July 12, 2025
PERSONAL UPDATE
The summer schedule has begun around here. That means earlier starting and quitting times for my husband, earlier bed times for both of us, and afternoon work schedule interruptions for me. I’d like to say we’re all adjusted to the new schedule, but I can’t. Shifting schedules is never a super fast thing.
And I might be shifting it even more since, at the time when I am writing this, I’ve just been accepted for a flexible, I-set-the-schedule, part time job. This change has to happen to meet living expenses, and maybe, it’ll give a bit of breathing room when it comes to writing – less pressure to hurry and write that next book.
I don’t know if you read Rose Fairbanks’ most recent Tearoom post called “Let Freedom Ring”, (you can find that article by clicking here) but what she wrote resonated with me. Not directly or for the same reasons, but as a call to reclaim what I loved about writing to start with — as a reminder of how I used to write with more joy than I do now.
I need to just take a step back, look at what I’ve accomplished and what I still want to do. I have some series that need to be finished. I’ve wanted to work on them for years. I’ve even added them to the schedule for writing more than once. But those series aren’t great earners, so they got set aside. Maybe, if this part time job works out, I’ll feel more freedom to pick those projects back up. Writing is so much easier to do – the creative ideas flow much better – from a relaxed mind. Maybe this change will help with that.
I’m not going to lie though. I’m nervous about adding a part time job into the mix. I struggle to keep up now. How will I do what I’m doing and add something new? I don’t know. But I do know that if this is what I’m supposed to do, then, God’ll help me figure it out.
Health wise, I seem to be making some really good progress towards full recovery. (The new job is flexible enough to work around my health so that’s a plus.)
Well, that’s it for my personal update, and I don’t have any new writing projects to tell you about.
I’m still working on my Annilee Nelson novel. It has reached a point where things are getting really complicated for the couple, and we’re heading to the moment where things seem darkest and then get resolved. It’s both the most difficult and fun part to write. So, it can take time.
While I haven’t started any new Leenie book project, there is a new section of Harriet and the Colonel’s on-going story at the end of this newsletter for your enjoyment. (But be warned: It ends on a cliffhanger. 🙂
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AUDIOBOOK UPDATE
June’s audiobook release on YouTube was How to Marry an Accomplished Lady. July’s YouTube audiobook will be None So Accomplished as Mary, and it will be live and free to listen to by all on July 16 (Wednesday). This will make nine full audiobooks on my YouTube channel.
Speaking of YouTube… I am closing in on 500 subscribers! That’s when I can apply for some monetization perks like memberships, supers, and shopping (if I had a store). But it is only half way to the 1000 subscribers needed for full monetization. BUT I am halfway there! WooHoo! Thank you to all who have subscribed to my channel!
(The current number of subscribers on Friday afternoon is 465)
The audio edition of None So Accomplished as Mary is already available on Patreon for my $2 or more subscribers, and it is set to release everywhere else on August 1.
How to Marry an Accomplished Lady was released for distribution in a variety of places on July 1. The places to which Findaway distributes digital narrated audiobooks (and where you should be able to find my books) are:
Baker & Taylor (library) / Bibliotheca (library) / Overdrive (library) / Audiobooks.com / Everand / Kobo/Kobo Plus, Walmart (I have not found my audiobooks on Walmart) / NOOK Audiobooks / Spotify / TuneIn
Visit leeniebrown.com/audiobooks for a list of books that are available as audiobooks.
As I mentioned last month, I am uploading my books to ElevenReader with a goal of uploading at least one book per week. I have been able to keep up that schedule so now I have 16 titles listed in their library. (Maybe 17 by the time you read this – if my schedule goes as planned for the week.) Remember these are not produced books, but rather just a good quality AI voice of your choosing reading a book to you.
LEAVING KU / GOING WIDE
A Dash of Darcy and Companions left KU in June and is slowly being returned to all the other stores, as well as Patreon and ElevenReader. So, watch for those to show up at your favourite eBook retailer / subscription service.
The Choices series is leaving KU on Wednesday, July 16. That’s the last day you can download it to read either now or later with your KU subscription. After that, it’ll be queued up to be returned to all the other stores. I expect that will go faster for this series than for the Dash series since they just recently went through a revision process so their front and back matter and file format will be up-to-date. The Dash series needs all that tweaked.
In August, my final series in KU will be returning to all the wide distribution stores and subscription places (including Patreon). The final day for downloading Marrying Elizabeth to read with your KU subscription will be August 9.
So grab the Choices series and the Marrying Elizabeth series while you can. You can find these stories in three box sets which would be fewer downloads. You can find links to those box sets at leeniebrown.com/box-sets.
Go to the Current Book Promotions page by clicking here
eBOOK DEALS
Please watch for an email about a special ONE DAY multi-author JAFF promotion on MONDAY! There are over 40 authors participating in this promotion. And all the books will be free. This promotion includes books of various time periods, tropes, and heat levels.
This is my book that will be in this promotion. You can grab it now at your favourite retailer, and then, have one less click to make on Monday. 🙂 As stated on the graphic, this book is free now until July 16, and it is free at all the main eBook retailers.
Smashwords is having a July Summer/Winter sale, and all my books (both pen names) are included in it at 50% off the regular price. This promotion uses a coupon code that will be applied automatically, and it ends at the end of the month.
JULY’S PATREON FREE READ and MEMBERSHIP PERKS
FREE READ: If you follow me for free on Patreon, there is a series starter that can be read for free each month. This month’s series starter read is Two Days Before Christmas, which is part of my Darcy Family Holidays.
MEMBERSHIP PERKS: Each month, I offer an eBook or two to download and keep to my $2 or more Patrons, and every time there is a new audiobook finished, I also make a link to download that available to them.
This month’s eBook offerings are Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball, Two Days Before Christmas, and Sketches and Secrets of Summer. And this month’s audiobook edition is None So Accomplished as Mary.
SOMETHING NEW TO READ.
Our story continues this month with Richard cluing up his report to Edmund about the events you can read about in Oxford Cottage. And then, it turns towards what is next… (and it only just turns so expect a cliffhanger this time).
Please remember that there are sections where previous chapters from this story can be read on whichever platform you subscribe to.
- On my blog, look for Harriet and the Colonel in the menu options.
- On Substack, look for the Harriet and the Colonel section on the home page.
- On Patreon, look for The Colonel’s Lady in the collections tab.
Chapter 2, part 1
For the next thirty minutes, Richard shared all that had happened in Hertfordshire – from his return from town to Netherfield with the first part of the money Wickham had demanded. To the following letters demanding more funds be delivered. To the hours spent watching various locations. To the final confrontation at Oxford Cottage – the one Elizabeth had demanded to be part of.
For all of that, he had sat next to Harriet, holding her hand and drawing support merely from her presence.
However, once he came to the portion of his report regarding the sorting out of details at Netherfield, he simply could not remain seated any longer.
Pacing a circle around the room, he relayed what he knew about the maid who had been ruined. He told Edmund and Harriet what Georgiana and Elizabeth had shared about the situations in which they had been placed. And then he had spoken about how Elizabeth had summoned her courage to help Georgiana through the ordeal.
“Since I am thankfully still on speaking terms with Darcy,” Richard said as he concluded his tale, “and I wish to keep it that way, I will need to be in Hertfordshire in July for a wedding. I will not miss it.”
He leaned heavily on the back of the chair in which he had earlier been sitting. The weight of all that had transpired still hung on his shoulders. It was a weight he both felt he should bear, but knew it was only there by his own doing. Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet – everyone had forgiven him. It was just he, himself, who was the hold out in that regard.
“By the by, thank you for your letter.” Whether it had eased Darcy’s mind or not was nearly immaterial, for it had been an exoneration of sorts in the court of Richard’s own mind — of sorts, because a removal of all guilt had still not been accomplished.
“It was the least I could do.” Edmund shifted uneasily in his chair. “This is not a position I relish to be honest.” He cast a wary look at his sister. “No matter what some may think.”
Richard bit back a smile. He knew exactly to whom his friend was referring. Perhaps such an admission would go a good distance in calming the recent disagreements between sister and brother.
“But he will still fulfill all its duties as if he does,” that very sister muttered quite unhappily.
Richard chuckled. “Would you truly have it any other way?”
She shrugged but admitted she would not.
“It is the best way to be to make sure the job is done as it should be,” Richard added so Edmund would not have to and peace could remain in the room.
“There was no damage done to either of your relations?” Edmund asked.
“None to their persons beyond a few blisters and scratches from being moved from one place to another. However, time will tell what other effects linger.” Richard retook his seat and Harriet’s hand.
Edmund nodded. “And the maid is in good hands.”
There was a weightiness to the simple comment.
“I am just grateful she did not end up like Penny,” Harriet said softly. “But still… Her feelings of shame and fears about disease…” She shook her head. “The poor dear.”
Richard squeezed her hand. “She has a good home and the best mistress for which any maid could wish to serve.”
This earned him a small smile. His Harriet was a lady of great passion to see that right ruled the day, but that desire bubbled forth not from a need to be seen as great and noble as some might. Rather it proceeded naturally from a heart that overflowed with care for others. That was from where Elizabeth’s courage to see to Georgiana’s safety also flowed, he supposed. And from whence his burden of guilt sprang.
“On a happier note…” Harriet’s eyes dance with amusement and her lips wore a smirk as she cast a glance first at her brother and then Richard. “I do think I will like your soon-to-be cousin, Elizabeth. She does not sound at all dull and boring.”
“You will get on well,” Richard assured her with a laugh, while Edmund groaned. “She has always possessed quite the indomitable spirit. I am glad she was there for Georgiana.”
“If I am not already married and in my own home, we will have to have a dinner and invite the Darcys to it when they are returned to town, Edmund.”
“We will do that,” her brother agreed, though he looked rather uneasy at the thought. As well he should.
Richard would feel sorry for his unease, save for the fact that he was still somewhat put out with the fellow for his part in hiding Mrs. Younge’s connection to Wickham.
He blew out a breath. “Now, what is it that prevents me from marrying your sister straightaway?”
Harriet rose to pour the tea, which had been brought in somewhere in the midst of Richard’s report on the events in Hertfordshire. “Yes,” she said, “I would like to know that as well, for I am of the belief that I could be of greater service to the colonel and whatever you have for him to do as his wife.”
“Harriet,” the word rumbled from her brother. “I will not have you put yourself any further into this mess than you have already put yourself.”
She stopped moving with the teapot poised but not yet tipped to pour into a cup. “This mess? Do you mean the whole kidnapping maids to shuffle them from brothel to brothel?”
“Harriet!” This time Edmund’s tone was sharp. “Must you speak so plainly?”
“I am talking to you – my brother – and the man I am going to marry. I do not see the need to pretend as if I am too stupid to know about such things.” She gave Edmund a glare before she returned to pouring tea. “Now answer my question.”
Her brother pushed up from his chair and crossed to the door to his study.
“Leaving the room will not dissuade me from discovering the truth,” she called after him.
“Perhaps a trip to Gretna Green would not be such a bad thing,” Edmund spat back.
“No,” Richard inserted, “we will marry properly.”
“Of course, we will,” Harriet whispered to him. “But I am still irritated with him for waiting so long to allow you to offer for me. I most sincerely must make sure he does not forget that I am capable of dealing with hard things.”
Richard captured her hand after she had given him his cup of tea and placed a kiss in her palm. “I think you have done a good enough job of that, and I am now able to speak for you, too. Perhaps it is time to desist in riling him – at least, some?”
“Perhaps,” she said before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his just as her brother re-entered the library and grumbled her name yet again.
“That part of annoying him, you may keep doing,” Richard whispered, causing her to laugh.
“I am still awaiting your answer, my dear brother.” She went to the tea tray to retrieve his cup of tea.
He handed a paper to Richard. “The shop owner who sold Andrew’s watch to Harriet apparently stumbled into the Thames last night.” He paused and looked to his sister, who had gasped. “His body was found in nearly the same place where Penny was found.”
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