It’s Release Day for A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity

Its Release Day for A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity! (OK well, sort of. It came out early on Monday but still…)  I have a little excerpt for you below as well as a chance to win a copy if you comment! Thanks for joining the party and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day

Synopsis

Is not the very meaning of love that it surpasses every objection against it?

Jilted. Never did Mr. Darcy imagine it could happen to him.

But it has, and by Elizabeth Bennet, the woman who first hated and rejected him but then came to love him—he believed—and agree to be his wife. Alas, it is a short-lived, ill-fated romance that ends nearly as soon as it has begun. No reason is given.

More than a year since he last saw her—a year of anger, confusion, and despair—he receives an invitation from the Bingleys to a house party at Netherfield. Darcy is first tempted to refuse, but with the understanding that Elizabeth will not attend, he decides to accept.

When a letter arrives, confirming Elizabeth’s intention to join them, Darcy resolves to meet her with indifference. He is determined that he will not demand answers to the questions that plague him. Elizabeth is also resolved to remain silent and hold fast to the secret behind her refusal. Once they are together, however, it proves difficult to deny the intense passion that still exists. Fury, grief, and profound love prove to be a combustible mixture. But will the secrets between them be their undoing?

Excerpt

“I am pleased you called, Mr. Darcy. I feared I should have little chance to speak to you privately tonight, and there is something I have wished to tell you.”

“Pray, what is it?”

“Why, I…” She looked away just a moment and inhaled, perhaps gathering some courage. “I have misjudged you rather severely. I wish to offer my apology as well as my gratitude that you are so kindly willing to overlook my foolishness and begin our acquaintance anew.”

“You need not apologise. Your reproofs were warranted. I cannot deny it. As for the situation of myself and George Wickham, I had every opportunity to tell you what had gone between us.”

“You did not owe me that,” she assured him. “It was your dear sister’s reputation, after all. I cannot blame you for your silence, and I was not correct to judge your actions however I saw fit.”

“My behaviour had given you every reason to believe his lies,” he insisted softly.

“Until your letter, perhaps, though your behaviour now attests to my error. I believe you must be among the best men I have ever known.”

She blushed very deeply, and it thrilled him.

Hastily, she added, “Forgive me; I am too bold.”

He halted and turned to face her. Gathering her hands in his, he pulled them against his chest. She would not look at him but turned her reddened face to the side, her countenance obscured by her bonnet.

It might have been rather precipitous, but his declaration came from his lips before he could even think of it, and his voice emerged resolute and sure as if this had been his plan all along.

“I love you. I have loved you these months, and I have no one to thank but you for the improvement in my character. You showed me how to be the better man that you deserve, and although I know I am yet undeserving, I shall beseech you to accept me.”

Faintly, she said, “Accept you?”

“My feelings and wishes have not changed from what they were in April. I love you, I do, as ardently as ever before—nay, more so. Please relieve my suffering and be my wife.”

A tear fell from nowhere, landing on his glove and making a dark blotch. He could see how her breathing had quickened, but she would not speak, nay, could not even look at him. A moment of dread filled him until she gasped and began to nod vigorously, finally looking at him, finally managing to say, “Yes. Yes. Yes, Mr. Darcy, yes.”

He knew not what happened after that except it was nothing short of divine. He had never before felt such exquisite felicity, walking through Lambton with her, aimless and foolish and happy.  There was nothing in Lambton that day but Elizabeth and him and love, filling the roads with their joy. He smiled at every living soul whom he encountered, man and beast alike, and cared not about those who stared at him as if they had never seen him before.

They walked to where the river ran through the town. Standing on the bridge and gazing down at the water running below, he asked, “Did my letter make you think differently of me?”

She turned and looked up at him in a way he would never forget—not in a century, not ever. In a voice almost inaudible, she said, “I know not when it began, Mr. Darcy, for I was in the middle before I knew I had begun, but nevertheless, I know my heart now, and it is for you.”

 

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to comment below! I will draw a winner one week from today!

A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity is available by ebook via amazon. Paperback books will be released in the next week or so.

78 comments

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  1. Lovely! I look forward to reading this novel. Congratulations on its release.

    Love it when ODC has a HEA.

    1. Thank you Patty! I always consider the HEA as a necessity!

    • Cindy on February 14, 2018 at 12:51 am
    • Reply

    Sounds like a very interesting and fun to read story! I look forward to it! Congratulations on its release!

    1. Many thanks Cindy!

    • John Karlsson on February 14, 2018 at 1:55 am
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    Well, with any other novel, I would be angry with you for Giving Away The Ending, but I know that it is one of the JAFF Regulations that Lizzy and Darcy must always have a Happily Ever After. The real puzzle, of course is: “How did they get into this fix?”

    1. That really is the million dollar question John and I think the ultimate answer might surprise you! Thank you!

    • Rosa on February 14, 2018 at 2:02 am
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    Oh! What a lovely idea, reject Mr Darcy twice! Poor man, how can he survive… but we know there will be an happy ending. I’m looking forward to reading all of it.

    1. Thank you Rosa and I do guarantee that happy ending! 🙂

      • John Karlsson on February 16, 2018 at 2:58 pm
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      <3 😉

    • Amanda on February 14, 2018 at 2:49 am
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    “I love love. I love being in love. I don’t care what it does to me!” And of course, “All you need is love!”

    How will D&E conquer the world and their own differences this time? I’m excited to find out! Amy, The Best Part of Love is one of my favorite JAFF stories. I look forward to reading this one!

    Happy Valentine’s Day!! 😍

    1. Thanks Amanda and a happy Valentine’s Day to you too!

    • Claire Ferguson on February 14, 2018 at 3:33 am
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    Mr Darcy jilted by Elizabeth Bennet, I am very intrigued! Thanks for sharing and congrats on the release! 🙂

    1. Thank you so much Claire!

    • Betty Campbell Madden on February 14, 2018 at 7:41 am
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    Interesting, “velly” interesting. I look forward to reading it.

    1. Thank you Betty, so much!

    • Cheryl C. on February 14, 2018 at 8:01 am
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    Oh, I can’t wait to read the whole story! 🙂

    1. Hope you enjoy Cheryl!

    • Jan on February 14, 2018 at 8:12 am
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    Congratulations. Amy! I started reading last night, and you never fail to draw me in and keep me up reading into the wee hours.

    1. I’ve heard I owe quite a few people a cup of coffee this morning! 🙂 Thank you Jan!

    • Theresa M on February 14, 2018 at 8:36 am
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    It sounds fascinating…Elizabeth with a deep dark secret…….congratulations on the publication

    1. Thank you Theresa!

    • Vesper Meikle on February 14, 2018 at 9:01 am
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    Elizabeth’s reputation must be ruined if she jilted Darcy

    1. No worries it won’t suffer any lasting damage!

    • Alecia on February 14, 2018 at 9:02 am
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    Can’t wait to see what the changes are from the online version you posted. And thankfully, this time I won’t have to wait for updates!

    1. That will definitely help it go down easier! Thanks Alecia!

    • Regina on February 14, 2018 at 9:07 am
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    I’ve been awaiting release day and it’s finally here! Congratulations!

    1. Thank you so much!!

    • J. W. Garrett on February 14, 2018 at 9:12 am
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    I am so excited about this launch of the WIP that I read so long ago. I am so looking forward to reading this again. I loved it. Blessings on the launch of another of your stories. Isn’t it wonderful seeing these unpublished works fly under their own power. It must be so exciting. Congratulations and I wish you the best on it’s success.

    1. Hope it holds up the second time around! 🙂 Thank you!

    • Martha Claycomb on February 14, 2018 at 9:18 am
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    I really enjoyed The Best Part of Love. I’m excited for this one!

    1. Thanks Martha!

    • Dung on February 14, 2018 at 9:25 am
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    Congrats on your newest release Amy, looking forward to reading the edited version. Love the angst, but most importantly the HEA!

    1. Thank you Dung!

    • Sheila L. Majczan on February 14, 2018 at 9:34 am
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    SIGH!!!! Having read this as an unpublished work, as well as many others of your works, I can only say, “Thank You for sharing your genius with us humble readers.” I have to reread this now that it is published.

    1. Sheila you are so very kind! Thank you!

    • Luisa on February 14, 2018 at 10:20 am
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    What a perfect excerpt for Valentine’s Day. Can’t wait to read it in its entirety. Happy Hearts Day!

    1. Thank you Luisa! Happy Valentine’s day to you too!

    • DarcyBennett on February 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
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    Thank you for this wonderful excerpt and for the chance to win a copy.

    1. Thank you!

    • Sarah on February 14, 2018 at 10:59 am
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    So excited to read this gorgeous book!

    1. Thank you Sarah!

    • Linda A. on February 14, 2018 at 12:11 pm
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    Congratulations on the new release! Thank you for sharing and for the chance to win a copy.

    1. Many thanks Linda!

    • Pam Hunter on February 14, 2018 at 12:42 pm
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    So excited for your newest release! Congratulations and thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    1. Thank you Pam!!

    • Stephanie Carrico on February 14, 2018 at 1:09 pm
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    Congratulations on a new release. Lovely excerpt. Thanks for the chance to win.

    1. Thank you so much Stephanie!

    • Maria on February 14, 2018 at 1:33 pm
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    Oh my goodness…. can’t wait to see what revisions you made in this story. Congrats on the release.

    1. Lots of revisions — but a better story overall I think! I hope!
      Thank you!

    • Nicola on February 14, 2018 at 2:13 pm
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    P&P meets Persuasion. I read the freue Sample anderen am Vera intrigued – Well eine, Amy! I Like YouTube Style of writing!

    1. Thank you very much Nicola!

    • Leah Pruett on February 14, 2018 at 5:33 pm
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    Cannot wait!! congrats!!

    1. Thank you Leah!

    • Carole in Canada on February 14, 2018 at 6:14 pm
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    Sigh…that was just perfect for today. Can’t wait to read it!

    1. So happy you enjoyed it! Thank you!

    • BambiL on February 14, 2018 at 8:23 pm
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    I read this as a WIP, and it’s truly among the best P&P fabrics I’ve read. I’m excited to read the published version!

    1. That is a huge compliment Bambi, thank you!

    • Judy pociask on February 14, 2018 at 8:36 pm
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    Intriguing. Love the cover. It’s on my wish list.

    1. Thank you Judy!

    • Daniela Quadros on February 15, 2018 at 7:46 am
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    Congratulations on the new book, Amy! The cover is lovely and even though I have read this story while you were posting it, I can’t wait to read the book now, especially because you said there were some changes, and I always love rereading your stories. I am all ready for the angst. I remember wishing to hug Darcy and Elizabeth all the time while reading it online, poor babies! But also, it is incredibly romantic! I wish you all the success, Amy!

    1. Thank you Daniela! Your well wishes mean a lot to me!

    • Sheryl on February 15, 2018 at 8:49 am
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    Damn- I missed opening day! I had a good excuse, I promise. Quad bi-pass. No joke. Hope your week is better than mine, but “they say I’m doing wee. Or the need the hospital bed – LOL. I’ll go with curtain #1. Cover is gorgeous.
    Love, Sher

    • Sheryl on February 15, 2018 at 8:51 am
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    Please use your brilliant mind and correct the typos 🙂

    1. Get well soon Sher, the JAFF-o-sphere needs you!

    • lynn char on February 15, 2018 at 11:33 am
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    This is a wonderful excerpt! I absolutely will be picking this one up!

    1. Thank you Lynn!

  2. Such a lovely excerpt! I am crossing my fingers, hoping to win a copy! I always enjoy your books,so I’m really looking forward to this one; it sounds absolutely amazing!! 😀

    Thank you so much for sharing the synopsis and excerpt with us, and for the giveaway, Amy!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. Thank you Susanne! I wish I could just hand copies out to everyone I swear!

    • Anji on February 15, 2018 at 4:32 pm
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    Now I’m very much intrigued! Is this when Elizabeth accepts Darcy before jilting him? It was such a lovely scene that, if the jilting is yet to come, I can feel my insides tensing right now! That’s not a bad things, by the way, as I’m rather partial to an angsty story.

    Thanks for sharing it with us Amy, and for the giveaway.

    1. The best thing about extreme angst is that it makes the sweet that much sweeter, right?!

      Thanks Anji!

    • Susan F on February 15, 2018 at 6:10 pm
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    Congratulation on the new book. It sounds wonderful.

    1. Thank you Susan!

    • Laura H on February 15, 2018 at 10:30 pm
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    Thanks for sharing with us. I’d love to have this book in my collection.

    1. Thanks Laura!

    • AMY Z on February 16, 2018 at 5:23 pm
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    This was one of my favorite stories, and I really enjoyed reading it in serial format. However, I am going to LOVE sitting down with the book to read it cover to cover! Hoping to be a drawing winner! 🙂

    1. Thank you Amy!

  3. ***************************

    WINNERS OF THE DRAWING ARE: LEAH PRUETT AND BETTY CAMPBELL MADDEN

    ***************************

      • Deborah on February 22, 2018 at 1:30 pm
      • Reply

      Congratulations!

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