Book News! by Jennifer Altman

Hi, all! I’m thrilled to announce that my second novel, Faults of Understanding, is in its final round of edits, and will release on May 27^th! I’ve shared a few excerpts on the blog over the past year, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who offered support and encouragement throughout the (very) long writing process. However, now that I’m in the home stretch, I thought I’d kick things off today with a first look at the book blurb and prologue. But before we get to any of that, I decided to put together a little Top 10 List with some fun facts to whet your appetite. 🙂

Faults of Understanding – Top 10 List

1. It’s an early marriage scenario.
2. The story begins in Hertfordshire, but the bulk of the action takes place at Pemberley.
3. Elizabeth learns something about Darcy that completely alters her perception of him.
4. There’s a very special dog that plays a pivotal role in the story.
5. Darcy and Elizabeth attend a ball where sparks fly—in more ways than one!
6. We meet a new character in the form of Darcy’s godmother, a dowager marchioness with keen powers of observation, an acerbic wit, and a heart of gold.
7. Elizabeth is surprised to learn that Darcy has a hidden talent.
8. You’ll get to see a different side of Lydia Bennet. You may even end up liking her by the conclusion of the story.
9. Wickham gets his just desserts.
10. There will be several romantic interludes between our favorite couple. Nothing too graphic, but, hopefully some swoon-worthy moments.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to read the book description and prologue? Yes? Excellent. Here we go!

~About the Book~

When Fitzwilliam Darcy makes an impetuous offer of marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he is convinced they have as good a chance as anyone for a harmonious life together. That is, until an overheard conversation changes everything, and Darcy realizes he is now joined in perpetuity to a woman who loathes the very sight of him.

Elizabeth Bennet’s expectations for matrimonial accord were never very high, having accepted Mr. Darcy’s proposal in a fit of pique, not love. Still, she is determined to make the best of her situation, despite having tied herself to such an arrogant, disagreeable man.

But life at Pemberley is not at all what she imagined, and Elizabeth soon finds herself with more questions than answers about the enigmatic gentleman she agreed to wed.

Trapped in a marriage founded on misunderstandings, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy struggle with deepening attraction while confronting self-doubt and old betrayals. But is love enough to heal the wounds of the past? What will it take for two people bound by duty to find their way home to one another?

Faults of Understanding

PROLOGUE

9th December 1811

 In the end, Elizabeth blamed Lady Catherine.

Oh, certainly there were any number of others with whom Elizabeth could find fault: Mr. Collins for his lack of discretion; Mr. Bingley for not offering for Jane sooner; her mother for her ceaseless matchmaking. Even her beloved papa for having the temerity to insinuate that accepting Mr. Darcy might be Elizabeth’s last chance at matrimony.

Still, it was Lady Catherine who had pushed Elizbeth over the edge.

Sinking into the fine leather squabs of Mr. Darcy’s carriage, Elizabeth turned to stare out the window at the hilly terrain—so different from the familiar countryside back home—and the breath left her body in a heavy sigh.

No, it was unfair to condemn Mr. Darcy’s aunt. Despite that woman’s insolent behavior, Elizabeth had entered into this marriage of her own free will, and the decision had been hers and hers alone. And now, for better or for worse, Mr. Darcy was her husband.

Pulling her gaze away from the passing scenery, Elizabeth shifted her attention to the opposite seat, where the man in question was buried behind his newssheet, much as he had been since the beginning of their journey.

Setting aside the novel she had been attempting to read with little success, Elizabeth cleared her throat.

“Really, Mr. Darcy, I believe we must have some conversation. Even a very little will suffice.”

At the sound of her voice, Elizabeth’s husband visibly started, slowly lowering his paper to regard her with a rigid expression.

“Forgive me. I had assumed you wished to read your book.”

“Not particularly. While I appreciate your consideration, even a great reader such as myself values at least some social interaction during the course of several days spent together within a small compartment.”

Elizabeth could see the muscles in Darcy’s jaws clench, but he set aside his broadsheet with obvious reluctance.

“Very well. Of what would you wish to speak?”

The lack of emotion in his voice fueled Elizabeth’s irritation, and she had to take several calming breaths before trusting herself to reply.

“Perhaps you might tell me a little more about Pemberley. We cannot be more than an hour away, and you have said relatively little about the estate. It might be nice to have some idea of what I can expect when we arrive.”

Darcy frowned, turning to observe their surroundings through the frosted glass.

“We are actually quite close. In fact, we should be on Pemberley’s lands shortly,” he informed her brusquely before directing his attention back to the spot where she sat. “Is there anything in particular you would wish to know?”

Elizabeth was silent, contemplating her response. What she most wanted to know why her new husband had scarcely said ten words together in the three days they had been in this carriage, and why it seemed to pain him to so much as look in her direction, but she doubted either of those questions would be met with anything beyond Mr. Darcy’s usual stony stare.

Clearing her voice, she said instead, “I imagine the house is quite large. How many bedchambers are there?”

“In total, seventeen, however, only twelve of them are currently in use—seven in the family wing, and five guest chambers. There are an additional five chambers on the third floor, as well as the nursery, but those rooms have been closed for many years.”

Despite her best efforts to appear indifferent, Elizabeth gaped back at him. Seventeen bedchambers! Good heavens. That was more than the two inns in Meryton combined!

“Of course,” Darcy continued, “that does not include the servants’ quarters.”

Swallowing hard, Elizabeth forced a smile.

“Well, that certainly is… large. With a house of that size, I imagine there must also be a good deal of land?” she inquired tentatively, and Darcy nodded.

“There are over four thousand acres. The park itself is ten miles around, so you should have ample space to roam when the weather improves. You are fond of walking, I believe,” he added mordantly.

“Yes,” Elizabeth murmured.

Darcy frowned, briefly looking away. “Good. It is comforting to know there will be one thing you approve of, at least.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but was saved the trouble of formulating a reply when her husband once again turned his attention to the view beyond the windowpane.

“Well, you shall not have to wait any longer to have your curiosity satisfied. We have finally arrived.”

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed that sneak peek. 🙂 Please be sure to stop by Austenesque Reviews tomorrow (Thursday, May 29^th) for my cover reveal and my first giveaway! The rest of the blog tour schedule is below. I look forward to sharing some more excerpts in the coming weeks.

~Blog Tour Schedule~

April 29^th – Austenesque Reviews: Cover Reveal, Giveaway

May 6^th – Austen Variations: Excerpt, Giveaway

May 14^th – Babblings of a Bookworm: Author Interview, Giveaway

May 20^th – From Pemberley to Milton: Excerpt, Giveaway

May 27^th – Austen Variations: Book Release, Excerpt, Giveaway

Until next time!

JA