Hi dear friends!!
I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome back author Emilia Stratford to Austenesque Reviews today. ✨
As you may remember, Emilia Stratford had a book come out earlier this year with Quills and Quartos – Some Particular Evil. 📖
Which is why I’m so excited about the prospect of ANOTHER new release from Emilia! 😮
Emilia is stopping by today to share the cover and an excerpt from her upcoming release – Such Persuasions as These – does this title mean what I think it means? 🤔
We hope you enjoy! 🙌🏼
~ From the Author ~
Thank you so much much, Meredith, for hosting the cover reveal for Such Persuasions as These. It’s such a privilege to share something so dear to my heart with your enthusiastic audience of Austen lovers!
The concept for this book began as I was laughing yet again at how proud Elizabeth is of her ability to read people, when in reality, she’s quite terrible at it. So, I thought to myself, “What if she really could read people? What would she see in Mr Darcy? What would she see in Wickham, Bingley, Jane, Mary, and others?” Add in a sprinkle of Frederick Wentworth (with some chronological liberties hehe) and Such Persuasions as These was born.
I hope you love it as much as I have loved bringing it to you!
~ Book Description ~
EVERYONE IN MERYTON KNOWS of Elizabeth Bennet’s peculiar betrothal with Captain Frederick Wentworth. Elizabeth has relished the uncommon engagement that was the result of childhood silliness, using it to ward off undesired suitors.
WHEN FITZWILLIAM DARCY arrives in Hertfordshire, it is clear the proud, unpleasant gentleman is in dire need of Elizabeth’s help. To help put him at ease, and encourage him to accept her friendship, she tells him she is spoken for and thus can have no designs on him. As circumstances—and Darcy’s unwitting comfort in Elizabeth’s company—throw them together, however, she glimpses a side of him hidden from the world—his quiet generosity, self-deprecating humour, and deep sense of honour. Soon recognizing that she is falling in love with Mr Darcy, she regrets ever having spoken of Frederick.
WHEN THE DASHING CAPTAIN WENTWORTH arrives at Netherfield Park, Darcy and Elizabeth are both unprepared for the revelations that come to light. Can they be persuaded to overcome their fears and tear down their walls to claim the love they both long for? Or will guilt and the pain of past betrayals keep them apart forever?
~ Excerpt from Such Persuasions as These ~
Fitzwilliam Darcy kept his eyes directly ahead as he neared the field atop Ramsgate’s famed chalk cliffs, his cousin Alec Fitzwilliam keeping pace at his side. Dawn was breaking over the distant blue horizon, casting the sky in muted hues of pink and lavender. Beneath his boots, the crunch of gravel gave way to a faint slapping noise as he turned into the tall blades of dewy grass. Darcy cared not for the delicate, low-growing flowers being trampled in his course, nor the majesty of the waves as they crashed against the jagged white walls below him.
He was here for one purpose.
A lone figure appeared far in the distance, standing near the only scrub tall enough to call itself a tree on these barren cliffs. Darcy halted, and Fitzwilliam followed suit, turning to face him with a puzzled expression on his brow.
“Is it not your office to deter me from this course?”
“Strictly speaking, yes,” Fitzwilliam answered, looking to the far off sunrise. “But, as I would be doing the same had I the opportunity, I cannot bring myself to do so.”
They exchanged a resolute nod and continued towards the gnarled yew—and the blackguard standing beside it. Darcy was almost shocked to see his old friend; it was not George Wickham’s habit to answer for his transgressions. He was much more likely to steal away in the middle of the night, leaving a trail of debts and feminine tears behind him.
“I am surprised he presented himself,” Darcy confessed.
“I am not,” his cousin said with half a grin. “I have stationed two men outside his quarters from the night you called him out until this morning. He has not had a moment of privacy these three days.”
“Where did you find such men amongst a society of strangers?”
“Truly, Cuz. It wounds me that you continue to question the extent of my resourcefulness.”
Darcy grunted a mirthless laugh.
A rogue wind rushed past, causing the tails of his greatcoat to flail behind him and a chill to cut through his riding breeches. The ominous mist that clung to the open field before them lumbered about in a slow swirl.
“Did you engage the surgeon?” Darcy asked, determined to ensure that his second had performed his duties. He would not be accused of behaving dishonourably in this contest of honour.
“Two of them.”
“Two?”
“If you are both shot, it would not be proper to leave Wickham to his wounds while the only surgeon tends to you. And I would not allow that rotter to be saved while you lie grievously injured. So, yes, two.”
They were close enough now that Darcy could make out the features on Wickham’s despicable face. Darcy’s blood raced hot through his veins. A picture of Georgiana appeared before him, her tear-stained cheeks, her inability to meet his eye in the humiliation she felt at having been taken in by Wickham’s claims, his promises and lies.
And the hurt. She might never recover from the horrific things that spewed from the dastard’s mouth about her that evening. Wickham did not attempt to spare her tender feelings, not even after spending the previous weeks making love to her. Instead, he made it clear to Darcy—in Georgiana’s hearing—that he was only interested in her dowry, that he “never intended to play house with the chit”, that as soon as he had secured her fortune, he had planned to deposit her on the doorstep of Pemberley and never look back. His undying devotion, it seemed, had perished with the prospect of gaining her thirty thousand pounds, and Wickham took pains to make that clear.
The tension was becoming a knot in Darcy’s gut as they drew nearer to the traitor. Wickham was watching them as they approached, his coat unbuttoned and his stance lazy, as if this were nothing more than a morning’s amusement. The corner of Wickham’s mouth twitched upward, and Darcy wished nothing more than to remove the smirk from Wickham’s face permanently. He would aim for the heart, but perhaps if he missed and fate was kind, his bullet would tear through that pretty visage. One could only hope.
The pair stopped several yards from their opponent. Wickham swept them a mocking bow.
“Ah, Darcy, you came. I was beginning to think you had changed your mind.”
“You hoped I would, I daresay. But not this time, Wickham. You have gone too far. Where is your second?”
Wickham shifted on his feet. “I know nobody here, Darcy. Unlike you, I do not have the coin to summon my minions from town at the drop of a hat,” he said with a sneer towards Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“What he means is that, though he requested the presence of several of his cronies, none of them felt the least inclination to stand with him. One of them even professed that he was looking forward to reading his death notice.”
“He shall have to get used to disappointment,” spat Wickham, his pretence of nonchalance slipping.
“Enough,” Colonel Fitzwilliam interrupted in a firm, quiet tone. “We all know why we are here.” He went on to set the number of paces and remind the men that no shots were to be fired until they had turned fully, that they were each permitted only one shot, and that regardless of the outcome, honour was considered satisfied after this morning’s affair was concluded. The pistol case was opened, and Fitzwilliam carefully loaded each one before their eyes. Wickham chose his weapon. Darcy took the other. “At my signal, both parties shall confirm their readiness, and you shall begin taking your ten paces.”
Darcy nodded with a steely glare at his opponent. Wickham’s acknowledgment was less assured, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. Fitzwilliam held up his handkerchief, paused for two breaths, then dropped his arm in signal.
Darcy turned, his boots sinking into the damp earth with each deliberate step.
~~~
And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: August 31st)
Amazing!! It is so vivid and intimate – I feel like I am there in this scene hearing the hushed whispers. 🤫
What a study of postures and body angles – each one reveals so much on its own. 👀
Elizabeth and Captain Wentworth? An uncommon engagement? Captain Wentworth showing up at Netherfield? This is going to be fun! 🤩
But then that excerpt though…looks like there will be plenty of drama and danger too… 🫣
What do you think, friends? 🤔
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
The lovely people at Quills and Quartos are offering 3️⃣ ebook copies of Such Persuasions as These to 3️⃣ lucky readers who comment on today’s post!
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Emilia below.
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends May 31st.
You can preorder Such Persuasions as These now!
My sincere gratitude to Emilia and the wonderful people at Quills and Quartos for putting this special post together!
Now this seems truly interesting to read. And I like the cover too – the more traditional style cover for P&P variations seem to be a bit few and far between of late. I enjoyed Some Particular Kind of Evil, and it appears Ms Stratford may have written yet another enjoyable P&P variation from this excerpt. And now I’m wondering who the lady on the far right of the cover might be. Lady Catherine, Mrs Bennet, or someone else entirely?
I know exactly the scene Q&Q were thinking of when they chose this cover, and it is perfect. I am so in love with this Darcy and Elizabeth–I hope you fall in love with them, too!
I loved Some Particular Evil and am thrilled you have another book coming out. Combining bits of my two favorite Austen books is wonderful. I can’t wait to read it! Congratulations!!
Thank you! I’m so thankful for the support I’ve gotten from readers like you. I think you’ll love Elizabeth’s “Freddie”, both as a boy and all grown up.
I loved “Some Particular Evil.” Can’t wait to read this next one. The cover reminds me of something like a Georgette Heyer book. Very stylistic! Reading about all those little touches and whispers (and maybe a tiny glimpse of ankle) always makes me feel like any romance must have felt like a smoking firecracker back then. Emelia, your description of the duel scene gave me shivers. I could just feel that morning chill too. I hope Wickham hasn’t figured out some way to cheat…the big cowardly sneak! Thanks for the giveaway and congrats on this new release!
Thank you, Terri. I loved writing that duel–funny how much research goes into one scene! And how much one scene can influence the rest of our dear couple’s story. I hope you love ‘Such Persuasions’ as much as you loved ‘Some Particular Evil’!
Oh no! You can’t stop there! I do have to assume that Darcy lives to love Elizabeth but is it too much to hope that Wickham is fatally injured?
Wickham gets his just desserts, that’s all I can say
Oh, I absolutely must read this just to see if Wickham gets the comeuppance he deserves!
How exciting! Congratulations!!
I enjoy when crossovers can shake things up and offer us a different variation.
Looking forward to reading it.
The lady is the shadows made me chuckle. I can just imagine Mrs. Bennet eavesdropping, hoping for good news to crow over.
I adore the insertion of a young, up-and-coming Frederick Wentworth into Elizabeth’s youth. I hope you feel I did the crossover justice!
A duel between Darcy and Wickham; I haven’t seen that in quite a few books. I am glad Col. Fitzwilliam is there to keep things “legal”. The pairing of Elizabeth and Wentworth is unusual to say the least.
I did love Some PArticular Evil and must re=read it.
I’m excited for you to see how they all get along–or don’t hehe–and what kind of a wrench dear Wentworth throws in the spanner just as things are heating up
Looking forward to reading more.
This is an excerpt from the prologue, so the entire story unfolds from here!
Lovely cover. I also loved Some Particular Evil and am looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
I’m glad you loved Some Particular Evil–this is a very different story, but I hope you like it just as much!
Oh this is such a novel concept, and I am *intrigued*! 😀 Also that cover is beautiful. Simply beautiful.
A “novel” concept–ra ha ha! Sorry, author humor…
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you enjoy the book!
No worries, I made myself giggle when I typed it 😉 hehe
I love books that combine characters from Jane’s other novels!
Me, too! That Jane had so many lovely characters–why leave them all in their own fictional worlds?
The cover is so expressive you can almost hear the narration. I’m on pins & needles for how the duel ends!!
Love this comment! Thank you for your kind words.
The cover is great, and Quills & Quartos presents really excellent books – all the time.
Thank you for this giveaway – fingers crossed.
You’re so right! I am honored to work with Q&Q. I love the work they do, too.
Does it make me a sadist to say I love it when a variation has a duel? Maybe it’s because they are so seldom brought up, and even then just mentioned in passing. Looking forward to this!
Yay! I was a little worried I’d get some pushback, but everyone has loved it so far…
Oh my! I do not believe I have read this premise before. An interesting concept to be sure! I will certainly be putting this on my wish list. Congratulations on publishing another story!
Thank you Jeanette! I really appreciate your congratulations.
WOW! When will this be released? I don’t trust Wickham. He may turn before they finish the steps and shoot Darcy! I am on tenterhooks! So when does Captain Wentworth show up? I, too, loved ‘Some Particular Evil’! Congratulations!
August 11th is the scheduled release date. And, yeah, that wicked Wickham is always up to something…
I hope you love ‘Such Persuasions’ as much as you loved ‘Some Particular Evil’–thank you so much for your congratulations.
I must admit, Persuasion is not one of my favourite stories, and I almost stopped reading any further, but I’m so glad I did. What an interesting snippet – I doubt that Wickham will behaviour like a gentleman with regards to the rules for a duel. And the book description was certainly enticing. Now I want to know what happens next
You can pretend it’s a different Captain Wentworth and focus on the love story between Darcy and Elizabeth if you want to 😉 Either way, I hope you love it!
My two favorite Jane Austen books! I am really looking forward to reading this. Thank you for the cover reveal, excerpt and giveaway. Congrats and best wishes on the new release!
These are my two favorites, too. Thanks for your best wishes!
Quite an interesting proposition! Looks like it is a super interesting plot. I hope I get super lucky!
I hope so for you, too!
It looks amazing and I am looking forward to it
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
Reading the sample makes me very excited to read this new novel.
I’ve already pre-ordered. I love and enjoy all of your contributions to the P&P genre but right now my favorite is “No Less Than Any Other” but that could change come August 11, 2025! Keep writing Ms. Stratton. Your fans await your entries patiently!
Mmmmm!
[is it wrong that I hope, after reading, you and all the Campbells think my story is mmm-mmm good??]
WOW! Great crossover concept. Can’t wait to read it! ~ PS – Pretty Cover. 🙂
I’m excited for you to read it, too! Thank you!
How exciting! Congrats on the release of another book. I agree with others that I do not trust Wickham in a duel. Since we know from the synopsis that Darcy lives to meet Elizabeth, I fear for Colonel Fitzwilliam!! Can’t wait to read it.
I love that about JAFF readers–they see how every incidence can go in any directions, and their imaginings turn into their own stories! Can’t wait for you to see how it all turns out.
I want to know more about how this peculiar betrothal, and how it came about! And what about Freddy and Anne – have they met? Been engaged?
It shall all be revealed, my love…
Wonderful premise. Loved the excerpt. Best Wishes with your new book and for featuring here.
Thank you, Jennifer!
Love the premise, and I can’t wait to read it!
I can’t wait for you to read it!
Oh my days, what a point to cut off the excerpt! Eeek.
Kind of a critical point in the scene, eh? I hope you come back to see what happens next!
Thanks again, Meredith, for hosting the cover reveal for ‘Such Persuasions as These’! I’m so in love with this story and this cover design–your beautiful introduction really did it justice. Thank you again!
Sounds great and love that Wentworth makes an appearance in this.
Congrats on the new book, I look forward to reading it
Captain Wentworth? And Elizabeth Bennet? To quote Emma, every feeling revolts! But I’m looking forward to it 🙂
Wow congratulations in your latest release. I loved the excerpt and look forward to reading more. My two favorite Jane Austen novels are Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, so I’m interested to see how these two are intertwined. –Leslie
I loved reading Some Particular Evil and I am looking forward to reading this one.
I agree with Meredith that this books will be fun. I like the new premise of Elizabeth being spoken for by Captain Wentworth, and then Darcy appearing. Darcy is a men of honor so how will Elizabeth get out of her commitment? Thank you for the excerpt – love how Col. F. contracted for 2 surgeons and his reasons why.
What a beautiful cover! It makes me wonder what was being said between the two, and can the lady in the shadows hear any of it? I love that she is there to add a little bit of mystery! I am looking forward to reading the book, and seeing how the outcome of the duel goes for Darcy and Wickham.
Often Darcy and Fitzwilliam curse the fact they did Not duel Wickham – naming all the drawbacks. Obviously Darcy survived or he wouldn’t meet Elizabeth in Meryton. The two excerpts draw one in nicely, the hint that Darcy has an ‘illness’ following the duel hints he didn’t escape unscathed. Or maybe it’s unrelated? I admit to being curious – will definitely read.
With that excerpt, of course I have to read the book! Looking forward to it.
I like the story concept and the cover art is unique, which helps me quickly identify it in my Kindle Library grid of covers. I’m looking forward to reading it.
🙂