Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Rose Fairbanks as she celebrates the release of her latest novel, Sufficient Encouragement, a Pride and Prejudice variation and the first book in the When Love Blooms series. I really enjoyed editing this novel, as it combines Rose’s love of both Austen’s characters and history.
About Sufficient Encouragement:
We are all fools in love…
Some say a lady’s imagination is very rapid. Such is the case when Elizabeth Bennet overhears that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy admires her eyes. She thinks nothing for herself, but immediately considers her dearest sister’s growing attachment to Mr. Darcy’s friend. If Elizabeth spurns such a wealthy—and proud—gentleman, he might do everything in his power to separate his friend from her sister.
Raised in a world of expectations and pedigree, Darcy knows Elizabeth Bennet can offer him nothing of material value. As his attraction for her grows, he becomes increasingly convinced his feelings are nonsensical. Still, he might forsake it all if only he had true encouragement.
Misunderstandings lead to betrayals and the couple soon learns falling in love takes courage but staying in love requires forgiveness. Traversing from the groves of Hertfordshire to the drawing rooms of London to the complexity and danger of Luddite revolts in Yorkshire, Sufficient Encouragement follows Darcy and Elizabeth’s journey of love and forgiveness.
*This story contains a scene of nonexplicit sexual violence.
Rose has kindly provided an excerpt from Sufficient Encouragement. Enjoy!
Thanks for having me! After surviving the plots of Wickham and a disappointing Mr. Bennet, Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged, but life throws another curve ball. During the year of 1812, factories in the North of England suffered attacks from a group now known as Luddites. Some sources say they were disgruntled laborers, unhappy with low pay; others say they were farmers who (rightfully) believed the new technology and factory system were taking away their side employment as textile workers in their own homes. Before this excerpt, Darcy and Bingley got a notice that there is an attack planned on one of the Bingley mills, and Darcy is a silent partner in the investment. They have come to Gracechurch Street to bid their ladies goodbye, although it means delaying Darcy and Elizabeth’s wedding.
Elizabeth led Will to the Gardiners’ sitting room. Before he could open his mouth to speak, she said, “I am coming with you.”
Will took a step towards her. “Elizabeth—”
She interrupted him. “No, I will not be parted from you.”
“That is impossible for a variety of reasons. Your uncle will never agree, and I would not blame him.”
“I believe the wife of Mr. Darcy is not beholden to the opinions of other men.”
“Yes, well, as I am sure you have gathered, the wedding must be delayed.” He frowned while speaking.
“Or moved ahead,” she said steadily while meeting his eyes. Anticipating his argument, she held up her hands to cease the words forming on his lips. “I do not require much rest on journeys. We shall travel swiftly. I suppose the moon is no help right now, but surely two days is sufficient.”
“I was hoping to talk with the local landowners. If they can be convinced to help alleviate the burden felt by their tenants, there would be no need for attacks. And the yeoman has to face high prices for goods as much as anyone.”
“So your solution would be to spend a week browbeating gentlemen and shopkeepers?” Elizabeth asked with an arched eyebrow.
“Do you have a better suggestion?”
Elizabeth sat and smoothed her skirts. “Do you even know them? Are you even acquainted with the owners at all? Do you know if they are even at their estates and not in London? Their stewards could not promise to do anything of that sort without approval. How can you work on shopkeepers? They have their own families to feed.”
She tugged Will’s hand, and he sat beside her. Seeing that Will looked unconvinced, she pressed her point again. “The trade components are more complicated than most are considering. The factory owners have to pay for the materials. Due to the war and the American embargo, we rely more on textiles made in England, but that will not be true forever. The shopkeepers buy their goods and must have a profit. Meanwhile, many of the other goods they used to sell are now unavailable due to the war. Our entire economy is built on ancient practices and is ready to collapse. Goods now travel around the world instead of remaining in a very local marketplace. Even the centuries-old trade of raw materials from America to England and goods to Africa has collapsed because of the Revolution and the abolition of the slave trade. There is something great for the future to be made out of this tangled mess, but we must live in harmony.”
Will listened quietly during her speech, so she continued. “Bingley or his uncle would know the principal landowners in the area, but it is possible they would defer to others who are even more influential. Your uncle is a powerful lord with an estate in West Riding and is the Lord Lieutenant. He must know many…” She trailed off. “You already know all of this, of course.”
“Yes, I have sent a note to my uncle and will meet with him soon. I do enjoy how passionate you become on subjects in which you are knowledgeable, though,” he said while lightly caressing her hand.
Resisting the pleasurable feeling, Elizabeth shook her head. “You will not distract me. You must see then that there is little for you to do. I know you will go. You cannot shirk your responsibilities and investments, but as you do not know the people on either side of the conflict, your uncle could put you to use just as well here in London for a few more days.”
Will ceased his movements and looked her directly in the eye. “It means a great deal to you that I do not leave without you and that we wed earlier than planned?”
Elizabeth ducked her head and whispered, “Yes.”
He pulled her into an embrace, and she fought back tears. “I would be happy to marry you any day of your choosing,” he murmured into her hair. “Although I would rather not be a means for you to avoid your feelings about your father or your mistreatment by Wickham.”
She sniffled, again willing the tears to hold back. “How would you know so much about it?”
“I have been disappointed in my father, and I have seen how long it took Georgiana to recover her spirits over Wickham.”
“She had thought she was in love with him, and I never did. I only hate that I did not see his true character and seemed so weak compared to him. It is so frustrating to be a woman. How many times have people attempted to take my power of choice away?”
“I know, love,” Will said while rubbing her back. “I will abide by your choice now if you are certain you truly desire to wed in a few days’ time and then go on this arduous journey with me.”
Elizabeth pulled back to meet his eyes. “I have already journeyed to London by my own choice to be with you. What are a few hundred miles more?”
He chuckled. “I wish I could assure you the roads are in good condition, but you will see things run differently in the North. It is not too far from Pemberley actually. We could return there when our errand is complete before returning for Bingley’s wedding—unless you would like to come earlier.”
She furrowed her brow. “Will Georgiana wish to go as well?”
“No, she hates Derbyshire in the winter. She may come if you desire it, though…” He trailed off.
She smiled. “No, I believe newlyweds ought to have privacy.” She blushed. “Rather, I had not wanted to make her feel unwelcome in her own home or abandoned.”
“Nonsense. She will stay with the Matlocks and have the company of my aunt, Anne, and Lady Belinda. I am certain Mrs. Gardiner and Jane would be welcome additions as well.”
“Then I think it is a splendid idea!” She beamed.
Will looked around the room. “Speaking of privacy…” He captured her lips for several minutes until there was a noise in the hall.
About the When Love Blooms series:
“Love is like a flower, for it is well worth the toil to cultivate it.” She shrugged her shoulders, “Love is beautiful.”
Take a stroll in the garden of love and enjoy the unique blooms of the intersecting lives of the Bennet, Darcy, Fitzwilliam, de Bourgh and Bingley families. Sufficient Encouragement follows Darcy and Elizabeth as they fight to save their love from an unexpected frost while Jane and Bingley’s love grows strong roots. The companion story, Renewed Hope, adds depth to the bouquet with the love stories of Darcy’s cousins and Miss Bingley. The third book in the series, Extraordinary Devotion, follows Darcy and Elizabeth’s marriage while their younger sisters experience a London Season.
About Rose Fairbanks:
Rose Fairbanks hears book characters talk in her head. They whisper to her of a time when the sun never set on the British Empire. More than having a love story for the ages, these characters face struggles inspired by historical events such as market crashes, Napoleon, embargoes, Luddites, the Year Without a Summer and more. Merging historical research with the timelessness of Jane Austen, Rose currently has ten Pride and Prejudice variations published with several releases planned for 2016 as well as an original Regency Romance series in the works.
Rose proudly admits her Darcy obsession and addictions to reading, chocolate, and sweet tea. Always in the mood for a healthy debate, she also dearly loves to laugh. Having completed a BA in history in 2008, she plans to complete her master’s studies…someday. At the moment, having a career combining her life-long interest in history and research with her love for Jane Austen and the Regency Era consumes all of her professional time. When not writing or reading, Rose runs after her two young children, ignores housework, and profusely thanks her husband for doing all the dishes and laundry.
You can connect with Rose on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and her blog.
Sufficient Encouragement Blog Tour Schedule
4/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at Stories from the Past
4/17: Excerpt at My Jane Austen Book Club
4/18: Excerpt & Review at The Ardent Reader
4/19: Excerpt & Giveaway at Diary of an Eccentric
4/20: Interview & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews
4/21: Review at Half Agony, Half Hope
4/22: Guest Post at Babblings of a Bookworm
4/25: Review at Just Jane 1813
4/26: Guest Post at More Agreeably Engaged
4/28: Guest Post & Review at From Pemberley to Milton
Giveaway:
Rose is generously offering 2 ebooks (international) and 1 print copy (U.S.) of Sufficient Encouragement to my readers. To enter, please leave a comment telling me what you liked best about the excerpt and why you want to read the book. Please be sure to leave your email address and your desired book format. The giveaway will close on Sunday, April 24. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
© 2016 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Anna, thank you for hosting this giveaway. I will share it in blog’s sidebar. I enjoyed reading this very romantic excerpt.
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Thanks for commenting! Good luck in the giveaway!
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Thank you, Rose!
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I’m all for a variation of my beloved P&P. I love how strong the characters come across.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
KINDLE
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Yes, I think it’s really important for P&P variations to have strong characters. Austen doesn’t always do that. Fanny Price is strong in a totally different way. Good luck in the giveaway!
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This sounds like a wonderful story during a very difficult time. I am sure Lizzy will be quite worried about Darcy and he will handle the situation to the best of his ability. Looking forward to reading it.
skamper25 (at) gmail (dot) com
paperback
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It is rather difficult and unexpected, I think. Good luck!
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I like the interweaving of history (a subject I studied for many years) with the characters of Pride and Prejudice
meikleblog at gmail dot com
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Thanks! I’m not good at getting into the social details of what they ate and wore etc., but I love painting the bigger picture of the world they lived in. Good luck!
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The excerpt is captivating and gave me a great deal of insight into the era and the problems at that time. The characters are strong and have integrity and interest me greatly.
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Thanks! Austen was writing for her contemporary audience and so she didn’t explain things that they would have known. I wrote in an essay a few weeks ago that sometimes we need historical translation. Good luck!
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I love the idea that it starts with Lizzy overhearing the compliment and it setting things into motion. Ah, and yes, love for all their extended friends and family is always fun for me.
Sounds good.
sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com
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I really think Charlotte had the right of it. Few of us have the courage to be really in love without some encouragement. But now I’m getting into the territory of one of my guest posts. The addition of their family and friends was a fun surprise for me as I wrote. Good luck!
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Thanks again for hosting me and all your hard work on the editing, Anna!
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You’re very welcome, Rose!
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I sure hope Darcy is safe! Well I am sure he will be but you know, my neeeeerves
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I have no compassion for your nerves! Lol. This book really does get angstier than anything I’ve done before. Good luck!
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Thank you for sharing this excerpt!!! Will and Elizabeth’s passion, intelligence and love coming shining through!!! This sounds like an EXCELLENT book…another five star read!!!
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Thank you! This is one of my favorite passages I’ve written. They’re very intelligent here, but they can be quite stupid about each other earlier. 😉 Good luck!
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I liked Elizabeth’s forthrightness and intelligence. Once thing people often criticize Austen for is the lack of contemporary historical context as to the times she wrote in. The excerpt includes external context, which makes it quite interesting.
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I recently explained for a presentation on JAFF that sometimes Austen needs historical translation since her contemporary readers would have known more. But I think Austen also intended to be a bit timeless. It’s like the problem with You’ve Got Mail now. I think it’s an excellent film and the themes are timeless but it’s totally built on this now out of date way of accessing the internet or even communicating at all. Mistaken identity would happen less in such a Google filled world. It feels dated. But it’s too modern for that at the same time. By leaving out commentary on specific events, a book published in 1813 would have been just as readable in 1833.
Oh, well that year puts to mind the Great Reform Act and the fact that one of my friends is writing a JAFF based around it and we basically have her to blame for me doing more with the Luddites. Anyway, excellent comment and I wish you luck!
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Am I allowed to enter?! I would love to read this one. I would take either format, though you know I prefer print. I like learning the historical stuff for this time period, and I bet Rose does a great job with it.
savvyverseandwit AT gmail
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Thanks Serena! Good luck!
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Wonderful excerpt. I love Elizabeth speaking her mind and Darcy taking her opinion to heart. Look forward to reading.
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I really wanted to avoid “mansplaining.” I think Elizabeth would have been intelligent enough to understand what she explained. She wouldn’t know all the details of Parliamentary debates, but we know she has a great many interests. 🙂 Good luck!
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What I like about this excerpt is that the issue of the advent of the Industrial Revolution has been addressed, which is a comparative rarity in JAFF from what I’ve read so far. It definitely makes me want to find out what happens.
angmardee ( at ) hotmail ( dot ) com
I’m in the UK, so it would be an ebook for me, in Kindle format please.
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I’m so in love with researching the Industrial Revolution right now! I’ve loved putting it with JAFF!
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Thanks to all who entered. The winners are Anji, Debbie Fortin, and sagustocox. Congrats and happy reading!
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Congrats, ladies! I’ll contact you soon!
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