Hi readers! We are so happy to welcome back author Victoria Kincaid to Austenesque Reviews today! Victoria has been keeping bust preparing not one but TWO of her books for Audible audiobook release – Darcy vs. Bennet  and When Jane Got Angry! 🎧  Which means now there are 8 of Victoria Kincaid’s book available in Audible audiobook! 🙌🏼  If you haven’t read either of these books, take a look these excerpts Victoria is sharing from them today.

Hi Meredith! I love visiting your blog, so thank you for having me back. Since the procedure involved in turning a book into an audiobook is complex and time consuming, I’m always torn about which of my books to choose for the process. I am particularly happy that Darcy vs. Bennet is now in audiobook form since, of all my books, it is closest to my heart. I’d been considering a Romeo and Juliet type scenario for a P&P variation for a while and I really loved how well it fit with the characters. I’m also pleased that When Jane Got Angry is a new audiobook since it’s one of my readers’ favorites.

Both books are narrated by Stevie Zimmerman, who does a terrific job with all the characters (although I’m particularly fond of her Darcy). You can hear samples of her narration at these links: Darcy vs. Bennet and When Jane Got Angry.

~ Excerpt from Darcy vs. Bennet ~

“Miss Bennet!” he cried.

She stopped abruptly and whirled around, holding her bonnet in the slight breeze. Her face was a mask of cold civility. “Mr. Darcy.” The words barely emerged past gritted teeth.

He gave her a brief bow. “I wanted to explain my behavior last night.”

“Explain?” Her tone lost some of its hostility.

He took a few steps toward her and counted it as a minor victory that she did not retreat. “I did not know your surname until last night. I did not realize our fathers were at odds. But you did when you learned my full name the night of the masquerade.”

It was not quite a question, but Elizabeth nodded anyway. Something inside Darcy loosened. At least now he knew why she had run so precipitously. It was not anything he had done or said; unfortunately, it was also not something he could easily fix.

“I was most shocked by the revelation of your family name. I had despaired of ever finding you again, so I was elated…”

Her brows drew together. “Elated?”

Darcy continued. “But then learning of your family circumstances—”

“So this is the excuse for your uncivil behavior?” Elizabeth’s voice was level, but her eyes glittered dangerously.

“No, no.” Never had he longed for the greater facility of language enjoyed by the likes of Wickham or Richard. Taking a deep breath, he started again. “You do not know my father. He is a ruthless man who is accustomed to imposing his decisions on others—no matter who he hurts. He cannot know what passed between us at the masquerade ball!”

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “Nothing passed between us at the ball. We danced.”

Darcy ran his hands through his hair. On the face of it, her assertion was correct, but there was so much more beneath the surface. He sighed. There was nothing for it; he must reveal all. He fixed his eyes on the dirt of the road. “After the masquerade at Tilbury, I spent weeks attempting to ascertain your identity. My father may have heard about it; I believe he has spies among my staff.”

He glanced up to see her reaction. Her lips were parted and her eyes wide. “You tried to find me?” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I-I never—I am so sorry.”

Darcy shook his head. “I understand now why you left so abruptly.” He stopped himself before he reached for her hand. “The important thing now is to prevent my father from connecting that Elizabeth to Elizabeth Bennet.”

She took a step toward him. “If he did, he would hurt you?”

“Not me. I am his heir. But he might hurt you. He hates your father with an unholy passion. If he suspected that I harbored any partiality to one of your father’s daughters, he would take any measures to separate us.”

Elizabeth swallowed visibly.

“I pray you, believe me!” he pleaded.

“I-I—” She blinked. “Yes, yes, of course, I believe you. You would never make up such a story about your own father.”

Some of the tension in Darcy’s shoulders eased. “For this reason I believe it is best if we conceal our previous meeting.”

“But you remarked that I was not handsome enough to tempt—”

The misery in her voice squeezed Darcy’s chest. He closed the distance between them until they were almost touching. “Another misdirection on my part. There are those in my party—not Bingley, of course—who would happily report any of my missteps to my father. He will soon learn that I have encountered Thomas Bennet. Most likely he will write to demand that I quit Meryton immediately.”

~ Excerpt from When Jane Got Angry ~

During a lull in the conversation, Bingley seized the opportunity to introduce a new subject. “I saw Miss Jane Bennet this morning.”

Caroline’s spoon fell into her soup, splattering drops everywhere. Louisa shot her sister a sidelong glance.

“A-Are you sure it was Miss Bennet?” Caroline asked quickly, using a napkin to dab the soup stains on her bodice. “You have believed you have seen her before. I recall a time on Regent Street—”

For the love of—! “Yes, it was Miss Bennet. I spoke with her.”

Caroline straightened herself in her chair. “I am astonished to learn that Jane Bennet is in town and failed to call upon us.”

“Indeed,” Louisa nodded. “One would like to think we were good enough friends.”

“Well, Sister, consider: perhaps she has not been in London overly long,” Caroline said with a conciliatory air.

“Two months, she said,” Bingley volunteered. Perhaps I should not call at Gracechurch Street. Jane might harbor some resentment against my family after all. The ham tasted like ashes in his mouth.

Caroline’s eyebrows rose. “Two months? I would think that sufficient for at least one visit.” She fussily rearranged the ruffles on her sleeve. “It appears she has forgotten us amidst the distractions of London.”

“You did not even receive a letter from her?” Bingley asked.

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Do not be tedious. I would have informed you immediately if I had received a letter.” She cut into her own ham with relish.

Louisa sniffed. “Jane did not even reply to the last letter I sent her. It is as I suspected, Sister. That woman is only interested in our brother’s fortune. Her appearance of friendship was feigned.”

The ham turned sour in his stomach. Bingley had assumed his sisters and Jane had experienced some sort of misunderstanding—a letter gone astray perhaps. But his sisters’ report suggested Jane had lost interest in the acquaintance. Bingley would not have believed it of her, but what other explanation was possible?

Caroline wiped her lips delicately with her napkin. “This is most vexing! We hardly run in the same circles as those sorts of people. And London is such a large city. We are unlikely to encounter Jane except by special arrangement.”

“Indeed,” Louisa agreed tartly.

Bingley said nothing. He knew from past experience that disputing his sisters’ assumptions would lead to scenes of unpleasantness that would upset him far more than disturb them.

They understood such social niceties better than he did; in such circumstances he was accustomed to relying on their judgment. If they believed Jane was slighting them deliberately, how could Bingley say otherwise?

Perhaps a visit to Gracechurch Street was not a good idea. Bingley laid his fork next to his plate; abruptly he was no longer hungry.

Two lovely excerpts, indeed! Thank you so much for sharing, Victoria!! We loved both of these stories.  If you need proof, see HERE and HERE.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Today, Victoria brings with her ONE audiobook copy of Darcy vs. Bennet  and ONE audiobook copy of When Jane Got Angry for me to giveaway to TWO lucky winners!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, a question, or some love for Victoria!!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Victoria!
• This giveaway ends September 30th!