Happy book birthday to Under the Netherfield Mistletoe! I’m excited to get this story out to you. Originally I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it, since it was just a bit of holiday fluff I scribbled while I was stressed out last spring. Apparently my Muse knew what she was doing, though. One of the beta readers happened to be my German translator, and she’s insisting on translating it right away because it’s “so moving and uplifting” and will give people hope at a time when we need it so much. It’s also being translated into Spanish, and Harry Frost will be narrating the audiobook in the New Year. Not bad for a bit of fluff, eh?
It’s an old-fashioned variation – no action, adventure, shocking surprises, or new characters. Just kisses under the mistletoe, and Darcy and Elizabeth finding their way to a happy ending faster. Here’s something Elizabeth speaking to a sad Georgiana:
“Do you know why we bring greenery into our houses at Christmastime? The tradition is far older than Christianity. It is to remind us that even in the darkest, coldest time of the year, there is still green. Spring will come someday, no matter how impossible that might seem when the plants are brown and dead. Even if it feels like your heart will never heal.” She took a deep breath. “Do not let any man take that away from you. There is a bit of greenery even in the deepest winter.”
This story is a bit of holiday greenery for your heart.
On another subject, please keep an eye out in December for several freebies from me in the spirit of the holiday and Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. I’ll post here each time, since each one will only last a few days, and some will only be available through my blog and Austen Variations.
I hope you enjoy Under the Netherfield Mistletoe!
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Hi Abigail!
Congrats on your release and I´m really happy your german translator convinced you about the idea of turning your little story into a Christmas novella because, it´s a truth that we need solace and hope and even a little sweet story can make a difference in our daily routine 😉 And I´m happy you say it will be translated into spanish as I´m spanish (from Madrid) and, in spite of reading most JAFF in english (because there are no many translations into spanish) I appreciate your decision. One question: Are your translators beta readers who speak fluently another languages? If it is the case, it must be really thrilling being a beta reader and translating your works into another languages!
I like very much the comment Lizzy says to Georgiana about the greenery, I didn´t know the meaning of this tradition. I just thought it was a beautiful decoration for Chirstmas 😉
Thank you so much for bringing us this story and for the freebies, in the spirit of Christmas and the 250th anniversary, you´ll offer in this blog. I will keep an eye for sure! LOL
Teresa
Author
Thank you, Teresa! Only one of my beta readers is also a translator, and she’s a native German speaker. It makes her a fantastic beta because she notices things that native English speakers miss, especially when I leave out a tiny word like ‘a’ or ‘the’ in a phrase. I guess those things jump out more to non-native speakers! Anyway, I love having non-native speaking beta readers. And I’m thrilled to bring a little hope to people. 🙂
This book looks delightful and I’m so happy you have a holiday offering. Best Wishes!
Author
Thanks, Jen! I’m excited about it. 🙂
I do plan to read this. Good luck with its release.
Author
I hope you enjoy it! I have to admit it’s made more of a splash than I expected. I guess my readers are ready for something short and uplifting!
Congratulations on the new release! Thank you for sharing Elizabeth’s wise words.
Congratulations on the new one, I can’t wait to read it!