Hi friends!! Guess who is visiting our blog today with a cover reveal?
The lovely Jan Ashton! Can you believe it?! 😮
Jan is becoming difficult to keep up with (not complaining!) 😉
I just recently read and reviewed A More Agreeable Man, and now there is another new book on the horizon to anticipate! 🙌🏼
And anticipate it I will! Jan is here to share the beautiful cover reveal of her upcoming release –A Hopeless Business!! We hope you enjoy! 🤗
~ Book Description ~
It is time you take a husband. You have had more opportunities than any four women together can boast—proposals from two men of fortunes or income and whom you should not refuse, but have.
ELIZABETH BENNET HAS RECEIVED more offers of marriage than any lady in Meryton, which makes her increasingly unpopular both in town and at Longbourn. Her refusal of an eligible suitor—coming hard on the heels of an incident that found her trapped with Mr William Collins and Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy—frustrates her mother and father, and makes her sisters anxious for their own futures. At last Mr Bennet has no choice but to give Elizabeth an ultimatum. She will be forced to marry the next man who asks for her hand.
WHILE MERYTON AND GRACECHURCH STREET harbour the recollection of unpleasant marital prospects, in Kent Elizabeth feels certain she will be safe from the advances of unwanted suitors. Alas, when Mr Darcy and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam arrive, gentlemanly honour and Lady Catherine de Bourgh get in the way of everyone’s happiness.
~ Excerpt for A Hopeless Business ~
Two days later, Mr and Mrs Collins, Miss Lucas, and Elizabeth joined the party in Lady Catherine’s largest, and in Darcy’s mind, most garishly ugly, drawing room. His aunt received them civilly, but it was clear to him that their company was acceptable only because she scorned her closest neighbours and disliked those whose fortunes or taste might rival her own. In sum, nobody else was available for or would accept her invitation.
The hideous room could hold a hundred people, yet it felt suddenly small when the party from Hunsford entered. Elizabeth was clad in a pretty blue gown, a mirthful expression playing on her lips; her eyes briefly caught his own, and for several minutes afterwards, he found his breath was short. After their encounter in the woods—the most agreeable half an hour he had spent in months—Darcy had not had a moment to wander the paths between Rosings and the parsonage and seek her out. Instead, when he was supposed to be squaring Rosings’s dwindling accounts, he had been preoccupied thinking of their conversation and how deeply gratified he felt hearing her thoughts and reassurances. His distraction was made worse by the memory of her smile and the feeling of her hand pressing on his arm. Innocently done—the briefest of contacts—but had a woman’s touch ever ignited such feeling?
Conscious not to show true pleasure in Elizabeth’s company when his aunt and Mr Collins were present, he watched as Richard moved quickly towards her and Miss Lucas. His cousin was clearly eager. Since he did not read and had no estate business with which to occupy himself, anything was a welcome relief to him at Rosings. It was unsurprising, then, that he seated himself by Elizabeth, and engaged her immediately in a lively discussion. Darcy, entrapped as he was by his aunt on one side and Anne on the other, covertly observed their conversation. He overheard bits relating to travel and music. Elizabeth appeared immensely entertained, and much to his annoyance, their conversation flowed with an alarming spirit.
It took little time for him to realise that she had captured his cousin’s fancy. Richard was a serious man when it came to soldiering, but when with family, he preferred levity, and when at Rosings, he had a bent for the absurd. ‘It is the only method of survival under Lady Catherine’s roof,’ he claimed.
Was he now determined to have a flirtation with Elizabeth, who took similar enjoyment in examining the absurd and laughing at it? Darcy cursed inwardly. I had felt responsibility to watch Collins, but now my cousin as well?
Beyond recounting the overview of their acquaintance in Meryton, encompassing the days spent confined at Netherfield and the hours in the boat-house, Darcy had been careful in speaking of Elizabeth to his cousin. Richard enjoyed teasing him too much, particularly when it concerned a lady. Close as they were, it was not Richard to whom he would speak of any real interest in a woman. In fact, he would not reveal himself to anyone until his mind was made up, and he had yet to encounter any lady who piqued true interest, let alone intent.
At least, not until Elizabeth Bennet. He had been unable to sleep the previous night, tossing in his bed as he thought of her small smiles, the familiar expression on her countenance—teasing, amused, overly aware of the foibles of her company.
And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: August 26th)
Peaceful, serene, and engaging – another splendidly attractive cover by the talented Susan Adriani! 📖
What a beautiful setting outdoors for repose and reading! That flowering tree is gorgeous. I would be out there all the time. 🌳
Lizzy refusing more suitors, an entrapped situation with Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy, and an ultimatum from Mr.Bennet – sounds like an exciting premise! 😛
Oh dear…is Colonel Fitzwilliam considering Elizabeth too? I hope Mr. Darcy doesn’t feel HIS suit is hopeless! 🙊
What do you think, friends? 🤔
~~~
~ About Jan ~
Jan Ashton writes and edits Jane Austen variations and regency and contemporary romances. She lives in suburban Chicago with her husband, an avid golfer and great reader, and does her best to manage the affairs of assorted cats, grown kids, and grandchildren. A Hopeless Business is her ninth book.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
The lovely people at Quills and Quartos are offering 3️⃣ ebook copies of A Hopeless Business to 3️⃣ lucky readers who comment on today’s post!
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Jan below.
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends August 1st.
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You can preorder A Hopeless Business now!
My sincere gratitude to Jan Ashton and the wonderful people at Quills and Quartos for putting this special post together!
Another Jan Ashton to anticipate. Beautiful art for the cover!
Thank you, Tiffany! I adore how Susan Adriani brings such a lovely mood to the covers she designs!
Darcy feeling jealous for the attention Elizabeth is getting from his cousin in Rosings! Can’t wait to read this new book and congratulations for its release!
Love the cover. That’s a lady who understand the good things in life. Relaxation and man’s best friend.
Poor Darcy, torn between what he most desires and saving the woman he loves from life’s next foible.
Congratulations!
Seriously that is a summer idyll I envy–too much rain and too many cicadas this summer in Chicago! And you are right about ODB–he is almost as busy as Elizabeth fending off her suitors. ;). Thanks, Sam!
I’m looking forward to reading this.
Thanks, Gwen! I hope you’ll enjoy the story.
What a beautiful cover. I think I can hazard a guess as to what is going to happen next, but I can ‘hope’ the business will be resolved to everybody’s ultimate satisfaction.
In a small town like Meryton, Elizabeth’s business is everyone’s concern. Good thing she has a good sense of humor and a bit of help from Mr Darcy to get things resolved–happily, of course. Thanks for the great comment, Kate!
Fantastic cover.
Thanks, Barry–and a belated happy birthday!
Lovely cover. Adding this to my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I love the cover too–so peaceful and serene. Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the drawing, Stephanie!
It’s too bad Darcy doesn’t know about Mr. Bennet’s ultimatum! Another lovely story by Jan Ashton, with an absolutely beautiful cover to match! I would like to sit on the other chair under that tree with a book!
Oh boy, Lizzy *has* to accept the next man that asks? And who, besides Collins, asked her before? I must add this book to the TBR hoard!
The ‘jewel of the county’ –that’s our Lizzy! I hope you’ll enjoy reading about her many proposals, Christina!
The excerpts I’ve read are so fascinating that I’m all anticipation for the release date. I can hardly wait to find out what happens next.
I am so glad to hear you’ve liked the first bits of the story, Lydia! I loved trapping Elizabeth with Darcy and Collins for at least a few hours–I had never written a ‘trapped together’ scenario! I hope you’ll like where the plot leads! Thank you for your uplifting comment.
A lovely cover, it looks so cosy and peaceful so it’s obviously not anywhere near Rosings? I’ve just read the boathouse excerpt and now this. I’m glad Elizabeth discovered the truth of the tolerable comment early and now just have to hope she’s nowhere near rich enough for the Colonel to consider and he backs off!
Good eye, Glynis! Rosings will not be a relaxing place for our Elizabeth. Hmm, I may have her stressed out quite a b it in this story. Ooops! I hope you’ll enjoy the book–thanks so much for commenting!
Sounds like a wonderful story.. can’t wait to read !!
Thanks, Susan! I had a blast writing it!
Love the cover, Jan, especially your use of varied fonts for the title and your name as author! Bravo!
Didn’t Susan do a spectacular job? The font for my name is a new one to me and complements the serene feel of the painting. Thanks for your help on the book, Regina! You’re the best!
I simply adore this cover, how I want to be the one in that deckchair! So peaceful!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this Jan Ashton book.
I will join you in that deckchair, Mary! We’ve had lots of rain and a bit of flooding, and today, I’m listening to my neighbor’s roofers pounding on shingles! I need some peace and quiet. So glad you like the cover, and I hope you’ll enjoy the story, too! Good luck in the giveaway!
I love the cover! The story sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks, Jen! Best of luck in the giveaway!
The book sounds awesome! I can’t wait to read it. Congrats, Jan.
Thanks, Lucy! You are a plot genius, so I appreciate the comment! Hope you’ll like the story.
I enjoy books by Jan Ashton and presently have two in line to read on kindle unlimited. I look forward to the release of this one.
Authors love hearing their books are queued up in a reader’s kindle, and I am no exception! I hope A Hopeless Business joins them, and you’ll enjoy all the books! Thanks, Anne!
Jan, congratulations on the publication of your ninth book! It sounds absolutely wonderful and I’m looking forward to reading it (honestly, I look forward to reading all your books – your stories were among the first I ever read when I discovered the world of JAFF). Cheers!
Thank you, my friend! I am so excited to have this story nearly out in the world and to unveil the gorgeous cover you designed for me! So restful and calm–exactly what Elizabeth Bennet needs!
What a beautiful cover! So bucolic. I love Jan’s stories…can’t wait to read this one. Elizabeth forced to marry, but with a unique twist!
Aw, thank you so much, Terri! I hope you’ll like this story too- it is a FMS, but with.a few twists along the way!
I agree with you, Meredith. I don’t think that I would leave the seat under the flowering trees either. What has gotten into Mr. Bennet that he has given his favorite child an ultimatum? And we all know that Col. Fitzwilliam is an outrageous flirt. Thank you for the excerpt and generous giveaway. Jan Ashton’s books have never failed to be anything but excellent.
This is not the nicest Mr Bennet I’ve written, and certainly less patient than the one in canon. He’d probably want to steal that chair under the shady trees and enjoy his book–but I’d rather save those chairs for us! Thank you for your lovely comment!!
That Mr Bennet! How dare he! The HEA in this one is so splendid, readers are in for such a treat! A lovely cover for a lovely read!
He’s a spicy one, isn’t he? He shakes off his indolence long enough to be annoying! Thank you, Julie, for all the advice and help you gave me in polishing this story. The HEA, among other things, is so much better because of your suggestions.
Alas…The title matches my chances of winning this contest, I fear. Prove me wrong?
Ha ha! The challenge has been thrown! Fingers crossed for you, Donna!
Beautiful cover. I can’t wait to read the story!
Thanks, Amy!
Beautiful Cover! I love the excerpt and verymuchlook forward to reading it!
Thanks, Jean. So glad you like the cover. It’s very calm and restful–unlike. much of the story!
I read the sample 3 chapters and they are enchanting!! Collins is sublimely dreadful and Darcy is charming and was ale to show Lizzie a different side of himself. It promises to be another delightful book.
Lovely review of those chapters! Thank you. I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the story, Hollis! (Spoiler alert: Collins remains ‘sublimely dreadful’)
So excited to read this book! Love everything I have read so far from Jan Ashton! Lovely serene cover as well.
Aw, you’re making my day, Danielle! Thank you!
The cover is gorgeous, and somewhere I can easily see myself. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway. Congrats and best wishes on the new release!
Thanks for stopping by and your kind words, Robin. The cover does whisper “happy place’, doesn’t it?
I love the plot and the cover! It looks like a lovely scene I want to climb right into. I cannot wait to read this.
Yay, I love hearing this! Such a calm cover to wrap around a story of turbulent romance and machinations. Hope you’ll enjoy the story, Beth!
Lovely cover and enticing sample!!
Thank you, Arlene!
Looking forward to this new book by Jan Ashton. I really enjoyed some of her previous work. This new book has such a lovely cover.
Thanks, Andreea! I hope you’ll like this story!
I’d like to occupy the other empty chair, please..
I think we have a game of musical chairs–more people than seats! And I don’t think Elizabeth wants to leave her happy place. lol
Ms Ashton provides clever, “true to time and character” Pride and Prejudice variations, and I anticipate that her new offering will continue her tradition of excellence. The cover for “A Hopeless Business” seems intriguing and somewhat mysterious.
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words, David! I had so much fun writing A Hopeless Business, and it flowed so easily, that I HOPE it lives up to expectations! And you’re onto something with the cover, too!
I do not think I have read this premise before. Elizabeth gets multiple offers of marriage, refuses them all and Mrs. Bennet knows–oh dear! The cover is fabulous. I’m looking forward to reading this story. Congratulations on publishing another book.
Hi Jeannette. I wondered how Jane and Elizabeth, the ‘jewels of the county,’ had not been peppered with proposals from the few men near in age or proximity and what would happen if our favorite Austen girl was the fave rave of Meryton’s boys and men. Turns out not to be such a good thing! Hope you’ll enjoy the story.
Can’t wait to read this – I’m a long-time fan of Jan Aston and absolutely love the cover. The artwork makes it so classical (I’m not a fan of covers with real peoples’ faces ). The story sounds great and I am counting the days!
Yay! I’m definitely not a math person (ask. my kids) but I do know how to do a daily countdown till August 26!
Another offering from Jan Ashton to look forward to. Love the cover
Thanks, Sarah1
Oooh, this is intriguing! Can’t wait to read it.
Hope you’ll enjoy it, Nan!
I love that cover. OMG! I calmed down just looking at it. I look forward to reading this. Thank you, Meredith, for hosting. Thanks to Q&Q for the generous giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing. I wish Jan much success in the launch of this new work. Blessings
Isn’t the cover so calm and peaceful? Seems like the perfect place to curl up and read, just like the lady in the painting. I’m so happy to hear you like it and find it serene, much as I do. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Thanks for a chance to win a copy of this story. I look forward to reading it, even if I don’t win a copy. Good luck with the release.
Thank you, Sheila, and best of luck to you in the giveaway!
It’s been in my Book List on Amazon for weeks. I’m looking forward to reading it.
🙂
Wendy
Oh Wendy, you make me smile, hearing that it’s been in your book list! Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the story!
What a beautifully serene cover! I have enjoyed the samples of the story so far, which has me eagerly awaiting the release! Congratulations on your ninth book, Jan!
Thank you so much, Pamela! Nine books! Amazing to see that number–can’t wait to hit the double digits!
The cover is lovely! I eagerly anticipate this book.
Thanks, Amanda!
The cover is lovely and I look forward to reading the book. Poor Elizabeth, having too many proposals.
Too many proposals seems like a good problem to have–if you’re Mrs Bennet, lol. Not so much if you’re one of her daughters. Thanks, Lynn!
I, too, find the cover art to be a lovely draw – true art. The image compels a person to take a book and find a shady copse with a glass of lemonade and twist a dangling bit of hair as she escapes into the world of JAFF. The first 2 chapters and excerpt at Rosings tease enough to raise the desire for more.
Wait, now I want to read the rest of the scene you just set! And Elizabeth wants to sit in that copse!
Thanks, Deb
Wonderful cover! Promising story! What more can a reader ask? I hope I get lucky.
I hope you do, too! Thanks for such a great comment!
Jan Ashton is one of my favorite authors. I would read her grocery lists! Love the cover and can’t wait for August 26th.
Omg, I am all astonishment and blushing at such high praise. Thank you so much, Elizabeth! (And forget the grocery lists–my husband rewrites them in his Bingley scrawl, but I can’t complain since he loves to do the grocery shopping.)
It looks like a must read 🙂
Thanks, Katja! I hope so!
Another lovely story with a matching cover (you don’t have to read it to know it’s gonna be good!).
I like this idea–go ahead and judge my book by its lovely (Susan Adriani-designed) cover! Thanks, EV! I hope you’ll enjoy the story!
Love the cover!
Thank you! Hope you like what’s inside, too!
It looks like a good read.
Thank you, Leela!
Huge thanks to Meredith for hosting me and A Hopeless Business, especially so soon after your lovely review of A More Agreeable Man! We so appreciate your blog as a gathering space for JAFF lovers!
Oh my, if the other suitors/proposals were as ridiculous and revolting as Mr. Collins’s, what choice could our dear girl had than to reject them!! What a beautiful cover, so serene even though the plot seems anything but!
You’ve totally pegged it, Satu! Serenity on the cover, hijinks and very bad proposals inside. With of course an HEA for ODC.
Beautiful cover and the story sounds so interesting
Thank you, Michelle!
Can’t wait to read this variation! Thanks for your interesting take on our dear couple and the men who are interested in Lizzy!
You’d almost think she was The Bachelorette deciding who gets the rose (is that how that show works?) but we all know there is only one man worthy of Elizabeth Bennet. Thanks, Becky!
Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks so much!
Ooh fabulous looking book and competition. Looking forward to reading it ,
Hope you like the story, Tracey! Thanks!
We’ve been spoiled with so many great stories by the fabulous Q&Q authors and here is another. Interesting premise thar I know Jan will bring to life in the very best way, and I will devour every word. I can’t wait! And Susan’s cover is lovely. xxxooo
Gail! It has been a fabulous year of JAFF books, from Q&Q and beyond, and it’s only July! I’m excited to have you read the story and tell me your thoughts. And yes–Susan is just amazing, isn’t she? XO
Heavens! Who else has proposed to Lizzie?? This should be interesting.
As a happily married woman who has only had one proposal, it was a lot of fun imagining the ones our dear Elizabeth would receive! I hope you enjoy reading them! Thanks, Lois!
Congratulations! I enjoyed A More Agreeable Man and am looking forward to this one!
Hey Lyndsay, thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know you enjoyed A More Agreeable Man. I assure you, Darcy is definitely the most agreeable man in this book too.
I love the theme of the book. I love contact marriage genes. This one seen very interesting. I was wondering can a person be marriage to two people that time period. I would like to see how it work out for them.
Many proposals for Elizabeth but she will only marry one of the men who offer for her. Thank goodness, you can guess which one! I hope you enjoy the story, Tasha!
Jan’s stories never disappoint. Cannot wait to read this.
You are too sweet! Thank you, Brenda! You know I love your stories, too.
Oh wow, what a beautiful cover indeed! As some others have commented this is an idyl looking peaceful place to read.
Nice! A “trapped” situation and from the sounds of it, some better communication perhaps early on to clear up some misunderstandings….and, Darcy to the rescue?! Can’t wait to read this!
Trapped in that bucolic spot sounds wonderful to me, but that’s not quite where Elizabeth, Darcy and um, Mr Collins get trapped together. Good things do happen, eventually, though! Thanks, Kaidi! Hope you’ll like the book!
Sounds great!
Thanks, Julie!
I’m so looking forward to reading this. And I just want to be magically transported inside the cover scene. Beautiful.
Thanks, Michelle. I’ll join you there, under the trees with a big pitcher of lemonade and a stack of books to read!
Loved the excerpt and am excited to read the whole story. The cover is really beautiful – is it my imagination or are paintings as novel covers kind of unusual?
I like that the painting gives me a vibe that this story takes place in another era, rather than many book covers that use photographs to model the story, and create a very specific and realistic scene.
I’m so glad you like the cover, Kathy. I’m fond of paintings on book covers, but so many beautiful paintings from or evoking the Regency era have been used on JAFF books, I feel fortunate Susan Adriani, the cover designer, is so clever at finding art. I hope you’ll like the story between the covers, too!
I’m looking forward to reading this. Love your books.
Thank you so much, Gwen. You make my heart happy.
I love the cover, I could see myself sitting there reading too!
Oh my gosh, Glory. Just saw these last few comments. I hope you’ve enjoyed the book!
I look forward to reading the book and keep my fingers crossed, that it will be released as an audio book as well 🙂
Hi Nina, apologies–I missed these last comments! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you’ve enjoyed the story!
Darcy feeling jealous for the attention Elizabeth is getting from his cousin in Rosings! Can’t wait to read this new book and congratulations for its release!
Hi Tzippy! Apologies for the very late reply! Thanks for your good wishes, and I hope you enjoyed the book!!
I presume it is Elizabeth that is depicted on the splendid cover. Susan Adriani is one talented designer and many of her covers for Q&Q are masterpieces. Oh, dear. It doesn’t bodes well for Darcy if his cousin also has an eye for Elizabeth. I look forward to the release next month.
Susan is awesome–a multitalented lady. I hope you’ve enjoyed the book, Luthien! So sorry for the belated reply!
I love the cover, it’s beautiful. I’m looking forward to reading this book too. Congratulations on the release
Thank you, Kate! I love the moodiness of the cover though it’s a mostly happy story, not quite hopeless. Hope you’ve enjoyed it!
I would love to read this story. It sounds very different than all the other stories of E&D! I love the cover and find the title intriguing.
Thank you, Audny! I hope you’ve had a chance to read the book–and that you’ve enjoyed it!