Hi friends! I am thrilled to welcome back author MJ Stratton to Austenesque Reviews today! As you may have seen – MJ celebrated a new book release last month! 👏🏼

Her latest release – a Pride and Prejudice variation titled Strange Happenings at Longbourn – is just as intriguing as it sounds! Is there a ghost haunting Longbourn?! 👻

MJ brings with her a tantalizing excerpt from Strange Happenings at Longbourn. We hope you enjoy! 🤗

~ Book Description ~

Strange things are happening at Longbourn. It is up to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy to discover what mischief is afoot.

Elizabeth Bennet has always trusted her instincts—especially when it comes to discerning character. So when the proud Mr. Darcy unexpectedly offers a sincere apology for his first impression, she is both surprised and intrigued. What begins as an unlikely friendship soon deepens, just as strange occurrences begin to trouble Longbourn. Missing objects, whispers in the night, and unexplained footsteps suggest something—or someone—is haunting the Bennet family’s quiet life.

Fitzwilliam Darcy never imagined that a trip to Hertfordshire would so thoroughly upend his world. Determined to become a better man after a stern lecture from his cousin, he finds himself drawn to a spirited young woman who challenges and fascinates him. As the mystery at Longbourn unfolds, Darcy joins Elizabeth in unraveling the clues—and in doing so, finds himself falling for her more with each passing day.

With every disappearance and every secret revealed, Elizabeth and Darcy are drawn closer together, relying on wit, trust, and growing affection to uncover the truth behind Longbourn’s peculiar happenings.

Strange Happenings at Longbourn is a cozy, low-angst Pride and Prejudice variation filled with friendship, gentle romance, and a touch of mystery perfect for a fireside read.

~ Excerpt from Strange Happenings at Longbourn ~

“Good evening!” Mr. Bingley’s beaming countenance made Jane blush, and she greeted him in return.

“Mr. Bingley,” she said softly, her smile radiant. “How lovely to see you again.”

“And you, Miss Bennet—indeed, this evening has improved dramatically since my arrival,” he said with unfeigned delight. He turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, you are looking particularly well this evening. I do hope we are not too late?”

“Not in the least,” she replied, curtsying. “In fact, you have arrived just in time to save us from the beginning of yet another one of Sir William’s speeches.”

Mr. Bingley laughed good-naturedly. “He means well. And now, if I may—Miss Bennet, might I beg for the honor of your company for the first dance? I understand Sir William always rolls the rugs away.”

Jane nodded, her blush deepening, and allowed herself to be led away with a shy glance at Elizabeth, who smiled encouragingly.

Darcy remained, hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm but attentive.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said with a slight bow. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“And you, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied, dipping a curtsy. “I had begun to think you might be avoiding Hertfordshire society altogether after the assembly.” Her teasing made him smile slightly.

“I assure you I had no such intention.” His tone was smooth, but a glimmer of wryness danced in his eyes. “I have found company outside the drawing rooms of late. Though I must admit, the idea of another evening under twinkling chandeliers was…daunting.”

Elizabeth laughed lightly. “At least the company is more agreeable this time.”

“I would agree,” he said, looking at her directly.

They stood in companionable silence for a moment, the din of the gathering ebbing and flowing around them like waves.

“You seem distracted,” he observed after a moment. “Forgive me for saying so.”

Elizabeth sighed, folding her hands before her. “It has been a most peculiar day. There was some household excitement this afternoon. My youngest sister, Lydia, is notably absent this evening as a result.”

Darcy raised a brow. “Indeed? I hope she is not unwell.”

“No, only confined to her room. My mother discovered that all her best beeswax candles had vanished, and, oddly enough, every pair of her gloves is now missing one. Lydia is suspected of the mischief, though she insists she is innocent.”

“And do you believe her?” Darcy asked, his brow creasing slightly.

“I do.” Elizabeth met his gaze steadily. “Lydia is often a nuisance and has made her fair share of mischief, but she was sincerely distressed. She came to me in tears, and while she may lack restraint, I have never known her to weep over a prank gone wrong.”

Darcy nodded slowly. “Even so, consequences are necessary. If one is habitually careless, others will naturally assume guilt.”

Elizabeth tilted her head. “Just as in the tale of the boy who cried wolf, yes. I even told Lydia as much. But I could not help noticing that she was truly wounded by being disbelieved. And something about the entire affair feels odd.”

“How so?”

“I encountered two of the maids earlier in the day. They were whispering in the hallway and looked quite distressed. When I questioned them, they insisted nothing was wrong and ran off in opposite directions.”

Darcy’s expression sharpened slightly. “You believe they may know something?”

“I am not certain,” Elizabeth admitted. “But I find it strange. If Lydia did not take the items—and I believe she did not—then who did?”

Darcy studied her for a long moment. “Then we must return to the question: Who is the culprit?”

Elizabeth smiled faintly. “Indeed. I am beginning to wonder if the answer lies not with my sisters, but with someone else entirely. The servants seem agitated. I daresay something is amiss below stairs.”

Darcy glanced around the room briefly, then returned his attention to her. “May I offer my assistance in resolving the matter? If only to ensure the Bennet household is restored to peace—and to prevent any more innocent parties from being unfairly blamed.”

Elizabeth looked at him, surprised, and then inclined her head. “I believe I should like that very much, Mr. Darcy.”

A spark of something—interest, challenge, perhaps admiration—passed between them. The music began to swell once more, and the question of gloves and candles hung between them, unanswered but put aside for the evening.

I love this new direction for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. 👏🏼

I’m so curious to what caused all the candles and gloves to go missing though. 😮

Poor Lydia is actually innocent this time! 

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~ About MJ ~

MJ Stratton’s love affair with Jane Austen began at sixteen, thanks to a much-beloved aunt who introduced her to Pride and Prejudice. That fateful moment led to an insatiable passion for Austenesque fiction, sealing her destiny as both a reader and a writer. After nearly a decade of beta reading and editing for others, MJ took the plunge into publishing her own works in 2022.

A lifelong enthusiast of reading, learning, and all things bookish, MJ balances her time between crafting Regency tales, tending to her garden, and sewing her way through creative projects. She shares her small-town life with her husband, four lively children, and cats who firmly believes they are the true masters of the household.

When she’s not writing or wrangling her feline overlords, MJ can usually be found lost in a book, researching obscure historical facts, or daydreaming about her next story.

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~ GIVEAWAY TIME! ~

MJ Stratton is generously giving away TWO ebooks of Strange Happenings at Longbourn in conjunction with this blog visit!!  Woot woot! 

 To enter this giveaway leave a comment, a question, or some love for MJ below!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, MJ!
• This giveaway end October 13th.