Hi friends! The lovely Jayne Bamber is paying us a visit today to celebrate her newest release, Strong Objections to the Lady. Jayne came up with a super fun idea for an interview…see if you can guess the theme of my questions…and the reason for the theme. 😉

What are 4 things you love about Jane Austen and her novels?

1. My absolute favorite thing is the sense of humor! Jane Austen’s incredible wit absolutely shines with the comical situations she can create.

2. I love that the characters ring so true, even two centuries later.

3. I love the views of sisterhood, from the Bennets and the Dashwoods to the detestable Bertrams and even the vile Steele sisters.

4. I love the endless possibility that has led to the world of JAFF!

What are 4 things you learned with publishing your 4 stories?

1. I have learned a LOT about the Regency era through researching to make sure my books are accurate. Probably the strangest discovery I have made in researching is that consumption was considered a glamorous way to die.

2. I have learned that I work very well under pressure, which I am not entirely thrilled about LOL, but deadlines have become a lot less scary to me.

3. Brainstorming techniques! I have learned a few ways to work smarter (and harder) in the planning phase of writing, such as taking video notes whenever an idea hits me.

4. I’ve learned that I LOVE graphic design. I have gotten really into it by doing my own covers an promo material, and I hope to learn more and step up my game with each new book.

If you were to plan a fancy tea party, which 4 literary characters would you invite?

1. Anna Karenina

2. Edmond Dantes

3. Hermione Granger

4. Mr. Rochester

You are stranded on a desert island, what are the 4 Jane Austen movie adaptations you brought with you?

1. The 2009 Emma

2. The 1995 Pride & Prejudice

3. The 1995 Sense & Sensibility

4. The 1999 Mansfield Park

You are forming your dream squad, which 4 Jane Austen characters would be in your crew?

1. Lizzy Bennet

2. Marianne Dashwood

3. Catherine Morland

4. Charlotte Lucas (poor thing would have to talk sense into the rest of us ALL. THE. TIME.)

Which 4 Jane Austen characters do you think are underrated?

1. Emma Woodhouse

2. Mary Crawford

3. Caroline Bingley

4. Mrs. Jennings

What are 4 books you are hoping to read in 2020?

1. Spinning Silver – Naomi Novik

2. A Certain Age – Beatriz Williams

3. Daughters of the Winter Queen – Nancy Goldstone

4. A Court of Mist & Fury – Sarah J Maas

What are 4 of your favorite moments in Pride and Prejudice?

1. I love the way Mr. Bennet presents Mr. Collins’ letter to his family: “About a month ago I received this letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention.” Classic Mr. Bennet.

2. Lizzy subtly telling Mr. Wickham she knows he’s full of it after he marries Lydia.

3. Literally any time Mrs. Bennet needs her smelling salts.

4. Every little bit of Lizzy’s visit to Pemberley. The Gardiners totally know what’s up, Caroline gets put in her place, and though the pond scene isn’t in the book, it’s basically canon, right?

There’s a specific moment, in fact, during Lizzy’s time at Pemberley, that I know I am not alone in obsessing over: the piano moment. Ya know.

Awwww yeahhh. I love this moment so much that, even though most of Strong Objections is set in Kent, I had to put a little spin of my own on this spicy eye contact…. Which brings me to today’s excerpt….

~ Excerpt from Strong Objections to the Lady ~

In the drawing room, Mr. Darcy remained at her side as the old volumes were retrieved from the library and pored over at length. Elizabeth was often giving her sister beseeching looks to join them and quell the awkwardness that arose from the great upheaval of her feelings for Mr. Darcy, but Jane seemed oblivious to Elizabeth’s silent entreaties. Indeed, Jane was looking entirely out of sorts, renewing Elizabeth’s fear that her sister would fall ill after being out in the rain.

Elizabeth watched with some little anxiety as Jane was called upon to play for them – Jane was a modest performer, and though she claimed to lack Mary’s technical perfection and Elizabeth’s expressive style in performing, Elizabeth thought her sister did very well. She grew distracted from the conversation Anne and Mr. Mason had blessedly joined in, and was often watching Jane and offering looks of encouragement, lest her sister be cowed by the countess’ evident dislike.

Mr. Darcy interrupted one such moment by leaning in toward Elizabeth ever so slightly and giving her an arch look. “I am reminded of a similar evening not long ago, at Netherfield,” he whispered. “Miss Bingley was playing a lively scotch air, and I was overcome by the desire to dance a reel, though I was soundly refused.”

Elizabeth felt the heat growing on her cheeks as she recollected the occasion. She had been cultivating her private disdain for him at the time, though he must have had some affection for her even then. “I recall the very evening,” Elizabeth breathed. “I had not thought you serious in your request, for I had so recently been deemed not handsome enough to tempt you.” It was out of Elizabeth’s mouth before she could think what she was about, and Mr. Darcy’s mortification tore at her heart. “I am sorry,” she whispered, sliding her hand toward him across the open book they had been perusing together, until their fingers nearly touched.

Mr. Darcy could not meet her eye, but the clenching of his jaw betrayed what he was feeling – how well she had come to understand him, where before she had thought him devoid of every proper feeling. “You heard,” he breathed.

Elizabeth glanced over at Anne, who was debating the value of the literary collection with Mr. Mason, despite making some little attempt at being a good audience during Jane’s performance; they had not noticed the strange tension that had fallen over their companions. “Yes,” Elizabeth sighed.

Mr. Darcy inched his hand closer to hers, his fingers sliding between her own. “I should never have said it. I was out of sorts – I did not even mean it. You must know I have long held the opposite opinion.”

“Yes.”

He looked up at her with a hope in his eyes that shattered what remained of her composure. “Even then, I did not mean it. I have always… thought so well of you….”

“Please, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth softly beseeched him. “I did not mean to pain you.”

“I know – and yet….”

Anne’s laughter at Mr. Mason interrupted them, and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth fell silent for a moment, their hands sliding apart. Elizabeth tried to concentrate on listening to Jane and looking over the books without drawing attention from anybody, but she could think of nothing but the proximity of Mr. Darcy.

She stole a glance up at him, and he looked back at her with the trace of a smile before whispering, “What I meant to say before – I have had such a pleasant reminder of what a fine dancer you are, and now that we have music, might you be tempted…?”

Elizabeth met his eye with a surge of feelings she could neither trust nor resist. “To dance?”

He did not answer her, but inched closer still, his eyes searching hers with a question that could not be asked. Elizabeth could not bear the intensity, and was momentarily relieved when the countess interrupted them with her voice raised. “Not that tradesman Bingley, surely not! Darcy, come and account for yourself!”

Mr. Darcy instantly drew back as he looked over at his aunt, but Elizabeth’s gaze was fixed on her sister, who began to stumble through the song at the mention of Mr. Bingley.

The colonel recoiled from his mother in indignation, and had moved to stand, but Mr. Darcy headed him off, ignoring his aunt’s entreaties as he strode past her, to Jane’s rescue. “Miss Bennet, I fear we have neglected you,” he said as he stopped beside the instrument. “You cannot play without somebody to turn the pages for you.”

Elizabeth watched Mr. Darcy position himself protectively beside Jane, though he moved to face Elizabeth as he leaned over and turned the sheet music for her sister. The rest of their companions went about their business, with Anne and Mr. Mason examining the aged books and the countess whispering admonishments to her son, but Elizabeth could not take her eyes off Mr. Darcy, who warmly met her gaze.

Gratitude swelled in her breast, and perhaps something more. She held his eyes, flooded with a dozen other recollections of his overlooked kindness, and every instance in which he had betrayed his true sentiments, even in the last week. She thought of their dance the night before, brief as it was, and she thought with warmth flushed across her cheeks of what had almost followed, when he had twirled her about in the candlelight, and held her as the sky threatened to fall around them. This reverie lasted as long as Jane’s song, and when it concluded the magic of the moment seemed broken.

Strong Objections to the Lady is available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited now, with a paperback soon to follow. Til then, I hope you enjoyed this excerpt!

Thank you so much for answer my questions, Jayne! It was a lot of fun to do this interview and I loved the excerpt you shared with us…I think is very clever how you turned the tables a little bit!! 🎹🎩

~~~

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Jayne is kindly offering an ebook giveaway of Strong Objections to the Lady, in conjunction with her blog tour!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment for Jayne and fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

• This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Jayne!
• This giveaway will end January 11th.

Be sure to check out the rest of Jayne’s tour!