Happy Monday, friends! I’m thrilled to share this post with you today because it is from a brand-new-to-us author, Kay Bea! And because it is a cover reveal for another lovely new release from Quills and Quartos! We love all these new books coming onto the scene!
Such a great way to start the week, don’t you agree?
~ From the Author ~
Thank you, Meredith, for hosting the cover reveal for Letters from the Heart and for this opportunity to share with your readers.
I have been in and out of the Jane Austen community for five years. I started off voraciously reading every variation I could get and then hesitantly published my first online short story. It’s been an incredible journey. Letters from the Heart started as little more than a vague idea and almost didn’t make its way out of my many stacks of paper.
When I first saw the cover, I had tears in my eyes. It was beautifully, sublimely perfect and more than I could have imagined. Ellen Pickels did an amazing job with this design. I adore everything from the sumptuous colors to the half-forgotten quill in Elizabeth’s hand.
When we first started discussing ideas for the cover, I didn’t have an image in mind, but I knew the feeling I wanted to capture. Ellen made that happen. The Elizabeth in this cover is pensive, and a bit lonely despite the richness of her surroundings. I was telling my own Mr Darcy that if Inkheart’s Silvertongue read my Elizabeth into existence, she would have dropped from the sky in exactly the attitude Ellen created for the cover of Letters from the Heart.
~ Book Description ~
The Bennet sisters of Longbourn lack both decorum and connections and do not possess a decent dowry between them. Even the best of the them is in every way unsuitable for a man whose income is as a good as a lord. But love is not so easily set aside and in January 1812, Mr Darcy persuades Mr Bingley to reopen Netherfield Park, the country estate from which they both fled only two months before. On returning to Hertfordshire, they discover a near tragedy took place three days after the Netherfield Ball and has changed the lives of the Bennet family forever. Mrs Bennet’s relentless fear of losing her place in society has led her to condemn her least favourite daughter to a life of isolation and pain that will greatly complicate Darcy and Elizabeth’s journey to happiness. Old bonds are strengthened, family ties are severed, and unlikely allies emerge as each of them struggles to make sense of the changes they face.
And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: August 26th)
Such elegance! The dress, the furnishings, the pose – all so beautifully elegant… I desperately want that dress! 💚
I love letters in stories. I wonder who these letters are written to/from…and are they love letters?!? 💌
Mrs. Bennet condemned Elizabeth to a life of isolation and pain?! Oh no! How can she be so cruel? 😟
What do you think friends? 🤔
~*~
Thank you, Kay, for allowing us to share your beautiful new cover! We are so excited for your new release! Congratulations and best wishes!!
~ Connect With Kay ~
~ About Kay ~
Kay Bea is an administrative assistant and Jane Austen lover living in Kansas City withher husband of twenty-five years, her mother-in-law, and her fur kids. She has written several short stories and drabbles on fanfiction.net as “I Found My Mr. Darcy” and on A Happy Assembly as MrsDarcy2032.
Kay grew up in Wyoming, enjoyed a two-year adventure in Maryland, and now calls Missouri home. When she isn’t writing, Kay enjoys photography, cooking, and spending time with her adult children and three granddaughters.
~*~
GIVEAWAY TIME!
The lovely people at Quills and Quartos are offering a generous giveaway of a $20 Amazon Gift Card for one lucky reader who comments on today’s post! (Think of all the books you can get with this?!) 📚🤤
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Kay below.
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends August 26th
*~*
You can preorder Letters from the Heart now!
And learn more about Kay and her debut release in the upcoming Letters from the Heart Blog Tour.
Our sincere gratitude to Kay Bea, Christina Boyd, and the wonderful people at Quills and Quartos for putting this special post together!
What on Earth has Mrs Bennet forced on Elizabeth? I really hope she didn’t make her marry Mr Collins! The words ‘isolation and pain’ really worry me. Whatever it is Darcy needs to rescue her. I hope the letters are between ODC and help Elizabeth escape her mother and any other awful situation.
Thank you for sharing this lovely cover, I look forward to checking out this book.
Thank you so much! Didn’t Ellen do an amazing job?
Congratulations, my friend! Love your picture and the cover!
Thank you darling!! Would you believe that’s a selfie?
I can’t imagine what has happened to Elizabeth. I like the cover especially the dress
I am so in love with this cover! And yes, that dress!!
I hope that only an engagement exists and not a marriage!
Alovely cover. She looks contemplative – but not forlorn. Perhaps Darcy has a plan.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Um…I think I should only promise that I believe in happily ever after. Good luck!
This is beautiful! The cover alone draws me in, but the description really has me wanting to read this one. I love letters in stories too!
You will find letters aplenty here! Thank you!
I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of this story. You will love it although it does have some actions which make you want to strangle someone, even form a knot in your chest. Love the cover. Good luck in releasing this book.
Thank you for your kind words! There is, I suppose, more than a little angst here, but hopefully it’s worth it in the end.
I will post my review when the book is released…I already wrote it.
Congrats on publishing this book. The cover is eye catching and the blurb grabs my attention. Looking forward to seeing the price and if it fits into this month’s book budget! 🙂 I hope your sales are ourstanding.
Thank you for the encouragement! I hope you get to read it soon!
What a gorgeous cover!
Congratulations, Kay, on your book. It sounds fascinating and I must add to my TBR list!
Thank you, Meredith and the folks at Quills and Quartos for the giveaway opportunity!
Isn’t it? Ellen’s design is just incredible! Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for checking out this lovely cover and sharing your thoughts!
Congratulations on your book, Kay! It sounds intriguing, and I can’t wait to read it! And that COVER! Just gorgeous!
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it!
Hello darlings! I just wanted to pop in and thank everyone for their kind words and encouragement. I’m mostly confined to using my phone today and am having difficulties posting, but I wanted to let all of you know I’m following your comments and replies and will try to respond individually this evening when I’m home and have access to my laptop.
Happy Monday!!
Beautiful cover!! and the story sound fantastic! Congratulations on the release of “Letters of the Heart”, Kay!
Thank you! It’s been an amazing journey and it just keeps surprising me!
I’m so impressed… can’t wait to read it and to see you in person. See you at Dickies!
I’m looking forward to it! I’ll be there with pen in hand!
WHAT a cover!! I adore it. But what in (blank)’s name is Mrs. Bennet doing to our Lizzie! Cannot wait to read this one, Kay! Congrats on it!
I do like a bad Mrs. B….and this one fits the bill! Thank you!
The cover is lovely and the premise makes me want to read the book! Congrats on publishing!
Thank you! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but never quite found the courage to pursue…
Exquisite cover!!! Congratulations on your debut novel, and one I am eagerly awaiting! I, too, love letters in a novel…there is such an added intimacy. Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
Writing the letters felt very personal. I hope you enjoy them and good luck!
What a beautiful cover! And I cannot wait to read the story – I am intrigued!
Oh my goodness! Aren’t the colors just sumptuous? I’m glad you like it; Ellen is fantastic! Happy reading!
This is an intriguing book description (a horrid Mrs. Bennet is a trope I happen to like, and I also like if Darcy returns of his own will instead of meeting Elizabeth again on a whim of fate). The cover is beautiful… but why is Elizabeth in black???
I look forward to reading this!
Should I class this as a spoiler? My Elizabeth will not be wearing black 🙂
The cover is stunning. I do hope it is a representation of Elizabeth at Pemberley due to the wealth portrayed. I am very curious as to what tragic thing almost happened at Longbourn? And, what is Mrs. Bennet up to once again. Thank you for the giveaway and all of the wonderful books (including yours) can be purchased.
I would say where she is…but that would be telling and where’s the fun in that? I will say that I do love the cover and I wish you luck in the giveaway.
I’m glad to see this cover reveal! I’ve been waiting for this book to become available. And thank you for such a terrific giveaway!
I love the colors on the cover image. It sets such a tone of potential for what we’ll read inside; very elegant but wistful at the same time.
Oooo…I like that description! Elegant but wistful, very nice. Thank you!
Congratulations! Thanks for this beautiful feature and giveaway which is captivating and special.
Captivating and special is also lovely. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!
A lovely cover and an intriguing premise – congratulations on your first release, Kay!
This is a beautiful cover. I received an ARC of this story and I can tell you that it is beautifully done even though the subject matter is painful. I am still pondering my review but I’ll be ready when it is released.
Good luck with the book.
Thank you! I’m glad you found beauty in the story as well as the cover!
one can never read too many Pride and Prejudice variations. Thank you for adding some good sounding ones too my list.
This is so true! I started my KU subscription just to feed my JAFF addiction!
What a beautiful cover! Looking forward to reading you book. Congratulations!
Thank you!
Ellen is just amazing! I don’t know how she managed to take the fragmented ideas I sent to the team and turn it into this. It must be magic!
I am so excited for everyone to read this story… I don’t think there is a more tender, devoted Darcy out there! Thanks for having this Meredith!
Aww…thanks, Amy!
Added to my tbr pile!
How do you come up with these ideas for your books?
How exciting!
I’ll talk more about my inspiration during the blog tour. For this story, I was inspired a bit by other JAFF writers, and a little by a song that was running through my head,.
Congratulations on your debut! I look forward to adding this book to my collection and I adore the rich colours on the cover – just stunning
I agree, the colors are quite striking. I hope you enjoy the story!
Gorgeous cover! I want the dress, too. And the book! It will be perfect from my end-of-summer holiday.
Oh good! It will be like getting to go on holiday with you? Are we going somewhere fun? Happy reading!
The cover is lovely and the story sounds very intriguing. Looking forward to reading this book.
I hope you enjoy the story! Thank you so much for taking a moment to comment.
Gorgeous cover! How exciting!
Thank you!!
Interesting story –so many questions of what may have happened and how things will evolve…
More than the cover itself (which is great) I love the way it managed to depict what you wanted–that is the greatest success in a cover!
Good luck!
I think that’s my favorite thing about the cover as well. I never imagined it would so perfectly capture the feeling of this story, but Ellen is magical! Thank you!
BEAutiful cover! Congrats!!
Thank you, Christina! You’ve been a rock star in all this!
Congrats on your book’s release. I love the cover, it fits the description of Elizabeth’s situation perfectly. I wonder what Mrs Bennet has done and wonder if it might have to do with Mr Collins.
Hmmm….it might 😉
Thank you so much for taking time to comment!
This cover is simply stunning–enough said!
Le sigh…it is. Thank you!
Congratulations on your book release. Keenly awaiting what ranspired, what tragedy, what happened to EB and how FD improves EB’s opinion of him.
Thank you for the first glance of the book and story and the chance to win the gift card.
Thank you so much for stopping in and taking time to comment! Good luck!
I recieved an arc of this story and read it in one session. Loved, Loved this story and the cover is perfect for this book. Congrats Kay can’t wait for your next one.
I am so perfectly delighted to know that you loved this story. It was bittersweet for me when it ended, because I kept wanting to go back for more. Thank you. Just….thank you.
Thanks to Meredith for hosting this cover reveal [say hello to your Mr. Bingley]. OMG! What an amazing cover. The colors are so rich and her expression is pensive… perhaps she has been crying as her face appears a bit flushed. Or perhaps that is a blush. To whom is she writing?
I have seen and read much of the fan fiction work of our author and I am so excited to see this story published. I’ve read it about three times or more as his letters, her letters and then when they were combined. Wow! I can’t wait to see it in published form. Congratulations, Kay for this new launch and I wish you all manner of success. Praise must also be given to your cover designer… Ellen Pickles I believe you said. Well done. My goodness, I do love a good cover. Blessings on the success of this work.
You know…I managed to go all day without getting teary, until this. Thank you for your kindness, for your encouragement and for all the love I can feel in this comment. I do hope you enjoy the published version, it has some new material in it as well.
I can’t say enough good things about Ellen’s talent or what she did with this cover. I am in awe every time I look at it.
The cover is beautiful. You must be thrilled. A lovely introduction to a great story.
Thank you Mary, I really am. This still feels a bit like a dream!
I think my comment was eaten.
Oh what could Elizabeth have done to get such treatment? I am looking forward to how this plays out. This is a new and interesting complication for Darcy and Lizzie! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
The poor girl has some unfortunate relations….thank you for stopping by and good luck!
What a beautiful cover!! I want to stroke that fur 😉 The book sounds lovely too!!
Don’t you just want to wrap yourself in that silk? I think I want the wrap at least as much as the dress!
One of the most elegant covers for P&P variations I have seen! The story sounds also very intriguing and I would love to drive into it 🙂 Congratulations on your new release!
Thank you so much! I know at this point I’m starting to repeat myself, but I am just in love with Ellen’s work!
What a stunning cover and back to Netherfield, a fantastic idea 😀
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the tale!
Huge congratulations on your debut novel, Kay! The Elizabeth on your cover is absolutely perfect. I wish you every luck with the launch!
Thanks, Jessie! I’m really excited!
What a great idea to write this book Kay!! It sounds like such fun & you are so right it is a stunning cover!! Would love to read it 🙂 Thanks for a chance to win!!
I hope you get that chance! Good luck.
Wow! What a beautiful cover. I look forward to reading your novel and will check out A Happy Assembly. Thanks for the giveaway. –Leslie
Oh, you’ll love AHA…so many lovely stories! Thank you and good luck!
Lovely cover. Congratulations on the launch of your book.
Thank you!
That book cover is **amazing**!! I want that dress, too!! And the story sounds incredible!! I am crossing my fingers and wishing hard for the gift card so that I can buy this lovely book!! 😀
Congratulations on the upcoming release of your first book; I am so excited for you!! 😀
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
I know! The dress…so rich and lovely! I wish you luck and hope you get to read the story soon!
Beautiful detail and color on the cover! Great blurb which has now caused me to salivate and stock up on handerkerchiefs in preparation for reading this in only a week, I hope!
You’re so kind! Thank you. Monday and Letters from the Heart will be here before you know it!
I love the cover, it’s beautiful. The book sounds very interesting, but sounds very sad. I hope it has a happy ending. Congratulations on the release.
I am a big fan of happily ever after…even if the road gets a little rough.
I adore fresh takes on Austen’s great stories. So looking forward to reading “Letters”. Would love to be the winner so I can add more Kay’s and so many other JAFF books to my Kindle library!
I hope you enjoy the story. Good luck!
Congratulations on this cover and the release. It sounds like much drama in ODC’s future. Will add to the TBR pile.
So much drama! But, also a well-earned happily ever after! Thank you for taking time to comment!
You’ve got my attention. I look forward to the full story. Thanks for writing it and for the giveaway and, especially, for not using Raffleopter or whatever the frustrating service is. I wish you well in your writing and selling.
The cover is gorgeous. It features a perfect Lizzie for the imagination.
The cover is very beautiful. In fact all the releases from Q&Q are amazing. I love it that Ellen use period paintings for the cover. I wish I can see the full wrap too.
I’m late to the game, here. But oh boy, I am looking forward to this book. Congratulations on your debut publication Kay. Cheers! And here’s to many more. That teaser of an outline has got my attention. Mrs. B. up to her old ‘horrible mother’ tricks, she’s always a great villainous spoon to stir the pot/plot. Mr. Darcy electing to go back to Hertfordshire BEFORE the big Hunsford showdown? Woo!
Oh that cover! I could read a lot into that mysterious and gorgeous cover. But I think I’ll let myself be surprised. Looking forward to the blog tour.