It’s Release Day, and I’m all anticipation! It seems ages since I published my last non-magical Pride and Prejudice variation, but I’m thrilled to present my new mild-angst, quiet Pride and Prejudice variation. With all the chaotic things happening in the world around us, I needed to write something calm and uncomplicated [for once!] with our dear couple at the center of the narrative. I’m happy with the way it turned out.
In this story, Elizabeth and Darcy meet at Pemberley in 1811, under very different circumstances. Of course, Darcy snubs Elizabeth, but in a very different way from the original.
Here’s the book description:
During a visit to Derbyshire, an unexpected encounter will change everything…
Elizabeth Bennet thought a walk on the footpath crossing Pemberley would be a moment to herself, and a chance to marvel at the estate’s grandeur from a distance. But fate has other plans. A chance meeting with the shy Georgiana Darcy leads to an innocent invitation to dinner—an act of kindness that sets off a series of unexpected events.
When Darcy unexpectedly arrives at Pemberley, he is shocked to find a complete stranger in his house. His immediate suspicion of Elizabeth’s intentions – and his desire to prevent her taking advantage of his sister – drive him to cast her out in unfortunate haste.
This compelling tale of a fated, unexpected connection unfolds as Elizabeth’s headstrong charm grapples with Mr. Darcy’s stern reserve, setting the stage for a heartwarming romance that grows steadily long after their first encounter.
Set in the summer of 1811, before Netherfield Park is let, this is an alternative first impressions variation of Jane Austen’s timeless classic, in which Elizabeth’s first meeting with Mr. Darcy goes very badly indeed!
Pemberley Encounter is a cozy, closed door, full-length standalone Regency Jane Austen variation with mild angst and an enemies to lovers romance trope that will warm your heart.
Pemberley Encounters is available on Amazon on Kindle and in paperback.
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This looks like a intriguing variation, I look forward to reading more.
My favourite trope is when authors change one aspect of the story – such as here, when our beloved couple meets before Netherfield Park is let – and then explore how the story works out from then on.
Author
Yes, I love those too! 😀
I guess my favorite would be to change things around a bit and let Mr Darcy be hopelessly in love with Elizabeth from the beginning.
Author
Lots of possibilities there, Brenda!
I wouldn’t call it a trope exactly, but I much prefer stories with a gentle alternative to the arrogant proposal scene at Rosings. It is so emotionally violent that I skip over it when it appears.
Author
Yes, that arrogant proposal is pretty horrid! I like the idea of having a more gentle approach, Diana!
Favorite :when Darcy and/or Lizzy are socially involved.
Author
You mean they are already connected? I like that, Isabelle!
Congratulations! I just picked it up on KU!
My fave trope is Elizabeth is Not a Bennet (I’m a sucker for drama)
Author
Really happy to hear that, Sam! Thank you!
Congratulations on a new release!
Favorite trope? It is so hard to say! I suppose I am a fan of stories where Darcy and Elizabeth have, somehow, met before the Canon assembly.
Author
Many thanks, Kathryn!
Difficult question, I would say magical/fantasy variations closely followed by not a Bennet/well connected
Author
Clearly we have something in common. I love magical variations! 😉
Elizabeth isnot a Bennet
Bennets are secretly wealthy
Author
These two themes seem very popular. Luckily my next book has one of those!
My favorite trope is Elizabeth is not a Bennett, but rather a distant relative of the Fitzwilliam or Darcy families. I can’t wait to dive into this new read!!
Author
Thank you, Amy!
Without a doubt my favorite trope is when ODC get together early in the story and fight the world together. This is enhanced when one is ill/injured and the other stays by the side of the weakest partner. And I definitely like low angst. Congratulations on publishing another book!
Author
Yes, I love the trope of fighting the world together, too! 🙂
My favorite trope is enemies to lovers, like in Pride and Prejudice!
Author
Hitting the nail right on the head, Susan!
Congrats on the new release! Difficult to chose my favorite trope but I will say enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, forced proximity; but definitely still clean 😉 I also like the alternate meeting places, like first meeting on Oakham Mount, Pemberly or London or elsewhere too is a neat mix up!
Author
A London meeting is coming up soon, Kaidi!
Congrats on your release! I like reading ODC already married and taking on their families and other problems thrown their way.
Author
Thank you, Mina!
I’m not totally sure what you mean by trope so here goes:
I like what-if variations – departure points within the original storyline.
I particularly enjoy witty banter esp. between lizzy/darcy esp. before they understand one another.
But i also enjoy clever reinventions of minor characters given them a plausible reason for their weird behaviour such a# when lydia turns out to be very clever but pkaying at dumb because that is what is expected of her.
Author
You know that last one is such a great idea, Brenda! I haven’t read anything like that yet.
My favorite is when different Austen books combine. Like Emma meets Elizabeth at a ball. Trope Enemies to lovers. Congrats on book!
Author
Yes, I would like to write one of those, Julie. Maybe next year.
My favorite trope is when Elizabeth is not really a Bennet
Author
I do like how that changes the dynamics of the story, Susan!
I enjoy all sorts of variations on Jane’s original “Pride and Prejudice.” Not sure this is a trope, but I enjoy when modern writers give us more background details on a character’s actions. For example, even if a particular scene follows the original story, we get more of Darcy’s or Elizabeth’s interior thoughts, or more background action to fill out the storyline. Jane left a lot to our imagination, and modern writers can “fill in the blanks” a little more, to our everlasting thanks. I especially like when the storyline is continued through to their arrival at Pemberley after the wedding. It doesn’t have to be X-rated, but a little more romance between the two lovebirds is nice. Both the characters and we as readers deserve it.
Author
It’s so wonderful when modern authors can ‘translate’ Jane Austen’s characters into something that makes sense in our day and age, Susan. With modern psychological motivation, we can get to know them in a different way.
My favorite trope is time travel/loop trope.
Author
That’s a good one! Not too many of those around.
I like when Darcy and Elizabeth get together early and deal with the problems around them as a team.
Author
That’s the team spirit! Yes, I do tend to like that direction myself 🙂
Anything without Wickham.
Does that mean Lydia can disappear also? Her storyline was only useful in sowing hate and discontent among other characters. And she did that best by Wickham’s side.
Author
Both Wickham and Lydia are unpopular characters — but they’re fascinating to write!
Author
Pemberley Encounter does have Wickham in it, but he appears only briefly 🙁 I understand your dislike, though, Betty!
I like the story told from other characters point of views.
Author
For me as a writer, I love that trope, SAF!
Oh dear, do I have to pick just one? I like forced marriage, Elizabeth is not a Bennet – among many others! Thanks for offering the giveaway.
Author
There are so many fun tropes, Lois. You can make a whole list of them if you like!
I do not know if I can pick just one ot them. But, enemies-to-lovers or forced to work together with the tension all around. Thank you!!
Author
Nice! Having written four in a series based on that, I can’t argue with you, Kattia!
I love when Bingley is called out for his immaturity and indecisiveness.
Author
That’s a good one, Anna.
Secretly wealthy or titled Elizabeth.
Or, forced marriage / marriage of convenience.
I agree!!
Marriage of convenience, but thoroughly in love at the end!
Author
Me too!
Author
I have to agree with you there, Megan. One of them is coming up soon in my next story!
The hunting of Mr darcy
I have over 200 different versions of pride and prejudice but that had to be my favourite
I also have copy of every pride and prejudice that has been on tv
Author
That’s quite a collection, Ellen!
I like most of the tropes! Darcy and Elizabeth meeting in a different way or place is always fun because it usually means something quite different from canon will occur. Any of the other tropes can be stacked onto that. I’m not sure this is really a trope, but I like books that fill in gaps in canon, such as The Year In Between, by Christina Morland (Sense and Sensibility variation). I also like the Friends-first trope, so D&E can really get to know each other and often have some great conversations. Love triangles are fun because I like angst! I also enjoy seeing Darcy realize Elizabeth is equal or above him in station after he has regretted that he can’t lower himself to marry her. Suffice it to say, I will enjoy your new book as I have your others. Congratulations on the new release!
Author
Thank you for your kind words, TC. Wow! Lots of options here. One of them is included in my next book, so you’ll enjoy that one!
Congratulations on your new novel. It sounds delightful. I enjoy and enemies to lovers trope which I believe is the essence of Pride and Prejudice, but I also love a forced proximity and forced marriage especially when they still dislike each other. –Leslie
Author
Thank you so much, LeslieGB! Those two tropes sound familiar, somehow! 😉