And the winners are...

Congratulations, ladies!

The two winners in Alexa Adams's giveaway are:

Maria who left a comment on December 5, paperback

 and Joana Starnes who left a comment on December 6, eBook

Joana has chosen Holidays at Pemberley for her eBook!

I always appreciate you stopping by and having your say in the conversation!

Thank you to Alexa Adams for being my guest and sharing her books with us!

Merry Christmas

&

Happy New Year!

And the winner is...

BeckyC who left a comment on December 1, you are the winner
of my Thanksgiving Giveaway!

Congratulations on being the randomly selected winner of 'Fitzwilliam & Elizabeth", the 2014 calendar. 

As soon as I hear from you via email with your mailing address, I will ship it to you!

Thanks for supporting my blog.

Happy Holidays!

JT

Tales of Less Pride & Prejudice with Alexa Adams

Alexa Adams, author of Holidays At Pemberley, a newly released novel, is my guest today. I am very excited to have Alexa visit my blog as part of her blog tour. She has graciously allowed me to interview her and her answers are both informative and thought provoking. I hope that you will find them as interesting as I did. 

I remember seeing First Impressions, the first novel by Alexa Adams, on Amazon and thinking it sounded very good. I purchased it and starting reading it immediately. I was pleasantly surprised at the Jane Austen style of writing that this author used in that book and has continued in her Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice. It was and is quite delightful. 

In celebration of the holidays, Alexa is giving away two of her books, Second Glances and Holidays At Pemberley, winner's choice. More information will be given at the end of the post.

Now please join me in welcoming Alexa Adams.

How and when did your interest in Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice take root?

My interest in Austen actually began when I found a copy of Northanger Abbey in a train station gift shop when I was 11. At that age, I tended to choose books by their cover (which is how I ended up reading Frances Burney’s Evelina that same year, when I was far too young to make sense of it), and Northanger looked to be filled with romance and pretty dresses, which was my main criteria for a good read. Though I didn’t understand the satire of the story, I knew there was something special about the book, and it was not long before I read the rest of Austen’s major novels. Persuasion, rather than Pride & Prejudice, has always been my particular favorite, but there is something about P&P that opens itself to reimagining and reinterpretation. Of course, like many others, I was completely captivated with the 1995 BBC mini-series when it first aired. It is by far my favorite Austen film, even if it isn’t my favorite of her novels.   

What drove you to start writing your own books? Did you write other things before writing PnP variations?

As I approached my late twenties, it was becoming increasingly obvious that I was not going to happily endure a forty plus year career in sales and marketing. I somewhat abruptly quit my job and took on occasional and part-time work, including freelance writing, while I did some soul searching. I felt pretty lost, and it was in this state that I discovered the world of Jane Austen fan fiction. At first, I only read the books I could find in the bookstore, having no notion there was this entire online world of Janeites busily writing away. I was buying the second volume of a rather famous and very explicit P&P continuation when the lady at the register asked me if it was any good. I explained that the work in question was a great deal too sexual for my comfort, but that I was obsessed and had to read it anyway. She then asked, “Why don’t you write your own book?” I blinked at her a few times, shook my head negatively, and paid for my purchase, but the question stayed in my head. It was not long after that I wrote First Impressions.     

Do you have a muse that causes your story to lead you at times or do you use an outline and follow it religiously? What is your writing routine?

I recently became acquainted with the term “pantser” (as in fly be the seat of your pants-er), and it perfectly describes my writing style. I often have only a vague notion of precisely where my stories are headed when I start them, and even that is subject to change. Once I begin, the story (if things are going well) starts to dictate its own terms, taking on a life of its own. I feel very much a vehicle, rather than a creator. Of course, that first draft is usually dreadful, and I do lots of revisions, often scrapping large chunks. I rewrote the end to Second Glances, my last book, less than a month before publication.

Is there any setting that is more inspirational to you when writing?

I wish there was! I seem to have to flit about all the time, changing my scenery constantly to stay inspired. I get stuck, I move somewhere else, and the words begin to flow once more. Thank goodness for laptops!

What about the Regency era is appealing to you?

There are few things more charming to me than a empire waisted dress and a bonnet, but I do see a lot of correlations between our own time and Austen’s: both periods of social upheaval and unrest. In fact, this holds true for many of the eras in which Austen’s stories were particularly popular, like World War I, when she brought solace to British soldiers in the trenches. I imagine Austen used her writing to help escape from the cares of the world. Her characters struggle, but rarely from abject misery. There is an order to the world she describes that it comforting to souls in upheaval. Many of us need that kind of refuge right now.

Tell us something about your newest book that you love most. (if you can without giving anything away)

As I begin to read reviews for Holidays at Pemberley, I’m delighted learn that my favorite scene is one which others seem to love, too. It takes place towards the end of the novel, when ALL the members, beloved and bemoaned, of the extended Darcy, Fitzwilliam, and Bennet families gather at Pemberley for the annual Twelfth Night ball. It’s when they all sit down to dine together that Lady Catherine gets spunky. My Lady C is far more mild than Austen’s, but this was my opportunity finally, after three novels, to have her to deliver that wonderful “shades of Pemberley” line. I just love it!  

What have you learned from writing that has helped you in your daily life?

Empathy. Writing forces you to see the perspectives of others and relate to them, whether you like a character or not. It has made me a kinder, gentler person. There is also little so humbling as a scathing review, and while they are painful to receive, learning from and coping with such criticism definitely builds character.

Is there anything special about yourself or your writing that you would be willing to share with us?

My writing, like my personality, is impulsive. I’ve always wanted to be as calm and pragmatic as Elinor Dashwood, but I am much more like Marianne. This leads me to rush through stories in my excitement to get it all down on paper, often not taking the time I should to fully develop the plot and characters. I’m trying to improve.

Do you have a modern day author that has inspired you? If yes, what was it about their writing that was an inspiration?

The modern writer who most directly influenced my work is Abigail Reynolds. I was rereading one of her novels when the idea for First Impressions came to me. I think it is safe to credit her with pioneering the sub-genre of “What if?” Austenesque.

Most of the writers who’ve inspired me, like Austen, are long dead. I prefer to read 19th century literature.

Now for a very important question, we all have our special reasons for loving Mr. Darcy, what are your reasons?

Mr. Darcy is an idealized man. For a mere mortal to combine total devotion, intelligence, moral integrity, and a vast fortune is too much to expect. Of all his fine qualities, I think its the extent and totality of his love for Elizabeth that most attracts me. He is also the only one of Austen’s heroes who has to prove himself worthy of the heroine. In fact, several of her heroes (Edward Ferrars, Edmund Bertram, Captain Wentworth) are patently unworthy of their heroines, yet each wins his lady’s hand with only minor struggle. Mr. Darcy steps out of his sphere of comfort, alters his behavior, and rescues Elizabeth’s family from disgrace. The man who would do all this is a remarkable specimen, indeed! I’ve long said I grew up on the day I learned to prefer Mr. Darcy to Mr. Rochester, the favorite hero of my teenage years. Now it is hard to imagine what I ever found attractive in him at all. I’ll take Mr. Darcy over pretty much any gentlemen in literature, and I’ll continue to remind myself of the ways my husband resembles this prince charming of Pemberley, rather than dwell on where he, like all men, falls short.

Alexa, I love your answer to the last question, especially your last sentence. You show an intuitiveness that I admire. To dwell on the good rather than short-comings is a goal we would all do well to achieve! Thank you for sharing that thought and for allowing me the privilege of interviewing you. I wish you much success with your books and look forward to many more novels from you.

Thank you also for allowing me to host a giveaway of two of your books. This giveaway is for a paperback or eBook for Nook or Kindle, winner's choice, to winner/s in the USA. If the winner/s is/are international, then the giveaway is for an eBook for your Nook or Kindle. The winners may choose which of the two books being offered that they would like to receive. Again, the two books are Holidays At Pemberley and Second Glances. Good luck to all. Leave a comment to be entered. We want to hear your say in the conversation. Be sure to include your email address in the comment. To prevent unwanted spam, put your email address with an (at) instead of @.  Winners will be chosen in a random drawing. Giveaway ends at midnight, December 9. 

Purchase these books and others
by Alexa Adams at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Thanksgiving Giveaway!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Even though some of my followers are not from the US and do not celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, I still want to wish you all a Happy day as we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the USA. I want to thank all of you for your support of my blog this year. It has been a wonderful and fun experience. It means so much that you take the time to visit and comment. Thank you to all the authors and Jane Austen fans that have taken time out of their busy schedules to be my guest and share something of themselves with all of us. To all of you fellow bloggers that helped me during the learning process, (you know who you are, and I'm still learning) I thank you sincerely!

As a start to the holiday season approaching, I am giving away one

Fitzwilliam & Elizabeth 2014 Calendar

To enter, please leave a comment sharing something for which you are thankful, 

even if you do not celebrate Thanksgiving.

With your comment leave your email address for contact purposes should you be the winner! 

Giveaway ends at midnight, December 4.

This giveaway is worldwide! 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

And the winners are...

Congratulations to the two winners of:

Mr. Darcy's Dilemma and Delight

by Jadie Brooks

Without further adieux, the winner of  the paperback is:

TessQ who left a comment on 11-20

and the winner of the eBook is:

Vesper Meikle who left a comment on 11-20

Again, my congratulations to you, ladies. Get back to me as soon as possible with your information.

I appreciate your support of my blog.

Thank you, Jadie Brooks, for being my guest and for the giveaway.

I wish you the best success with this book and future books.

And the winners are...

EvaE who left a comment on November 17

and

Maria Maderi who left a comment on November 12

Congratulations, ladies!

You are the winners of Alias Thomas Bennet

by Suzan Lauder

According to the last comment by the author, the book should be released November 22.

Congratulations again and thanks for having your say!

A Story of Healing with Author, Jadie Brooks

My guest today is debut author, Jadie Brooks. Her book, Mr. Darcy's Dilemma and Delight, was released in October. Jadie shares an excerpt below and also tells us how this story originated. The picture of Jadie Brooks is taken in Bath on the steps of the house where Jane Austen resided when she first lived in Bath. I love the picture and think it is perfect for the post! Ms. Brooks is also having a giveaway so be sure and check out the details below. Welcome, Jadie Brooks.

Thank you, Janet for having me here on More Agreeably Engaged. It is wonderful to be where so many wonderful writers have been.

I started writing stories in my teens, but I have been a story teller most of my life. I can remember convincing a third-grade school friend that a place quite close to my home was where the character in our favourite book must have lived. I was nearly convinced myself since that was what I imagined as we listened to the teacher read to us.

I didn't finish many of my earlier stories, but the year 2000, just about the time my daughter left for college, I started writing again. At first, I wrote sci-fi fanfiction, but sometime around 2009, I discovered the wonderful world of Jane Austen variations, particularly the Pride and Prejudice variety. I had loved the Jennifer Ehle/Colin Firth version for many years, but it was not until I read Linda Berdoll's Mr. Darcy Takes  a Wife did I understand what I was missing.

At first, I didn't think I would ever write a variation of Pride and Prejudice of my own until an idea popped into my head. I had read countless stories by then and had not read one like it, so I ventured into Austenesque fiction. During writing of the pages of that story, another idea grabbed me and would not let go. What if Elizabeth were assaulted? What would her reaction be? What would Mr. Darcy's be? I put aside the first story and started writing to answer those questions. The resulting story was Mr. Darcy's Dilemma and Delight.

The story begins after Jane is ill at Netherfield and before the Netherfield Ball. Elizabeth is brutally attacked and Darcy comes to her rescue. What follows is a hard-fought journey for them both. They learn to deal with the aftermath of the attack and through prayer and persistence, to find love and joy. It tells a story of healing.

Here is just a taste of the first chapter of Mr. Darcy's Dilemma and Delight.

Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire inhaled deeply of the crisp autumn air as he stood in the paddock waiting for his horse to be brought to him.  The day was perfect for his desired solitary ride. The morning sky shone bright, clear, and the air was cold. He had left the house eager for a good gallop away from the insipid, overly flattering attentions of Miss Caroline Bingley. Since he was a guest at Netherfield, the house her brother and Darcy's good friend Charles had leased, there were few places inside where he could avoid her.

The groom finally brought Darcy's horse, Paladin, to the mounting block. As soon as Darcy was in the saddle and out of the yard, the large bay obliged his master by galloping quickly over Netherfield's pastures. The two travelled with great pleasure over many acres of land before Paladin slowed and began to favour his left front foot. Darcy quickly pulled the animal to a stop and dismounted. After examining the horse's leg, he found that his mount had a loosened shoe.  He knew he could not ride anymore without the risk of injury to the stallion.

Taking stock of his surroundings for the first time, Darcy realized he could see the spire of Longbourn church at not too great a distance. The road to Meryton lay between his location and the Longbourn estate. Grabbing up the reins, he guided his horse down the rise toward the road.

Darcy understood that most of his morning would be spent in the pursuit of a new shoe for his mount. He kicked at the grass and then upbraided himself for his irritation. Nothing could be gained in allowing free rein to the frustration caused by the inconvenience of having to find a blacksmith. Only aggravation and a bad mood would be the result. His father had never shown such a negative attitude, so he decided to follow his parent's example once again.

The late Mr. Darcy would also have been ashamed of his son's conduct during the past few weeks. He had allowed his distress about his young sister's near elopement to colour his dealings with the people of the small Hertfordshire village. Lifting his eyes heavenward, he asked for patience and understanding of why this inconvenience should happen on such a fine day for riding. Drawing upon the sudden infusion of strength resulting from the prayer, Darcy moved on with resolve.

When he arrived at the fence that separated the field and the lane, he could find no gate through which to pass. To his left he spied a copse of oaks with a brook running through it. Paladin could use the refreshment after such a ride, as could I, he thought.

Guiding his horse toward the bubbling stream, Darcy thought he heard a woman cry out. He stopped and strained his ears to listen. Perceiving no other sound, he shook his head. It must have been a magpie, he told himself, remembering several swooping and diving across his path as he rode.

Darcy tethered Paladin within reach of grass and the stream before he stuffed his gloves into his coat pocket and crouched to scoop up a drink for himself. When he finally stood up again, he became conscious of the fact that he could not see the road from his position amongst the trees. Leaving his horse, he walked toward the place where he knew the lane to be. As he reached the edge of the grove, he viewed the road through a tall hedge of wild roses growing over the fence.

Pulling a face that expressed his annoyance at not being able to find a place from which to gain the road, Darcy made to turn back to his horse when he heard the sound of rapid foot steps on the lane. Curiosity got the better of him, and once more he peered through the gap in the hedge. He was astonished by what he saw.

George Wickham strode quickly up the lane toward the village of Meryton. He was buttoning his fall, which in most circumstances would not have seemed too unusual. Darcy knew of men who relieved themselves by the side of a road, however ungentlemanlike the action was. On the other hand, because of the bright, bloody scratches on Wickham's cheeks and the leering, smug expression upon his face as he straightened his uniform jacket, Darcy came to a completely different conclusion. 

Contact Jadie Brooks on her Facebook page or by email at: author.jadiebrooks@gmail.com

Her book may be purchased at Amazon and Createspace

Thank you for taking time to visit More Agreeably Engaged, and telling us about your love for Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. I always enjoy learning how a writer found that spark and turned it into a published novel. 

Thank you also for allowing me to host a giveaway of your book. This giveaway is for a paperback or eBook for an eReader, winner's choice, to one lucky winner in the USA. The second giveaway is for an eBook for an eReader to a lucky winner worldwide. Good luck to all. Leave a comment to be entered. We want to hear your say in the conversation. 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 25.