Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds Book Launch! Jane Odiwe

PrintI’m very excited to announce the publication of Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds today, a new novella, part of my new Jane Austen Jewel Box series, which I started here on Austen Variations a while ago.

A Jane Austen Jewel Box Novella. 
Elizabeth is newly married to Fitzwilliam Darcy, the richest man in Derbyshire, owner of a vast estate, and master of Pemberley House. Her new role is daunting at first, and having to deal with Mr Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is a daily challenge. But, Elizabeth is deeply in love and determined to rise to every test and trial she is forced to endure. When her husband presents her with a diamond ring, part of the precious and irreplaceable Darcy suite of jewels, she feels not only honoured and secure in her husband’s love, but also ready to accept her new responsibilities and position. 
Mrs Darcy knows she will face exacting scrutiny at the approaching Christmas Ball, but it will be her chance to prove that she is a worthy mistress, and she is excited to be playing hostess to the Bennets, the Bingleys, and the gentry families of Derbyshire, as well as Mr Darcy’s French cousins. Antoine de Valois and his sister Louise have arrived at the invitation of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Elizabeth is delighted that this young and lively couple are helping to bring Miss Georgiana Darcy out of her shell. However, when her ring goes missing before the ball, Elizabeth is distraught, and her dilemma further increased by the threat of a scandal that appears to involve the French cousins.

 

Here’s a website dealing in Georgian jewellery which gives you an idea of the kind of jewellery you’d be wearing if you were Mrs Elizabeth Darcy, and also how much genuine gem pieces cost today. There’s a real revival of interest for antique, especially Georgian, jewellery probably spurred on by all the adaptations on television!

 

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The photo above shows some of the jewels from Lang antiques.

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This suite of Georgian jewellery is of pink topaz-maybe a bit fussy for some people, but it’s very typical of the time. This is from Bentley and Skinner in the UK.

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One of my favourites types of jewellery is the rivière necklace – a short necklace, worn like a collar, strung with a line of faceted gems, often graduating in size. When the style first developed, in the late 17th or early 18th century, the settings were closed-back, but later versions had open settings, so that the effect was a continuous, glittering stream around the neck – “rivière” means “river” in French. Some ornate examples have additional gems dangling from the main necklace. The example above is from the Friar House archive.

bracelet_ring_ja

What about Jane Austen’s own jewellery? The few pieces that have been passed down include a turquoise ring of a very simple style, a beaded bracelet, and a topaz cross given to her as a gift from her sailor brother Charles.

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Jane’s cross is on the left and her sister’s on the right. These simple crosses command great sums these days – wouldn’t it be wonderful to own one? A few years ago I found a reasonably priced agate cross which I love wearing on special occasions.

myjewellery

 

The few pieces on my dressing table above are from my jewellery box – some treasured pieces given as gifts, but most of them only a few pounds off a well-known auction site! I have a replica of Jane’s beaded bracelet I bought a long time ago at Chawton, and I can tell a story about most – the Venetian necklace on the right is very special – my daughter bought it in Venice when she was on a school trip – I’m sure it must have cost her most of the money she’d taken with her. When I first had my books published, I had a bracelet made by Jean Steeley with my illustrations forming medallions all along-you can see it running along the bottom of the picture. Lovely brooches from friends and a gorgeous portrait one bought by my husband on a holiday to Lyme Regis make up the rest. Each has its special memories attached and that’s what makes jewellery so special to me. They might not be as costly as Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds but every one represents an event or wonderful time in my life.

 

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    • Wendy Roberts on September 2, 2014 at 12:26 am
    • Reply

    Oh my goodness! Please put my name in for all three prizes. I am not picky and would love to get what ever my name was drawn for. robmwmj at gmail dot com

    1. Thank you for stopping by on my special day, Wendy! I’ll put your name in the hat!

      • Jennifer Redlarczyk on September 2, 2014 at 11:51 pm
      • Reply

      Hi Jane, I could go for the e-book…however I hope I don’t have to wait too long for the drawing to see if I win. I’m ready to buy NOW! The pics on pinterest were great. Best of luck with your new release! Love it! ~Jen Red~

        • Jane Odiwe on September 3, 2014 at 4:19 am
        • Reply

        Thank you, Jen, for all your lovely wishes on my special day! I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • Julie Rakowski on September 2, 2014 at 12:39 am
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    Yeah!!!! I hope the launch goes well Jane. I started reading this story on the site and can’t wait to see which direction you took it in. It grabbed my attention from the first paragraph. Please put me in for an ebook, or the cross please.

    Julie R
    countrydancefeet@yahoo.com

    1. Thank you, Julie, I hope you enjoy the rest of the book! I’ll put your name in the hat.

    • Carol on September 2, 2014 at 12:57 am
    • Reply

    What a wonderful giveaway. Any prize will be gladly accepted. Your book just appeared on my Kindle. Cannot wait to read it tomorrow during the day. Right now it is 1:00 a.m.

    1. Thank you, Carol-I hope you enjoy Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds-I’ll put your name in the hat!

    • Lisa on September 2, 2014 at 1:22 am
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    I love all the jewellery – but my favourite has to be the cross! I’d also be interested in an e-book prize 😉

    1. I think the cross is my favourite too, Lisa-I’ll put your name in the hat for both items!

  1. Congratulations on the launch of Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds, Jane! I love your writing and I know I’m going to love this series.

    The giveaways are wonderful – I was lucky enough to win one of your brooches in the past, so don’t include me in the draw this time!

    The riviere necklace is gorgeous (love green!) and I love the stories behind your jewel collection! Thanks so much for sharing such a personal and fascinating post!

    1. Thank you, Cassandra, for your kind wishes! I would love a riviere necklace-can’t beat green, especially emeralds.

    • Anji on September 2, 2014 at 2:26 am
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    Like Julie above, I loved this story from the beginning when you posted it earlier this year Jane. I’m intrigued as to how it will continue and to find out the truth behind the French cousins.

    Your jewellery collection is beautiful and it’s lovely to read the stories behind some of the pieces. I don’t have a lot myself but each piece, like yours, does have a story behind it.

    When it comes to the giveaway, I’d love to win a copy of the ebook, of course. As to the jewellery, they’re all lovely, so I wouldn’t say no to any of them.

    angmardee(at)hotmail(dot)com

  2. Thank you, Anji, I hope you enjoy Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds! I’ll put your name in the hat.

  3. Oooh I love prizes. I’m actually not fond of jewelry so you can enter me in for just the book. I’m sure there is some deep rooted psychological reason that I gravitate toward an adornment free look. Feel free to speculate. 🙂
    My Jane Austen focused email ie lavenderladysdream@gmail.com

  4. I quite understand, Evie, and I shall enter you for a book!

    • Deborah on September 2, 2014 at 4:10 am
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    Good morning, Jane. It’s 4AM and I already have your eBook. I must read it….I love your stories about your jewelry…each piece I own has a story behind it, but I own a few pieces only. The brooches are lovely and I find them tempting. I have one from my grandma that I adore, so please enter me for the brooches. Thank you for such a generous give away. skamper25 (at) gmail (dot) com

  5. Good Morning, Deborah-that’s so lovely of you to still be awake! I’d love to see your Granny’s brooch. I shall put your name in the hat! I hope you enjoy Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds!

      • Deborah on September 2, 2014 at 3:02 pm
      • Reply

      I have now read 1/3 of the book (over breakfast & lunch break) and am loving every tensiom-dilled sweet moment. The added details (from the original post) make me feel as if I am there smelling, feeling, and witnessing everything. So far, so wonderful! Confetti, champagne& Godiva Chocolates! And yes, I’ll let you see my grandma’s brooch. 🙂

      1. Debbie-I’m thrilled you’re enjoying it! I’d love to see your Grandma’s brooch!

          • Deborah on September 3, 2014 at 2:45 pm
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          I finished the story last night. No wonder it took so long to find the ring. And the scandal…well that’s a story in of itself. Loved the twists. Definitely a favorite. Looking forward to the next story in Dec. It is definitely intriguing. I read the start. 🙂

    • Paula C on September 2, 2014 at 4:36 am
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    Thank you Jane for the giveaway, I would love to win one of the e-books to add to my collection. Good luck for the launch.

  6. Thank you for stopping by Paula! I will add your name to the hat.

    • Vesper Meikle on September 2, 2014 at 6:36 am
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    Love to put my name into the hat for a copy of the ebook

    • Victoria on September 2, 2014 at 6:38 am
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    Thank you jane. Such a beautifully gifts. Could up my name on all the gifts. It is really difficult to pick and choice.

      • Jane Odiwe on September 2, 2014 at 7:25 am
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      I’ve added your name to the hat, Victoria-thanks so much for stopping by!

  7. Thank you for stopping by, Vesper-I’ve added your name to the hat!

    • Sinead Ryan Coughlan on September 2, 2014 at 6:46 am
    • Reply

    Continued success with your writing .. I love catching up on the Darcy dynasty. Yes please for a chance to win your new e-book or some sparkling jewels

    Sinead

      • Jane Odiwe on September 2, 2014 at 7:27 am
      • Reply

      Thank you for the kind wishes, Sinead – I’ve added your name in the hat!

    • Mari on September 2, 2014 at 6:56 am
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    Wow, I was so excited to get up this morning and see the message from Amazon that my e-book had delivered. Then I saw the message from you, and my happy day was complete. I don’t want to be entered in any of the contests, because the book is prize enough for me, but good luck to everyone who does enter. However,, if you were to ever give away a rivière necklace, I would be first in line clamoring for one. Thanks for the link to the jewelry site. I am going over to drool later today. I hope the book is a smashing success; I literally can’t wait to read it.

      • Jane Odiwe on September 2, 2014 at 7:28 am
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      Mari, I wish I could send you a riviere necklace! Thanks so much for your lovely messages of support-and for wishing me well.

    • Theresa M on September 2, 2014 at 7:12 am
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    Your announcement was the first message i opened this morning. What a great way to start September.
    The bits I read of this story earlier in the year were fun and I cant wait to read the e-book!
    PLease put my name in your hat too!

    Thanks and I hope your books continue to be a smashing success.

    • Jane Odiwe on September 2, 2014 at 7:29 am
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    Thank you, Theresa, for your lovely message and kind wishes! I will put your name in the hat.

    • Maggie Griscom on September 2, 2014 at 7:37 am
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    i haven’t read any of the chapters. Wanted to wait to read it all at once. I get very impatient waiting for the next chapter. I love this type of jewlery. What a wonderful prize for someone. Congratulations on the new novella, I look forward to the rest of the series.

    • Vicki Lewis on September 2, 2014 at 7:58 am
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    I would DEARLY love to win any of the brooches, but had I to choose, my heart does belong to the snowflake.

    1. Thank you, Vicki-I’m glad you like it! I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • Jane Odiwe on September 2, 2014 at 8:16 am
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    Thank you, Maggie for your very kind comments and wishes-I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • Joy Dawn King on September 2, 2014 at 8:34 am
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    Confetti, champagne, chocolate, and CAKE!!! Congratulations on your launch. I have been looking forward to reading this since it was first announced, Jane. I already ordered your book so please do not enter me. The jewelry is tempting but I will bow out as I have many pieces already. Wishing you the best of success.

    • Jane Odiwe on September 2, 2014 at 8:36 am
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    Thank you, Joy, for your lovely wishes! I hope you enjoy the book.

    • Eva E on September 2, 2014 at 8:46 am
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    I enjoyed reading your postings on Austen Variations as you worked on Mrs. Darcy’s Diamonds (aka ring). I look forward to reading your published version. I, too, treasure memories surrounding jewelry. The value doesn’t matter, but the memories do. In order of preference, I will state the snowflake brooch, the oval brooch, and the cross. Thank you for the ebook and jewelry giveaways.

    1. Thank you, Eva-I agree entirely about the cost of jewellery-it’s the memories that count. Thank you for stopping by-I’ll enter your name in the hat.

  8. Congratulations on the release of Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds, Jane. I really love the illustrations drawn by you on the cover. I hope you’ll have a wonderful launch celebration here and in real-life.

    Since I already have a copy of the novella (thanks to you and I’m thinking they are no changes from my version to the published e-book), please put my name for the two brooches. If I do win, my first choice will be the snowflake brooch. Thank you very much for your generosity. I’m gonna post about this giveaways on my blog to let my readers know.

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

    1. Thank you, Luthien84, for your kind words and good wishes-I shall enter your name in the hat!

  9. Congratulations!! I know people are going to love this book, Jane!! I can’t wait to read it.

    1. Thank you, Monica-you’re so lovely!

    • Surani on September 2, 2014 at 9:03 am
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    I’d love the ebook!

    1. Thank you, Surani-I’ll add your name.

    • Pam Hunter on September 2, 2014 at 9:03 am
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    Congratulations on your new novella, Jane! I can’t wait to read it and would love to win a copy. I’m also a jewelry-lovin’ gal, so any of those lovely pieces would be wonderful to win.

    Thank you so much for your generosity to your readers!

    1. Pam-thank you for your lovely wishes-I’ll enter your name in the hat.

    • Mayme Bolt on September 2, 2014 at 9:21 am
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    I can’t wait to read the book!!! My girlfriend got engaged last night and she wants a vintage wedding. Any of those pieces of jewey would be wonderful. She is using antique brooches and jewelry to make her bouquet with items given to her by her closest friends. I love these pieces.

    1. Mayme-what a lovely idea for your friend’s bouquet! I’ll add your name to the hat-thanks so much for stopping by.

    • Amanda Bull Chafin on September 2, 2014 at 9:38 am
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    Congratulations on the launch, Jane!

    Please throw my name into the hat for the e-book.

  10. Thank you, Amanda, for your good wishes-I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • Tresha Boone on September 2, 2014 at 9:58 am
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    Thank you for the giveaway! They are all beautiful my #1 pick would be the cross but all pretty. I have your book on my wish list would love to be put in drawing for the book as well.

    1. Tresha-thank you for stopping on my special day-I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • elaine on September 2, 2014 at 10:11 am
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    I can’t wait to read this book. Would love to win the e-book version. I was fascinated to read about the Regency jewelry. I love jewelry and especially like when a piece has a story attached to it. I think my favorite is the cross, followed by the brooch and snowflake brooch. I have a group of friends totally interested in anything Austen. One of the girls just gave each of us a Jane Austen charm. We will wear them when we go to lunch or out to other events together. Great fun!!

    1. Thank you, Elaine, for your lovely comments-I will add your name to the hat.

    • Jennifer C. on September 2, 2014 at 10:35 am
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    Congratulations on your book! I’d love to be Putin the drawing for an e-book and the oval and snowflake broaches.

    1. Thank you, Jennifer, for your kind wishes-I’ll add your name to the hat.

  11. What a lovely giveaway! I appreciate the jewels, but I’m entering for a copy of the e-book! 😉

    1. Thank you, Gabriella, for stopping by to say hello-I’ll add your name!

    • Linda Clark on September 2, 2014 at 10:40 am
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    As others have said, I have this newest book of yours on my Amazon “Wish List” (which my children occasionally use for “just because” gifts!). I read your postings here and would like to read “the rest of the story”. Please enter my name for the e-book as well as the amethyst cross.

    thank you for keeping us, your readers, so entertained!!!!

    1. Linda, thanks so much for stopping by-I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • Leslie on September 2, 2014 at 11:25 am
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    I’d like to enter the ebook drawing, please. The beginning chapters were so good!

  12. Thank you, Leslie-so kind of you to say so! I’ll put your name in the hat.

  13. Congratulations on your new release, Jane! I can’t wait to read it, and I wish you oodles of success. As for the beauties you’re offering as prizes, all of them are gorgeous. However, the oval brooch really captured my eye.

    Thank you!

  14. Thank you, Christy, for your kind wishes! I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • Nicole Laverdure on September 2, 2014 at 12:15 pm
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    Congratulations,Jane, on the launch of your novella Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds! Seems charming to read! I adore the jewelry you are offering, thank you!

    1. Thank you so much, Nicole-I’m glad you like the jewellery-I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • Kris M on September 2, 2014 at 12:16 pm
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    Congratulations Jane on your newest release. I’d love a chance to win the ebook.

    Thank you!

    1. Thank you, Kris, for your kind wishes-I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • schilds on September 2, 2014 at 12:24 pm
    • Reply

    I am so happy you are publishing this story. It is such a great idea! I love the oval brooch. I can see it now, shining brightly, pinned in my scarf. I also like your reproduction of Jane’s bracelet. I saw one online once. I now must track it down. Thank you for doing the giveaway. saganchilds(a)gmail.com

    1. Thank you, schilds, you’re very kind. I love the oval brooch too- and my bracelet is lovely though I rarely wear it because I’m afraid I might break it. I’ve seen a repro one on etsy recently-hope that helps.

  15. Jane, Congratulations and I wish you every success! As an aside, my grandmother wore an identical snowflake brooch as you have in your giveaway. She had very little to leave her family, and I’m happy to say, I was the one who inherited it. Your picture brought back such a nice memory for me.

    1. Mary, that’s a lovely coincidence! I think that’s what’s so wonderful about so much jewellery -many of the designs are timeless and have been copied over and over again. Thanks so much for your lovely wishes!

    • Stephanie L on September 2, 2014 at 1:38 pm
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    I have several brooches, an amethyst (prob paste as well) ring, a diamond cross and wedding ring all belonging to my paternal grandmother whom I adored. A couple of the brooches were passed to her from someone else. My ancestors on her side are Cherokee Indian so I think they probably came from my grandfather’s side. Love the old jewelery. I agree, some of it is fussy and a bit showy, but it glitters something fierce. I remember my gram putting some of those big showy brooches in the ruffles of her blouse for church. Always made me think how dressed up she was. My how times have changed.

    1. Stephanie, My grandmother did the same thing. She always dressed very simply, but she would wear these big brooches when she went to mass on Sunday. 🙂

    2. Stephanie, one of the brooches in my picture belonged to my grandmother-I always loved it as a child because it was so sparkly, and as you say, she always wore it to church and special occasions. Your jewellery sounds lovely-thanks so much for stopping by to leave your comments!

    • Janett Walter on September 2, 2014 at 1:47 pm
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    I would love to be put in the hat for the ebook. I am excited about this new book. It sounds wonderful and the cover is beautiful! Thank you!

    1. Thank you, Janett-I shall add your name to the hat!

    • rae on September 2, 2014 at 1:49 pm
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    As a young woman of the 60’s I wasn’t into jewelry at all. “Flower Power”, you know, and gems were the domain of “the man” and for old ladies…..like my mom! 🙂 (Sorry mom!) But in the last 20 years I have come to appreciate and love jewelry. It needn’t be real gemstones and such, but lovely pieces that reflect my mood or set the tone of the outfit or occasion, etc. Just things I like to look at throughout the day to say, look how pretty this piece is on my finger or my wrist. Brings a warmth to my heart.

    I am looking forward to reading your novella and have loved looking at all the beautiful jewelry in your pictures. Congratulations on your newest book and….Thank you!

    1. Thank you, rae for all your kind wishes- I was ten in 1967 and had a bell on a leather necklace – too young to be really interested in fashion I was just becoming aware of ‘Flower Power’ and the clothes my older cousin wore were much coveted. Like you, I’ve become more interested as time’s gone by, but it doesn’t have to be expensive as you say.

    • Miette on September 2, 2014 at 1:50 pm
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    Congratulation on the launch of Mrs Darcy”s Diamonds 🙂 The giveaway are wonderful!! I’d love to win the gorgeous cross <3 thank you 🙂

    1. Thank you, Miette, for your kind thoughts-I shall add you to the hat!

    • Linda Psnkhurst on September 2, 2014 at 2:15 pm
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    Such gorgeous jewellery and I do so love the elegance of them all. My favourite pice of jewellery is my Jane Austen silhouette charm

    1. Thank you, Linda-yes, a bit of jewellery really gladdens the heart, I find! Oh, your charm sounds lovely!

    • Gabriela Sin on September 2, 2014 at 2:25 pm
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    Congrats on the release. I loved the beginning chapters that you posted on the site, checking every month or so to see if there were any new updates. I’m excited to know that you didn’t stop writing it and that I now could read it all at once without having to wait for an update.

    I’m not picky, winning any of the items would be lovely. Thanks for the giveaway.

    1. Thank you, Gabriela for stopping by to leave such lovely comments-I hope you enjoy the book! I shall add your name to the hat.

  16. Jane, what I read of the book when you were posting it here has me anxious for the rest! I look forward to reading it. I love all the pieces of jewelry. I believe the cross is my favorite but would be thrilled with any of them. I checked out the site you linked and they have some gorgeous pieces with big prices!

    I too, love the green reviere necklace. I agree that emeralds would be exquisite!

    Thanks for sharing the stories about your beautiful pieces of jewelry. It was all very interesting and special.
    jbtaylor12@gmail.com

    1. Janet, thank you for stopping by with your kind comments on my special day! I love the riviere necklace too-
      I shall add your name to the hat!

  17. Just have to say, YAYYYYYY, Jane!!!!!!!!!
    Congrats on your release!!! I’m so excited for you 🙂 .
    xox

    1. Thank you, Marilyn, and for all your lovely support! XOX

    • Kristine Shore on September 2, 2014 at 3:41 pm
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    I would love to be put in to the drawing for the e book and if possible the necklace. I am looking forward to reading the book, soon. Congrats on the new release!

    1. Thank you, Kristine for your kind words-I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • Carole in Canada on September 2, 2014 at 4:13 pm
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    Congratulations and thank you for the wonderful giveaways! I love auctions and antique shows and the antique jewellery is fabulous! I love rings and have found some lovely Victorian ones. Please enter me for the e-book only.

    1. Carole, I love a Victorian ring-antique ones always have such lovely stones and settings, don’t they? Thanks so much for your lovely comments-I shall put your name in the hat.

  18. Congratulations on the new book, Jane! I’m looking forward to reading it and solving the mystery of the French cousins! And getting some lovely Mr & Mrs Darcy time, as well, I’m sure. I’d love to put my name in for an ebook and the marcasite necklace. Thank you kindly! Whenever I go into an antique shop I go straight for the books and the jewelry, every time.

    1. forgot my contact email – monicaperry00 at gmail dot com

      1. Thank you-yes-most important.

    2. You sound like a woman after my own heart, Monica-thank you for your kind wishes-I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • Lori on September 2, 2014 at 5:42 pm
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    Congrats on the book! So exciting!

    1. Thank you, Lori for stopping by to wish me well!

    • Esther on September 2, 2014 at 5:47 pm
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    Yippee! I had preordered Mrs. Darcy’s Diamonds, and Kindle just notified me it is ready. I’ve enjoyed many of your books, and look forward to reading this novella. Save you gracious offer of prizes for others, as I do not wear jewelry (too busy reading).

    1. Thank you, Esther, that’s so kind of you-I hope you enjoy it!

    • Regina Silvia on September 2, 2014 at 5:48 pm
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    Congratulations on the new book! I really am looking forward to reading it soon. If I were the fortunate winner of one of the jewelry pieces, I’d say the snowflake is my favorite followed by the cross. Living in FL, snowflakes have a special place in my heart for this transplant from RI!

    1. Regina, thank you for stopping by with lovely wishes-I love a snowflake too. I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • Nicole Platania on September 2, 2014 at 6:20 pm
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    What fun Jane! A lovely giveaway. I’m not entering but wanted to show my support for your new book! I have the gorgeous brooch I won (was that last year or this?) and I’d love for others to have the chance more than trying for myself!

    Good luck with the new book! I’ll try to pick it up soon.

    1. I’m so glad you enjoy your brooch, Nicole-it was the pretty heart-shaped one, wasn’t it? Thanks so much for visiting and for your kind thoughts on my special day!

    • Elaina on September 2, 2014 at 6:29 pm
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    Congratulations and best wishes. Lovely giveaway. The brooch would be my first choice and the necklace is simply delightful too. Many thanks.

    1. Elaina, thank you for your kind wishes and congratulations-I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • TLeighF on September 2, 2014 at 6:29 pm
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    Congratulations on the new book! I loved reading what you posted here and can’t wait to see how the tale turns out (you left us with quite a few cliff hangers!). Beautiful jewelry! I particularly love the rivière. I inherited a beautiful cameo from my grandmother. Do you know when those came into style? I should research that. Please enter me to win the ebook, oval or snowflake brooch (in that order of preference).

    1. Thank you for your kind wishes, TLeighF! Cameos appear to date from Ancient Greece and Rome but there were later popular revivals in the Georgian and Victorian eras, and of course some are still made today. My husband bought me some cameo earrings, which I treasure-I’d love a brooch. Isn’t the riviere lovely? I shall add your name to the hat!

    • Cyn209 on September 2, 2014 at 6:34 pm
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    I cannot wait to read this!!
    congrats to you, Jane!!!
    thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!!!

  19. Cyn209, thank you for your kind wishes-I hope you enjoy it. I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • annie on September 2, 2014 at 6:40 pm
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    Your book looks wonderful as is this great giveaway. Such gorgeous jewelry. The snowflake brooch would be unique and special and the necklace is intriguing.

  20. Thank you, Annie-I’m so plased you like the jewellery. I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • sheila on September 2, 2014 at 7:20 pm
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    oh please put me in hat for all! l adore variations and jewels!

    1. Sheila, I shall put you in for everything-thank you so much for stopping to comment.

    • sheila on September 2, 2014 at 7:51 pm
    • Reply

    put me in hat for all please! l adore variations and jewels!

    • Sandra on September 2, 2014 at 8:02 pm
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    Love it all and can’t wait to read the book! ;0)

    1. Sandra-thank you for commenting-I shall add your name to the hat!

    • ellie on September 2, 2014 at 8:05 pm
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    What a wonderful novel which is a treasure. The snowflake and oval brooch are interesting. Many thanks. Best for much enjoyment and success.

    1. Thank you, Ellie, for your very kind words!

  21. *Throws confetti* Congratulations, Jane! This book sounds great! Darcy, Elizabeth, some French relatives, a bit of mystery! I cannot wait to discover what exactly happened to Elizabeth’s diamonds.
    All of these jewels are beautiful! Thanks for such a generous giveaway!
    Best of luck with Mrs. Darcy’s Diamonds! 🙂
    Jakki36 AT yahoo DOT com

  22. Dear Jane, congratulations on your new novella – I’m very much looking forward to reading it. I have a few piece of old jewellery (of the paste variety!) and often wonder about the things they have seen and the stories they could tell. Hopefully not too much angst ridden adventure like poor Lizzie’s ring! My favourite of your three pieces is the oval brooch, closely followed by the cross but any would be a delight to own. My email address is dukesdancers@gmail.com

    1. Thank you, Rachel, for your lovely wishes-yes, if only the jewellery could tell us its tales! I’ll add your name to the hat.

    • Jane Odiwe on September 3, 2014 at 4:21 am
    • Reply

    Jakki, thank you for your lovely wishes! I shall add your name to the hat.

    • Florence Solowianiuk on September 3, 2014 at 2:13 pm
    • Reply

    Please enter me into the drawing for the oval brooch. I greatly appreciated the jewelry information, since I make some of my own earrings and necklaces.

    I couldn’t wait to read “Mrs. Darcy’s Diamonds,” so I’ve already downloaded it to my Kindle. I’m looking forward to reading it, as I greatly enjoyed the last book of yours that I read — “The Darcy Project.”

    Florence Solowianiuk
    flo123@usa.com

    1. Thank you, Florence, for your very kind comments-I’ve added your name to the hat!

      • Florence Solowianiuk on September 3, 2014 at 2:39 pm
      • Reply

      Oops! “Project Darcy.”

      1. That’s okay, Florence-it’s an easy mistake to make!

    • junewilliams7 on September 3, 2014 at 3:11 pm
    • Reply

    No doubt – your e-book, e-book, e-book! You storyline and characters were very captivating.

    ~ junewilliams7 {at} yahoo {dot} com

    1. June, thank you for stopping by and for the kind words-I’ll add your name to the hat!

    • margaret on September 3, 2014 at 5:16 pm
    • Reply

    What a wonderful set of prizes. If I am so fortunate to win one, I would choose the oval. I look forward to reading your novella.

    1. Margaret, thank you for stopping by-I shall enter your name in the hat!

    • Allison Krzastek on September 3, 2014 at 6:12 pm
    • Reply

    Congratulations! Plesse put my name in for the book drawing!

    1. Allison-thank you-I shall enter your name in the hat!

    • Sarah on September 4, 2014 at 12:10 am
    • Reply

    I have been waiting to find out the end to this story. Please put me in for the e-book.
    Even though they are beautiful piece, I am not a big jewelry person.

    1. Sarah-I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to read it-I’ll put your name in the hat!

  23. Congratulations on your new book I cannot wait to read it! I just recently bought two of your books and my tbr pile is getting out of hand I need a book reading weekend getaway! I would love to be in with a chance to win your book Thank you. The Jewellery is lovely, I have lots but never wear it, the earrings I am wearing at the moment my best friend bought me over 9 years ago because she was fed up of seeing my ears bare! She rolls her eyes every time she sees me as the point was not for me just to wear those! Lol

    1. Tamara-thank you for your very kind comments-I shall add your name to the hat! I enjoyed the anecdote!

    • Kelli H. on September 4, 2014 at 8:21 pm
    • Reply

    Congratulations friend! I am so excited to read your new book and I would love to win a copy. The cover is gorgeous! And the jewelry…oh how I love jewelry, especially when it’s vintage. All of the pieces are beautiful and I would be happy with any one of them!!;)
    kellik115(at)yahoo(dot)com

    1. Thank you, Kelli, for your lovely wishes-you’re always so kind! I shall put your name in the hat!

    • Lena on September 5, 2014 at 1:50 am
    • Reply

    Just bought your ebook from Amazon! I’m so looking forward to it – I loved the parts I read here. 🙂 I’d like to be entered for the Snowflake Brooch, please! It’s so nice of you to give this stuff away.

  24. Thank you, Lena-so lovely of you to buy my book-I do hope you enjoy it! I shall add your name to the hat.

    • Deborah on September 6, 2014 at 9:27 am
    • Reply

    Mrs. Darcy’s Diamonds is now available as a NOOK book

    1. Yes! Thank you, Deborah for spreading the word!

  25. What a lovely post! This book sounds amazing! And what a giveaway! the jewellery is amazing! How special it would be to own on them! Please enter me for all the jewellery giveaways please 🙂

  26. I forgot my email – snophy@hotmail.co.uk 🙂 and as to order of preference, the necklace, then the cross pendant then the broaches – although any would be lovely!

    1. Thank you, Sophie-don’t worry, I’ve got all your details!!! Thanks for stopping by and for all your kind comments.

    • Katrin (@kaewink) on September 7, 2014 at 6:38 am
    • Reply

    Congratulations, jane, on the release of your story! I´m sooo looking forward to reading it soon! Please put me into the hat for an e-copy – keeing my fingers crossed. And I love the oval and snowflake broaches. I´d love to win and wear them. If luck isn´t on my side for this drawing I´ll treat myself to a copy of your book – a must! 🙂

    kewinkler at gmail dot com

    1. Thank you, Katrin for your kind wishes-I shall put your name in the hat!

    • Patricia Villavicencio on September 7, 2014 at 8:12 am
    • Reply

    Lovely jewels from a lovely lady! I loved the excerpt from your book! I have just discovered this wonderful site. Excited to see what’s next! I would treasure anything from you. Thank you so much for sharing our Jane Austen with all of us. Such a delight!

    1. Thank you, Patricia! I’ll add your name to the hat. Please come back again-there are lots of lovely authors with fantastic work for you to read!

    • Susan on September 9, 2014 at 12:45 am
    • Reply

    Please enter me in the e-book give-away contest. I look forward to reading the complete story.

    I share your taste in replicas of 19th century jewelry; I have a snowflake brooch of my own that I purchased some years ago, so it was fun to see your examples and the pieces in your jewellery box.

    1. Susan, thank you for stopping by-jewellery is lovely to collect, isn’t it? I’ll put you in the e-book hat!

  27. I love anything about Mr Darcy and Elizabeth thank you so much for your work. Roseann

    1. I hope you get the chance to read it,Roseann-thank you so much for stopping by!

    • Hazel Mills on September 2, 2016 at 12:53 pm
    • Reply

    Great post and generous giveaway as always Jane! Good luck with it all!

  1. […] Mrs Darcy’s Diamonds Book Launch today. Come over to Austen Variations where I’m giving away prizes – books and jewellery – in […]

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