My share in the conversation...The 26th of November

It is such a pleasure for me to be part of the blog tour for Elizabeth Adams' latest, The 26th of November. I loved her first book, The Houseguest. It has always been one of my favorites, so I was eager to read the newest book. I was not disappointed. My part in the blog tour is a review, and I will get to that a little later.

Thanks to Claudine Pepe for organizing the blog tour, and to both ladies for including me. Elizabeth, I hope you are enjoying the blog tour and I wish the best with The 26th of November. I love your cover and the statement on the front. Clever!

Book Title: The 26th of November

Authors: Elizabeth Adams

Tour Dates: July 9 – August 9, 2018

Genre: Fiction-Romance,
British-Classics and Fiction-Historical

Purchase link: Amazon

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Book Description

The Netherfield Ball: Classic. Predictable. Immortalized.
But, what if Elizabeth were forced to relive it over and over and over again? Night after night after night?

Elizabeth: Clever. Witty. Confident.
Suddenly, her confusion and desperation make her question things she long thought she knew.

Mr. Darcy: Proud. Unapproachable. Bad tempered.
In this world where nothing is as it seems, Elizabeth must learn to see through new eyes.
Including a man she thought she hated.

Let the hilarity ensue.
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Author Biography

Elizabeth Adams is a book-loving, tango-dancing, Austen enthusiast. She loves old houses and thinks birthdays should be celebrated with trips - as should most occasions. She can often be found by a sunny window with a cup of hot tea and a book in her hand. 

She writes romantic comedy and comedic drama in both historic and modern settings.

She is the author of The Houseguest, Unwilling, On Equal Ground, and Meryton Vignettes: Tales of Pride and Prejudice, and the modern comedy Green Card. 

You can find more information, short stories, and outtakes at elizabethadamswrites.wordpress.com

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My share in the conversation...

The story beings after the Netherfield Ball. In Elizabeth’s eyes, the ball was a disaster. She was embarrassed and disgusted with the behavior of her relations. The day after the ball, found Elizabeth once again in an embarrassing and awful situation, all thanks to Mr. Collins. Thursday morning dawned “bright and clear,” and Elizabeth was hopeful that this day would be uneventful. It was not to be. This time the pain was Jane’s, and Lizzy felt her family was partly to blame. As Lizzy lay in bed that night, she wished her family had behaved better, at least in public. With that wish the cycle of a repeated day begins.

There are many things about this book that I loved. In fact, I cannot think of anything that I did not like. One of the first things that impressed me was the way the author handled the reliving of the same day over and over. She didn’t recount exact details of each day. She kept the plot moving along. The day might be repeating but Ms. Adams telling of it was not. She kept it lively and varied. I found that refreshing, as each day held something new and fun. When Elizabeth realized she could do or say anything and no one would remember – until “he” did – it made for some great and well-deserved conversations and actions. Superb job, Elizabeth Adams. 

As usual for Ms. Adams, her writing was good and her story telling, excellent. I laughed and I sighed. There were many really good scenes with Darcy, and some hilarious scenes with other characters. The story was well done and made me feel happy. That brings me to another thing I loved, which was the ending. I wasn’t ready for it to end, but when it did, the ending left me feeling good and warm inside. I want a book to leave me feeling satisfied, and this one did. Thank you, Elizabeth Adams, for another novel well done. The first book I read by Ms. Adams, The Houseguest, was awesome. I loved her Mr. Darcy in it and I loved him in this last one, The 26^th of November, another awesome book. I highly recommend it.

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Blog Tour Schedule

July 9 / From Pemberley to Milton / Book Review & Giveaway

July 13 / From Pemberley to Milton / Guest Post & Giveaway

July 19 / Of Pens & Pages / Book Review & Giveaway

July 20 / Babblings of a Bookworm / Book Review & Giveaway

July 21 / My Love for Jane Austen / Character Interview & Giveaway

July 25 / More Agreeably Engaged / Book Review & Giveaway

July 28 / Just Jane 1813 / Book Review & Giveaway

August 2 / Diary of an Eccentric / Book Review & Giveaway

August 6 / Austenesque Reviews / Excerpt Post & Giveaway

August 8 / My Vices and Weaknesses / Book Review & Giveaway

August 9 / Margie’s Must Reads / Book Review & Giveaway

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Giveaways

Elizabeth Adams is offering five copies of The 26th of November for your readers,
5 audiobook codes, each one is good for one of her audiobooks

and two autographed paperback copies of one of her books, readers’ choice from her catalog.

The giveaway runs until midnight, August 11, 2018.

Terms and Conditions:

Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once a day and daily commenting
on a blog post or a review that has a giveaway attached for the tour.
Entrants must provide the name of the blog where they commented.
If an entrant does not do so, that entry will be disqualified. 

One winner per contest. Each winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter
and the giveaway is international.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the winners are...Proof of Love

Good news! I have some winners to announce!

Three lucky readers have been randomly selected to receive

Brenda J. Webb's newest release, Proof of Love!

Congratulations to each of you!

 Signed Paperback Winner: KateB!

Two eBook winners:

Maria

Mary

Thank you, Brenda J. Webb, for your generous giveaway.

All of the winners were super excited to have won! 

Thank you to all who commented. I appreciate

your support more than you know!

My share in the conversation...The Darcy Legacy

Available on Amazon

Joana Starnes is such a sweet person and promoter

of all things Austen. I feel it an honor to call her a friend.

I have been following her writing career from the beginning

and love all her books. I was extremely excited when I heard she

had another book almost ready to release! I could hardly wait

to get my hands on it and READ! Here I am today, taking part

in the blog tour for The Darcy Legacy, Joana's latest. It is a book

that I highly recommend. My review of the book is below under

"My share in the conversation..." Thank you for joining me today.

I would love to hear your thoughts on my review or on the book,

if you have read it or plan to read it.

Joana has a fabulous giveaway. There are going to be some

very lucky winners. Thank you, Joana, for your generosity.

Before getting to my review, I posted the book description,

the author links, and author biography.

*****

Book Description:

‘Pemberley’s ancient halls harbour many secrets. Which one will affect Fitzwilliam Darcy
and the love of his life? How is Mr Bennet to enjoy the comforts of a well-stocked library,
when his wife’s premature demise had left him with the task of finding suitable matches
for their daughters? What of a misleading encounter on a muddy lane in Hertfordshire,
that renders a country-town assembly rather more tolerable than some might have thought?

Shades of mystery, meddlesome relations – not least a drenched Adonis – raillery, old errors
and a very recent union make for a challenging courtship when Fitzwilliam Darcy is not
on his own ground. Yet when love is the reward, challenges make it more worth the earning.
“A fraught courtship? So, let it be fraught,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said with a nonchalant flourish
of his hand. “A good challenge never hurt anyone.”’

Author Links

www.joanastarnes.co.uk

www. facebook.com/AllRoadsLeadToPemberley.JoanaStarnes/

www.facebook.com/joana.a.starnes

www.twitter.com/Joana_Starnes

Joana’s books on Amazon.com

Joana’s books on Amazon.co.uk

Joana’s books on Goodreads

Author Biography

Joana Starnes lives in the south of England with her family.
Over the years, she has swapped several hats – physician,
lecturer, clinical data analyst – but feels most comfortable
in a bonnet. She has been living in Georgian England
for decades in her imagination and plans to continue
in that vein till she lays hands on a time machine.

She is the author of eight Austen-inspired novels:
From This Day Forward ~ The Darcys of Pemberley,
The Subsequent Proposal, The Second Chance,
The Falmouth Connection, The Unthinkable Triangle,
Miss Darcy’s Companion, Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter
and The Darcy Legacy, and one of the contributing authors to The Darcy Monologues,
Dangerous to Know and the upcoming Rational Creatures (due in October 2018).

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My share in the conversation...

The Darcy Legacy is an utterly delightful novel. It is a fresh, unique approach, and different from anything I’ve previously read by Joana Starnes. She still tortures Darcy, just a little, but not with her usual vigor! Of course, she gives him his HEA, but he still has to earn it.

The book begins at Pemberley in 1806, shortly after the elder Mr. Darcy’s death. We get a glimpse of life there before Fitzwilliam Darcy makes the fateful trip to meet Mr. Bingley at Netherfield. Strange happenings are afoot at Pemberley. Objects are moved, ink is repeatedly spilled on the desk, and papers are scattered. What can be the meaning of this? Is there truly a ghost haunting the estate. According to the servants, yes, there is!

Move forward to 1811 when Darcy is going to Hertfordshire at Bingley’s invitation. While trying to find Netherfield, he comes across Elizabeth. This meeting, of sorts, is priceless. I laughed out loud, but I laughed even more when he glimpsed her at the Meryton Assembly. Did the Fitzwilliam Darcy just deliver a Mr. Collins action? I believe he did! That was so unexpected and well done. Different from canon, Darcy and Lizzy do dance, and it is rather pleasant. In the days that follow, they get better acquainted, getting on quite well.

When Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam travel to Kent, there is a different group at Rosings. This makes for some fun reading and happenings. Elizabeth is there but not as Charlotte’s guest. Darcy eventually attempts his proposal, and as usual is making quite a mess of it. As he blunders along, he has unexpected outside help. He thinks he’s losing his mind, and he very well may be. Oh, how I adored this! Although it had some comical moments, it ended up being quite touching.

All the characters in the book are engaging. Colonel Fitzwilliam is hilarious and is the perfect counterpart to Darcy. Mr. Bennet’s actions were a big surprise, but were to my liking. Anne deBourgh was a nice and agreeable person who had a few surprises of her own. I even “kind of” liked Lady Catherine, well, only part of the time. She had her moments.

Joana Starnes never fails to deliver. Her writing is so good and makes me live everything with her characters. I experience what they are experiencing. I get totally absorbed in Joana’s books. I enjoyed every aspect of The Darcy Legacy and will be reading it again. The book begins with a bang and comes full circle at the end. It is such a tender and loving ending, and gave me a feeling of complete satisfaction. I loved it!

Thank you, Joana Starnes, for such a well-written story full of twists and turns, a fun and awesome read.

Giveaways

Joana is offering 10 copies of The Darcy Legacy for your readers, 20 audiobook codes,
each one is good for one of her audiobooks and a $25.00 Amazon gift card.
Thank you for your support with these giveaways. The giveaway runs until midnight, July 16, 2018.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

July 2 / Austenesque Reviews/Excerpt Post & Giveaway

July 3 / Diary of an Eccentric/ Guest Post & Giveaway

July 4 / More Agreeably Engaged/ Book Review & Giveaway

July 5 / Of Pens & Pages / Guest Post & Giveaway

July 6 / So Little Time... So Much to Read/ Guest Post & Giveaway

July 7 / My Love for Jane Austen / Excerpt Post & Giveaway

July 8 / Babblings of a Bookworm/ Book Review & Giveaway

July 9 / My Vices and Weaknesses/ Book Review & Giveaway

July 10/ Obsessed with Mr. Darcy/ Book Review & Giveaway

July 11 / Pemberley to Milton/Book Review & Giveaway

July 12 / Just Jane 1813/ Tour Finale & Giveaway

Be sure to stop by all the blogs participating in the tour. Joana Starnes is sure to have some fantastic posts for us. I, for one, am looking forward to each one. Thank you, Claudine Pepe, for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. Thank you, Joana, for giving us another awesome book. I'm sure it will be a huge success.

And the winner is...True Love Comes to Delaford

It is almost July 4th and the celebration

of independence here in the US.

Happy Fourth to all my readers, friends, and family! 

Since we are about to be celebrating, I have a winner to announce! She is getting to celebrate the win of a book

she was looking forward to reading! :)

Vesper Meikle is the eBook winner of

True Love Comes to Delaford by Virginia Kohl

Congratulations! 

Thank you, Virginia, for visiting my blog

and for hosting the giveaway. 

Thank you, Vesper, for your continued support of my blog!

Enjoy your read!

Proof of Love...Brenda J. Webb

Available at Amazon

Good morning to all of my readers! You are in for a treat! I am thrilled to welcome Brenda J. Webb back to More Agreeably Engaged. Brenda last visited on June 11, 2014, with her release of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Most Unlikely Couple. To read our interview for that post, click here. 

It has been too long since you last visited, Brenda. We will have to make sure you stop by more often. You are welcome any time.

Brenda is sharing an excerpt with us and it is intriguing. I love Brenda's writing and this new book sounds like it will be excellent, too. There is also a generous giveaway! :)

Take it away, Brenda!

*****




I am very excited to be visiting with my friend and fellow animal lover, Janet Taylor. When I thought about who I wanted to share my newest release with, you came to mind and you were gracious enough to work me into your schedule.

Proof of Love – A Pemberley Tale is a tale about a much younger Darcy and Lizzy than I have written before. In this book I wanted to show how they mature during the course of the story and I hope I accomplished that. Thank you for allowing me to share the cover, the blurb and an excerpt, and to give away a few copies to your lovely readers.

Blurb:

During his second year at Cambridge, a young Fitzwilliam Darcy accompanies a classmate to Lucas Lodge in Meryton for the holidays. Whilst there, he encounters a girl of sixteen who instantly captures his attention and soon after, his heart. Yet, because Elizabeth Bennet could never meet his relations’ expectations and he cannot abide her distasteful family, he returns to the university vowing to forget her.

Two years later, they are thrown into each other’s company and forced to spend several days together unchaperoned. Once they are discovered, Darcy suppresses his reservations about marriage to Elizabeth and does his duty in order to save her from ruin.

Will a young, headstrong and prejudiced Elizabeth realize how mistaken she has been about her husband’s character? Likewise, will a prideful, intractable but highly principled Fitzwilliam Darcy acknowledge his faults before their marriage is destroyed?

Excerpt from Chapter 6

Mr. Gardiner’s study

Before the wedding

Expecting Elizabeth, when Mr. Gardiner entered the study instead of his intended, William was taken aback.

“Mr. Darcy, since Lizzy is not ready yet, I have seized this opportunity to ask you about a matter of great importance. Last night I received a letter from my niece, Jane Bennet, and—”

“Has Elizabeth’s father taken a turn for the worse?”

“Quite the contrary! According to Jane, the new physician has been a godsend, working wonders with new medicines and procedures. She allows that her father is doing quite well, given the severity of his injury.”

As he watched William relax, Mr. Gardiner continued. “It is the physician who concerns me. Dr. Graham arrived in Meryton days ago, telling the family that he was sent from London to direct my brother’s care. Moreover, when asked who sent him, it seems he implied that I did.”

William looked uncomfortable. “Forgive me. That was my doing. I meant to tell you before now, but with plans for the wedding and meetings with my solicitor, I completely forgot.”

“That is understandable.”

“Dr. Graham is my personal physician, and it was I who asked him to manage Mr. Bennet’s care. It is my understanding that once Elizabeth’s father shows improvement, he will leave one of his associates in charge at Longbourn and return to London. Graham will, however, stay in touch with the assistant and continue to supervise every aspect of his recovery.”

“That cannot be inexpensive, so why was I given credit?”

“I do not want Elizabeth to learn of my part in it.”

“Why ever not? It might change her attitude towards you.”

William glanced away. “It is not gratitude that I seek from Elizabeth.”

“You wish her to feel love, not obligation.”

Embarrassed to be discussing something so personal, William merely nodded.

“I understand completely, but what if she learns of your intervention later?”

A pained smile crossed William’s face. “Perhaps by then she will have decided that marriage to me is not a horrible sentence, after all.”

Touched, Mr. Gardiner clamped a reassuring hand on the young man’s shoulder. “If it means anything, you must know that Madeline and I believe you are far and away the best man for Lizzy. She is not an average woman, and we feared she would never meet a man who would appreciate her uniqueness. My brother never had a son, you see, so he taught her everything he would have taught his heir about estate management. Moreover, he passed along his passion for reading a variety of books: histories, novels, plays and poetry, some in Italian and French. It has been my experience that most men, especially those of the ton, are intimidated by any woman who thinks for herself. They want a beauty with no brains for a wife, and whilst Lizzy is beautiful, it is her intelligence that sets her apart. Because of her intellect, she does not suffer fools easily.”

“We are alike in that.”

“However, I must warn you that Lizzy does possess one glaring fault.” William’s brows furrowed. “She leads with her heart. This means that at times she is apt to act before thinking—ergo, the need for your hasty marriage. She is still so young that I like to believe she will outgrow that flaw.”

At the anxious look on his soon-to-be nephew’s face, he added, “Just remember one thing, and you shall fare well. If a marriage is to succeed, both of you must work at it. Giving, as well as taking, is the key.”

That very second there was a knock on the door, and as it opened, Madeline Gardiner stuck in her head. “Elizabeth is here to speak with Mr. Darcy.”

“Give us just another minute, my dear.”

As the door closed again, Mr. Gardiner leaned in to whisper. “Jane warned me that her mother is still livid with Lizzy for rejecting Mr. Collins. She allows it might be best if her sister does not return to Longbourn until Fanny has calmed down. By the way, I did not inform either of Lizzy’s parents of your impending marriage. I believe that is your business.”

“I am relieved to know that Elizabeth’s father is doing well. I cannot leave for Pemberley until I finish some business in Town and that will likely be the end of this week. Perhaps by then Mr. Bennet will be on the mend, and Mrs. Bennet’s temper will have cooled.”

“I pray that is so. Now, let me leave you young people alone so you may talk.”

As Mr. Gardiner hurried from the room, he passed Elizabeth, who was right behind his wife. Giving her a fatherly smile, he patted her on the back before Mrs. Gardiner waved her into the study and closed the door.

Dressed in a simple blue satin gown trimmed with Chantilly lace at the bosom and the hem, Elizabeth looked stunning. A bonnet featuring a few white roses covered her dark hair. Moreover, the remedy her aunt had administered right before she came downstairs had calmed her persistent cough, so William saw no evidence that she was still sick. Unable to recall what he wished to say, he stared at her in amazement.

Self-conscious under his gaze, Elizabeth coloured and looked down. Seeing her discomfort, William came to his senses and hurried to explain.

“Elizabeth.” Her head came up. “I want you to know the wedding ring I chose for you was my mother’s favourite.”

Pulling a small velvet box from his pocket, he opened it to reveal a delicate, gold filigree band, featuring small diamonds and rubies set in a random pattern around the circumference. He was unwilling to burden her with the fact that this, a few more of his mother’s rings and a pearl necklace and matching earrings were the only jewellery not tendered as collateral against the new loan. “If it does not suit, you have only to tell me. There are several rings from which to choose, and you may discover you like another one better.”

“Mr. Darcy, I assure you this ring is perfect,” Elizabeth answered, giving him a fleeting smile.

“Is it not time to call me something less formal?” When Elizabeth did not reply, he ventured, “My mother called me William to distinguish between me and my cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, who often stayed with us when I was a boy.”

“William,” she repeated just as a soft knock announced yet another interruption.

Mrs. Gardiner opened the door. “I hate to intrude, but the bishop is ready to proceed with the ceremony. Mr. Darcy, if you will accompany me, Edward will escort Elizabeth as soon as the music begins.”

As his wife walked back to the parlour with William on her heels, Edward Gardiner slipped into the study. Seeing the trepidation in Elizabeth’s face, he said, “I like your young man, Lizzy. Please give him a chance to win your heart.”

She smiled wanly. “What choice do I have, Uncle?”

“You have a much better choice than you realise, my dear.”

*****

I can't wait to read this book. I simply adore stories where Darcy and Lizzy have an arranged or forced marriage. Proof of Love sounds so good, and I already feel strongly for Darcy! What a place you left us! That is quite the teaser, Brenda!  I wish you much success with your new new release. Thank you for visiting with me and my readers. It's an honor that you thought of stopping here.  By the way, your cover is lovely!

In the next few days, I hope to post my review of one of Brenda's other books, Darcy and Elizabeth: A Promise Kept. I love that book! If you haven't read it, I hope you will soon. I highly recommend it.

As Brenda mentioned above, we share a love of animals and both have several rescue dogs. Brenda was very supportive when I posted a couple of years ago about the special pair of rescues I was fostering, Duke and Duchess. They are still with me, no longer fosters but fully integrated into my family! 

Giveaway:

Thank you, Brenda J. Webb, for the generous giveaway you are having for my readers. Brenda is giving away 2 eBooks internationally to those readers who can accept Amazon.com gift books. She is also giving away one signed paperback to readers in the US and Canada! That's awesome and we appreciate you giving everyone the opportunity to win and read your new release! The giveaway will end at 11:59 P.M. on the 3rd of July! Good luck to all of you! Please leave a comment to enter and don't forget your contact info, especially if you are new to my blog.