Oxford Cottage – Page 2

It’s an Anniversary Sale!

In March 2015, I published my first book, Oxford Cottage. In May of that same year, I published For Peace of Mind. These two books are on sale this weekend (March 21-22, 2020).

Here is a bit about each book and a link to find all the stores where they are currently available.

Click image to find where to buy this book

On a rainy day in April, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley stop to ask a gentleman for directions to Netherfield since the ones they have been given appear to be faulty. At the gentleman’s insistence, Darcy and his friend seek refuge from the rain at a nearby cottage. The young woman who greets them captivates Darcy with both her beauty and character.

Elizabeth Bennet possesses a quick mind and a determined spirit. She is resolved to complete the challenge her father has set before her at Oxford Cottage. However, she does not expect to be met by a handsome stranger and fall in love, nor does she expect to find herself thrust into a situation where her quick thinking may be all that can keep both herself and her young companion safe.

Click image to find where you can buy this book.

Elizabeth Bennet has thrown away her one and only chance at marriage, or so her mother laments over and over again until finally, to restore a measure of peace to his house, Elizabeth’s father sends her to London to stay with relatives.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has fled Netherfield and its enchanting neighbour, hoping to hide away in town until his heart is no longer in danger of being lost to Elizabeth.

Neither expects to see the other. In fact, after having been so harshly insulted at the Assembly, Elizabeth rather hopes that with Darcy’s departure from Netherfield, she has seen the last of the arrogant man.

However, it is not to be.

When a chance meeting throws the tantalizing Elizabeth and haughty Darcy together, how will each respond to the other? Will her opinion change? Will Darcy get a second chance? Or will the plans and desires of others keep them apart forever?

It’s a happy anniversary, 2 books at 99 cents weekend.

Welcome to the weekend. I hope you are all staying safe and well. There are two books on sale this weekend. I have all those details (not that there are too many details) below in the Book Promotion section.

Writing News

The craziness and uncertainty in the world around us continues this week and seems to be becoming a way of life for many – at least for a time. We have had new closures and protective measures put in place daily this week where I live.

My husband, who has his own cleaning business and is a cleaner with the school board, has been put off work with the school board until schools are allowed to resume and his cleaning contracts are also dwindling to zero as businesses and churches close. We’re still waiting to hear what happens with his paycheck from the school board and if he will need to apply for unemployment. My youngest son works with my husband so he is out of work presently, and my eldest son, who is a manager at a restaurant, has also had his job affected already and is looking at an uncertain future as the closures strike at the restaurant’s bottom line. And my business, well, we shall see what happens there as exchange rates shift and all that. I am sure I will need to make some adjustments as time progresses based on how the market moves.

HOWEVER, we are all still well and have a home in which to take refuge with food and freshwater, and, for the most part, we are good at self-entertainment. (My husband struggles with that the most. He’s a bit of a Bingley 😉 ) And for those things I am excessively grateful and know that I am blessed. I am not telling you any of this to complain. I simply wanted to let you know how I am doing.

I will admit that settling into a routine of writing with my husband home has been a bit tricky, but it seems we are finding our rhythm and my productivity was still very good this week. [He’s really very supportive. I married a good man. A very good man. As I said, I know I am blessed.] Here is an update on my current works in progress (both writing and editing):

His Irreplaceable Belle: I am up to chapter 13, and this is how that chapter starts:

Pride and Prejudice Ch. 15 Illustration (C.E. Brock)

Pride and Prejudice Chapter 15 Illustration by C.E. Brock (public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

~*~*~

An officer stood near the youngest Bennet sisters, while two other gentlemen stood on either side of Miss Elizabeth. The first was dressed in the dark garb of a parson and the second–Darcy clenched his jaw to keep from speaking.

[from Two Days in November, A Pride and Prejudice Inspired Short Story]

~*~*~

Two Days in November can be found in Teatime Tales.

MAILING LIST PATREON

A Meeting by the Stile (Heywood Hardy)

This attitude in this picture is a brighter than the one in the first part of Two Days in November, but the title was perfect. :) This painting also has too many sisters in it because there are two, not three, sisters in my story and only one of those sisters is sitting at the stile when Darcy comes upon her during his morning ride.

~*~*~

She hoped he would exchange a few more pleasantries and be on his way, but he stopped, swung down from his horse, and came to stand across the stile from her. “Please, be seated. I do not wish to take you from your repose. Might I join you for a few moments?”

[from Two Days in November, A Pride and Prejudice Inspired Short Story]

~*~*~

Charles: To Discover His Purpose is FREE in the Kindle store until tomorrow.

MAILING LIST PATREON

Engraving from La Belle Assemblée, February 1, 1817

The couple in the two lines below are not in the ballroom where the assembled masses are dancing, but rather tucked away in a music room where they can have a private conversation. This story, A Music Room Meeting, is one of six short Austen-inspired stories that comprise the book Teatime Tales, which is one of the books given as a welcome gift to those who join my mailing list. (It is also available for purchase so look for it at your favourite ebook retailer.)

~*~*~

She moved to stand near him. “Is this why you play instead of dancing?”

He closed his eyes. “How can I dance when others cannot?”

[from A Music Room Meeting, An Oxford Cottage Inspired Short Story]

~*~*~

MAILING LIST PATREON