Hello friends! Guess what? It is time fo the first cover reveal of 2022!! And I am excited that it is for Bitter Mournings! An upcoming new release by Linda Gonschior! Linda is publishing a new Pride and Prejudice variation with Quills and Quartos and it sounds like one filled with inventive alterations and new journeys for our beloved characters!
Linda is here to share the beautiful cover of her new book – Bitter Mournings with us today! We hope you enjoy! 🤗
~ From the Author ~
Thank you, Meredith, for hosting the cover reveal for Bitter Mournings! It is always a pleasure to read your comments, reviews and your support for so many Austen-inspired authors.
I am so pleased with the cover design for my first Quills and Quartos book! While I knew I didn’t envision people on the cover, I didn’t have any real notion of what it should be. I think flowers capture the essence of the story with natural elegance, and Susan Adriani brought it all to life.
In the long ago, early days of JAFF, ‘what ifs’ abounded. Bitter Mournings was begun from one of those seeds: what if Darcy and Bingley didn’t go to Netherfield in 1811? That certainly makes for a challenging beginning for our dear couple. When and how would they meet?
First there had to be a reason they didn’t end up in Hertfordshire as planned. That was an easy enough accomplishment. The when and how of meeting now needed to be worked out.
Nothing so simple, of course. It is a full ten years later that the ladies of Longbourn finally meet the gentlemen Austen destined for them. They could not be empty years, for life always goes on, and each one was well-lived, filled with joy, sorrow, expectations and disappointments.
In bringing the characters forward ten years, it was necessary to consider how each was changed and shaped not only by their own choices in life, but also by those of the people close to them. Were their hopes fulfilled or dashed? Women would marry and leave their families to create new homes, and the Bennet sisters would be no different. Wealthy young men would need wives; Bingley and Darcy were not exempt. With the characters well defined by Austen, the consequences of their choices were exciting to explore and develop.
Getting inside the heads, and hearts, of the characters is what I enjoy most about writing. Be it angst, anger, tenderness or delight, emotion gets the blood flowing, as well as the ideas and words. I hope that readers will enjoy discovering the differences time has wrought in Darcy and Elizabeth.
A little older, a little wiser, but with the essence remaining.
~ Book Description ~
So much had happened in the last few years. The deaths of his wife and sister weighed heavily upon him, and there was little left in life to enjoy…
It is summer’s end of 1821 when the ladies of Longbourn learn that Netherfield Park has been let at last, to two wealthy young widowers. The news is elating to Mrs Bennet, who has never given up hope that her beautiful eldest daughter Jane will one day marry a rich gentleman. For the former Miss Elizabeth Bennet—now Mrs Matthews—the news is less exciting. A widow herself, she is more interested in caring for her two young children and settling her recently widowed mother into a new home than with thoughts of husbands.
Fitzwilliam Darcy harbours no thoughts of acquiring a wife, only entering into the society of Hertfordshire on behalf of his friend. Yet, the more he sees of Mrs Elizabeth Matthews, the more she draws his eye and the more his dreams of Pemberley becoming a house of warmth and laughter and love prick at his mind.
But a life lived in the shadows of grief has become too comfortable for them both. Falling in love will require both Darcy and Elizabeth to recover their lost hopes, reignite long-forgotten dreams, and regain the courage to give their hearts to one another.
And without further ado….here are the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: February 7th)
Such a somber yet beautiful cover! 😍
I love the rich and dark tones of the flowers – it seems like it matches the title and description perfectly. 🥀
I adore premises like this that create such interesting and rippling changes. 💧
It will be interesting to see how time, life, and these new circumstances alter these characters. 🎩
What do you think, friends? 🤔
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You can preorder Bitter Mournings now!
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~ About Linda ~
Linda Gonschior has entertained the art of writing since elementary school but never allowed it to
come to fruition until Pride & Prejudice lured her into deeper exploration of characters, relationships and ‘what ifs’. Writing is not the breadwinner, however, as she has a day job and many other interests that compete for attention and time. Still, she has managed to squeeze in several dozen stories–long and short–and there are many more in the ‘incomplete’ folder on the computer. As retirement looms on the horizon, some may be dusted off to evaluate their potential to entertain those who share a fondness for Jane Austen’s characters and don’t mind straying a little off the beaten path.
Amongst her accomplishments Linda counts raising a son, stage managing live theatre productions, flower gardening, and website administration, but not netting purses or painting screens.
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 Linda Gonschoir!!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends January 20th
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Beautiful cover! I agree with you Meredith, it suits the title and story beautifully. The flowers selected also have a special meaning! Congratulations Linda! I love this ‘outside-the-box’ premise and look forward to reading it! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
A beautiful cover – it appears to be from a painting done in the time period. Much more appealing to me than the contemporary attempts to evoke the period. The description portrays an interesting premise. It appears Lizzie found love before Darcy – but who was Darcy’s wife? Best of luck and thanks for the giveaway.
Hmm, certainly interesting to come at this from the perspective of both Darcy and Elizabeth having lost a spouse. That is new, and would probably add a different depth to the story. I look forward to reading this to see how things come to their proper conclusion.
A most fascinating and intriguing post which gives me new insight. Thanks for your feature.
I plan to read this. Thanks for the generous giveaway and thanks for sharing here.
Ohhh, lovely cover! I’m really looking forward to this book. I loved Linda’s previous works. Congratulations!
Who could pass up a story like this? Not me! Looking forward to reading it and congrats on publication!
I read the online version of this story years ago and look forward to owning the published version. It is an original, well-written and satisfying story with plenty of romantic moments despite the title.
Beautiful cover and the story sounds fabulous. Congratulations on your new release!
I can’t wait to read the story. I am curious as to what happened to both Darcy and Elizabeth during those 10 years. I hope Darcy still succeeded stopping Wickham from eloping with Georgiana, and who was his first wife. And I also hope Elizabeth had a happy marriage with her first husband. The permise of the story is so exciting! Congatulations on the upcoming release!
OMG! Love the cover, the rich browns hint at sadness, with the flowers showing the possibility of new growth and the pink rose…new love. Can’t wait to read it!!! Pre ordered! Thank you. 🙂
Thanks Meredith for hosting. What a beautiful cover reveal. I too love the colors and the rich feel of the flowers and minute details the camera reaches in and captures. The scroll work and its color complements the overall picture. Well done. Congratulations to Linda and the launch of this work. I wish you all the best. Special thanks to Q&Q Publishing for their amazing work and generous giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing. Blessing, everyone.
Can’t wait to read this one.
The cover is lovely.
It is a beautiful cover, thank you for sharing it with us. I am looking forward to reading about an “older and wiser” Darcy and Elizabeth.
The cover has some of my favorite colors. The muted colors relate to muted feelings of how to love again. I am always a little cautious when Elizabeth and Darcy have been widowed. I am shocked that beautiful Jane has never married! Thank you for the giveaway.
Woohoo–it’s a cover reveal! (I do like them.)
I love the cover! I knew I would as soon as flowers were mentioned (being a nature lover, as I am). I can’t wait to read the book. Congratulations, Linda!
Congratulations on your first reveal Meredith.
What beautiful flowers! I love this cover. I can’t help wondering what happened to Georgiana? Who Darcy married? Who was Mr Matthews? Why is Jane not married? Very intriguing!
I’m afraid I can’t enter the giveaway as I shop on U.K. and can’t spend dollars.
Beautiful cover. I much prefer a cover without models, then my imagination gets to fill in the characters. I’m eager to read this book. Thanks to you Meredith and Quills & Quartos for the giveaway.
I love the cover! I’m so impressed with its beauty and historical feel!
Thank you for not using Rafflecopter.
Beautiful, rich looking cover, Linda.
Will this be available on KU?
I will definitely be reading this book! The excerpt on Quills and Quartos was very intriguing.
Lovely cover and your set up for the book has really drawn me in. I’ll definitely read it!
What an interesting premise! And the cover is gorgeous!
Sounds original and interesting!
The cover is absolutely beautiful and I love the premise of the story. Looking forward to reading it soon!
I’m looking forward to reading this.
I love this cover, it fits the title so well. I am looking forward to reading this book as the premise is quite different.
I love the concept of this story. Adding to my wishlist now!
Congrats, Linda, on your new release!!
The cover is lovely
Gorgeous cover – I love it! And good luck, Linda, with “Bitter Mournings”.
What a stunning cover! Great job by Susan Adriani, as always. I’m looking forward to reading this intriguing story.
Lovely cover, and the premise sounds very interesting. So much can happen in ten years. I’m interested to see how time and circumstances have altered both Elizabeth and Darcy.
I love books where Lizzy is no longer an inexperienced young girl, but rather a more mature, discerning woman. The plot and the cover combine to make what’s sure to be a wonderful read!
This book looks lovely and I find the premise very interesting. Will it be published in a paperback copy?
Beautiful cover! Love this new plot idea. It will be interesting to see how the past 10 years has change the characters and what road is taken for their HEA. Looking forward to reading it!
Meredith, I have been looking forward to reading Bitter Mournings, and Linda, I’m so happy you love your cover, Linda! Congratulations on your release!
I agree, the cover is beautiful. I know I shouldn’t but I do judge a book by the cover.
the cover is beautiful, I like the darker tone to it. The book description really encourages the reader to want to know more. Will it also be available for audiobook?
A simply beautiful cover and an extremely intriguing variation!
That is such a gorgeous cover, like a truly classical painting. The way the flowers and other plants are still vibrant even though they are drooping from some kind of weight or stress is so symbolic of what ODC and the others go through in the years. Thank you for that cover reveal!
The cover is so beautiful. The premise of the story seems interesting. Ten years later with a lot of life in between for each of the characters lends itself to so many options. I’m looking forward to this offering.
Thank you again, Meredith, for providing this opportunity to showcase Bitter Mournings, and the gorgeous cover artwork of Susan Adriani. Thank you to everyone who has commented, too! 🙂
Beautiful cover and very interesting, different premise to most JAFF. I’m curious to see how the story unfolds. Thanks, –Leslie
Amazing, gorgeous cover. It definitely fits and I rarely read regular books any more, but may need to get one just to have this artwork around. Really looking forward to reading this!
gorgeous cover!
This sounds wonderful! Definitely going to read this one!
The cover is quite beautiful, and the premise of ODC meeting as older (and hopefully wiser) versions of themselves is enticing.
Stunning cover and intriguing premise!
This sounds like a book I definitely want to read. The emotions of the main characters will be enthralling to explore. Congrats on a new publication.
It is a lovely cover. Good luck with your new release!
This story sounds very intriguing. Will definitely have to add it to the TBR hoard!
What an interesting premise. I am curious to see who Darcy married, and how both he and Elizabeth have changed and grown over the intervention years. Thanks for the excerpt and the opportunity to enter the drawing!
Wow! The cover is so beautiful! I personally adore flowers and so it does set quite the tone for the story. I really appreciated such a different premise for the story. I have all the same questions as mentioned above. What happened to Georgiana, Mr. Bennet, and the others. How is Darcy around children? What we’re their first spouses like and how has it changed them personally. Sounds like a great read.
Oh wow! Loving the cover and the story! Will be looking for it to include in my TBR list!
Congratulations on another book!!!. The cover is perfect . We are all eager to read the story.
I love the cover! It makes me so happy to discover new books and authors! Having the opportunity to enter a contest is the icing on the cake!
Oh I love that Elizabeth and Darcy meet later, when they have had a bit more life and experience. Their intereaction would be so different and falling in love after loss is really interesting. Oh you’ve got me all excited about this book & the cover is truly beautiful !
Some of my favorite JAFF is when it is completely outside of canon, and through all the books I’ve read, I can’t remember reading one like this? Looking forward to it.
Lovely cover. The story line sounds very poignant, and I look forward to reading it very much,
Another beautiful cover from the incomparable Susan Adriani as always. I can recognise her design style before I read the post. I am in all anticipation to know the story of a mature Darcy and Elizabeth. Thank you, Q&Q Publishing for bringing another P&P story to life.
Luthien84, you are so sweet – thank you for making such a lovely comment about being able to recognize my covers!