2023 Wrap Up and What’s Coming in 2024!

Happy New Year! Yes, I am well aware we’re 10 days into the new year, and I’m running a bit behind. December was a whirlwind of good and bad. I am blown over by the reviews on Catching Lizzy. Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed it. It was definitely a mood booster while I was ill over Christmas. Some virus decided it liked me, my husband, and my eldest daughter. They’re both over it, and the cough is still lingering with me. I do have my attention span back since that took a vacay while I was sick, but I admit to being lazy some days when the cough tries to make a come back.

January arrived with the news that An Endeavour to be Worthy came in 3rd place in the 1st Annual Members’ Choice Audiobook Awards! I’m just tickled pink that everyone loved the audiobook enough to vote for it.

Now, to what’s coming! I’m thrilled to announce that Deborah Balm is currently working on narrating A Worthy Woman (3rd in the Montford Cousins series) and I hope it will be out next month. I also have Scarlett Mae Clarke currently working on Catching Lizzy. The first 15 minutes sounded great, and I’m looking forward to hearing more. She was doing great with drunk Lizzy so I’m really excited. I’ve also started working on Jane’s story. I’m over 20K words in and trying to get my pace back moving forward after the holidays.

I have also been working on a real office of sorts! For the past two years, I’ve been using my old Ikea kitchen island as a computer table on one side of the kitchen. With my younger daughter now moved out and at college/university, I have repainted the room and bought a real desk and office chair. I’m currently planning on repainting some of my daughter’s old furniture to use in there as well. I still need to make a place for the printer!

I’d love to hear about your holidays! Don’t forget to leave me a comment for the giveaway with which giveaways you’re entering and the market for the audiobook! Another chance to win will be on Monday at Austen Variations!

 

L.L Diamond

L.L. Diamond is more commonly known as Leslie to her friends, Mom to her three kids, and servant to her three cats. A native of Louisiana, she has been a wanderer for the past 20 years, living in Mississippi, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, England, and Missouri before settling in Maryland.
One day, Leslie may decide what she wants to do when she grows up but for now, she enjoys writing the stories that live in her head and coaching age group swimming. She has degrees in biology and studio art, certifications to coach swimming in the United States and Britain, and numerous fitness certifications. Leslie is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Her accomplishments include drawing, watercolor, and playing flute and piano, but much like Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

After watching Sense and Sensibility with her mother, Leslie became a fan of Jane Austen, reading her collected works over the next few years. Pride and Prejudice stood out as a favourite and has dominated her writing since finding Jane Austen Fan Fiction.

Aside from mother and writer, Leslie considers herself a perpetual student. She has degrees in biology and studio art, but will devour any subject of interest simply for the knowledge. As an artist, her concentration is in graphic design, but watercolour is her medium of choice with one of her watercolours featured on the cover of her second book, A Matter of Chance. She coaches swimming and holds a variety of fitness certifications. She is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Leslie also plays flute and piano, but much like Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

41 comments

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    • Erna on January 15, 2024 at 12:20 am
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    Happy New Year!
    I am interested in “An Endeavor to be Worthy”, paperback in the US.

    Glad to hear you are feeling better. I like your new work area.

    1. Thank you!

    • Brittney E. on January 15, 2024 at 12:37 am
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    Congrats on your Members’ Choice award! I’d like to be entered into both giveaways (US), please. I did read Catching Lizzy this holiday season and loved it! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Hope you start feeling better soon!

    1. Glad you loved Catching Lizzy! I’m proofing the audiobook now 🙂 Thanks, Brittney!

    • Brenda Murphree on January 15, 2024 at 1:07 am
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    Happy New Year! My Christmas and New Year has not been fun. I lost my husband 2 years ago and now my mom is really sick and she is on hospice. It was nice to see the grandkids opening their gifts. I would love to have a US audiobook of the first book. Thanks for the chance.

    1. I’m sorry to hear that Brenda. While the reasons for hospice are so hard, it’s a blessing too and I’m glad you have that support during this difficult time. I couldn’t have done without hospice when my mother entered that time of her life. Big hugs sent your way!

    • Lois on January 15, 2024 at 5:55 am
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    Hi,
    I hope you get over your cough soon. When I get a cold I often have a lingering cough from it, but it does pass in time. I’d like to enter the giveaway for the audiobooks (U.S. market). My first choice would be An Endeavour to be Worthy.

    1. Same here with the cough. It’s just frustrating. Thanks, Lois!

    • Laura H on January 15, 2024 at 6:37 am
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    Congrats on your award! Wow! I can relate to illness over the holidays as it was in my home as well. Glad that you are feeling better and back to what you enjoy most. I am in the US and would love to be entered to win the paperback of An Endeavour to be Worthy. Thanks!

    1. So many were ill over Christmas! Hope your household is on the mend too! Thanks, Laura!

    • DarcyBennett on January 15, 2024 at 10:22 am
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    I would like to be entered for all the giveaways and would use a US code. Congrats on coming in 3rd place in the 1st Annual Members’ Choice Audiobook Awards!

    1. Thank you!!

        • TL on January 16, 2024 at 12:46 am
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        Congratulations , Leslie! I discovered your work last month and have read the Montford cousins books as well as Catching Lizzy and Unwrapping Mr. Darcy. Loved them all and will be reading more! Traveled 18 hours each way to fulfill .my middle child’s wish to host Christmas. Please enter me to win a paperback. Thanks!

        1. Sounds like a great holiday. Thanks, TL!

  7. I’m glad you’re starting to feel better! I’d love to enter the paperback giveaway. I have a U.S. address. Thank you!

    1. Thank you!

    • Cyndy on January 15, 2024 at 12:07 pm
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    Congrats on the 3rd place! I really enjoyed the audiobook as well as the Kindle version. I already have An Endeavour to be Worthy in both Kindle and Audible formats, but I would love the chance to win a paperback, or an audible code for A Gentleman of Worth. Thank you!

    1. Thanks, Cyndy!

    • Cristy Huelsz on January 15, 2024 at 12:17 pm
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    Congratulations Leslie!
    I hope that you recover very soon. Having your own desk is something awesome.
    I would love a paperback. I really enjoyed reading the first book and I have book 2 and 3 on my list.

    1. Thanks, Cristy!

    • Pam Hunter on January 15, 2024 at 12:22 pm
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    Congratulations on 3rd place! That’s awesome! Glad to hear that you’re feeling better. So much sickness has been going around. Please enter me in the giveaway for the paperback. I’m in the US. Thank you!

    1. Thanks, Pam!

    • Roxanne Mendez on January 15, 2024 at 1:59 pm
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    Congratulations!! I’m glad you’re starting to feel better! I would like to enter the paperback giveaway. Thank you!

    1. No problem! Good luck!

    • Glory on January 15, 2024 at 4:48 pm
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    Excited for your award placement, it is well deserved! I would love one of your paperback books. I so enjoy your writing and hope that you continue to feel better ~ Glory

    1. Thank you, Glory!

    • Sheila L. Majczan on January 15, 2024 at 10:25 pm
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    I would like to win the paperback copy. Good luck with the release. And Thank you for the chance to win.

    1. My pleasure! Thanks, Sheila!

    • Toni on January 15, 2024 at 10:45 pm
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    Happy New Year!

    I would like to enter the audiobook giveaway please (US code).

    Glad to hear you’re feeling better.
    Stay warm and thank you for the giveaway!

    Best regards from the Midwest (Michigan) tundra,

    Toni NB

    1. You stay warm too! Thanks, Toni!

    • Amy Zelenka on January 16, 2024 at 8:02 am
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    I’m so sorry you were under-the-weather during the holidays. Happy to hear that you’re on the mend. Would love to be entered for a chance to receive your paperback and especially one signed on the spine! (Great idea!). Congrats on you accolades too! I hope you continue to feel better and better every day, and happy new year to you as well. 🙂

    1. I felt like I needed to do something since I brain farted (please excuse the expression) on the normal spine material. Thanks, Amy!

    • Linda A. on January 16, 2024 at 10:23 am
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    Congratulations on the award! And glad you are feeling better. Please enter me for a chance to win the paperback. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    1. Thank you, Linda!

    • Nancy on January 16, 2024 at 11:46 am
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    Hi,
    Just commenting to say that I think you are fabulous. Please keep writing as I am selfish and have the grabby hands at the ready for any of your new stories.
    (I have already enjoyed the above drawing items so leave me out)

    1. Aw! Thank you so much! I’m writing. It’s just been a bit hard. I had momentum then lost it. My brain just was not functioning when I got sick and it took a while to get back. I’m starting to build some momentum again, so hopefully, I’ll get Jane’s story done soon 🙂 Thanks, Nancy!

    • Terri Gillian on January 19, 2024 at 2:44 am
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    Congratulations a very well deserved accolade.

    1. Thank you, Terri!

    • Madenna U on January 20, 2024 at 1:10 pm
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    I would be honored to win a copy of your paperback book, An Endeavour to be Worthy.
    Thank you!

    1. Thanks, Madenna!

  20. Leslie, just sending belated congrats on your audiobook award and all your work!

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