Greetings, readers! The exciting and busy week here concludes with a cover reveal for a new book by Mary Smythe! I know many of us (including myself) loved both Mary’s debut release – Dare to Refuse Such a Man – and her holiday novella – Welcome Home. I’m so happy to see she has a new book coming out next month! 🙌🏼
Mary is here to share the cover reveal of her upcoming release, A Faithful Narrative (which sounds fantastic!) We hope you enjoy! 💕
~ From the Author ~
Hi Meredith! I’m so pleased to be back here on Austenesque Reviews for another cover reveal. Thanks for having me.
A Faithful Narrative began as a simple challenge to myself to somehow make the famous Botched Proposal less explosive than in the original Pride & Prejudice. I didn’t want to do away with it altogether because Elizabeth’s rejection of Darcy’s presumptuous offer of marriage taught him a hard, yet important, lesson: he can’t simply buy Elizabeth’s love. This concept, alongside Elizabeth’s accusation of being ungentlemanly in his conduct, is what properly humbles Darcy into a man who is deserving of her.
The problem, of course, is that you can’t put an angry Elizabeth into a room with Darcy and expect them to come out of it unscathed. Thus, I felt an indirect method of revealing Elizabeth’s feelings was warranted. A diary containing a faithful narrative of their dealings together is the instrument of Darcy’s enlightenment in this story and it very ably shows him that he has a long way to go to improve her opinion of him. After reading it, the next question is inevitably “What now? Fight for love—or walk away forever?”
I think we can all safely guess that Darcy won’t give up so easily, though he definitely has some work ahead of him. Especially once Elizabeth discovers that he’s read her diary…
The cover almost looks as if someone illustrated a scene from early in the story, when Darcy comes across Elizabeth perusing her diary in a field of bluebells. The colors, the ponderous tone, the springlike ambiance of the setting all hearken to the images I conjured up in my mind as I was writing this novella. Even the manor house in the background looks very much like it could be Rosings Park with its many windows and expensive chimney piece! Isn’t it delightful?
(And if you need a little more delightfulness in your life, don’t forget to visit Quills & Quartos on March 2 for an excerpt of A Faithful Narrative.)
~ Book Description ~
An accidental glimpse stilled Darcy’s hand. His own name leapt at him from the page and his treacherous eyes could not withstand the temptation drawing them downward. What had Elizabeth written about him?
FITZWILLIAM DARCY IS ON THE VERGE of proposing to Miss Elizabeth Bennet when he happens upon her diary in a field of bluebells. Though he knows he should not, he gives in to the temptation to read it and discovers a perspective of himself he had never before considered. Not only does Elizabeth not reciprocate his love, she considers him arrogant, insulting and disdainful. Her reasons, to his shame, are not entirely unfounded. Properly humbled, Darcy must decide what to do—walk away from his beloved forever or make the effort to please a woman worthy of being pleased.
ELIZABETH BENNET IS A FIRM BELIEVER in the value of first impressions. Mr Darcy made a poor one and his subsequent behaviour did little to improve upon it. Worse yet, he has had the audacity to read her personal diary without permission.
NEVERTHELESS, MR DARCY’S VIOLATION of her privacy forces Elizabeth to reconsider many of her former prejudices against him. As a result, she comes to know herself, and him, better. Can Elizabeth forgive Mr Darcy all his trespasses and give him an opportunity to redeem himself?
And without further ado….here are the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: March 21st)
So charming! I truly love it all – the title (brilliant), the cover (so elegant), and the premise! 😍
I love that this cover could serve as an illustration for a scene in the story (so true about the windows and chimneys!) 🖼
I love everything that catches the eye in this cover – Elizabeth, the budding flowers, the beautiful scenery around her. 🌷
This is such a wonderful premise – I love the idea of Elizabeth chronicling her thoughts in a diary and that it indirectly reveals her thoughts to Mr. Darcy – I hope we get to read some of her entries. ✍🏼
What do you think, friends? 🤔
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!
The lovely people at Quills and Quartos are offering 3️⃣ ebook copies of A Faithful Narrative to 3️⃣ lucky readers who comments on today’s post!
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Mary!!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends March 4th
~~~
Thanks for another story of your I’m eager to read.
I’m enjoying this immensely wendym215@aol.com would love a kindle
Once again Q&Q Publishing rocks with a cover for a new book. Congrats Mary Smythe on the publication of another story that holds the promise of a fabulous read. I look forward to reading this enchanting story that does not include the acrimony contained in JA’s Hundsford scene.
The cover is lovely! I love the premise of your story and can’t wait to read it! Congratulations!
Wow, imagine having your diary read by Mr Darcy… This story seems really unique and intruiging. I do not have an ereader, so I cannot win. But I do want to say that I like the sound of your new book Mary!!
This premise sounds extremely promising – having Darcy learn where he stands with Elizabeth by reading her diary, an act which is at the same time enlightening and intrusive. So how does he resolve this one? Can’t wait to read and find out!
What a fabulous idea! Congratulations, Mary! I am so looking forward to reading another one of your novels. The cover is so lovely and depicts a visual moment that conveys Elizabeth in Kent!
Sounds interesting, Hope Elizabeth doesn’t hurt him too much after finding out he’s read her diary.
Truly beautiful cover. I’m excited to read this book. Can’t wait until March 25th!
Beautiful! I have read this story so no need to include me in the drawing. Mary is a wonderful writer and I’m so happy you have featured her here. Best wishes Mary!
I love the idea for this story. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Just beautiful! I love the colour of her shawl and it looks so peaceful there (so maybe unlikely as Lady Catherine’s home?) 🙂
I love the idea that their feelings for one another will become more positive a lot sooner? I did read this while posting I assume but alas I can’t remember much now so I do look forward to owning it and reading it all in one go. Thank you.
It is a lovely cover (especially as I see snow falling when I look out my window). Congratulations on the new release, Mary! I look forward to reading it.
Beautiful cover! Congratulations Mary!
Congratulations! I am very excited. I started reading Mary’s stuff when she was posting online and I can so happy she is publishing now!
I agree with everything you said about the cover! Maybe it is a good thing that Darcy found and read Elizabeth’s dairy so he can correct his behavior before the proposal. I am sure that Elizabeth was very embarrassed when she found out he had read it! Thank you for the giveaway and congratulations!
Love the premise, looking forward to reading this one!
Gorgeous cover! Looking forward to reading this (again, maybe?). LOL.
Purple… I love purple. Those colors are amazing. The pink house reflected in the water. The flowers, the dress, that shawl, the… everything in such rosy hues. I love it. A cover job most excellent. Well done. Thanks for sharing, Meredith. You always have the best reveals. Congratulations to Mary Smythe on the launch of this new work. Thanks to Q&Q Publishing for the generous giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing.
I loved Dare To Refuse Such a Man and Welcome Home so I’m looking forward to this one! Congrats on the new release!
I’m seriously looking forward to this. Congrats, Mary.
What a lovely cover and an enticing concept for a book! I can’t wait to read it!
I’m excited to read this! I loved Date to Refuse Such a Man so I’m sure this one will be great!
Beautiful cover and very fitting for the story. Look forward to reading it, Mary.
Sounds like a great story! Can’t wait to read it!
This is a beautiful cover! I’m looking forward to reading the book.
This sounds wonderful! And I love the cover, particularly Rosings in the distance!
I’ve read stories that revolved around Darcy’s diaries, but not those written by Lizzy. The description has definitely piqued my interest! And it’s a perfect cover for a springtime release.
Such a lovely cover, hope to read it with this new perspective.
Very exciting! Looking forward to it.
Absolutely beautiful cover and a super fun idea!! I can’t wait to read it
It’s a lovely cover, I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win.
An intriguing premise and lovely cover!
What a great premise! I can’t wait to read this book. It intrigues me that the proper Mr. Darcy go so far beyond propriety as to read the private diary of a lady.
Loved this story! And the cover does it justice, I think! Indeed it is lovely!
Wish you already a happy release! !
Whoever wins this book will be thrilled! I read it and don’t want to give it away so to speak! Darcy does the unthinkable after he reads it! I love the cover! “To Refuse Such a Man” had me in stitches, especially the exploits of Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips, mother and aunt determined to make Elizabeth and Darcy happy!
I found the idea of using a diary to reveal to Mr. Darcy some of Elizabeth Bennett’s thoughts and feelings creative. I hope even more, to win the book since my birthday is tomorrow.
Looks like another lovely story and this is a great cover!
I read two of this author’s books already and look forward to reading this one. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. Lovely cover.
I love the description, what a creative idea!
What a lovely cover! And it will be interesting to see how D&E learn to forgive and move on.
I am so looking forward to this book! I absolutely loved Welcome Home. Keep on writing as fast as you can. 🙂
I am intrigued by the premise and immediately drawn into the story in this excerpt. Thank you for sharing!
I was able to read an excerpt of this story that was posted online on an Austen site, can’t remember which, but oh boy!! My tummy was jumping up and down because I was so nervous about Mr. Darcy reading that diary. I hoped he would. But then, a diary is so private. Well, I hoped to read the whole story someday!
I’m seriously impressed that you have managed to get to print (joy!) with your battle with COVID this winter. And you are busy with small adorable children. You rock, Mary.
Again, thank you Meredith for these awesome cover reveals you bring us. What a gorgeous cover! The colors, oh my. Thank you Quills & Quartos.
This story sounds interesting. This cover artwork is delightful and background details really catch the eye.
I am looking forward to reading this. Thank you for the giveaway and best wishes on the new release!
Beautiful cover & I can’t wait to read it!
Beautiful cover, and I love the diary premise.
I’m looking forward to reading this version.
Such a lovely cover. Can’t wait to read what’s inside. Congratulations!
goodness gracious, what a gorgeous cover!
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This sounds wonderful from this excerpt! I’ve got to read the others now, and then the whole book! Congratulations, and thank you for sharing this.
That cover is wonderful I do like it when I as the reader can use my imagination for the characters. I know we should not judge a book by its cover but sometimes just cannot get past a bad cover.
The premise sounds really interesting and I look forward to reading Mary’s new work. I really enjoyed her last book.
Beautiful cover, congratulations
The cover is captivating!
I read this as a follow along while it was WIP and adored it! I look forward reading it again. Congratz on your new release!
Such a beautiful cover and an interesting premise of Darcy reading Elizabeth’s diary. I will look for the excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway. –Leslie
The cover is beautiful! Congratulations on publishing another book. I have enjoyed your other books and am looking forward to this one.
Beautiful cover and intriguing plot. Added to TBR list!
This is quite a gorgeous cover! I love how the spring colors reflect the time period in canon when Mr Darcy disastrously proposes to Elizabeth Bennet. The woman with the diary has this bit of innocence and yet experience with the way of the world, reflected in her white dress and beautiful yet knowing face. Thank you for sharing that wonderful cover!
Sounds like a book I would love to read! And such a lovely cover!
I’ve loved others of Mary’s works that I’ve read, so look forward to this one too!
This promises to be a most interesting story, and the cover is beautiful! Here’s to hoping I get lucky.
Congrats! I look forward to reading this one.
What a lovely cover!! The colors are exquisite!! 😀
Looking forward to enjoying your new book since your first made such an excellent impression! Lovely cover, too.
Thank you again, Meredith, for featuring A Faithful Narrative on your blog! And double thank you for kind words of anticipation for it.
And the same to everyone who has commented on the blog! I hope all of you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. For those of you who first read it online, I’ve expanded the story a bit and I hope you like the new material.
Y’all are the best!
Beautiful setting, can I go there? I love the bright colors and flowers. Looking forward to this new book
Very excited for a new P&P release this month!
Oh,My Goodness: look at all the comments. I am looking forward to reading this one as I enjoyed two other stories by this author. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Wow, the cover is a beauty. Q&Q has done it again! I love how it is design with Lizzy reading her diary entry and Rosings Park in the background. I look forward to the release.
Btw, is there no pre-order link for the Kindle copy? Usually the pre-order is up together with the cover release.