Peculiar Engagement Book Launch

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Today I am excited to announce the release of my novel, A Peculiar Engagement! And there is a giveaway! Many of you may recall about a year and a half ago I began posting chapters of it as I was writing Mr. Darcy’s Rival. It was the ‘book in a book’ that Miss Anne de Bourgh had written (and had published) about her engagement since birth to Mr. Darcy.

A few excerpts were included in Mr. Darcy’s Rival, but I had not intended to publish it as a book. But that has now changed. Several people inquired about it, and it seemed people were interested in a novel about Anne, so I decided to go back and work on it, expanding it, improving it, and making it a better story. Another reason I decided to publish it was that I thought it would make the book much better if I included a bonus chapter, detailing the part Mr. Darcy plays in giving Anne her ‘real’ happily ever after based on the events in Mr. Darcy’s Rival.

Each chapter in A Peculiar Engagement begins with the Easter visit Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam made, the spring before Pride and Prejudice begins. It then goes back to a memory Anne has of her cousin – getting to know one another, their interactions, and growing up into adulthood knowing they are promised in marriage. Here is a link to Chapter 1, which I have changed to reflect the changes I have made for the book. (The comments from the original posting still remain!) 🙂

Here is the blurb for the story: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Anne de Bourgh have been promised in marriage to each other since their birth. They have what might be called a peculiar engagement.

As per the events in my Pride and Prejudice variation, Mr. Darcy’s Rival, Miss de Bourgh is secretly an author and penned this reflection of stories about their engagement as they grew and matured. What was it like to know that one day they would marry? Did they love one another? Did they want to oblige the particular wishes of their mothers and marry? Did Anne grow weary waiting for an offer of marriage?

Included in this novel is a special bonus chapter that explains how Mr. Darcy plays a part in Miss de Bourgh finally getting her true happily ever after.

In Mr. Darcy’s Rival, when Elizabeth reads Anne’s book, she realizes that the way the book concludes could not possibly have happened, and she is curious to discover the truth. This is the reason I decided to include the bonus chapter, to give a little more insight into what part Mr. Darcy played in the matter.

Also, for those of you who may have read it when I posted the chapters here,  you may recall  that Anne had not used anyone’s real names in her book so their identity would not be known. She had also written it under a different name so no one would realize she was the author. I decided to publish it with everyone’s real names to make reading it easier.

If you are at all interested in what it was like for Anne to grow up knowing she was to marry her cousin, I hope you will check out A Peculiar Engagement. It is available in the kindle store (Kindle Unlimited for 3 months), available in paperback at Amazon, and hopefully soon at other online retailers. Once the 3 months is over for Kindle Unlimited, I will make the ebook available elsewhere (Nook, iBookstore, etc.)

 

As a side note, you do not have to have previously read Mr. Darcy’s Rival to read this book, but I hope it will make you curious enough about what happens in it to put it on your TBR list!

42 comments

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    • Sheila Majczan on September 26, 2016 at 12:20 am
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    As I have all your books (most in paperback) I will definitely be reading this thru a raffle or thru a purchase. Yours are books I read and reread and then reread favorite passages. So congratulations on another release. So happy for you.

    • Laurie May Aquino on September 26, 2016 at 12:40 am
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    I haven’t read the original story, but this sounds very interesting. Its always interesting to read about Darcy and Anne’s relationship. Congrats on another release!

    • Nicola on September 26, 2016 at 3:09 am
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    Congratulations! I feel the same, Annes and Darcys relationship is so interestiong, perhaps because the thought that cousins marry seems so gross for us today, especially if it’s not the love of their life…I’ve always asked myself, what Anne thought about this. Thanks!

    • Michelle Hall on September 26, 2016 at 3:49 am
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    I love and have read all your books and this sounds intriguing. Congratulations on another published book.

    • Deborah on September 26, 2016 at 5:15 am
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    I am so excited about the release of this book. As soon as you announced it I purchased the ebook and it is at the top of my TBR. Congratulations on the release! I can’t wait to read it!

  1. I have all your books and have enjoyed reading and re-reading them as well. Keep up the good writing.

    • Darah Gill on September 26, 2016 at 8:00 am
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    I loved reading Mr. Darcy’s Rival and I really enjoyed Anne’s role in the story. I’m looking forward to seeing more of her point of view. Congratulations on the new release and thank you for the giveaway!

    • Vesper Meikle on September 26, 2016 at 8:02 am
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    great news, look forward to reading it

    • KateB on September 26, 2016 at 8:11 am
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    I loved Mr. Darcy’s Rival and would like to read Anne’s point of view, especially if there is a HEA for her. All your books are excellent 🙂

    • Glynis on September 26, 2016 at 8:16 am
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    I have 2 of your books and Mr Darcy’s Rival is on my wish list so I would love to win this book. I would like to read Anne’s story and hope she finds someone else to love as obviously she can’t have Darcy.

  2. Congrats on your new release! It sounds fantastic. I love the premise, and now I’m curious about both books.

    • Nancy Duell on September 26, 2016 at 8:27 am
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    Karta
    I love your style of writing. Thank you for offering youe new book. OH Pick Me!

    • Michele on September 26, 2016 at 8:28 am
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    Congratulations on your book launch. It sounds really unique and interesting. Thank you for this giveaway.

    • Theresa M on September 26, 2016 at 8:44 am
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    wonderful addition to JAFF for sure. I did like how you gave Anne her own personality and story and I look forward to reading it.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    • Ann on September 26, 2016 at 8:53 am
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    I am really looking forward to reading this book as the relationship between Anne de Bourgh and Fitzwilliam Darcy has always intrigued me. Thank you for the give away

    • Ginna on September 26, 2016 at 10:25 am
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    YES! I would like to have a chance to win a copy of the book. I already have “Mr. Darcy’s Rival”. I even have what you posted as “A Peculiar Engagement”! I would love to have this one, too. Thanks for the giveaway. This should be good!

    • Nicole on September 26, 2016 at 10:36 am
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    Happy this is a complete book! Loved Anne the author.

    • Laura Capio on September 26, 2016 at 11:03 am
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    I have read all of your books and can’t wait to read this one!

    • Hollis on September 26, 2016 at 11:06 am
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    I too would love to win a copy of your book. I enjoy reading all of your books.

    • Linda A. on September 26, 2016 at 11:07 am
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    Congratulations on the new book! Will have to add both of these to my TBR pile. Thanks for the chance to win!

    • Lynn char on September 26, 2016 at 11:07 am
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    I just picked Mr Darcy’s Rival and I will obviously need this book as well to round out the collection. They both will be good, I’m sure!

  3. I started with Darcy’s Voyage(also have Pemberley Promise) and now have all your books. I also have some on my kindle as well as the books. Your are one of my favorite authors. Since I can’t write and have no insterest in doing it. I asure you I would be as bad as some I have read lately. I can’t wait for your book. Also looking forward to the next one hint hint.

    • Miriam Bresticker on September 26, 2016 at 11:26 am
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    This sounds interesting. Although I’ve known of your JAFF books for a while, it’s only just recently I finally read one, Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, and definitely plan to read more!

  4. Very happy to see you decided to publish the chapters as a novel, Kara! Yay!

    • Laura on September 26, 2016 at 12:02 pm
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    I enjoyed reading the stor here and would love to own the book. Thanks for sharing!

    • Carol on September 26, 2016 at 12:22 pm
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    Congratulations on your new book. Like all of your books, this is a must read.

  5. Congratulations, Kara!! I’m so excited for the launch of this book! I adored Mr. Darcy’s Rival, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!

    Thank you for writing for us and for the giveaway! 🙂

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    • Pam Hunter on September 26, 2016 at 12:34 pm
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    Congrats on the new book! Adding it to my wish list. 🙂

    • Linda on September 26, 2016 at 12:57 pm
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    Being a longtime reader of Ausren Variations, I have had the pleasure of reading your posts of all the stories you have blessed us with. A hearty congratulations to you on yet another publication!

    • Leah Pruett on September 26, 2016 at 1:21 pm
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    I love your books! I cannot wait to read this one!

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on September 26, 2016 at 1:51 pm
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    Kara, I’m very excited about your new release and LOVE all of your books! Best Wishes! Jen Red ♫

  6. I never read the original story, and must confess I never really considered what life must be like for Anne. Now I can’t wait to find out. Many thanks for the giveaway!

    • Suzanne Sakaluk on September 26, 2016 at 3:43 pm
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    Hello, from Canada! I’ve always felt sorry for Anne. I’m glad she has her own story.

    • Maclaney on September 26, 2016 at 3:46 pm
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    I, too, look forward to this story. Generally, I enjoy those featuring Anne beyond sitting silently, looking ill. Thank you for my anticipated pleasure.

    • betsy hagan on September 26, 2016 at 5:14 pm
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    Oh YAY! Love you books!

    • Maureen C on September 26, 2016 at 6:32 pm
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    I remember reading the posts you shared and would love to see how you expanded the ideas into a book. I look forward to the insights into her thoughts. Thanks for the giveaway.

    • Sarah B on September 26, 2016 at 11:11 pm
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    How exciting. Looking forward to reading and getting to know Anne a bit better.

    • tgruy on September 27, 2016 at 8:04 pm
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    Great! Tbanks for the chance to get this book!

    • Roxane L Wolff on September 28, 2016 at 4:35 am
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    Congratulations on another book! I hope I win it! We are planning to come East this year I hope we can visit!

    • Lilyane Soltz on September 28, 2016 at 1:45 pm
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    Great news – congratulations on this latest book. I’m looking forward to reading it – no matter how it gets onto my bookshelves. There’s lots of other Kara Louise books there to keep it company!

    Thank you for this giveaway and best of luck.

    • Eva E on September 28, 2016 at 9:26 pm
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    Mr. Darcy’s Rival was wonderful. I did read the chapters you posted and would love to know how you changed them and added the bonus chapter. Thank you for the giveaway.

    • Maclaney on September 30, 2016 at 4:35 pm
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    I’ve enjoyed your previous books and look forward to this one, preferably as a gift. Thank you for the giveaway. And even if I do not win, I know I will read it.

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