you imagined Landennis Cove to be!

      I'm very happy to hear that The Falmouth Connection kept you company on your commute. Stevie's narration style is absolutely magical, I love every nuance and emotion she expresses and oh yes, her Darcy IS to die for!!

      Thanks ever so much for your kind words and wonderful support, and I hope you'll like The Unthinkable Triangle too, and the others as and when they come out. Have a good weekend and maybe another lovely walk!

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  14. I tried to post yesterday, but hit a wrong button on my phone. I have all 3 audiobooks and have listened to Falmouth Connection and The Unthinkable Triangle. Such wonderful, angst ridden stories. I think the next book that should be made into an audiobook is Subsequent Proposal followed by Second Chance. Since I have the audiobooks I would love to be entered in the give away for the travel goody bag. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful pictures. They bring the stories to life.....Thank you for the generous give away.

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely message, Debbie, you're so kind! Much appreciated! Thanks for the votes too, I'll do my best ;) . Hope you're well and getting better by the minute. So glad you liked the photos! Take care, best of luck with everything and thanks again for stopping by!

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  15. I almost wish I hadn't noticed the post on Facebook that directed me here today. Almost. After seeing the photos and your comments I now feel 'that pull' again to reread all your books. I can't resist using a quote from a book I just finished: Caitlin Williams book 'The coming of age of Elizabeth Bennet;' "Here's your Mistress, wring her out." That'll be me after the first reread, wrung out.

    How mean to ask us to choose which one of those books to have done next, come on! I suppose if I have to....No I can't do it. Forget it leave me out.

    I am so excited that there are already three wonderful audiobooks to acquire now. And Stevie Zimmerman, yes!

    Cannot wait for your next book, so I'm going to go get myself one of your audiobooks now. God bless you Joanna. The very, very best of luck in you every future endeavor.

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    1. Thanks ever so much for this wonderful message, Michelle, and all your support. I'm over the moon that you liked my books so much, and also that some of them were narrated by Stevie. She's absolutely wonderful, her narrations are a roller-coaster of emotion and she puts so much soul into the characters' every line!

      LOL oh dear, sorry about the conundrum :) I'm sure that whichever one we go for next will be just as exquisitely narrated by Stevie, and I hope you'll like it.

      Thanks again for your kindness and the lovely wishes! Wishing you all the very best too and I'm so glad you liked the post!

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  16. I love all of your books. Would love to see "The Second Chance" available as an audio book.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by to read the post and share your thoughts, Joan, and I'm so happy to hear you loved all my books! Best wishes,
      Joana

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    2. Joan, I'm so glad you visited my blog and commented. I think your choice is a good one, but then I would love to see all of Joana's book as an audio book! :) I love all her books too.

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  17. Thank you for the photos and your visualization of what might take place there. The rooms are always so elegant. From the books listed, I would like From This Day Forward but would also like Miss Darcy's Companion. Thank you for this incredible giveaway. When are you publishing a new book? Keep writing - love all of your books and so much fun now that they are going audio. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I want the answer to your question too? Any ideas, Joana??? :)

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  18. Dear Eva and Janet,

    So sorry to have seen this so late, I didn't think there'd be more comments to the post, but thought I'd check, 'just in cases' (I just saw Love Actually again, I love that line, Aurelia's so sweet!!)

    Huge thanks, Eva, for the wonderful words about my books, I'm so happy to hear you loved them! Many thanks for asking about future plans too. I have 3 plots bubbling (bubble bubble toil & trouble :D ). Having said that, the one I'm working on now isn't toil & trouble at all, and for a change I'm not trying to torture either Darcy or Elizabeth. It's meant to be humorous rather than heart-wrenching, and I hope you'll like it. Can't promise I won't revert back to old habits in the other two ;)

    Many thanks again for your wonderful support, lovely ladies, and all the best!
    Joana

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