I am very excited to welcome Jeanna Ellsworth, author of a brand new Pride and Prejudice variation titled, Mr. Darcy’s Promise, to Austenesque Reviews today! Jeanna has graciously agreed to answer my burning questions about Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice and her debut novel, Mr. Darcy’s Promise!
Jeanna, since you may be a relatively new author to some of my readers, why don’t we begin this chat with you telling us a little bit about yourself. When did you first encounter Jane Austen? When did you start writing?
I got my MRS. Degree at Brigham Young University by the end of my freshman year. (That is the one with the ring on your finger where you go from Miss Putnam to Mrs. Ellsworth). We had three beautiful daughters but found that we both were healthier and happier not married. So I’ve been divorced for 3 years and I have worked as a nurse for over 14 years now. Currently I work in a Neuro ICU and have never enjoyed a job better.
I first encountered Jane Austen at a garage sale where I bought by first copy of Pride and Prejudice. I read it. So when the 2005 movie came out I saw it and bought it and watched it several times. I never knew there was such a thing as a JAFF community until my sister KaraLynne Mackrory started sending me chapters of her book, Falling For Mr. Darcy, to get my opinion on. Once she pulled me into her story, she pushed other great JAFF books onto me and the kindling was dry and all it needed was a spark. They say to create a fire you need three things: Fuel, Heat, and Oxygen. For my JAFF fire to ignite, I realize now that I had the perfect ingredients: Divorced single mom + thirsty for romance in your life + a source of hundreds of JAFF books. I ignited like nothing ever before in my life. So much so that 4 months into inhaling every JAFF book I could find and rereading and rereading Pride and Prejudice, I felt the need to let these 200 year old fictional characters speak their mind….ok it was my mind. Yes, I would have conversations in my head with Darcy and Elizabeth. I struggled with keeping my sanity and therefore thought the safer route to regain some peace of mind was to expel the plots forming by writing.
I love that you discovered Jane Austen at a garage sale and that you share your love for Jane Austen and talent for writing with your sister!! What inspired you to write a Pride and Prejudice variation? What motivated you to take Darcy and Elizabeth on the course you did?
As I read JAFF books, I found the idea of forced marriage very intriguing. I seemed to enjoy these books where they are forced to be in each other’s company in situations that normally would not happen in Regency times. I liked the idea that seeing Darcy in his daily routine could only lead to one thing. . .Elizabeth falling in love with him. After all, who couldn’t love the real Darcy? I chose a forced marriage scenario as my foundation because it gave me the freedom to have them have moments alone where romance could build. But to be honest, I never thought I would be a writer, but now I can’t see me ever stopping! I’m nothing short of an addict that does not want a cure!
No! We never want a cure for this addiction! 🙂 Let’s talk about chickens! The chickens at Pemberley play a big part in the story and the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. I understand that you keep some chickens yourself! Why include chickens in your story? Are any your real-life experiences with raising chickens reflected in your novel?
I kept chickens for about 5 years while I was married. I did everything from buy them from the local feed store, to ordering rare ones from online, to hatching them out myself. I would name them, call to them, have chicken races (yes, chicken races…just think two set of walls with my kids holding the chickens on one end and dangling a worm on the other end and calling to them “here chick-chick-chick”), and feed them out ofmy hand. When I separated from my ex-husband, I did not have the land or means to have chickens for over 4 years. I now own 18 chicken that lay a rainbow of eggs, of which my 7 year old sells to the neighbors for money.
Why include chickens in the story? It was really just a tool to get them to talk and be alone together besides the normal walks around Pemberley or social gatherings. I wanted them to have moments that have never occurred in any JAFF book. Of which, I believe I succeeded! They fed chickens, ended up in a mud fight, candled eggs, watched chickens hatch, and eventually somewhat adopted the chickens as part of their family much like a dog or cat is loved by pet owners. I use the chickens as a metaphor that Darcy has to figure out throughout the book in order to understand Elizabeth. The chickens end up being quite romantic. Ha Ha.
Yes they do, I greatly enjoyed these romance-inducing and symbolic chicks! Speaking of romance…in Mr. Darcy’s Promise you give readers so many romantic and tension-filled scenes between Elizabeth and Darcy as they learn about each other and develop their relationship. What were some of the challenges with writing this tense and fragile relationship? What was most important to you when portraying this iconic and beloved couple?
Well, I must say that writing a romance novel as a single woman is something like letting someone read your 
journal. Was it hard for me to write what I did? It came quite easily – I had begged for kind words or tender touches in previous relationships but never got them. So in a sense, I got a chance to write exactly what I would want to hear from my husband, what I would hope to have him do, and how I would have loved to make him feel for me. I knew I wanted to keep it clean and this wasn’t a challenge. The challenge I had was writing Darcy’s male perspective. I’m no expert, but I think men tend to have more physical reactions when they are attracted to someone, therefore they occasionally get impulsive. I wanted Darcy to be quite nearly sexually frustrated but in a respectful way. He had made her an honorable promise, one that took every ounce of patience and self-control he had. Another challenge I had was keeping Darcy from expressing his love too early in the plot. He ended up being completely bursting with his need to express himself and it came out in a very powerful scene. I think the most important thing to me in writing these scenes was showing just how “on the verge” Darcy and Elizabeth were in acting impulsively but I really wanted them to develop an emotional relationship before the physical relationship so that the foundation of their marriage was a solid one.
I know many readers will appreciate the fact that you did give greater importance to Darcy and Elizabeth’s emotional relationship rather than their physical, and that you wrote a clean romance! On your website, I see that you have two other Pride and Prejudice variations in the works! Woot woot! Can you tell us a little about Pride and Persistence and To Refine Like Silver?
Pride and Persistence takes place after the dreaded Hunsford proposal and refusal. Darcy, in delivering the letter to Elizabeth gets a head injury making him forget that he already proposed and was refused. His injured mind perseverates on the fact that he wants to propose. So he does, again and again. Think Pride and Prejudice meets 50 First Dates. As a Neuro ICU nurse I had a lot of true to life head injury behavior to call upon as I wrote Darcy recovering. It is more light and funny compared to the emotionally charged Mr. Darcy’s Promise. My sister KaraLynne thinks it is her favorite of my three books.
To Refine Like Silver is more of a Pre-Pride and Prejudice variation. Darcy and Elizabeth meet by way of Mrs. Gardiner inheriting an estate in her hometown, Lambton. With Darcy being in his natural home setting, their relationship starts off much better than “not handsome enough to tempt me” and love grows quickly. Interlaced in this love story is a very strong spiritual subplot. I asked myself why in canon is Elizabeth so confident and outgoing? I asked why any strong woman would be. My answer was that challenges and trials make someone strong, not the absence of them. So I took some liberties and gave Elizabeth a few challenges in her past that she overcame which made her the perfect lady to help and assist Darcy and Georgiana through their trials. She helps them learn that it is not their trials that define them, but rather that the trials refine them.
They sound wonderful and I cannot wait to read them! Please keep us posted, Jeanna! How about we switch it up with some Quick Fire Questions?
– Who is your favorite Pride and Prejudice character (besides Darcy and Elizabeth)?
Colonel Fitzwilliam, he is just so open and charismatic but wise as well. I imagine he knows exactly what he is doing and observes a lot. He reminds me of a guy I adored in High School.
– Who is your least favorite Pride and Prejudice character?
Mr. Collins. Ug. Enough said.
– What is one of your favorite scenes in Pride and Prejudice?
Definitely the dreaded awful first proposal at Hunsford. Either that or Collins’ proposal. I love them both for different reasons. Hunsford because it makes me cry every time knowing that these two are perfect for each other and I hurt for poor Darcy! Collins because it makes me laugh every time. He is such an idiot!
– What is one of your favorite scenes from your own novel?
Without revealing too much, I really enjoyed both writing and rereading the scene where Darcy wakes up in Elizabeth’s arms after being drunk. He was supposed to ask Bingley for two rooms but he took a little too much liquid courage the night before. I loved that he tried to chastise himself but instead just relished in the feel of having Elizabeth in his arms.
– What is one of your favorite quotes from Pride and Prejudice?
I love when Elizabeth asks Darcy when he fell in love with her. I love the line “I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun” Truly the most romantic words ever recorded in history.
– What is one of your favorite quotes from your own novel?
I have so many but one that comes to mind is this one. Georgiana wants to visit Elizabeth in the first chapter but Darcy isn’t sure she should be introduced to the Bennets. “He looked at Georgiana, ready to tell her exactly what he thought when he saw the expectant look in her hopeful eyes and it undid him. Why was he always a sucker for fine eyes?”
– What do you love most about Pride and Prejudice?
This is a quick fire question? Please, I could go on and on. I love that growth occurs in both characters as each is shown their flaws which only alerts them to the fact that because of these faults, their chance to have the love of their life is almost lost.
– What is your “truth universally acknowledged?”
As a single woman, I am asked all the time if I am dating anyone. People seem to think that a woman must need a man to feel complete. So my truth universally acknowledged is “A single woman in possession of a small fortune MUST be in want of a husband.” **eyes rolling with mocking sneer as I do a face palm**
– If you were to meet Jane Austen, what would you like to hear her say?
I would love to hear what motivated her. What was her muse? What inspired each character? Which book did she think was her best work? If she could hear all the reviews and critics evaluating her work in such detail, would she be confident it was still her best work or would she change something in hindsight?
Thank you so much for allowing me this opportunity! It has been so great to answer your fabulous questions! I hope you all enjoyed it and learn for yourselves just how romantic chickens can be! Ha Ha. Don’t forget to enter a chance to win a free ebook or paperback!
Thank you, Jeanna, for stopping by Austenesque Reviews!! It was such a delight to learn more about you and share our interview with my readers!! All the best with your new release!!
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Jeanna kindly brings with her one BEAUTIFUL copy of Mr. Darcy’s Promise (either ebook or paperback) for me to give away to ONE lucky reader. Woot Woot!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment for Jeanna!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Jeanna!
- This giveaway ends September 2nd!
I applaud Jeanna for getting out there and doing what she loves – and thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you thank you thank you! And there is no doubt I love it!
Jeanna
Lovely interview, ladies! I am so excited about this new book. I cannot wait to read your favorite scene. It sounds wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway!!
There is no way you are more excited to read it than I am to share it! Hearing how people love it only adds fire to the kindling! Good luck on the giveaway! I hope you enjoy Darcy’s moment in the wee hours of the morning as he wakes up to his dream come true!
Jeanna
What an interesting and lovely interview. I enjoyed learning about the author and this fascinating book. Many thanks.
Ha Ha, love it! It was a fun interview for sure! Thanks for commenting! Good luck!
Jeanna
Nice interview….always enjoy finding out how people find Austen….the book sound interesting and will be going on my TBB list(to be bought)
WISH LIST BABY! I love Amazon! You put it on your list and buy it when you can! Good luck!
Jeanna
I love your story about “meeting” Jane! She has changed my life too. I am excited to read your book and will be on the look out for the others. Thanks for having this giveaway.
Chance encounter right? What a trip it has been! Just think how that garage sale effectively changed my life without realizing it!
I was not able to make it to your book signing after work as my hours where extended yet we did share this link on our Noahz Park Facebook page. I’m sure our friends will be interested in reading it and appreciate your inclusion of pet hens. I love the pictures in this article and it was very well written. Christee of Noahz Park 🙂
Thanks Christee! Wish you could have come! The party was so fun! I’ll sign your copy anytime! Who knows! Maybe you will win one already signed! Good luck!
Jeanna
I like the cover of the book. It sounds like it’ll be enjoyable. I’d love to win a paperback of the book. The post was interesting and I liked the pictures of the chickens, etc. I also like eggs. I like to eat chicken, too (but don’t let the chickens hear that!). There’s a book called Extraordinary Chickens that has pictures of lots of different kinds of chickens. I saw that and Extraordinary Pigs at Barnes and Noble in the bargain books.
Thank you! I am especially excited that the painting was an original work and now I have the painting hanging in my living room! I own the book called Extraordinary Chickens, it is so fun to look at! I own about 10 different kind of chickens. And even though I do keep chickens, it does not mean I don’t eat chicken….just not my own. Although my daughter is getting ready to serve up our rooster pretty quick. He likes me but attacks her (she is 16 and can handle it). He is pretty good with my youngest so he stays for now. Good luck in the giveaway!
Jeanna
I will have to look for those books! The chicken one would be great for a friend and the pig one would be great for me!
Hooray for giveaways! Thank you Ms. Jeanna for adding to my read list. I look forward to reading a good clean story featuring my favorite characters.
I will be happy to add to your read list! I will be starting the editing process of Pride and Persistence in October with a March goal of publication. So there will be more coming for that list!
Jeanna
I enjoyed the interview especially the insight into the storywriting. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com
I have always said everyone has story. When I worked in a sub-acute rehab facility, most of the patients were elderly and I could spend hours hearing their stories. Thanks for listening to mine! Good luck!
Nice interview. We have discovered more particulars about the story. It is intriguing.
Sonia
cat_woman1977 at hotmail dot com
Thank you! I hope it is intriguing! Thanks for commenting!
Jeanna
It is so great to read about another variation on the P and P theme. Welcome Jeanna, can’t wait to read your book.
Welcome into what? Into JAFF addicts anonymous? Cause I kind of spilled the beans on my JAFF love affair and the name on the book cover gives me away. But I’ve accepted my addiction has control over me… that has to be like step 22 in the program. Even have a mentor (my sister).
What a wonderful interview! I enjoyed it immensely, and all three of the author’s upcoming books sound fantastic. I can’t wait to read them!
I’m glad you liked it! I can’t wait to share with you all my books, but all in due time! I hope you do read them! Good luck! I had fun doing the interview! Happy reading!
Jeanna
This interview was a delight to read! The plots of your upcoming novels sound amazing as well! Good luck in the future!
Thanks! I am pretty excited to start the editing process of Pride and Persistence. I’m hoping for a March release. Need a little luck with that. ha ha.
Wow, I agree with every comment on here. smiles. I loved the interview, the description of the novel, all 3 books sound interesting, I love that it is a clean romance, the photos of her daughter with the chickens is great! I would love to read this book.
Suzan! You are too cute! Smiles back. My daughter is amazing. She has pretty much taken it upon herself to take care of the chickens. I have a video of us watching a chicken hatch and I think from that moment on, she was a gonner. She loves them as much as me!
Jeanna
I love that you said you have conversations between Lizzy and Darcy in your head…I’m not the only one! I’m in love with all of these characters and I think JAFF is so interesting because you can get insight into other people’s opinions and character development. Can’t wait to read it!
I agree! It is interesting how one scene, that is hinted at in canon, like Lady Catherine telling Darcy that Elizabeth would not agree to never enter into a courtship, become full blown scenes in JAFF books. I love it! The book gets longer, and more in depth! Another scene that I think people retell with slightly different perspectives is the “not handsome enough to tempt me”. The “why” he said it has been told in so many different ways!
Good luck in the giveaway!
Jeanna
Loved the interview!! I loved reading about how you discovered Jane Austen, and your favorite and not-so-favorite characters. That Mr. Collins…. Oh. My!! Such a twit!! LOL And your favorite quote about Mr. Darcy has always “undone” me… *swoon*!! Looking forward to reading this and I thank you for offering the giveaway 🙂
ha ha, Merideth had some good questions! Sometimes I picture certain faces as I read from the two movies (2005 and BBC) but it is always the BBC version that I imagine when I read about the slimy icky Mr. Collins! Jane Austen can be found anywhere if we look for her. Even at garage sales. Ha Ha. I hope you enjoy your book if you win!
Jeanna
Congratulations on your new book, it sounds really interesting. I also really enjoyed reading your interview. Thanks for the giveaway!
crystal_dark[at]att[dot]net
I can’t say the answers were witty or interesting, but I’m sure glad you all thought so! Good luck with the interview!
Jeanna
Great interview. The cover art is lovely, btw. You piqued my interest with the chickens. And with a sexually frustrated, yet very respectful Darcy. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
So far in all the interviews, no one has asked me what the promise that Darcy makes is! It is called Mr. Darcy’s Promise but no one seems to ask what the promise is! Actually there is one particular promise it is about but he seems to have a habit of making promises to Elizabeth and she gets so vexed by this particular promise! I love my cover too! I couldn’t be happier with it! Good luck!
Jeanna
Yes, Heather, a respectful but sexually frustrated Darcy is very cute! 😉
I avoided divulging the promise in both my review and the interview – don’t want to spoil anything! 😉
enjoyed reading the interview and congratulations on the book
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Merideth asks great questions! Thanks for the congrats! I am still in shock that I actually published it! Can’t wait to get started on the next one! Self-publishing was very rewarding!
Jeanna
This novel sounds amazing! I am totally addicted to “P&P” variations 🙂
I know the feeling! I love them too!
Jeanna
Chickens are romantic? I must read this scene and judge for myself. Just kidding only. I’m sure if I get to read this scene, I’ll be convinced.
Anyway, love reading the interview and getting to know Jeanna.
I know the thought is so random, but yes! Chickens can create quite the mood! (At least for a single divorced mom with no romance in her life.) Ha ha. I hope you do judge for yourself because I would love to hear if I am right! And you touched on a bit of the last chapter when you said you would be convinced….just saying, you might need to read all the way to the end to be “convinced”.
Good Luck in the giveaway!
I’ll vouch for it – chickens, or to be more specific, taking care of chickens can be romantic!
I really like the idea of a forced marriage because it allows for me entertaining banter between Darcy and Elizabeth. Being married they are not so restricted in what they can and can’t say and it allows them time to be in each others company alone and be more open with their thoughts and feelings.
Thanks for the giveaway!
My thoughts exactly! And who wouldn’t love to find out overtime that her husband is madly obsessively compulsively in love with her and has been since the very beginning???? Their first 6 weeks of marriage is akin to a courtship and the getting to know you part. I love variations that are forced marriage scenarios because you know they will have a happily ever after and have the best marriage – but they do not always communicate so well with words. But by the time they do, no one holds back!
Well said! I couldn’t agree more – it allows them to fall in love away from the eye of society.
I’ll be reviewing this one for Indie Jane, and I can’t wait to read it! Now I’m curious about that Darcy getting drunk and waking in Elizabeth’s arms scene…
Yay! I look forward to your review, Anna!
I’m hoping to mail your copy out tomorrow Anna! I’m thrilled to have you review it! here is a little teaser….
“He decided that he would chastise himself later because right now he could barely think straight and it would be a lot easier — and a lot more fun — to simply enjoy the moment.”
Hope you are excited to read the rest!
Jeanna
i soooo need to read this book!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Great interview, Meredith! Loved your responses, Jeanna! The pics are all good. I can’t wait to read your next books as you already have me hooked! Your honesty and openness is quite refreshing! Thanks.
Don’t enter me in the giveaway, Meredith, as I already have this lovely book.
Thank you, Janet! I enjoyed Jeanna’s open and honest answers! She’s a good sport for putting up with my grilling her!
Siiiigh! I can’t wait to read your novel! I love me some P&P variations!
Love the idea of your book! Can’t wait to read it! There is something so sweet about understanding the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. I love that you are giving us the opportunity to see it another way!
Thank you for the wonderful interview and for your gift of a book. I hope I win!
Hello Jeanna! I’ve met you thanks to this interview ( thanks Meredith! )and congratulations for your baptism of fire in writing with this P&P variation. Your novel sounds really promising! LOL. I agree with you and Meredith in the good idea of developing a emotional relationship before the physical one, it adds more interest to the plot. And Bravo for the chickens! I understand you because I had a tiny rabbit for some years and it’s wonderful how many tender feelings you can share with pets and the people you are living with.
I wish you the very best in your writing path.
Great interview! I am actually obsessed with P&P and I’m glad I find someone as enthralled about it as I am lol 🙂 I love the sounds of your book, added on my tbr list. Thank you for the giveaway!
love the cover! whos the artist?
Patkf2007 (at) hotmail (dot) com