To celebrate today’s release of MR. DARCY’S CHALLENGE, I have a wonderful surprise for you. Instead of an excerpt, you are invited to view the charming Sophie Andrews, decked out in her lovely Regency outfit (with my favorite blue spencer and a feather), who will be reading Chapter Two for you.
If you’ve missed the earlier chapters, you can still catch up. You might want to read them first so the scene will make sense (although Sophie does introduce it). Here are the links: Prologue, Chapter One
Blurb:
In this humorous Pride and Prejudice Variation, Mr. Darcy is determined to win Elizabeth Bennet’s hand in spite of her rejection and he has a strategy worked out. He will rescue Lydia Bennet from Wickham and will return to Longbourn to convince Elizabeth to marry him. But when a chance encounter prompts Darcy to propose once again to Elizabeth before he has rescued Lydia, his plans go horribly wrong.
Broken hearted, disillusioned and bitterly regretting his impulsive action, Darcy sees no point in assisting Miss Bennet. After all, rescuing Lydia might save Elizabeth’s reputation, but why should he care when they have no future together? His code of gentlemanly conduct, however, demands that he fulfill the terms of his promise to her. Once again, Darcy finds himself faced with impossible choices: helping Elizabeth when she is certain to marry someone else, or holding onto his dignity by turning his back on the Bennets once and for all.
Pride and love are at loggerheads as he struggles to choose between his mind … and his heart.
Volume Two of The Darcy Novels continues the story began in Mr. Darcy’s Pledge but can be read as an independent book as well.
Kindle USA|Kindle UK|Kindle CA
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I just finished re-reading Mr. Darcy’s Pledge so I will be ready to read Mr. Darcy’s Challenge as soon as it loads to my Nook. I can’t wait!
Author
I’m very pleased to hear you’ve re-read my novel in anticipation, Jennifer *blushing*. I hope you’ll enjoy Mr. Darcy’s Challenge one even more 🙂
CONGRATS, MONICA!!!!!!!!!!!!
We’re still 40 minutes away from midnight where I am, so the Amazon page for Mr. Darcy’s Challenge is still showing the 24th of Nov., but that’s the beauty of the pre-order button… I can go to sleep and, magically, wonderful books appear on my Kindle when I wake up!!
I know readers will love Vol. 2 of your series, and I enjoyed getting to listen to Sophie reading a bit of the story. (What a cool idea!)
Anyway, just wanted to celebrate early and throw some virtual confetti in the air — wishing you a *fabulous* book launch! 😀
Author
Thank you for getting the party going, Marilyn!! I love the confetti — some of it caught in my hair. I’ll be walking around with my head full of glittery bits for the rest of the day!
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed my reading 🙂
Cannot wait for Mr.Darcy’s Challenge to be released. I hope Darcy’s heart wins over Darcy’s mind.
Author
Should be out very soon, Carol… not long to wait. Thank you for stopping by to celebrate!
What a “novel” idea! (Pun intended!) I am so pleased that the wait is over, Monica. I’ve pre-ordered so am waiting for the clock to tick past midnight so it is released here. The best of congrats to you for the launch.
Sophie, you are a natural!
Champagne (only if you are legal age, Sophie), chocolate, and confetti!!!
Author
Joy — thank you for your kind words. Can’t wait to know how you liked it! Cheers! Ooooh. chocolate, too!
Thank you Joy for your kind words! And yes in my country I am legal, but I don’t like alcohol!
What a terrific idea! I hope to be able to get it as soon as I can. I love reading JA fanfiction!
Author
Well, if you love JA fanfiction you’re in the right place, tgruy. Don’t we all! Glad you made it to the party.
What a brilliant idea! I couldn’t get the video to work on my phone, the finicky thing. So I’ll have to check it out on a computer. Congrats on another new release Monica, looking forward to reading more frustrated Darcy.
Author
Oh, no, Colleen! I hope you do manage to listen to it. Sophie has such a good reading style. Thank you for joining in the celebration. As for wanting Darcy to be frustrated, hmmm…. 🙂
I am sorry it didn’t work for you! I hope you enjoy it when you listen on the computer 🙂
I loved Mr. Darcy’s Pledge and am so looking forward to reading this one, Monica. Would it be going to much OTT to add some fireworks to the confetti, champagne and chocolates already mooted for your launch?
What a different ideafor an excerpt (would have used “novel” but Joy beat me to it!). Sophie is a natural, isn’t she? Her voice is so well suited to narrating this genre. I forsee a great career ahead of her as an audiobook narrator.
Good luck with the launch (throws more confetti to catch in your hair!)
Anji, I believe that fireworks would be entirely appropriate. It should scare you how alike our minds work.
Author
Fireworks are just what was missing. Can’t have a real celebration without the fireworks, Anji! And thanks for the extra glitter 🙂 I agree, Sophie’s a natural.
Thank you so much Anji! You are too kind!
Congratulations, Monica!!! I hope you’ve got a glass of something sparkly in hand-if not now, a bit later perhaps! I’m so looking forward to reading your new novel-I loved the last-this has such a beautiful cover too.
Fabulous reading, Sophie!
Author
The glass is sitting there, waiting. Do you think noontime is a good time to start on the bottle? You are very kind to say these things, Jane!
Thank you Jane!
Heartiest congratulations to you, Monica, on your newest release. From the blurb, the premise of the story sounds fabulous and I hope Darcy will do the right thing for the Bennet family even though he may or may not be rewarded with Elizabeth’s love and her hand in marriage. I hope he does because we all know Darcy and Elizabeth should be together as both complement each other.
Monica, I hope you will do a blog tour of Mr Darcy’s Challenge and if so I’ll promote it on my blog. I’m international btw so it’s the e-book for me if I’m lucky to win. Thank you for publishing another Austenesque read that will definitely be in my wish list.
Author
Luthien — I’d love to visit your blog — thank you for the offer!
Well, we all want Darcy and Elizabeth to be happy together, the question is — when. Let’s hope Darcy gets it right in this novel 😉
Congratulations, Monica! To Anji’s & Joy’s celebratory fun let me add balloons!! Loved chapter 2 and Sophie’s voice is perfect for narration of this genre. Are Darcy and Lizzy going to ever stop misconstruing each other? What a pickle! A wonderful story thus far which I already have for my NOOK and Kindle app.
Balloons! Yes, Debbie. How about cake too?
Oh, yes. A rich decadent cake….
So we have: confetti, champagne, chocolate, fireworks, balloons and cake. What else could we have? I think some elegant little canapés would be in order.
Author
Anji — now you’re talking! Let’s see, what type should we have?
Author
Chocolate, please!
Chocolate it is!
Author
Joy, you’re such a temptress…
Author
Oh, I forgot the balloons! So glad you brought some with you. And, look — they’re purple to match the cover! Well done, Deborah!
Well, the chapter is a bit of a shocker, I have to admit! I was quite horrified when I heard Sophie reading it out. How could Darcy do such a thing? He does get himself into an awful pickle, doesn’t he?
He sure does. And it’s so final sounding. Temper, temper.
Thank you Deborah! I am glad you enjoyed it!
That was brilliant. I loved hearing Sophie read Monica’s story for the excerpt. Congrats to Monica on the new book! I can’t wait to read it.
Please do not enter me in contest.
I am glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
Author
Thank you, Sophia! it’s so noisy in the room I’m not sure anyone is listening to the reading… I’m glad you liked the excerpt.
Sophies reading of the exert was amazing. Congratulations on your new book I can not wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Author
I agree, Tresha. Sophie does a beautiful job.
Thank you, Tresha, and good luck!
Such a lovely comment thank you Tresha!
I’ve been impatiently waiting for this book to come out so that I can finally read the first one! It’s been sitting on my Kindle (int’l) for some time now…congratulations!
Author
Great, Leslie. You’ve been very patient!! Let me know what you think!!
I loved Mr. Darcy’s Pledge and now can’t wait to read Mr. Darcy’s Challenge! Thanks for the sneak peaks!
Author
A pleasure, Wendy. Hope you enjoy listening to Sophie!
I hope you enjoyed it as well! 🙂
This makes me so happy. When I found Mr Darcy’s Pledge, I had goosebumps. It is amazing. Monica, you are such a gifted writer. I can’t wait to get my hands on the new book!
Author
How lovely of you to say so, Holly. Awww! Thank you.
Beautifully done, Sophie! I’m so proud for you. Monica, this is such good news. Congratulations. Can’t wait to read it. I already have the book so please do not enter me in the giveaway. I just wanted to stop by and ‘take a listen’!
Author
You are very kind, Janet. I’m so glad you came in for a listen. Looking forward to visiting your blog and sampling the lovely Christmas gifts there.
Thank you so much Janet!
First, congrats Monica!!!
Sophie, loved your reading ! Excellent job! Monica’ s prose came alive.
After hearing Chaper 2, the hope from chapter one has been shattered. Not sure how either will redeem themselves !
Saving money to get the book!!
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it – such a lovely comment!
Would you please post Chapter 2? I find that I have a hard time following accents; I am no good with audio book either 🙁
Hollis
Author
Sorry to hear it, Hollis. You can read a sample on smashwords which I believe includes Chapter 3 as well. You can read it online or download in different formats. Here’s the link
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/493233
I have a problem with accents also and turned on the CC option BUT you will get a laugh at how butchered that was by whomever typed it out. Don’t mean to insult anyone but I had to close my eyes and really concentrate then. I think I got most of it.
I am sorry you had trouble understanding me – if you ever come across someone northern, Scottish or cockney you won’t stand a chance if you can’t even understand me haha! Hope you enjoy reading it 🙂
What a wonderful treat. I loved it.
Author
Thank you, RMorrel, and welcome to the celebration!
Badly done, Darcy; badly done! Wonderful chapter, Monica, made all the more charming with Sophie Andrews’ reading of it. Cannot wait to see how Darcy gets himself out of this pickle he has created for himself!
Author
Yes, badly done indeed, Darcy! He really backed himself into a corner 🙁
Very nice of you to say so, Regina. I do think Sophie enhances it, doesn’t she?
Thank you so much! I am really pleased you enjoyed listening to me 🙂
Yeah, I am so looking forward to continuing this story and the wonderful twist it takes. Sophie you are a treasure, thanks for reading this to us. 🙂
Thank you so much! The comments are all so lovely!
Author
Thanks, Julie! I hope Sophie is reading this!!
What a hole Darcy dug for himself and how wounded his pride/ego must be…twice turned down. I can’t imagine him ever admitting this to anyone, even dealing with it in his own mind. I know his honor will cause him to help Lydia out but will he then disappear from society for months on end, attempting to console his broken heart? I am feeling so sorry for him at the moment.
Looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the additional chapter.
Author
I agree — his pride has received quite a blow. Let’s hope you’re right — that he’ll be willing to save Lydia. He has some tough decisions to make.
Thank you for coming by, Sheila!
Well….I suppose Darcy could always neglect his appearance, get mistaken for a notorious pirate, end up as captain of a pirate ship….oops, sorry, wrong book!
It’s going to be interesting to see how he digs himself out of this enormous hole, Monica. I just listened to Sophie again and enjoyed her reading even more. I love all her little hand gestures as she reads.
Yes, I have read that one also – loved it and just shows the depths to which depression and rejection can take some.
Author
I like the pirate idea — Kara’s book is wonderful!
Sophie’s expressions are great. My husband was convinced that when she was doing Elizabeth she was really laughing, but she was only laughing with Lizzie — I mean she was only doing what Lizzy is supposed to do. Her really is understated but very expressive.
I love Pirates and Prejudice as well! such a fun book!
And thank you so much for such lovely comments – the hand gestures were just… natural!
First, Congratulations! Do you think an orchestra accompaniment would add to the celebration along with flowers (peonies, lavender and/or roses)?!
Loved Sophie’s reading of Chapter 2 and her expressions as she did so! It just all added to the story. Have been looking forward to this book after reading ‘Darcy’s Pledge’. Thank you for the giveaway!
Author
Oh, gosh, now it’s getting really elaborate! But yes, I remember we did decide flowers would be in order so absolutely, we need them. I suppose if there’s an orchestra we’ll have to clear the floor for dancing. That should be fun 🙂
Glad to have you here as part of the celebration, Carole!
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed my reading! thank you for the lovely comments!
Loved “Mr. Darcy’s Pledge” and can’t wait to read “Mr. Darcy’s Challenge.” Thanks for the excerpts and for the great giveaway!
Author
Pam — thank you for such excellent sentiments!
Humor! Thank you for writing something to make me chuckle (cause I know you wrote it just for me!). 🙂
Author
Evie — which part did you find funny, exactly? Humor? I’ll have you know this was a very serious episode. 😉
Just kidding. I’m glad you saw the humor in it, Evie! Lovely to have you here. Any new soaps?
What a fun way to present an excerpt! Sophie’s reading voice is great. I loved Mr. Darcy’s Pledge and am looking forward to reading this one soon. Thank you for the giveaway chance!
Author
Very sweet of you to say so, Amy and welcome to the party!!
Thank you very much!
I absolutely loved Mr. Darcy’s Pledge and can’t wait to read Mr. Darcy’s Challenge!
Author
Thank you, Tzivy and welcome to the merry occasion.
Congratulations Monica and thanks for inviting us all to the party! I loved Sophie’s reading of the chapter. She added so much emotion and tone, and of course her lovely accent. ;). Clearly Darcy still has some lessons to learn, probably the hard way, knowing him. Looking forward to reading the ready!
I meant “reading the rest”. Not so good to type on a phone…
Thank you very much! I am glad you enjoyed it – and liked my accent 😉
Author
Thank you for joining the celebration, TLeigh! Yes, Darcy is still a bit too arrogant for his own good, methinks.
Congrats on the new release, Monica! I really enjoyed listening to Sophie reading the excerpt and I can’t wait to read the conclusion to Mr Darcy’s Pledge. Thanks for the giveaway and for writing such delightful stories!
Thank you Joana! Glad you enjoyed it!
Author
Glad you could join us, Joana! Isn’t Sophie wonderful? I know she read an excerpt of yours, too. I’m enjoying The Falmouth Connection.
Oh my, what an excerpt! Another rejected proposal for Darcy. My goodness, I feel bad for him! My bet is the third time is the charm. I have to believe that Darcy will do the gentlemanly thing and help out Elizabeth’s family even though he thinks he no longer has a chance with her, just to see her happy.
What a heart wrentching scene! Looking forward to reading both books in the series now that it’s complete!
Sophie, you did a wonderful job reading it! Thanks for the giveaway!
Author
Dung Vu there’s no doubt about it, Darcy’s in a real mess. Enjoy book one, and let me know what you think. I’m glad you enjoyed Sophie’s reading!
I am really glad you enjoyed the reading -thank you!
I must confess I have Book 1 but haven’t read it so far, however tempting it may be. When a book is part of a series I always like to wait for the next volume. This because if I like the first I don’t have to ‘agonize’ waiting for the continuation of the story. Reading Chapter 1 and hearing Chapter2 realy piqued my curiosity because the hints about previous events and I am more that ready to start my reading. Also your covers are very beautiful and as we say here in Portugal ‘the eyes also eat’. Monica, thank you for the giveaway and, mainly, for your stories and please enter me for an e-book.
Author
A pleasure to have you with us from Portugal, Paula. I’m delighted to hear you’re finally going to read the first one. I hope you enjoy it!
Congratulations Monica! Thank you so much for making me a part of your launch – it was a fun, if upsetting!, chapter to narrate! I can’t wait to finish this already amazing story! (Of course, don’t enter me in the giveaway 🙂 )
I really cannot wait to read the rest of this book! I love seeing Darcy so vulnerable and seeing their relationship in a new light – and realizing that even in the original she always had the upper hand as she does in this book too. The reading was amazing, superb job and I hope I win so I can read the rest 🙂 Thank you!
Author
Welcome to Austen Variations, Erika. That’s a good point you make about Elizabeth having the upper hand. I’m pleased you liked Sophie’s reading.
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed my reading 🙂