Leenie Brown fell in love with Jane Austen's works when she first read Sense and Sensibility followed immediately by Pride and Prejudice in her early teens. As the second of five daughters and an avid reader, she has always loved to see where her imagination takes her and to play with and write about the characters she meets along the way. In 2013, these two loves collided when she stumbled upon the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction. A year later, in 2014, she began writing her own Austen-inspired stories and began publishing them in 2015. Leenie lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her two teenage boys and her very own Mr. Brown (a wonderful mix of all the best of Darcy, Bingley and Edmund with healthy dose of the teasing Mr. Tillney and just a dash of the scolding Mr. Knightley).
^^That’s not the most creative title, is it? ๐ I was running low on creativity when it came time to create this blog post. The clock just rolled past midnight here — which means it is now Saturday in Nova Scotia as I write this. I’m pretty sure that has a lot to do with why my creativity is running low.
Writing News
This week, with the help of a friend, I managed to addย another chapter to both His Irreplaceable Belle and Marrying Elizabethbook 5.ย These chapters were not easy ones for me to write — not because the content of them was challenging but because I felt stuck, which, I think, happens at least once with every story. There were a few questions I needed to answer before moving on. This is where my very patient friend, Zoe Burton, helped me by being a sounding board when I needed to talk through some details. She also helped me come up with a possible title out of a long list of options for Marrying Elizabethbook 5.
No, I have not yet started that third writing project. Maybe I’ll get some planning done this coming week? Maybe. ๐
Publishing News
There’s nothing new here. Just a reminder thatย Her Secret Beauย is now available in the Kindle store for purchase or to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one of those.ย
Book Promotions
Listen to Your Heart (ebook edition) will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020. This sale isย across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced. Continue reading The Saturday Broadsheet for February 1, 2020
Below is information about an ebook that I have on sale from now until February 15, 2020. Click the image below or one of the other links in this post to see all the stores were Listen to Your Heart can be purchased.
Listen to Your Heart will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020. This sale isย across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced.
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About the Book:
Anne de Bourgh has never had a coming-out. She has never had a season. In fact, she has never had a suitor. But, according to her mother, she has always had a future husband. Although Anne desires to marry, she does not wish to marry her mother’s choice, and he does not wish to marry her.
With no other options and the prime of her youth slipping away, Anne’s view of her future is bleak. However, when she finds some papers hidden in her father’s study, that view, in the light of his wishes, changes. Her declaration to follow her heart and choose her own future causes discord and forces secrets to be revealed.
โOh, thank heavens, you are here.โ Anne stopped pacing as Richard entered her sitting room. โI was certain that Mother was going to get here before you. Whatever took you so long? Did Darcy not tell you I needed you? Did you not remember that you were to leave Darcy alone with Miss Bennet?โ
Richard slowly poured himself a drink and sauntered to the window before replying. โI came as quickly as I was able. I needed to ensure our taciturn cousin and the lovely Miss Bennet had a topic for conversation.โ
Anne groaned. โI would ask what the topic is, but I fear I do not have time to calm myself before my mother appears.โ
โI do not know why you do not place more faith in my tactics. I am a trained colonel in His Majestyโs army. I have led many campaigns.โ
Anne sighed. โAnd did all your men return โ unharmed?โ
โOf course not!โ Richard scoffed as he took a seat. โThe goal is to limit casualties, but it is nigh unto impossible to come away completely unscathed.โ He stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. โMy numbers for casualties were always low โ well within acceptable limits.โ
โAnd what is the acceptable limit for the battle which might be playing out in my garden?โ
Newest Paris dandy’s fashion, 1831. Redingote closed with brandebourgs, top hat. Woollen tailcoat, satin waistcoat with flowery borders, cashmere trousers (and a bicorne). Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1831, Glatisant [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
These dandies could be going to their club, could they not be? Lorcan and Alfred are spending some time at a club and meeting up with a friend in this chapter.
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โYou have not come to see me.โ A none-to-pleased Lord Westonbury took the seat across from him.
โHow did you know I was in town?โ Lorcan had not told anyone that he was returning โ mainly because he had not wished for Kitty to know, but also because he was in no hurry to see his blissfully married friend and hear the lecture that he knew he would receive.
โHow indeed? I did not even know you had left town until you had been gone a week.โ His friend’s left eyebrow cocked. โAnd the mail service must be especially poor at present for I received no letter.โ
Today’s song choice is being paired with an excerpt from Her Heartโs Choice where Anne finally realizes what Alex has been promising her all along, and she can see her forever right there in front of her. However, will it be a realization which is just a little too late?
Her Heart’s Choice, Chapter 9 Excerpt
Mary stood between Rycroft and Kitty, waiting to welcome her new cousin and friend. โI am so happy to see you, Anne. I have wished for a visit from you, but Lady Sophia tells me you have been very busy with interviews.โ
โI have,โ Anne leaned close to Mary, โbut it has not been enjoyable. They are all rather dull. I would much rather spend time with you and your sisters.โ
Mary smiled and pulled Anne into an embrace. โTomorrow, you must join us at the museum.โ
โI would like that.โ Anne felt a sigh of relief pass through her that she would not be subjected to yet another round of dull interviews.
Kitty took Anneโs hand. โYou have not yet met our sister Lydia. I can assure you that our visit will be anything but dull with her along.โ
Mary chuckled. โShe has improved in the last month, but she is still Lydia.โ A rather loud giggle was heard from the drawing room. โThat is she. Lydia is rarely quiet. Come.โ She wrapped her arm around Anneโs, ignoring the look of displeasure from her husband at being displaced by his cousin. โI will introduce you. Everyone else is here, so we are just beginning with some wine in the drawing room while we wait for our meal to be ready.โ
โGeorgiana was allowed to come,โ said Kitty, โsince we did not wish the men to outnumber the ladies.โ
โSamuel invited some friends.โ There was a hint of concern in Maryโs voice. โThere was one he did not wish to invite, but things have changed, and it really could not be helped.โ
Anne stopped walking. They were just outside the door to the drawing room, and she could clearly hear Alexโs voice. โAnd who might these guests be?โ she asked, turning toward Rycroft.
In this edition of The Saturday Broadsheet: The January Kobo promo is running. I’ve got some writing decisions to make. And do you like giveaways?ย (If so, I’ve included something extra for last. ๐ )
Writing News
This week, I added another chapter to both His Irreplaceable Belle and Marrying Elizabeth book 5.ย
Last week when I wrote this email, I mentioned I hoped to get a chapter of His Irreplaceable Belle written after I completed writing the email. I am happy to report that I did get that chapter done.
Also in last week’s Saturday Broadsheet, I asked for input about what I should consider writing next. (Only) 25 readers replied and I have those results below. According to the chart, it looks like a Darcy Family Holidays story could be what I work on next. However, the Teatime Tales story option is a rather close second in these results. Poor James Atwood will have to wait for his tale to be told until a bit later this year.
ย Publishing News
Her Secret Beauย is now available in the Kindle store for purchase or to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one of those.ย
Book Promotions
As I posted yesterday, I have three box sets included in a 40% off promotion at Kobo until January 27, 2020. [๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ช๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ด๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฃ๐ณ๐ข๐ณ๐บ, ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ’๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ 16 ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ด ๐ข๐ต ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ต๐ช๐ฑ๐ด.] You must use the ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ข๐ค ๐๐ค๐๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐๐ at checkout to get 40% off. You can find these three box sets at these links:
I’m planning to do a few book promotions this year as part of working towards the business goals I have made my focus for 2020. Because of this, I have added a menu item (under the Leenie B Books option) here on the blog to keep track of the current promotions.
FYI: If you are a subscriber to my mailing list, you’ll often get early notice of upcoming sales — there is one coming up that I told my subscribers about, but I am not planning to release those details here until the promotions begin.
Book Review
Of course, I had to go with a review for Her Secret Beau since that book just released this week. ๐ย According to Amazon.com, this is the newest review on this book.ย Several have been posted already, which is exciting. At the time of my writing this post (Friday night), I think I have used all of the other reviews as posts on social media except for this one. I’m really trying not to miss any of the first reviews.
Back to the above review. Here are three things I love about this review:ย ย
First, I really like the description of the books being perfect for a cold wintry (or rainy) afternoon. Like many of my books, these are on the shorter side of things. Her Secret Beau came in at 46,761 words which is the longest book to date in this series. The first two books, His Beautiful Bea and His Darling Friend were 22,402 and 32,221 words each respectively. ๐ So if the trend continues, will the next one be over 50,000 words? ๐ Probably not, but one never knows.
Second, the review is very correct in saying that this is not a Jane Austen Fan Fiction story. They are original sweet Regency romances that happen to be written by an author who loves Jane Austen and has chosen to create a few characters and plot elements that nod to Miss Austen’s works. (I like the game aspect of weaving in those little hints of Austen and hoping that readers will have as much fun finding them as I did putting them in there. If I remember correctly, J.W. Garrett included some of these nods in her review.)ย
Third, I’m glad this reviewer added that the plotline with Felicity is not wrapped up. This is an intentional “open loop” because that speed bump is scheduled to become a weaving, winding road of its own when I write Felicity’s story. I plan to get to her story as soon as I am done writing Mr. Norman’s story. (For those who have not read Her Secret Beau yet, Mr. Norman is a substantial secondary character in this book. And, also, what are you waiting for? LOL)ย
These are all awesome things that give readers, who are deciding on whether or not to read this book, a few more details about what to expect and should help them make a well-informed decision.
Are they looking for a nice long read? Or a quick read? Are they hoping for a retelling or variation of a Jane Austen book? Or something that is more Austenesque? Are they really into reading series where there are some things left unresolved in one book and then picked up in another? Or do they prefer everything to be firmly finished in every book?
This review will help them answer these questions, and that is wonderful.
Thank you so much, AvidReaders for reading and reviewing Her Secret Beau.ย
Something Extra for Last
My Book Cave Ereader/$50 Gift Card Giveaway
I have used My Book Cave to promote some of my book sales in 2019, and I intend to keep using them in 2020. In fact, I currently have a promotion scheduled with them. Anyway, they send me emails about promotion opportunities on a regular basis. Sometimes I read those emails, and sometimes I don’t. ๐ Today, I read the email and found this lovely little tidbit.ย
They are giving away a Nook or Kindle ereader or a $50 dollar gift card to iTunes, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon every month in 2020 unless you are outside of the US or Canada. International winners will receive the gift card option. You can enter to win at this link:
There is a spot to check if you want to join their mailing list, but if you read below that, it is not required and does not impact your chances of winning. I looked for this because I did not want to send you something with strings attached.ย
That is it for this week. Have a lovely weekend! I’ll be back on Monday with some music and a story excerpt.
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