Hi friends! Guess who is visiting today with their 11th Cover Reveal at Austenesque Reviews – Heather Moll! 👏🏼
Her collection of books and book covers is absolutely stellar – I don’t think I would ever be able to choose a favorite! 😍
Heather’s upcoming release – Requirements for Love – is a Pride and Prejudice variation where Elizabeth Bennet is injured in London and spends a lot of time with the Darcys. ❤️🩹
Heather is here to share an excerpt and the stunning cover for Requirements for Love. 📖
We hope you enjoy! 🤗
~ From the Author ~
I can’t believe I’m back at Austenesque Reviews with another cover reveal! This is such a fun part about bringing out a new Austen variation. This latest release is another installment in my Love in London series, where these unordered kisses-only books take place with Darcy and Elizabeth in London the winter after the Netherfield Ball.
In Requirements for Love, Elizabeth is with Jane and her aunt Gardiner when she slips on the ice and sprains her ankle a few steps away from Darcy’s front door. What could happen when she’s forced to spend two weeks recuperating in the same house as the man who ruined Wickham and separated Jane from Bingley?
A big part of the story is Georgiana’s attempts to find her new friend Lizzy a husband. Darcy thinks this is a great idea—at first. But when he starts to learn what Elizabeth wants in a husband, he realizes the best person for her isn’t one of his friends, but actually himself.
Evelyne Labelle at Carpe Librum Book Design never lets me down! I said I wanted a cover that reflected the longing in the book. I also mentioned that Elizabeth has a thing for Darcy’s rolled-up shirt sleeves. (Historical romance fans don’t get as much rolled-up sleeve enjoyment that contemporary romance does.) And look what she designed! I love these colors and longing looks.
~ Book Description ~
She told herself she hated the man who ruined her sister’s happiness. But anything could happen when she’s forced to spend two weeks under his roof…
Elizabeth Bennet holds a grudge. Fleeing her mother’s displeasure over a jilted suitor, the frustrated young lady heads to London to join her aunt and uncle for the winter. But when she sprains her ankle outside the home of the handsome gentleman who ruined her beloved sister’s happiness, the spirited wit is dismayed to hear she can’t be moved for two weeks.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is horrified by his own heart’s yearnings. But calling upon his younger sister to act as a chaperone, he nobly offers his residence as a place for the beautiful woman to recuperate. And when the two ladies start matchmaking to find Elizabeth a husband, the wealthy landowner hopes it will quash the temptation to propose once and for all.
Shocked by how well they get along, Elizabeth realizes her chivalrous host is the ideal fit for her list of qualities necessary in a spouse. But with her uncouth family still nagging at Darcy’s sense of propriety, he defaults to the harsh honesty that already caused their ugly rift.
Will they compare secret notes and discover a delightful happily ever after?
This is a full length, low angst, kisses-only variation.
~ Excerpt from Requirements for Love ~
In this excerpt, it’s London after the Netherfield ball where both Elizabeth and Jane have gone to town. Elizabeth, Jane, and Mrs. Gardiner are continuing their errands after Jane has paid a disappointing call on Miss Bingley. It’s an icy day, so let’s hope nothing bad happens…
***
They cautiously made their way across the crowded pavement covered in patches of ice. Elizabeth stepped out last, and after the driver handed her down, a pair of young dandies walking and laughing strode past. One of them jostled her with his walking stick, and she stumbled, and a false step on a slick of ice brought her suddenly to the ground.
She cried out in surprise, and one man turned back, touched his hat, and said, “I beg your pardon,” and continued down the street.
Mrs Gardiner and Jane hurried to her side. With their help, Elizabeth raised herself from the ground, but her foot had been twisted in the fall, and she could scarcely stand. “Lizzy,” her aunt cried, “are you hurt?”
When she tripped, her foot rolled inward, and she had felt a sharp pain on the outer side of her right ankle. “I am well.” Elizabeth stepped toward the shop, but winced and lost her balance and staggered into her aunt. They might have both fallen had a stranger not steadied her arm.
“Forgive me, madam, but I saw the entire thing,” the man said. “Those two men ought to be ashamed of themselves for not staying to assist you. May I call your carriage?”
Elizabeth was too embarrassed by her situation to answer him. All of her traipsing about the country, and she had slipped in London in front of so many people.
“We would have to hire another hackney,” her aunt said, sounding alarmed, “but I am uncertain how she can climb into it if her foot is sprained or broken. I think we need someone with a cart so we can lift her onto the back.”
“My ankle will be perfectly well,” she insisted. “Perhaps I can just sit in the shop for a moment?”
She let go of the stranger’s arm and tried to put her weight on it again, but she winced and he adjusted his grip to keep her from falling.
“Madam, my cousin’s house is just there in Charles Street,” he said to Mrs Gardiner, pointing. “You can nearly see it from here. Allow me to carry the young lady there, and we can send for a surgeon.”
“Oh no!” Elizabeth cried. This was too mortifying. “It is not that bad.”
“Lizzy,” said Jane, “do not let your modesty decline what your situation clearly renders necessary.”
“We could not impose on your cousin,” said Mrs Gardiner. “But perhaps if you know someone with a cart who would return us to Gracechurch Street?”
“Neither my cousin nor I could call ourselves gentlemen if we were not of service to you,” he said earnestly. “And it is always best in these cases, you know, to have a surgeon’s opinion without loss of time.”
The stranger was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman. Mrs Gardiner looked at her, and Elizabeth knew she was going to agree. “Very well, we would be much obliged to you and your cousin, if you think he would be agreeable.”
The kind man gestured his intention to pick her up, but Elizabeth shrank back. “Surely there is another way to convey me to the house? I can lean on your arm and hop. You said it was not far.”
“I fear that would leave you rather sore and we would make slow progress. I promise your weight will not stagger me,” he said, smiling. “It is not half a furlong to the door.”
Her aunt and sister stared heavily at her, emphasising that this was unavoidable. Elizabeth forced a smile.
“By your leave?” he asked, and when she nodded, the stranger took her up in his arms.
It took only a moment to arrive at number six, and the stranger entered and placed her on a chair in the library. It was a large room filled with books open to an equally fine dining room. Whoever this man’s cousin was, Elizabeth admired his taste; it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine.
The stranger went back into the hall to speak with a woman, presumably the housekeeper, who promised to despatch a footman for a surgeon and said the master was due shortly.
“I should hope so,” the stranger said as he returned to the library. “We were to meet here at half past, and he is never late.”
“Are we to know the name of my niece’s rescuer?” Mrs Gardiner asked when the housekeeper left.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam.” He bowed.
Elizabeth started as her aunt made the rest of the introductions. Fitzwilliam was Mr Darcy’s given name. It must be a curious coincidence. Surely this pleasant, accommodating man could not be cousin to a selfish man like Mr Darcy.
And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!
(Expected release date September 2nd)
and the full wrap…
I’m swept away – it is so romantic! I love the shirt sleeves, her gaze, his fingers… *swoon* 😍
I love the color palette for this cover – the turquoise, the pastel blues and greens, the ivory. 🎨
Elizabeth convalescing at Darcy house is brilliant – I can’t wait to see what kind of patient she is! 🩼
I love that this premise includes more of Georgiana and some matchmaking attempts! 😄
What do you think, friends? 🤔
~~~
You can Preorder Requirements for Love now!
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Today Heather brings with her a lovely prize to give away! One lucky commenter on this post will win an ebook copy of Requirements for Love!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment, question, or some love for Heather!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Heather!
- This giveaway ends August 13th!
I always look forward to reading Heather’s books!
Thank you for feeding my author soul!
Love Heather Moll’s books! Even the kissing only ones . Can’t wait to read it! Thank you for the chance to win!
Thank you!! Best of luck in the giveaway.
The cover does look so pretty with the blues and greens; makes Darcy look more fun, light-hearted even instead of wearing all dark colors that he is usually portrayed in. I am very much looking forward to reading this “kisses-only” book! The excerpt is perfect! Intriguing and leaving us readers wanting more!
So happy this cover and excerpt caught your interest! Thank you!
I look forward to reading this. Thanks for a chance to win. I also added it to my Wish List.
I’m thrilled it piqued your interest! Best of luck in the giveaway.
I love this cover, the colours are wonderful! Please don’t enter me in the giveaway. I’ve just started reading this and I’m loving it already.
Aren’t the colors so lovely? She did a great job with this cover.
I adore the colors used on the cover. The bright colors are so beautiful and uplifting. The story sounds right up my alley too. I’ve always been fond of variations where they’re forced together to recognize some hard truths about themselves before Hunsford. Throw in Georgiana as a matchmaker. How fun!
I’m such a sucker for forced proximity romances too!
I cannot wait to get my Heather Moll fix! So excited!!!
This made me smile!! Thank you!
I love the cover, I loved the excerpt, and as usual, I look forward to all Heather’s books.
Thanks so much Suzan!!
Love this cover image! And I cannot wait to dive into the story.
Didn’t the designer do a lovely job with just me saying “longing” and “shirtsleeves”? She’s so talented.
As Elizabeth is thinking, Fitzwilliam is not a common name, and she should be worried! I agree with Meredith about the colors. My eyes was drawn to the materials of Darcy’s waistcoat and Elizabeth’s dress. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway. Heather’s books have all be favorites.
Elizabeth should be SO worried. And Darcy is walking into quite a surprise! Thanks for your kind words!
I am looking forward to reading another of Heather’s books!
I’m so glad! Good luck in the giveaway.
What a sweet treat. A beautiful cover (the greens, the blues) and a lovely fantasy to go with it. His leaving her in the library, too. Look forward to diving into this!
Aren’t the colors lovely?? I have zero vision and skill in that arena, so I’m fortunate to have found a talented designer.
Omg love the cover and the book sounds so amazing!!! Can’t wait to read!!!!!
I love your enthusiasm!! Thank you!
Grear snippet, and I love the cover, can’t wait to read the published book
I’m glad you’re excited! I can’t wait for people to read it!
I can’t wait for this book’s release. I’ve enjoyed ALL your other books and posts on JAFF sites. Thank you for the tempting tidbit.
You’re an OG! That first fic was posted at the end of 2011. I’m so glad you’re excited for this new one!
Beautiful cover.
Thank you very much!
I can’t wait for this one! The cover is absolutely lovely too.
I’m thrilled your excited for it! I can’t wait to bring it out.
When I was a child, there was a saying, ‘blue and green should never be seen’!
This picture throws that saying right out of the water!!! It is so beautiful!
Love, love, love it! Can’t wait to read another Heather Moll book they are always guaranteed to please.
I’ve never heard that expression, and I’m so glad the designer hasn’t either. So glad you like it and are eager to read!
The cover is gorgeous! I’ve always loved it when an author dresses Darcy in something besides black, but bonus here because…shirtsleeves! Swoon! Yup definitely gotta read this.
The shirtsleeves really make it, right! It’s such a nice touch. Thank you!!
Stunning cover, very eye-catching! Can’t wait to read the book 🙂
Thank you!! Didn’t the designer do a lovely job?
Sounds interesting. Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks so much! Good luck in the giveaway!
Oh this sounds so good! And that cover is simply beautiful 🙂
Thank you Rebecca!! Didn’t the cover turn out lovely? The designer did such a good job.
I love it. The book cover is beautiful and the premise sounds so good. Thanks for the excerpt. I look forward to reading it. Heather’s books never disappoint. –Leslie
Thanks for your kind words Leslie!!
Congrats on the release!
Thanks so much! Good luck in the giveaway.
The cover is gorgeous! I must read this.
Yay! I’m so happy it piqued your interest.
You’re one of my favorite authors. My favorite one is “Nine Ladies.”
Aw thank you! That brightened my morning.
I love this premise. And that it was Colonel Fitzwilliam who witnessed her slip. Looking forward to reading this!
Thank you so much! I think it’ll be a fun read!
That is a beautiful cover . We are not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I will admit to skipping ugly covers and there are few out there.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this but but I already have it on preorder.
So looking forward to its magical arrival on release day.
All the best with it Heather.
I got a masters in library science and worked in public libraries… people definitely choose a book by its cover! And now in publishing, it’s even easier to see the conventions and expectations people have as far as genre and quality depending on the cover. Might not be fair, but that first look is important. So I’m thrilled you’re excited for it, pretty cover or not. Thank you!
Just finished Nine Ladies and (although preferring closed door) I thoroughly enjoyed the premise! You write books that are hard to savor…I don’t want to put them down!
Thanks for reading Nine Ladies and I hope you enjoy this forced proximity one, too!
What a cute premise. Sparks might fly! I love all your books, Heather. I’m really looking forward to this new one. I’m finally getting around to reading ‘Without Undue Pride,’ now. A really sad tale, which I’m loving. Congrats on the new launch.
I can only agree with everyone else’s opinion on the gorgeous cover.
So happy you’re excited for this one Michelle! And I’m glad you’re liking Without Undue Pride. Elizabeth and her steadfast Darcy will finally get the HEA they deserve, I promise.
Shirtsleeves! And forced proximity! Sounds like a winning recipe to me!
Right?? Might be my two favorite things in historical romance lol Thanks so much!
Heather Moll is one of my favorites. Love the excerpt!
Aww, thanks for brightening my morning Lois!
I like the cover!.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I hope love to read it soon.
Thanks so much! I love it, too. Best of luck in the giveaway.
Love the colour theme for this and very much looking forward to reading this soon!
Aren’t the colors gorgeous? The designer did a lovely job. Thank so much!
Deborah, you were the lucky winner chosen by my handy dandy random number generator! Congratulations. Shoot me an email or use the contact form on my website so I can send you a copy!
I like Georgiana as a matchmaker!
She’s such a sweetheart here! Good luck in the giveaway.
Gorgeous cover! It sounds like an interesting and entertaining story – one to add to my library
Thanks so much! I’m thrilled it piqued your interest.
I particularly enjoy ‘cover reveal’s’ because I read almost exclusively digital books now. I appreciate the creativity of the graphic artists in achieving an eye-catching cover that reflects the author’s intent.
I am also intrigued by the story tease. I have read stories with similar beginnings and am curious to see where you take it.
While I would love a free copy, I usually purchase your books anyway. Thank you for giving the opportunity.
Thank you!! The designer did a wonderful job capturing the spirit I was going for. I admire her talents so much.