Hi dear readers! I’m so excited to welcome back author Monica Fairview to Austenesque Reviews! 

Monica is here today to talk about an upcoming release in her Mr. Darcy’s Magic series – Traces of Magic (which will be available September 28th.) Are you ready to revisit Monica’s magical world of mages, spells, romance, historic figures, and battles? 🔮

Today Monica is sharing an enticing excerpt from Traces of Magic, we hope you enjoy.

From the Author

Hello Meredith, I’m so happy to be visiting your wonderful blog again. This is time, I’m here with an excerpt from my latest novel, Traces of Magic: A Pride and Prejudice Magical Variation. I can’t wait for it to come out in September so I can share it with you. It was a great book to write – one of my favorites perhaps. [I know we’re not supposed to have favorites, but this one is an exception]. Anyway, you’ll have to judge for yourselves. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out.

The excerpt is from the early part of the book. It’s focused on an event that is about to have unexpected consequences for Elizabeth and Darcy.

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Excerpt from Traces of Magic: A Pride and Prejudice Magical Variation

Chapter 2

Darcy stopped the carriage some distance away from the burning barn to let off Rease, then ordered the coachman to find a concealed location where they could still see the barn clearly. Elizabeth was staring out of the window at the fire. He could sense her distress. A fire brigade had been organized, and buckets of water were being passed down the line. The Lucas family and their tenants had been doing everything they could to douse the flames.

Darcy experienced a smothering sensation, like a blanket pressing downwards.

“Rease is at work already. He should have it under control shortly.” She would have felt Rease’s magic, but he wanted to reassure her.

A black plume of smoke was snaking up towards the sky. The acrid odor of smoke was everywhere. From where they were, it looked like the barn had been damaged beyond repair.

Elizabeth’s father must have been looking out for their arrival, because he soon approached on horseback and gestured for Elizabeth to lower the window.

“Where is Lydia, Papa?” said Elizabeth anxiously. “Is she inside the barn?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Elizabeth gasped.

Mr. Bennet was not showing the least sign of distress. Darcy was incensed. How could any father be so indifferent to his daughter’s fate?

“What? We were not aware that she was trapped inside.”

“Oh, you need not get worked up about it,” said Mr. Bennet. “She is safe. She is surrounded by some kind of bubble she created to protect herself. Regrettably, has rendered her immobile, and she is unable to come out.”

“What if she breathes in the smoke—?” Elizabeth was beside herself with worry. Darcy took her hand and squeezed it tightly.

“The bubble is keeping the smoke from her. I assure you, she will not come to any harm. Which cannot be said about Sir William Lucas’s barn.”

“You do realize, Papa, that she will not be able to hold the bubble for very long before she tires. Besides, it is hot in there. Oh, why is she not coming out? We must help her.”

Darcy could see her rising frustration. Elizabeth was stuck in the carriage, trying not to betray their presence, when her first instinct would be to use magic to help her sister.

“You have to find a way to bring her out yourself, Bennet,” said Darcy.

“It is clear you have never dealt with Lydia, Darcy,” said Mr. Bennet, shaking his head and laughing. “Do you honestly think she will let me control her with magic?”

Was everything a joke to him? Darcy felt his temper slipping. “If she had learned some discipline when she was younger, we would not be in such a situation.”

“If the Academy had taken her and trained her, we would not be in such a situation,” said Mr. Bennet, mildly, though his lips tightened with displeasure. Well, he could be as displeased as he liked, thought Darcy. Someone had to tell him the truth.

“It was your responsibility to make sure she was trained. You chose to leave the Academy for reasons of your own when you were younger. We know you have something against it. But that is no excuse to allow Lydia to run free with her magic with no attempt at disciplining her.”

A flash of anger lightened Mr. Bennet’s eyes, and his magic crackled, creating a curling light that streaked around Darcy, who reacted by instinct, gathering magic to counter it. He checked himself at once. He had no intention of fighting a fellow mage. They were on the same side. Though he was curious to discover the formidable power hidden behind Mr. Bennet’s mask of indifference.

“If I did not care to join the Royal Mages. I had my reasons.” He gave Darcy a level look. “You know nothing about the matter. As for how I deal with Lydia, that is my concern.”

Darcy felt sorry he had brought up such a sensitive issue. “I do not claim to know your reasons for leaving the Royal Mages. They are your own. What I do know is that your daughter’s actions may have serious consequences for all of us. Miss Lydia might as well have stood at the top of Oakham Mount and announced her powers to the world.”

Mr. Bennet paled. Darcy did not doubt Mr. Bennet’s intelligence, but he was always shut in his library, burying his head in his books. He had lost touch with real the world outside his home. Sadly, the consequences of Lydia’s mistake were very real.

“Either Lydia cannot control her magic, or she was determined to get the attention of the Royal Mages. Either way, the consequences are the same. Such a large flare of power will not go unnoticed. Any French spies will see it from miles away.”

Even as he spoke, Darcy realized that Mr. Bennet was not entirely to blame. Darcy had known Lydia was growing out of control, and he had not done anything either. Elizabeth had warned him. He should have followed up and taken care of things himself.

“Enough!” said Elizabeth, suddenly. “You can have this discussion another day. Right now, a barn is on fire, and my sister is inside. Someone needs to do something.”

Darcy felt contrite. Elizabeth was right. Why was he arguing with Mr. Bennet at a time like this?

By now, Rease had put out the fire completely, but the smoking wreck of the barn could not hold up any longer. A cry tore out of Elizabeth as the roof crumpled in a loud crash. She fumbled with the door of the carriage and started to get out. Mr. Bennet took off at a gallop, finally galvanized into action.

Darcy held onto Elizabeth’s arm. She struggled, trying to shrug him off.

“You must not reveal your presence, Elizabeth,” said Darcy, putting his arm around her.

“You cannot expect me to just sit here, when my sister is trapped inside!”

Darcy held her tenderly. “There. Look! She is making her way out.”

Lydia emerged from the remains of the barn, looking dazed. Darcy was relieved that she seemed unharmed, from this distance at least. Clearly, Mr. Bennet was right. Her protection bubble had been effective.

“Thank heavens she isn’t injured.” Elizabeth sagged against Darcy. “Stupid girl! What was she thinking?”

Lydia may have been safe, but by now she was the object of the neighborhood’s wrath. Everyone turned to glare at her as she passed by.

Book Description

As long as she lived, Elizabeth would never forget the look on Darcy’s face when he saw her coming towards him.

Elizabeth and Darcy are finally settling down at the Netherfield Royal Mages Academy when a mysterious flare of magic sends them scampering to discover what is happening. But they are soon left with more questions than answers.
Why has Elizabeth’s sister Lydia gone missing? Who is the mysterious gentleman they encountered at an inn? And more importantly, why have they been summoned to London to attend to the Prince Regent himself?

As Elizabeth and Darcy grapple with unsettling revelations, they find themselves caught up in a web of deception that could lead to the downfall of the Kingdom itself.

If you enjoy your Pride and Prejudice with a twist of magic and a hint of Harry Potter, you will love following Darcy and Elizabeth’s romance in this rollicking Jane Austen fantasy adventure set in the Regency world.

Traces of Magic is the third book in the magical Mr. Darcy series. It can be read as a complete, standalone story, although it might be useful to read the earlier books.

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Oh no! Sounds like Lydia is causing some mayhem! I love seeing Darcy and Elizabeth work together and face these sorts of challenges as a team. I think that is one of my favorite parts of this series!

Thank you so much for sharing this excerpt with  us, Monica! I wish you all the best in your upcoming release of Traces of Magic. 🫧🔥✨

You can preorder Traces of Magic now – expected release date September 28th.

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~ Check out the Mr. Darcy Magic series ~

 

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with Monica’s lovely visit today, she is giving away  2️⃣ ebook copies of Traces of Magic to 2️⃣ lucky winners!!

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Monica!
• This giveaway ends September 4th.

 

Thank you so much for the lovely visit, Monica! I wish you all the best with your lovely new release of Traces of Magic!!