Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Subsequent Proposal and a Perfect Fire-rose...Joana Starnes Tells of Their Connection

It is with great pleasure that I welcome back Joana Starnes to my blog! She has a new book that has just been released, and it's cover is stunning! In her post Joana introduces us to the gloriously perfect fire-rose, the object of her cover and a hint of its significance to her new book, The Subsequent Proposal. This new book combines two of Austen's works. I have to say that I am fascinated with the idea! (and enjoyed this post immensely) Ms. Starnes will be giving away an eBook so be sure and read about it below.

“There is a rose that begins life as a small, ungainly yellow rosebud, tentatively tinged with hints of orange. Yet, as it blooms, the tones of jealousy slowly lose ground to the vibrant red of love everlasting as it spreads into the petals, until they open fully into a gloriously perfect fire-rose. By happy coincidence, this is precisely what ‘The Subsequent Proposal’ is about!”

Many thanks, Janet, for welcoming me back to ‘More Agreeably Engaged’ to talk about my second book, just as you did when I released the first one!

I would like to take this opportunity to also thank all the wonderful people who had taken the time and trouble to write such amazing, sensitive and in-depth reviews at Amazon for my debut novel, ‘From This Day Forward’, as well as for my second. I hope you are visiting Janet’s blog and you can read this! Your warm support is hugely appreciated and it cheered me up no end, especially when I most needed cheering!

‘From This day Forward’ was written at a time when I wasn’t even dreaming of publication. It was my sweet escapism, into the long lost world of Regency charm and into a vanished way of life. Looking back, in many ways it makes me think of a trip I once took to visit ‘The Vyne’, a Hampshire country house where Jane Austen herself is thought to have visited, though not as a tourist but as a guest to the balls once held there. (Please bear with me. It may not look like it, but I promise I do have a point, and it’ll make sense in the end – I hope!)

During that visit, some of us, myself included, were very much inclined to linger and look in awe at the ink stains that the former owner left on his well-worn desk, as he was writing to his friend and boon companion, Horace Walpole – or to reverently admire a marvellous, richly embroidered coat he might have worn at the balls he had hosted. The room steward was kind enough to open secret drawers and let us share in that little piece of history – and got into trouble with his supervision for doing so, because the precious item was only supposed to be brought out on special, ‘Secrets of The Vyne Revealed’ days! Oooops! Oh, dear!

PhotoWhile some of our little group were mesmerised by such hidden gems and could have stared at them for absolute ages, others, quite understandably, were eager to move on, see other rooms, find other gems, hear other stories.

With hindsight, ‘From This Day Forward’ was the lingering quest for long-lost detail.

‘The Subsequent Proposal’, on the other hand, is the faster-paced walk with lots of ups and downs, followed by a lovely cup of tea – or maybe coffee – alongside a freshly-baked scone, smothered in clotted cream and topped with a dollop of strawberry preserve.

‘The Subsequent Proposal’ sprang from my fascination with both ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and ‘Persuasion’. I have always wondered what might have happened if, on a rebound after Hunsford, Darcy came across someone who was very like him in temperament and manner. Or if the dashing Captain Wentworth came home from the high seas to settle down – and did not encounter the cheerful and scatter-brained Louisa Musgrove, but someone else, who had cheerfulness aplenty, but also sparkling wit, intelligence and charm. Someone like, say, Elizabeth Bennet…

I have often wondered – and I have always found that, after ‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘Persuasion’ is Jane Austen’s second most romantic novel, and it was very tempting to bring the two together!

‘The Subsequent Proposal’ does exactly that. It brings together characters who are very much alike, at a time of upheaval in their lives, when they should have known better than making life-altering decisions on the heels of heartache and disappointment!

Perhaps I should stop here for fear of spoilers, but I just can’t go away without saying that, in this wonderful JAFF world of ours, I believe there is another truth, just as universally acknowledged: no matter what crazy obstacles are dreamed up and heartlessly set before them, Elizabeth and Darcy should never be apart!

‘The Subsequent Proposal’ is now available at Amazon and Smashwords, and also at the online retailers that Smashwords distribute to. 

You can find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/joana.a.starnes or at www.joanastarnes.co.uk


Please drop by for that scone with clotted cream – or just for a chat and a cup of coffee!

Ummm,...clotted cream, a cup of coffee and a chat...who could resist? Not me!  Thanks so much, Joana. It is great having you here again. I loved reading about your visit to 'The Vyne' and how that visit influenced your writing. Thank you for sharing with us and also for your willingness to host a giveaway. I wish you much success with your new book.

For the giveaway of her book, The Subsequent Proposal, Joana Starnes is generously offering an eBook, to one winner and the giveaway is open internationally. To be entered leave a comment below as I always love reading your 'say in the conversation'Good luck to all. Be sure to include your email address in the comment. To prevent unwanted spam, put your email address with an (at) instead of @. Winner will be chosen in a random drawing. Giveaway ends at midnight, November 4. 

38 comments:

  1. Joana, I loved your analogies, and am looking forward to the day (soon) when I can read both your novels (my time is not my own in that endeavor at present) - your presentation of them only whets the appetite for more! So count me in for that scone and clotted cream (with a cup of tea) -- good fortune to you with your second book! I love the idea of my two favorite novels crossing over (but must also admit to relief at your final universal truth.)

    quinntess (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Yes, that universal truth did give much relief, didn't it! I am truly fascinated with the plot but must confess to a certain amount of anxiety until I read that second truth universally acknowledged!

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    2. Yes, there's a lot to be said about how angst sometimes adds to the story, but I really wanted to make sure that the level of it wasn't high enough to put everybody off! Thanks for visiting and commenting, Tess!

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  2. Intrigued how both books will be come together but relieved with the resolution that 'Ellzabeth and Darcy should never be apart!'

    meikleblog at gmail dot com
    '

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    1. I agree, Vesper, on all accounts! Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. Thanks! I know I wouldn't want to read a story with a different kind of ending, so it wouldn't have been fair to inflict it on others :) Thanks for your thoughts, Vesper!

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  3. I like the idea of combining two Austen stories. Thanks for sharing about that special experience on your tour. I like to hear about other people's adventures.

    sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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    1. It was very nice to hear of Joana's experience and read how it influenced her, wasn't it! It was special. I read a mystery that combined these two books once and liked it but this one sounds so different. I can't wait to read it myself.

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    2. Hi, Sophia Rose! It was so very tempting to link Austen stories because there are so many characters that promise to get on like a house on fire! Thanks for commenting and I hope you'll enjoy it!

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  4. Lovely Blog post, Joana; Janet, it's always a pleasure to come to More Agreeably Engaged, you have such lovely guests!

    I think the cover is stunning - that rose really does stand out against the black background.

    I too enjoyed the story of the visit to The Vyne!

    Good luck with the latest release, Joana. No need to include me in the draw, Janet, as I already have the eBook!

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    1. Thanks Cassandra for your lovely words and all your support! SO glad you like the cover! Hope you'll like the book too and that I haven't scared you off with the blurb + hints of plot :)

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    2. Thanks, Cassandra, and I agree. Some very nice guests pass through with lovely posts! It is always such a pleasure to have them and have you visit!

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  5. What a fabulous, intriguing, titilating blog! Now I can't wait to read not only your new book (when I can get my hands on it) but the 1st one too (which I CAN get my hands on ... & will momentarily!).
    Best of luck with the book - great theme & I'm dying to see how you fuse the magnificent P&P theme with Pursuasion.
    s-j.peters(at)blueyonder.co.uk

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    1. Hi, Sarah-Jean! Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I do hope you'll enjoy both and I do hope that the much slower pace of my first book won't disappoint! If you like roller-coasters more, I'd definitely say "Go for the 2nd one!!" Thanks for popping by!

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  6. My two favorite novels are also Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion. What a wonderful idea to have the characters or like characters involved in your new novel. And, yes, Darcy and Elizabeth are never meant to be separated. Thank you for your giveaway.
    evamedmonds(at)gmail.com

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    1. Thanks for popping by, Eva, I'm so glad we have the same favourite JA novels! Hope you'll like the spin-off :)

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  7. The idea of combining to great stories sounds wonderful. What inspired you?

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    1. Thanks for the thought-provoking question! In all honesty, not sure exactly - I've just been tempted many times to bring together characters that promise to be very similar and get on really well.

      The first attempt was a 'PP- Sense and Sensibility' tie-in that I've been playing with some years ago and I'm playing with again, as my current project. Not sure, maybe that's how it all started: with thinking, years ago, that Elizabeth and Elinor would get on, that Mrs Bennet and Mrs Jennings definitely would, maybe even Darcy and Brandon, given half a chance.

      I guess it was only a step from here on to considering other tie-ins and to realise that Elizabeth would be far more likely to raise Capt Wentworth's interest than Louisa Musgrove ever could. As for Anne Elliot and Darcy, they are both reserved, both of the 'still waters run deep' sort, and it seemed credible enough that they would be prepared to offer support to one another, if they both found themselves broken-hearted and alone. Hope you'll enjoy the premise and the outcome :)

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  8. A combination of P&P and Persuasion sounds delightful and I cannot wait to read this second book by Joana!! I have already enjoyed From This Day Forward and cannot wait to see what is in store for Elizabeth and Darcy.

    Thanks for this giveaway!!
    Liz
    Csuexc(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks so much, Liz, for letting me know you've enjoyed my first book! I really hope you'll like the second too, even if it's so different [history context dialed riiiiight down and angst dialed right up to compensate :) ] Thanks for popping by and good luck with the giveaway!

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  9. Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are my favourites so I like the idea of combining both novels. Is Anne Elliot featured in your story so that Captain Wentworth gets a satisfying conclusion after Darcy and Elizabeth get together? I wonder....

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Oh, yes! Anne features in the story and I hope there's a satisfying conclusion all round :) So glad we share favourites and I hope you'll like what I went and did with them!

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  10. I wish that this will be coming out in a print edition soon. I don't do electronic pixels. As others have aid, P&P and Persuasion are perhaps my favourite novels by Austen, though I do love them all.

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    1. It is in paperback at Amazon.com. Hope you get a chance to read it soon! Thanks for stopping by, Julia.

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    2. Hi, Julia! The paperback is finally available! So sorry, it wasn't up and running when Janet and I were planning this post, which is why I didn't think I could include a paperback in the giveaway, but it's up and running now! Thanks for your interest and I hope you'll enjoy it!

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  11. An adaptation of my favorite's books. I love this idea. I wish to read soon. I have high expectations with this story.

    Thank you for this opportunity!!

    warmisunquc(a)gmail(dot)com

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    1. So happy to hear this! Hope you'll enjoy it. Thanks for visiting and good luck with the giveaway!

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  12. "...no matter what crazy obstacles are dreamed up and heartlessly set before them, Elizabeth and Darcy should never be apart!" Yes! *whew!* I'm glad to hear you say that. I just saw this book for the first time on amazon the other day and from some of the reviews I couldn't tell if this would have a D&E ending or not.

    I love the idea of a crossover with Persuasion! Thank you for the giveaway :)

    monicaperry00 at gmail dot com

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  13. Hi Monica! I personally think that variations without a D&E ending are just too, too depressing so I could never EVER do that - promise!!! Don't know for sure what I'll write next, but I can promise hand on heart that even if the wrong pairs are at the altar, I'm bound to write in some freak storm that will come down and set it all to rights :) Hope you'll enjoy the ride now that you're sure of the outcome!

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  14. You have my attention. These are my 2 fav Austen books and I love to find unique twists. I am excited to see what you do with this. Thank you for the giveaway.
    cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net

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  15. Hi Becky! Never knew there were so many people who had P&P and Persuasion as their top favourites! I guess I shouldn't be surprised, there's more romance in both than in any of the others. I just LOVE the way JA became more inclined to be more ... how can I put it? more 'vocally romantic', I guess, as she got older - see the Persuasion proposal, as the best example! Just perfect IMO!

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  16. Very interesting concept. Looking forward to reading your book.

    Gayle
    scmema at yahoo dot com

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  17. Thanks for popping by, Gayle, and good luck! Hope you'll like it.

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  18. Hello! After reading some of these comments, thought I better modify my original Amazon comment on Joana's second novel - would never want to distress any JA fan! Will admit when I read the Prologue the first time, it did send my eyebrows straight up, but all is well by the ending. Whew! I do own a copy so do not need to be in the drawing - good luck and good reading to all! Dave in Oklahoma

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Dave in Oklahoma. I appreciate your comments. You have me curious. Now I want to go check out your comments on Amazon, your modified one! :)

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  19. I love the fact that this book is a combination of two of my favorite Jane Austen novels :)

    patkf2007(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. They are my two favorites, too, Patricia! You need to read this book. Ms. Starnes has done a fantastic job of capturing the emotions, turmoil and utter despair that Darcy feels after that dreadful first proposal.

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