“Gareth J. Rubery ✪ Finding You ✪ Piano, String Quartet, Brass and Choir ✪ Garethjrubery.com.” YouTube. YouTube, 31 Dec. 2015.
CONNECTION BETWEEN STORY AND SONG:
On this Music Monday, I am replaying a song that I have used previously on a Music Monday. Why? Because the title is just so perfect for the books I am highlighting this week in my sale and the one that is now posting at darcyandlizzy.com. All three books have to do with people who are known to each other but who do not find each other until circumstances force each of them to view the other person differently.
Let’s take a look at an excerpt from each book that shows a small bit of that moment of realization.
EXCERPT FROM Her Father’s Choice:
~ Available for a reduced price beginning tomorrow ~
[This is the part where Elizabeth finally realizes that she not only finds Mr. Darcy to be a different man than she imagined him to be…she realized that several pages ago…but he is also the man that she loves.]
“Who are your fine feathered friends?” Mary asked Elizabeth.
A small burst of laughter escaped Lady Sophia. “They do rather look like a couple of preening parrots, do they not?” Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Miss Ivison is in the green, and Miss Pearce is in the blue. They are two of the ton’s best gossips.”
“And apparently friends of Miss Bingley,” said Elizabeth. “They have had news from her.”
Mary rolled her eyes.
“You do not like Miss Bingley?” asked Georgiana.
“I do not like her behaviour,” Mary said very primly. “She is always trying to elevate herself by lowering others. It is not right. ”
“No,” agreed Lady Sophia, “putting another down to raise yourself up is not right and often ends in embarrassment and disappointment. But, it is, unfortunately, a common trait within the ton, and a disappointed lady with such a fault in character can be very cunning and cruel.”
Today, I am resharing this video that I made for my series of Pride and Prejudice Novellas called Choices. This series is now available on Kindle, iBooks, and Nook as a bundle at a very good price. It will be available on Kobo as soon as I hear back on a technical issue I had during the publishing process.
All Leenie b books are available for purchase at the following e-tailers
Brimenting. “Etta James ~ At Last (Dancing with the Stars).” YouTube. YouTube, 05 Feb. 2013.
CONNECTION BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:
A reader, after concluding her reading of Finally Mrs. Darcy, told me that the story made her think of this song. I think it is an excellent choice. In this story, Darcy and Elizabeth meet after having been separated for five years.
Here’s the description of the book:
After Lydia’s elopement, Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield, but sadly he is alone. His connections to Mr. Darcy are severed, crushing any hope Elizabeth Bennet had of finding happiness with the man to whom she has lost her heart.
As the years pass, grief turns into acceptance and Elizabeth marries. She is content to settle into her new life, but it is not to last. A fever claims the lives of both her husband and father, leaving her in the care of her new uncle, Gareth Amberly, who is determined to see her happy.
As this Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella opens, Elizabeth’s uncle introduces her to the man he suspects will make her happy ─ Fitzwilliam Darcy. It takes very little time for Darcy and Elizabeth to come to an understanding and for Elizabeth to discover the true reason for their separation. Is a complete restoration of relationships possible, or will their happily ever after always be tainted by separation?
The story moves quickly. By the end of the first chapter, Darcy and Elizabeth have come to an understanding. This story is about their short trip from reunion to wedding, but it is also about forgiveness and restoration.
The following excerpt is from the first chapter and is when Darcy finally knows for certain that Elizabeth loves him.
EXCERPT FROM Finally Mrs. Darcy:
“When you did not return with Bingley, I thought it was because you did not wish to be associated with a family tied to Mr. Wickham or such foolish girls as Lydia — and who could blame you?” She turned to face him. “It broke my heart. I refused to attend assemblies for nearly a year. Mama thought it was because I missed Jane, but it was you I missed.” She took one of his hands. “Eventually, I could no longer refuse to attend, and I met Jack. He was a pleasant man. He smiled much and spoke well of all he met. I believe he was constitutionally incapable of being disagreeable. He respected me, and I was happy, but he was not you.” She squeezed his hand. “I loved him, but not as I love you.”
“You love me?” Darcy stood perfectly still. His breath caught in his chest as he waited for her reply. The thought that his affections might be returned threatened to make him embarrass himself by either causing him to weep or shout or, heaven forbid, both.
“For these five long years, I have loved you. I have tried not to, but it is impossible. I fear I shall always love you.” A breeze tugged a wisp of hair free, and she brushed it away from her face. “It is why I have told my uncle I do not wish to marry again — not that he will hear of that, but it was not fair to Jack and would not be fair to another to give him only part of me.”
“You love me.” Thankfully, his delight only spread across his face and did not express itself with any more exuberance than that.
She nodded.
“Are you certain you will never marry again?” He stepped closer to her, looked into her eyes and brushed that wayward wisp of hair from her cheek.
“Never.” She drew the hand she held around her waist. “Unless it is you.”
“You will marry me?” Again, the happiness of his heart wished to be released in a cry of victory, but he would not allow it.
“If you will have me.” She smiled up at him as his arms pulled her close.
“You will marry me.” He bent his head to kiss her softly. “My feelings and wishes have never changed. I love you now as I loved you then, most ardently.”
Elizabeth drew his mouth back down to hers. These were the kisses for which she had longed. The kind of kiss that sent fire racing through her body from her lips all the way down to her toes. The kind of kiss that caused her to long for greater intimacy.
“Elizabeth,” he whispered near her ear as he pressed kisses along her neck. “When? When will you marry me?”
She sighed and held him tightly to her. “This very moment if it were possible.”
“I shall acquire a special license. One week,” he claimed her lips once again, “one week, and you shall be mine.”
brian crain. “Brian Crain – Kindred Spirits.” YouTube. YouTube, 22 Mar. 2016.
THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:
Brian Crain’s music often plays while I am writing. This week it was on nearly every day. There are so many of his songs that I absolutely love, and when it comes time to make a little video trailer for a book, I go to his collection to choice the background music. It has, after all, been the background music while I have written and edited. This week, I decided to make a quick video for my Choices series, and since each hero and heroine finds a true love and a kindred spirit, I had to use this song. So above, it the full song and below is the trailer I made which uses part of this song. I hope you enjoy it!
ABOUT THE SERIES:
This series is a re-imagining of Jane Austen’s classic tale, Pride and Prejudice. When Mr. Bennet makes a choice to help his eldest daughters find happiness, he sets off a chain of events that will affect the lives of all his daughters and many of Darcy’s relatives. Enjoy the stories as a Fitzwilliam family secret unfolds, new loves are formed in the face of opposition, and an old love is rekindled.
Music: Kindred Spirits by Brian Crain. Used with permission.
A year ago this coming Thursday, I published my first book, Oxford Cottage. This video is a collection of quotations from that book. Many of them were submitted to me by readers. The song is one that I have listened to many times while writing. It is Secret Path by Brian Crain. (I adore his music!)
