Hi friends! I’m thrilled to share this special cover reveal with you today! 🙌🏼

It is a cover reveal for a new Jane Austen Inspired Anthology!! 🎉

Six fabulous Austenesque authors are putting together an anthology to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday and will donate the proceeds to the Jane Austen House Museum! 👏🏼

We have editor, Carol Bowes here to share the beautiful cover for In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales. ✨

We hope you enjoy! 🤗

~ From the Editor, Carol Bowes ~

To celebrate Jane Austen’s 250^th birthday, I needed a book that was truly unique to attract readers to join in on the commemoration. This combination of travel and associated photos with stories from some of the best authors in Austen-inspired writing today became my passion.

An important aspect to any good book is an eye-catching cover, and I think our own Leslie Diamond of Diamondback Covers succeeded on that aspect. I hope you agree. First, I have the blurb to entice you about the contents of this special book.

~ Book Description ~

We will know where we have gone—we will recollect what we have seen.
—Pride and Prejudice Chapter 27

With a foundation of the prose created by six handpicked Austen-inspired authors who have selected a location from their travels upon which to base an Austenesque short story, this book is just as much a whimsical travelogue as an anthology of excellent Regency romance fiction and fantasy. Each author tells the story of their homage to Jane Austen during their past travels to the UK, with photos to enhance the tale.

Curated and edited by meticulous Regency romance and Austenesque editor Carol S. Bowes, the anthology/travelogue is a quality edition that will be sure to grace a few future trips to England by Janeites or settle on coffee tables for those who prefer to live vicariously through the travels of our authors and enjoy a variation or six.

Suzan Lauder, Kelly Miller, L.L. Diamond, Heather Moll, Lory Lilian, and Riana Everly are the six authors, and each one is known for their popular, engaging, and high-quality Austenesque novels, with many bestsellers and prize winners among them.

Profits from the sale of the book will go to the Jane Austen House Museum.

~ Excerpt from L.L. Diamond’s short story ~

To give readers a taste of what’s in the anthology, we have an excerpt from one of the stories, No Other Choice, by L.L. Diamond.

20^th of April 1814

14 April
Southampton

Darcy,

As you can see by my direction, I have been in Southampton for a week, and unfortunately, I have naught to report. I have shown the miniature to every inn I have passed and had no luck. I even asked in a few shops, including a bookstore, that I thought might be of interest.

Tomorrow, I am for Portland then Torquay. I shall continue my inquiries as I journey west. Once I have completed the task the General has assigned, I shall return to London, although I expect you and Georgiana will have departed for Pemberley. I understand why you would not wish to remain in town.

Richard

Nothing. He should not be surprised, yet a part of him held his breath every time he opened one of Richard’s letters. His cousin had been sent by the army to gather information from the southern ports: Chatham, Dover, Portsmouth, Southampton, Torquay, Falmouth, and Devonport. He would stop at Bristol on his return. What if he found nothing to be of aid? What if Elizabeth was now gone forever?

Richard was correct that Fitzwilliam would not remain in London. He and Georgiana would depart in the morning. With the help of his aunt and uncle, they had put it about that Elizabeth had been gravely ill over the winter and had not regained her health as yet. His reputation and that of Elizabeth’s would suffer if the truth was known to all. As far as those in London knew, he and his sister rushed back to Pemberley to be with his wife.

“Sir, Mrs. Reynolds has arrived.”

His head jerked to the butler who stood just inside the door of his study.

“Bring her here directly, if you please.”

The man frowned. “Would you not wish to see her settled first?”

“No.” He barely kept the word from becoming a growl. “I would see her now before she is unpacked.”

Hughes dipped his chin. “Of course, sir.”

The Pemberley housekeeper wore a wide smile when she entered the study. “Good afternoon, sir. I hope you and Miss Darcy are quite well.”

“Hughes, shut the door behind you.”

Mrs. Reynolds’ smile faltered at his hard tone. “Is something amiss, sir?”

As soon as a click indicated the door had closed, he removed the journal from a side drawer, opened it to the first of many pages he had marked, and set it on his desktop.

“If you would read that passage.” He would not address her respectfully; she did not deserve such pleasantries.

“I do not understand.”

“You will once you do as I say.”

The woman he had trusted for most of his life stepped forward and lifted the journal. Her eyes moved as she read through the lines his aunt had committed to paper, and her complexion paled.

“Sir—”

“Flip to the next marker.”

“But—”

“Do as I say!” He made no pains to conceal his anger.

The woman startled but with shaky hands, opened the book to the next passage.

“At the top on the left.” He had read the words enough to know where each offending paragraph was situated. She cringed and began to blink hard.

“You can go to the next marker,” he said.

“Sir, I have no need.”

He shot to his feet. “Do you not! Perhaps you require a reminder of how you betrayed my wife—how you betrayed me!” He did not restrain his voice. The housekeeper deserved this. She had acted against his family—against him. She deserved even worse!

“Sir—”

“I have given this a great deal of consideration, and I care not why or how you wish to defend yourself. You lied to me. You made me believe Elizabeth had an affair with George Wickham. She stood there while you vilified her, tears running down her face, and yet you did not stop. You ensured she felt nothing was available to her except to flee her home with my unborn child in her belly.”

“Sir, I do not know for certain.”

“I spoke to Sophie! She confirmed that Elizabeth had felt the quickening the morning I returned to Pemberley. Can you imagine her feelings? She was likely excited and anticipating telling me such happy news, and instead, she was accused of the vilest behaviour—by you!

“I do not blame you for all. Part of the guilt and horror at accusing a pure and virtuous woman lies with me. Had I treated my wife as I ought, I would have Elizabeth and our child with me now.”

The woman’s mouth opened.

“Do not utter one word! I cannot trust anything that comes from your venomous tongue. You will take your belongings and leave Darcy House as soon as you are excused from this room. You are banned from Pemberley grounds. I sent the express informing the servants of your betrayal as soon as I was certain you had departed. They will not allow you to return. No letter of recommendation will be written on your behalf. You will never approach me, my wife, any children I may have, or my sister ever again.”

 

And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!

(Expected release date October 2nd)

and the full wrap…

A map cover!!! I love it – especially since we have details of specific destinations and Jane Austen landmarks on it! 🗺️

I am curious if we will visit all the destinations on this cover in these six stories…📍

Love this idea, love the charity endeavor, love this group of authors… 💗

Ooh! Sounds like things are a bit turbulent in No Other Choice! Where is Elizabeth?! Mr. Darcy better find her! 😧

What do you think, friends? 🤔

~~~

~ Connect with Leslie ~

Blog   ❧    Instagram    ❧    Facebook    ❧    Austen Variations

~ About Leslie ~

L.L. Diamond is more commonly known as Leslie to her friends, Mom to her three kids, and servant to her three cats. A native of Louisiana, she has been a wanderer for the past 20 years, living in Mississippi, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, England, and Missouri before settling in Maryland.

One day, Leslie may decide what she wants to do when she grows up, but for now, she enjoys writing the stories that live in her head and coaching age group swimming. She has degrees in biology and studio art, certifications to coach swimming in the United States and Britain, and numerous fitness certifications. Leslie is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Her accomplishments include drawing, watercolor, and playing flute and piano, but much like Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

~ Final Notes from the Editor and Author Team ~

Carol Bowes and the author team of In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales would like to thank Diamondback Covers for this incredible cover that illustrates the essence of their tribute to Jane Austen within this distinctive new anthology/travelogue. In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales is expected to be released in e-book and paperback formats, including Kindle Unlimited, on October 2, 2025, with a blog tour on October 6-11.

In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales is available for preorder!!

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Today the authors of this anthology brings with then a lovely prize to give away! One lucky commenter on this post will win an ebook copy of In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales!

To enter this giveaway leave a comment, question, or some love for these authors!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, authors

• This giveaway ends September 15th!