I have a treat for you today, dear readers! Victoria Kincaid is back to celebrate the release of her latest audiobooks, Darcy vs. Bennet and When Jane Got Angry. I loved both of these books, and I bet they are fantastic on audio. Please give Victoria a warm welcome!
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Hi Anna and thank you for welcoming me back to your blog! I have been very fortunate to have the wonderful Stevie Zimmerman narrate two of my recent audiobooks, Darcy vs. Bennet and When Jane Got Angry. She has a wonderful feeling for all the Pride and Prejudice characters and speaks with such nuance. I am particular fond of her voice for Darcy. Below are excerpts from both books—and, if you click on the links above you can hear samples of Stevie’s narration!
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From Darcy vs. Bennet
Darcy ran both his hands through his hair, completely disheveling it. There was a woman at the masquerade. I danced once with her. If she had not noticed Wickham with Georgiana and prevented their elopement, I would have been too late. She was very compassionate with Georgiana. My sister was much taken with her.”
“So you owe her a debt. What happened to this woman?” Richard asked.
“She disappeared,” Darcy mumbled. “After Wickham escaped and while I was comforting Georgiana. She simply left—left us, left the ball, everything.”
Richard rubbed his chin. “A woman ran away from Fitzwilliam Darcy?”
Darcy shot his cousin a quelling look, disliking this levity at his expense. “It is not as if there are many women running to me.”
“There would be if you wanted them.”
Darcy had no desire to have this conversation once more. He fell wearily into his chair. “I asked her if I could court her.”
“What?” Richard leaned forward so abruptly, some of his brandy spilled on the floor. “Why, that is wonderful!”
“She said no.”
Darcy’s cousin blinked and then frowned. “Are you certain you understood her correctly, Cuz? You are the kind of man all women dream of.”
Rather than being flattered, Darcy bristled at this compliment. “Apparently not all. She took the first opportunity to escape my company.”
“Perhaps she misunderstood your intentions. If you visit her house…”
“I cannot,” Darcy replied. “I know neither her surname nor where she lives.” He levered himself out of his chair and poured himself more brandy at the sideboard. This conversation required more alcohol.
“No surname?” Richard exclaimed.
“It was a masquerade” Darcy ground out. “I expected to learn her identity at midnight, but she was gone by then.”
“Surely your host could tell you—”
Darcy was already shaking his head. “There were three Elizabeths invited, but none were young and unmarried—with a headful of dark curls.”
“She was uninvited?”
“Apparently. I care nothing for that. But I wish I knew her name…”
“Perhaps she was from a neighboring estate.”
“I considered that as well. I questioned the Berwicks at length. No doubt they thought me unhinged. But they have no neighbors named Elizabeth who fit that description.”
“Perhaps she gave you a false name.”
“It is possible.” Darcy thought about how the name seemed to suit her. He threw himself back into his chair, unconcerned about how his clothes would crease. “Why did she run? I cared not that she was uninvited. But she is the first woman I ever—” He stopped before revealing too much. Richard might be his best friend, but Darcy did not discuss his feelings with anyone. He rubbed his face with his hands. “She did not know my name or that I am the heir of Pemberley, and yet she liked me. I swear she liked me!”
“Perhaps something else caused her to flee,” Richard suggested.
Darcy stared moodily into his brandy glass. “Such as?”
“She might be a member of a notorious smuggling ring…or perhaps a French spy. Or maybe she ran off to join the gypsies.” Richard grinned.
Darcy snorted. Under other circumstances he might have laughed.
Richard made an expansive gesture. “Now that you know what kind of woman you find attractive, you may look for—”
Darcy’s teeth ground together. “There are no other women like her! Do you know how many women I have met in this quest for a wife? Hundreds! They all simper and agree with everything I say.”
“And Elizabeth did not?”
Darcy paused to think how he would describe her. “No…she…teased me. Challenged me. I do not know why I find that appealing.
A smile quirked one side of Richard’s mouth. “Perhaps because no other woman does so?”
“Perhaps.” Darcy stood again, leaning an arm against the mantel. “She likes Wordsworth and dislikes Byron.
Richard’s eyebrow arched. “You have rather specific requirements for a wife.”
Darcy ignored this; it was good to tell someone about Elizabeth even though he would never see her again. “And she reads the papers—knew the latest happenings on the Peninsula. She has read every travel book in her father’s library; I am sure she longs to travel.”
“Was she pretty?”
“Lovely! The finest eyes I have ever beheld. Dark curls of hair. A light and pleasing figure. I saw her for only a moment without her mask, but I will never forget…” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I will never find another like her.”
“Perhaps you will encounter her again. In our circles there are many Elizabeths—”
Darcy shook his head; he had given this matter a great deal of thought. “She is not a woman of the ton, I am certain. She had none of that languid affectation—and listed walking as one of her preferred occupations.”
Richard laughed. “No woman of the ton would admit to that.”
“Her gown was a rather simple affair. I guess her family is of more humble origins. The daughter of some local squire perhaps. But not a squire from Sussex.” He could not keep the bitterness from creeping into his voice.
Richard frowned. “Your father is unlikely to approve of a marriage to such a woman.”
“If I could have such a woman, I would make him accept her.” Darcy contemplated his empty brandy glass and considered if he wanted more.
“It would not be so easy,” Richard countered.
Darcy poured more brandy into his glass. No, nothing with his father was easy. “It hardly matters since I will never see her again.”
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From When Jane Got Angry
Her heart fluttered in her chest like a bird beating its wings. She was nearly past Darcy House, and Mr. Bingley had not uttered a syllable. Jane was beginning to feel a little faint.
Without any conscious decision, she turned her head toward the figure that had just reached the bottom of the steps. It happened to be the very moment Mr. Bingley glanced up. Their eyes met with a mutual shock of recognition. Jane fancied she could hear an explosion.
“M-Miss B-Bennet!” Mr. Bingley’s voice rang out immediately.
Jane stopped immediately with a scrape of her boots on the pathway. This next moment would determine her future. Did he know she was in town? Would he wish to continue the acquaintance? Or would they have a polite conversation about the weather and part ways forever?
Words caught in her throat. “M-Mr. Bingley!” Nerves made her voice sound as surprised as his.
“What a splendid coincidence!” he exclaimed. Jane managed not to wince; there was nothing coincidental about it. “I had not the slightest idea you were in town.”
Aha! Her body remained taut as a cable, but something inside her melted with relief at these words. “I-I have been staying with my aunt and uncle Gardiner these two months,” she managed to say. “At Gracechurch Street.”
“Capital!” He rubbed his hands together. “Might you give me the direction? If, that is, they would be amenable to a visit.”
Jane’s heart was singing, but she strove to keep her face serene. “My aunt and uncle would be very pleased to meet you.”
“I thank you for the invitation. And Darcy would be—” Mr. Bingley broke off, perhaps realizing that Mr. Darcy might not be delighted to renew his acquaintance with Jane or meet her relatives in trade. “Well, I shall visit the Gardiners soon. Very soon!”
“That would be delightful,” Jane said, trying not to smile as if she had just received her heart’s desire.
Their immediate business had been concluded, and yet Mr. Bingley seemed reluctant to depart. “Your family is in good health?” he asked.
“Yes, they all enjoy excellent health.”
“Are any of your sisters also in town?”
“No. They all remain at Longbourn.”
“I see.” Mr. Bingley nodded and gave her a bit of dazed smile.
“And your sisters are in good health?” she asked.
“Yes, Caroline and Louisa are in the best of health— Oh, drat!”
“Mr. Bingley?”
“I am due for luncheon with them”—he opened his watch and peered at it—“now. In fact, I am overdue. I must go.”
“Of course,” she said faintly, hoping this was not her last encounter with the man.
He edged away from her, walking backward as if he could not bear to lose sight of her. “But I will call upon you!” he promised. “Gracechurch Street.” He walked faster, still backward, and Jane feared he would stumble over an unseen obstacle. He continued to wave, and she continued to return the gesture. Finally, he reached the corner. “Expect me soon!” he cried before turning.
Jane waved until he was out of sight.
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Giveaway
Victoria is offering one audiobook copy of each book (two winners, one for each book). The audiobook codes are for Audible U.S. and Audible U.K. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address, and let us know which book you’d prefer if you win. This giveaway will be open through Sunday, September 15, 2019. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Thanks, Victoria, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new releases!
I would love to own either of these books in audible but my first choice is When Jane Got Angry. Thanks for the chance to win. jadseah4(at)yahoo
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I’m glad you’re intrigued by both books! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Loved both these stories! Have enjoyed everything I have heard by Stevie Zimmerman. I do not have Darcy vs Bennet in audio so am thrilled for a chance to win. Congratulations Victoria!!
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Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net
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Hi Becky, I’m so glad you enjoyed the books. Good luck with the giveaway!
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Would love to have an audible copy of Darcy vs Bennet to listen to while I take my daily walk. Thanks for the chance to win.
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Hi Sheila, That’s a great time to enjoy audiobooks! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Darcy vs. Bennet is my first choice. I love the fact that Darcy doesn’t know who alerted him to a possible elopement at the ball, and very interesting that Darcy’s father is still alive. I love audiobooks to motivate me to walk. Thank you for the giveaway. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
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Hi Eva, I love when audiobooks make driving less of a chore. Good luck with the giveaway!
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I would love When Jane Got Angry. Get angry Jane! It is ok. Thank you! kneyda(at)yahoo.
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Yes, I think she deserves to get angry! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Really loved this interaction between Richard and FD. Really loved Darcy vs Bennet.
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It’s always fun to write scenes between the Col. and Darcy since there’s a lot of banter. Good luck with the giveaway.
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Excellent news that there will be two new JA inspired audiobooks soon! And Stevie Zimmerman is fantastic. I’m looking forward to getting them. Best of luck with the books!
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Hi Lucy, Yes, Stevie always does a great job! Good luck with the giveaway.
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these both sound good. no need to enter me. I like Zimmerman too
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Hi Serena, Stevie always does a great job! Thanks for stopping by.
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Both of these books sound wonderful!
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Thank you all for stopping by to check out the excerpts!
The winners are:
Darcy vs. Bennet: sheilalmajczan
When Jane Got Angry: Suko
Congrats and happy reading! I’ve sent you both emails. 🙂
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Thank you very much, Anna and Victoria! 🙂
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