Hello readers! I’m very excited to be participating in the Then Comes Winter Blog Tour today and to be able to welcome back one of my favorite authors, Lory Lilian to Austenesque Reviews today!
Hi, Lory! Not too long ago you were here visiting and sharing about your newest Pride and Prejudice inspired-story, Sketching Mr. Darcy (which I loved!) I’m so happy to welcome you back in celebration of the new Meryton Press winter anthology, Then Comes Winter. I was so excited when I heard you were one of participating authors in this anthology! As an author who usually writes longer works, how did you find the task of writing a winter-themed romance that had to be kept under a specific word count?
Meredith, I am very happy to be here again – Austenesque Reviews is one of my favorite cyber places! Being part of this Anthology is a project of heart – I love it, although it was quite a challenge. The theme was not a problem – I adore Elizabeth and Darcy as a couple, and I can easily imagine them in any circumstances. However – as you already guessed – the length was. The story- despite my efforts- was still around 20 000 words, when I sent it to the awesome editor Christina. As usual, she and Ellen (Pickles) did their magic to make it fit.
I can imagine it being a bit of a challenge to trim down that much. The end result is wonderful though! In your story, “A Perfect Choice,” we encounter Blackie, Mr. Darcy’s black Great Dane he has brought with him to Netherfield. When Elizabeth encounters Blackie unexpectedly, the story takes an different and satisfying turn. Well done, Blackie! What prompted your creation of this lovable canine? Are you a dog-lover yourself?
I am a lover of all animals, especially dogs. I have a French bulldog named Spike, who is eleven years old and he is just fantastic. I am amazed of how well he understands our feelings, our problems and how he tries to help us whenever is needed. I strongly believe that Darcy’s dog could have been a great help for our dear couple.
Aww! I’ve heard people say that their pets have come and comforted them 
when they were upset or frustrated. I think it is so sweet! Because of Blackie, Darcy and Elizabeth have some forthright and pivotal conversations that greatly changed their early perceptions of each other. What do you think was the biggest obstacle for Darcy and Elizabeth to overcome at this stage of their relationship? His insult at the Meryton assembly? Her willingness to believe Wickham? Or something else?
I believe the biggest obstacle was both their pride! Darcy’s pride made him think ill of everybody around, and he offended Elizabeth without even giving her proper consideration; Elizabeth’s pride, after being offended by Darcy’s rude remark, made her blind to his other qualities and to his attraction toward her, and turned her more willing to believe Wickham. In this little story, Blackie “forced” them to overcome the problems on a faster pace.
Very true if not for their pride so heavily influencing their thoughts and actions, many more of their conversations could have traveled the course they did in “A Perfect Choice.” What is next for you Lory? You have gifted the Austenesque genre with many wonderful Pride and Prejudice variations and several memorable original characters, do you have plans to write any more?
Thank you for your kind words. Sure, I will write more – this is my passion and I just cannot have enough of Elizabeth and Darcy! I almost finished a sequel for Rainy Days, because many readers asked for it since 2005, and I have promised it. And also I have two other stories in progress and many other ideas.
Sounds wonderful! I loved Rainy Days and am so glad we will be able to revisit those characters again! How about we switch it up with some Quickfire Questions (Holiday edition!)
- What is your favorite holiday tradition?Christmas decorations and spending time with my large family.
- What is your favorite holiday song or carol?There are several beautiful Romanian Christmas songs, which I have loved since my childhood.
- What is one of your favorite treats to enjoy during the holiday season?I really do not have any favorites. I mean – everything that is on the table during Christmas holidays is my favorite!
- On a cold winters night, what beverage would you choose to keep you warm?Hot cocoa and boiled wine!
- What is one of your favorite holiday movies?“It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and both “Die Hards” which happens on Christmas time. Oh yes – and “Home Alone.” And every movie/serial which takes places with this theme.
- What would you give Jane Austen for Christmas?A gentleman to be worthy of her love and to arise her passion!
Wonderful answers, Lory! I love listening to Christmas songs from other countries, how lovely that you hold some Romanian carols as your favorites! And I quite agree with you about both “Die Hards!” They have become an annual tradition in our home too!
Thank you Lory for answering my questions and for being such a lovely guest here today at Austenesque Reviews! A special thank you to Jakki Leatherberry and all the kind people at Meryton Press for allowing me to participate in this lovely blog tour!
~ Author Bio ~
Lory Lilian is a Romanian Pride and Prejudice aficionado with a background in business. She has an awesome daughter and the gentlest French bulldog ever. She fell in love with Pride and Prejudice when she was thirteen and has read it about a hundred times since. The A&E television mini-series in 1995 had a dramatic impact on her fascination with Darcy and Elizabeth and inspired her to read and then start writing countless variations about her favorite couple. Lory is the author of five Pride and Prejudice-inspired books: Rainy Days, Remembrance of the Past, His Uncle’s Favorite, The Perfect Match, and Sketching Mr. Darcy. She is currently working on three more, all at the same time.
Connect with Lory
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
- This giveaway is open worldwide! Thank you, Meryton Press!
- This giveaway will end December 20th!
To increase your chances of winning, visit and enter at other stops on the tour by clicking the image above!
Great Q&A!
Denise
Thank you, Denise. Meredith always comes out with great questions ! 🙂
Thank you, Lory, for being so kind to answer my questions! 😀
Always a great interview! Thanks for supporting the authors and this collection, Meredith. I hope you enjoy the book and each story is a nice, quick read in between all the house unpacking:)
Thank you, Christina! I’m looking forward to enjoying the rest of the stories soon! Love the cover and theme so much!
Loved the interview, but don’t add me into the drawing as I already have the book. Best wishes Lori! Jen Red
Thank you Jen 🙂
Yeyy another interview with Lory! Sooo excited to read this and of course sequel to Rainy Days and more books in the pipeline – what a lovely Christmas present for us all JAFF readers – how lucky are we! Enjoyed the interview. Very good Qs & As!
Michelle, thank for being always so kind and supportive.
I am so excited that there is a winter anthology to go along with the summer anthology that was published earlier this year!
Yes, they compliment each other beautifully 🙂
Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to read it. 🙂
Good luck with the giveaway, Pam.
Thank you and for the interview and “Then comes winter” sounds great and I would love to read it !!! 🙂
Thanks for the awesome giveaway :!!
Bonne soirée !
Miette
Lovely interview Meredith. I love Lory’s books and have them all. I am so impressed as it must be hard to write especially in period when it isn’t your first language. And having several books on the go? Well….. I am amazed. Loved the story in Then Comes Winter and I have a copy so please do not enter me in the draw.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Glynis.
Thank you, Glynis! I appreciate you reading our post!
Great interview Meredith and I too am excited to hear that there will be a sequel to ‘Rainy Days’ as I read it about a month ago! I so enjoyed it, that I have now added all her books to my wishlist! Thank you for the opportunity to try and win this anthology. It too is on my wishlist!
Carole, I am so glad that you enjoyed Rainy Days ! Thank you for letting me know and good luck with the giveaway.
Thank you! That’s great that you have Rainy Days so fresh in your mind! Glad you added the rest of Lory’s books to your wishlist, they are lovely – my favorite is Sketching Mr. Darcy!
I’ve imagined many types of dogs as being the kind that Darcy would have, but never a Great Dane. But now that I consider it, that breed makes an excellent fit. And funnily enough, I rarely see these large dogs, but I have seen TWO today!
LOL – Laura ! I confess I was inspired by Darcy’s dog in PnP 95. But I also agree that it fits very well. Good luck with the giveaway.
Great interview as usual Meredith. Sounds like a great collection. I notice the closing date for Giveaway is December 20th which just happens to be my birthday. So maybe I’ll be one of the lucky ones!!
Thanks, Teresa! Best of luck!
Thanks for commenting and good luck !
Fun interview! Looking forward to reading your short story as well as the sequel to Rainy Days.
Thank you ! Good luck !
Oh, I’ll have to look up some Romanian Christmas carols now. I’m curious. And I’m so behind on movies that I’ve actually never seen the Die Hards though the guys in our family can quote them.
Love the idea of an animal character, Lory! And yay, I want the Rainy Days sequel.
Sophia – no Die hard ? Ohhhh no no no – you must ! So much fun ! 🙂
I loved the interview Meredith! And I really liked A Perfect Choice 🙂
One of the things I liked the most was how blackie’s age and Elizabeth’s wit could change everything 😉
Please do not enter me in the giveaway as I already have a copy of the book 🙂
Thank you, Rita! Yes, Elizabeth has such a sharp mind. It was clever how that little detail revealed so much.
Thanks Rita. I love to write and read about witty Elizabeth.
Sounds like a great anthology – I adore winter themed stories! And very much looking forward to the sequel to Rainy Days!
Thanks so much, Nicole ! Good luck with the giveaway.
Oh, thrilled to know that there will be a sequel to “Rainy Days”!
Thanks ! I hoped the sequel will be ready by the end of the year, but most likely it will be January.
Well, a ‘month’ delay is way better than a year!
I love your stories! And I like dogs, just not that big! I hope I get lucky and win a copy of this book.
Thanks so much ! And good luck with the giveaway.
Looking forward to reading it! And a sequel to Rainy Days!!!! That was one of the first JAFF books I bought. Congrats on the new release Lori! Thanks for the giveaway chance.
I love animals in books and Blackie sounds wonderful 🙂 Would like to enter this wonderful giveaway.