Hi friends! Our Austenesque authors keep busy,don’t they?! I’m definitely not one to complain about this – even if I am doing an abysmal job of keeping up with them! 🫠 

And one of the authors who I think is keeping the busiest is MJ Stratton! If you haven’t already heard, she released a collection of novellas earlier this month called Crossroads. But not only that, she is also working on a Sense and Sensibility variation that will come out this summer! 🤩

Today MJ is stopping by to share an excerpt from each work!! And they both sound fantastic! We hope you enjoy! 🙌🏼

~ Excerpt from What Became of Mary King (a novella in Crossroads) ~

Mary looked in her mirror, eyeing her reflection critically. She was not an unattractive young lady. Though her looks were nothing out of the common way, she was not a beauty like Miss Jane Bennet. Her hair was her finest feature, of course. Dark brown ringlets cascaded down her back close to her waist. They were the loose, perfect type of curls, suitable for the current trends in hairstyles, rather than the tighter ones many fought with. Her mane made arranging her hair in a fashionable way much easier, as there was no need for any crisping pins.

            Her figure, too, was fashionable. Mary was tall and willowy, with curves in all the right places. She was neither too thin, nor too stout, and was healthy enough given her predilection for walking. Her fingers were long and slender, and though she never learned to play the piano, she was certain her digits would do so admirably. Miss Lydia Bennet had called her short once, but everyone was shorter than Lydia, she being the tallest girl in Meryton.

            Mary’s gaze fell on her face in the mirror. Ah. Yes, she was lovely, except for her freckles. A smattering across her cheeks might have been acceptable, and deemed as sweet, but no, Mary had inherited her father’s complexion, and a thick splotch of the spots marred her pale cheeks, her nose, and even her forehead.

            A clever maid could use Mary’s hair to hide her forehead from view, but her cheeks were quite beyond disguise. She had tried everything in the past to hide the wretched things and still applied powder to them before a night out.

            A memory came unbidden to her mind, and she closed her eyes, reliving the moment when Mr. Wickham had turned the awful spots into something she cherished.

            “You are lovely,” he said huskily to her as he leaned against the doorframe to the little sitting room. His gaze raked over her and landed on her face, and he smiled that charming smile of his.

            “You flatter me, sir,” Mary replied, dropping her gaze demurely to her lap. She rose, and he crossed the room, capturing her hand in his and placing a kiss upon the back of it.

            “I love every inch of you,” Mr. Wickham said, reaching out to capture a curl that hung down the side of her neck.

            “Even my freckles?” Mary asked bravely.

            “Especially your freckles,” Wickham replied. “They are the kisses of angels, left upon your face so that all might know you are favored of them.”

            Heat suffused her as his hand caressed her cheek, his thumb rubbing over the offending specks. For the first time, her freckles did not seem so bad.

            “Mary!” Miss King called from Mary’s doorway.

            Mary jumped and turned around, keeping her gaze on her slippers that peeked out beneath her gown.

            “Yes, Aunt?” she asked meekly.

            “Are you woolgathering, child? I called your name several times and you did not answer.”

            “Merely lost in a memory, Aunt. Was there something you needed?”

            Her aunt raised an eyebrow at her, unspoken questions in her eyes. “Your uncle has guests joining us for dinner tonight. I wish for your help in making the seating arrangements. Cook has altered the menu to suit our company.” She pursed her lips and waited for a reply.

            “Yes, Aunt,” Mary said obediently.

 

I hope you give Crossroads a read! Here’s a sneak peek at my work in progress, a Sense and Sensibility variation called What Ought to Have Been.

The premise for this story is a What If I had over a year ago. What if Lucy had not secured Elinor’s promise of silence when she told her about the secret engagement? What if Elinor confided in Marianne when she was emotionally distraught, and Marianne had a few of her own realizations, prompting her to seek revenge for the wrongs perpetuated upon her and Elinor? This book is about both Elinor and Marianne but focuses more on Marianne and her quest for vengeance. If you’ve ever seen First Wives Club, this is book strongly reminds me of that.

~ Excerpt from What Ought to Have Been ~

“I have been quite eager to make your acquaintance,” Miss Steele said as they walked. “I have heard so much about you. I leaped at the opportunity to come to Barton when the invitation was offered.”

“Has Mrs. Jennings written often about us?” Elinor asked curiously.

“No, indeed,” Miss Steele replied, laughing lightly. “I have my information from quite another source.”

Elinor made ready to ask for clarification but halted when Miss Steele abruptly changed the subject.

“Can you tell me,” she began slowly, “do you know anything about your brother’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Ferrars?”

“I am afraid I know very little,” Elinor replied.

“Oh, what a shame!” Miss Steele lamented. “I had hoped that I might learn more of her from you. I have every hope that I shall be far more intimately connected with that family soon.”

Elinor started. “Do you mean to say that you have an understanding with Mr. Robert Ferrars?” she asked in surprise.

“No, not the younger brother,” Miss Steele replied seriously. “No, I mean Mr. Edward Ferrars.” Lucy paused, glancing about before continuing. “Edward and I have been secretly engaged these four years.”

Elinor’s insides went cold, and she struggled to maintain her equanimity as she stared at Miss Steele in shock. Her Edward? Engaged? When? How?

Miss Steele obliged her by answering the questions roiling within Elinor almost instantly.

“We first met when my uncle, Mr. Pratt, was Edward’s tutor,” she explained. “We are very much in love, you see, and our separation pains us greatly. We can hardly see each other above twice a year now. Edward says we must delay our marriage because his mother is sure to disapprove of the match. She has great hopes for him, you know. “

Yes, Elinor did know. Had not she and Edward spoken of the same thing as they strolled the gardens at Norland?

“I have a lovely miniature to remember him by,” Miss Steele continued. “He gave it to me some three years ago. When he visited us for a fortnight in Longstaple, I presented him with a lovely ring containing a lock of my hair. I had hoped you would be able to tell me more about Mrs. Ferrars, or even your sister-in-law, for I wish desperately to know them so that Edward and I can finally have our happiness.”

Elinor’s dreams seemed to be shattering piece by piece and Lucy spoke, and she knew not what to do or say in response to such a disclosure.

“I am sorry I cannot offer you more by way of information,” she said evenly, proud of herself for keeping her tone even.

“It is a relief just to speak of it to someone besides Anne,” Miss Steele said, sniffing a little. She pulled open her reticule and showed Elinor a letter.

“I have just received this letter from Edward,” she said. “He is well; these notes and tokens of our affection are all I have to cheer me during our long separation.”

Elinor recognized the writing on the missive and felt her heart squeeze again. Surely, Miss Steele was not prevaricating. The evidence that she spoke the truth was there, in her hand, and Elinor could not deny it.

“Is it very painful to know that your future is so uncertain?” Elinor asked to fill the awkward silence that fell. The question felt rather personal as well, and should Elinor be required to give an answer to it, she would shout a resounding yes for all to hear.

“Oh, the future is certain,” Miss Steele protested. “The timing is not, to be sure, but Edward and I will marry someday.”

Elinor pursed her lips but said nothing.

Miss Steele released Elinor’s arm and turned to grasp one of her hands. “Miss Dashwood,” she began, before a nearby shout interrupted her. She dropped Elinor’s hand and hastily shoved her letter into her reticule.

“Ho, there!” came the voice of Sir John Middleton. He was mounted upon his horse, and Elinor could see a few birds hanging from his saddle. The shooting that morning must have been a success.

“Miss Dashwood, Miss Steele, how are you both?” Sir John asked cheerfully, dismounting before them. “I have here a brace of pheasants for your mother, Miss Dashwood. Might I walk along side you back to Barton Cottage, where I may present them?”

Elinor replied in the affirmative, and Sir John accompanied she and Miss Steele back to the cottage, chattering the entire way. Elinor was pleased that Sir John carried the conversation, for her mind was reeling, and she knew not what to think or do with the information that had been pressed upon her. She wished to find a place to think and to grieve, for all her hopes now seemed to be shattered beyond repair.

I cannot wait to read both of these! I love the idea of seeing Mary King in the spotlight! And this would be the first ever variation of Sense and Sensibility for me! I cannot wait to see how this small alteration continues to alter things! Not only for Elinor, but also for Marianne! 🤔

Thank you so much for sharing, MJ! 🤗

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~ Book Description for Crossroads ~

What Became of Miss Mary King

Miss Mary King was whisked away to Liverpool by her uncle, thus escaping the clutches of Mr. Wickham. What became of the heiress once removed from the fortune-hunting cad that wished to marry her?

In Liverpool, she struggles with sadness and regret, battling the memories of what occurred in Meryton and resenting the fortune that made her so gullible a target for the charming rogue that stole her heart.

This story completes Mary’s saga as she learns to trust and love again.

At First Slight

What happens when an angry fairy takes offense to Mr. Darcy’s insult of one of his favorite mortals?

Eros and his bride, Psyche, boasted many names over the eons, but their purpose has always been the same: unite mortals with the potential for love and see them off to their happy endings. Their magic draws them about to the moment possibly lovers are fated to meet. The magic guides them as they aid the couples.

But what happens when Eros is angered by Mr. Darcy’s cruel words to Elizabeth? He takes matters into his own hands, of course, bumbling and erring the entire way. After acting impulsively, he and his bride must work to correct the course before Elizabeth and Darcy lose their chance at a happy ending forever.

A Change of Outcomes

What would happen if Lydia Bennet, while snooping in her sister’s room, discovered Lizzy’s letter from Darcy before going to Brighton? How would her perception of Mr. Wickham’s attentions change?

Lydia goes to Brighton with eyes wide open, and instead of falling for Mr. Wickham’s charm, chooses a steadier path. Her friendship with Harriet Forster takes a different turn, and she sees life and marriage in an entirely new way. But Mr. Wickham seems determined to win her good opinion, much to Lydia’s vexation. Will she get her own happy ending, or will she remain the vapid, foolish child she has always been?

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~ About MJ ~

MJ Stratton is a long-time lover of Jane Austen and her works, having been introduced to Pride and Prejudice by a much-beloved aunt at the age of sixteen. The subsequent discovery of Austenesque fiction sealed her fate. After beta reading and editing for others for nearly a decade, MJ started publishing her own work in 2022. MJ balances being a wife and mother with writing, gardening, sewing, and many other favorite pastimes. She lives with her husband and four children in the small, rural town where she grew up.

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~ GIVEAWAY TIME! ~

MJ Stratton is generously giving away ONE ebook of Crossroads in conjunction with this blog visit!!  Woot woot! 

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment below and fill out the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, MJ Stratton!
• This giveaway ends April 19th. That’s today 😧, better make haste!