Wednesday, February 21, 2018

A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity, my share in the conversation...

It is my pleasure to be the first stop of the blog tour for A D'Orazio's new book, A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity. I'm so excited to take part in Amy's blog tour and especially to open it with my review of her book. I loved her first book and was anxious to read this new one. But before I get to my review of it, let's learn a little more about the author and the book. Isn't the cover lovely! The red roses on the back (you will see those further down in the post) and red cape are breath-taking!

Synopsis:

Is not the very meaning of love that it surpasses every objection against it?

Jilted. Never did Mr. Darcy imagine it could happen to him. 

But it has, and by Elizabeth Bennet, the woman who first hated and rejected him but then came to love him—he believed—and agree to be his wife. Alas, it is a short-lived, ill-fated romance that ends nearly as soon as it has begun. No reason is given. 

More than a year since he last saw her—a year of anger, confusion, and despair—he receives an invitation from the Bingleys to a house party at Netherfield. Darcy is first tempted to refuse, but with the understanding that Elizabeth will not attend, he decides to accept. 

When a letter arrives, confirming Elizabeth’s intention to join them, Darcy resolves to meet her with indifference. He is determined that he will not demand answers to the questions that plague him. Elizabeth is also resolved to remain silent and hold fast to the secret behind her refusal. Once they are together, however, it proves difficult to deny the intense passion that still exists. Fury, grief, and profound love prove to be a combustible mixture. But will the secrets between them be their undoing?

Contact Links:

Twitter:  @AllAbtAusten

Buy Links:


Author Biography:

Amy D’Orazio is a former breast cancer researcher and current stay at home mom who is addicted to Austen and Starbucks in about equal measures. While she adores Mr. Darcy, she is married to Mr. Bingley and their Pemberley is in Pittsburgh PA.
She has two daughters who are devoted to sports which require long practices and began writing her own stories as a way to pass the time she spent sitting in the lobbies of various gyms and studios. She is a firm believer that all stories should have long looks, stolen kisses and happily ever afters. Like her favorite heroine, she dearly loves a laugh and considers herself an excellent walker.

Now it's time to share my thoughts on A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity by A D’Orazio.
A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity, the newest release by A D’Orazio, begins at Netherfield. In the hopes of helping their friends find the same happiness they share, Charles and Jane Bingley, now married, with a son, are hosting a house party. They have invited an equal number of single men and women, including Fitzwilliam Darcy. Darcy, hesitant to attend for fear of seeing Elizabeth Bennet, decides to accept, believing Elizabeth will not be in attendance.

Elizabeth Bennet, living in Cheltenham for the past year, has agreed to make her home with the Bingleys. A changed woman, Lizzy is not the impertinent woman of the past. Her arrival during the house party sets the stage for the events and trials that follow.

Go back a little over a year when Lizzy visits Pemberley with the Gardiners. The misunderstanding that came from the Hunsford proposal has been resolved. Lizzy accepts Darcy’s second proposal and for a short period, they experience exquisite felicity, thus the title. The title is referred to several times throughout the book and those references are apropos.

Lydia’s unfortunate adventure/misadventure with Wickham proves too much and Lizzy calls off the engagement with no explanation. Not only does she call if off, she does so in a letter. Darcy has been jilted and he cannot imagine why. Heartbroken he refuses to attend Bingley’s wedding nor does he visit until the house party. There is much more to Lizzy’s departure than the reader will know until nearer the ending. Lizzy and Darcy struggle while trying to come to terms with what happened, what could have been, what each does not know, and their inability to quit loving each other. Throw into this mix, eligible men and women and some sparks will fly. Oh my, let the fun begin!

Lizzy’s reason for living in Cheltenham is questioned. Rumors fly and one source of those rumors caught me totally offguard. Even Darcy begins to believe some of the rumors. Will they make a difference in those feelings he still has for her or will they put an end to those feelings forever? 

This novel grabbed my attention from the beginning. I felt invested in the characters and the story, enough so that I got a bit frustrated at times. I wanted to shake Darcy and Lizzy and tell them to please sit down and talk to each other. When they finally did try, they kept getting interference from first one and then the other. The angst was not only caused by Darcy’s and Lizzy’s misunderstanding but also by the so-called ‘help’ of friends and family. Anytime there is angst, the romance, when it happens, will be all the sweeter. That certainly is the case in this novel.

A D’Orazio is an excellent storyteller, and her novel is well-written. It kept this reader up late into the night. It had some twists and turns that I never saw coming. Amy’s first book, The Best Part of Love, was exceptional and I eagerly awaited the publication of her second. It did not disappoint. Thank you, Amy, for such an entertaining read.

A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity Tour Schedule


February 21 More Agreeably Engaged / Book Review & Giveaway
February 22 From Pemberley to Milton / Book Review & Giveaway
February 23 Austenesque Reviews / Guest Post & Giveaway
February 24 My Vices and Weaknesses / Excerpt Post & Giveaway
February 25 My Love for Jane Austen / Vignette & Giveaway
February 26 Babblings of a Bookworm / Book Review & Giveaway
February 27 Savvy Verse and Wit / Guest Post & Giveaway
February 28 Laughing with Lizzie / Vignette Post & Giveaway
March 1 So Little Time / Excerpt Post & Giveaway
March 2 Of Pens and Pages / Book Review & Giveaway
March 3 Liz’s Reading Life / Author Interview
March 4 Just Jane 1813 / Book Review & Giveaway
March 5 Diary of an Eccentric / Guest Post & Giveaway
March 6 Margie’s Must Reads / Book Review & Giveaway

Giveaway:

8 eBooks of A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity are being given away by Meryton Press and the giveaway is open to international readers. This giveaway is open to entries from midnight ET on February 21 – until midnight ET on March 8, 2018.

Terms and conditions:

Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once each day and by commenting daily on a blog post or review that has a giveaway attached to this tour. Entrants must provide the name of the blog where they commented.

Each winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and the giveaway is international. Each entrant is eligible to win one eBook.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to all of you for stopping by. If you have read either or both of Amy's books, will you share your thoughts? I would love to hear them. If you haven't read this new release, be sure and visit all the stops in the tour for a chance to win it. You won't be disappointed. Thank you to Amy for giving us such a lovely book, to Meryton Press for hosting the giveaway and to Claudine Pepe for organizing the blog tour. Best wishes for your book, Amy, and have fun during your blog tour. 

67 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about wishing to shake Darcy and Elizabeth over their inability to talk out any problems and solve them. And it seems other people's interference isn't helping either?
    I hope they sort out their problems before the end of the book, giving us an insight into their long period of exquisite felicity :)

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    1. The other people's interference probably caused them to stay apart longer than they would have normally. They do sort their problems and let you see a part of their exquisite felicity. It's wonderful!:)

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    2. No worries Glynis lots of romance to make up for the angst! Thank you for stopping by!

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  2. I thought I would enter the rafflecopter even though I'm not sure if I could get the e-book but as usual there was nowhere to mention the name of the blog so you may need to be aware for the rest of the tour.

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  3. Congratulations on this fab start to your tour, Amy! Great book, great cover, great author. Wishing you the best of luck with the launch!

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  4. Congratulations Amy on the release of your next book. I love the cover and I love your books. I'm looking forward to reading it.

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    1. I hope you get a chance to read it soon, Kate. Good luck in the giveaway.

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    2. Kate you are very kind and its much appreciated!

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  5. Now that Lizzy is not at Longbourn I am wondering why and if something has happened to the Bennets

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    1. Good notice, Susan. I wondered how many would pick up on that! I'll leave it to you to find out when you read the book. :)

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    2. Lots of changes in Hertfordshire Vesper! But most of them are doing OK!

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  6. Lovely review - I'm looking forward to reading this one:-)

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    1. Thanks, Jenetta. I'm glad you stopped by. I hope you get to read it soon. It is a great book.

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    2. Thank you Jenetta hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy your books! :)

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  7. Thanks so much for the review, the book sounds so good.

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    1. You are welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it and yes, the book not only sounds good, it is good. :)

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  8. Intriguing idea...I'd like to read it.

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    1. I hope you get to read it soon. Good luck in the giveaway.

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    2. Thank you Ria!

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  9. This is an awesome story by an exceptional author! I highly recommend it!

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    1. I completely agree, Gail. Thanks for dropping by.

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    2. Gail you are the best! :)

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  10. Lovely review! I am really eager to read this book! Congratulations, Amy!!!

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    1. Thank you, Daniela. I hope you get to read the book soon. Maybe you will be one of the lucky winners!

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    2. Thank you Daniela!

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  11. I can't wait to read this book. Thank you for the review.

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    1. Thanks Eva! Hope you enjoy it!

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    2. You are welcome. I'm glad to hear you are anxious to read the book. You won't be disappointed. It is excellent.

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  12. Janet, you do a great review. Just enough to spark the interest, no spoilers. Sounds great. Looking forward to reading it!

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    1. I second that! She does write a great review! Thanks Janet and thanks Michelle for stopping by!

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    2. Thank you, Michelle. That is music to my ears. I try hard to not give spoilers. I hope you get to read it soon.

      Thank you, Amy! You write a great book! :)

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  13. Great Review! I am putting on TBR pile!

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  14. Wonderful!
    Thank you for coming by!

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  15. I want to read it! Thanks for sharing the excerpt.

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    1. I'm glad you stopped by Teresita! Hope you can read it soon.

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    2. Thank you Teresita!

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  16. Wonderfully enticing review Janet!!! I just ordered the paperback today so will have to wait a couple of weeks more before I can start reading it. Looks like I will have to block off a whole day/night to read without interruptions based on your review and a few others!!! I loved 'The Best Part of Love' so I'm eagerly awaiting this one!

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    1. Thank you, Carole. Yes, you will need to block off a day/night to read. I couldn't put it down. I've read that several others stayed up all night too! lol Enjoy! I loved The Best Part of Love too! It was awesome.

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    2. Thank you so much Carole! I keep hoping those paperbacks will surprise us and come early!!

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  17. Sounds most intriguing and it seems that, as usual, Darcy and Elizabeth take their time in getting their misunderstandings sorted out. Cue the angst music! Just my cup of tea!

    Janet, your excellent review gave us just enough to tease us without giving away too much. I'm dying to know why Elizabeth was living first in Cheltenham and then decides to make her home with the Bingleys.

    The cover is gorgeous, as I think I mentioned at the reveal and I love that deep rich red of the cape and the roses. Fingers crossed that I'm one of the lucky ones!

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    1. Thank you, Anji. When I put in the part about Lizzy deciding to make her home with the Bingleys, I wondered if that would spark some questions. Glad it did for you.

      I'm with you on the angst. It's my cup of tea too. That's one thing that can make a book so hard to put down. When it evokes strong feelings, it must be a good book! :)

      Isn't the cover stunning? Zorylee did a lovely job!

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    2. Zuki did an amazing job with the cover! And Janet wrote a brilliant review! Thanks to all of you for stopping by and lending your support to the blog tour and thank you Anji I know you are one of the faithful!

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  18. Sounds like a lovely adventure! Congrats on the new release, Amy, I can't wait to read it!

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    1. Hi Nicole. Glad you stopped by. Hope you get to read Amy's book soon.

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    2. Thank you so much Nicole!

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  19. Great review, Janet! Just enough information to spark numerous questions without giving away the entire plot. That, plus Amy's excellent reputation as a writer, and the lovely cover make me want to read this book. I can't get enough of those red roses!

    I'm laughing over your wanting to shake D&E. Wish I had a dollar for every reader who has expressed the same thought about my books. Our dear couple can be rather stubborn about getting to the truth at times, but it keeps us reading, and that's a good thing. Congratulations, Amy, on writing enough angst to keep your readers frustrated. It just makes that period of exquisite felicity that much more satisfying.

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    1. Thank you, Jan. I'm glad to know that it sparked numerous questions without telling too much. I agree totally with Amy's reputation as a writer. She is awesome and so is Zuki's cover.

      I imagine you have had a few wanting to shake your Darcy and Lizzy! lol Sometimes I wonder how they can not see the love that each has for the other. When a story evokes strong emotions, it must be a good one! :) Amy's certainly is. The romance that follows was well worth the wait. (and frustration)

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    2. Its sort of the beauty of writing regency characters -- a LOT of plots could be resolved immediately if people would discuss their feelings but alas, it just was not the way back then!

      Thank you Jan!

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  20. Janet put her finger on the wonderful ability that Amy D has to provide plot twists that combine romance and suspense in a powerful blend. Read it yesterday...and I can tell you that my review (when I come up for air from my own blog tour) is going to be a full five stars! Went back to re-read "Best Part" as a result.

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    1. Hi Don. I'm glad you stopped by and commented. Amy can provide those plot twists well, can't she! She surprised me with a couple that I didn't see coming. I bet you enjoyed re-reading The Best Part of Love too. I want to do the same soon.

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    2. Thank you both so much for such kind words!

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  21. I must agree with you on Amy's cover, Janet. It is very beautifully and the red cloak drew me to add this book to my tbr list. I have not had the opportunity to read The Best Part of Love but it is another book which has an amazing cover. And I love reading your thoughts on this book.

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    1. That red cloak is an attention getter for sure. It's beautiful! Thanks for stopping by and reading my review. You now have two good books by Amy to look forward to reading! Good luck in the giveaway.

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    2. All credit to Zorylee! She makes a wonderful cover doesn't she?!
      Thank you!

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  22. The artwork of the cover is beautiful. I love how the spine resembles a pillar

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    1. It is beautiful, I agree. I thought the spine being a pillar was brilliant, too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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  23. Wonderful review! love that cover

    denise

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  24. I have already read The best part of love and I liked it. I thought that its cover as beautiful but I have to say that this, with the red cape and the red roses, is even better! Wish the author good luck for this book!

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  25. Yay for your second published book! Looking forward to reading the published edition. Loved the unpublished one.

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