The Peculiarity of Mr. Darcy’s Mirror – Release Day Celebration!

It’s release day!! I hope you’re ready for Ellie’s adventure and to read the entirety! You can find the book on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and Kindle Unlimited.

If you haven’t read the preview, click here to read Chapter 1 .

I also have extra content posts at my website: one on inspiration, one on language, and another for artists.

Do you still need more? Well there’s the blurb…

Ellie Gardiner has landed her dream job restoring art at the mysterious estate of Pemberley. Once a majestic home in the Derbyshire peaks, the long-abandoned property is in desperate need of help with a crumbling east wing, overgrown gardens, and a house full of possessions belonging to the once wealthy Darcy family. The most bizarre bit, however, is an enormous mirror in the once great ballroom. How does an almost two hundred and fifty-year-old mirror have not one speck of dust nor any sign of age? And why does it not show her reflection? Instead, some unknown lady stares back at her—a lady with a teasing smile wearing an empire waisted dress that one might see in a period drama. Do not even get her started on Fitzwilliam Darcy, the reclusive early 19th century gentleman whose painting she is restoring. He was the last successful master of Pemberley and also another puzzle to solve. Why would a man of sense and education hide himself away from the world? More importantly, why is she so obsessed with a man who has long since been dead?

After a couple of glasses of wine on a rainy evening, Ellie throws caution to the wind and presses her hand against her reflection, only to wake up in a time and place that is definitely not her own. Who is Elizabeth Bennet, and why does everyone keep calling her that? When she happens upon Fitzwilliam Darcy, the very man from the portrait, he comes to her aid, but what she truly needs is to return to her own time. Will she simply wake up one morning and resume her life at the Pemberley of the future? Must she travel to Fitzwilliam Darcy’s Pemberley and touch the same mirror as the one that transported her here? If she is to attempt the latter, she will need to trust Fitzwilliam with the truth, but if she does, will he even believe such an outlandish story? Blimey, what if she remains stuck in the 19th century forever?

There are Regency chapters as well as chapters in present day England. It was a lot of fun to write, and I hope you’ll have just as much fun reading it!

L.L Diamond

L.L. Diamond is more commonly known as Leslie to her friends, Mom to her three kids, and servant to her three cats. A native of Louisiana, she has been a wanderer for the past 20 years, living in Mississippi, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, England, and Missouri before settling in Maryland.
One day, Leslie may decide what she wants to do when she grows up but for now, she enjoys writing the stories that live in her head and coaching age group swimming. She has degrees in biology and studio art, certifications to coach swimming in the United States and Britain, and numerous fitness certifications. Leslie is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Her accomplishments include drawing, watercolor, and playing flute and piano, but much like Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

After watching Sense and Sensibility with her mother, Leslie became a fan of Jane Austen, reading her collected works over the next few years. Pride and Prejudice stood out as a favourite and has dominated her writing since finding Jane Austen Fan Fiction.

Aside from mother and writer, Leslie considers herself a perpetual student. She has degrees in biology and studio art, but will devour any subject of interest simply for the knowledge. As an artist, her concentration is in graphic design, but watercolour is her medium of choice with one of her watercolours featured on the cover of her second book, A Matter of Chance. She coaches swimming and holds a variety of fitness certifications. She is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Leslie also plays flute and piano, but much like Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

79 comments

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    • Ginna on September 22, 2022 at 12:25 am
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    I’m really looking forward to it. I’m intrigued by the time travel(?) aspect, and the mystery.

    1. Thank you!!

    • SamH. on September 22, 2022 at 1:18 am
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    I am looking forward to reading this. Hoping there is a HEA for everyone!
    Congratulations to you on your newest release!

    1. Thank you, SamH!

    • Audny on September 22, 2022 at 1:35 am
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    I am really curious about this book. Maybe it will be my next read…

    1. I hope so! Thanks, Audny!

    • wendy m luther on September 22, 2022 at 2:25 am
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    Went to get get it and it’s still on preorder not released

    1. That’s so odd! I know it’s up now 🙂 Thank you, Wendy M!

    • Glynis on September 22, 2022 at 4:17 am
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    My copy is on my kindle awaiting me so this will be a short post! 😉 I’m desperate to find out what happens, I think I have a clue to why Darcy didn’t marry since reading the last chapter you posted and I must find out if I’m right.
    Best of luck with this book Leslie and obviously please don’t enter me in the giveaway 😉🥰🥰

    1. I want to know if you’re right too!!! You’ll have to let me know 😉 Thanks, Glynis!

    • Quémener Isabelle on September 22, 2022 at 5:21 am
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    It seems to be a wonderful tale who begins nowadays and lets us slip into Mr Darcy’s universe.
    I long to read that story.
    Make haste ! Make haste !
    😊

    1. Thank you!!

    • Laura J on September 22, 2022 at 6:31 am
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    Congratulations on the new book! I usually don’t read modern times variations but the premise for this book is interesting and intriguing. So I hope I’ll be reading it soon.

    1. Hi Laura! It’s not just a modern. There’s a huge chunk of the book that takes place in Regency time like the chapter posted yesterday. I hope you’ll give it a chance. Thanks!

    • Sarah P on September 22, 2022 at 7:05 am
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    Congratulations on the new publication. Plus love the chance to win a copy in the giveaway, and if I’m lucky enough to win I would prefer a Kindle version of the book please.

    1. Thanks, Sarah!

    • Jeannette Kleman on September 22, 2022 at 7:07 am
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    I seldom read time travel books, but this one sounds like a gem not to be missed. And we already know that you are a very talented author, producing well edited, interesting stories. Looking forward to reading your new work. Congrats on another book baby!

    1. Thank you, Jeannette! One of my proofreaders doesn’t read time slip novels but loved it. I hope you do too!

    • Julie Goodman on September 22, 2022 at 7:40 am
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    Sounds fun. Thank you!

    1. Thank you, Julie!

    • Jen D on September 22, 2022 at 8:33 am
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    Congratulations on the release! I have had great fun reading the first few chapters, and I like how there are elements of magic without the book screaming as a “magical/fantasy” book. Were there any particular other novels or writers that influenced elements parts of this book, such as when Elie has some wine and ends up on the other side? And what was your favorite part in the writing of this book? Thank you in advance.

    1. I wouldn’t say there were any other particular novels or authors. I do give a couple of nods to Harry Potter with a sensation when being taken through the mirror and another scene near the end. The wine was just a catalyst of sorts to get her to touch the mirror. She’s getting fed up with seeing her “reflection” and the wine gives her the bravado to go down and touch the mirror. Nothing more.

      My favorite part? I loved looking at canon and thinking of how Ellie being in those scenes and how what was said would make her feel or think and how her modern perspective might shape it or change it as well. I have a “P&P calendar” of sorts that gives approximate dates that can be discerned from things said in the text, which was really helpful. There are little things you don’t consider like that it was only a week between when E met Wickham and the ball at Netherfield. In some ways, it feels like more time has passed.

      Thanks, Jen D!

    • Betty Campbell Madden on September 22, 2022 at 8:44 am
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    Finally! I look forward to reading this new story. Thank you.

    1. Thank you, Betty!

    • Lina on September 22, 2022 at 9:17 am
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    I loved this book! I already read it and posted a review. Hopefully Amazon doesn’t take too long to put it up.

    1. Woohoo!!! Thank you so much, Lina! I am ecstatic you loved it and more so that you left a review. Thank you again!

    • Suzanne on September 22, 2022 at 9:42 am
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    I only read the first chapter and then decided ‘This is going to be good, I’ll wait for the book to come out’. Yay!

    1. I hope you enjoy it, Suzanne!!

    • Jennie on September 22, 2022 at 10:55 am
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    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy! I’ve enjoyed the chapters you’ve shared.

    1. Thank you!

    • Eva on September 22, 2022 at 11:14 am
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    I always like the books where there is time travel. Am so looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the posted chapters and giveaway.

    1. Thank you, Eva!

    • Marie H on September 22, 2022 at 11:41 am
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    Everyone is going to love it!

    1. I hope so! Thank you, Marie!

    • Jennifer on September 22, 2022 at 12:03 pm
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    I am hooked already by the chapters you have shared, I must know what happens. Love the mirror looking into the past concept. How do you come up with your story ideas?

    1. Thank you so much! Most of my ideas hit me as a scene in my head. Sometimes, I do read about a person (like the real life Duke of Cumberland) who give me some inspiration, but most are just me having a scene play out in my mind. 🙂

    • Cath E on September 22, 2022 at 12:10 pm
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    Congratulations on your new book and thank you for the chance to win a copy in the giveaway! I’ve really enjoyed reading the chapters you’ve shared online, and look forward to reading the whole book.

    1. Thank you, Cath E!

    • Alyssa Fender on September 22, 2022 at 1:13 pm
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    Release day! YAY! Been looking forward to reading this.

    1. Yay! I’m so thrilled! Thanks, Alyssa!

    • Lori Johnston on September 22, 2022 at 1:27 pm
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    This sounds soooo good! I love time travel and anything JA related so this fits the bill.

    Congrats, L.L., on your new book!

    1. Thank you!! I hope you enjoy it!!

    • Lisa on September 22, 2022 at 5:01 pm
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    This is already making me laugh . . .”Bloody hell, did you put wine in the water?” I can’t wait to find out how Ellie finds her balance to be able to investigate how to get back to her own time. Thanks for the free chapter reads and the giveaway.

    1. I had a lot of fun with that part too! Thanks, Lisa!

    • TC on September 22, 2022 at 7:32 pm
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    Exciting! I’m looking forward to reading about both time periods.

    1. Thank you!

    • Kim P. on September 22, 2022 at 8:46 pm
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    This sounds so intriguing, I look forward to reading more. Congratulations on the new release!

    1. Thank you!

    • Sheila L. Majczan on September 22, 2022 at 8:59 pm
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    I just borrowed this from KU and am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing here and good luck with the new release.

    1. Thanks, Sheila!!

    • Sheila L. Majczan on September 22, 2022 at 9:03 pm
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    I just borrowed this from KU and am looking forward to reading it. Good luck with the release.

    1. Thank you, Sheila! I hope you enjoy it!

    • DarcyBennett on September 22, 2022 at 9:17 pm
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    Congrats on the release. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    1. Thank you!!

    • SA on September 22, 2022 at 9:49 pm
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    Looking forward to reading this one!!!

    1. Thank you!

    • Kris on September 22, 2022 at 11:36 pm
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    So excited to finally be able to get the whole story. Thanks!

    1. Me too! Thank you, Kris!

    • Janeen on September 22, 2022 at 11:45 pm
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    Looking forward to reading this one!

    1. Thank you!

    • Lois on September 23, 2022 at 4:16 am
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    Looking forward to reading this – I like the time-slipping premise, and have read & enjoyed some of your other works.

    1. Thank you, Lois!

    • Betty Campbell Madden on September 23, 2022 at 9:53 am
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    “Velly” interesting. I look forward to reading or, preferably, listening to this story.
    Thank for all the pleasure your stories have provided me.

    1. Thank you, Betty!

    • Linda A. on September 23, 2022 at 9:58 am
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    Intriguing concept. I’m curious to see what happens. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    1. Good luck! Thanks, LindaA!

    • JaneV on September 23, 2022 at 12:37 pm
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    Congratulations, Leslie! It’s a great story! Please let me know when an audio version becomes available as you may remember I have a JAFF-loving friend with sight problems. x

    1. Thank you so much, Jane! I won’t forget on the audiobook 🙂

    • Colleen on September 23, 2022 at 3:41 pm
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    This looks fascinating! Looking forward to it.

    1. Thank you!

    • Vikki Silverman on September 23, 2022 at 8:55 pm
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    Already pre-purchased my e-copy! Planning on starting to read tonight! First couple of chapters were amazing!

    1. Thank you!!! I hope you enjoy it!!

    • J. W. Garrett on September 24, 2022 at 8:19 pm
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    Congratulations on the launch of this new work. I wish you all manner of success. I have it on my wish-list. Thanks for the generous giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing. Blessings.

    1. Thank you!

    • Satu on September 25, 2022 at 1:11 am
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    I love your books and have been eagerly waiting for the next one, this is at the top of my list of books to read. I am never able to put a good book down once I start it so I’ll need a free weekend until I allow myself to get this and unfortunately this weekend is already full of responsibilities. On the bright side this gives me a chance to hope that I’ll be lucky and win a free copy. Congratulations on your new book!

    1. Thank you, Satu!

    • Buturot on September 26, 2022 at 1:28 am
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    Congratulations on your new book. Looking forward to reading this beyond time story

    1. Thank you!

    • Johanna on November 9, 2022 at 1:43 am
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    HELLO.

    I WOULD LOVE TO LISTEN TO

    THE PECULIARITY OF MR. DARCYS MIRROR

    IF YOU HAVE A US AUDIBLE CODE FOR IT.

    THANK YOU

    J.

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