Hi friends!

Exciting news! Author Shannon Winslow is visiting today celebrating the release of the newest installment of her “…in His Own Words” series. 

And this installment is long-awaited and highly anticipated because it is about Captain Wentworth.

If you are unfamiliar with this series – it is a fabulous collection of retellings from the perspectives of Jane Austen’s leading men.

It started with Mr. Darcy, than Colonel Brandon, Mr. Knightley, and now the fourth book is Captain Wentworth.

Shannon is here to share an excerpt from Captain Wentworth…in His Own Words.

We hope you enjoy! 🤗

It’s 1806 and while visiting his brother Edward in Monkford, Commander Frederick Wentworth attends a wedding. That’s where he first sets eyes on Anne Elliot. Now he’s hoping to be introduced to her at the breakfast following. Is Anne as intelligent as she is beautiful, he wonders? For he knows the attraction will be over if she has a head full of feathers instead. Here’s what happens …in Wentworth’s own words:

~ Excerpt from Captain Wentworth…in His Own Words ~

As Edward had foretold, the breakfast was very fine. Not that I hardly noticed. The room was uncomfortably crowded, and my brother was often pulled away to talk to somebody or other. The same was true for myself. The good people of Monkford made me feel so welcome that I had little time to spare for meeting anybody new. All things seemed to conspire against me, and I nearly despaired of having any chance to be introduced to Miss Anne Elliot.

Then, as I was moving between two long dining tables, being distracted first one way and then another by the people seated on either side, I suddenly came face to face with her. We both drew up short, less than two feet apart, she seeming just as surprised as I was to find the way forward blocked by a stranger.

I was not only surprised but delighted, of course. Then my delight turned immediately to frustration, realizing that without an introduction, I could do no more than step aside with a “pardon me,” allowing her to pass. I moved to do so, but at that moment, she also stepped the same way. Then we both moved the opposite direction and back again in that strange dance that sometimes occurs in such situations.

We both smiled at our humorous predicament. Then I said, “Please, you stay where you are and I will move out of your way.”

Before I could, however, a large man, who had been coming up behind the lady and apparently not looking where he was going, bumped into Anne, throwing her off her balance. She fell neatly into my arms.

She weighed nothing at all, so no wonder she had so easily been knocked off her feet. When I had righted her and determined she had suffered no harm, and when the exclamations of those about us had subsided, I found Edward unexpectedly at my elbow.

“Miss Elliot,” he said at once, “I do not believe you know my brother. This is Commander Frederick Wentworth of His Majesty’s Navy. Frederick, this is Miss Anne Elliot of Kellynch Hall. Now perhaps you would both follow me out of this narrow aisle.”

After a quick exchange of the required pleasantries, I successfully stepped aside to allow Anne to go first.

Then, when we had reached a more open area and my brother had wandered off again, Anne said in a teasing tone, “You must allow me to apologize for throwing myself at you a moment ago, Commander Wentworth. I am not in the habit of doing such things, I would have you know.”

“Not at all. I thought it a very clever solution to our impasse. If not for your quick action, we might be stuck there still.”

“Ah, yes. That was my reasoning, but I must thank you for your cooperation.”

“How do you mean?”

“I hate to think what a fool I would have looked had you declined to catch me!”

“My pleasure, I assure you, Miss Elliot. Please do call on me whenever occasion requires somebody to render you a similar service.”

We both laughed. And just that quickly, my question was answered. This lovely young lady did not have feathers in her head. She was clever and amusing, intelligent with a spark of fun in her eye. In short, she was everything I could have asked for and more. I was fairly smitten from that moment.

I love how he falls is charmed and enchanted by Anne so quickly! I know this retelling is going to be swoon-worthy because Captain Wentworth is such a romantic soul. 💓

Thank you so much for sharing, Shannon!! Congratulations on your new release!!! 👏🏼

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About Shannon

An ordinary trip to Costco about fifteen years ago forever changed Shannon Winslow’s life. That’s when she picked up her first copy of the ’95 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. She’s been hopelessly hooked on all things Jane Austen ever since, her obsession ultimately inspiring her to write her own stories a la Austen. She takes a little different approach to JAFF, though. Rather than varying from canon, she prefers to add onto the original novels with prequel, sequel, and supplemental views. To date, she has authored fifteen books, with no end to her creative output in sight. Her two sons now grown, Shannon lives with her husband in the log home they built in the countryside south of Seattle, where she writes and paints in her studio facing Mt. Rainier.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Today Shannon is generously giving away a signed paperback of Captain Wentworth…in His Own Words and 2️⃣ Kindle ebook OR an audiobooks (winner’s choice!) to  2️⃣ lucky readers! Woot woot!

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide (paperback is US only, Audiobook must be able to redeem through Audible US or Audible UK).  Thank you, Shannon!
• This giveaway ends October 23rd.