Hi friends! Happy Friday! I’m very excited to welcome a new author to Austenesque Reviews for his very first visit – Barry S. Richman! First visit and first novel! Barry just celebrated his debut release with Meryton Press. A Pride and Prejudice variation titled Doubt Not, Cousin.
Barry is here to share an excerpt from his new book. We hope you enjoy!
Meredith, please accept my gratitude for accepting a new, untried author into the genre. I have been devouring Pride and Prejudice variations for more than two decades. I owe it to my wife (and COVID) for the potential success that Doubt Not, Cousin may see. So, without further ado…
The following scene is one dear to me. It illustrates the growth and confidence Kitty has attained in the years since her injury. I adore Lizzy’s overall poise and maturity supporting her talented but vulnerable younger sister. It only takes another to complete the triad. That would be Friar Peregrine Ambrose Abbott. Little did he know the pupil would surpass the master, much to the latter’s delight.
~ Excerpt from Doubt Not, Cousin ~
Friar Perry arrived at Longbourn earlier than usual as Mrs. Sutton had sent word she would not visit the Bennets this week.
He observed Miss Catherine in the music room through the door as she “listened” in her own way to Miss Elizabeth practice on the pianoforte. Delighted by the setting’s conviviality, Friar Perry closed his eyes and absorbed the precise way the middle daughter played scales. Although he was not a master, he considered himself an aficionado. He attended concerts in season whenever he was invited to enjoy them from a private box. He was not one for the milling crowds of the main floor. Elizabeth Bennet’s performance was as enjoyable as those of more accomplished pianists he had heard. While she was technically proficient, her performance evoked within him profound emotion colored with deep passion.
Miss Catherine stood to the right of her sister, resting one hand on Miss Elizabeth’s shoulder with the other atop the piano. Friar Perry surmised that Catherine Bennet was feeling the music instead of hearing it. He diverted himself wondering whether the high notes felt different to Miss Catherine’s fingers than did those in the lower register.
Peregrine next noticed a music stand to his student’s right, and perched upon it was the workbook for a silent language he had given to her. Interesting, he thought to himself in delight. He waited and held his breath in anticipation.
Miss Catherine tapped her sister on the shoulder with her left forefinger. Miss Elizabeth began playing Handel’s “Quando spieghi tuoi tormenti,” her tempo light and sprightly. The young lady shifted her hands; her left dropped to the piano cover, her right lifted and, Peregrine understood, began to “sing” in her special way. She spelled the libretto as her right hand wove through the air, her fingers forming shapes and letters, pointing back and forth from herself to her surroundings. The song ended, and Friar Perry had to stop himself from applauding. Thank goodness, he had not interrupted this idyll, for Miss Catherine nodded to her sister, and they began anew.
Miss Elizabeth replayed the Handel, but louder, striking the keys with more force. Miss Catherine leaned into the instrument, molding her body to its angles and curves. She raised her left hand and, joining with her right, began spelling the lyrics, but in a different manner. This time, her hands combined to paint shapes in the shimmering air. Birds, butterflies, the sun, rain, clouds. It was a cornucopia of symbols, all accompanied by music. The piece ended with a small flourish. Friar Perry waited, hoping against hope. Rewarded he was.
Unprompted, Lizzy played the same piece again. Much louder and with much more force, ferocious like the third movement of Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 14.” The sound filled the room. Kitty now stepped away from the instrument and complemented her sister’s offering with incomparable finger signs—shape-forming her hands and arms but adding subtle body movements to her display. Her hands danced, pointed, and flowed; her head and neck nodded, turned, and bobbed; her torso angled, arced, and twisted. Her performance was music, dance, pantomime, and composition—a most unique communication at its finest!
Miss Elizabeth rested her hands on her lap. Miss Catherine relaxed; her hands fell to her sides. She graced her elder sister with a grateful smile. Friar Perry could not help himself. He entered the room, passed into his student’s vision, and applauded, long, loud, and with vigor. “Sophos! Sophos! I am overcome. The beauty. The beauty of it all. What a blessing!”
Elizabeth stood, grasped Kitty’s hand, and turned her to see the adulation on the friar’s face. Kitty’s smile reached her eyes as she held out her left hand. The friar grasped it, stepped closer, and touched it with his lips.
“My dear, dear Miss Catherine, the Lord is wonderful, is He not?”
Such a beautiful scene. And one, I’d imagine, that illustrates the uniqueness of this premise. I wonder at the situations of the Bennets in this novel, of Kitty and her experiences, and of newcomers like Friar Perry. Thank you so much for sharing, Barry!
We wish you all the best with your debut release.
~ Book Description ~
Darkness, in many forms, must be conquered to emerge into the light and embrace one’s happily ever after.
Fitzwilliam Darcy. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.
Two cousins, closer than brothers.
One finds love despite his inner demons; the other resists love because of them.
Elizabeth Bennet. Kitty Bennet.
Two sisters, strengthened by adversity.
One willingly yields to love; the other pridefully misinterprets it.
An epic saga steeped in intrigue and gift-wrapped in romance, Doubt Not, Cousin chronicles the
trials and tribulations of three extraordinary families during England’s Regency era.
… But who is the girl with the violet eyes?
~ Connect with Barry ~
Website ❧ Instagram ❧ Facebook ❧ Goodreads
~ About Barry ~
Barry S. Richman is a military veteran and corporate logistics professional. While he was
recuperating at home after having his wisdom teeth extracted in 2003, he picked up a copy of Pride and Prejudice and has yet to put it down.
In the past twenty years, he has read thousands of Pride and Prejudice variations. Watching him complete a book every other day, his wife of thirty years suggested he write one.
Doubt Not, Cousin is his first book.
Barry and his “Jane Bennet” live in Los Angeles and Alaçatı, a small seaside town in southwestern Turkey.
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Meryton Press is generously giving away 1 ebook of Doubt Not, Cousin in conjunction with Barry’s visit to this blog!! Woot woot!
To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment, question, or some love for Barry!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Meryton Press!
- This giveaway ends July 28th!
My sincere gratitude to Janet Taylor, Meryton Press, and Barry S. Richman for making this visit possible!
Goodness, that sounds incredibly intriguing. I’ve read hundreds of variations and this sounds like it might actually be something new. I’m super excited to get my hands on this one.
Thank you, Melissa. Doubt Not, Cousin is definitely something new, a variation with a deep back story on all the main characters.
I’ve been following the blog tour, and I’m really interested in reading this exciting, unique story! Please enter me in the giveaway, although I’m sure I’ll be reading it regardless of whether I win a copy.
Coleen, I wish you the best of luck for the giveaway. I have received many DMs and emails accusing me of lost sleep because the reader was unable to put Doubt Not, Cousin down for the night. While I sympathize a loss of sleep, I will laud the dedication.
I read and enjoyed this story. Good luck with the release.
Thank you, Sheila. I am halfway into my sophomore effort, The Scarred Duchess. It will feature some of the same supporting characters that the Alternate Universe in Doubt Not, Cousin presented.
Congratulations on your book! What a delight to read Kitty in this manner. I am so glad she is under Elizabeth’s influence and not Lydia’s. The book sounds very intriguing. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
Eva, I hope you adore Kitty as much as I. She is an incredible example of overcoming misfortune and leveraging her natural talents to improve herself and everyone in her circle.
Congrats on your book! Added it to my wish list.
Thank you, Julie. Being on your Wish List is just one step closer to being read and enjoyed.
Congratulations on your first publication! It is a gripping read!!
(I don’t need to be added to the giveaway.)
Thank you, Sam. As I wrote earlier, I am halfway into The Scarred Duchess, which will provide back story on some of the intriguing support characters in Doubt Not, Cousin.
I attend the monthly JAFF writer/reader sessions. As a result of your readings, I preordered this book as soon as I could. I love it!!! I appreciate the plot, the characters, and, yes, that it’s written by a man who has lived and understands the way men think.
I cannot wait for your next book!
Virginia, thank you. Quite the compliment. Well, as you attend the monthly JAFF readings, I will confirm I am reading an amazing passage tomorrow to the group. I hope to see you there!
Great excerpt! I’ve just finished this book and may I say how much I enjoyed it! I needed to concentrate to work out the links between the families concerned and who the villains were but I loved how the Matlocks, the Bennets and the Hursts, along with friends and supporters took care of each other, especially Richard! I loved how William Darcy was able to improve. I have just posted my 5* review on U.K. so please don’t enter me in the giveaway.
Well done Barry, an excellent first book.
Thank you, Glynis. A my first novel, I am elated Doubt Not, Cousin is so well-received. I may have to claim having too much fun weaving the different family threads together. Should my second novel, The Scarred Duchess, when finished, be as much intertwined, I promise to include an genealogical chart!
Congratulations again on your new book and looking forward to reading it
Thank you, Glory. Doubt Not, Cousin being published was certainly a memorable moment.
This sounds like a wonderful version. I”ll be sure to add it to my TBR list!
Thank you, KC. When you do get to read Doubt Not, Cousin, I am positive you will enjoy it.
Wow, as some others have mentioned this premis sounds intriguing indeed! I look forward to adding this to my TBR list!
Thank you, Kaidi. Feel free to add it to the ‘top’ of your TBR pile. Have a great day.
What a moving scene! Your prose is excellent! Thank you, Barry, for sharing it with us. And thanks to Meredith for hosting.
Suzan, high praise. I am quite flattered. Thank you for your earlier help. Your editing guide is pinned to my wall above my writing console.
Sounds wonderful and would love to read!
Thank you. I hope you win the giveaway so you may begin reading as early as possible.
That excerpt was amazing! I’ll definitely be adding this to my TBR list. Congrats on your first release.
Thank you, Kim. I appreciate joining your TBR list. You will find other canon, as well as original, characters to love.
What a wonderful notion! I would love to read this book. The original plot and, as far as I could comprehend, the narrative, seem great.
Thank you. The plot is very original and quite intricate. I will not comment on the narrative; I will offer my love of all my characters, even those you will definitely despise. Enjoy.
I received a promotional copy and absolutely LOVED it. OMG! I could not put it down. It was brilliant, amazing, shocking, and scary as heck. Did I say brilliant? I highly recommend this if you have the nerve or guts to read it. You better gird your loins as this is not a fluffy bunny story. This is a hard fist to the gut.
The excerpt describes a very different Kitty. Oh, I loved her. I also adored our Colonel. He scared the heck out of me but I would certainly want him on my side in a fight. Whew! His relationship with his cousin, Darcy, nearly made me cry several times. Not cool, Barry. I only have an ugly cry so I try hard not to. This story pushed me to my limits. Sniff. Just thinking about it sets me off. Goodness. I may need to chill.
Congratulations on your debut book. I wish you all manner of success and hope to read your work again. Hang in there. Thank your wife for encouraging you to write your own. That is one smart woman. Blessings.
JW, you are the reader every author hopes to engage. Thank you for your passionate support. Fair warning: I am 50K words into my sophomore effort, The Scarred Duchess, and my Alpha readers have already cried several times at the first 5 chapters! Have a great day.
I can see right now, I need to go to the store and stock up on tissue. Dang!
Oh, just let me say… I can’t wait to read it. LOL!
What a riveting scene from an excellent book!
Doubt Not, Cousin kept me spellbound from start to finish. You are so good at writing deliciously emotional scenes, Barry!
My best wishes for your continued success and I look forward to your future releases (when I am not rereading this one).
Congratulations!
Elin, my very good friend, how nice to see your comment. I want everyone to know that Elin was one of the first established JAFF authors to assist a wannabe author–me! Doubt Not, Cousin is only successful because she and many others granted their valuable time to help me. Look in your InBox for the first five chapters of The Scarred Duchess ina day or two.
Touching scene… I can feel what Friar Perry was feeling. Thank you for sharing and the chance ot win a copy
Thank you.I enjoyed illustrating Kitty’s confidence in her abilities. Good luck with the drawing.
I enjoyed the preview very much and cannot wait to read it. Congratulations on your first book!
Thank you, Brenda. This scene spoke to me after I listened to Clean Bandits, Symphony on You Tube.
What a beautiful scene! I look forward to the book.
Thank you, Liz. Doubt Not, Cousin released July 13th in two formats.
A fascinating premise for a new variation —- I am intrigued! Best of luck with your book launch!
Thank you, Catherine. The launch is exceeding expectations.
I just finished the promotional copy I received today. I’m speechless. I’ve got to write a review and I’m just stunned speechless. This is so absolutely brilliant. Yes, warnings are appropriate. It’s grim and heroic. It’s frighteningly hard. I highly recommend all who can brace themselves to read this.
Thank you, Michelle. Sorry about the speechless part. There are several scenes that I still get misty when I read them. Doubt Not, Cousin is certainly a labor of love and for me as a first-time author, a road to learning. Your comment, as well as others, has opened my eyes to how much an author can entertain an audience through cause and effect. Thank you.