Book News! by Jennifer Altman

Hello friends!

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful summer and are ready for a bit of bookish news!

I know this may come as a shock to some of you, but—I have another Pride and Prejudice variation on the way! 🎉 My upcoming release is titled Some Little Alteration, and I’m so excited to finally be able to share some of the details with you.

This story is a little different from my usual fare: while it still has plenty of romance and drama, it also carries a speculative twist—one that gives Elizabeth Bennet an unexpected chance to see her world, and Mr. Darcy, from a whole new perspective. It’s lighter in some ways, more mysterious in others, and I can’t wait for you to step into this altered reality alongside Elizabeth.

Today, I’m thrilled to be giving you a first look at the book description and an excerpt from one of the opening chapters.

I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts—what intrigues you most, what you’re curious about, and what you think of this new direction. And as a little thank-you for your support, I’ll also be giving away a free ebook to one lucky commenter, so be sure to scroll down for a chance to win.

More details to follow at the end of the post, but first, here’s your sneak peek. 🙂

~About the Book~

What if you had a second chance to make a first impression?

When Elizabeth Bennet suffers an unexpected accident while visiting her friend Charlotte Collins in Kent, she wakes to a world subtly—yet profoundly—altered. Friendships, family ties, and first encounters are no longer as she remembers. Mr Darcy is a stranger she meets for the first time at Rosings, Jane’s circumstances have taken an unexpected turn, and a mysterious locket hints at a future she cannot fully comprehend.

As Elizabeth struggles to reconcile memories that refuse to align, she is drawn into a world both familiar and strange, where every exchange with Mr Darcy offers new insight into the man she once thought she understood. Yet each revelation brings the disquieting awareness that her former life is slipping away. And the harder she clings to her fading recollections, the more swiftly they recede.

Caught between two realities, Elizabeth must discover which truths to trust—and whether love can endure across the fragile boundaries of time.

Some Little Alteration is a spellbinding Pride and Prejudice variation, perfect for readers who enjoy stories that blend mystery, romance, and the enduring power of love.

Some Little Alteration

Excerpt

The sun had risen high in the sky by the time Elizabeth reached the grove, casting long shafts of light through the trees. She moved silently beneath the budding branches, her reflections growing heavier and more tangled. The solitude soothed her—until a sudden rustle of underbrush drew her up short.

Elizabeth startled. For one long moment she feared it might be Mr Darcy again. But as the figure stepped into view, relief mingled with surprise.

“Miss Bennet!” Colonel Fitzwilliam called, emerging from a side path and smiling broadly beneath the brim of his hat. “Forgive me if I startled you.”

Elizabeth exhaled sharply, the tension slipping from her shoulders. “Only a little, sir. I did not expect to find company here so early.”

He approached with his usual easy grace. “Nor did I. Indeed, I had thought you would still be resting. We were all quite dreadfully worried for you, you know.”

“I am much recovered, thank you,” she replied, returning his smile. “But the fresh air does me more good than a stuffy parlour ever could.”

He nodded approvingly. “I know the feeling well. I am just making my tour of the park. Would you allow me the honour of accompanying you for a time?”

“I should like that very much,” Elizabeth answered.

Colonel Fitzwilliam fell into step beside her, and they continued forwards, following the path in a silence that was not at all uncomfortable. Elizabeth found herself oddly soothed by the colonel’s presence—the measured cadence of his step, the occasional rustle of his coat as they walked. Yet her thoughts were far from settled. The last time they had walked together beneath these very trees, he had, quite inadvertently, let slip the devastating truth of Mr Darcy’s interference in her sister’s happiness. But now…she hardly knew what to believe. In this altered version of reality, had her conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam ever taken place?

Suddenly, a new worry crept in. If Mr Darcy was indeed in the habit of taking his cousin into his confidence, had he then confided in Colonel Fitzwilliam about their recent encounter in Rosing’s gardens? She could feel her cheeks heat once again at the memory of her mortifying insinuations.

Turning to survey the colonel out of the corner of her vision, Elizabeth took a fortifying breath. She was just on the point of raising the topic when the gentleman spoke.

“You gave us all quite a fright, Miss Bennet,” he said with quiet sincerity. “Darcy especially. He was deeply concerned.”

Elizabeth looked over at him, startled, but said nothing.

He glanced at her before continuing, “When you first awoke, I heard that you seemed rather…confused. You spoke of a letter, and a missing locket. Darcy mentioned you appeared quite agitated.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed, but she lifted her chin. “Yes. There are still…inconsistencies in my recollections. Holes, I suppose. Particularly regarding my time here in Kent. I cannot, for instance, recall precisely when I first made your acquaintance—or Mr Darcy’s. Would you…would you do me the kindness of reminding me how and when we were introduced?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam slowed slightly, casting her a look of mild surprise. “Certainly. If I recall correctly, we met about a fortnight ago—on Easter Sunday. We were introduced outside the parish church, and then Lady Catherine invited your party to come to Rosings in the evening.”

Elizabeth nodded slowly. “And before that? That is to say, Mr Darcy and I were not previously acquainted? We met for the first time here in Kent?”

He gave a slight shrug. “I believe so. Darcy did not mention otherwise, and he would have done if there had been a prior acquaintance.”

She tilted her head, watching the path ahead. “Would you mind describing that first evening? Forgive me—I know it must seem strange, but I feel as though I must fit the pieces of this puzzle back together somehow.”

“Not at all,” he said with an easy smile. “Let me think… We dined early—Lady Catherine always insists upon an early dinner, as she believes it improves the digestion. Afterwards, we retired to the drawing room and that is when your party arrived. I remember there was some conversation about books—Mrs Collins mentioned a recent circulating library in Canterbury—and then a brief debate about the pleasures of travel versus the comforts of staying at home. You expressed a preference for the latter, if I recall, while I argued the benefits of variety.”

Elizabeth’s lips curved into a small smile. “And Mr Darcy?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brow furrowed. “Actually, this part I do remember, because it was rather odd. Darcy looked at you quite seriously and pronounced that you were well known for professing opinions which were not, in fact, your own.” He gave a low chuckle. “I thought it a curious remark at the time—especially considering the two of you had scarcely exchanged a dozen words.”

Elizabeth went still, her smile fading. A flush of heat prickled along the back of her neck, followed by a cool, creeping sensation that settled low in her spine.

“And, did I play the pianoforte that evening?” she asked, suddenly eager to turn the conversation.

“Oh, yes,” the colonel said, brightening. “You played and sang quite charmingly. I think even my aunt was impressed by your proficiency—I remember her complimenting you on your fingering and extending an offer to play at any time on the pianoforte in Mrs Jenkinson’s room,” he added with a wink. “In truth, it was one of the most delightful evenings I have ever spent at Rosings Park. We so rarely have such agreeable company.”

Elizabeth looked at him in surprise, but he went on, his expression thoughtful.

“I am quite certain Darcy felt the same. He looked at you a great deal, which, I can assure you, is not his habit.”

Elizabeth stared back at him. “We conversed, then?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam paused, frowning slightly as he searched his memory. “I believe so. At least, as much as Darcy converses with anyone. He is not…well, he is not known for his conviviality, nor for being particularly voluble among strangers. But I recall him speaking to you more than he did to anyone else that evening.”

Elizabeth’s gaze faltered, the weight of the contradictions pressing heavily upon her mind.

The colonel chuckled, adding, “Of course, he shall not have to worry about avoiding female attentions much longer. Once he is married, he will be quite safe.”

She turned to look at him. “Married?” she echoed, a strange staccato quickening in her chest.

“To our cousin Anne,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied easily. “Lady Catherine has always intended it, and Darcy, I suspect, is at last resigned to the arrangement. I believe the match is soon to be settled.”

His words sent a sharp jolt through her, followed by a nameless ache that settled low in her stomach. Her steps slowed briefly before she forced herself to match the colonel’s leisurely pace.

She was being completely irrational—she knew she was. Why should she be uneasy at the thought of Mr Darcy marrying his cousin? She had certainly never harboured any romantic expectations of the gentleman. Quite the contrary! What’s more, the news that Mr Darcy and Anne were all but promised to one another did not come as a surprise. Had not Mr Wickham himself told her so upon their very first meeting?

Still, the thought of it—of Mr Darcy’s solemn gaze fixed not on her, but on someone else—left her curiously bereft.

Seeking to banish her melancholy mood, she turned to Colonel Fitzwilliam with a slow smile. “Will you remain much longer at Rosings, sir?” she asked lightly.

The colonel responded with a brief shake of his head. “I should not think so. We are to depart by the end of the week—if Darcy does not put it off again. But I am at his disposal. He arranges the business just as he pleases.”

Elizabeth stared back at him, the phrase striking her like the toll of a distant bell. He had said that before—or something very similar to it—had he not? She could almost hear the cadence of it in her memory, could recall the precise inflection in his voice as they walked together on this very path. Except…that conversation had never occurred.

Turning her mind back to their previous encounter, Elizabeth said, “I am not sure I have ever met another gentleman who appears to enjoy the power of doing what he likes more than Mr Darcy.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to her with a mischievous expression. “Darcy likes to have his own way, that is true. But then, so do we all. The difference is that he has the means to secure it, being rich, while others do not. Forgive me; I speak too freely. But you see, a younger son must grow accustomed to self-denial and dependence.”

There it was again—almost word for word what he had said to her before. Elizabeth’s smile faltered, though she quickly masked it with a polite nod. The eerie echo of their past conversation unsettled her more than she cared to acknowledge.

As such, she made only a brief reply before deliberately turning to a new subject. Navigating between two versions of her life was taxing enough without the added absurdity of repeating conversations she had already had.

Thank you so much for reading! If all goes according to plan, the book will release around the middle of October. I’ll also be sharing my cover and another excerpt over at Austenesque Reviews next week, so stay tuned for that! 🙂

Until next time.

JA