Launch of Conversations with Mr. Darcy by Mary Simonsen

2016! It was quite the year. And it made for some intense discussions. There were a few ways one could escape the angst-inducing news. You could go on a vacation to the Amazon or other exotic locales where there are no radios, newspapers, or internet. You could train for marathons or take up mountain climbing. Or you could drink lots and lots of wine. My problem is that I don’t do exotic vacations. For me, camping is staying in a nice hotel near a national park. I can’t climb Mt. McKinley because I have wonky knees, and I’m old enough to be on Medicare. And I don’t drink. But I do write!

In a challenging year, I relaxed by writing about our beloved couple, Darcy and Elizabeth. Conversations with Mr. Darcy is a P&P “what if” where polite conversation replaces pugilistics. Here is the book blurb:

It did not begin well. At the Meryton assembly, Fitzwilliam Darcy was rude, and Elizabeth Bennet was offended. But what if, through a series of conversations, Darcy and Lizzy come to recognize the virtues that lay hidden beneath his pride and her prejudice? Even though the lovers walk a smoother path, there are obstacles, including other suitors for Lizzy and societal hurdles for Mr. Darcy. 

In the novella, Darcy finds inspiration in a long-ago love story from his own family. His Great Aunt Marie had eloped with her music instructor and had been banished for her disobedience. Here is an excerpt:

Georgiana took hold of her brother’s hand. “The lesson I take from Aunt Marie’s life is not the one Papa was trying to make: disobeying a parent never ends well. Her story speaks not to my head but to my heart. Marie knew what she had was so special, so eternal, that she was willing to undergo any trial to be with the man she loved… What I want for you, my dear brother, is for you to be more like Aunt Marie and less like the Fitzwilliam Darcy who is ruled too much by his head and too little by his heart. Life is too full of uncertainty to go through it alone. If you love Miss Bennet, then find a way to be with her.”

The novella is available on Kindle and Nook for $2.99. (There will be no paperback.) I hope you will want to check out Conversations with Mr. Darcy. If you do, and you enjoy it, please consider writing a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and/or Goodreads. Reviews are the only way I have of getting the word out. As always, I am truly appreciative of my readers and their support.

And speaking of readers, a sharp-eyed reader found two typos in my novella on the day of its release. So, if you were an early purchaser of Conversations with Mr. Darcy, I apologize. I do want you to know that I read and re-read the manuscript until my eyes bleed, but even with that, a few get by. I appreciate your understanding.

Conversations with Mr. Darcy is available on Kindle and Nook.

I wish you a happy and successful 2017!

36 comments

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  1. Congrats on your new release, Mary! It sounds fantastic! Can’t wait to read it.

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 10:42 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Anna. Thanks for stopping by.

    • Carole in Canada on January 12, 2017 at 9:04 am
    • Reply

    Congratulations! What a delightful premise…they keep the conversation going and fall in love!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 10:42 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Carole. Always good to hear from you.

      • Ann Roper on January 13, 2017 at 10:27 pm
      • Reply

      This premise reminded me of a quote from the movie Lost in Austen, “”Keep talking. From the talking comes the loving.” Can’t wait to read Conversations with Mr. Darcy!

        • Mary Simonsen on January 14, 2017 at 9:13 pm
        • Reply

        Hi Ann. Thanks for sharing that quote. It’s perfect.

    • Ginna on January 12, 2017 at 9:04 am
    • Reply

    Well, now my triple-digit wish list has another title added!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 10:43 am
      • Reply

      Hi Ginna. I know what you mean. I’m reading three books right now. 🙂

    • Meg on January 12, 2017 at 9:17 am
    • Reply

    I too was disturbed with all the negativity in the election and news, but kept on reading and listening to it with grief in my heart and worries in my head. To escape, I took long walks and read fan fiction about our beloved and often misunderstanding favorite couple, Darcy and Elizabeth. Thanks to all of the JAFF authors who are so creative and providing us with delightful escapes into another time and place.

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 10:43 am
      • Reply

      I did a LOT of walking. Lost a few pounds, too. Thanks for stopping by.

    • Carol hoyt on January 12, 2017 at 11:03 am
    • Reply

    Congrats on the new book!
    My tbr list grows!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 11:11 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Carol. I appreciate it.

    • StephanieL on January 12, 2017 at 12:57 pm
    • Reply

    I’ve already bought it and read it yesterday. 🙂 Congrats on the new release!!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 3:23 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Stephanie. I appreciate it.

    • Deborah on January 12, 2017 at 1:39 pm
    • Reply

    The story sounds adorable. I have the ebook already and have it on my very long TBR.

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 3:24 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Deborah. I appreciate your support.

    • Rae on January 12, 2017 at 1:51 pm
    • Reply

    Last night I was browsing the new suggestions on Kindle and your story was one of them. It was midnight and I promised myself to investigate this new title by a favorite author. Lo and behold I came here and see just what I was looking for! Terrific! I will purchase your new story tonight.

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 3:24 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Rae. I hope you enjoy it.

    • Carol on January 12, 2017 at 2:01 pm
    • Reply

    Congratulations on your new book. Soon to be in my TBR stack.

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 3:25 pm
      • Reply

      Thank you, Carol. I appreciate it. 🙂

  2. Congratulations, Mary!

    I once worked on a book project (in the pre-computer era) in which myself, a Harvard PhD, and three other grad students all read over the proofs of a book I co-edited with the Harvard PhD (also our department chair). The manuscript was a collection of essays that our typist had to retype (on a an electric typewriter!) into the proper book format, and she proofread it twice, also. And several typos *still* got past us.

    So typos happen. 😉

    I’m going to go purchase a copy right now, and I am fairly conscientious about writing reviews for Goodreads and copying them to Amazon and eventually to my blog.

    Again, congratulations on a job well done!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 3:27 pm
      • Reply

      Typos–the bane of my existence! When I was a legal secretary, I once typed a letter that was supposed to have the word “exotic” but typed “erotic.” The lawyer found it and still sent out the letter. I was embarrassed, but everyone got a good laugh out of it. Thanks, as always, for your support and reviews. It makes a world of difference, esp. as this is most likely my last D&E.

    • Terri on January 12, 2017 at 7:06 pm
    • Reply

    I look forward to reading this one I love your work the only thing I would like is novels rather than novellas always regret the end of a good book. But I would not miss one of yours if I can.

      • Mary Simonsen on January 12, 2017 at 9:06 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Terri. I understand about the novellas, but, of late, I really enjoy narrowing the focus on D&E. As I’ve gotten older, I find that I have a shorter attention span. I flit and fly from one thing to the next. But I appreciate your support.

    • Katherine Schmitt on January 13, 2017 at 1:13 am
    • Reply

    Please try not to make this your last D&E publication! I, too, am on Medicare and as I have only recently become acquainted with JAFF am just getting started! I really have enjoyed the books I’ve read and wish I could afford to buy more than one per day! You are on my 2017 list.

      • Mary Simonsen on January 13, 2017 at 11:24 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Katherine. There is so much D&E out there that you could read a book a day for a couple of years! I have several books for .99. Thank you for commenting.

      • Terri on January 18, 2017 at 10:22 pm
      • Reply

      Hi Katherine check out some other authors (within this site) as many books available for free Amazon also have books very cheap and unlimited option as well sometimes it can be hit and miss with quality they are not all to Mary’s high standard. Enjoy I find JAFF like having a never ending book.
      T

        • Mary Simonsen on January 23, 2017 at 10:22 pm
        • Reply

        Thanks, Terri, for the shoutout!

  3. Congratulations, Mary! Glad you wrote another story! I look forward to reading it!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 13, 2017 at 11:03 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Candy. Have a happy new year.

    • Lex on January 13, 2017 at 8:02 pm
    • Reply

    Thank you for sharing, Mary! I totally relate about seeking solace in P&P. I don’t really write stories so I just rely on people like you, and of course Jane, for comfort! 🙂 I shall put this story on my reading list!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 13, 2017 at 11:03 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Lex. Jane does Haber a calming effect.

    • Dung on January 13, 2017 at 8:35 pm
    • Reply

    Congrats on the new release Mary! I look forward to reading it!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 13, 2017 at 11:04 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Dung. I appreciate. It.

    • Sarah on January 17, 2017 at 5:36 am
    • Reply

    Sounds like another fresh perspective to look forward to. Congratulations on your new story, Mary!

      • Mary Simonsen on January 22, 2017 at 12:16 am
      • Reply

      Thank you, Sarah. Happy New Year!

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