Hello friends, today I have the very special pleasure of welcoming Austenesque author, L. L. Diamond to Austenesque Reviews. Ms. Diamond has recently released two Austenesque novels, her first novel, Rain and Retribution, is a Pride and Prejudice alternate path and was released in June of 2013. And her latest novel, A Matter of Chance, a modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice just came out in November of 2013! Ms. Diamond stops by today to share a little about herself and her new novels! Woot!
Firstly, I would like to thank Meredith, for allowing me to post today. I love to discuss Jane Austen 
and the fan fiction that comes from her wonderful work, so this is a real treat for me!
I initially fell in love with Jane Austen for the first time in college. I had always read in bursts, meaning I might read book after book for a period of time and then nothing for months. My mother, who was a sixth grade reading teacher, never censored what I read, and looking back, I’m still amazed that no one ever commented to her on some of my reading material.
In college, my mother and I rented the Ang Lee directed, Sense and Sensibility. I can still remember my mom giggling through the initial scenes where Fanny slowly dissuades her husband from giving the Dashwood ladies additional funds. I loved the story and I bought the book. I didn’t finish the book at the time, but I was intrigued. I guess that’s why, when I saw the 1995 Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth, I immediately watched it. I think I watched the entire movie in one sitting, and then ran out to buy the book. I devoured that book and was hooked. Now, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read Pride and Prejudice. I’ve simply lost count.
About four years ago, I discovered Jane Austen Fan Fiction and stumbled into a few of the online communities. I had never thought of writing anything except a paper for school, but in the end, I was persuaded to try. I’ve found that I truly love writing a story. I’ve always created stories in my mind, but I had just never thought to try to write them down.
Rain and Retribution was my first full-length effort that I sat on for almost a year before publishing. The scene I would like to share with you is from the first chapter. Mr. Collins has just made his ridiculous proposal and Elizabeth has refused. She has left the house to escape her mother’s ranting, and upon her return, is asked to enter her father’s study.
Excerpt from Rain and Retribution
“Lizzy, could you come in please.”
Elizabeth ceased walking further into the house and entered the room. Her father, Mr. Thomas Bennet, was seated behind his desk, while her mother, Fanny, as most people called her, stood before it, wearing a triumphant grin. Mr. Collins to Mrs. Bennet’s side wore a smug, self-satisfied look upon his face.
“I understand you have refused Mr. Collins’s proposal of marriage.”
“I have.”
“While you may have refused Mr. Collins this morning, I must now insist that you accept his offer,” he said, while looking at her over his glasses.
“Father, you cannot be serious. He is ridiculous.”
“Elizabeth Bennet! You hold your tongue!” screeched her mother, fanning herself dramatically with her handkerchief.
“I will not hold my tongue, Mother, and I will not marry Mr. Collins.”
“Do not tell me what you will or will not do, you ungrateful child. Oh! My poor nerves! Mr. Bennet! That girl will be the death of me!”
“That is enough!” yelled a frustrated Mr. Bennet. “Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, leave us.”
“She must marry Mr. Collins,” her mother loudly whispered to her father.
“Yes, yes, I know what she must do. Now leave,” he stated forcefully, gesturing toward the door with his eyes.
As the two left the room, Elizabeth could hear her mother’s continued exclamations, waiting until the door closed to address her father. “I cannot marry him. Please do not make me do this,” she pleaded, fighting the tears that were coming to her eyes.
“I am sorry, but I must. If Mr. Bingley had proposed to Jane, I would have had some assurances that your mother and sisters would be cared for should I leave this earth, but he has left Meryton with no guarantee of his return. Through your marriage to Mr. Collins, your mother and sisters will have a home when I die.”
“What do you mean Mr. Bingley has left?” she quickly asked before the last words had come out of his mouth.
Mr. Bennet bristled at her interruption, sitting forward angrily in his chair. “His departure is of no concern to you other than that it makes your marriage to Mr. Collins a necessity!”
“I could never be happy with such a man.”
“You would be married. You would have a home, respectability, and security,” he persuaded.
“But at what cost? To be miserable for the rest of my life, to endure my marriage as you do yours?”
“It is not so bad as that. Your mother provides a source of amusement as Mr. Collins will do for you,” he quipped.
“This is not a joke!”
“No, it is not, but the decision has been made. I will brook no further opposition. You will wed Mr. Collins, and you will be the next mistress of Longbourn.”
“I am sorry, Papa, but I will not pay the price for your failure to provide for your family. It is too high,” replied Elizabeth, attempting to remain calm. “You sit in here and read your books while you allow your steward to run Longbourn. You do not even do your part; that task has fallen to me. If you had taken the time to handle your own affairs and made an effort to check Mama and her spending, then we would not be in this situation.” She felt tears well up in her eyes. “Now I am to sacrifice my dreams so you can atone for the mistakes you have made.”
“How dare you speak to me in this fashion!” her father yelled while he rose from his seat. “I will not tolerate your disrespect!”
“I will not marry him!”
“That is enough! You will put a smile on your face and marry Mr. Collins, or you will no longer be welcome at Longbourn!” shouted her father. “Are you prepared to sacrifice your family due to your recalcitrance?”
“You are sacrificing me to make up for your neglect. Forcing me down that aisle will quiet Mama and allow you to return to your indolent ways!”
“Enough!” he bellowed, pounding the desk with his fist. “The match has been made and you have no say in the matter! In fact, you are to go to your room, and do not come down until you are able to be pleasant in company and accepting of your betrothed.”
Elizabeth turned and stormed from the library, slamming the door behind her. As she climbed the stairs, she wished that things had not come to this point. She had always been her father’s favourite, and hoped he would never force her into a marriage as unfulfilling as his own, yet he was attempting to do that very thing—worse actually—at least her mother did not smell.
***
My mind kind of made a complete turn around after writing Rain and Retribution and I began writing a modern. I’m from the south, and when I tried to think of a place in the United States that was rich in history, I could ask for no better place. Meryton is loosely based on Natchez, and I enjoyed going through pictures of the antebellum homes for inspiration.
I took a bit from myself for this novel, as well. Two years ago, I decided to go back to school for a second degree—this time in art. I will graduate this spring with a Studio Art degree in graphic design, but one of my true loves is watercolor. I created both of my book covers using my own photography and even two of my paintings for the cover of A Matter of Chance.
Lizzy has had a hard time of it in this book. She’s a single mom, divorced from a bad relationship and has to deal with the insecurities left by that marriage. For the excerpt, I’m posting a bit of the prologue that chronicles the end of her marriage.
Excerpt from A Matter of Chance
April 14, 2010 (2 ½ years earlier)
During the still dark early hours of the morning, Lizzy climbed into the back of the grungy cab that 
had just pulled up to the curb.
“562 Netherfield Park Lane in Meryton,” she told the driver as she closed the door. He seemed surprised when she said her destination, but said nothing. She noticed that he had seemed to scan the bruises and bleeding on her face before he turned to watch the road.
They pulled away from the curb as she thought about everything that had happened. Greg had been gone for so long this time that she hadn’t thought he would return—she was wrong. He’d turned up that night drunk, and when he saw her, he’d become furious. She tried to plead with him, but he swiftly became so enraged that he was beyond reason.
She ran her hand over the swell of her abdomen as the latest contraction subsided, hoping she could get to Jane in time. If it wasn’t for the pain she felt everywhere, she doubted she’d be able to remain awake. Looking up, she noticed the driver staring at her in the rearview mirror, but he averted his eyes as she caught his stare.
“Ma’am, are you sure you don’t wanna to go to the hospital?”
“I want to go to the address I gave you,” she replied in the strongest voice she could muster. He glanced back with an apprehensive look upon his face, but nodded before he returned his eyes to the road.
Running her hand across her face, she could feel the swelling and the blood that was caked into her hair. Her left wrist and her ribs ached, but she was most worried about her baby.
She’d been almost four months along the last time Greg had come home. He’d been drunk—but then he always turned up drunk—and had laughed that she was getting fat. While she knew that she was pregnant, at the time, she hadn’t understood how he’d come to the conclusion that she’d simply gained weight, but he was rarely around and so incredibly intoxicated that she saw no reason to argue. Last night was the first time he’d seen her since, and this time there was no denying that she was pregnant.
“Whose baby is it, Elizabeth?! Because it sure as hell isn’t mine!”
“I’ve never been with anyone else,” she cried as his hand delivered another agonizing blow to her head.
“You lie! I won’t be supporting another bastard’s child.”
She’d tried to calm him, but he wouldn’t listen. What did it matter anymore? “Like you support us now,” she commented sarcastically.
“What did you say?” She was pushed to the floor and began struggling to get up.
She’d lost consciousness not long after. He was gone when she awoke, so she left as quickly as she was capable in the event he might return. She couldn’t possibly carry any of her belongings, so she left everything. Her condition necessitated a trip to the hospital, but she was afraid Greg would discover where she’d fled. The last thing she wanted him to know was where she was.
No, she needed to get to Jane. Jane and her husband, Charles, would handle everything. They’d always said they would help her, but she’d always refused. She had known that her parents would be angry with her for leaving her husband, so she’d remained. However, she couldn’t—wouldn’t stay any longer. If her baby survived, she would need to ensure Greg kept away from them. She could only trust her dearest sister with that.
~ * ~
“Ma’am, we’re here.”
Her head snapped up all of a sudden. How long had she been asleep?
Looking out of the window, she saw her oasis and breathed a sigh of relief. She’d made it.
“It’ll be ninety-three dollars.”
Lizzy searched through her bag, finding nothing, and coming to the realization that Greg had gone through her purse before he left. Her shoulders slumped, and she looked up to find the driver staring at her with narrowed eyes through the clear plastic barrier.
“My sister will pay the fare. I just need to get her.”
“You have no money!” he exclaimed indignantly.
“This is my sister’s house. I promise she’ll pay. Just let me get to the door. You can even come with me if you want.” He angrily exited the cab as she opened her door. She gingerly got to her feet and winced when she put her weight on her ankle. Another pain gripped her abdomen and she prayed she could make it up the path to the front porch. Gritting her teeth, she began hobbling towards the steps where the driver stood waiting for her, impatiently tapping his foot. One step at a time, she managed to climb up onto the porch of the Acadian-style home, and stumbled as she reached the entry, catching herself on the edge of the screen door. She reached toward the glowing light of the doorbell, when the driver pushed it several times for her.
“We could be here for years, if I waited for you.”
She tried to stop the tears, but they began falling from her lashes as she fought the fatigue and pain that threatened to bring her to her knees. The man pushed the bell again, impatiently pressing it several more times before he huffed. She was about to give up when the porch lights turned on, flooding the area with light and making her reflexively close her eyes. They were just opening again when the door opened and she saw Charles’ face.
“Oh my God! Lizzy?” he exclaimed as he pushed open the screen and she tumbled toward him. “Jane! Hurry!” He caught her in his arms, gathered her up, and carried her inside.
The last thing Elizabeth heard as the world went dark was the sound of her sister’s voice calling out her name.
~~~
I hope you enjoyed sampling a little of L. L. Diamond’s novels! Having read and enjoyed Rain and Retribution (reviewing coming out Wednesday!), I can’t wait to read A Matter of Chance. Poor Lizzy, sounds like she has a lot to overcome – both emotionally and physically. I wonder how and when Darcy will come onto the scene… Thank you, Leslie, for sharing such enticing excerpts with us!
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Leslie has generously sent me some proof copies of her new releases for me to give away today!! I have two paperback proof copies of Rain and Retribution and three paperback proof copies of A Matter of Chance to give away to 5 randomly selected winners!! (The proof copies may have different fonts, cover alignment issues, etc. but the content and editing of the story are the same as the finished copies.)
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Leslie!
(In your comment feel free to indicate whether you are interested in winning Rain and Retribution, A Matter of Chance, or either.)
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Leslie!
- This giveaway ends January 27th!
Double your chances by leaving a comment on my review of Rain and Retribution, which will go live Wednesday!
Thanks so much for allowing us to read the excerpts! I am intrigued!!
It was my pleasure!
WOW! I am still reeling from that first excerpt… I hope Elizabeth fled to London to stay with her aunt and uncle instead of yielding to her father…
You never know what trouble Elizabeth will get into!
Poor Elizabeth, she can’t marry Collins. Will Jane be the only one on her side?
In the modern version- is this the first time he has beaten her?
meikleblog at gmail dot com
Jane is not canon in Rain and Retribution, but I won’t say how. In A Matter of Chance, yes, it’s the first time he’d beaten her. Her marriage is kind of a long story, but it is unveiled a little at a time during the book.
I have read both books absolutely loved them both! I always try a sample of the books before I buy them. I came across Rain and Retribution and accidentally bought it. Ended up loving it I would have ended up buying it anyway but was so glad I had stumbled across this book. So well written I had to find more books written by her. I waited very patiently for Matter of Chance to be released. I was not disappointed when it finally was. I devoured it wishing it did not end.
Thank you for the give away I would love either of the books. Anxiously awaiting your next book.
Hi Tresha! It’s been a bit start and go, which makes things slow going, but I am writing!
Loved both excerpts! Adding both to my to-read list 🙂
Awesome! I hope you like them!
As you know Leslie I so enjoyed reading Rain and Retribution and look forward to reading Meredith’s thoughts on it. But I did not know you had a second book, how remiss of me! I Look forward to reading this new one!
Hi Tamara! I hope you like A Matter of Chance! It’s definitely different than Rain and Retribution.
These samples are SO intriguing & I
would love to read either one. Thank
you for this giveaway!
I was happy to provide the books for the giveaway! Good luck!
Oh, boy! I hope Lizzy ran quickly away from Lougbourn, and didn’t marry Mr. Collins!
I loved both excerpts! I would love to read both! Thanks for the chance to win one!
Your welcome! I know I love it when Meredith does giveaways, too!
I am hooked! I just don’t know which one I would read first! Congratulations on having the courage to write your stories for that is what I think it takes! Love the cover art and thank you for the giveaways!
Thanks! I love art! I really had some fun with it in A Matter of Chance. Covers are a challenge to figure out. I want something that fits the story while being something I can pull off with what I have available to me. My neighbors probably thought I was crazy when I took the photos for the cover of A Matter of Chance. I had a black sheet on my driveway with my art board, the painting, my palette, and brushes all on top. I arranged everything and then stood over it while I took the photographs.
I already have Rain and Retribution, but I would love to win A matter of chance! R&R was very nice, so I’m looking forward to reading A matter of chance! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for reading Rain and Retribution! A Matter of Chance is different, but I hope you like it.
The quarrel of Mr Bennet and Lizzie was most unexpected. I have this image of Mr Bennet siding always with her in teh original of course and in the variations too, but here I was most atonished!
😀 it is quite intruiguing especially the character development of others myth characters from this event!!
In R&R, I feel that I exaggerated flaws that I felt the characters possessed or used something mentioned in canon to twist behavior. Mr. Bennet didn’t want to be bothered to keep Lydia in check or to prevent her from going to Brighton because that would be a bother to him. So, I’ve made him a bit lazy and a bit more reclusive. I did change a few characters from canon rather drastically.
I think it’s easy to see Mr. Bennet just being lazier and trying to keep things as much to his liking as possible. After all, isn’t that why he sent Lydia to Brighton, because she wouldn’t be easy until she’d exposed herself in some way? He didn’t want to have to listen to her wailing that she wasn’t allowed to go, so he said yes. Similar principle, but here he doesn’t want to have to hear Mrs Bennet caterwauling and he hasn’t prepared for his eventual death, so he wants Elizabeth to solve it all by saying “I do”. Not fair, but it makes his life easier.
Okay, I thought I lost my initial comment so I did it again. I guess you get two responses. Ooops! LOL!
How delightful. I am captivated and enthralled with this feature. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
Your so very welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed my ramblings.
What a wonderful post which caught my interest. So special and fascinating. Many thanks.
Hmmm…I left you a response, but it’s not showing for me. I hope I’m not duplicating anything!
Thanks and good luck!
Both of these are memorable and I enjoyed the excerpts very much. The covers are appealing.
I’m so glad! Thanks!
So don’t know which one I’d choose first! They both sound too amazing for words. Great job and I wish you well with your degree and your writing.
Thanks so much! I graduate in May so we’ll see what happens. I’ve been a part-time student and full-time mom for so long and I’m looking forward to what comes next!
The excerpts definitely pulled me in! Poor Lizzy has her work cut out for her in R&R and I am curious to see how/if she will get out of it. Looking forward to Meredith’s review and thank you for the chance to win one of your books!
Lizzy will definitely have to fly by the seat of her petticoats in Rain and Retribution! Thanks and Good luck!
Great interview & excerpts!! Oh my…. Poor Lizzy being forced to marry that ridiculous Mr. Collins or never be welcome at Longbourn. What is she going to do?!?! LOL I just love these different twists & takes on P&P – Adding this to my to-read list! Thank you so much for the giveaway 🙂
I hope you enjoy it! Giveaways are fun and I’m so bad about noticing things I need to fix on my proofs. I like the fact that someone will be able to enjoy them rather than them just sitting on my bookshelf.
I loved the S&S movie done by Ang Lee. It was definitely captivating.
Those were such tension-filled excerpts. I hadn’t heard of these books and now I’m eager to read both of them. Looking forward to your review, Meredith.
Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
S&S is still captivating for me! I love the way he shot certain parts of it too. It was well done in my opinion.
I do tend to go for those tension filled beginnings. The one I’m writing now is a bit different in that, but thinking about it, the tension is more between others I guess. Good luck on the giveaway!
Interesting plot as variation. I would like to read it. Very good excerpts and a funny interview.
Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
Thanks so much! Good luck!
Wow. That was amazing. Those excerpts totally give clues as to what to expect. I never thought of mr. Bennet or Kizzy as these type of people but as others have said that makes it even more intriguing. I am not sure about the more modern one it could give me nightmares. Smiles. You really did go two totally different directions. I loved reading them and would love to read more.
The excerpt really has the worst as far as the violence. I promise!
Thanks!
Interesting excerpts, both of them! I feel the tension! Of course, as you know, I’ve read both and adore them, each for different reasons. I especially like the intense connection Darcy and Elizabeth have in Rain and Retribution, and the special character in A Matter of Chance at breakfast is one of my favourite lines in all of fan fiction! I know Meredith has enjoyed reading them. Thanks!
Hi Suzan! Suzan was one of my wonderful betas for A Matter of Chance, so she’s definitely read it. LOL! The breakfast line is one of my favorites, too. I will admit to stealing it from my daughter who said it when she was about three. She thought it was pretty cool when I told her that I used it in my book.
Love them!!! so happy everyone else is. Both are different from each other but they are a testament to themselves. I would also love to participate in the Give away .
Rain, how did I miss your comment! Good luck and thanks so much!
I have read Rain and Retribution and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. After reading the excerpt, it is time to reread it! I am already caught up in A Matter of Chance and am wondering where Darcy fits into the story. Thank you for the giveaway and I hope to win a copy of A Matter of Chance. Keep writing, Leslie, as you are a great story teller. And, congratulations that you are following your passion and have earned another degree in graphic design. Kudos to you.
Thanks so much for the wonderful words, Eva! I hope you like A Matter of Chance!
I really enjoyed following the initial versions of both of your stories online, although particularly Rain and Retribution, I loved the scenes in the inn where Elizabeth is unwell from the rain. But what I want to know is whether the additional scene you posted a while after the story ended made it into A Matter Of Chance, it was both funny and really sweet.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity, I’d particularly like to read R&R 🙂
If you’re talking about “A Funeral for Lobsty,” then yes, it is added on to the end of the book. It’s after the epilogue at the end.
Thanks Ceri!
Yes, that is the one! I couldn’t recall Lobsty’s name off-hand. I am so glad you included it.
LOL! Lobsty is hard to forget. He was very mourned in this house, and the prayer and speech at the funeral was all something my daughter wrote for the real Lobsty’s funeral. They were so excited that I wrote them in at the end.
Yay! I really enjoyed the excerpts. I look forward to reading both books.
I hope you enjoy them! Thanks!
I can’t believe that Mr Bennet forced his favourite daughter to marry Mr Collins. Why doesn’t he suggest that Mary should marry Mr Collins instead? I hope she marries Darcy in the end. As for A Matter of Chance, Greg sounds like George Wickham to me.
I’m looking forward to reading both books if I do get the chance. I have no preference on which book to choose should I win. Thanks for the giveaway, Leslie.
Mary does seem a more fitting choice. In the end, Elizabeth is more intelligent and he feels she could run Longbourn since Collins doesn’t have much sense. Mr Bennet doesn’t have the same respect for Mary.
Greg Wickham is George Wickham. He’s just a bit different as far as characterization. Eloping isn’t such a big deal anymore, so it can be a challenge to come up with a new way for him to be a jerk.
I’m so excited to do this giveaway! I look forward to seeing who wins! Thanks Luthien84!
I’d be interested in either book. Rain and Retribution would be my first choice. I liked the excerpts. Poor Lizzy, escaping from a bad relationship — that is original for a P&P update.
AMoC is a bit of a departure from canon, but it was fun to write! Thanks Michelle!
I loved both of the stories when there were on fanfiction website. Would love to have a had copy of either books.
So glad you liked them! Thanks for reading!
Suzan has been extolling your work to me and those excerpts really pulled me in! Both books are now on my “must read” list!
Suzan is great for my ego! She helped me a lot with A Matter of Chance, too. I hope you like them! Thanks Gail!
Both excerpts were great! Can’t wait to read the whole stories! Thanks for the giveaway!!:)
Thanks so much! I hope you like the books and Good Luck!
Omigosh, I’m ready to hide behind the blue sofa already! ‘Rain and Retribution’ may need TWO blue sofas. I can readily believe that lazy Mr Bennet would force his daughter to marry Collins and thus relieve him of all his fatherly responsibilities by passing them on to someone else. Argh!
I promise that you won’t need blue sofas throughout the book. One of my betas is not good with angst at all and she only had an issue with two chapters (out of 30). Thanks June!
Oh my! I am intrigued by both stories! I am so mad at Mr Bennett! And Lizzy….what shall we do with her? She has some major life challenges in both stories! I would be thrilled to win either one. Thank you for the giveaway and congratulations!
Thanks Becky! Good luck on the giveaway. I’m excited to see who wins!