I have a special treat for you today, readers! Meryton Press author, C. P. Odom is stopping in for a visit and chat about his newest release, Consequences – a cautionary Pride and Prejudice variation! Colin was so game for doing an author feature for Austenesque Reviews that, instead of choosing between an interview, guest post, or excerpt, he gave me a little of all three! I hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about C. P. Odom and his new novel, Consequences!
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Consequences will be my second book for Meryton Press (actually, my second book, period!), and 
I’m continually surprised at just how it all occurred. Both my first book, A Most Civil Proposal, and this one originated as fan-fiction postings, and I’m also surprised at just how that came about! I’m an engineer by training and a former Marine by inclination, neither one of which would be considered a likely predictor for someone to wind up writing fiction in Jane Austen’s world. But somehow, it all came about, and that’s why I’m posting this at Austenesque. I want to thank Meredith for giving me the opportunity to share some of my thoughts as a semi-pro writer (since that’s what I consider myself), and I hope that any of the readership who take the chance of reading any of my writings don’t feel that they have wasted their time or money.
I would like to share one recent happening that kind of left me open-mouthed in shock—but secretly very pleased. A group of employees and former employees at my old company were having an “old-times” lunch, and one of the late arrivals came over and sat directly across from me. He’s definitely toward the “macho” side of the male species—he’s a veteran, his main hobby is working on cars and motorcycles, and, at almost 60, he still races dirt bikes in competition! Crazy man! Anyway, he sits down, leans forward, fixes me in his eye, and growls, “Odom, we need to talk about your book!”
Oh, great, I think, he’s going to make a scene in the middle of what was supposed to be a good-remembrances lunch! Anyway, he leans closer and says, “In light of all the years we worked together, I felt compelled to buy a copy of your book—and I read it!”
Okay, I think, here it comes, and he pauses before continuing, “It’s not the kind of book I would have ever read if it weren’t yours, but . . . I couldn’t put it down! When’s your next one?”
To say I was stunned is an understatement, and I still haven’t fully recovered, which is probably why I’m sharing this. I’m very happy at the compliments I’ve received from the female readers of my fan-fiction, but I would be lying if I didn’t say that I wasn’t extra-proud at having received such an astonishing bit of praise from such an unexpected quarter. If I can induce even a fraction of that from other readers, I will be well content.
That said, I probably ought to mention that the content of Consequences is more serious than that of A Most Civil Proposal, which examined what might happen if Darcy’s proposal at Hunsford was more civil rather than being proud and arrogant. I really like exploring what might happen if just one little thing is changed in one of Austen’s works (only Pride and Prejudice so far), and Consequences follows that pattern. But it considers (at least in Book 1) what I consider the logical consequences of a hasty and rather casually considered event, which was Elizabeth’s fiery and angry rejection of Darcy’s proposal. Of course, I’m no more prone to melancholy than Elizabeth Bennet, so Book 2 considers what might happen in the alternative case. I hate to take the chance on scaring off potential readers, but I have to mention that I originally posted an advisory on the fan-fiction site that angst wimps might want to skip Book 1 and go right to Book 2!
Another thing I might mention is that this book is significantly different in one regard from what I originally posted, and that is the amount of additional material. When I wrote it for the fan-fiction audience, I considered that I was writing to an audience that had likely committed Pride and Prejudice to memory, and so I could leave out a lot of background material. I could not do the same when writing for a wider audience, though I also couldn’t just repeat what Austen originally wrote. So there’s a lot more content than in the original posting.
I again want to thank Meredith, and I hope to have provided a bit of illumination about my forthcoming book. I also included an excerpt from the Author’s Q&A that my editor, Christina Boyd, recommended that we generate at the end of the book, as well as the Prologue from the book. Thanks for reading!
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Excerpt from Author’s Q&A at the end of Consequences:
Q: What was the main rationale that inspired the writing of Consequences?
A: I have always been a fan of alternative history novels, such as “What would happen if the South won the Civil War?” or “What if the British got smart in 1774 and gave the American Colonies representation in the British Parliament?” So, when I read my late wife’s copies of Jane Austen’s books, especially Pride and Prejudice, I couldn’t help noticing a number of coincidences that were critical to the storyline and would, if altered, have led to quite different outcomes.
One that especially popped out was the coincidence of Darcy meeting Elizabeth at Pemberley. That was really improbable and convenient. What if Darcy had come along ten minutes later, when Elizabeth and her party had already started their tour of the Pemberley grounds? He would have entered the house and been in consultation with his steward when the Gardiners and their niece emerged from the grounds, boarded their carriage, and departed. And if he had been ten minutes earlier, he might well have entered the house before they saw him. And even if Elizabeth had seen him at a distance and recognized him while he didn’t see her, would she have run after him and spoken to him? Highly doubtful, I would think. More likely, she would have counted herself lucky to avoid the mortification of meeting him, and the dire “consequences” that make up much of “Book 1” might well have ensued.
As for “Book 2,” the idea that started the ball rolling was my growing realization of just how shocking Elizabeth’s refusal of Darcy was, given the time in which she lived. I first had to consider just what might have turned out differently if she had chosen the socially approved course and accepted his offer of marriage, even though she felt both contempt and anger for him. I think the instant conclusion of most modern readers is that Elizabeth would have sentenced herself to a lifetime of misery had she done so, but I came to a different conclusion. The key item leading to my conclusion was the thought that Darcy had already decided to deny the expectations of his family, friends, and culture. Having done so and won the hand of the woman he loved, would it have made sense for him to treat her with disdain, contempt, and indifference? Again, doubtful. Certainly, if Elizabeth had treated him in that manner, his affections might have withered away, but, considering she had accepted his proposal out of prudence, it would have been the height of imprudence to have reacted to him in that manner. So I came to the conclusion that their marriage would have had as much chance of felicity as would be expected in the context of the times and probably a much better chance of happiness, given Elizabeth’s character.
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Excerpt from Consequences:
By this time, little remained to be shown the visitors. The picture-gallery contained many fine paintings, but 
Elizabeth knew little of art and found more of interest in some crayon drawings done by Miss Darcy and displayed on several easels. She stayed to look at them while her aunt and uncle were shown the several guest apartments that were almost the last of the tour.
As they walked along the gallery on the way to the stairs, Mrs. Reynolds pointed out the many family portraits lining the walls. Since she had no knowledge of the Darcy family, Elizabeth’s interest was not piqued; she was interested in only one portrait, and she walked on by herself until she found it at last.
The familiar features of Mr. Darcy looked back at her from the large portrait, and Elizabeth marvelled at the likeness captured by the painter. He looked somewhat reserved, as she had so often seen him, but he also wore a slight smile she remembered sometimes seeing when he looked at her. She looked earnestly at the portrait for several minutes, and her emotions where awhirl as she tried to discern whether she or the artist had the better insight into his character. Knowing now where his affections had pointed, her agitation was too extreme, and she could not bear further introspection and walked away.
Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle were making their way down the line of portraits, listening attentively to Mrs. Reynolds. As they got closer to her, Elizabeth walked back to join them as they came to a halt before Mr. Darcy’s portrait.
“This excellent rendition of my master was made during his father’s lifetime, and the elder Mr. Darcy thought it captured the essence of his son perfectly. It was very difficult for the artist to complete since young Mr. Darcy was very self-conscious about posing, and only the importuning of his father, who was quite ill by that time, was sufficient to allow the artist to finish it.”
Despite her perturbed state of mind, Elizabeth could not deny she felt more warmth towards the object of the portrait than had ever been the case during the whole of their acquaintance, even after she comprehended how cruelly she had maligned him when she took Mr. Wickham’s part against him. She recognized her uncle’s amusement at the strength of Mrs. Reynolds’s praises, but she did not agree with him. To her, the commendation bestowed by an intelligent servant was high praise indeed. At Mrs. Reynolds stage of life, she had no reason to speak so warmly to day-visitors like themselves. Elizabeth thought it represented an honest expression by a woman who knew the man well and obviously respected and loved him.
In addition, she had never before realized the burdens Mr. Darcy bore. He was a brother, a guardian, a landlord, and a master of a considerable estate upon which many people were dependent. She wondered of how much evil or good might be within the power of such a man, and if he was who she had been certain he was, the preponderance must be expected to be heavily on the side of evil. Yet such was obviously not the case—such a conclusion could not be reached after hearing such favourable testimony to his character.
As she took one last look at the portrait before following her aunt and uncle to the stairs, it seemed his eyes fixed on her with such intensity that a shiver went down her spine. To have been regarded so favourably by such a man could not but induce a deeper sentiment of gratitude than she had ever before felt. As she turned away, she was conscious she no longer regarded his expression as one of cool reserve; instead, his smile transmitted an emotion of warmth that softened the impropriety of his expression.
Having viewed all the public areas of the house, her party returned downstairs and thanked Mrs. Reynolds for her kindness. “It was my pleasure, I am sure,” she replied, accepting the folded square of paper from Mr. Gardiner containing the usual gratuity for the tour. “Now, here is the gardener, who will be your guide through the wilds beyond these walls. These old legs are no longer sufficient to such challenges.”
Mr. Gardiner thanked her again, and all of them followed the gardener across the lawn towards the river. Elizabeth turned back to look again at the house, which occasioned a question by her uncle on the date when it was built. However, the gardener was not cognizant of this information, and they continued on to a beautiful walk on the bank of the river. Everything they saw was delightful, whether it was the design of the walk, with the many artfully planted shrubs and hedges that lined the walk, or the finely wooded forest they were approaching. Elizabeth thought all they saw was a fit complement to the style and elegance of the house.
After entering the woods, they ascended some of the higher grounds from which there were so many charming views of the valley, the opposite hills, and the long range of woods. The vistas were so attractive Mr. Gardiner expressed a wish of going round the whole park, but the charm of the idea was lessened when the gardener told them it was ten miles round the whole park. With a laugh, they all agreed to the gardener’s suggestion to keep to the accustomed circuit. Before too much longer, however, they reached a point in the path where they were able to perceive their distance from the house. Elizabeth greatly desired to explore further, but her aunt demurred.
“I can go no further, Mr. Gardiner,” she said. “I am not, as you well know, a great walker like our niece, and the most important concern in my mind is to return to the carriage as quickly as possible.”
“I am sorry, aunt, I did not…” started Elizabeth contritely, but Mrs. Gardiner laughed and laid a hand on her arm.
“Do not concern yourself, my dear. Your energy is to your credit, and Pemberley is even grander than I was told. I can easily understand how it would attract you, but I am simply unable to continue. If I might have the loan of your arm, Mr. Gardiner, I would be greatly pleased to go back.”
Though Elizabeth longed to further explore the windings beside the stream and the wood bordering it, she was obliged to submit, and they took their way towards the house on the opposite side of the river. Still, Mr. Gardiner slowed their progress somewhat, for he often stopped when he noticed the appearance of some trout in the water. He was very fond of fishing, though he was seldom able to indulge his taste for the sport. Eventually, they returned to the house and their carriage, and it was not much longer before they were on their way back to Lambton.
Soon after she was seated in the carriage, Mrs. Gardiner was refreshed enough to desire conversation, and she and her husband found many observations to exchange on what they saw and heard. Not only were the house and grounds found charming and beautiful, but they also were much impressed by Mrs. Reynolds’ testimony with respect to her master.
However, their questions to Elizabeth went mostly unanswered, since she was deep in melancholy reflections concerning all of her acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. She was remembering how wrong she had been concerning Mr. Wickham and even partly with respect to Jane and Mr. Bingley. Could she have been as wrong about his “haughty arrogance” and his “selfish disdain for the feelings of others”? She had lost much of her previous certitude by now, and she was so exceedingly troubled that she scarcely noticed the scenery outside the carriage, including the magnificent stallion idly cropping grass along the path to the house.
***
Darcy instantly observed the sudden change in the gait of Marlborough just after he turned in at the lodge, and he quickly reined in the large stallion. He lost no time in vaulting from the saddle, and it took only a few moments observation to ascertain the problem lay with the horse’s left foreleg. Marlborough, hand-fed by Darcy since he was a colt, offered no resistance as his lord and master bent the hoof up to examine it. A single glance was enough to bring a seldom used but heartfelt imprecation from Darcy. Somehow, a rock, standing at exactly the wrong angle as the hoof struck the ground, embedded its sharp edge into the softer, inner part of the hoof. While it was the work of a moment to remove the offending rock, Darcy realized he would not be riding his favourite horse any more that day or for any number of days to come.
Darcy muttered another oath as he led the horse off the road over to a stand of grass. He knew the injury to Marlborough was his fault, for he had been pushing faster than he should, especially at the end of the morning’s ride when he was so close to home. But he was impatient, which seemed to be all too common these days. His impatience originated in the desolate gloom that was his constant companion and had been since that horrible day in Kent, the same despondency that accompanied him to London and stubbornly refused to lift over the past months. Though he knew the reason for the melancholy, he did not know the cure, and he need only close his eyes to see Elizabeth’s flashing ones and hear her condemnatory tone as she informed him he was “the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.”
But such self-reproach could serve no useful purpose, and Darcy tethered Marlborough in the grass to graze before he walked back toward the lodge. He intended to send Simpson to Pemberley to bring out the groom and another mount, but the lodge keeper was absent on an errand into Lambton. Hence, Darcy settled for sending Simpson’s eldest son, who instantly vanished out the back door toward one of the several shortcuts to the house. Meanwhile, Mrs. Simpson seemed more than pleased to brew him a pot of coffee. Darcy’s preference for coffee over tea was well known, and most of his tenants kept a small store of coffee on hand in case he desired a cup while visiting.
Now, as he sat sipping from the steaming cup while sitting at Mrs. Simpson’s table, he heard a vehicle coming along the road from Pemberley. He only glimpsed the carriage through the window as it turned out of the drive to the house and onto the road to Lambton, but a glimpse was enough to realize the vehicle was not one he recognized from the neighbourhood. From its modest size, it was probably a rented carriage, and given that it came from the direction of the house, he imagined a party of day-trippers must have been visiting the house and grounds. He was relieved he had not happened onto them, for making pleasantries with strangers had never been a strong point and was even less so these days.
Gloomily, he forced himself to stop thinking along those lines and to appreciate the coffee, which was really, quite excellent.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Michele of Meryton Press have kindly donated 1 paperback and 1 digital copy of Consequences for me to giveaway to 2 lucky winners! Woot Woot!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Colin!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Meryton Press!
- This giveaway ends January 24th!
Sounds interesting! A must add to my list!
And if you like it, you might consider doing a review on Amazon. That’s just a bit of shameless self-promotion, you see . . .
Cheers, Colin
This was great! How awesome to hear from your coworker that he had read your book and he sparked your desire to return to writing. I loved a most civil proposal.congratulations on book number 2! Sounds very good and can’t wait to read it.
Jeanna
Actually, I had already submitted the edited version of “Consequences” at that point, so he didn’t really light a spark under me. But I never would have imagined hearing such a comment from him. I’ve known him for more than twenty years, and I guarantee that he would never make a list of SNAGs (Sensitive New Age Guys). But truth is sometimes stranger than fiction . . .
I really enjoyed A Most Civil Proposal and look forward to Consequences! The what-if books are such fun.
I agree on the what-if books. And P&P truly lends itself to such variations, possibly because Jane Austen wasn’t really a professional writer, as we see them these days, and she has any number of coincidental happenings that could easily have gone in another direction. This isn’t a slam at Jane – another of my favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien, had many of the same faults, but I still read all three volumes of “The Lord of the Rings” about once a year. And I’m about due to re-read it again in 2014 . . .
I agree, Theresa! What-if’s are my favorite!
Love it when men read Jane Austen, unfortunately none of my male friends do. At least my husband has read Pride and Prejudice although many years ago. Looking forward to reading both of your books
meikleblog at gmail dot com
Well, I resisted for many years. I’m a serious book-a-holic, and I always had a backlog of books I was trying to get to. Even though it was one of my wife’s favorites, it never seemed to make it to my list. I still find it strange that I’m where I am right now.
It’s so great that your fellow manly-man co-worker loved your book!
I was lucky enough to win Consequences at another site, so please don’t enter me in the giveaway. I was also (thankfully) duly warned about Part 1 and have already fixed in my mind that regardless of how it actually ends, it’s all just a nightmare. 😉 My copy is sitting on my bedside table as we speak and I am very excited to read it.
Ah, but is it really a nightmare? I address that question in one of the Author Q&A questions at the end of the book, and all I’ll say is that different readers might answer the question differently. It’ll be interesting to see what YOUR answer is!
Now this sounds very intruiging! I can deal with a bit of angst, as long as the second book has a happy end! Thanks for the giveaway!
Well, I’m no more disposed to melancholy than EB, but writing Book 1 was tough, especially as the logical sequence built itself in my mind when I was first creating it. Have courage, though! There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I love reading ‘what if’ adaptations of ‘Pride and Prejudice’…I just can’t get enough of them! Finding a new author is always a treat and I am intrigued by the excerpt. Congratulations on your your 1st and 2nd book! Thank you for the giveaways too. I don’t have an e-reader though…
I LOVE my Kindle! It’s also making a difference in how I buy books these days. I mentioned I’m a book-a-holic, and I’m having trouble finding the room for more bookcases for the books I’ve collected over the years, and it’s a lot easier to store books on my Kindle than in a bookcase that hasn’t yet been built. And there are a LOT of older books, classics and those whose copyright was not renewed, that are available at various sites, including http://www.gutenberg.org. Amazon even has links to places with millions of free books – including all of Jane Austen’s works!
Consequences would be memorable and very special since it is unique. What a captivating post. Thanks for this great giveaway.
I really liked A Most Civil Proposal. I would definitely like to be considered for the print copy. Thank you.
I love your writing style. I wish I had book #2 in my hands right now;). Thanks for the chance to win a free book.
I wish you had book 2 in your hands now, too! Good luck with the give-away.
I’m still working on getting the men in my life — a husband and two grown sons — to read any Jane Austen, but I did get my oldest son to watch the “Pride & Prejudice” movie (with Colin Firth), and he greatly enjoyed it! His favorite character was Mr. Bennet because of his dry sense of humor. Colin, thanks so much for being brave and bold enough to join us ladies in Jane Austen’s world!
Actually, no bravery was required. As an engineer, a one-time football player, former Marine, and father, I’ve never felt like I had to justify what I choose to read. I even once read some of my sister’s “Nancy Drew” mysteries when I was a kid because I was so desperate to read something new, and they were the only books in the house. I’m only sorry that I didn’t read my wife’s Jane Austen books while she was still alive. I’ll bet she’s laughing her head off as she looks down!
I read the first part of your interview to my husband and he smiles. He didn’t agree to do more unfortunately. My husband is just not a reader. smiles…which has me distraught. He doesn’t like Pride and Prejudice but he watches the Hallmark Channel all the time. Now what does that say? heehee I did read your sample from amazon kindle of the first book. So I have yet to read the whole 1st one tho’ I really want to read it. I’d love to read the second one as well after reading the above. I’m so glad that Meredith corralled you for this blog. I would love to win a copy of this book and if I don’t then I’m happy for whoever does.
My dad was also not a big reader. But my stepmom is one of my biggest fans, and she has several extra copies of “A Most Civil Proposal” that she loans out to her friends. She’s probably responsible for at least 50 sales of my first book all by herself.
LOL! Suzan! A fan of the Hallmark Channel but not Jane Austen? What???? 😉
I enjoyed A Most Civil Proposal and cannot wait to read this new one!!
Thanks,
Liz
csuexc(at)aol(dot)com
I hope you enjoy it, Liz!
Oh, why didn’t Darcy turn to look to see who was in the carriage? I am all a-flutter to find out how they meet up again. Thank you for the except. I am still laughing over the comment from your work friend – one never knows how one’s writing effects others. I enjoyed your first book and look forward to reading this one. Thank you for the giveaway!
I actually got similar comments from my youngest brother and from one of my Marine buddies. Go figure!
Congrats on getting such a compliment from your co-worker. I’m one of those who aren’t patient with angst, but if I know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel I can handle it. Thanks for sharing about your new book!
Like I said above, you could always just skip Book 1 and go straight to Book 2. However, what fun would that be? Have courage
I read your first novel and loved it. If I can win a copy, fabulous. But if I don’t I will still be buying it. Thanks for writing!!! Keep up the great work.
That’s the spirit, Jennifer! A struggling writer needs paying customers! 🙂
Seriously, while I do enjoy getting royalty checks, I wrote shorter versions of both of my books for fan-fiction postings years ago just for grins. Writing fulfills some sort of empty space in my psyche. And I do have several more that are complete, if Meryton Press is interested, so stay tuned.
Woot woot!!! So happy to hear!
Austen from a man’s point of view can be fascinating and so refreshing. Always nice to give the men a chance to have their say in Austen’s world.
Good luck with your new book – I’m looking forward to reading it.
Nice interview, Q&A, and exert from Mr Odom’s Consequences. I really enjoyed his A Most Civil Proposal, and look forward to reading Consequences. It’s so fun to have a male JAFF writer. Keep writing Mr. Odom!
I hope I win the paperback book!!
Catherine Commons, Puyallup WA
I’m still writing, though my productivity suffers a bit from my VDW’s Honey-Do jar. It never seems to get smaller . . .
Colin, I’m now re-reading A Most Civil Proposal. Your writing is really amazing! I cannot believe that you have not been writing all your life!! I feel as if I’m visiting my favorite characters as JA created them and I’m in Regency England. I look forward to reading Consequences!
Catherine Commons
Why, thank you. Or, as my favorite cowboy, John Wayne, would say, “Aw, shucks, ma’am!”
With all the good comments of his new book and “A Most Civil Proposal” as reference, who can resist it? Mr. Odom is a marvelous writer, so I have been enticed to read his book, although the plot a little scaring me, but it seems that it has been happy ended, so I cannot wait to read it. 🙂
Think of any angst along the way as just preparation for Book 2. It may not be exactly like real life, but the readers (and writers) in this genre all incline towards happy endings . . . eventually! 🙂
Colin
oh wow!!! would LOVE, no NEED (!), to read this!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
I love the story about your co-worker. I enjoyed A Most Civil Proposal and I look forward to reading Consequences.
I must say it was delightful to read this guest post and except of your new book – just as there are only a few male fans/readers, there are perhaps less male P&P fanfiction writers! I enjoyed reading the excerpt and hope to win a paper copy (no e-readers for me, alas). And, neat story about your co-worker, it was indeed a wonderful compliment!
Yes, it was a rewarding compliment. I was almost as surprised when my brother emailed me that he didn’t often read this type of book but, once started, couldn’t put it down. I originally gave a copy to his wife, but she still hasn’t read it, though she continues to promise she will do so. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact she’s still working, while my brother is retired like me.
What a gentleman sharing with us all of three!!!
I enjoyed reading your funny story on how your macho guy friend. I would not expect they guy to find out since I presume you did not tell him. I love reading the excerpt and wonder now how Darcy meets Elizabeth after his disastrous proposal. If not in Pemberley, could it be in Lambton or back in Meryton?
Actually, I had brought a copy of the book to a previous lunch just to show my friends and fellow co-workers what I was doing with my retirement. My macho friend had kind of joshed me about what I chose to write, so I was doubly surprised to find out later that he bought and read my book . . . and enjoyed it. I was absolutely “gobsmacked” (to use a lovely and expressive word that the Brits use but which is almost unknown in America).
I enjoyed “A Most Civil Proposal” and would like to read this too. It sounds very interesting.
This sound like a really interesting idea for a variation. Can you give us a hope of a happy ending in book one or is this book only for the braver readers among us?!
In one of my previous comments I mentioned I was not disposed to melancholy, though I did have fun injecting some angst (well, maybe a lot of angst) in Book 1, but I assure you that I got it all out of my system before I wrote Book 2. My editor has posted a comment on my Facebook page that “Consequences” will “will make you weep. Then, weep for joy!” That’s a comment almost as rewarding to me as that of my macho co-worker friend. She’s a brave soul and was willing to endure the angst in order to experience the joy. She has been incredibly encouraging during this whole process of editing and preparing the book for publication.
I’m glad your co-worker liked the book. Try something new and you may like it! I mostly read cozy mysteries and most of them are written by women, so I’m glad when I see some written by men (and Austenesque fiction, too). Jack Caldwell and Wayne Josephson are the only other male Austin writers I can think of. If I win, please put me down for the paperback copy (I can’t do e-books).
I’m familiar with Jack’s works and he is a very good writer. I’m not familiar with Wayne Josephson, however. I need to look him up. It’s strange how the writing process has really interfered with my READING of P&P fan-fiction!
Colin, it must have been so rewarding for you to hear an unexpected, “I couldn’t put it down and when is your next one coming out”! I’m a huge fan of what-if variations and I love exploring how much might be different if one small thing is changed. But I’m also an angst weenie, so I’m thinking I may have to peak at the end before I read this one.
Thanks for the interview, Meredith.
Well, peek at the end, but go back and read Book 1. Though I do think Book 2 can be savored more completely if you read Book 1 first. Be brave!
I loved these when I first read them as a neophyte JAFF reader, and you picked a perfect excerpt to share with us. Book 2 is definitely daring in terms of the ending but lovely and I can’t wait to see what you and Christina have done with it!
I told my husband he couldn’t read my writing until he read P&P, and so he read it! I think he’d appreciate your books as much as I do! Also, I love the cover.
I love the comment about your hubby! I’m still trying to get my wife to read all of AMCP. She liked what she read, but she found the wedding and honeymoon portion of the book and only read the second half of the book. Concentrating, I’m afraid, on the “racier” scenes. She’s a retired nurse, and I’ve noticed that she and all of her nursing friends are, well, I guess “earthy” is the most descriptive term. But I’ll have a more difficult time getting her to read “Consequences”, since there are no “racy” scenes. Definitely PG.
What about getting your husband to watch the 1995 P&P mini-series? There are some deviations from JA’s book, but he would definitely get almost everything necessary.
Yes, I love the cover. Ellen Pickels came up with the concept of an older Elizabeth Bennet looking back (in thought or dream) on her younger self. Great execution.
So great to hear your second book is out. I absolutely adored the ‘Civil Proposal’ and I love your writing style, so I’m bound to devour the second very quickly :). I’m already hooked by the excerpt and thanks so much for sharing it with us! As for the story about the lunch get-together, it was just perfect!!! It’s always difficult to let the P&P cat out of the bag with real-life friends and acquaintances, you never know how they’re going to react [and I found that to be the case even for ladies, never mind macho bike-riders in their sixties :)] so it must have been just fabulous for you, and made you very very happy!
Thanks for the kind words, Joana. I hope you enjoy “Consequences” as much. I’m certain that the execution of the story (in a literary sense, that is) is improved over “A Most Civil Proposal” (which was my very first attempt at writing a story in the Jane Austen world, after all), but the subject is also more serious. To tell the truth, I thought one of my other stories would be my second book because of the more serious nature of the topic, but my editor, Christina Boyd, actually lobbied Meryton Press to publish “Consequences” next and was enthusiastic in volunteering to be my editor. It seems to be working out well, so far, because the sales on Amazon have me in the top 10 in Kindle sales in both the Romance and Historical categories (only #58 in the Regency category, but it’s still nice to be in the top 100).
As for letting the P&P cat out of the bag, that was accomplished by my VDW, who kept asking, “Do they (whoever we were with at the time) know about your writing?” Of course, there was no option other than to confess all, and I actually enjoyed the stunned reaction at the topic of my writing. And I was fabulously lucky in our friends and relatives, because the reception was totally positive.
As editor, I read this many times– and still some scenes brought me to tears. I was a fan of Colin’s long before working with him on this project but I can truly say folks, he is a prince among men. Very gentlemanly and a crack wit! Those that may have read this before, I think will enjoy how we have fine-tuned it. I can attest that this is the kind of book that will stay with you long after the last page, making you think about Lizzy and Darcy and of course, your own choices and consequences. I like to say, it will make you weep. Then, weep for joy.
When Meredith brought to my attention you had a second book (thank you) I immediately looked on Amazon and it wasn’t available on Kindle, I’m glad to say I have checked since and it is. If I don’t win this is my next purchase, since reading the except I need to find out what happens. When I first read A most Civil proposal, I was certain I knew what I was going to write for my review, before I could circumstances lead to me read it again, it was even better a second time! It is strange but subconsciously I felt there was something different and it was only 6 months later that I found out you were a male author. Not that it is a problem but things started to fall into place, Darcy’s perspective from a man not a woman. Thanks for a great book, cannot wait to read the second and now you have teased us with the knowledge you have others, I am now eagerly await them.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Most Civil Proposal and am looking forward to reading Consequences. I’m just waiting for it to be released for the Nook.
Yes, me too. It took longer to get it on Nook for ACMP for unknown reasons. I have no reason why, since I think the electronic version was sent to both Amazon and B&N at the same time.