One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories...J Dawn King

A little over a year ago, debut author, J Dawn King, visited my blog as a guest. She had been a regular visitor as a reader but was now my guest as a first time author. What 'joy' it was to have her visit! :) She debuted with a huge splash and had the giveaway of all giveaways on my blog. Now she is back with a new release, One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories, and she has a pretty fabulous giveaway this time too. Be sure to check out the details. 

The neatest thing that I must share with you is that her very first guest post was at More Agreeably Engaged. I was quite honored to have her stop by this blog. Well, the next honor came last week when her daughter, Jennifer Joy, was my guest. It was also her first guest appearance on a blog. So, what do you think of that? Pretty special, huh. Both Mother and Daughter sharing several firsts, publishing their first books a year apart and doing their first guest post also about a year apart and on MAE, to name a couple of those firsts. Both ladies are working steadily on more books and that is excellent news!

Okay, now back to J Dawn King, today's guest. I am very honored to have you stop by again, Joy. You are an inspiration to me. You are always so positive and upbeat no matter what life throws your way and that is something to which we should all aspire. Thank you for the example you set and for keeping on, keeping on, with such a wonderful sense of humor. Thank you too, for keeping those stories coming!

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Thank you so much Janet for hosting me on your blog. It’s my one year anniversary from my last visit (almost).

Joy, congratulations on the release of your new book “One Love – Two Hearts – Three Stories”. What made you do an anthology? I thought you were writing “Finding Their Way”, your Bingley/Jane story.

Somehow, I knew you were going to ask me this. To answer the first part I have to lay 100% blame on Meryton Press. I was arm-wrestling Bingley in an effort to help him get his story straight when I heard about their short story anthology contest. They required a complete romance in 15,000 words or under. My first thought was, “that’s going to be really nice”. Then, as Bingley kept stubbornly trying to wrestle control of his future from my manuscript, my mind kept coming up with ideas for short stories. Thus, Ramsgate was born.

That’s the third story in your anthology. How did you come up with that particular tale and is it under 15,000 words?

I love writing Lizzy Bennet as a heroine. So, I pondered how Darcy would be affected if a young, single woman befriended Georgiana and provided shelter to her when she realized how vile Wickham was. I am a bit of a Pollyanna, so I wanted Georgiana’s heart to remain unbroken. It was a real pleasure to write. Yes, events flow quickly, but what can you do in 15,000 words?

The first story is called “The Library”. Did you get that idea while you pondered entering Meryton Press’s contest?

No, I actually had that one in mind from the first time I read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. My parents always propounded the importance of talking things out so it drove me nuts when Darcy and Lizzy were in the library for a half an hour without saying a word. By then, Darcy was struggling with his attraction to Elizabeth. What if he realized at that point that it was too late? His heart was hers? It was a story that just begged to be told. Yes, in just under 15,000 words (or maybe a little over. Or maybe a lot over, actually).

You mentioned that communication was important in your home. In what way?

I have a sister less than a year older than me and one less than a year younger. (Yes, I’m the meat in the sandwich; the cream in the Oreo.) We shared the same room and constantly (at least, I’m sure my Mom thought it was constantly), during our teenage years, fought over clothes, boyfriends, and just about everything else. I don’t remember any specific disagreements with Kelli and Rita, but I do remember Mom saying repeatedly, “you girls fight it out amongst yourselves.” Thus, Kelli, Rita, and I are all talkers. We learned to settle differences by verbally addressing issues.

Since I first read Pride and Prejudice and found out there were five sisters that were fairly close in age, I easily imagined their mother yelling the same.

Your second story, "Married!", is full-length. Did you get that idea while considering the Meryton Press contest too?

I did. I had planned for eight chapters that would finish the story within the guidelines. I love reading where Darcy and Elizabeth are forced to marry because of circumstances. They are both honorable so it would not be for immoral reasons. It was such a fun story to write that I just had to keep going. It’s about four times the length of the other stories. I have to tell you, Janet, I LOVE this Darcy.

What was your biggest challenge in writing "Married!"?

The issue of slavery. It was such an abhorrent means of padding someone’s pockets. It was not originally planned to be part of the story – it just suddenly appeared. I worried that I was not as severe as I needed to be and I did not want to offend. My inclination was to get on my soap box and expound on the evils of slavery. However, that wasn’t the purpose of the story. But, I sure wanted to.

What was your biggest surprise in writing three stories?

This is an easy question to answer. I posted “The Library” and “Married!” on three on-line forums. By far the most commented on aspect of both these stories was the footman in “The Library”. Some of the reviewers proclaimed him “my favorite supporting character in all Jane Austen fan fiction”. The sheer number of people that fell in love with that man was shocking. Who knew?

What was your favorite part to write?

My favorite was when Darcy defended Elizabeth against Mr. Collins in “Married!”.  I was shocked that he was moved to violence so quickly. Other favorites was Darcy’s treatment of Caroline Bingley in “The Library” and Elizabeth’s introduction to her in “Married!”. I also loved, loved, loved writing different pairings for “Ramsgate”. I had no clue until I typed the epilogue how it was going to turn out. Sigh and swoon!

Did you enter the short story contest at Meryton Press?

I did. And, then I didn’t. I submitted “The Library” and “Ramsgate” and then thought how much better “Married!” would be if I could bundle them all together. All three stories have both Darcy and Elizabeth with similar characters and outcomes. They fall in love rather quickly in each story. Looking back, I realize that my first book, “A Father’s Sins”, has exactly the same thing happen. My newest? Nope! My latest has a Darcy that needs to learn that he doesn’t always know what is best for others and Lizzy definitely needs to learn she’s not nearly as smart as she thinks she is. Quite a departure for me. I’m still a Pollyanna, so the angst meter probably won’t go beyond a 6 on a scale of 1-10. It is deliciously fun writing it.

Will you be writing more short stories in the future?

 

Well, Meryton Press has announced another short story contest. If I am in any way as inspired as I was for this last contest I just might. Right now, I’m typing a full-length novel called “Compromise!”. Yes, it’s another forced marriage scenario and the one I mention in your last question. This time, Lizzy compromises Darcy. I’m having a lot of fun with it, but….yes, I know, Janet. I need to finish Bingley.

And, how is Mr. Bingley?

He’s unhappy. The poor man has been waiting for a year for his happily-ever-after and I keep putting him off. He’s getting jealous and irritated that Darcy keeps getting in my way. (Joy bows her head in shame.) Tomorrow! I’ll start typing on Bingley tomorrow.

Thank you, again, for hosting me on your blog, Janet. I have a couple of giveaways you might want to share.

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About the Author:


As an avid reader, Joy Dawn King did not read Jane Austen until she was 55 years old. It was love at first read. While living in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador in 2014, she wrote her debut novel, A Father’s Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation. Joy is currently living back in the US, in the beautiful state of Oregon, with her husband, John, and is finishing the revisions for her Bingley/Jane story called Finding Their Way.

You can connect with Joy via her website, Goodreads, Facebook page or Twitter.

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Book blurb:

One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories: A Pride & Prejudice Anthology: The Library, Married!, Ramsgate
This is a collection of two novella length stories and one full-length novel. 

The Library - (voted #1 at Jaffrecs.com for March 2015) 

What happens when Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are alone in the library at Netherfield Park and they decide to talk instead of ignore each other? In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the half hour passes without either our hero or our heroine speaking one word to each other. This sweet variation has them breaking their silence. What follows is a conversation filled with confrontation, clarification, and love. 

Married! (voted top 5 at Jaffrecs.com for April 2015)

Fitzwilliam Darcy needs a wife! Elizabeth Bennet needs a husband! 

What results when two strong-minded, kind-hearted strangers unite in this most sacred state? Will love grow? In this full-length novel, Darcy and Elizabeth are faced with frustrations and blossoming feelings of tenderness. Our favorite couple finally reach their happily ever after. Or, do they? 

Ramsgate 

When Miss Georgiana Darcy stumbles upon her beloved George Wickham willingly wrapped in a passionate embrace with someone else, the elopement is off. Running to her new friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she involves her in a plan to get help from her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and bring Wickham to justice. 

In this novella length story, does Darcy marry Elizabeth? Does Colonel Fitzwilliam find the woman of his dreams? And, what happens to the nefarious Mr. Wickham? Enjoy this alternate path to our favorite couple’s happily ever after.

This book is available to buy in print and kindle formats - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Joy, I am thrilled that you have released your latest book, One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories. (although I am feeling a bit sad for poor Mr. Bingley. He HAS been waiting for quite some time now! I am eagerly waiting with him for his happily ever after! :) I feel confident though, that it will have been worth the wait. Hang tight, Bingley. Your day will come. Now back to this latest release, I did so love hearing how each story came to be. Thanks for telling us. It was fascinating how your characters did their own thing in "Ramsgate" and kept you guessing until the end. It was also fun to read about you and your sisters. 

It has been my pleasure to have you stop by again, Joy. You are always such a 'joy' (I know, I know) to work with and I have been looking forward, with anticipation, for your visit today. The last time you were my guest, it truly was a monumental event! I wish you much success with all your writings and am happy to hear of other plot bunnies running around in your head. That is a plus for all us readers. Keep those books coming.

Giveaway time!

Joy has very kindly offered a giveaway of one eBook and one signed print copy of her newest release, ONE LOVE – TWO HEARTS – THREE STORIES. This giveaway is open internationally. Just leave a comment below to enter the giveaway, ensuring that you leave a way for me to contact you (email, twitter details etc.) and please state if you'd only like to enter for one format or both. I will draw the print copy winner first. The closing date to enter the giveaway is 18 June 2015.

In addition, as a welcome to Joy’s website, if you go to jdawnking.com and leave a comment, follow her, or sign up for her newsletter, you will be entered for a HUGE giveaway of Jane Austen memorabilia which will be drawn on 31 July 2015. Again, this giveaway is open internationally. Good luck to all.