Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Does the Course of True Love Ever Run Smoothly?


Author P. O. Dixon gives us the answer to this question in her new book, Love Will Grow. As my guest today, Ms. Dixon's commentary both enlightens and teases. I have to say, this new book is a 'must read' for me.
Ms. Dixon is graciously giving away one paperback copy of Love Will Grow. US only. 
Please join me now in welcoming P. O. Dixon.
Imagine, if you will, a fairly simple premise. It is a story as old as time. Girl likes boy. Boy is oblivious. Girl engages her new best friend’s help in getting boy to notice her. New best friend’s response—I don’t know what you see in him, but I will do my best.
All the individuals involved may very well start out with the best of intentions, but once in motion, who is to say what the outcome will be. What happens when said boy only has eyes for the new best friend?
Now, substitute girl with Miss Anne de Bourgh, boy with Mr. Darcy, and new best friend with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and you have the makings of Love Will Grow.
In this Pride and Prejudice “what-if” story, Anne’s motives are clear. She clings to the notion that she and her cousin are to be married. No longer content to wait and wait for him to declare his intentions, she takes matters in her own hands. Who better than an impartial third party to aid her in her quest?
Anne’s expectations likely were formed by her mother’s hopes and dreams. Lady Catherine’s opinions are wonderfully articulated as follows:
“The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favorite wish of his mother, as well as of hers. While in their cradles, we planned the union…”
One might suppose the elderly woman was utterly ridiculous but for the fact that aristocratic families were known to arrange marriages for the purposes of consolidating wealth and power with no consideration for love. While the manner in which she pontificates her belief to Elizabeth is appalling, I suffer no qualms whatsoever over her ladyship’s persistence. In reading Pride and Prejudice, the character whose motive I call into question is Mr. Darcy. Granted, we only have Lady Catherine’s word that she and her beloved sister truly orchestrated the arrangement.
Still, what was Darcy thinking? Surely he must have been privy to Lady Catherine’s expectations. Did Darcy’s failure to put a quick and definitive end to his aunt’s dreams bolster her hope that he would indeed honour his own mother’s favorite wish? How many years did Lady Catherine carry on that way? Why allow her to labour under such a misapprehension for at least a decade or two? Is this another example of Darcy’s obliviousness? Was he merely indulgent of his aunt’s idiosyncrasies or even worst, patronizing or condescending? Poor Lady Catherine.
I will allow a kinder interpretation; he simply never gave Lady Catherine’s musings any serious consideration and hence his marriage proposal to Elizabeth in Hunsford.
Of course, a strict reading of Pride and Prejudice provides no true indication of Anne’s expectations either. Thus, it is left to the minds and pens of writers and fans to ponder two hundred years later.
In Love Will Grow, Elizabeth finds herself caught in the middle. From Anne’s perspective, who is better than Elizabeth to advocate on her behalf? Anne knows from frequent correspondence with her cousin Georgiana of Darcy’s admiration for the charming, albeit impertinent young woman. However, she finds it unfathomable that Elizabeth might be considered as a credible object for her cousin’s attentions—especially owing to her lack of fortune and her want of connections. Her haughty cousin must certainly deem any sort of alliance with the young woman an abhorrence.
What is Elizabeth to do? It’s one thing to watch someone suffer a case of unrequited love. It’s a whole other thing when that person is someone whom you would deem a friend. Surely she must do everything in her power to be of service to her new friend. Besides, Elizabeth is in Hunsford, and she has nothing better to do.
As for Darcy, he is content to allow Lady Catherine and Anne to think and to do what they will. He is his own master, and he has his own ideas about what his future life entails. Imagine Elizabeth’s surprise when she finds out what they are.
Who ever said the course of true love runs smoothly?

Thanks again to P.O. Dixon for generously offering one paperback copy of her book, Love Will Grow. (US only) To be entered in the giveaway please leave a comment below. Be sure and leave your email address and country of origin in the body of the comment. To prevent unwanted spam, leave your email address with an (at) instead of @.  Winner will be chosen in a random drawing. Giveaway ends at midnight, March 28. Good luck.

Buy links:
Contacts for the author:


Twitter:  @podixon





29 comments:

  1. Uh-oh.... will Anne de Bourgh end this story with a broken heart? I hope you have a kind fate for her, where she is free of Lady Catherine's domination.

    ~ junewilliams7 {at} yahoo {dot} com

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    1. Let's see ... I like Anne (if that helps.) Thanks so much for reading and commenting for a chance to win a paperback copy of Love Will Grow.

      Good Luck!

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  2. I love "what if" stories. Thanks for sharing with us. It sounds as if "first impressions" has become "best intentions." I like it.

    regina [at] rjeffers (dot) com

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  3. You're welcome. I love "what-if" stories too and sometimes wonder where would we be without them. Thanks so much, Regina, for taking part in the giveaway. Good Luck!

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  4. I never really thought about the scenario of Lady C., Anne and Darcy with the promised thing in that light. Sounds like a fun 'what if'.

    Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway opportunity.
    sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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    1. You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed my take on Lady Catherine and her reason for feeling as strongly as she does about her daughter's "engagement" ;-)

      Thanks so much for reading the post and taking part in the giveaway. Good Luck!

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  5. Interesting reading and the story sounds very intriguing. I think you make a very good point re Darcy - why did he never stand up to his aunt and make his intentions clear? Were his intentions clear to him even before he met Elizabeth? Was the alliance with Anne something he thought he may have to fall back on at some point - can't imagine so, with all the society ladies after him, but you never know!

    Wish you lots of success with the new release!

    Cassie

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  6. Thanks, Cassie. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. You raise an interesting point as well. I like to think he never intended to marry his cousin--under any circumstances!

    I really appreciate your good wishes for lots of success with "Love Will Grow." Best wishes for your new release as well. I have long been intrigued by "A Fair Prospect." Thanks for sharing it with the world!

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    1. Thank you too! By the way, no need to include me in the draw - I am not in the US and I have also already bought my copy. :D

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  7. Thank you, for being my guest. Just reading about the plot of this book makes me feel the tension for Elizabeth already! Ah, and poor Darcy! What a dilemma he will be in...to love Elizabeth and have her pulling for Anne! I can't wait to read this one!

    Thanks again, Ms. Dixon.

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  8. You're welcome, Janet! Thanks for having me here. It's such a delight to share a bit of insight into Love Will Grow with others. You are correct about the level of tension for Elizabeth. Together, Darcy and she experience a gamut of emotions. I truly hope you will enjoy the story!

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  9. Oo oo oo...cant wait to read it. I love reading (and rereading) the many different ways elizabeth and darcy find happiness amd this book sounds like it would be a perfect escape.

    Shauna
    Baby4799 at gmail dot com

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    1. I am with you there, Shauna. I read and reread many of these wonderful books too. I can't wait to read this one either. Good luck in the giveaway.

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    2. Reading Darcy and Elizabeth HEA stories is how I began this exciting journey. It's so much fun coming up with different possibilities! Thanks for taking part in the giveaway, Shauna. Good Luck!

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  10. Love Will Grow sounds like another good read. Reading all of the authors' insights into their characters and "what ifs", makes the reader think of their own "what ifs" in their own life. Good luck P O Dixon in the sales of this book, I am sure it will be a keeper. Marti
    martitaylor1949 at yahoo dot com

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    1. So glad you stopped by, Marti. I does sound like a good read, I have to agree. I am anxious to read this book as I have enjoyed Ms. Dixon's other books.

      I have added your name to the giveaway!

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  11. Thanks, Marti. I appreciate your good wishes. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you for taking part in the giveaway. Good Luck!

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  12. Regina rcmsilvia@gmail.com

    The "what if" sequels have become my new addiction; cannot find your books in the ebook section of my local libraries, so would love the chance to read this!

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  13. Reading "what if" sequels is a great addiction; one that I enjoy as well. Thanks so much for taking part in this giveaway, Regina. Good luck!

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  14. Oh! I love to read PO Dixon's work! I would love to win a copy! Thanks!

    canapple7 (at) cox (dot) net

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    1. Thanks, Candy. I hope you will enjoy reading Love Will Grow as well. I'm so glad you commented to take part in the giveaway. Good luck!

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  15. I do too, Candy! Her books are so good. I look forward to reading this one too. Your name is in for the giveaway! :) Good luck.

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  16. What an interesting premise to have Anne as a central character. I look forward to reading this book.

    United States

    Raquel36m (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I'm glad you like the premise. Anne and Elizabeth share interesting insights with each other in the story. I hope you will enjoy. Good luck in the giveaway, Raquel. Thanks!

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  17. Thanks for coming by and commenting Raquel. This book does sound very good doesn't it.

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  18. Definitely an intriguing love triangle premise! And so much room to develop Anne deBourgh's character as a writer, since we are given so little of her.

    I've thought often as well of that whole 'promise' of marriage; but in my writing have taken the tack that Darcy never intended to marry Anne (and generally that Anne didn't want to marry him either, but lacked the strength to fight her mother on it so hoped Darcy would do it for both of them) - and that he likely did communicate that to his aunt, but Lady Catherine only hears and believes what she wants to do. At some point, he gives up trying to convince her except by inaction. So I am definitely interested in reading your different take on it!

    Good fortune with your book!

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    1. Great comments, Tess. I can easily imagine Lady Catherine hearing and believing only those things that suit her purposes. Another reason I am so intrigued by JAFF is that there is so much to work with in terms of developing characters like Anne, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and others. Oh, the possibilities.

      Thanks so much for your good wishes! And thanks for taking part in the giveaway. Best of luck!

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  19. Congratulations Tess for finishing your book(s).
    Looks like some dreams of you came true -
    I am so happy for you!

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    1. Thanks, Nette! I appreciate your support!

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