Greetings, friends! Over twelve years ago, when this blog was still new on the scene, a lovely new author reached out to me to read her new series about George Knightley! And that was when my love for Barbara Cornthwaite’s writing began. I was so thrilled when I heard that Barbara was working on story that combined Persuasion with Much Ado About Nothing! I love the two individually and cannot wait to see what happens with elements from both are combined together!

Barbara is here to share an excerpt from her new release – Much Ado About Persuasion! We hope you enjoy! 🤗

I discovered Jane Austen in college when I was required to read Pride and Prejudice. This was in the dark ages before the famous adaptations, and I knew nothing about the storyline. In fact, I expected it to be depressing, probably because the title sounded similar to War and Peace. It was a delightful surprise to be charmed by the novel, and I went on to read all Austen’s other books on my own. Each of them have a special place in my heart. I love Emma so much that I wrote a two-book parallel novel for it (the George Knightley, Esquire series). I also have novellas based on Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma in the A Very Austen anthologies. This book, however, is the first thing I’ve written based on Persuasion.

Shakespeare I met in high school, and furthered my acquaintance with him in college. Much Ado About Nothing is, I think, my favorite of his plays (although there are several close contenders for the top spot). His grasp of character is unmatched, and his language, even after five hundred years, is striking.

Mixing the stories of these two authors has been great fun, and redeeming a couple of characters who didn’t learn anything from their mistakes in the original stories gives my version a spiritual twist. I hope you enjoy it!

~ Excerpt from Much Ado About Persuasion ~

For a little while no one made any remarks, but suddenly Wentworth said, “Speaking of the fair sex, there’s Miss Elliot now.” He nodded toward the south end of the formal garden where a gap in the shrubs showed a vista of the park beyond. Elizabeth was standing there, gazing out toward the lake.

A groan escaped Baldwin. “Quick! Down that way before she sees us.” But even as he spoke, she turned and saw them.

“Too late, Baldwin,” murmured Croft. “You must bear up as well as you can. Remember to hide your attractions! We cannot have her falling victim to your charms.”

“No danger of that,” said Wentworth, seeing the rather frozen look on Miss Elliot’s face.

“A lovely garden, Miss Elliot,” said Croft when they were near enough to speak.

“I am glad you approve, Admiral Croft,” said Elizabeth graciously, “you, who must have seen a great many gardens in your travels.”

“I haven’t seen so very many,” Croft replied with a note of regret in his tone. “I have traveled much, as you say, but my journeys rarely brought me to carefully cultivated gardens. Now, if you had a sea port I could compare to others, I would judge that with a much more practiced eye …”

Elizabeth smiled—a rare sight. She had not meant to smile; she had meant to be nothing but civil. But in the presence of these officers she recalled the weeks in London when they had been frequent dinner guests. She remembered how often these men laughed and how much she liked their good spirits. Hilarity was a quality missing from the Elliot household. Her father had no sense of humor and thought laughter merely prompted the formation of wrinkles around the eyes. Anne was too serious and gentle to make witty remarks or laugh much at the quips of others, and Mary was too stupid to laugh at anything but the simplest and most obvious of jokes. Elizabeth had not laughed for a long time.

“No,” she said, “I’m afraid we have no sea ports hereabouts. The only water nearby, in fact, is the lake.” She gestured toward it.

“I approve of it,” said Wentworth. “Very calm and not a French frigate in sight. Just the thing to appeal to a man tired of storms and sea battles.”

“Indeed,” agreed Croft, “it is all very pretty. I do wish Mrs. Croft could see it—she loves gardens.”

“I am sorry she was not able to accompany you.”

“No more than I, Miss Elliot. The one disadvantage to a happy marriage is the misery suffered when you are separated.”

“You have not been miserable very often, then, for as I remember, your wife sailed with you on almost every voyage.”

“Aye, we have crossed the oceans together, and she rarely saw anything as tranquil as this.”

“I hope she may come another time.” Elizabeth said this with more sincerity than usual.

“Thank you, Miss Elliot. On this visit I will have to put up with the society of these two fellows, who have no sympathy for me, as they have no one to miss.”

“And I never shall.” Baldwin spoke for the first time. “I will stay single all my days and so never feel the pangs which Croft here is enduring.”

“A dear happiness to women, as they shall be spared a pernicious suitor,” retorted Elizabeth, and was pleased to hear Croft chuckle at that. She had a feeling that Admiral Baldwin had thrown that statement into the conversation to warn her that he had no intention of pursuing her. He need have not fear: she would not be pining away after him. “I myself am of the same mind,” she said coolly. “I have no desire to marry.”

Baldwin raised an eyebrow. “I pray you may hold firm in that decision, though I fear the fabled fickleness of women might prompt you to change your mind.”

“You fear?” challenged Elizabeth.

“Yes, I fear for some poor soul who will marry you and get a scratched face!”

Elizabeth smiled serenely. “Scratching could not make it any worse, if he had a face like yours.” It wasn’t a very good rejoinder, as Admiral Baldwin had a very handsome face, even if he was slightly weather-beaten, but it was the only answer that came to Elizabeth’s mind. Croft and Wentworth were both grinning now.

“Oho, I think she’s got the better of you, Baldwin!” said Croft. “Miss Elliot can give measure for measure. It would be safer to give her compliments instead of insults.”

Baldwin grimaced and bowed. “I beg pardon for my discourtesy, madam; I should indeed praise what is admirable in you. Let me say, then, that I wish my horse had the speed of your tongue.”

Elizabeth’s flush was barely perceptible as she said, “And I would that my horse had the wind of your lungs—it is a true gift to be able to prattle on so without drawing breath.”

Croft and Wentworth laughed, and Elizabeth felt triumphant. “I beg you would excuse me, gentlemen, as I need to speak with the housekeeper.” She curtseyed and left them without a backward glance.

She was hardly out of earshot when Wentworth commented, “You seem to have met your match in Miss Elliot, Baldwin. What very good luck for you—now you need not be bored at Kellynch. You may spend your hours in verbal combat with her.”

“Hours spent with Miss Elliot? What torture that would be! Heaven deliver me from all such women!”

“I thought you didn’t like sentimental, clinging girls,” said Croft, trying to preserve his gravity.

“I don’t, but I would not object to the odd trickle of civility, either. And speaking of civility, I think I have reached the end of mine with the two of you for the afternoon. I believe I will walk in this fine park here before us.” He stalked off with dignity, leaving two amused companions behind him.

Oh-ho! This sounds delightful! I am excited to see more of this Elizabeth Eliot and Admiral Baldwin! I look forward to seeing more of their battle of wits! Thank you so much for sharing, Barbara! I wish you all the best with your release of Much Ado About Persuasion! 📖

~ Book Description ~

Some duel with swords, others with ships. In love, however, they duel with hearts.

When Sir Walter Elliot, secret admirer of the Navy, invites officers to visit his estate, what could be more natural than for his two daughters to find themselves in love?

Elizabeth Elliot’s legendary, bitter pride clashes with Admiral Baldwin’s stubborn conceit until any hope of a match seems impossible. They say love conquers all, but does it?

All looks hopeful for Anne Elliot and the dashing Captain Wentworth, but when a cousin steps in and sets evil plans into motion, is their love enough to withstand the storm, or is it best to let the captain sail that ship… alone?

Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing meets Jane Austen’s Persuasion in this story about trust, disappointment, and disguises.

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with Barbara’s lovely visit today, she is giving away  2️⃣ copies of Much Ado About Persuasion to 2️⃣ lucky winners!

To enter this giveaway leave a comment, a question, or some love for Barbara below!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Barbara!
• This giveaway ends June 1st.

 

*BONUS *

To anyone who has purchased Much Ado About Persuasion, the publisher is giving away a FREE short story about Charlotte Collins!

Just click this link, add your email and Amazon receipt number to find out what would happen if Charlotte Collins was widowed young and moved to Derbyshire to be near Elizabeth? Might she marry for love this time?