Your latest book is different from the style you have previously employed in your Austen-inspired works. You term Christmas at Pemberley an inspirational romance. What can you tell us about why you decided to create an IR and what makes this book different from your other fare?
When Ulysses Press asked me to write a Christmas-themed sequel to Pride and Prejudice, I readily agreed. However, I soon realized I had again taken on yet another romance genre. Previously, for Ulysses, I have delved in Regency romance, paranormal, suspense, and cozy mysteries. With a Regency “Christmas” story, I would need to walk a fine line between the story’s dramatic development and the religious implications of the holiday.
The problem occurs because a Regency era Christmas was still steeped very much in religion. One must remember that in the 16th Century, to prevent subversion, the government banned Christmas celebrations. According to the Jane Austen Centre Magazine, “We have accounts from early 19th Century journals of Christmas days where the writer mentions the holiday but makes absolutely no fuss about it. Likewise, there are records of newspapers, published on December 25th that do not even contain the word Christmas.” A Regency era Christmas is NOT a Victorian one. There would be no tree, no stockings, no caroling, and very few presents. Boxing Day and Twelfth Night were days of celebration, NOT Christmas.
For me, this new novel created an “uncomfortable” situation. Perhaps, the problem rested in the idea of the separation of Church and State ingrained on my soul after 40 years of teaching in the public classrooms of three different states. I do not discuss religion or politics; even with my close friends, I remain quite closed mouthed.
My religious background is a mixed bag: I was early on raised as a Pentecostal, became a Baptist, am essentially an Existentialist, and married a Catholic. Mayhap, that is why I have never considered an inspirational novel. According to publishing statistics (although I have no proof of the assertion), the vast majority of readers of IRs are Fundamentalists, and although Catholicism has produced wonderful writers, such as Flannery O’Connor, Catholics do not commonly pen IRs. (Again, I do not speak from experience. Research into the genre before I began to write offered up such facts.)
IRs have deep roots in American literature. During the 19th Century, while Jane Austen and the Brontës created their novels to the delight of English readers, devout female writers in America shared stories of a young female heroine who first falls in love with and then converts the young hero. The stories contained multiple Biblical passages and moral lessons. These “domestic novels” were the first IRs.
Grace Livingstone Hill is considered by many to be the Georgette Heyer of modern inspirational romances. With over 100 books, Hill’s novels serve as an IR model. One finds in Hill’s books a beautiful Christian female (often in distress) who captures the regard of a rich, handsome, worthy gentleman. These books contain no sex, no violence, some drama, and a happy ending.
Ellen Michelleti of www.likeesbooks.com defines an inspirational romance as “one where the love story between the characters is closely intertwined with their development of a relationship with God. Usually at the beginning of an inspirational romance, one of the characters is a firm believer and the other is not. The progression of the relationship between the two characters explores not only matters of love, but also matters of doubt and faith. In an inspirational romance, part of the HEA [Happily Ever After] is where the one character who has been struggling with faith becomes a believer.”
So where does this definition leave my newest novel, Christmas at Pemberley? Trying to tell a compelling story based on Austen’s characters, I placed Elizabeth and Darcy in a difficult situation. They are two years into their marriage, and Elizabeth has yet to deliver an heir for Pemberley. The Darcys’ first child was lost early on, but the second loss had come some four months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy. With child for a third time, Elizabeth refuses to permit anyone to celebrate the possibility. In her mind, Darcy is the most deserving of husbands. Therefore, she must be the undeserving one in their relationship, and she is having a difficult time in coming to grips with her losses.
I based Elizabeth’s situation on my own. Before my son Joshua graced this world, I experienced a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy. While carrying Josh, I refused baby showers and gifts until I reached six months of the gestation. I had reasoned that if I could mark that month in my child’s development that, with the help of modern medicine, he would survive. I gave Elizabeth some of my qualms, my fears, my hopes, and my insensibility.
It is through Elizabeth attempting to right her world that religion is addressed in the novel. I prefer to think of the book as having an “edge.” Christmas at Pemberley contains a message of faith, but it is faith based in the real world. Life happens. Passion, jealousy, and deceit exist in every day life. How we handle each is a testament to our faith.
Excerpt from Christmas at Pemberley
“A small gift from Nan,” Elizabeth said as she handed the hastily made child’s dressing gown to Mary. The woman had dutifully completed the delivery, and with Mrs. Washington’s assistance, Elizabeth had helped to freshen Mary’s clothing. Now, the new mother rested once again in the bed. She held the sleeping child in the bend of her arm.
“I’ll thank the girl properly,” Mrs. Joseph mumbled.
Elizabeth patted the lady’s hand. “Why do you not rest?”
“You require rest also,” Mrs. Joseph sleepily protested.
“First, I believe I’ll go downstairs and have a proper supper with Mr. Darcy. I need time to rest my back.” She stretched out her arms. “I’ll send Mr. Joseph to sit with you.”
“Let Matthew be. No one needs to watch me sleep.” Mary’s eyelids closed slowly, but then sprung open again. “That is unless you require private time with Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth smiled easily. “I never tire of the man’s company. Even after two years.”
“Then by all means send Mr. Joseph up. A woman of your infinite powers should have her every wish.” She caught Elizabeth’s hand in a tight grip.
Elizabeth’s finger gently touched the sleeping child’s hair. “My wish is to have what you have, Mary,” she whispered.
“You will, Elizabeth.” Mrs. Joseph assured. “You’ll have your own happiness…you and Mr. Darcy.” She paused and took a deep breath. “My child’s birth…I was never afraid, because God placed the incomparable Elizabeth Darcy in my life. My prayers…those I recited before Matthew and I left Stoke-on-Trent—they were for God to send an angel to protect my child, and on the third day of travel, I walked into this out-of-the-way inn; and there you were.
My own angel.”
Elizabeth snorted. “I’ve been called many things, but ‘angel’ has rarely been one of them.”
“That’s where the world’s in error, Elizabeth. They see the defenses you display to anyone who barely knows you. They do not see your magnificent heart—your indomitable spirit—the purity of your soul.”
Elizabeth laughed self-consciously. “Do not bestow upon me too many exemplary qualities. If so, I’ll have to find something good to say of Miss Bingley.”
Mary’s eyebrow rose in curiosity. “Miss Bingley?”
Elizabeth chuckled lightly. “The younger sister of my sister Jane’s husband. She did poor Jane a disservice, and Miss Bingley also had once set her sights on Mr. Darcy.”
“Angels can feel jealousy, Elizabeth.” Mary squeezed Elizabeth’s hand.
“So, there are shades of angelic behavior?” Elizabeth’s voice rose in amusement.
Mary laughed also. “Absolutely. God’s love is the purest, but mankind can possess levels of the benevolent spirit.”
“Then, in your opinion, I have God’s attention.” Elizabeth puzzled over that concept.
“We all have God’s attention, but I believe that He’s chosen you among His favorites.”
Before she could stifle her words, Elizabeth defensively asked, “Then how could God allow my children to die before I knew them? Before I could tell them of my love?” Tears trickled from her eyes.
Mrs. Joseph swallowed hard. “That’s the question which most frightens you, is it not, Elizabeth? You wonder how, if you serve God, He could not honor you with a child of your own. How the rest of the world can know such happiness? How no one, except Mr. Darcy, understands the depth of your fear?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth murmured.
“I’ve no answer that would satisfy your heart: God gives us what we need when we need it. Matthew holds different ideas on such matters, but I believe that when the Bible says that God created man in His own image, that means God has His own foibles. He is a bit selfish. God wished to surround Himself with the laughter of children—the most magical sound in the world. Therefore, sometimes He does the selfish thing and calls the child home early. It is the only explanation that makes any sense.”
Elizabeth brushed away her tears. “I’ll endeavor to accept your explanation, Mary. It serves as well as any other.”
“You cannot argue with a woman named Mary so close to the celebration of our Lord’s birth,” Mrs. Joseph teasingly reasoned.
Elizabeth smiled easily. “No, I suppose, I cannot.”
GIVEAWAY!!! Today Author Regina Jeffers generously brings with her TWO BRAND NEW copies of Christmas at Pemberley for me to giveaway!!
All you have to do is leave a comment on this guestpost. (To save your inbox from unwanted spam, please don’t leave your email address.) Just check back to see if you win! Fortunately for our international friends, the giveaway is open worldwide! Thank you, Regina!!
This contest ends December 1st!!! Best of luck and thank you for enterting!
A very interesting theme for an Austenesque novel.
Since the author is relying on her own experience, I imagine the novel will make gripping reading.
Never knew about Christmas not being celebrated in the Regency era !
Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I’m intrigued by this novel’s premise, and I like the fact that Georgiana and Kitty will be featured as well. Thanks for offering readers a chance to win a copy.
Lucy W.
Thank you very much for the interesting article and such deep personal details. Your book sounds very interesting and intriguing! Oh, I want to have the chance to read it SO MUCH!
faridamestek@yahoo.com
This looks very interesting! Thanks for the interview and the chance to win a copy!
Carol and Farida, it was difficult to “revisit” some of what I went through to have my own child. Surprisingly, even after 27 years (my son celebrated his birthday over the weekend) the memory were still as raw as they were when I first experienced the. However, it turned quite therapeutic to speak of the anguish I felt, especially after the ectopic pregnancy.
Carol, Christmas just had a different “flavor” from our current day concept of Santa Claus and reindeers. Christmas during the Regency Period meant gathering with family and friends. It had a more religious overtone. Luckily for me, my story is set in December 1814. Christmas Day in 1814 fell on a Sunday, which helped keep the religious aspects in the forefront.
Lucy, my next book, The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy (March 2012 release), is a cozy mystery. It takes up where the Christmas tale leaves off. It features many of the same characters while introducing a few new ones. Georgiana’s and Kitty’s stories are expanded in DOGD.
Ooh this sounds really interesting–I’d love to read it!
Interesting! Would love to read.
Definitely looking forward to this one! Not only is the cover gorgeous (swoon!), but I am most intrigued…
Thanks for the giveaway!!
I enjoyed the interview and always wondered what defined an inspirational romance. Thanks for answering that question.
I have already read this wonderful story so please do not enter me in the contest.
Thanks for posting!
Rebecca,
I am very pleased to find you here today. My part of NC is very warm today. What about where you are?
Sophia,
I read a mixture of books, from the classics to inspirational to suspense to those a bit naughty. Sometimes, it hard to tell from the cover what the book offers, which is one of the reasons readers become so angry with a novel/author.
Congratulations! Looking forward to what sounds like a good read to get into the Christmas spirit!
Thanks for the guest post! It was very interesting. This sounds like a really good book. Please enter me in the giveaway.
I enjoyed the guest post. Thank you. I have read the book and I must say that I absolutely loved it. It was a beautiful and well written inspirational romance. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the book. Colonel Fitzwilliam is wonderful and so is Georgiana. The love shared and expressed between Elizabeth and Darcy was outstanding. I like, very much, the absence of explicit sex! That was refreshing. I will be reading this one again and again. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did not become a Christmas Classic…lovely book!
The perfect read for Christmas! Thank you!
Lovely post! I am really looking forward to reading this book. It looks both interesting and highly entertaining. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Collen and Rebecca R.,
Thank you for stopping by and reading the interview. It was important to me to maintain the “Christmas” message in this novel.
Hello, Margaret, I am pleased to meet you at Austenesque.
Lieder Madchen,
It has been awhile since we have had time to simply talk Austen. Thank you stopping by.
Wonderful excerpt, sounds like a wonderful Christmas time read. Thanks for the give-away, I would love to be entered.
Felicia
Congratulations on your latest release, Regina! Really looking forward to reading this one!
Felicia, you might check the Giveaway page at Austen Authors. You won a copy of the book on Nov. 16. Contact me ASAP.
Nicole,
I am pleased that you found me today at Austenesque.
Janet,
Your kind words ABSOLUTELY made my day. I have written my share of “seductive” pieces, but with Darcy and Elizabeth, I like to have their relationship passionate and respectful at the same time. I always believed that they would be great lovers, but I do not need every detail. I have a very good imagination. LOL!!!
Thanks Regina for enlightening me on what IR is about. I have not tried reading from that genre before but after today I think I’ll be giving it a shot if I can fit it into my schedule. Still have so many books to read with so little time.
Please don’t enter me for this giveaway because I already won at My Jane Austen Book Club blog.
Yet again, you feature gems of Austenesque novels that I didn’t know existed before reading this post. Thanks! 🙂
Regina: Yeah, we were delightful today! A lovely, sun-washed 74* with just a hint of breeze…I was in heaven. Esp since the low was only 55*! :oD Forecast for next week includes a chance of mixed precip though — crazy Carolina weather!
There are so many books out there and sometimes it is hard to know where to spend your time. This one is definately worth your time! I couldn’t put it down. (I especially loved spending more time with Colonel Fitzwilliam.)
Great post!
(do not enter me in giveaway. I already have my copy.)
Sylvia, your copy of the book went into the mail last week. Thanks you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Rebecca, we, too, are in the 70s today, but the front that was in Memphis is heading our way over night. We’ll be in the 60s for the holiday weekend, but the prediction for Monday is the mid 40s. It is crazy, but I actually love the changes.
Becky,
Thank you for the words of praise on the book’s behalf. I really appreciate them.
Beth, as we say at Austen Authors, there is never enough Austen.
Regina
Great Article! I had no idea that Christmas was so low key. Honestly, it might be nicer that way. 🙂
Thanks,
Amy Pfaff
Thanks a lot Regina. I will be on the look out for your mail. I think I’ll read it during the Christmas weekend. 🙂
WOW! This book sounds great! I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity.
Wonderful post Regina and Meredith. And I really enjoyed the excerpt. It is definitely on my TBR list, whether I win a copy of not :D…
Barbara Tiller Cole…
Found your blog again after a long long time and spent a good amount of time going through your reviews and such! Trying to find something nice to read for the Christmas break and this truly sounds interesting!
I hope you are doing fine! (:
xx, Milka
Amy, I agree about the moving the focus of Christmas to the family. The commercialism overpowers the meaning of Christmas.
Hello Mega and Barbara; it was wonderful to find you at Austenesque. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Milka, I am pleased that you are revisiting Meredith’s wonderful blog just in time to find my book for Christmas. Wishing you the best of the holiday season…
Sounds very interesting! Would love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance 🙂
Christmas at Pemberley would make a great gift for one of my daughters; yes, they have inherited a love for all things Austen from me. Thank you for the giveaway chance.
–Patricia R.
Two of my favorite things…the Darcys and Christmas! I look forward to reading it.
Theresa M.
OOOHHH! I want to read this one SOOOO badly! It sounds very well written. I found it this summer and wanted to wait until the holiday season to read this. I think it is wonderfully put together!
Melissa and Patricia R., thank you stopping by and reading my interview with Meredith.
I had a wonderful book signing yesterday for the book. When I first arrived at Park Road Books, a lady came to the table as I was putting out my bookmarks, etc. She said, “Are you really Regina Jeffers? I have read three of your books. I never realized you were a local author. ” It was delightfully diverting.
(Patricia, giving your daughters a basis in Jane Austen is a superb idea.)
Theresa, mixing the Darcys and Christmas is the perfect holiday treat. I am so pleased with this book. I hope you find it equally delightful.
Jennifer, I wish you the best in your quest to win one of the two copies available for the giveaway. Meredith will have a fine time in picking the winners.