News, a giveaway, and what’s coming next!
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for The Price of Pride, with not one, but two, of the best reviews I’ve ever had. I’m all a-twitter, feeling like Mrs. Bennet clutching for her smelling salts! Ten thousand a year! A house in town! Two glowing five-star reviews! Here’s a quote from From Pemberley to Milton:
The Price of Pride is one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read with intense and electrifying scenes between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. They have a long road to go through to find their happy ending, but the journey is just as incredible as the destination. This is certainly one book I will never forget. The angst, Darcy’s jealousy, Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship, the family dynamics, the secondary love stories, the passion for adventure, and the writing style were the components that made The Price of Pride one of my all-time favorite books. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves intense romances full of adventure and family devotion. If I could give this one 10 stars, I would. This book is PERFECT! –
And here’s one from Austenprose:
The electric connection between Darcy and Elizabeth is as palpable as their unyielding sense of duty to the innocent man unwittingly standing between them. Abigail Reynolds masterfully weaves an uplifting love story for the ages…The Price of Pride beautifully illustrates the powerful devotion of a couple who will go to great lengths to protect each other, no matter the cost. – Austenprose
Like audiobooks better? You’re in luck! The Price of Pride is available as an audiobook, narrated by the amazing Elizabeth Klett! You can purchase it at Apple/iTunes, Google Play, Chirp, Kobo, Audible, and more. Shop around for the best price – Audible is the most expensive by far (and I have no control over that one, as they set the price), so I urge you to look elsewhere. 🙂
And what about a review of the audiobook? Yes, I have that too!
But I bet you want to know about Elizabeth Klett’s narration, right? Well, as always it was perfect! She has demonstrated once more how she is such a great articulator and did a great job with the pacing and differentiation of characters. – From Pemberley to Milton
But enough of The Price of Pride! You’re probably more interested in what’s coming next. Have you ever wondered what Darcy would be like if his parents were still alive, if he hadn’t taken on responsibility for Pemberley and Georgiana at age 22? How would he have filled his days with no responsibilities? Would he have become one of the young men about Town, caring only about amusing himself? Or would he find another interest?
My next story is a novella with my answer to that question. My Darcy fills his empty days with a passion for paleontology (a word that didn’t exist in 1812, but I’m using it as shorthand). Fossil collecting and natural history were growing in popularity in Regency England, although the famous fossil-hunter Mary Anning was only a pre-teen at the time. And, as it happens, there’s an old disused chalk pit at Longbourn where a very young Elizabeth had collected some fossils. Unfortunately for Darcy, fossils could also be controversial in the Regency, since the Church and the government insisted the world was only 6000 years old, and it’s criminal heresy to say otherwise. Darcy’s father wants him to give up his little hobby because of the potential scandal and criminal charges, and he certainly doesn’t want his son marrying a country miss with no connections or fortune. 
What do you think? Can you see Darcy as a paleontologist? What do you think he’d be up to while waiting to inherit Pemberley? Let me know in the comments, and one commenter will win their choice of audiobook or ebook of The Price of Pride! Winner will be chosen on March 1. Congratulations to Kimberly Hing, the winner of The Price of Pride! Kimberly, I’ve sent you an email. If you don’t get it, please contact me!
I’m all a flutter that this is finally available in Audible!! Yay. I’m super curious to hear about Darcy and fossils. . . A twofer! Cannot wait.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy the audiobook!
Darcy as a paleontologist is a definite possibility. I don’t see him as a rake or a member of the fast living crowd like many young men in his station and circumstances. If he were such , he’d not be a hero!
Meg, that’s what I thought. I just couldn’t picture him at loose ends, with nothing that he felt responsible for. Not Darcy!
Oh, I adore this premise of Darcy as a naturalist. Very Darwin-like of him! And the two had other similarities, as Darwin married his first cousin and Darcy was pressured to — and DID in a few variations!
Devoting themselves to any study of the sciences for men of that time was hobby, even though they made discoveries that led to published works or presentations to a scientific society. It didn’t pay the bills though. I’ve so often seen such men depicted in novels as frustrated and poor and trying to find a patron. I’ve also quite often seen them as old men neglecting their families for their hobby.
Add the fact that paleontology was so controversial, I can see how Mr. Darcy Sr. would get really upset over Darcy’s interests. But if you are writing the Darcy we know and love, then I see him completely devotedly passionate about his studies and yet he will be torn between that passion and the honor due his family, especially his father.
This sounds like a really interesting approach to a JAFF and a great story involving his living parents.
I am so excited that The Price of Pride is available on audio. Hurray!
You’re spot on about Darcy being torn between his passion for his studies and his duty to his family. His studies didn’t pay the bills – in fact, it was what he spent his money on. He could afford to study his fossils because he had an allowance from his father, as most eldest sons would, but that’s another thorn of contention. A tricky situation!
Wonderful words indeed in the reviews for a wonderful book! And a wonderful D that I can’t yet get out of my head !
And you are already moving on… 🙂
Loving the new pursuits for Darcy – totally credible, him being an avid reader, to want to push the knowledge out of library! As for the already outdoorsy Elizabeth… Just can’t wait to see their meeting!
Maybe less anguish for D, this time? His father disapprouval notwithstanding… ;-p
be safe !
Definitely less anguish! This is a low-angst story. Part of the reason I decided to write a novella this time was because I needed a break from all the angst in the last couple of books, a chance to get back to D&E banter and fun.
Darcy most certainly could be wrapped up in the excitement of finding the unknown of fossilized remains. The adrenaline rush may have been even more intoxicating than consorting with women or drinking all night with friends. He most likely would have plenty of free time to “gallavant” across the countryside. And then to meet a young woman with similar interests may be mesmerizing to him. I think this will be a fun and eventful read.
I hope so! I can definitely see Darcy getting an adrenaline rush from making a discovery. 🙂
Paleontology? I don’t know. Maybe too ancient. And not very sexy in my opinion, but maybe I’ve watched too many episodes of Friends ^^
But there is one story I can imagine very easily in the what-if scenario where Darcy’s parents (or father at least) are alive. I think he would be curious and studious, well-versed in Humanities, ancient greek and ancient latin. I picture him touring in Europe after graduating. And during his Grand Tour, he would grow a passion for the Pompei’s excavations that were very popular during Regency era. But it would take him far from England and far from Elizabeth. However, the Grand Tour in Europe was almost mandatory for a man of his rank after finishing Cambridge or Oxford. So maybe Elizabeth could travel with the Gardiners (let’s say for Mr. Gardiner’s business). Damn, now I want to read a love story of ODC on Costa Amalfitana…. <3
Sounds like fun! Unfortunately, Grand Tours were on hiatus during the Napoleonic Wars, since touring a continent at war with Britain was impossible. But somewhere in my file of ideas for a possible books is one where Darcy and Elizabeth meet up in Naples during the brief lapse in hostilities before the Treaty of Paris, and then get caught up in the start of the Neapolitan War.
Paleontology could be an interesting hobby/interest for Darcy. It would give him something to work on and even travel to ancient places to explore more.
Nothing like a good excuse to travel! 🙂
I love this idea! Darcy without the angst of early responsibilities. He would still be shy, still driven in part by duty and family pride, but perhaps not clinging to them so tenaciously. Having a loving mother alive must have helped his emotional development. I love the idea of his throwing himself into a passion like paleontology. It would be interesting to see how he reconciles those tensions between science and faith. Oh boy, this makes me want to write some scenes of my own!
Wow!!! So many news!!!! I think it’s so interesting to know about Darcy with another story! And I think the fact that his parents were in love is very important when he would have to make a decision about Elizabeth and marriage. And I totally imagine him like a very scientific fellow!!!
Both on the run from persecution and possibly prosecution, I believe that Darcy and Elizabeth would have met on the Laconia.
I think Darcy as a palentologist would be fascinating. What they were doing when that field began was really interesting – and just imagine being there when people started to realize there was proof of the age of the earth. I think people really underestimate how much of a world view changer and shocking this was back then.
I think this would be very interesting. I always find your stories so interesting and I am sure this variation would also be fascinating to read.
I could definitely see Darcy as a studious person so paleontology is not very far off from my imagination. But it is interesting to learn that he could be thrown to jail for his hobby. I wish to know more of this subject since I know very little of it.
That’s interesting hobby/occupation. As smart as he is, i can see him being one of those whose inquistive nature takes him to explore the truth of the earth’s age.
Thank you for sharing about your new book and the chance to win an audiobook of the Price of Pride
Oooh this is a very interesting premise! Really looking forward to seeing D&E in that environment. I never would have thought of paleontology but it very much fits with what we learn of their interests in P&P. Always love your writing so looking forward to eventually getting my hands on this and The Price of Pride!