The holiday books just keep on coming, and today Anngela Schroeder is here to celebrate the release of her Pride and Prejudice-inspired Christmas novella, An Unexpected Merry Gentleman. This is such a sweet story! I read it in one sitting, in front of my Christmas tree with a cup of peppermint-flavored coffee, and it was just perfect! I will be sharing my review later this week, but in the meantime, Anngela is here with an excerpt (one of my favorite scenes from the book!) and a giveaway. Please give her a warm welcome!
Anna, thank you so much for allowing me to share An Unexpected Merry Gentleman with your readers this holiday. This little book has been a goal of mine for quite some time, and I was finally able to buckle down, push life aside and get it written. 🙂
I love Christmas stories, and the idea of a ‘warm fuzzy’ quick read on a cold December night, reminds me of the spirit of Christmas. Add our favorite couple and the idea gets even better! But, I was busy. I has just finished Rational Creatures from the Quill Ink Collection, and Christina Boyd asked me if I wanted to be part of Yuletide, a collection of short Christmas stories to benefit the Great House of Chawton. Throw in a husband and 3 sons? There was no way. But, things changed when I opened up an ‘old’ file on my phone.
About a year ago I was looking for pictures for another book I was working on, and I came across the image I used for my cover. I LOVED the little girls, and how one was a blonde and the other a brunette. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be darling if this was Jane and Lizzy as little girls?” That’s when the idea of the possibility of a Christmas story was hatched. However, I wanted it to be short––something you could read lying in bed after wrapping presents, or waiting for the cookies to come out of the oven. A story which would show that much growth and development of our two main female characters would take way too long. Plus, how would they meet Mr. Darcy as a child, then transition to adulthood? Nope. The little girls needed to be Jane and Lizzy, all while NOT being Jane and Lizzy. Hence, the Miss Gardiners were born.
One of my favorite things about writing this story was little Emily Elizabeth Gardiner, and how she was a younger and less refined version of her cousin Elizabeth. I love how she says things we are certain Elizabeth said at a young age. Well––we actually hope Lizzy would have said. It was fun crafting scenes where she interacts with the Darcys and to watch her insight as a child blossom on the verge of adult comprehension.
It was difficult choosing an excerpt to share with your readers today, as I wanted to give them a taste of Darcy and Lizzy together, but still highlights the precociousness of Emily and the sedateness of her sister Miss Victoria (Tory) Gardiner. I hope they enjoy this little ‘Christmas gift’ from An Unexpected Merry Gentleman.
He could tell the girls were attempting not to bubble over with enthusiasm, especially the younger who most resembled Elizabeth. And with her chocolate curls, she could be a childhood portrait come to life. Miss Mary asked his sister about her music preferences and he noticed Elizabeth’s curious eyes on him.
“What are you looking forward to the most during this holiday season, Miss Emily?” he asked.
“Oh, to be sure, the stairs at Netherfield.”
“The stairs?”
“Oh, yes,” she said with eyes that mirrored Miss Elizabeth’s. “Cousin Jane tells us Netherfield is such a beautiful home and there are two sets of long stairs. I have never slid down banisters before.”
“Emily,” Elizabeth said, gently reproaching the girl.
“But it is true, Lizzy,” she whispered back. “We only have one banister, and Longbourn’s banisters are not long enough. I’m sure it is a jolly time.”
Her innocent face looked up at him, and it was all he could do to not tussle her hair. “If I might make a confession, Miss Emily,” he said, leaning in and lowering his voice, “my home, Pemberley, has four banisters.”
“Four banisters?”
“Yes.” He glanced at Miss Elizabeth and winked. Watching her start, he continued, “And I have slid down all of them.”
“All of them?” the young girl asked with adoration in her eyes. “Would you slide down them with me at Netherfield?”
“Emily!” Elizabeth said, reaching for her hand to stifle the eagerness of her cousin. “I believe it is time you and Tory return to the nursery.”
“That was not ladylike, was it?” she whispered to Mr. Darcy.
A small smile edged at the corners of his mouth. “My sister and I look forward to becoming better acquainted with you and Miss Gardiner.”
“Thank you.” She curtsied and ran out of the room, little Miss Gardiner following at a demure pace.
I do hope the excerpt has enticed you to check out the full novella of An Unexpected Merry Gentleman available on Amazon, and on Kindle Unlimited. I have also included the opportunity to win a Kindle version of the book, which is open internationally. Have a Merry Christmas, and a happy holiday!
Giveaway
Anngela is generously offering a Kindle copy of An Unexpected Merry Gentleman to one lucky reader. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. This giveaway is open internationally through Sunday, December 16, 2018. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Thank you, Anngela, for being my guest today. I hope my readers enjoy An Unexpected Merry Gentleman as much as I did! I can’t wait to share my thoughts later this week. Stay tuned!
Congratulations on your new novel! I love Christmas stories 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
stluc3@sbcglobal.net
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Thank you, Virginiakohl. I love Christmas stories too, and that’s why I HAD to write one! 🙂
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Wonderful Christmas treat!
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You are wonderful!
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I love this idea and the excerpt!! I could so see a young Elizabeth sliding down a banister given a chance.
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Forgot my email acatlover2003(at)gmail(dot)com
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Thank you, Amanda! The idea of Elizabeth sliding down the banisters is one I can readily believe! 🙂
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Great choice of excerpt Anngela! I love a playful Darcy (although with his height I imagine he would be at the bottom of the stairs before he got going 🙂 )
This is definitely on my list so thanks for hosting Anna.
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Glynis, I hope you’ll love it! A playful Darcy is my favorite too because it is so against what Elizabeth is expecting! 🙂
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What an adorable excerpt. I can’t wait to read this short story. Thanks for the generous chance to win a copy of your book.
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Thank you, dkummoung. I love Emily Gardiner and feels she adds so much to the story. I hope you enjoy it!
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She’s a cute young girl
meikleblog(at)gmail(dot)com
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Thank you, Vesper. And this is just one of her darling moments in the book. 🙂
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This sounds delightful. What fun. You are correct, that cover is just the trick. I’ve always liked the Gardiner children. We have always seen Mrs. Gardiner’s influence on Jane and Elizabeth so of course, we would see that in her children too. I can’t wait to read this.
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Thank you, J.W. Garrett. I have always felt Mrs. Gardiner’s children would have a little bit of spunk to go along with their proper behavior. 🙂
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Wow, this sounds delightful. I love that conversation. Thanks for the giveaway
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Thank you, sagustocox. You are welcome and good luck! 🙂
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Enjoyed the excerpt and Emily is great. Thanks for the giveaway! jadseah4(at)yahoo
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Darcybennett, so glad you liked the excerpt! Can’t wait to read your review! 🙂
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I too have loved the joy of sliding down bannisters. I wonder if Netherfield & Pemberley stairs have bannisters on both sides of the steps, so two little sisters can race each other down. Will check this out right away. Such fun! Thank you for the giveaway.
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Beatrice, you will have to wait and see if BOTH sisters are as mischievous as little Emily appears to be. 🙂
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It is a
well-written and truly enchanting tale. Thank you for writing it. beatriceyn (at) yahoo (dot) com
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What a wonderful scene you wrote. I can’t wait to see if I am the lucky winner. Thanks for the opportunity. Cyndyhenry1@gmail.com.
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I’m almost finished with the story (88% – am at the scene with playing in the snow), and wonder if the author has Canadian roots, as she writes “Eaton” ( a prominent Canadian family for generations) instead of Eton for the school that Darcy attended.
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I love how Darcy responded, and I agree that Elizabeth would have made the same statement. Thank you for the giveaway.
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Evamedmonds, Darcy’s response is great, isn’t it? 🙂
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Oh yes, very adorable and reminds me of what we use to do as children…slide down on the wooden stairs on our bums…not enough banister! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
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Caroleincanada, I too loved sliding down the stairs on my bum! I hope you enjoy the book. 🙂
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The cover is absolutely breathtaking! Those little girls are so cute. I’m intrigued to say the least
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Thank you for loving the cover! I designed it myself! 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book! 🙂
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I enjoyed seeing a little more of what this book is about, beyond the book description.
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I hope this excerpt intrigues you, Ginna. 🙂
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This excerpt was adorable. I am looking forward to reading this. Thank you for the generous give away and sharing an excerpt from your book.
skamper25@gmail.com
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[…] and Emily. To check out the excerpt and enter the giveaway for a Kindle copy of the book, click here. (The giveaway ends December […]
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This does sound adorable. I would love to read it. odara7rox(at)rcn(dot)com
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I can picture Darcy’s reaction to Emily. What a lovely excerpt! Thank you for the giveaway
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Such a sweet excerpt! I imagine little Miss Emily could wrap Mr. Darcy around her itty bitty finger!
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book!
Pamh5230 (at) yahoo (dot) com
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It looks delightful
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I love it when Darcy is taken by children. He has such a big heart, really. Can’t wait to read this!
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Congratulations on the publication of a P&P Christmas novella, Anngela. And Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you too! Thank you for selecting a memorable scene with the mischievous Miss Emily Gardiner. I was wondering at what point of P&P is your book set. Is it after the Netherfield Ball where Jane and Elizabeth visit their Uncle Gardiner’s house in London?
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Thank you to everyone who stopped by to check out the excerpt!
The winner of the ebook is sheilalmajczan. Congrats and happy reading!
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