Happy Monday, readers! I am so excited to be welcoming our dear friends Cass Grafton and Ada Bright to Austenesque Reviews today! As you may already know, this wonderful pair has published two brilliant Austen-Inspired stories about Jane Austen being able to time-travel! 🕰💫 If only!
And as you may have heard already, they are getting ready to release a new Regency story that is a blend of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion! Woot woot! 🙌🏼 I always love seeing characters from other Jane Austen novels meet, but there is just something extra special about the characters of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion meeting! 💗 I cannot wait to see what happens! 🤗
~ Book Description ~
In the aftermath of the Netherfield Ball, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are determined to find respite—Darcy from the allure of the lady and the feelings she evokes in him, and Elizabeth from the awful drama unfolding at Longbourn following Charles Bingley’s removal from the neighbourhood.
Fate is not done with them, however, as they both—unbeknownst to the other—take refuge on the Kellynch estate in Somersetshire, home to Sir Walter Elliot and two of his daughters.
Whilst Elizabeth takes solace from her friendship with Anne Elliot, Darcy finds little comfort in his reacquaintance with the woman fast taking hold of his heart and senses—or, indeed, in Miss Elliot’s company, whose fluttering eyelashes make her intentions plain.
As for Anne, it is five long years since she last laid eyes upon Captain Frederick Wentworth, and though her regret lingers, she has found some contentment in life… until distressing news arrives, and Anne has to face rebuilding herself anew.
Then, hints of deep secrets emerge amongst the gathered company—some recently stolen, others harboured for decades—and as the mystery begins to wrap tendrils around the residents of the Kellynch estate, Darcy struggles to extricate himself from the snare threatening to encase him.
Can Darcy uncover the truth, and be freed from his ever-tightening bonds, before it is too late? Will Elizabeth even care if he does? And just what has become of Captain Wentworth?
Two of Jane Austen’s classics collide in this intriguing tale of pride, prejudice and persuasion set in England’s beautiful West Country.
And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: March 9, 2021)
Oh! It is exquisite! The lighting, the dress, her hair – what a beautiful scene! 🖼
Letters…one commonality that unites Persuasion and P&P is that the heroes write and deliver letters to the heroines – I wonder what letters we will see in this variation? 💌
I love all the details we see in the fabrics this woman wears – just look at all the lovely different patterns! 🧵
I am dying to know what is ensnaring Mr. Darcy and what is the distressing news about Captain Wentworth! 😧
What do you think, friends? 🤔
~~~
~ Prologue from Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion ~
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, writes to his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam
Mount Street
Mayfair
Thursday, 28 November 1811
Cousin,
I trust you are conveniently situated in Dorset and that your quarters answer for your immediate needs—do not, I beg you, send me further details on the sanitary habits of your regiment. I am well able to comprehend the reality, without your explicit illustrations.
Thankful though I am to receive word of your continued good health, I do have a modicum of regret that your hearing is not compromised. Following your call upon Georgiana last week, I shall have to caution her to exercise more discretion in sharing the content of my correspondence.
Despite your suggestion to the contrary, no young lady has caught my attention. Georgie’s imagination is rapid. It has leapt from a casual reference to an expression of interest without any justification. (Pray ignore the smudges; my pen blots at will.)
Besides, even with your poor talent for deduction, you will note I have quit Hertfordshire for Town. My friend and his sisters have likewise returned, and I hope this will be the end of Bingley’s—and thus my own—association with the county.
I can picture you now, Cousin, brow quizzically raised as you muse upon the reasons for such a precipitous departure, when I had envisaged being bound to attend Bingley for some months. My motives were two-fold.
My friend, you may recall, is of an open disposition and has a propensity for rapidly forming attachments, his admiration for a young lady often turning to love before they have exchanged above three words. He had the misfortune to develop such a tendresse in Hertfordshire, concerning a lady of inferior birth and from a most unsuitable family. So blatant were Bingley’s attentions, a marriage was being anticipated by the local populace.
Thus, when my friend was obliged to return to Town yesterday—the day after hosting his confounded ball—our party hastened after him.
Bingley’s sisters joined me in expressing a mutual disapprobation over the lady’s circumstances, pointing out the evils of such a match. I feared, nonetheless, my friend would not concede to our plea for him to remain in Town for the winter; thus, I was obliged to further persuade him of the young lady’s indifference. In this I am confident, and my assurance carried weight.
My second inducement for leaving so swiftly—be warned, Cousin—is of a far more disagreeable nature.
Wickham is now stationed in Hertfordshire with his regiment! My immediate anxiety was for the county’s proximity to London and our charge remaining there unprotected by either of us. What is more, I learned shortly before the ball that Wickham had taken himself off to the Capital.
You can imagine my desperation to return to Georgiana’s side directly. I will own this added impetus to my encouragement of the Hursts and Miss Bingley to join me in following my friend (though I did, of course, speak no word to them regarding Wickham.)
There is one final matter, which I am obliged to set before you. As you know, Georgiana has been suffering in recent weeks under a heavy cold, and the impending winter and present damp weather are preventing a swift return to health. She remains wan and listless, with a persistent cough, and though Mr Wilson assures me there is no danger, it keeps her from repose at night; thus, she is also fatigued.
My intention is to take Georgie west, where the climate and rural surroundings will provide better opportunity for her to safely take the air throughout the coming months; as such, I have secured lodgings in Somersetshire, but forty miles distant from your encampment at Blandford.
Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch Hall has been most obliging, offering a property on his estate for the length of our stay. (Though I suspect his assistance is for non-altruistic reasons. The rumours in Town are of his being strapped for cash). Rein in your alarm, Cousin. I am quite safe from any hopes the gentleman may entertain regarding his unmarried daughters.
We shall remain there for the duration of the winter, at the least, and hope to return to Town in the late spring. There is an open invitation for you to pass as much of your liberty with us as you can spare from your parents—you will be a more than welcome sight for your two exiled cousins. I shall send the direction as soon as we are established in the county.
I know you care as deeply for Georgiana as I—indeed, you are as another brother to her. Let us hope this will aid in the improvement of her health, for her spirits, as you know, are still not recovered fully from the events of the summer.
I remain, as ever, your loyal servant.
F Darcy
~o0o~
Miss Elizabeth Bennet writes to her aunt, Mrs Gardiner
Longbourn
Hertfordshire
Friday, 29 November 1811
My dear Aunt,
How are you and the family weathering this inclement season in Gracechurch Street? Be thankful for your pavements; the rains seem never-ending in Hertfordshire, and we have mud and disruption all about.
But oh, dear aunt, if I despaired of only this! When I recollect the catalogue of misfortunes I related in my last—was it but two days ago?—I had no notion matters could worsen beyond my imagining!
How, I hear you say, could they worsen, my disappointment in Mr Wickham not attending the ball being so profound—and all through the insufferable Mr Darcy’s influence? How could they worsen more than the ignominy of being obliged to dance the first set with my cousin Collins—his skill in the activity warranting as much respect as his character—and then his having the temerity to propose marriage to me? How could they worsen for Jane, who—after an evening of such delights—knew Mr Bingley’s travelling to Town the following day would prevent his calling?
This is how. Word has come, by Miss Bingley’s hand to Jane, of the whole party’s removal to London and giving no indication of their return. Further, she claims her brother’s attention is all upon Mr Darcy’s sister—a match she says the families anticipate with pleasure.
I doubt there is truth in what is said about Miss Darcy or that Mr Bingley will not return. His inclination was too pronounced, but Jane will not heed my words and has taken this letter in all faith. I have failed to sway her to the contrary.
And now for the worst of it. You will recall my relief at escaping such a fate as being shackled to Mr Collins. Sadly, it had not long to endure.
In the light of Mr Bingley’s defection, and all her schemes for seeing Jane settled at Netherfield come to naught, Mama is encouraging my beloved sister to accept the hand of our cousin instead! To prey upon Jane’s sweet, obliging nature when she is so low in spirit is cruel indeed, but Mama will not let up, and Jane is now giving it serious consideration.
Mr Collins thankfully left us today, for he is obliged to return to Kent, but he has avowed his intention of returning in a fortnight to press his case, and Mama is so set upon making it happen, I fear the worst.
I beg you will be able to talk some sense into Jane, for I know there is little point trying to instill any in my mother.
Jane says it matters not whom she weds, with Mr Bingley gone from her life. I hate to see her so disillusioned, but she will not be drawn into my way of thinking. How thankful am I that you will be here within a week of Mr Collins’s return to pass the festive season at Longbourn.
May I petition for an invitation for Jane to accompany you and Uncle Gardiner to Town directly afterwards, that you may give her respite from the pressure being brought upon her? If fortune blesses us, she may even cross paths with Mr Bingley.
I beg an early response, my dear aunt. Send me some solace as I try to lift Jane’s spirits.
Your affectionate niece,
Lizzy
P.S. Despite the above, I would not have you believe I have kept to my room in a fit of pique at not gaining my point! Indeed, quite the contrary, for I have made a new acquaintance.
A Miss Anne Elliot has come to stay at Lucas Lodge. Charlotte informs me Sir William was introduced to the lady’s father, Sir Walter Elliot, at St James’s. She seems a genteel lady, a little older than I, but we appear to have much in common. I find I like her very well.
We are to dine at Lucas Lodge this evening, and I anticipate furthering the acquaintance before Miss Elliot is obliged to return to her home in Somersetshire.
I can’t wait to see what Darcy and Elizabeth do when they encounter each other again! Thanks so much for sharing, Cass and Ada!
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Cass and Ada generously are offering THREE copy (paperback or ebook – winner’s choice) of Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion for me to give away to THREE lucky readers!
To enter this lovely and generous giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Cass and Ada! 💕 (Prize won’t be sent out until mid-March)
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Cass and Ada!
- This giveaway ends January 18th!!!
So excited for this as great to have a book with all my favorite characters together.
Good luck in the draw!!!
Looking forward to this mashup have a beloved story of second chances with Persuasion alongside the ever popular Pride & Prejudice.
This is my first 2021 must read and cannot wait for the paperback. A giveaway to boot! Yay! Looking forward to March!
Hope very much you enjoy! Good luck in the draw!
I am eager to read this whole story! I confess that on my first listening to Persuasion, I became so enraged at Sir Elliott s behavior to poor Anne, that I almost threw the disc out the window! And I had borrowed it from the library!
It is very cold now, so my windows are closed…
The excerpts are delightfully intriguing!
Oh dear, Roxey! If you think Sir Walter’s behaviour was bad towards Anne in the original, you won’t like it in this one!
It sounds really interesting having together Anne and Elizabeth ❤
Hope you will give it a try, Cristy, and good luck in the draw!
Gorgeous cover! I love everything about it!! I also love that it starts off with letters. I love letters in a novel. They add such intimacy. I was so excited to hear Cass and Ada were writing another novel. I could have followed along with each chapter, but I like to read the book ‘fresh’ once it is published. I enjoy that anticipation of what lies beneath the covers…and what a cover it is! I am thrilled to have a chance at winning a copy and I am thrilled with Elizabeth and Anne becoming friends. Thank you ladies and CONGRATULATIONS!
I think a lot of people prefer to read in one go once a book is out (and I do too)!
Thank for the congratulations and good luck in the draw!
What an absolutely gorgeous cover! The story sounds interesting and I love when letters are involved! Can’t wait to see what happens next!
So happy you love the cover! Good luck in the draw!
What a beautiful cover! I can’t wait to read a combination of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, my favorite Jane Austen novels!
So pleased you like the cover! They are my favourite JA novels too!
The cover is Stunning and Perfect in every way!
I have already read the first 21 chapters on-line and can’t WAIT to have this book in my hands!
Cass and Ada have done a fantastic job on this story.
Thank you! We love the cover too!
And thank you for the kind words! Good luck in the draw!
Thank you so much for letting us visit again, Meredith! You’ve done a fabulous reveal and we’re so happy you love the cover!
So excited for this one. It is at the top of my must have list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Hope you enjoy when it’s out, Stephanie! Good luck in the draw!
This cover is gorgeous!! I’ve been following along on your blog, Cass. I love what I’ve read so far and can’t wait for more! Thanks for the chance to win.
So happy you are enjoying the read along, Kim! Good luck in the draw!
I agree that the cover is stunning. I, too, noticed the details in the dress. I am wondering if the letters are from different writers or the same writer. Thank you for answering how Mr. Darcy ended up near Elizabeth. One can easily see how Elizabeth and Anne would become friends. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway. The book sounds great!
It’s funny how natural the friendship between Lizzy and Anne feels! Of course, in this book, it’s the P&P timeline, so Anne is 24 (3 years younger than she is in Persuasion).
Good luck in the draw!
Thank you for telling me Anne is 24. I was previously thinking she was the same age as Charlotte Lucas. Thank you for responding.
Pleasure! 😀
Beautiful! That cover is stunning! Well done. I am so excited for you both, Cass and Ada. Readers are going to flip for this novel.
You know you are as much a part of it! Can’t wait to work on the rest of it with you over the coming weeks!
You two are a dream team to work with. Your words are smart, elegant, and emotive. I love this story so much.
❤️
This story sounds phenomenal! P&P and Persuasion and my two favorite JA books. It will be interesting to see a friendship develop between Elizabeth and Anne Elliot. And this book has a mystery too??? Great combo. Thanks for entering me in the drawing. I’d love to win this book.
My favourite two as well!
It’s been lovely how well the friendship works, though of course Anne is 24 and a bit closer to Lizzy’s age in this book as it’s set in 1811, immediately after the Netherfield Ball!
Good luck in the draw!
I have been following this as chapters were posted on the blog. Great story. Persuasion is my second favorite of JA’s stories. Love the beautiful cover. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
So glad you are enjoying reading along, Sheila!
Good luck in the draw!
Une très couverture !!! Un extrait très intéressant et intriguant qui donne bien envie de découvrir ce roman Félicitations au duo d’auteur Merci pour ce ce concours 🙂
Merci, et bonne chance!
Two of my favorite Jane Austen novels – couldnt ask for more! Love the cover!
My favourites too, Lily! Glad you love the cover. Good luck in the draw!
Cass and Ada, love your writing. Is that Elizabeth or Anne on the cover? A younger Anne would have that bloom, and you’ve said she’s 24 in this story. I do look forward to reading your latest. Thanks for sharing here at Austenesque Reviews, and thanks to Meredith for hosting.
Both Ada and I talked about the young lady and decided it could be either. Yes, Anne is only 24, so younger than in Persuasion. Good luck in the draw!
That is a gorgeous cover, and I am so excited by just the idea of this crossover. Definitely need to add this to the TBR mountain.
Glad you love it! Good luck in the draw!
I absolutely love the cover. Very excited for you and this wonderful endeavor
Persuasion is my favorite JA and it is thrilling to read Anne and the Captain’s story mixed together with Elizabeth and Darcy.
Love stories for the ages
I so agree it is a love story for the ages! Thank you we hope you get to read it and enjoy it when you do!
We love it too, Sam!
Hope you continue to enjoy, and good luck in the draw!
My two favorite Austen novels meet! I’m looking forward to reading this book.
I have been reading the chapters as Cass has posted and they are most intriguing!!! Would love to be a winner winner, chicken dinner!!!!
Good luck in the draw, Hollis!
My two favs too, Keara! Hope you enjoy the read and good luck in the draw!
Thank you Keara, good luck in the draw!!
Such a beautiful cover and I’m enjoying your tale very much on the blog. I can’t wait to see how you work it all out. Congratulations Cass and Ada!
Thank you! Good luck in the draw!
How beautiful is that cover and I love this crossover idea!
Good luck in the draw! Hope you enjoy when you get to read it!
What a beautiful cover. I agree with Meredith, that dress is amazing and all the textures and the lighting, her hair, and… and… well, you know. I would love an ecopy of the book. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Congratulations to both authors on a successful launch of this work. Thanks to Meredith for hosting and thanks to the authors for the generous giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing. Blessings, everyone, stay safe and healthy.
Love that you love the cover!
Good luck in the draw!
I’m waiting impatiently for this release, I love when the good colonel plays a vital part. Great excerpt and a stunning cover. Congratulations ❤️
The colonel is the easiest character to write and such fun to be around! 😉
Good luck in the draw!
Oh, an excellent premise! I love it when characters from multiple stories meet. Can’t wait to read more!
Hope you enjoy! Good luck in the draw!
OMG a crossover of my two preferred books ever!!! And the cover is so sweet. I would love one of the paperbacks…
I love digital, but there’s nothing quite like keeping those memories of what we’ve read in the paperback form, is there?! Thank you!
Good luck in the draw, Pasquis!!
The cover is gorgeous! I love mashups of Austen novels. The friendship between Elizabeth and Anne would definitely have been a close one. I can’t wait to read this and see how it all plays out.
Thank you! We love it too!
Good luck in the draw!
Isn’t it adorable? I love it too!
Good luck in the draw, Dara!
I love the girl on the cover! Thank you for asking the question Suzan, apparently it could be either Anne or Elizabeth.
I do prefer to read stories in one go but alas I have no will power so have been reading along!
I am praying that those who deserve to suffer for their actions really do?
I’m also praying for happy endings for at least four characters!
Thank you for sharing this lovely cover Meredith.
We wanted the girl to be whichever of the girls they wanted her to be… but it does fit either! 😉
LOL re reading along! There’s a lot of story to go yet, Glynis, so you can stop the reading along then and just plough into the novel!
If you know our writing, you will know we go for happy endings… well, for those that deserve them!
When I say ‘they’ I mean our lovely readers! We wanted them to decide if it was Anne or Lizzy!
If I didn’t already know what amazing storytellers Cass and Ada are, this cover alone would make me a fan. Stunning. Cannot wait to add this book to my collection. Thank you so much for the preview and for sharing on your blog. Love it.
Tart?!!! Tart??!!! Where for art though Tart?!! You owe me a drink somewhere missy! Thank you for checking in!!!
Err, shouldn’t that be thou, Ada?
As soon as this lockdown is over, the first round is on Clarice!
Ah, I miss Clarice!!!
So happy you love it, Tart! <3
Wishing you luck in the giveaway draw!
Hi Cass and Ada!
I love the excerpt you’ve brought to Meredith’s place because I’m very fond of epistolary novels and also I think Lizzy and Anne’s friendship is really plausible.
I would like to know how the process of writing a novel by “two” hands worked in your case. Was it a challenge? Was it easy and fun? Did you have some problem with such great brainstorming by both sides? LOL
I love the cover, it’s so elegant!
Thanks for the giveaway and good luck with the release!
Hi Teresa!
Hope we don’t disappoint in that only the prologue and epilogue are fully epistolary – but there are an awful lot of letters winging to and fro throughout the story!
We’ve been co-writing for many years (since 2002, in fact, when we first met online) and by now we’ve got a rhythm to it. It’s often fun, we laugh a lot, and the brainstorming is brilliant because there are two minds at it! 😉
Good luck in the draw!
Cass
This book sounds wonderful. I look forward to reading it. As Persusion is my favourite Austen book and Pride & Prejudice is my second favourite, I look forward to this Mashup.
Persuasion is my favourite too! It used to be P&P but somehow they switched over in recent years.
Good luck in the draw!
What do I think? I think this is absolutely wonderful. The “P” books are the best (Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion), and this one looks to be equally as wonderful.
I want to read/own this! Thanks for being so generous.
Thank you so much!!! We hope you enjoy! Good luck in the draw!!
Ada
We’re excited that you’re excited! Good luck in the draw!
Okay, this sounds fab. I’m a die-hard Persuasion fan so am always up for a Persuasion imagining, and the marriage of it and P&P?! So interesting! I can see Anne and Lizzy being smashing friends and I love the idea of their friendship. And while I am not a Darcy girl, I am very much a Wentworth one, and I’m going to have to get this book just for that. Congrats to the authors on this release!
Audra, I am a Wentworth girl myself and I was excited to see how easy it was to write the friendship between the girls. It’s always fun when the idea actually works! Thank you for commenting!
The friendship between Anne and Lizzy has worked so well! We love it!
Hope you enjoy the read, and good luck in the draw!
Even since I saw Cassandra Grafton announcing this book on Facebook I’ve been eager to read it! She has written one of my all time favourite books and because Persuasion and P&P are my favorite Austen novels this book sounds perfect to me!!! I bet it won’t dissapoint.
Thank you so much for sharing this Meredith! I can’t wait for the book to come out to get myself a copy 🙂
Thank you so much Rita, I happen to think Cass writes beautifully too 😉 😉 😉 . *hugs Cass*
❤️
Feeling the pressure, Rita! Good luck in the draw!
I love “Persuasion” and can’t wait to read this reimagining of my two favorite Austen novels! Thanks for making this available.
Thank you Tiffany! Good luck in the draw!
Our pleasure, Tiffany! Good luck in the draw!
Congrats Cass and Ada on your upcoming release. The excerpt was great and the premise sounds really original and exciting. Sounds like you’ve both been busy during all these lockdowns! What better way to while away the long hours at home than by writing! All the best with its release. Count me into the giveaway! If I don’t win a copy it’s definitely one to add to the TBR pile. 🙂
Hi Elaine!!!! How are you?? Thanks for checking in and commenting!
I’m good thanks! Hope you are too and surviving this crisis we’re all going through! It’s so great to escape with JAFF!!
Thank you, Elaine! Hope all is well with you!
We both found writing contemporary a bit tricky last year, so headed back to the Regency era instead!
Good luck in the draw!
I’m well thank you, hope you and your family are too. I’m really foward to reading this, such a beautiful cover too btw. x
Aww, thanks. We love the cover too! xx
My two favourites! I’m so excited to read this. Thank-you
Mine too, Kate! Good luck in the draw!
Mine too! lol
Hope you enjoy! Good luck in the draw!
I had been reading chapters online. It is nice to know when it will be published. Thanks for the opening excerpts from Darcy and Elizabeth!
You’re welcome! Hope you continue to enjoy and good luck with the giveaway!
Honestly, Ahhhhh! I love this concept. And what a great powerhouse duo to take it on! Cannot wait to read this one!
Quite a lot of pressure as we loved so much from each of the originals. Thank you for entering the draw!
Oooo, Morghan! are you related to Morgan in The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen? Perhaps you could go time travelling with Jane Austen next book?! 😉
So glad you are looking forward to reading! Good luck in the draw!
What an engaging cover! I am looking forward to reading this.
Thank you! We hope you enjoy. Good luck on the draw!
Thank you so much, Brenda!!
Good luck in the giveaway draw!
Exquisite cover and I love that this is a correspondence romance!
Hi Sophia Rose!!!!!! Hope you are well! I don’t know how to do emojis here! But heart heart, hug!
So glad you love the cover, Sophia Rose, but I hope we don’t disappoint with the story! It’s only the Prologue and Epilogue told through actual letters (though correspondence is winging its way to and fro throughout, being the email/WhatsApp/text of the day)! 😉
Good luck in the draw!
What a striking cover! I’m not quite sure whether I’m looking at a portrait or a photograph but the end result is something greater than either one. And I’m sure I will be saying the same about the content of the book itself. Who hasn’t wondered what Wentworth and Darcy might have talked about if they’d ever met? Hopefully, in this book we’ll find out!
Thank you Michelle! Good luck in the draw!
Isn’t it gorgeous? I adore it! 😀
Good luck in the draw, Michelle!
Very lovely cover, the lighting is fine very well. I like the idea of the friendship of Anne and Lizzy being new in nature and not a long history of a family connection scenario. Congrats on the new release, loved love to read it and find out what’s going on with Frederick.
Thank you Colleen! I especially like the light in the cover also! And Frederick is a favorite of mine.
So pleased you love the cover, Colleen! Good luck with the giveaway!
The cover is lovely, and the blend of my two favorite Austen novels looks intriguing. Thank you for sharing the excerpt!
Isn’t it interesting how so many of us love these two stories especially? Thank you for commenting and entering the draw!
It’s lovely to hear how many readers have P&P and Persuasion as their top two Austen novels! We should start a club! lol
Wishing you luck in the giveaway draw, Robin!
I have been greatly enjoying this story. It is wonderful to have Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice combined. These are my two favorite Austen stories. Sir Elliot and Elizabeth Elliot of A-holes, but this gives some specific examples. They are nasty. I sure hope Darcy can get out of this one, as there could be no happily ever after if beholden to the and they would try to drain Pemberly of its funds. Maybe Darcy could fix a settlement that prevents that to run the off. Hopefully Anne and her captain can get a couple of extra years together or at least be waiting for one another. I love having Anne and Elizabeth Bennet as friends. They would complement one another. Thankyou for sharing. The cover is wonderful.
We’re excited you’re reading! Believe me, we had the unattractive (in heart) Elliots even worse in some iterations, but Cass is a genius at getting the point across without over doing anything.
Yes, I’m afraid we’ve taken the rather unpleasant Sir Walter and Miss Elliot from Persuasion and made them rather worse! 😉
Anne and Elizabeth turned into a surprisingly good friendship and we loved writing it!
Good luck in the giveaway!
“Persuasion” is my favorite of JA’s books, with P&P coming in second. And I very much enjoy when the characters intermingle. I’m really looking forward to enjoying this.
I’m curious to know how both D & E end up at K; what’s their relationship to any of the residents there?
Oooo, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say… though I think that much has already been revealed in Cass’s sharing of the chapters… let me find the link there for you!
Ditto re the order of books, Ginna! <3
The relationship between the characters is quite 'new', as you can see in the Prologue letters above! Darcy has been acquainted with Sir Walter Elliot in London and he has offered Darcy a property on the Kellynch estate for the winter. Lizzy meets Anne in Hertfordshire, where she has come to visit her friend, Charlotte Lucas. You'll find out how she ends up on the Kellynch estate in the early chapters!
Good luck in the draw!
A must read for me. The cover is gorgeous.
Thank you Mary! We think it’s gorgeous too!
Aww, thank you, Mary!
OOh, I love the cover. It is beautiful! I am looking forward to reading this book, and thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Thank you for commenting! Good luck!
Glad you love it, Cyndy! Wishing you luck in the draw!
I’m ready to read! You had me at Persuasion.
Our pleasure! Good luck in the draw!
love the missives.
denise
ps. beautiful cover
Thank you, Denise! Good luck in the draw!
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing an excerpt on this new bookand this lovely cover. Thak you for the chance of winning a copy. Eager to know what happen to our ODCs.
Our pleasure! Good luck in the draw!
Love the cover and both original stories. Can’t wait to read your blended version. Sounds intriguing!
Thanks, Brenda! Good luck in the draw!
What a GORGEOUS cover, Cass and Ada!!! Absolutely stunning!! 😀
I am not allowing myself to read the excerpt because I have a huge work deadline looming, and I am cheating already by peeking into Meredith’s post…but, knowing you two and your amazing collaborations, I couldn’t resist just the slightest look-see.
Okay, okay, back to my online research essay class and two other essays to grade–but I am so excited for your newest collaboration, the scintillating cover, and the opportunity to win a cherished copy of another amazing book sprung from your imaginations. In your case. two heads are *always* better than one!! 😀
Much love,
Susanne 🙂
Aww, thanks so much, Susanne!
Lovely to hear from you. Good luck with the online classes and in the draw!
The cover is beautiful!
Thank you, Lois! Good luck in the draw!
Omg! The cover is gorgeous! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book fairly soon! P&P and Persuasion in one okay I’m in heaven! ❤️ thank you for the chance to win this beautiful and absolutely brilliant book from two of my favourite authors
Good luck in the draw, Sophia! Glad you love the cover!
Congratulations to Cass and Ada!!! I have been reading the chapters online and the story is very intriguing. The cover is very beautiful. It reminds me of Anne reading Frederick’s letter in Persuasion, my favorite Austen book. I can’t wait to read the book!!!
Thank you, Rosa! So glad you are intrigued! Lots more to come yet!
Good luck in the draw!
Oh my, a new story from my favourite writing duo! I can hardly wait. It sounds so romantic … !!
Aw, thank you Janis! Good luck in the draw!
There’s definitely romance for some of the characters!!
What a fantastic idea to bring these two beloved books together & turn it into a brand new story. Those fluttering eyelashes, sounds super fun. Can’t wait to read this one, so please count me in. Thanks 😀
Good luck in the draw, Charlotte! Hope you enjoy the read!
A soy love the cover! Interesting excerpt to see what happens next. Congratulations on publishing your book and for the chance in the giveaway.
Thank you, Shelley! Good luck in the draw!
I love the Fitzwilliam Darcy’s letter. It’s funny to read it when we know what happened before. It’s rather surprising coming from Darcy to send a letter with smudges. Incredible, his pen blots at will. Poor Mr Darcy, he is in pain and denies. As for Elizabeth’s letter, one day after, her mind seems more serene.
Yes, fancy Darcy blotting!! lol
Good luck in the draw!
This seems like a very intriguing tale, I hope Cass and Ada’s journeys are full of hope and love.
Always full of hope and love (and a bit of drama)! 😉 Good luck in the draw!
This book sounds absolutely amazing and just my kind of thing. Like to drift away in Austenesque books when I have some free time as working flat out as a HCA at a hospital at the moment. Good luck with its publication and thank you very much for doing this amazing free prize draw. Fingers crossed I manage to win a copy and good luck to all other entrants xx
Wow, well we are so proud of you, Joanne! Take care of yourself in amongst your amazing care for others. ❤️
Good luck in the draw!
A mash-up between my two favorite Austen books? I can’t wait to read this! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
And the cover is beautiful!
Thank you, Pam, and good luck in the draw!
Sounds like a interesting mix of books – both favourites of mine
My favs too, Ann-Marie! Good luck in the draw!
So excited by this new release of Cass Grafton and Ada Bright. Met these two amazing authors at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath in 2019 and adore The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen and its sequel The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen. I’m glad that this dynamic duo has teamed up again to bring us this new tale. I will definitely pre-order mine.
Hi Emily!
Remember meeting you and so pleased you enjoyed the time travel capers of Jane!
Good luck in the draw!
Cass
How exciting! I love all of your books and look forward to reading Mr Darcy’s Persuasion! The cover is absolutely beautiful. I will be buying it regardless but thanks for the opportunity to be in the draw. Best wishes.
Aww, thank you as always for your wonderful support, Vee!!! Good luck anyway! ❤️
Interesting plot. I look forward to reading the book.
Hope you will give it a try! Good luck in the draw!
Why do I feel like this one was written especially for me? 😉 Can’t wait to read this mash-up of my very favorite Jane Austen (Persuasion) and my oh-so-close second, P&P! Thank you so much, Cass and Ada, for having the courage to attempt a mash-up – I think it shows a very special talent of understanding the characters and blending their stories – calendar marked for March 9!
Aw, thank you Jean! We hope very much you love the story and feel that we’ve done the characters proud!
Good luck in the draw!
Looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Glad you are following along, Nicola! Good luck in the draw!
Hi Cass & Ada, I love the cover! It’s exactly what I wanted it to be. Thank you for the generous book offer and good luck to all!
Yay! So pleased you like! Good luck in the draw.
I love love love the cover and I am enjoying the tead along immensely. Congratulations to both of you, Cass and Ada.
Over the moon you love the cover, Cristina, and are enjoying the read along!
The cover is beautiful! I love reading letters and am happy to see that the cover includes a bundle of letters. I’ve been following along chapter by chapter. I would love to read the book in its full form when it publishes. Congrats to Cass and Ada on the soon to be published book.
So happy you love the cover, Bonnie! Good luck in the draw!
Firstly I must say that the cover is absolutely beautiful!! And the idea of bringing these 2 novels together is absolutely brilliant!! Thank you so much I look forward to reading the book in its entirety in March! Congratulations ladies.
So glad you love the cover, Char! Hope you enjoy the book and good luck in the draw!
i love pride and prejudice variations. it make day bit better.
Well, we all need cheering up right now, Sheila, so hopefully this will do the trick! Good luck in the draw!
Imagine my surprise to see the blending of two favorite jane Austen’s books. Woo-hoo!!
The romantically beautiful cover is just icing on the cake.
I love this idea. The point in which these characters are going to interact gives me plenty of ideas of where this journey is going to take us.
This sounds like a book I would definitely want to add to my print collection.
Congratulations on the upcoming release and thank you for sharing it with us.
We hope you love the story when it’s out in its entirety, Sonja! Good luck!
I am so excited to read this book- Persuasion is my favorite of Austen’s work- and to have a dear friend for her to rely on is the only improvement could have been made. Great call!
Hope you enjoy, Piper! Good luck in the draw!
I’ve been reading along on your blog and so intrigued with this story. I’m trying to convince myself it will be all the better with the wait for release – but man it’s tough lol! Thank you for sharing and the chance to own a copy.
The cover feels both pensive and peaceful. So lovely
LOL Well, I shall stop posting soon as it’s getting rather busy now we’re putting finishing touches to the story and entering the run up to publication!
Beautiful cover, I agree about the details in the dress and the reading of the letter. Congrats ladies, looking forward to reading it!
Thank you so much, Dung! Good luck in the draw!
Beautiful cover and I love the excerpt!! This is an absolute must read for me! I loved “A Quest for Mr Darcy” so I’m sure this will be another one I can’t put down. Congratulations on your new book – I hope the launch day is soon
Thank you, Satu! I loved writing A Quest for Mr Darcy! Hope you enjoy this one too. Good luck in the draw!
I love the cover, and I am waiting for the book to be published so that I can read it.