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Music Monday: Quiet Beauty (James Todd)

“Please, have a seat. Would you care for some tea or perhaps a glass of port?” Mr. Love asked.

“We cannot stay long,” Beatrice replied as Graeme helped her to take a seat.

He was so attentive. He had even been so before he married Beatrice. Grace had not been unaware of the care he gave her cousin when she had been at Heathcote last year. The hand on Bea’s elbow accompanied by the whispered “Are you well?” made Grace wish to sigh, but she refrained and merely smiled at the sight. One day, she would have a gentleman who would be so thoughtful and caring.

“Mr. and Mrs. Shelton are expecting us to return quickly so that we can make plans for today and tomorrow,” Bea continued.

“Do you not just love Miss Hamilton — I mean Mrs. Shelton?” Grace asked eagerly.

Bea smiled softly as she often did. There was such a sweet, gentleness about her. Grace had not admired it so very much until now. It was in complete contrast to Felicity.

[from Her Secret Bea, Touches of Austen Book 3]
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby, June 23, 2015.

Tomorrow, Bea and Graeme enter our Sweet Tuesday tale. This song was one that I added to my Music to Write By playlist on Spotify this week, and it just seems like a perfect song for a sweet and quiet lady such as Bea. Because she and Graeme are entering our story, I will be sharing an excerpt from their book below.  Continue reading Music Monday: Quiet Beauty (James Todd)


Pinterest, Sweet Pinterest

I don’t know about you, but Pinterest can be a dangerous place to go at times. Why? Because it pulls me in and leads me down fabulously inspiring trails for hours at a time!

I love pictures, and Pinterest delivers on those in spades. Add to that the information that can be found connected to some of those pictures and it’s a recipe for procrastination for me. 🙂

However, while addictive, Pinterest is also an incredibly powerful tool in my author toolbox. And that is what Rose, Zoe, and I are discussing this week in our LLS Society Papers* broadcast — Pinterest and how we use it as writers for inspiration and research.

The live broadcast begins at 3 PM Eastern, but you can always watch the replay.

AND… something went a bit wrong, so here is part two of our live.

Books and links mentioned in the show:

Rose’s Links

The Maid of Inverness 

Mr. Darcy’s Bluestocking Bride 

Rose’s Books Pinterest Board 

Find Rose on Pinterest

Leenie’s Links

Leenie B Books Board

Nature’s Fury and Delights Board 

Zoe’s Links

Find Zoe on Pinterest

I Promise To … 

Promises Kept 

Promises 

Darcy’s Wife Search 

Lady Catherine Impedes 

Caroline’s Censure 

The Darcy Marriage Series, Books 1-3 

Coming Together Series Compilation

Shop for signed print copies

Have a great weekend! Thanks for joining us!

*Longbourn Literary Society (LLS) is a Facebook group founded by three friends, who share a love of writing and Jane Austen for the purpose of promoting those loves and our work.  

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You can find Rose and Zoe’s websites at these links:

ROSE FAIRBANKS          ZOE BURTON


Sydney Gardens (Bath)

A plan of Sydney Gardens, Bath as part of the plan of Bath published in 1810. Charles Harcourt Masters’ [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
Sketch of the Fancy Fair at Sydney Gardens, Bath for the Relief of Distressed Seamen. Painted around 1836 by an unknown artist. (Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons.

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“What are you about, Blakesley?”

“Just reading my paper and taking in the view, Mr. Norman. Do you have the morning free from patients?”

Mr. Norman was one of the many physicians who made a good living off of the people who came to Bath to take the waters and improve their health.

“Not a one for another hour.” Mr. Norman took a seat next to Walter. “The view from here is not without its pleasant aspects.” He cut a sly look at his friend.

“Indeed, it is not. However, I do not think that the mother of those two is looking for a physician either for herself or her daughters.”

[from Her Secret Beau, Touches of Austen Book 3]

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His Beautiful Bea (book 1)       His Darling Friend (book 2) 

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Music Monday: A Good Man (Emerson Drive)

Tomorrow, in our Sweet Tuesday story, we will be meeting the hero of our story. Here is how chapter 2 begins…

“I do not see why Grace had to come with us.”

Walter Blakesley peeked over his morning paper to see the source of the comment. She was a fair-looking young lady with a pleasing figure and a dignified carriage. Not his sort. Such an air of grandeur was more likely than not accompanied by fits of temper when the chit did not get her way. He turned his attention back to the news from last night’s soirees.

“And leave her at home?”

Walter chuckled. The mother sounded shocked, but he reckoned that an opinionated young woman spouting her opinions should not come as a surprise to the young lady’s mother. He held his paper in place as if he were reading it but turned his attention to what he was certain was going to be an interesting conversation between mother and daughter as they strolled past where he sat in the garden.

“She has enough gowns for the number of soirees she will be attending. There is no need for her to follow us around from shop to shop.”

“I do not believe we are in a shop.”

He peeked around his paper so he could match a face with the voice of the young lady, most likely the aforementioned Grace, who had just spoken.

[from Her Secret Bea, Touches of Austen Book 3]
Published to Youtube by Katie Douglas on December 23, 2009.

I have heard this song by one of my favourite groups on the radio several times lately, and I thought it would make a perfect Father’s Day song. 🙂 So today’s song choice is for all those good men out there, whether real or imaginary. I am including the imaginary fellas here since I know that for my heroes, as well as many supporting characters, the ideas in this song hold true — maybe not at the beginning of a story, but most certainly by the end of a story. Therefore, it also seemed fitting to share this video today since tomorrow we are going to meet the hero of Her Secret Beau. Continue reading Music Monday: A Good Man (Emerson Drive)


Thoughtful Reader, František Dvořák: Čtenářka (1896)

František Dvořák (1862-1927) [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons

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I have already explained why you did not know about my guests,” his mother said sternly.

Wes wondered for a moment, before he recovered himself after being caught woolgathering, if she had been reading his mind, for her look was as severe as her tone.

“Yes, I am not to be trusted.” He attempted to keep his tone flat and not one which spoke to his great displeasure with the whole situation.

A small, quiet burst of laughter caught his ear and drew his eyes to Miss Mary, who was diligently smirking at her book. The cheeky lass! What he wouldn’t do at this moment to be alone with her and discover just what she was thinking.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, book 4 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]

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Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

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