A Work in Progress: Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet

Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match - mediumHello, Austen Friends ~ It’s wonderful to see you here. WELCOME!! Hope you’re enjoying the Grand Opening Week Celebration as much as we are  😛 .

Today I get to share a little of my work in progress — a story that will eventually be the sequel to Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match. In the first book (see left), a single mother named Beth Ann Bennet and an ER doctor named William Darcy meet on an Internet dating site — each for reasons that have little to do with finding true love. Nevertheless, it finds them anyway!

BTW, quite a few members of the Austen community helped me with that book. Abigail’s talented daughter, Rebecca Young, designed the cover. Jakki Leatherberry thoughtfully edited it. So many of our blogging friends reviewed it — like Meredith, Candy, and more! And I was truly honored when this book was chosen on Austenprose as one of the “Top 5 Austenesque Contemporary Novels” of 2013! Kimberly Denny-Ryder’s corresponding review is HERE  😉 . So, I know I couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Now, I’ve been at work on this second book and would love to chat with you all about it. The focus in this story turns to Beth’s good friend, Jane Henderson, and Will’s wealthy cousin, Bingley McNamara. If “pride” and “prejudice” were largely the issues that kept Beth and Will apart in Perfect Match, this time it is “forced niceness” and “excessive sociability” that create the initial wedge between our modern Jane and her Bingley in Perfect Bet.
Here’s a taste of the new novel:

As Jane adjusted the lacy train on Beth’s wedding dress, her heart was filled with joy for her best friend. Happy at last!

Beth had been through such heartbreak and grief, thanks to her deadbeat first husband, Pete Wickham. That stinkin’ rat. She’d been left to raise their son alone and had struggled for years—emotionally and financially—until she met Will.

Sure, the unlikely couple had a few rocky moments when they first got together, and Jane admitted she’d had her doubts about Beth’s new boyfriend, until she’d gotten to know the guy. But Jane was now fully convinced the two of them belonged together and that their relationship had been a blessing for them both. And for Charlie, too. She was thrilled to be maid of honor.

In fact, Jane couldn’t think of a single thing she didn’t like about Dr. William Darcy—except for his cousin.

Bingley McNamara.

Huh. Just look at him standing there next to the altar! All smug and self-satisfied. So certain he’d win the title of Mr. Cool in his perfectly fitted “best man” tux, polished leather shoes and crisp white shirt. Heck, he could even carry off wearing that silly dark-red bowtie. And with surprising flair.

So irritating. And good looking. And as loaded as that guy who’d founded Facebook. Not that Bingley didn’t know it, which made it all the worse.

Jane exhaled with a fierce puff, which she camouflaged by clearing her throat and smiling broadly when Beth sent her a concerned glance. Beth, looking relieved, smiled back and then turned her attention to her groom and the reverend. And they were off to the races!

flower bouquetIn her head, Jane had made a list of all of the awkward moments she would have to politely endure this weekend before she would be free of Bingley for a while. There was the rehearsal dinner last night. (Check!) This morning’s picture session with just the attendants and family members. (Check!) All that was left was the ceremony (now in progress!), the remaining pictures of the bride, groom and wedding party all together, the reception (although she’d have to dance with him…ugh…she’d need a glass or two of wine beforehand) and the morning-after breakfast. (Hopefully, he’d be too tired to talk to her.)

Certainly, for the sake of her best friend and her friend’s new husband, she could fake her way through all of that, right?

Right.

When Reverend Elton presented the happy couple as “husband and wife,” Will gave Beth an incredibly passionate kiss. All of the congregation cheered, and Jane sighed in happiness and, perhaps, just a touch of envy. Someday, maybe, her soulmate would find her, too. But, unlike how it’d been with Beth and Will, Jane doubted it would be a matter of a simple Love Match in her case. In a different way, she’d been much more deceptive than her best friend had ever been. Beth had only lied about her name and a few other details. Jane’s lies ran deeper, masked by a highly polished veneer of agreeableness and affability, and, thus, were far more subversive.

Finally, the procession out of the church began and, this time, Jane had to walk back down the aisle with Bingley.

“Delightful ceremony,” he pronounced loudly, insuring that everyone nearby would hear, as he formally offered her his arm. But he looked at her as if he’d much rather promenade with a python.

“I agree,” she said, smiling tightly and playing the part.

He cast an absolutely ecstatic grin at the friends and family in attendance as the two of them took their first steps toward the church’s foyer. “Only the receiving line and the final pictures,” he hissed, his lips near her ear as if sharing a secret. “And then I can start getting drunk. I plan to be pretty damn buzzed before our special dance.”

She leaned closer to him and hissed right back, “So funny! I was thinking exactly the same thing.”

champagne flutes“Yeah? I remember the last time you got your hands on some champagne, Jane. Who are you gonna be making out with in the coat room tonight?”

She gripped his arm perhaps a little more forcefully than necessary. “Not you.”

He winced but didn’t stop walking or faux grinning at the congregation. “Oh, I wasn’t offering, sweetheart. I’ve already been burned once. I don’t do second chances.”

She gulped. To her ear, he sounded hurt, which both surprised and irritated her. He was acting like some innocent in the whole thing. Like he hadn’t been trying to take advantage of her—one way or another. That he hadn’t made a bet that involved her. Huh. She’d tear him apart limb by limb, this very second, in fact, if it wouldn’t ruin her dress before the reception.

Beth and Will had stopped just up ahead of them and were getting ready to greet their guests in the receiving line. Before Jane pulled away from Bingley to dutifully take her place next to Beth, she gave the quote-unquote “best man” her parting shot. “I don’t do second chances either,” she informed him. “And, for the record, you might as well pay up Dustin and buy your own beer, ‘cause there’s no way you’ll win your ‘gamble.’ At least not with me.”

Jane had the satisfaction of seeing him freeze in his spot, a look of shock and confusion on his handsome face, as she turned her back to him.

Beth and Will, who hadn’t heard the content of this conversation, nevertheless weren’t completely oblivious to the weird vibe of tension whenever she and Bingley were nearby.

Her best friend kept glancing worriedly at her and, when there was a momentary breather between well-wishers, Beth asked, “Jane, is everything okay?”

Jane composed herself and tried to radiate tranquility. “Oh, yes. It’s just…you know…an emotional day.”

Beth squeezed her hand. “I know. Thank you. Thank you so, so much for being such a wonderful friend. I never could have been this happy without you there. Always so supportive. Always helping me.”

And Jane knew that she would cheerfully deal with even Bingley and all of the discomfort of being around him in order not to disrupt the happiness of her sweet BFF.

Now that she’d told him off at last, he’d have to stay away from her, except when their attendant duties made interaction absolutely necessary. Seriously, how much more damage could the guy do in less than twenty-four hours, right?

Right.

~*~

So, what did you think of Jane and Bingley as they interacted with each other? What were your first impressions of them based on this snippet? Obviously, this is a romance, so they *will* end up together (of that I can assure you!), but while I do have an outline for the upcoming scenes, I’m open to playing around with them… I’d love to know some of your predictions for the story. Given their characters, what do you think might make a good plot twist or problem? Anything you’d particularly like to see pop up in Book Two that you’d liked in Book One or wished had been there? More than any novel I’ve ever written, this new story is one I began at the request of my readers…so, it really and truly is being written FOR YOU! Feel free to share whatever thoughts, suggestions, brainstorms, etc. that you wish. I may not be able to use every one of them, but they are ALL welcome  😎 .

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00071]And on a final note, for those who may not already know this, my coming-of-age romantic mystery — The Road to You — is on super sale this week! The ebook is just $0.99 until January 31st (reg. price $3.99) at Amazon/Kindle (worldwide), B&N/Nook (US/UK), and Apple/iTunes (US, UK, Canada, AUS, NZ). It’s also the February Book Club pick on The Reading Frenzy, so if you’d like to be part of the online discussion and read/chat about the story with me, please do!! (Aurora, the heroine of the book, is an Austen lover, of course…) It’s a public blog, open to everyone, and free — plus, it’ll be really conversational. From Feb. 3rd – 9th, we’ll begin by reading Chapters 1 – 6 of the novel and discussing it. More reading and chat will follow through the month. So, if you crave some addition literary interaction, you’re more than welcome to join in!

Wishing each of you a fabulous week of fun with us here on Austen Variations. I look forward to reading your comments and am very excited to see what the future brings!!

xox ~ Marilyn

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    • Sophia Rose on January 28, 2014 at 1:34 am
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    Oh I did enjoy that excerpt! So refreshing! I love seeing Jane with deeper feelings and a snappy come-back. I can see these two take a more skeptical and slow pace to romance. I can see them playing a few of those games that people play when they’re in denial. I can see them both getting surprised when they discover new things about each other that show they’re good people underneath it all. Crises of various types are always good to help peel back layers to honest emotions. There, that’s all I have for supposition. I’m not a fan of undue angst or a lot of patience when characters grow too slowly so I can get picky when people deny attraction too long or do stupid things too often.

    Thanks for tackling Jane and Bingley’s story since it doesn’t get told as much.

    I picked up my copy of your new book from the sale. Thanks!

    1. Sophia,
      Oh, I *loved* your suggestions! Thank you so much for sharing them. I completely agree about games some people play when they’re in denial and, also, how the discovery that the other person is good underneath might take each of them by surprise… I think you caught their characters very well 😉 .
      And thanks for picking up a copy of The Road to You, too!! I really hope you’ll enjoy it!

      1. You’ve got me laughing out loud, Marilyn – so that’s a win for this reader 😉
        so much for assumptions and presumptions!

        1. Yippee, Sharon!!
          Well, if the excerpt made you laugh, then I must’ve done something right somewhere! 😀 WHEW! *wiping brow*
          SO very glad you liked it! XOX
          Thank you!

  1. Lol, well I certainly hope they will end up together 😉

    1. Ha!!! Thanks, Blodeuedd!
      THAT is a certainty 😀 .

    • junewilliams7 on January 28, 2014 at 4:17 am
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    Ooh, this is a very intriguing excerpt! Perhaps Jane and Bingley can babysit little Charlie? And if/when Bingley tries to be genuinely kind to Jane, she might have problems believing him, since Jane herself is an expert deceiver and feels she can spot deceit in him. Bingley’s gambling addiction is known, so that might come up. I think Bingley has no sisters, but he must have ex-girlfriends.

    Now where is the next excerpt? :=)

    1. June, I’m *thrilled* that you’re intrigued!! YAY! And I will confess this to you — my original outline *does* include some time when Jane and Bingley take care of Charlie 😉 . His parents have to go on their honeymoon after all, right?! I loved your thoughts on some potential problems and look forward to writing more so I can share it with you all!! xo

    • Deborah on January 28, 2014 at 5:28 am
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    I’mwhat a person usually likes romances that take place in the modern day. I prefer it when they take place in the past. I like Jane’s deeper feelings then she had in the original Pride and Prejudiceand the tart responses she made that are very often associated with Elizabeth. I also like that they both think the worst of each other. perhaps a serious situation where they have to rely on each othermight start getting them to know each other better and perhaps even trust each other a little. perhaps each one could have a skeleton or two in the closet.

    1. Deborah,
      I have a great love of reading historical romances, too, but I’m so glad you enjoyed reading my contemporary one! I’m especially delighted that you liked Jane’s internal feelings and her commentary, and I really loved the ideas you shared — thank you!!! I think a skeleton in the closet might be just be a perfect thing… *grin*

  2. Fantastic excerpt, Marilyn! I love the idea of forced niceness as a different sort of lie. As for ideas… I’d love to see Will try to take a little turn-about-is-fair-play on Bing by trying to push him into a relationship with Jane, and his scheme could backfire so spectacularly that Bing and Jane gang up to fight off his efforts, and, well, you know what happens once they agree on anything…

    1. Abigail, LOLOL!!
      Oh, I *love* your turn-about-is-fair-play idea — that could be really FUN! 😀
      And thank you so much for reading the excerpt and taking the time to comment. I know this has been an incredibly busy week for you, so I truly appreciate it!

  3. I have to tell you, Marilyn, that when I saw you were giving us an excerpt, I got completely giddy–like a girl getting ready for her first date! 😉 Oh, this is going to be such a great story! And I love Abigail’s suggestion about Will getting involved. *hehe* Will be looking forward to hearing more about Perfect Bet (which is a perfect title!) in the future! 🙂

    1. Jakki, thank you!!
      And, again, thanks for having taken the time to read/edit the first story, too!
      You know how much I appreciate your thoughts on these characters 🙂 .
      xox

    • Megan on January 28, 2014 at 10:06 am
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    Looks great so far Marilyn! I like the idea of Jane and Bingley having to care for Charlie (maybe have Charlie wander off at the park while Jane and Bingley argue and the hunt to find Charlie helps Jane and Bingley resolve some of their issues with each other). Or maybe have Wickham suddenly pop up out of the blue while Beth and Will are on their honeymoon forcing Jane and Bingley to deal with the deadbeat. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Will’s mom and Charlie. And maybe seeing Bingley’s eccentric parents. Look forward to seeing more in the future and of course reading the final version. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Megan,
      What wonderful ideas — thank you!! You’ve given me some excellent possibilities to ponder!
      And I can tell you for sure (based on some of what I’ve already written) that Will’s mom and Bingley’s parents are definitely going to be making appearances in the story!
      🙂

    • Gabriela V on January 28, 2014 at 10:50 am
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    I’ve never read the first book, but this preview makes me wanna read Book one. I like the new take on Jane’s personality.

    1. Gabriella,
      Many thanks! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this modern Jane (yay!) and that it makes you want to read “Perfect Match” 😀 .
      If you do, I really hope you’ll like it!!

    • RosannaK on January 28, 2014 at 11:21 am
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    Poor Jane and Bingley to be living the angst instead of Beth and Will. I like the babysitting idea thrown in with Wickham showing up and our quarreling couple having to join forces to deal with the deadbeat dad.

    1. Rosanna,
      You’re so right — Jane and Bingley are the ones dealing with the angst, in regards to Charlie and just about everything else in this story! I definitely see them as having to join forces at some point…and you’ve all got me thinking about a role that deadbeat Wickham might play…Hmm!!!

  4. First, bow ties ARE cool 😉 You painted such a vivid and fabulous picture of Jane and Bingley and I love the tension between them. Thank you for sharing this excerpt. We learned so much on that short walk down the aisle behind the bride and groom and I can’t wait to read the rest.

    Yay!!

    1. Pamala,
      Thank you so much, my lovely friend, for taking the time to read my little scene and comment!! *HUGS* to you! And I, personally, happen to be a fan of bow ties, LOL…but only when a man can carry them off well 😀 . Presumably, this Bingley is such a man!!
      p.s. I have a photo of my hubby as an adorable Kindergartener, wearing a bow tie that his mom made him put on for his school pictures — it’s one of my favorites! xo

    • SuzeJA on January 28, 2014 at 12:07 pm
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    Love the first one and It looks like the secound will be just as good!! Can’t wait to read it..

    1. Suze~
      That you loved the first book just makes my day!!
      Thank you…and I hope you’ll enjoy this new one when it’s done — I can’t wait to finish so I can finally share it with you all! 😉

    • schilds on January 28, 2014 at 12:35 pm
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    Love seeing a new side to the sweet Jane and Bingley. Their characters are sooo good it is nice to see more depth in a modern telling of their love story. I will be picking up a copy of your first book along with the one on sale. Thanks for the excerpt.

    1. Schilds~
      Oh, YAY!! I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you enjoyed the character of Jane & Bingley and seeing this modern incarnation of them 🙂 . And thank you so much for wanting to read “Perfect Match” and “The Road to You” too — I’m really hoping you’ll like them both! <3

    • Vesper Meikle on January 28, 2014 at 12:42 pm
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    Not read the first book so I am wondering what ” Jane’s lies ran deeper” refers to.
    My proof reader part of me kicked in (awful I know ) – Beth and Will had stopped just up ahead of them and were getting ready to greet their guests in the receiving line. Before Jane pulled away from Bingley to dutifully take her place next to Jane – should read Beth

    1. Vesper,
      THANK YOU!!!! I happen to *really appreciate* any proofreading catches like that, so I’m sending you a BIG hug for being so observant! You are absolutely right — it should have read “Beth” in that sentence, not “Jane” — and I just changed it on both the post above *and* in my draft document so I don’t forget! So glad you spotted this 😀 . Whew!

    • Cindy on January 28, 2014 at 12:51 pm
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    I love this take on Jane and Bingley. I always prefer a more opinionated Jane. 😉

    1. Cindy,
      I’m so glad!!! Thank you for taking the time to read it and comment. 😀 I’m delighted you enjoyed my modern Jane…who is, as you said, definitely more opinionated, LOL!!

    • C. Allyn Pierson on January 28, 2014 at 1:18 pm
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    How about if Wickham kidnaps Charlie to try and extort money from Beth and Will? Jane and Bingley would be chasing them tryiing to find them and Charlie would be making Wickham very, very sorry that he has to care for him!
    Love the start…wish I could have read on!

    1. Just got back from a morning appointment, so I’m still catching up on all of these fabulous comments in a random order (!!), but I just wanted to say thanks for your awesome idea, Carey ;). It reminded me a little of the O. Henry story “The Ransom of Red Chief.” Ah, if only Charlie were a more unruly kid…LOL!

  5. Yay! You know I love reading #TingleyBingley lol. Did Jane compromise sweet innocent Bingley’s honor in the coatroom? Poor baby. I can’t really think of any suggestions not already mentioned. Anything where Bingley and Jane have to compete against each other would be fun. A friend of mine had a really big bridal party (like 6 attendents on each side) and the week preceding the wedding the bride & groom had organized the Bridal Wars where the bridesmaids & groomsmen had to compete in various contests & challenges for prizes and stuff. It was pretty fun. But if Jane & B pretty much *are* the bridal party I think they have enough to deal with already lol.

    Happy writing. And thanks for the excerpt!

    1. Monica~
      You should know just how incredibly often I’ve thought of you while working on the first draft of this #TingleyBingley project!! LOVED the story about your friend and the Bridal Wars — that sounds like a blast! They must both have a really great sense of humor.
      As for any possible “compromising of honor” — all I say is that what happens in the coatroom, stays in the coatroom. 🙂
      xox

    • Stacie Reeder on January 28, 2014 at 3:09 pm
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    Oh Wow I cannot wait for more.. Absolutely loved the first book 🙂

    1. Stacie~
      Whoo-hoo!! So pleased to know that you loved “Perfect Match” — thank you!! <3
      And I'm really looking forward to being able to share more of this one… It's truly a JOY to write for wonderful readers like all of you!
      🙂

    • Beth F on January 28, 2014 at 5:07 pm
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    Can’t wait for the follow up book! The first is one of my favorites and one I often reread. Can’t wait to see the finished product, thank you for sharing!

    1. Beth, thank you!!
      I’m so thrilled that you’ve not only read “Perfect Match,” but reread it… That’s the highest compliment an author can get! *HUG!* You really brightened my day! 🙂

    • Joanne F on January 28, 2014 at 8:51 pm
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    Intriguing excerpt. It is nice to read the modern variations.

    1. Thanks, Joanne!!
      So kind of you to call it “intriguing” — I’m really glad you think so 😉 .

    • Jennifer Webb on January 28, 2014 at 8:54 pm
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    Love the excerpt. Now I have to go back and reread the first book. Cant wait to see what happens.

    1. Jennifer,
      Thank you!! Thrilled you enjoyed it…and, to tell you the truth, I can’t wait to see what happens either, LOL!
      It’s one of those leaps of faith we take when we’re writing. There’s almost as much mystery for the author sometimes as there is for the reader.
      🙂

    • Mary Ellen on January 28, 2014 at 9:13 pm
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    Loved the Perfect Match and look forward to the Perfect Bet!

    1. YAY!!!
      Thanks so much, Mary Ellen!!
      Music to my ears… 😉

    • BeckyC on January 28, 2014 at 10:44 pm
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    Marilyn, I am excited about book 2 (loved book 1). Thank you for the excerpt. I predict it will be worth the wait!

    1. Becky~
      *Hug!* Thank you!!
      I’ve really got my fingers crossed that you’ll all enjoy this one… xo

  6. So the new book will be called ‘Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet’? I like it already.

    Oh, there’s already tension in the air on Beth and Will’s wedding. I like the verbal swordplay between them but I wonder what made them become angsty toward each other. I’m speculating that Jane hates his guts and playful manners. But it’s a bit of a mystery why he doesn’t like her. Is it because she can read him like a book hidden behind his childish veneer?

    1. Lúthien~Yes!! Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet is the title for book 2 🙂 .
      As for your excellent question about why he’s mad at her, I’ll just say that it’s because he’s hurt… There’s a full scene that comes before this one above, and another scene directly after, and both of them are from Bingley’s point of view. So, well before the end of Chapter One, the reader should have a pretty good insight into what happened between him and Jane in *his* opinion, LOL. I’m hoping there will be a good occasion for me to share those scenes here as sneak peeks before the book comes out…because I think it could be really fun to get to discuss those with all of you, too!

      1. Cool, I’m looking forward to the day when you will share those excerpts. I imagine the pre-wedding scenes that involve Jane and Bingley to be great as well.

        1. Thanks, Lúthien!!
          XOXO
          🙂

    • eviejoanne on January 28, 2014 at 11:56 pm
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    I thoroughly enjoyed the first and even loaned/recommend it so others. I can’t wait to read this new one in entirety!

    1. Evie Joanne~
      Many, many thanks!! I’m so pleased you liked and recommended “Perfect Match” to other readers — I truly appreciated it! And I’m hoping you’ll enjoy this new one (when it’s finished!) as much as the first 😉 .

    • Katrin W on January 29, 2014 at 1:03 am
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    What a perfect way to spend breakfast this morning. Loved Jane and Bingley. And I really looking forward to finding out their strory and how they get together in the end. Sounds already like a must read!

  7. Katrin, yay! I’m so glad you liked it!!
    Thank you for taking the time to pop by and spend a little of your morning with us! xo
    😀

    • Deborah on January 29, 2014 at 2:46 pm
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    I’m looking forward to the other teasers you are planning to post. I am also liking the suggestion of Wickham showing his sorry self again and causing trouble…such as kidnapping Charles sc C. Allen Pierce suggested…or having forged custody papers.

    1. Deborah,
      Your description of Wickham “showing his sorry self again” made me smile!! Love that, and thank you 🙂 .

    • Sheila L. M. on January 29, 2014 at 4:41 pm
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    When I opened this site to read the next chapter in Darcy Brothers, I also began to read about this second book…however, since I was unfamiliar with your books, Marilyn, I then went on Amazon and read ALL the reviews (posted some comments) and, finding myself intrigued, ordered and just finished reading the first book so that I could now read the excerpt from this second book. I plan to go on Amazon and post my review about the first book next. I am very curious about just what went on between Bingley and Jane in the coatroom…betting again??? And what has Jane lied about? These are not our “angels” from P&P. Interesting. The suggestion about Wickham showing up is a good possibility and I always like reading in other variations when he gets a real consequence. However, in a modern story we can’t have him deported nor can he be beaten by a gang of brothers to punish how he defied their sisters, etc. No debtors prison is possible either. So is his only sin that he abandoned and did not support his son or has he been reeking havoc elsewhere in the States? That sin is grievous enough, don’t get me wrong. (Interesting that we are not longer in a British setting also.) Thanks for the bargain book. Always enjoy adding a story to my collection, especially when it is such a “gift”!

    1. Sheila,
      WOW!! You went through all the reviews of P, P & the Perfect Match, ordered the book, and read the whole thing that fast so you could read this excerpt from the second story??! You are awesome — thank you!! And I’m thrilled to know that you were intrigued and you took the time to write a review, too. Truly, I appreciate all of that! I enjoyed your thoughts on what might be done in a modern American setting with Wickham as well — he does present some possibilities and challenges, doesn’t he?
      And you’re absolutely right, THIS Bingley and THIS Jane are not “angels”, at least not in the way they’re so often portrayed in film versions of P&P. I’m not convinced that either is all that angelic in the original Austen text, though. Both are very kind, good-natured people to be sure, but they’re primarily seen in the novel through the highly opinionated lens of Elizabeth (!!), and we all know her tendency toward snap judgments, LOL. I always thought of both Jane and Bingley as characters with more depth than they were given credit for and each possessing a different style of intelligence than Elizabeth and Darcy. Both J and B are *very* aware of their social responsibilities but, if I were them, I would have resented it sometimes…even if I could play the part in public quite well. So, that’s the understanding I decided to bring to this modern couple 😀 .

        • Sheila L. M. on January 30, 2014 at 9:16 am
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        Thank you for your in depth reply. Yes, I realize (as Darcy said) no one is perfect. I do believe with that time people of this nature, i.e., Jane and Bingley, begin to develop stronger personalities. In a continuation of P&P: Jane, in handling a household, Bingley in managing an estate, his investments, etc. and both in dealing with the rearing of children would learn very quickly that they have to respond with authority not niceties to get positive results. And many times the response would have to be on-the-spot. I so admire all you authors who give me so many hours of pleasure in how your imagination comes through to give us another viewpoint in “What-if”. Having found pleasure in reading The Perfect Match and the beginning of The Perfect Bet, I will keep your name in mind when I next go to order a kindle book. I do read all the reviews just to get an idea of whether or not I would enjoy the book, as I do not buy just because it is a JAFF. I, actually, have many books in different genres sitting around my house: I am presently reading many “after death” true life experiences, also.

        1. Oh, Sheila, thank you for the compliment of reading my work and that of other authors with such intellectual curiosity. I love it when readers bring to *any* piece of literature — Austen-inspired or not, historical or contemporary — that kind of desire to get to the heart of it and to make up their own minds about it. As a reader myself, I enjoy trying to draw out whatever kernels of insight or imagination I find in a novel. And as an author, I *love* getting to discuss the elements that led to writing a story with a particular slant or vision. In many ways, I think of a published story as only one half of a conversation… The other half comes when the reader responds to it 😉 . So, your reflections on Jane and Bingley — both in my writing and in Austen’s original — were so fun to read. And you mentioned in your first comment that you’d gotten my sale book, too — thank you for that as well! Someday, I hope I’ll also get to hear your thoughts on The Road to You 😀 .

            • Sheila L. M. on January 30, 2014 at 12:40 pm
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            I was able to e-mail Abigail directly after reading her books (I have all of them) as at that time I was still employed full-time and usually didn’t take the time to post a review on Amazon. Would you be satisfied to read a review on Amazon or would you prefer a direct contact? I would do both if it agreeable.

            • Sheila L. M. on January 30, 2014 at 12:42 pm
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            OH, and BTW: I am taking time to re-read many of the JAFF I own and to then post reviews…a long process as I am reading the entire story not just my favorite parts.

          1. Sheila,
            I’d be thrilled if you left a review on Amazon, since that helps other readers make their decisions about whether to consider giving a book a try, and I’m always delighted to hear from readers personally, too, via email or via direct message on Facebook!! So please feel free to do both 😉 . As I said, it’s fun to get to continue the conversation! And, btw, I read and enjoyed your review of ‘Perfect Match’ — thank you. It was so thoughtful of you to leave one!

    • anne on January 29, 2014 at 4:49 pm
    • Reply

    Thanks for this great excerpt. I look forward to this new book.

  8. Anne, thank you!!!
    I’m truly delighted that you enjoyed the excerpt! I’m working hard to finish the book so that — when it’s finally polished and ready — I can let you all know about it first 🙂 .
    Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend!!

  9. Just a quick note for anyone interested in the book club discussion of THE ROAD TO YOU — the interview just went up on The Reading Frenzy today! The direct link is here for any reader friends who are interested in checking it out: http://thereadingfrenzy.blogspot.com/2014/01/interview-with-marilyn-brant-author-of.html
    Hope to get to chat with more of you soon!!
    😀

    • Denisia on January 30, 2014 at 6:21 pm
    • Reply

    Perfect Match was my best cup of tea, and it looks that Perfect Bet will second that. I’m all excitement in waiting until the book’s date release. Because I don’t know yet what kind of bet Bingley placed on Jane, I can’t come up with an accurate twist, but I can suggest a counter bet made by Jane on Bingley, while some sort of cold war (prank, teasing,etc…) treatment is cast on him. Jane needs his cooperation in babysitting Charlie (Beth and Darcy left for honeymoon) since she sprained her ankle while dancing tipsy Bingley at their best friends wedding. I wouldn’t mind some angst or use of secondary characters frolics that will put them in the awkward jealousy state. Anyway, you are the best crafter. You’ll do the best in weaving your story. Can’t wait to read it. 🙂

    1. Denisia,
      Your thoughts and all of your wonderful story suggestions made me grin in delight!! Counter bets and awkward jealous states may well be on the horizon for this Jane and Bingley…
      Most delightful of all, though, is knowing that you enjoyed “Perfect Match” so much. It’s warming me up on this freezing January evening — thank you again and again!! I’ll do my very best to try to write “Perfect Bet” in a way that will, hopefully, live up to your expectations! 🙂
      *Hugs!*

        • Denisia on January 30, 2014 at 8:21 pm
        • Reply

        Yeay!
        Marilyn, I’m glad that I made you smile, and I was a little bit useful today. My weather up here in Kenosha, WI is no better than yours.Thanks for the hugs. I reciprocate.;)

        1. Denisia ~ You may already know this, but I’m from Wisconsin! I grew up in the Madison area and now live in northern Illinois… I love the Midwest but, ohhhh, I’ve been dreaming of the tropics this winter, LOL! 😉 xox

    • NovElla on February 1, 2014 at 12:49 pm
    • Reply

    Both of these books look interesting! Jane and Bingley are clearly struggling with some misunderstandings—I can’t wait to see how they’re resolved.

    1. Thanks, NovElla!!
      I’m working hard to complicated their lives tremendously, LOL…and then resolve it!
      I really appreciate your having stopped by to add in your thoughts 😉 .

    • Patricia Finnegan on February 1, 2014 at 4:24 pm
    • Reply

    I can not wait for this!

    1. *BIG HUG*
      Thanks so much, Patricia!!!
      xoxo
      😀

  10. Just love that you are writing a sequel to Pride, Prejudice, and the Perfect Match! The scene was wonderful! What a contentious start! Can’t wait to read more!!!

    1. Oh, Meredith, thank you!!!
      It’s been exciting to finally get to work on it 😉 .
      And I’m positively thrilled that you enjoyed the scene I posted here!
      xox

  1. […] at the end of January, I shared one of the early scenes from the novel, which was in Jane’s point of view. In a few weeks, I’ll post another […]

  2. […] other scenes I’ve posted from the story and would like to, they’re here: Scene One and Scene Two.) And please don’t miss the special 99-cent boxed set sale announcement at the bottom of this […]

  3. […] story here on Austen Variations. In chronological order within the book, they are here: Scene One, Scene Two, and Scene Three. Below, however, is a new scene (one that takes place between Jane and Bingley […]

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