Dear readers, please help me welcome Elaine Jeremiah, author of a new Austen-Inspired novel, Love Without Time, to Austenesque Reviews! Elaine’s new release is so much fun as it about a modern-day Janeite named Cassie who inexplicably finds herself thrown back in time to Jane Austen’s Regency England. Today Elaine shares an enticing excerpt from Love Without Time. We hope you enjoy!
~ Excerpt ~
I was hit by bright sunlight and drew in a breath, blinking furiously. What on 
earth was going on? I looked around me, not really taking anything in, expecting everything to return to how it had been a moment ago. But it didn’t. When I took another, closer look around me, I saw that I was standing under a tree, on the edge of an immaculate lawn of a large, well-maintained garden.
I gasped. Where am I? I asked myself. Squinting, I shielded my eyes against the relentless sun. Across the other side of the garden, I saw a huge house, a mansion, a place which could easily be Mr Darcy’s home of Pemberley.
There were people on the lawn ahead of me, smiling and laughing. It looked as though they were playing croquet. And they were dressed in clothes which would be the perfect costumes for a Jane Austen-inspired TV drama…
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment. Suddenly, my throat felt parched and dry, like I hadn’t had anything to drink in hours. Although thinking about it, it had been a while. I opened my eyes again, hoping that I would be back in the dark, standing by the gate.
I wasn’t. When I looked behind me, I saw that the gate was still there, but now it was in pristine condition. I walked back to it and pushed it open, desperate to get back to the hospital grounds. But walking through it, I was dismayed to find that there was only dense woodland ahead of me, no sign of the hospital.
My breathing became laboured and for some reason my chest felt constricted. The fabric of my underwear felt scratchy. I frowned. Had I put a vest on this morning? I couldn’t remember doing that… But I had better things to think about. Panic rising inside me, I turned around and walked back through the gate, nearly bumping into someone standing in front of me. It was a young woman dressed in a white, sprigged muslin dress. She could have stepped out of the pages of any Jane Austen novel.
I stood there staring at her, my mouth hanging open. She was a little shorter than me; her hair was pulled back into a bun, its golden tendrils curling on her temples. Her blue eyes surveyed me with interest and I surmised that her expression must have been as surprised as my own, because I saw that her brow was furrowed as she gazed at me intently.
I gulped; my heart began thumping in my chest and I felt breathless. I made a move to turn and walk away and almost tripped over a large trunk. It hadn’t been there a second ago, I was sure of it. It was then that I noticed what I was wearing.
Gone were my jeans and favourite heeled leather ankle boots. I was wearing a pale yellow, sprigged muslin dress, very like the one of the young woman standing in front of me, except for the colour. But on top of that I was also wearing what looked like a blue pelisse, or something like a coat to twenty-first century people. No wonder I was so hot.
‘May I help you, miss…’ the young woman began.
‘I…’ I swallowed. What should I tell her? The thought came to me that I could tell her my name, but pretend I had amnesia and could remember nothing else. This idea appealed to me. It might protect me from lots of prying questions – at least initially.
‘My name is Cassandra Taylor,’ I told her, making sure I spoke in a laboured voice. ‘But I’m afraid I cannot remember anything else about myself.’ I paused, as much to give me time to think of what to say next as for effect.
‘I cannot remember where I have come from or where I am going,’ I went on. ‘You see, I believe that I was involved in an accident, although I cannot exactly recall the particulars. But I think that the carriage I was travelling in overturned and I hit my head.’
My eyes widened a little at my own speech. I could hardly believe the language I was using – so like the language of Jane Austen. Even though I’d read all her books, I was hardly adept in it. It was as if my tongue already knew the words and phrases to use.
But for all this, I felt as though a cavernous hole of panic had opened inside me. Here I was in a whole other world – surely I must be asleep on the chair in the hospital waiting room and actually in the middle of a vivid dream? The alternative was too terrible to consider…
The young woman drew in a sharp intake of breath. Her face had grown pale at my words, as if she’d had visions of the supposed accident and could empathise entirely with what she thought I’d gone through.
‘Oh, you poor girl,’ she replied, stretching out a hand to me. I took it and she squeezed my hand in her own, slightly clammy one. It was my turn to be surprised, as from what I remembered from Jane Austen’s novels, people who’d only just met weren’t usually so familiar with each other.
What about Marianne Dashwood though, my mind helpfully informed me. She prided herself on her sensibility and discernment of others. Yes, and look what happened to her, I reminded myself. I had a feeling I would need to rely on everything I’d read in Jane Austen’s novels, as well as all the biographies and books about the world she’d lived in which I’d devoured.
Aren’t you curious to see how Cassie survives in Jane Austen’s time? Could you imagine being in her shoes!?! Would you love the chance to live out your fantasies? Or would you be desperate to find a way back?
~ About Elaine ~
I live in Bristol, South West England, with my husband and our golden retriever Dug, but I grew up in Jane Austen country, not far from Winchester. I would regularly walk past the house in Winchester where she died and I’ve visited her house at Chawton a number of times. My mother introduced me to her novels when I was a young teenager, so you could say a love of Jane Austen is in my blood!
I’ve been writing in one form or another ever since I can remember, about many varied things. I wrote some great stories when I was at school – I even made up outlandish tales to entertain my younger siblings on long, hot car journeys – but it’s only as an adult that I’ve been able to properly devote time to writing.
My first attempt at writing a novel didn’t go too well; although I completed it, it wasn’t great. But I kept trying and in 2013 I self-published my first novel. Since then I’ve experimented a bit with genres and published a few more novels. It’s taken me a while but I feel like I’ve finally found my niche – Jane Austen fan fiction.
When I’m not writing, I always have a book on the go to fall back on and I’m trying to read as many Jane Austen-related books as I can. I also love taking Dug for walks in the countryside with my husband, talking about Jane Austen with like-minded people and yes, watching television. I must confess I do have just about all of the adaptations of her novels on DVD!
Connect with Elaine
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today Elaine generously brings with her 1 signed paperback copy of Love Without Time for me to randomly give away to ONE lucky reader. Woot Woot!!!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment, a question, or some love for Elaine!!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Elaine!
- This giveaway ends May 28th
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Want to double your chances of winning this lovely prize? Come back Wednesday and comment on my review of Love Without Time!!!
Sounds like she has met Georgiana Darcy, which is a good start
Well you’ll have to wait and see! ;o) Thanks for your interest!
I like the idea of traveling back to Jane’s time! Looks like an interesting read!!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. :o)
I have the kindle already and can’t wait to read this tale! I’m planning to jump into Cassie’s shoes just as soon as I finish my current WIP, which should be soon. I love the cover of this book also. Beautiful! Congratulations Elaine.
Thank you so much Brenda and for all your support! It means a lot. Hope you enjoy my book. Best of luck with your WIP.
You did it again! Introducing a ‘new author to me’! I do so enjoy these type of stories! Congratulations Elaine and thank you for such a generous giveaway!
Thank you! And it’s my pleasure 😀
I’m so happy to meet these lovely new authors! Thank you for showing them such kind support and encouragement, Carole!
A captivating and memorable story which I would enjoy greatly. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
You’re welcome! Hope you get to read it some time soon. Thanks for your support. :o)
Oh I love Austen and I love time travel . . I think I would like this book. Thank you for the chance.
Becky B
Sounds like you would like my book! Hope you get the chance to read it soon.
I love JAFF books where the heroine is a modern day woman who’s thrown back to the Regency era! Congrats, Elaine, on your book and many thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you! It’s my pleasure. :o) Sounds like you might enjoy my book.
Me too! I think it would be fun to experience for a little bit! 😉
Wouldn’t it, though?? 🙂
I haven’t read any of the time travel series but this looks so good and I’m hooked!
That’s really good to know! Thank you Jennifer and for all your support! 😀
Congratulations on this intriguing tale! I love the idea of traveling back to Regency England 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win this lovely book.
You’re very welcome! And thank you for your support. It’s appreciated! 😀
Wouldn’t it be a dream come true? 🙂
Time travel, Jane Austen, and romance are my very favorite things! I can’t wait to read this.,Thank you for the giveaway.
Oh thank you so much! That’s really good to hear! And you’re welcome! 😀
Oh, I am positively in love with time traveling JAFF! And this book sounds particularly good if this excerpt is any indication! I can’t afford to buy as many JAFF novels as I like to read, so the giveaway would be a delicious one indeed! Thank you for the opportunity!
Well I hope you get the opportunity to read it! And thank you for your support. I love time travelling JAFF too (funnily enough!!) so I’m glad you’re liking this excerpt. 😀
I like to read about time traveling. I would definitely love to trade places with Cassie. Can’t wait to find out how this will read. Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d definitely like to time travel to Jane Austen’s era too! I don’t think I’d like to stay there too long though. 😉 I think I’d miss my creature comforts! Thank you for your support. It’s appreciated!
Being thrown into Jane Austen’s stories, yes please!
Great! Glad you approve! Hope you get to read it soon. 😀
I love time travel stories and this one sounds interesting.
Thank you! Hope you get to read it soon.
Sending my love for you and all!
Thank you so much!
A JA time travel book? Yes, please! Loved the excerpt! I can’t wait to see what befalls poor Cassie. Wonder if she meets Mr. Darcy himself?
Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thank you so much! Glad you liked the excerpt. 😀 Hope you get the chance to read it soon.
Hi Elaine, glad to meet you!.
It’s always fun to imagine you could awake in another world like regency era in your novel but I think I would feel the panic rising inside me, as you say. I like how you’ve described Cassie’s fears because I think her reactions are truly real. The idea of amnesia is so simply and effective! Bravo!. Congrats on your release and thanks for the giveaway 😉
Greetings from Spain!
Thank you so much! No, I’m not sure I’d entirely enjoy time travel either. 😉
I love Jane Austen time travel. I hope I get to read all of it.
Thank you! I hope so too. 😉
Sounds like a wonderful premise; I especially was intrigued that Cassandra could “speak Austen” as well as arriving being dressed properly. And her name works well in this time period, too. 🙂
I am crossing my fingers and wishing HARD that I’ll win this copy!! Thank you for offering it, Elaine!! And thank you for hosting, Meredith!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Yes, very true! Unlike Amanda Price in Lost in Austen she is fortunate she didn’t appear in her “strange trousers.” 🙂
My pleasure, Susanne!
Thank you Susanne! I’m so glad you appreciated the excerpt. Best of luck with the giveaway! 😀
Goodness me! I wonder how she will go on in that time. She seems to have the speech but hopefully she won’t be asking to use the bathroom! I’m hoping it’s Georgiana she’s talking to but saying that I don’t want her to distract Darcy from Elizabeth. I will definitely check your review to get more ideas so thank you Meredith.
LOL! I love your comment, Glynis! No distracting Darcy allowed! 😉
Ha ha, yes I’d hate to have to navigate my way around a Regency ‘bathroom’ lol! Thank you for your comment. 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE time travel stories and that joined with Jane Austen is a definite for me. The best of luck with this book. I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you so much! Glad you liked the excerpt. Hope you get to read the book soon.
Love the idea of traveling in time into a Jane Austen novel.
denise
Thank you so much!
Congratulations to you! Sharing the love!
Thank you! It’s much appreciated!
A time I would love to visit, but I’d want to return at will.
I agree! I’d also want my Mr. Bingley to come with me, I don’t care to time travel without him! 😉
Me too. I don’t think I could last that long without my 21st C luxuries! 😉
Congratulations on this release. It will be added to my TBR pile.
Thank you very much! It’s so exciting that people are keen to read it!
Thanks to Meredith for hosting. To Elaine Jeremiah… Congratulations on the launch of your new book. I loved the cover and the excerpt. It would be amazing to go back in time. It would scare the crap out of me and I don’t think I would like it very much. To read about it is one thing but to experience it would be a nightmare. I hope all goes well for our heroine. Blessings on the success of this work.
[Hello to Mr. Bingley]
My pleasure, Jeanne! I agree, it is quite different to experience it all first-hand!
Thank you so much! I don’t think I’d like to spend much time there myself. It looks very pretty in the adaptations but I reckon Regency England would be quite difficult to be in for a 21st C girl! I’d be wanting to come back pretty quick!
Yes I’d definitely feel panicked too! So glad you liked the excerpt. Hope you get to read it soon.
Oh this book sounds absolutely wonderfull! Timetravel is such fun, if you’re not undergoing it 😉 I have to know what happens now 😀
Thank you so much Charlotte! And I agree – time travel is better read about than experienced first hand lol.
It’s def on my want to read list!!
Thank you Christina! Hope you enjoy it when you get to read it. 😀
Thank you for the excerpt. Sounds great! Thank you for the giveaway.
Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy it when you get to read it. 😀
Congrats on your release! Oh boy, I can’t imagine having to actually live in Regency time… I need the basic 21st amenities (hygines, medicine, etc..)! Looking forward to reading your book!
Me too, I don’t think I could last long without indoor plumbing, electricity, central heating… The list is endless! Thank you for your comment.
I absolutely love this premise!
Thank you so much! So glad you like it. 😀
Thanks for introducing a new author to us Meredith and to Elaine for sharing this tantalising excerpt. I’m not sure I’d be able to think on my feet as quickly as Cassie in the same circumstances! And as for the differences she’ll have to get used to (no electricity, running water, indoor plumbing, modern healthcare, lack of rights for women), I’m not sure I’d be able to cope with that for very long!
Thanks for the international giveaway.
Thank you Anji! So glad you liked the excerpt. 😀 I don’t think I’d be able to cope without all the modern things we take for granted either. But it’s so much fun to write about someone from the 21st C having to deal with that! Thank you for your comment.
This time travelling trope has been done before, notably by Laurie Viera Rigler in her two Jane Austen Addict books. I look forward to finding out how your story pans out, Elaine. And nice introduction to the heroine, btw.
Thank you so much! And yes, I’ve read her books, though mine is quite different. 😉 Hope you enjoy it when you get to read it! 😀
I have read and enjoyed “The Outlander” books; love Jane Austen Novels and Continuation Novels, so I look forward to reading many of the books that I have read about on this website. How and where is the best and safest way to buy these books. .
Thank you for your comment! Hope you get to read my book sometime soon. 🙂
Who designed your cover?
I got it from a website which sells premade covers called The Book Cover Designer (.com). The artist who supplied it was Victoria Cooper Art.
Although I am reading this much too late for the give away it still has brought to my attention a book with I will look up on Amazon. Good luck with your writing. I do like time travel; Outlander being my favorite.
I’m so sorry not to reply before, I missed your comment. Thank you so much – I hope you get to read it sometime. Outlander is a lot of fun!