Hope everyone is having a great summer! I’ve spent mine editing an old tale I posted long ago called So Material a Change. Heads up to all who might have read it back then–its changed a bit. The original posted version was over 260,000 words, AKA it was a bloated whale of a tale. SMAC was also the first story in which Viscount Saye appeared albeit very minimally, so it seemed like a good time to give him a little more “screen time” so to speak!
Today I have the cover reveal for SMAC and over the next weeks I’ll post a few bits and pieces to hopefully wet your whistle! The first chapter was posted back in March as a sneak peek. In case you missed it, you can read the first chapter here:
The Blurb:
“If the thought of us being destined for one another is what caused you to laugh, I shall then have to laugh with you. Ours is more a story of mutual desperation than of love.”
Matrimony is the last thing on Elizabeth Bennet’s mind when she arrives at Netherfield Park to tend her ill sister. When proud Mr Darcy acts rashly to thwart a compromise and tells her that the entire household believes they are engaged, she dismisses him outright and refuses his offer of marriage.
But more surprises await her at Longbourn. Mr Collins is ready with an offer of marriage and it is not only her mother who thinks it a fine match; Mr Bennet is willing to press the point until Elizabeth makes clear such a connexion is impossible—because she has accepted an offer of marriage from Mr Darcy.
It is an inauspicious beginning, an engagement neither desires but was driven to by the machinations of others. Yet what begins as a forced alliance soon changes into something quite different. Will it be enough to lead them into love?
And now without any more of my blathering on… my cover! Designed by the incredibly talented Susan Adriani of Cloudcat Design. Leave me a comment below if you’d like a chance to win a pre-release copy of SMAC! You can pre-order it here.
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Beautiful cover! Loved the story back then and can’t wait to see what happens now.
Author
Thank you so much! Yes its undergone quite a bit of pruning, esp since I needed to make way for Saye!
Ohhh I can’t wait
Loved this story. Anxiously awaiting its release.
Looking forward to reading your new book!
Author
Thank you Sam! ARCS should be out shortly! As is my (unfortunate) custom I was late into editing so… yeah. But its coming!
Great cover. Having loved this story on AHA, I look forward to reading the published version.
Author
Thank you Sarah! Hopefully those who knew it back when will still like it now!
Lovely cover and I very much like what you tell about the story. I would love to read the book!
Author
Thank you!
Dear Amy, I had forgotten all about this story! I greatly look forward to becoming reacquainted and I especially look forward to enjoying some good banter (since you’ve expanded Saye’s performance lol)
Author
Well hey there Jass! Hope you like the new, leaner version… those were my days of “why write one word when you could write 4” haha!
I know you channeled Darcy there lol
I don’t think I’ve seen the original version. The cover looks great!
Author
Thank you Lois!
Beautiful cover, always love a touch of architecture in the scenes. Can’t wait for more of Saye, he is a favorite for sure. Thanks for sharing the excerpt and the cover.
Author
I do too and I was so excited she found this sort of older image of London! I always hate when I see a regency romance with Big Ben on the cover haha! Don’t even get me started on the one with the London Eye on it! (not to throw any shade… finding good stock art is HARD!)
Just gorgeous! Love this storyline! I could totally imagine Caroline going that far in her desperation! I’m surprised at Mr Bennet actually agreeing that Elizabeth should marry Collins! Thank goodness for her ‘engagement’ to Darcy! I really can’t wait to read more!
Author
Thank you Glynis! And I will say that while there is a little angst in this, I don’t think its too scary!
I love Amy stories even more when I can simply turn a page! This is one of your best. And now you’ve made it better. Oh Happy Day! Love to all from NH.
Author
Aw thank you Sher! Hope you enjoy it and all my love to NH!!
What a beautiful cover! I also love that Caroline gets her comeuppance, she certainly didn’t deserve to get Darcy after sneaking into his bed! I have enjoyed all of your books, so I’m looking forward to reading this one too. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
Author
Saye was put in charge of Caroline’s ultimate comeuppance so lack of marriage to Darcy is only just the start!
Awesome!
A lovely and elegant cover, and such deliciousness that may come from this premise! I can’t wait to know how they both navigate through – especially when together. And with Viscount Saye to contribute to the mix…..whoa!!
Author
Haha! Thank you Deborah!
The cover is wonderful. I love the colors and that there is only a partial face of the model. I always read books by Amy D’Orazio–she is a superstar in my JAFF world. Please enter me in the drawing.
Author
How sweet you are! Thank you so much!
I love the cover! Is that St Paul’s?
Does that mean there is a London marriage?
How interesting a premise this is!! Early ‘forced’ something is always a trope I favour (although I am not so fond of the term ‘forced’).
I confess I have not read the story before (my hiatus from jaff was rather long) but I so look forward to the snippets you promised and to the release day!!
More of Saye is always synonim of more fun! 😉
Author
I am with you on the ‘forced’! I like to give Elizabeth a chance to pull her parachute cord and she definitely gets that in this, a couple of times!
I’ve been following you since 2013 on JAFF. I rarely comment, however I must compliment you not only on your excellent writing, but on your exquisite book cover! Good luck!
Author
Dang, I am always surprised when I realize how long I’ve been doing this! Must be love haha!
Thank you so much for the compliment!
Loved the posted version and cannot wait to read this new version.
Author
Thanks Anita!
Lovely cover. Having read and enjoyed all your other stories I am now looking forward to reading this one, also.
Author
Thank you Sheila!
Wonderful news! Loved SMaC when I read it online and look forward to reading the new version. Lovely cover, Amy!
Author
That is really saying something if you enjoyed the old version — it was almost 280,000 WORDS!! Good heavens… even I had difficulty slogging through it LOL!! It went to weight watchers prior to publishing!
Thank you Debbie!
I am so excited for you Amy. What a beautiful cover. I sent a comment to the Goodreads Librarian to add this beautiful cover to your listing. I enjoy a good D&E coming together for the common good of both. That was a marvelous idea. I also fell in love with Viscount Saye. Oh, what a character you brought us. You just knew when he walked onto the scene that something would happen… good, bad, or funny. Thank you for giving us such delightful characters. I am looking forward to reading this new and improved version. I gave the unpublished story 5-stars and I am sure this new version will be the same. Congratulations on the launch and success of this new work.
Author
Thank you so much Jeannie! I hope those who liked it back then will like it still… I cut a LOT of the side stories (seriously why did Bingley have so much word count before haha!) And I had killed off Saye’s wife! Quite too cruel for my boy!
I can’t wait to read this! Beautiful cover!
Beautiful cover! That necklace is swoon-worthy (like Saye!)
Author
Oh my goodness I know, right? I think I had the Claire’s version of that once…
Thanks Aimee!
Great cover, great story, great Saye! What is there not to love?
Author
Aww thank you Gail!!
The cover is beautiful and I highly look forward to reading this. All of your books are amazing and I can’t wait to see how this one unfolds!
Author
Thank you Kate!
Sounds great – Saye is always fun and I agree with you about the London skyline! A beautiful cover, lovely colours and images.
Author
Thank you!
I very much feel I missed out on so much by being so late to discover JAFF and missing out on the early versions of your books. I am grateful I get to enjoy to published versions now. You know how much I love Saye, so I’m excited to see what you have in store for us. As it’s all new me, I’m excited to read this book soon. Lovely cover too! Can’t wait to add it to my Amy collection!
Author
Your words are so kind Marie and I can definitely reassure you that in my case all you missed were some pretty rocky first drafts that were puffed up like balloons!! This story was special in that it was Saye’s first ever appearance but he definitely gets a LOT more ‘screen-time’ than he had in the first!
I am always happy when I see you are sending another older story out into the world. I remember this one fondly.
Great cover!
Author
Many thanks Rose! Hope you will enjoy the new version!
Amy, I loved having a chance to read this story before designing the cover. I hadn’t read the original when it was posted online, but this version was extremely enjoyable, especially with Saye in the mix. Congratulations on the reveal and upcoming release!
Author
I am just excited for YOUR upcoming release! Four days and COUNTING!
I never read your earlier version of this but after reading the synopsis and the intro Q&Q gave us, I am more than anxious to read the rest. How can a compromise by “we love to hate her” Caroline and a potential forced marriage between Elizabeth and Collins end up in a marriage between ODC? You have spiked my interest, but then you’ve been doing that for a long time, as evidenced by the contents of my library.
Author
Aww that is so very sweet! Thank you Linda!
I read all your books. You write so excellent stories with a special twist. But hopefully you have not a short story after the edditing. 🙂
Is there a possibility to win the reading of the frist draft? I love to read long stories. Saye is a man who can say what he thinks without repercussions. What a fun to imagine the horror of finding Caroline in Darcys bed. SMAC! So long until October!
Author
Thank you so much Simone! Those first drafts are better left where they are — hidden! But no, amazon does not like bootlegs passed around and we can get in big trouble for doing it, sorry!
Beautiful cover–the color of her dress is stunning!
Author
Thank you!
Beautiful color and imagery! And more Saye! Yay!
Author
Thank you Jan!
So excited to read it!!
Author
Thanks Jessica!
Love the cover! Leaving the face to the Reader’s imagination, plus a nicely refined dress! Want to read this soon!
Author
Thank you!
Congratulations! I really like the cover. Looking forward to reading it (again).
Author
Thank you! Susan has made me a lot of beautiful covers but I think this one is by far my fave!
Lovely cover. Congrats on the release.
Author
Thanks DarcyBennett!
Lovely cover. I’m looking forward to to one of my favorite stories being released. Especially with more Saye 😊
Author
thank you Kate!
I believe I read this story. I do love Saye. I think it is awesome he is getting more time. Looking forward to reading it again.
Author
Thank you Patty! He has definitely made the most of it, including inventing the custom of a bachelor party- for Darcy!
I have not read the original but this sounds great! Congratulations!
Author
Thank you Sarah!
What a beautiful cover!
Such a captivating cover!!!Looking forward to reading your new story.
Lovely cover! Looking forward to reading this one. Congrats!
Congratulations on your new release! I definitely read and enjoyed this when it was on the forums, so it’s one I’m going to add to my TBR list 🙂
Beautiful cover, Amy! And congratulations on reworking the novel. I think editing can be just as challenging (if not more challenging) than writing from the start! I’m sure your original novel was wonderful and this version will be even more delightful. Have fun with the book launch!
Lovely cover! Waiting with a hopeful heart adding it to my TBR list.
LOVELY cover…If it is a photograph, it’s beautifully done…if painted, kudos to you and your artist! I’m so tired of the tacky photos that now on the 17th century-based novels…They’re not even good quality either in the end result or the quality of clothing used. Most look like “dressing up in old clothes and snapping a picture with your phone, against a sort-of-old backdrop.” If it wasn’t for some of the authors enjoyable writing skills, I wouldn’t bother. Those authors I don’t know, I generally don’t bother with. Looking forward to reading it.
beautiful cover, congrats! but of course can’t wait to read what is on the inside
What a lovely and beautiful cover! The woman wearing that gorgeous peach dress and contrasted with the big city (I think London, and I suspect would be a key location in the novel) are striking. Thank you for the reveal!
Oh the colors on that cover! I am so excited a new Amy book is coming soon. The blurb definitely makes me think I’ll love this one just as much as any of your others. Count another big fan of Saye’s to his credit (and yours for writing such a delightful character.) Yes, yes, yes!
Love the beautiful cover! Congratulations and best wishes with it. I love your writing so I know this will be just as good if not better than the rest!
I already guessed the cover is Susan Adriani’s design before you confirm my suspicions, Amy. The cover is very beautiful and amazing to look at. Congratulations on the upcoming release. I look forward to reading this wonderful story.
Oh I’m going to love this well done
I read the first chapter you posted and loved it! I would love to read the whole story. Congratulations.