Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Jeanna Ellsworth ~ To Refine Like Silver

Hello to all from this lovely and wet November day in Texas. We need the rain and the chilly temps are wonderful, making it feel more like this time of year is supposed to feel. Good day to stay in, sip some tea and read a book! How about the new release, To Refine Like Silver, by Jeanna Ellsworth? That is what I will be reading today. What I have read to date has been thought-provoking and very good. More on that in a few days when I post my review. For now, enjoy an excerpt and the back cover blurb. There is a giveaway too. Be sure and read about it in the last part of Jeanna's post. (Isn't the cover of this book stunning?)

Thank you, Jeanna, for coming back for a visit. I am always glad to have you here. 

Thank you Janet for hosting me on your blog! I thought since you were one of the first on the blog tour that I would give you an excerpt where Darcy and Elizabeth meet. This is in the very first few pages of the book. Elizabeth’s Aunt and Uncle Gardiner just inherited an estate near Lambton and Elizabeth is helping them settle in as new landowners of Saphrinbrooke. Enjoy!

*****

She started walking the main path and soon heard voices from behind a manicured hedge. She turned the corner and saw that her uncle was in deep discussion with a dark-haired gentleman. The stranger’s back was to her, but she could see he was tall and broad shouldered. His stood erect with one hand bent behind him. She watched his fingers methodically flexing and contracting into a gentle fist.
Her presence must have been heard, because he turned around. He was not just tall and dark; his features were chiseled and striking. His jaw was strong and had a very stern set to it. But after the briefest of moments, there came a slightly raised eyebrow and a look of surprise, and the corner of his eyes and his brows relaxed. Whoever this man was, he was trying desperately not to show his emotions. She gave him a slight smile as her uncle addressed her.
            “I see you have found me again in my hiding spot,” Mr. Gardiner said with a smile. “But I confess, I have a purpose in being out here this time. Let me introduce you to our neighbor, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. He owns the grand Pemberley estate located on the other side of Lambton. I believe you said it was a mere five miles from Lambton, no?”
            “Indeed,” Mr. Darcy replied.
            Elizabeth could tell she was being evaluated and scrutinized from head to toe, and for a moment she wished she had taken more time with her hair. She recognized that her manners and appearance would reflect on the Gardiners, especially since this was the first landowner they had met in the area. She gave her best curtsy and smiled again. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Darcy.”
            Mr. Darcy stood and looked at the lady in front of him. He didn’t know how to express his first impression of her, except to say that she sparkled. Was it her hair? Or was it the way she carried herself? Was it that smile? She was simply bright. She was beautiful, but that was not what took his breath away. It was something else entirely. The stirrings were so foreign that he stood staring at her for many moments before he realized he had not addressed her. “I would say the same to you; however, we have not been properly introduced yet. You now know my name, but yours remains a mystery.” Mr. Darcy pulled his eyes away from her intriguing gaze long enough to give proper attention to the gentleman speaking next to him.
            “My apologies, sir,” Mr. Gardiner chuckled. “This is my favorite niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She is my sister’s second eldest child. She will be staying with us for the next two months to help us settle in at Saphrinbrooke.” Mr. Gardiner noticed the questioning look on Mr. Darcy’s face and added, “Elizabeth has been helping her father run an estate in Hertfordshire for many years. I realize it is unusual for a man like myself to seek counsel from a much younger female, but her wisdom and insight is very valuable.”
            “I do not doubt it. It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet.” Mr. Darcy had never wanted to kiss a lady’s hand before, but he wanted to now. Without thinking, he reached out and took her hand and bowed over it, giving it a small kiss. When he looked up, he saw that sparkle again and the corner of her mouth turned up in a teasing manner.
            “And how, sir, have you come to such a conclusion? Is it really wise to accept Mr. Gardiner’s opinion of my character so readily? For you have nothing to judge me on but my appearance and his word. I have said but five words in addressing you, none of which have been wise or insightful.” Elizabeth grinned widely as he dropped her hand and returned his arm to the folded position behind his back. She could only assume his fingers were rhythmically moving as she had seen before. She let out a small giggle to let him know she was teasing him.
            Mr. Gardiner chuckled, “And so it is with my niece! I warn you now to always be on your toes with this one. She is quick and intelligent, and she makes for good conversation.”
            Mr. Darcy stood taller and tried to mask his flushed face as he struggled to frame a response. He wasn’t used to being teased; he had been shamelessly praised and showered with flattery by every lady of his acquaintance—but not teased. This was new territory for him.

*****

As you can see, they have a much different beginning than the one in the Meryton Assembly. Mr. Darcy is drawn to her from the very beginning. That comment of “not handsome enough to tempt me” never gets said! I hope you enjoyed the excerpt. I am giving away a paperback (U.S. only) or an eBook (internationally) to one of the commenters. Good luck in the giveaway!

Now for a little back cover intrigue!

If Mr. Darcy had met Elizabeth Bennet in his beloved Derbyshire, would he have recognized her as the love of his life instead of dismissing her as someone “not handsome enough to tempt” him? This alteration of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice adds a little spirit, flirtation, and charm to everyone’s favorite characters.
Early in the summer of 1811, Elizabeth Bennet travels to Derbyshire to help her aunt and uncle settle in as new owners of Saphrinbrooke. Elizabeth is soon introduced to the estate’s nearest neighbors: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and his sister, Georgiana, who is suffering the results of a fateful trip to Ramsgate. Having endured several life tragedies herself, Elizabeth reaches out to the young lady of Pemberley. Under her radiant influence, both Darcy and Georgiana begin to look for help outside of themselves.
To Refine Like Silver is a romantic and spiritual journey where more than one of our favorite Regency characters must learn to fully rely on God. Their trials bring depth to the beloved story, and Mr. Darcy ultimately learns that our trials do not define us; rather they refine us.

To Refine Like Silver is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Doesn't this sound good. It is intriguing with a different tone. I like that. Thank you, Jeanna, for allowing me to be a part of your blog tour for this lovely book. It is such a pleasure to have you stop by. 

As Jeanna mentioned above, there is a giveaway...either one paperback (US only) OR an eBook. (international) Please specify your choice when you leave a comment and please include your email address so that I may inform you if you are the winner. To be entered in the giveaway, ask Jeanna a question about her new book. I know many will come to mind as you read the excerpt and the back cover information. She would love to hear your thoughts so please have your share in the conversation. The giveaway will end at midnight, November 11.

26 comments:

  1. This sounds like a very interesting concept. I have read Ms Ellsworth's previous books and enjoyed both. I would like to be considered for the paperback edition. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you Julia! I have to say this is my favorite book I have written and was a blast to edit and revise. I hope you like it!

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  2. Certainly is different if the Gardiners have an estate - will have to see how Darcy deals with a teasing lady

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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    1. Yes, it is like a prequel where they meet in Derbyshire. He rather likes the teasing lady! In fact, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

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  3. I do like this beginning, Jeanna. Presumably there are troubles ahead, though?

    Would love to be entered for the ebook.

    angmardee(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Believe it or not, most of the angst comes from others in the book, there are not a lot trouble between them. Darcy resists his feelings but not as bad as in canon or other books.

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    2. That's good to hear, Jeanna. I do like versions where they don't get off to such a bad start.

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  4. What a wonderful introduction for Elizabeth and Darcy! This is certainly going to be a different variation. What life tragedies has a 20 year old Elizabeth already experienced?
    Thank you for the giveaways. Although I would be pleased to receive either a hard copy or ebook, I would prefer the ebook since I would be able to easily carry it with me.
    evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you! It was a fun scene to write. I always hate the scene where he says not tolerable to tempt him because I know, I just know, that misunderstandings will arise This book has plenty of angst but they deal with it by pulling to gather. I think there are plenty of tragedies that can happen in 20 years. She actually has three major ones.

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  5. Please don't enter me in the giveaway, I've got the ebook already. Just wanted to pop by to say that I love the premise. It's very rewarding, this scenario where they bypass the Hertfordshire and Hunsford mortification & the ridiculous part of the family is not around to put Darcy off. I love variations that allow them to become close much sooner.

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    1. Thanks Joana! I still need to mail your book! Just got off a few nights of work so it should be mailed for sure by Friday. It has a little less pride and a little less prejudice, that is for sure when they meet on Darcy's county. Home field advantage...makes all the difference!

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  6. Interesting variation idea! I love the idea of her catching the Darcys on their home ground and that the Gardiners play a prominent role. Did Jeanna create any original characters beyond the usual fun cast?

    I would prefer paper copy if I won. Thanks for the opportunity. sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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  7. I don't have any real major characters. I expand a little more on giving each character a more complex history. You will find that Elizabeth is wiser, witted. Mr. Bennet is more involved, less sarcastic. Jane is more observant and sees more than usual so there are fewer secrets. Mrs. Bennet is verbally abusive because of suffering a great loss. Wickham is more bold but also is influenced by those around him. Georgiana is a huge part of the book and travels a great spiritual journey to self discovery and healing. So no real new characters...they just have depth.

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  8. What a great beginning! What inspired this story line of a spiritual and emotional journey?
    saganchilds(a)gmail.com

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    1. I use metaphors to carry my plot, and I heard my church leader give a short 5 minute devotional where he told the story of a blacksmith and the metaphor of the refiner's fire. I had been thinking of what made Elizabeth strong in canon. What makes any woman strong?The truth was that trials and having to endure them makes someone strong. (Think Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, Oprah) and so I started making up a "history" for these characters that we love so much. By doing so, I found they became real and the journey was one of enlightenment and joy.

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  9. Love the excerpt and especially how Darcy is automatically drawn to Elizabeth on their first encounter. How did you come up with the idea of for Lizzy's uncle to inherit an estate near Darcy? I think it provides a great foundation for both Lizzy and Darcy to encounter each other in the country where he is most comfortable.

    Looking forward to reading the novel! Thank you for the giveaway. Please enter me in for the paperback edition. My email is tdungnvu (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  10. To be honest, there are several books out there where the Gardiners go visit Lambton or even one where they are bookkeepers and Elizabeth meets them in Derbyshire. I had just finished a book where Collins inherited Longborn and so I put the two thoughts together. The Gardiners were always described as people who could be genteel and so I just let them inherit! It is one of the great benefits of being an author....you get to write what will make the story work! I have come across several times when writing a story that there is a road block that could stop something from going on in the story (write yourself into a corner) and it is one of the funnest times to figure out how it could plausibly move forward. It is always fun to see what I can come up with. I often wonder, if I was a lying sort of person, would the fact that I can make stuff up, would I be any good at lying? Ha ha. Good thing I am honest!

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  11. I love stories that take place in Jane Austen's universe. In P&P we don't really get to know Georgiana very well. Can we assume that we develop a deeper acquaintance with her in this book?

    Print book preferred. My BFF also love's P&P and I pass my books on to her. julieshops4you@hotmail.com

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    1. For sure! Georgiana is a huge part of this and she grows from the shy troubled girl into a real woman. She finds strength outside herself and then passes that strength to others. Good luck. I hope you get a chance to read it!

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  12. Oh this is lovely! I like them meeting somewhere Darcy is comfortable and Lizzy is definitely shown to better advantage amongst the Gardiners than the Bennets. Assuming the Bennets are their typical selves heren of course.

    monicaperry00 at gmail dot com

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    1. You are very right! All there trouble in the book starts when they head back to Hertfordshire. But it isn't the reason Darcy is attracted to her. She just has a glowing personality and people are drawn to people like that. Darcy is in his home county on his own turf and truly is more flirty and relaxed then in canon. A change of environment is truly a blessing.

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  13. This sounds like it will be a lovely read. How do Darcy & Mr Gardiner know each other? Did Darcy go to Sapherinbrooke to welcome his new neighbor, or did Darcy already know the Gardiners?

    I would prefer a print book if I won.

    pemberley96(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Yes, Darcy went and paid a call on Mr. Gardiner knowing he had just settled in as the new owner. They are now his closest landed gentry. He was doing what a good neighbor would do. Good luck on the giveaway!

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  14. The excerpt definitely makes me want to know more of the story ! I will be adding it to my wishlist (but do hope that I win, a paperback edition would be wonderful). I wonder if Mr. Darcy will still have reservations about Elizabeth's connections, or if he doesn't even think of them after being so dazzled by their "sparkling" first meeting and obviously wonderful aunt and uncle ? Can't wait to find out !
    clutterkitty at gmail.com

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    1. I'm glad this whetted your appetite. Her relations will be a problem but in a different manner than one would expect. By the time he meets Mrs. Bennet, he is in love with Elizabeth, on the verge of proposing, and has been warned by Mr. Gardiner. Mrs. Bennet is worse than ever!

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