How to Mend a Broken Heart...L.S. Parsons

Available at Amazon

I am happy to have Meryton Press debut author, L.S. Parsons, visit More Agreeably Engaged. She has been making stops at several blogs and today she shares a short excerpt from her first book, How to Mend a Broken Heart. We get a glimpse as Elizabeth begins to realize her change of feelings for Mr. Darcy...but is she too late? 

Dear readers, please join me in welcoming L.S. Parsons. Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter giveaway too!

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The days and weeks following the Matlock dinner party had been a whirlwind of activity for Elizabeth Bennet. With her presentation at Court scheduled in two days, Lady Matlock had her busy nearly every minute.

Elizabeth would have found this quite taxing except for Mr. Darcy’s daily attendance in Lady Matlock’s drawing room. Never would she have believed she and Mr. Darcy would be friends, but they were, and every day added to her feelings for him. He was intelligent and, to her amazement, had a wry sense of humour, which she enjoyed immensely. They talked of books, music, politics, history, and many other topics. When their opinions varied, they would hold rousing debates to try to win the other over to their way of thinking. Elizabeth found Mr. Darcy stimulated her mind in ways no one had ever done before, including her beloved father.

While her mind was being inspired by this man, she was embarrassed at the other ways Mr. Darcy stirred her. Before, she had only seen him as a tall, dark, and brooding gentleman, whom she begrudgingly allowed was handsome. Now, it was as though she were seeing an entirely different person.

Mr. Darcy’s physical appearance captivated her. His broad shoulders and chest were accentuated by the cut of his clothing and showed a masculine strength she had never perceived in a man before. His dark hair hung in loose curls that were as soft as silk, and Elizabeth found she often had to clasp her hands in her lap to keep from reaching out to touch them. His dark brown eyes which had always looked at her with deep intensity, now held a passion for life, not the arrogance she had thought him capable of before. They shone with a tenderness and gentleness she never would have associated with the man she thought she knew. Elizabeth could not escape the warmth and happiness she felt when his smile widened to reveal dimples in his cheeks. Sometimes she became lost when she looked at him. Thankfully, Lady Matlock’s presence helped her regain her senses, so he would not think her some silly, giggling girl.

The change in Mr. Darcy’s manners could simply be attributed to his comfort around his family, of course. Lady Matlock had said the Fitzwilliams had always been particularly close to the Darcys, which would explain his ease when he was with her. Had it not been once said Mr. Darcy was lively enough when he was with friends and family?

Elizabeth knew Mr. Darcy was promised to another, and there would be no renewal of the feelings that he professed three years prior. Surprisingly, that brought her a twinge of regret. Had I known then of this Mr. Darcy…she let out a sigh. Life is full of little ironies. She could not help but be saddened there would be nothing other than friendship between the two of them. He was a man she could admire and respect, who would suit her quite perfectly in the role of a husband, but as she had resolved never to marry, the fact that he was engaged made those thoughts moot.

Why do I continue to wish for something that will never happen?

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Book Blurb:

Three years after Mr. Darcy’s disastrous marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, they meet again. Due to an unexpected twist of fate, Elizabeth finds herself a guest in the home of the Mr. Darcy’s aunt, the Dowager Lady Matlock. Long believing Elizabeth lost to him, Darcy has recently proposed marriage to an old flame, the widow of his friend. Now newly engaged Darcy encounters Elizabeth again and realizes she still owns his heart.

Although bound by honour to another, Darcy sets out to improve Elizabeth’s opinion of him. Tension mounts between Darcy and Elizabeth in that pursuit, and Darcy’s betrothed begins to see Elizabeth as a threat to her upcoming marriage. How will Darcy and Elizabeth ever reach their happily ever after? 

 How to Mend a Broken Heart is a non-canon variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and is intended for mature readers.

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Author Bio:

L.S. Parsons recently retired from a major computer company where she was employed as an Information Technology Specialist. She lives with her husband of 30 + years in the DFW area of Texas. They have one dog. She has been writing Pride and Prejudice fan fiction for over ten years, mainly as a hobby.

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Contact L.S. Parsons:

Blog: http://lsparsons.merytonpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSParsonsAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LSParsonsAuthor


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Buy How to Mend a Broken Heart:

Amazon

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How to Mend a Broken Heart Blog Tour Schedule

3/21: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Jane Austen Book Club

3/22: Excerpt & Giveaway at Romance Novel Giveaways

3/23: Review at Margie’s Must Reads

3/24: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars

3/25: Guest Post & Giveaway at Skipping Midnight

3/26: Review at From Milton to Pemberley

3/26: Excerpt & Giveaway at Liz’s Reading Life

3/27: Guest Post & Giveaway at Babblings of A Bookworm

3/28: Excerpt & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged

3/29: Review at Half Agony, Half Hope

3/30: Review at Just Jane 1813

3/31: Guest Post & Giveaway at So Little Time…

4/1: Guest Post & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews

4/1: Review at Tomorrow is Another Day

4/2: Review at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice

4/3: Excerpt & Giveaway at Jennifer Vido

4/4: Review at Diary of an Eccentric

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GIVEAWAY:

Rafflecopter Giveaway - Be sure to stop by each of the blogs and enter the giveaway for more chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for visiting today, Ms. Parsons. It has been a pleasure having you here and I wish you the best with your new release. A special thanks to Meryton Press and Michele Reed for hosting the above giveaway. Don't forget to visit all the other blogs involved with this blog tour for L. S. Parsons.

And the winners are...Rumours & Recklessness, Austen in Austin

Hello, to all of you. I hope all is good with each of you. Sorry for my lengthy silence but I have been ill the past several weeks. I struggled with upper respiratory infections for most of February and about the time I thought I was over them, the flu hit. It later turned to pneumonia so I have been out of commission for the last few weeks. I am still on meds but am slowly making progress and for that I am very thankful. 

As some may have noticed, I had to pass on my last blog post for author Jan Ashton. The lovely Jakki Leatherberry took over for me and put the post on her blog. I will be forever grateful to you, Jakki, and not only for taking the post but for your prayers on my behalf. They were and are much appreciated. 

Since the doctor told me it would be at least three more weeks before my strength returns to closer to normal, I will continue to take it easy for a while longer. I appreciate your understanding and hope to be back in full swing by April. 

For now, I have some winners to announce. Please know that the authors are in no way to blame for the delay in these announcements or random drawings. The fault is mine and mine alone. All winners have been contacted.

Congratulations, winners!

Rumours & Recklessness by Nicole Clarkston

Audiobook:
Eva
Rita Deodato

Austen in Austin: Volume One

By Susanne Dietze, Anita Mae Draper, Debra E. Marvin, Gina Welborn

Paperback:  Amada Chavez

Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin

eBook:  Sophia Rose

A very special thanks to Nicole Clarkston, Rumours & Recklessness,  for giving away two audiobooks to my readers and to Debra E. Marvin and the other authors of Austen in Austin for the Paperback and eBook giveaways. I know my readers are appreciative of your generosity as I am. 

Lost Interview of 1814

The following is an unpublished interview transcript, conducted with a rather noteworthy member of society in approximately 1814. This excerpt was purported to have been discovered in the writing desk of one Countess of W-, whose name no doubt needs no further introduction to my readers. The interview is believed to have been transcribed by the Countess’s secretary and intended for circulation in Society’s Secrets, an anonymous circulation at that time.

The history of its recovery is by now the stuff of family legend, but we do have reason to believe that this is a true transcript of the original interview. The story goes that a dissatisfied housemaid was able to secure this copy and attempted to use her stolen evidence to her advantage. Accounts differ as to the success of her endeavor, but a party claiming to be an heir of that same housemaid wrote to us from her residence in Mayfair this week.

This heir had just finished listening to a recently produced audio account involving the rather unconventional courtship and marriage of one of the parties mentioned in this interview. The account she heard was scandalous enough, and she felt, after all of these years, that this long lost piece of her family history deserved at last to be published. And now, without further ado, I present to you:

An Interview with Colonel Fitzwilliam

Good Afternoon, Colonel. Thank you for agreeing to speak with me today.

Good afternoon, Countess.

Oh, do remember, Colonel, you must simply call me “Madam,” for this interview.

Forgive me, Madam. I am flattered by the invitation. It is not often a military officer receives such distinction as recognition in Society’s Secrets.

The honor is mine. Now, Colonel, I was wondering what you could tell us about your cousin, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Oh, not again. I thought perhaps you had some questions about my service in the Peninsula, or my association with Wellesley’s office. My father’s connections recommended me, you know, but the Iron Duke is not called such for nothing! He is rather hard on his adjutants, I can tell you.

Yes, of course. So I understand that you grew up rather closely with Mr Darcy before beginning your military career. Did you spend a great deal of your youth at Pemberley?

Yes, I suppose so. My uncle often desired my company for my younger cousin after he lost his mother. I was the superior horseman, you see, and Darcy was better motivated to abandon his dreary old library when there was a little competition. I am still the better horseman, of course. Twice running I won the Skill at Arms competition against some of the finest Cavalry officers in the regiment.

Most impressive, Colonel. You alluded to your cousin’s grief at losing his mother. Can you tell us more about that? I am curious how such a loss might impact a very young man.

Oh, come, are we to talk only about my cousin?

Well, he is the most eligible bachelor in the ton. Many of our readers are eager to learn anything they can about him.

Oh, very well. What would you know about him? He became very taciturn after Lady Anne passed away, and he is worse now that he is Master of Pemberley. There, are you quite satisfied?

That is very intriguing. Our readers do love a man of mystery! Tell me, Colonel, what do you think it will take to bring such a man out of his shell?

Hah! Impossible, Madam. Set him on that great horse of his and let him alone, I say.

Oh, surely there must be some way to mend the man’s heart. He can only be waiting for just the right woman, Colonel! Now, tell me if you can, what sort of woman you think your cousin might prefer. Surely he finds one of London’s most elegant beauties to his liking. I shall not name any names in this publication, but I am to understand that a great many of my very own readers are most interested in Mr Darcy’s social calendar.

They are wasting their time, I tell you. I would wager that my cousin is more likely to be diverted by a woman who wants nothing to do with him than one who seeks him out at every opportunity. He is rather bored of it, do you see. I, on the other hand, am not nearly so difficult to please. I would remind you readers that I am second in line for the earldom, and my elder brother did recently collect a very nasty cough….

How very kind of you to remind us of that point, Colonel. What sort of… er… physical attributes does Mr Darcy favor? Last season it was noted that he danced several times with a certain tall redhead, but I shall refrain from naming anyone here.

Caroline Bingley? He would rather dance with his horse, Madam, but he was not given that opportunity.

I see. So shall I tell my readers that a woman of a more petite figure might stand a chance? Does he favor blondes? Perhaps does he prefer brunettes, or a more… shall I say womanly physique?

Madam, you forget yourself! This line of questioning is rather coarse. I cannot possibly continue! Your husband is a friend of mine, after all.

I beg your pardon, Colonel. My readers rather enjoy such intimate details, which is, of course, why I write this column anonymously. I would thank you, Colonel to remember our agreement regarding confidentiality.

Indeed! You had better travel to France, my dear woman. This sort of filth may be appreciated there. There is one particular publication I remember….

Let us return to Mr Darcy, if you please, sir. Is his estate not one of the most breathtaking in all of England? What sort of luxuries might its future mistress enjoy? I understand the private suites are exceedingly large and well-appointed, and the staff are among the very best. Would Mr Darcy consider a French maid for the Mistress of Pemberley?

She would have whichever blasted attendant she pleased, I imagine- if the woman existed. I assure you, Madam, she does not. I would be very surprised if my cousin even attended any balls next season, he was so disgusted by the last. I, on the other hand, have already made plans to attend several of the finest events next year. I prefer tall blondes, if that should entertain your readers, Madam, but any lively young lady with a pleasing manner would be sure to attract my notice.

I am sure we are pleased indeed to know of this, Colonel. Can you tell me, sir, where Mr Darcy is now? I am to understand that he has left Town, and is not to be found in Derbyshire. Could he possibly be calling on some fortunate young lady?

He is in the country, Madam. One of his friends has leased an estate, but you will not induce me to divulge its whereabouts. As for young ladies, he tells his sister- who tells me- that there are bountiful provisions to be found in the country. One of the neighboring families has five unmarried daughters! Can you believe such an oddity? I shouldn’t wonder if the parents were still baffled as to how such a circumstance might have come to be. I hear that at least one or two of them are rather less than abhorrent.

Colonel, you do insist on teasing us! You cannot seriously be suggesting that Mr Darcy might settle for one of these mysterious country ladies! Oh, no, you are indeed too much. Surely Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, one of the most celebrated thinkers of the ton and a man known for his discriminating taste, will be searching for the most accomplished and elegant ladies in Society.

How many Seasons has he remained a bachelor? Four? Or was it five?

Ah, but he is a patient man. My readers appreciate a man who has achieved some maturity, Colonel. There can be no objection to a man of particular sensibilities. It sweetens the prize, do you see, to at last win the hand of the most elusive bachelor in England. My readers have great reason for continuing hope, Colonel.

Your readers are greatly deluded, Madam.

Mr Darcy needs an heir, does he not? Now, Colonel I have one last question that is of most particular interest to my readers. What are Mr Darcy’s… er… intimate preferences?

I do not understand you, Madam, nor am I certain I wish to.

Come, now Colonel, my readers are women of the world! Surely Mr Darcy has an established arrangement of some kind? All of the gentlemen of the ton do! My readers are most eager to know what manner of expectations the future wife of such a man might be required to entertain.

Madam! My cousin is a gentleman in every sense of the word! That you would even suggest such vulgarity is utterly beyond the pale!

That is very loyal of you Colonel. Quite seriously, do you think Mr Darcy might be the kind of man to place rather minimal expectations upon his wife? My readers have often observed that the more silent type in public can express himself rather more eloquently in private, if you take my meaning, sir. Do you suppose he would desire a more… unconventional marriage? Is it possible that he might go so far as to request that his wife share his quarters? It would be perfectly scandalous, of course, but many of my readers have expressed an interest in such an arrangement. He is, after all, a very handsome man! So, Colonel, what manner of details can you share?

Colonel Fitzwilliam?

Colonel?

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We hope you have enjoyed this little piece of history. Its connection to the aforementioned recent audio production makes it a rather entertaining read. For more information about Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr Darcy, and what the latter was doing during his mysterious disappearance to the country, we recommend the following references:

http://www.audible.com/pd/Classics/Rumours-Recklessness-Audiobook/B01BX9B7MG/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1456182347&sr=1-1

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26832227-rumours-recklessness

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Oh, wasn't this delicious? Just think, we got to read a long lost interview of Colonel Fitzwilliam's! Now I must know the rest of this story. Can't wait to 'listen' and learn more about the mysterious disappearance! :) Thank you so much, Nicole Clarkston, for slipping us this long lost transcript! 

Remember, Ms. Clarkston is giving away two audio books of Rumours & Recklessness. To be entered, you must 'have your share in the conversation'... so leave a comment below. Commenting on this post and the interview with Nicole Clarkston from yesterday will double your chances. Be sure and include your contact info so I may reach you if you are randomly selected. The giveaway will end at 11:59 PM on the 7th of March, 2016. Good luck to all of you AND don't forget to stop back by tomorrow for the mystery post and more chances to win!!!