Happy Monday, friends! I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend and Valentine’s Day! 💗
It is such a special honor to welcome back author Kara Pleasants to Austenesque Reviews today! I was so happy to be introduced to Kara’s imaginative and enchanting writing in her debut release – Disenchanted – last year! And I’m so thrilled that we can look forward to her next release becoming available soon!!! 🙌🏼
Kara is here to share the lovely cover of her upcoming release – The Unread Letter. – we hope you enjoy! 😊
~ From the Author ~
Thank you, Meredith, for inviting me back for my second ever cover reveal! And thank you, dear readers, for joining me to hear about The Unread Letter.
The premise of my idea for The Unread Letter was to explore what might happen if, somehow, Elizabeth had never read Darcy’s letter. What would she have done, where would she have gone? Without his explanation to lend her understanding of his perspective and correct untruths, how might the couple reach their happily ever after?
The Unread Letter takes Elizabeth to Brighton and the seaside. This might be because of my own interest and love of the sea, and a visit to Brighton that I took as a child. This fall and winter, as I began reworking my story (significantly changing and expanding an older version), I revisited Brighton and the sea in my memory. This, in turn, led me to research the area again, at first to be more accurate and descriptive in my detail. But as I wrote, I often found myself falling down delightful rabbit holes and tangents exploring the Sussex countryside and its rich history.
Rewriting this novella gave me a beautiful escape this winter during a time when in the country and the world things remain confined and metaphorically dark because of the pandemic. We have not travelled for over a year–this year even foregoing our family’s traditional trip to the east coast beach (we love Maryland’s Assateague Island and Ocean City). I miss the ocean!
I loved that meeting my writing deadlines helped break me out of a cycle of endless doom scrolling and into the salty sea air on the pages of my story. As part of my research, I called my Uncle, who grew up in Brighton, and heard family stories that I hadn’t heard before. I also was able to confirm with him that yes, we did ride on a roller coaster on the Palace Pier, but no, the Seven Sisters are not visible from Brighton Beach. The roller coaster, unfortunately, couldn’t make it into the Regency period, but the Seven Sisters did!
This cover by Ellen Pickels, designed using Edmund Blair Leighton’s painting “The Favor,” exactly captures the spirit of the sea in my story. I am thrilled with the romance of the cover, and excited to share it (and the story) with you all! My hope is that it also gives you the chance to travel in your imagination until that time when we can safely travel (for real!) again.
~ Book Description ~
For every one of his smiles, she thought of his letter and blushed with shame of what she had done. Oh, that she might have just looked at it!
After rejecting Mr Darcy’s proposal at Hunsford, Elizabeth Bennet is surprised when he finds her walking the next day and hands her a letter. Without any expectation of pleasure—but with the strongest curiosity—she begins to open the letter, fully intending to read it.
It really was an accident—at first. Her shaking hands broke the seal and somehow tore the pages in two. Oh, what pleasure she then felt in tearing the pages again and again! A glorious release of anger and indignation directed towards the man who had insulted her and courted her in the same breath. She did feel remorse, but what could she do? The letter was destroyed, and Elizabeth expected that she would never see Mr Darcy again.
Home at Longbourn, she discovers that her youngest sisters are consumed by a scheme to go to Brighton—and Elizabeth finds herself drawn to the idea of a visit to the sea. But the surprises of Brighton are many, beginning with a chance meeting on the beach and ending in unexpected romance all around.
And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: March 22nd)
Oh, I absolutely adore the artwork of this cover – it is romantic and free – which sounds like a perfect match for this story’s premise! 😊
I love the beautiful dress this woman is wearing, don’t you? The lace and detail work on it are so fine. And isn’t her hair styled so elegantly as well? 🎀
Oh no! She didn’t read the letter! I wonder if Elizabeth’s opinion about Mr. Darcy has changed at all!?! Who is the unexpected romance with? ✉️
I really love the setting, and I love how Kara enjoyed the research and escapism of setting her story in Brighton! I hope you get to go to the beach this year, Kara! 🏖
What do you think, friends? 🤔
~ About Kara ~
Kara Pleasants lives in a lovely hamlet called Darlington in Maryland, where she and her husband are restoring an 18th century farm in Susquehanna State Park. They have two beautiful and vivacious daughters, Nora and Lina. A Maryland native, Kara spent a great deal of her childhood travelling with her family, including six years living in Siberia, as well as five years in Montana, before finally making her way back home to attend the University of Maryland.
Kara is an English teacher and Department Chair at West Nottingham Academy. She has taught at the secondary and collegiate level at several different schools in Maryland. Her hobbies include: making scones for the farmer’s market, writing poetry, watching fantasy shows, making quilts, directing choir, and dreaming about writing an epic three-party fantasy series for her daughters.
~~~
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! 📚🤤
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Kara below.
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends February 21st.
You can preorder The Unread Letter now!
Our sincere gratitude to Kara Pleasants, Kristi Rawley, and the wonderful people at Quills and Quartos for putting this special post together!
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I shop on the U.K. site so can’t spend dollars.
I do like this cover but I’m not happy with Elizabeth tearing up Darcy’s letter – he spent all night writing it for goodness sake!
Obviously she isn’t aware of how obnoxious Wickham is so I’m praying her romance isn’t with him? I really don’t think I could bear that!
I do look forward to reading more of this and hopefully having my fears put to rest?
Thanks, Glynis! She definitely isn’t aware of Wickham’s misdeeds–but I describe this story as sweet, rather than angsty. I hope you’ll enjoy!
Interesting premise and I wonder what this changes.
Thanks, I really enjoyed exploring it and I hope you will, too!
Oh, no! Trearing up Darcy’s letter will cause a lot of heartache for him and Elizabeth. I prepare myself for a lot of angst. I love angst! 🙂
Thank you, and yes, she definitely regrets it! But not tooooo much angst. I’d love to know what you think! 🙂
Lovely letter. Intriguing premise. This leaves so many possibilities out there from Elizabeth continuing her relationship with Wickham (after Miss King leaves Meryton) to discovering more about Darcy from people she might meet in places he has traveled to. Who might she meet in Brighton? The Colonel? I will plan to read this one when it is released. Thanks for sharing here. I did enjoy Dischanted.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed Disenchanted! I loved the possibilities of this premise, and the particular one I explored, and I hope you do, too!
Oops…Disenchanted
Oh no! The letter has been torn after Darcy spent an entire night writing and rewriting it. My heart goes out to him. Shall Elizabeth reap the rewards for her stubbornness? Looking forward to the release of this book.
I know, it really is kind of tragic because that letter was so important! Thank you!
It always worries me when Lizzy leaves Rosings still being vulnerable to Wickham’s lies. A very interesting premise and I’m looking forward to reading it. Beautiful cover.
Congratulations on the release.
Thanks so much! And yes EXACTLY!
The cover is beautiful! I love the dress. If Elizabeth doesn’t read Darcy’s letter how will she find out Wickham’s true character? I guess I will have to read the book to find out. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
Thank you, I love the cover! I had fun exploring how she figures it out, and I hope you will, too!
The cover captures Elizabeth’s spirit quite well!
I agree–I LOVE that artist and I’m so glad Erin and Q&Q went with it! I wanted something with the sea.
Oh my, so many ways this could go! Can’t wait to find out! I loved Disenchanted. Will there be a touch of fantasy/magic in this story as well?
Thank you!!! So technically this one is not fantasy BUT I could resist slipping in a fantastical sequence. 😉
What a beautiful, airy cover! Congratulations and good luck with publication—sounds like a corker of a story!
Thank you! I love the cover 🙂
Beautiful cover! I’m intrigued by the premise and certain angst will follow, but I’m willing to suffer through it just to see what happens!
I enjoyed escaping into this story, and i hope you do, too!
Beautiful cover – I love the simplicity and elegance! I can’t wait to read the book!
Thank you, I love that artist. I hope you enjoy!
Love the cover: her dress, her hair, her face – although we can’t see her fine eyes. Congratulations -looking forward to reading this intriguing book.
I so agree! Her fine eyes do get a couple of mentions in the novella 😉
Oooooh this looks good. I always wondered what might have happened if Elizabeth hadn’t read the letter… Looking forward to learning! 🙂
Thank you! I had fun playing with this premise, I think there are so many avenues you could explore and I just went down one!
So interesting to think about the letter not being read will change the arc of the story.
Yes, exactly, it was so much fun!
All Meredith has said about the cover is true. I wonder if she is dropping the flower to Darcy who absolutely must be standing below. Will there be misunderstanding because Darcy thinks Elizabeth has read the letter when in reality she hasn’t? Thank you for the giveaway.
Definitely misunderstandings! 😉
Thanks Meredith for hosting. You always get to do the best cover reveals. How exciting.
OMG! She didn’t read the letter. Oh-My… where are my salts? LOL! Shades of Mrs. Bennet and one of her fits of nerves. What a beautiful cover. I love it. Congratulations on this new launch. I wish you all manner of success. This will certainly be on my wish-list. Thanks to Q&Q Publishing for the generous giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing. Take care everyone, stay safe, and healthy.
That dang groundhog saw his shadow [six more weeks of winter] and we are right in the middle of a winter storm watch. It is sleeting here in mid-KY with snow and ice all around us. You guys up the road from us… look out as it is on its way.
There are a few instances of characters needing smelling salts in this story. 😉
Stay safe! So much bad weather all across the country.
Thank you, Jeanne, I’m always so very honored to have the opportunity! It is great fun to celebrate and anticipate the upcoming releases!
I hope you are staying safe and warm!!
What a lovely cover! I am interested in reading about how not reading Darcy’s letter will affect Elizabeth.
Thank you, I had so much fun exploring it!
Beautiful cover. Can’t wait to find out who the flower is for. I have so many ideas of where this story could go and how Elizabeth will ultimately figure out Darcy’s character. Looking forward to reading this
Thank you!
Not reading the letter is like opening the Pandora’s box. Thankful that the original Elizabeth was curious enough to read it, I’m looking forward to seeing what Kara Pleasants has thought to torment the heroes.
I wasn’t very much into Fantasy but I enjoyed her Disenchanted so I have high expectations.
Thank you both for the giveaway!
Why thank you! This one is not fantasy, although it has a fantasy sequence (I couldn’t resist)
What a unique twist….she never reads the letter….the possibilities are endless…can’t wait to read what happens next. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
Yes, exactly! There are so many paths and I just went down one 🙂
Gorgeous cover! I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds since Elizabeth didn’t read Darcy’s letter. I’m intrigued!
Yay, so glad I caught your interest!
I love the touch of pink from the flower the woman is about to drop. It adds an extra element of romance somehow.
My family and I were in Brighton about 8 years ago now. Just reading Kara’s explanation of the story brought up fond memories and makes me want to go back. 🙂
Congratulations, Kara, and thank you for hosting the cover reveal, Meredith.
Thank you so much! It was so fun going down memory lane and revisiting the place, even though it had been so long ago for me (22 years!)
Oh how lovely! It is always extra special to read a story about a place you have visited.
Thank you so much for visiting and sharing, Lucy!
Lovely cover, and an especially lovely dress! Anxious to read this one – I SO understand her tearing up the letter, with all the “I wish him gone NOW” feelings,,,and then learning to regret it – – sounds like a wonderful read!
So much regret! I hope you enjoy 🙂
I can’t believe Lizzy tore up the letter! I’m sure she’s going to regret that. I hope Darcy makes his way to Brighton to put everything to rights. The cover is lovely, I’ve seen that painting before and it looks fitting for your book.
Thank you, I was so pleased with the cover and painting. I have another of Leighton’s paintings (A Lady’s Favor, medieval setting) in my classroom, so it was perfect!
Lovely premice. Looking forward to reading this treat! Best Wishes.
Thank you so much!
The cover is absolutely gorgeous!!! Wow!! And the book sounds lovely!!
Wishing you all success with this new book!! 😀
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Thank you so much!
Oh gosh, I have always been curious as to what would happen to Lizzy had she not read the letter. Without knowing the truth about Wickham, Georgiana, or Darcy and his intentions, I sometimes think she was about too be done with all men but still is in need of an adventure and holding out on the hope that there is a man better than rocks and mountains. Thank you for that gorgeous cover!
Thank you! Yes, that’s exactly what I had fun exploring here 🙂
The cover is lovely and this all sounds wonderful.
Thank you so much!
Such a beautiful cover.
denise
Oh I had to take a breath when I read that the letter, that wonderful and powerful thing, remained unread… But I confess I am also very very curious about this story! The cover is stunning and I can’t wait to read this book 🙂 Thanks for a chance to win!
Congratulations on the release. I don’t suppose Elizabeth or someone else will find the pieces of the letter and put it back together. She’ll be in for more of a shock when/if she visits Pemberley and finds out how much everyone there likes Darcy.
Oh no! Why did she do that?! He nearly lost his mind writing that letter!!
Now I need to read the book
Oh No – what an interesting premise that Elizabeth tears up Mr. Darcy’s letter! I wonder how my favorite couple will reconcile – if they reconcile? The cover is beautiful and I look forward to reading more. Thanks for the giveaway. –Leslie
The cover is gorgeous, and I can’t wait to read the book. I loved Disenchanted!
After reading the excerpt and the synopsis, I am very eager to read this new story. I look forward to its release date.
I LOVE this cover, Kara. And I adore book themes surrounding letters! Hope to read this SOON!!
I agree with Meredith and several other commenters – the cover is beautiful! Congrats on the release.
I agree, the book cover is definitely romantic. This would be a wonderful read for our sad times nowadays.
Beautiful cover. Oh Elizabeth! I look forward to seeing how they find their way from here. Congratulations
Oh! I mentally winced and gasped when I read of her tearing up Darcy’s letter. omg I agree Meredith, about that beautiful cover, that dress! I’ve seen different views of that painting used as book covers (and this time it is by far the best,) Ellen Pickels is such a talented cover artist.
I was intrigued enough finally I just had to look up the artist. I found at least six Edmund Blair Leighton paintings that have been used as Austenesque covers and at least that many more used in blog posts. I now realize that he is one of my favorite artists! LOL.
This story sounds like it’s going to be soooo good. But I’m really worried about that man on the beach. My congratulations to Kara on her new book, and wish her all the best on its launch!
Thanks so much for sharing, Michelle! What a terrific idea – I’m off to look him up as well!
Oooh – I see a couple that I would love to see someone turn into a cover!
I knoooowww!! He was crazy prolific as an artist.
Congratulations!!! Always looking forward to knowing how Mr Darcy and Lizzy come together. And now intrigued about the “unexpected romances all around”
Congratulations on your new book. Eager to know what happens they next meet after Hunsford and how Mr. Darcy will redeem himself even without the letter.
I adore the cover, Kara. You have such a wonderful team to back you up in Q&Q. I dearly hope that Darcy would visit Brighton when Elizabeth was in residence. I can’t wait for the e-book to be released.
I am loving the cover! always like the artist