Today, I am releasing a collection of previously published short stories, Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley. Lost in Love, Behind Pemberley Walls, and Answered Prayers were sold on Kindle as individual short stories, The Marriage of Antony Fitzwilliam and The Pemberley Ball were published on various blogs. I thought it would be more convenient for my readers to have all these stories in one place. I have added to and polished the stories because I’m a writer, and I can’t help myself.
This collection is my swan song as I am retiring from writing fiction so that I can concentrate on researching and writing about Ireland and Irish-American history. I have already published two non-fiction books that have been well received.
It is difficult to convey how important my readers have been to me. My first effort was a self-published historical romance with a Pride and Prejudice tie-in, and I received enough encouragement from readers to continue. That book resulted in a publishing contract with Sourcebooks, but before being published by Sourcebooks, I posted three of my stories on meryton.com. The comments and suggestions I received on that site made me a better writer. When I decided to self-publish, your encouragement proved critical to my success. You stayed with me during my time with Austen Authors and then on to Austen Variations, and, now, here we are at the end of the line. I literally could not have done it without you.
Another big thanks to Abigail Reynolds and Maria Grace. Abigail has been my mentor from the beginning, and Maria Grace does yeoman’s work on keeping this blog going, providing an opportunity for Austen writers and enthusiasts to come together.
As a thank you for all your kindnesses, today and tomorrow, I am selling the Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley collection for .99 on Kindle. After that, the price will be $2.99.
I am not going to disappear, and I’ll keep in touch. But for now, that’s all folks. Mary
The Darcy and Elizabeth Short-Story Collection is available exclusively on Kindle.
P.S. My latest novella, The Bell, has a new cover. Here it is on Amazon Kindle.
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I am so excited about your new venture. Blessings on your success and we will miss you. If your heart/muse is taking you in a new direction, you have to follow. Best of luck as you take this new journey. Thank you for the discount on this collection. Although I have already read several of them… I look forward to rereading them and finding those changes and additions to already delightful stories. Again, best of luck on all the exciting treasures to be found in your research.
Thank you, J. W. I appreciate your support and good wishes.
Dear Mary I hope you have a great future and enjoy I have read everything I could get my hands on of yours I think the compilation has a couple I have missed not to worry I have them now.
I will miss your lovely work very much.
All the very best to you.
Thank you
Terri
Hi, Terri. Thanks so much for your kind words and good wishes. Your support has meant the world to me. Mary
I am so sorry that you will no longer be writing about Darcy and Elizabeth. I have read all your books but my favourite being “Becoming Elizabeth Darcy” if only we could time travel… Very good luck in your new venture and thank you for the fabulous stories which I have enjoyed reading over the years
Very best wishes
Michelle
Hi Michelle. So glad you enjoyed my stories, esp. Becoming Elizabeth Darcy. Although my “modern” stories didn’t do as well, sales-wise, as my other stories, I did enjoy writing them. Thank you for your good wishes. Mary
Mary, I love your writing! I still remember reading “Mr. Darcy’s Bites” my first paranormal JAFF and fell in love with your writing. It is such a creative variation. I then had to get my hands on your other works. I’ve enjoyed your stories where you blend a bit of history and fiction such a perfect blend. Wishing you the best in your next endeavors. Thank you for contributing to our Jane Austen obsession.
Thank you for releasing this compilation, Mary. I’m sad to hear you won’t be writing fiction/P&P variations as your stories are amongst my favourites. However much your writing will be missed, your skills be well used on new writing journeys. I hope to read some of your non-fiction in the future. Happy writing!
Thank you, Sarah, and thanks for all your help in my writing efforts. I’m grateful to JA for bringing us all together. Mary
Best wishes on your new adventure!
You will be missed on the new-release front and thank you for your generous short story collection sale.
Thanks, Elin, for your good wishes. I really appreciate it. Mary
The very best on your new adventure, though sad to lose one of my favourite Austen-writing authors!
Thanks, Sophia. All the best, Mary
Congratulations on your new endeavors and thanks for so many years of wonderful JAFF reading! Years ago, it was you who directed me to the forums and FB and I have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful JAFF friends, authors and stories. Best Wishes! Jen Red
Author
Hi, Jen. The biggest perk of being part of JA’s world is the wonderful people you meet. If not for Jane, I would not have seen your youtube video. All the best, Mary
I have loved all your JAFF novels (Darcy on the Hudson is one of my all time favorites) and have always looked forward to your new releases. Best of luck with your work in Irish history . I do hope you let us all know when you publish!
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Hi, Regina. I am so glad you enjoyed Darcy on the Hudson. That was my favorite book to write and research. Thanks for your support. Mary
I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors but I’ll know you’ll rock it as that’s what you do!!
My thanks for this wonderful collection of novellas!!
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Hi Carol. Thanks so much for your kind words. We’ve been together a long time, haven’t we? It’s been fun. Mary
Dear Mary, Good luck in your other concentration. We will miss your stories. I did pick up the Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley @ $.99 so thank you for that. I have read many of your stories and have one which I know is only half read and have been meaning to get back to that. I counted 24 of your stories which I have read and at least three on my “Want to Read” list. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.
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Hi, Sheila. Thanks for all your support, esp. the time you took to write so many reviews. That is greatly appreciated. All the best. Mary
I have enjoyed reading your stories, and several are on my frequent repeater list. Best wishes in your new endeavors!
Author
Thanks, Robin. The greatest compliment to a writer is to have someone re-read their stories. So glad you enjoyed them. All the best. Mary
I am off to purchase for my Kindle. Thank you so much for your wonderfull JA inspired stories. They have delighted me for years and will continue to do so as I think I own them all!
Best of luck on your new journey. I am sure you will be as successful with that venture as you have been with your wonderful fiction.
Author
Thanks, Shae. I truly appreciate your support. All the best, Mary
I am sorry you will be leaving but am excited that you will continue writing. Congratulations on your new endeavor. So glad you will be remaining in touch.
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Thanks, Debbie. I appreciate your kind words and support. All the best, Mary
All the very best with your future endeavours Mary! I have downloaded the short story collection. My favourite of your stories (so far, because I haven’t read them all yet!) is When They Fall in Love and I’d recommend to anybody who hasn’t read it yet to give that one a go.
Thanks, Ceri, for being such a great supporter and for the recommend. All the best, Mary
So, since you’re announcing this on April Fool’s Day, you don’t really mean it about leaving JAFF, maybe? (fingers crossed, hoping)
You got me. I am actually writing a 800-page D&E novel that will be published in 2030. 😉 Thanks for everything. Mary
2030??!! I think THAT’s an April Fool’s joke!
Hi, Mary. Sorry to see you leave the land of fiction as I’ve enjoyed your books. Wish you the best in your new venture. Research is fun, and I know you will enjoy writing non-fiction and will do well also. <3
Thanks, Gianna. I appreciate your kind words. All the best, Mary
Best wishes on your new venture. You’re such a wonderful writer…I know you’ll succeed at whatever you choose to write about!
Thanks so much, Pam, for your kind words. All the best, Mary
I have loved all of your Austen variations and continuations, Mary! You shall be missed!!
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!! God bless you!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Thanks, Susanne, and thank you for all your thoughtful comments. I always looked forward to reading them whenever I posted. All the best, Mary
Good luck with your new endeavours, it’s good to follow your passion. I love your books and will purchase the collection so my own collection is complete. A personal favourite is the one you set in Italy by the way.
So glad you liked When They Fall in Love. You might be interested to know that that was the hardest book I ever wrote. If it hadn’t been for my editor, Jakki Leatherberry, it would never have been published. I think the difficulty was that Darcy had previously been married, and I had to work through that. Thanks for all your good wishes, Mary
I shall miss seeing more Austen fiction coming from your pen, Mary. But I am so happy for you, too. It’s an honor to be able to write true history and with as an illustrious wealth of ancestors to personally connect to that history, well I call that blessed. Best of luck, Mary.
Thank you for this D&E collection, and though I have some of those short stories already I would buy the collection anyway just for The Marriage of Anthony Fitzwilliams!!! Anyone who hasn’t read that, get going now and get this collection. 🙂
I have enjoyed so many of your books, and yes love to reread them. But I confess one of your books, Darcy On The Hudson languished in my TBR stack for gulp, several years. I put it on my 2018 challenge list and finally forced myself (what a fool) to read it. Oh for goodness sake, what I had been missing all that time! What a fantastic book, Mary. There indeed was some fascinating history included in that story, which didn’t read like a history book btw, fellow readers. All I can say to close would be that I thank you again and again for what you have gifted us with in your Austen fiction writing, Mary.
Michelle, I am really touched by your kind words. So glad you enjoyed The Marriage of Antony Fitzwilliam. I love that character. As for Darcy on the Hudson, that is my personal favorite–that and Mr. Darcy’s Bite. I grew up in North Jersey near the Hudson River Valley and researching that book was a labor of love. All the best, Mary
I know all things must change, but it is at times hard to accept. Your books are the cornerstone of my Pride and Prejudice fan fiction collection. I have spent many enjoyable hours curled up enjoying your stories, and I will continue to do so! I wish you all the best in your new literary adventure. Thank you for sharing your wonderful imagination and talents with me.
Thank you, Madenna, for your kind words. You don’t know how much they mean to me. All the best, Mary
All the best and congratulations on this journey. We will miss you. As others have said, your P&P works grace my shelves…’Becoming Elizabeth Darcy’ being a favourite. I just ordered your compilation of short stories. Thank you.
Hi, Carole. Thank you for your good wishes and thanks for all the support and comments you have made over the years. They were appreciated. All the best, Mary
Thank you Mary. I have a number of your books and have really enjoyed them so you will be sadly missed in the JAFF world but may I wish you luck in your latest venture.
Thanks, Glynis. Thanks for buying and reading my stories. All the best, Mary
I saw earlier today that you were retiring. I am glad to read that you are simply moving to a new writing arena. Thanks for the past and best wishes for the future.
Thanks, Ruth. I love doing research and look forward to my new venture. Mary
Best luck on your new endeavors. I have enjoyed your stories over the years. I would say Darcy on the Hudson was a favorite of mine. Thank you for your contributions to my love of Pride and Prejudice.
Thanks, Shelley, for your kind words. Darcy on the Hudson was my personal favorite (probably tied with Mr. Darcy’s Bite). All the best, Mary
Thank you so very much for sharing your writing with us. I have greatly enjoyed everyone of your Regency style tales. Best wishes on your new adventure in nonfiction. I’ve recently made a job change as well. Super scary, but the right move at the time.
I’m sad to hear that you aren’t writing anymore new P&P-themed stories at the moment, Mary. But at the same time, I wish you much success in writing history based books. I know you are quite passionate about Irish-American and Irish history as I recall reading about them in one of your novels. (I cannot remember precisely but is it in Searching for Pemberley?)
Thank you so much for sharing your Austenesque fiction throughout your years at Austen Authors followed by Austen Variations. Although I’m not active as before, I enjoyed reading and commenting on your posts. You are one of my favourite Austenesque authors.
Best wishes for the future and the direction your writing is taking you to, Mary. Thanks for the many hours of enjoyment I’ve had from your books and for the special price on this compilation. I took advantage of that and it’s currently lurking in the mountain known as my TBR list.