Happy Monday, friends! I am excited to welcome and feature the lovely authors of the Austen Anthologies series! As long-time readers of this blog may already know – I am a big fan of Austen-inspired anthologies! I always love the variety you find in anthologies – the different characters, time periods, even Jane Austen novels that inspired the various tales. Today I am sharing some excerpts from A Very Austen Romance – the 3rd book in the Austen Anthologies series. And you will be able to see some of the wonderful diversity I am talking about. I hope you enjoy! ❣️

~ From the Authors ~

It’s our delight to present our third anthology, A Very Austen Romance.

These books came about because of friendship. In fact, we’ve taken to calling each one “the book that friendship built”—because that’s true. The Internet brought us together, and we have been encouraging one another as writers ever since. Come share our friendship as we offer these new, Austen-inspired Regency novellas to you.

For this anthology, Chautona Havig joins us as guest author. Chautona is new to Jane Austen fiction, but she is a prolific writer. It’s exciting to have her with us.

A Very Austen Romance is just right for summer reading. And goodness, this book is LONG. (If you peek at the price of the paperback, you’ll know!)

We love these stories, and we think you will Set your worries aside and experience Jane Austen’s Regency world all over again.

~ Excerpts from A Very Austen Romance ~

THE KING OF HEARTS by Robin Helm

At a ball hosted in her honour, Kitty Bennet is confronted with a fascinating variety of dance partners. How can she choose?

Darcy stepped between them. “Gentlemen, shall we allow my sister to speak?”

After the men nodded, he turned to Kitty. “Now, my dear, since my friends have agreed to remain silent, what have you to say?”

She blushed prettily, looking at Lord Jonathan. “In answer to your question, My Lord, I am not engaged for the supper dance, and I should be honoured to dance with you.”

“Excellent, Miss Bennet,” he answered, reaching for her card which hung from her wrist.

She untied the ribbon and handed the card to him. After signing his name in the proper place, he returned it to her. “I shall find you when it is time. Shall I fetch you some punch while Lord Beaumont makes his case? I should hate to witness his embarrassment if he is refused. He can be a bit, shall we say, peeved when he doesn’t get his way.”

“Lord Beaumont has only to tell me which dance he prefers, for I have no intention of refusing him,” Kitty replied, turning to the diplomat, holding out her dance card to him.

Beaumont playfully raised a brow, a twinkle in his clear, blue eyes as he took the offered card. “I truly think I should have two dances, seeing as how you shall spend both the dance and the supper with my rival,” he said in honeyed tones.

Kitty was a bit stunned but recovered quickly. “People will gossip, My Lord.”

He shrugged. “People will gossip whether or not we dance two dances. Is that not correct, Darcy?”

Darcy actually grinned. “Yes, I suppose they will. However, as you are an honourable man, I have no objection to your having two sets if Katherine agrees.”

“Miss Bennet?” Lord Beaumont asked.

She inclined her head. “Choose the two you want, My Lord. Dancing with you shall be no hardship. I am quite aware of the honour you do me.”

He quickly wrote his dances on her card and gave it back to her. “I look forward to opening the ball with you, but I can hardly wait for the waltz. Very forward thinking of the Darcys to include a waltz. All London shall be abuzz tomorrow.”

Lord Jonathan narrowed his eyes at his friend. “Well played.”

Beaumont wore a rather smug expression, but remained silent.

~~~

A STEP TOO FAR by Wendi Sotis 

After being injured in a fall, Elizabeth Bennet convalesces at Netherfield, with Jane as her companion.

“Mr. Darcy is… interesting,” said Elizabeth.

“He seems quite interested in you, dearest Lizzy.” Jane smiled brightly.

“I will admit I do have warm feelings for him, but I would not count on their lasting. It most probably from his saving my life. I believe it is easy to mistake gratitude of that magnitude for affection.”

Jane’s smile faded. “I had not thought of it that way, but I suppose it could be.”

“Are you not glad you do not have that problem with Mr. Bingley?” Elizabeth winked at her sister. “I will hold off on making a decision as to how much I like Mr. Darcy for a while, though I am interested in what my opinion of him will be once we see him in company. Under normal circumstances.”

“You are always so wise.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “Definitely not! Was I wise when I fell off Oakham Mount? I have learned the hard way to stop and think before I leap.”

~~~

IN THE LOOKING GLASS by Mandy H. Cook 

Fanny Bingley, daughter of Jane and Charles, becomes impatient with hapless Mr. Dunby.

“What do you wish to do?” inquired Fanny, captivated by the gentleman’s passion.

“What can I do? Everywhere I turn, I am met by belligerence and obstacle,” Mr. Dunby returned, deflated.

“Look at me, Mr. Dunby,” Fanny demanded. “See me now as I stand in my finery. This is my uniform by which codes and regulations I am held. The useless works of my hands fill my days. Not a single life has ever been saved by sewing screens or arranging flowers. All I have left to do to complete my orders are to marry and to have children, two things over which I have little control.” Fanny’s expression was as tempestuous as it was sincere. “You will not stand here, bemoaning the strictures of your Society upon your ambitions. You wish to study medicine? The doors of Oxford swing open. You wish to have practical experience? The hospitals of London welcome you. You have an interest in artificial limbs? The men who specialize in the field hope you will stop by. You have friends among the Elite. You have the law at your disposal. You have war in your blood. Fight your fight.”

~~~

YOU’VE GOT TO KISS THE GIRL by Laura Hile

After being abducted from the gardens of Rosings Park, Elizabeth Bennet awakes to discover a gallant, but unidentified, rescuer.

Someone was saying her name. Not missy or dearie, but Elizabeth. She gave a start and discovered that the rim of a cup was at her lips. Not again! She pulled back with a shudder.

The cup was once more presented. “Take a sip, Miss Elizabeth. It will do you good.”

This was a new voice, one that was gentle and did not scold. No rough fingers seized her shoulders; no strong hands shook her. Elizabeth blinked her eyes open. The sudden blaze of light hurt. Was this the sun? No, it was candlelight. She struggled to see a face, but whoever had spoken was concealed in darkness.

Darkness was now especially terrifying to her. “Please,” she rasped, “no more laudanum.”

“This is only water. Have a little swallow.”

Elizabeth took a tentative sip. The water was clean and refreshingly cold. She then discovered that her wrists were no longer bound. She could move! With eager fingers Elizabeth took hold of the cup—a real glass tumbler—and finished every drop of the water.

“Would you care for soup?” the kind voice enquired. “I have some here for you.”

“Oh yes, please.” There was a rustling movement and then came a heavenly scent. “It smells wonderful.”

“It is rather good, surprisingly. Try not to look directly into the candle’s flame, Miss Elizabeth. After being blindfolded for so long, you’ll hurt your eyes. Are you able to sit up?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“You might find it easier to hold the cup if you removed your gloves.”

Elizabeth looked down. “Yes, of course. I …”

“Would you like me to help you?”

She nodded. In the halo of candlelight, a man’s hands appeared. They were clean hands with nicely-pared nails—the hands of a gentleman. “Gracious,” she observed. “My poor gloves are quite filthy.”

“I am glad to see it. Those gloves protected your hands from injury.”

She extended her arms. “But not my poor wrists, alas.”

She heard a deep sigh. “I’ll bring water so that you can wash. Drink your soup—just the broth to begin with. Your stomach might not tolerate more.”

“That wretched laudanum!”

“Was that what it was? I wondered. All things considered; I suppose it was a mercy.”

Elizabeth swallowed some of the soup. It was lovely, the perfect temperature for drinking. Had the man seen to that? “Thank you for rescuing me.”

“You have nothing to thank me for. We are not yet out of the woods, so to speak. But for the moment, take heart. You are safe.”

His face was turned away. “Who are you?” she said.

There was a pause. “Drink your soup, Miss Elizabeth.”

She took another swallow of soup and considered this. “If you will not tell me your name, why, I shall be forced to call you Galahad.”

He gave a sharp laugh. “A misnomer if there ever was one! I am far from being that, believe me. Finish your soup; I’ll fetch water and towels.”

“You must tell me your name, you know.”

“Some subjects are best broached in the light of day.”

What did he mean by that?

When he returned, it was only to place before her a bowl of warm water, an expensive bar of amber soap, and a towel. He took away her cup to refill it with more soup, or so he said. His long absence gave Elizabeth time to wash not only her hands and wrists, but also her face and neck. This wonderful improvement made her feel much more like herself.

Presently she heard a gentle knocking at the door. “May I come in?”

“Yes, please, for I would like more soup.”

From behind a filled cup, delightfully warm, was put into her hands. As before, he kept his face turned aside, out of the light.

“You are the man from the wagon, I think. You were tied up and unconscious for much of the time.”

“I was.”

“I heard one of the men say—Manny, I think he was called—that you have a punishing right hook, whatever that means.”

When he replied there was a smile in his voice. “It means that I hit him with my right fist, Miss Elizabeth. Rather hard.”

“Oh, thank you! Indeed, you are more like Sir Galahad than you think.”

“Not really. You see, I was aiming for his nose—and missed.”

~~~

Oh my! What a collection of delightful and enticing teasers!! I wonder which suitor will properly win Kitty’s heart! And Lizzy is recuperating at Netherfield – that is an interesting switch! I already love Fanny Bingley’s independent spirit – I wonder what will become of her fate….And who is Sir Galahad and why was Elizabeth abducted at Rosings!!! These novellas all sound most intriguing!!!  What do you think, friends? 😍

~ The Authors of A Very Austen Romance ~

Robin Helm, Laura Hile, and Wendi Sotis

Barbara Cornthwaite, Mandy H. Cook, and Chautona Havig

~ Connect with A Very Austen Romance Authors ~

Facebook   ❧    Goodreads   ❧    Instagram

~ Other Books in the Austen Anthologies Series ~

Book One – A Very Austen Christmas

Book Two – A Very Austen Valentines

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

These lovely authors generously brings ONE ebook copy of A Very Austen Romance for me to give away to ONE lucky reader from this blog!

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you!
• This giveaway ends July 13th!