I am thrilled to be part of the 10th anniversary re-release celebration for Karen M Cox’s Pride and Prejudice-inspired novel 1932. Karen is here to share an excerpt and giveaway with us today. Please give her a warm welcome!
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Thanks for welcoming me back to Diary of an Eccentric!
Tomorrow is the big day—the release of the second edition of my debut novel, 1932, complete with some additional chapters for more Darcy-loving fun!
One of my favorite parts of writing 1932 was the addition of a certain brown-eyed, precocious character, first introduced in this excerpt.
The Bennets have just arrived at the Meryton train station from Chicago. The date is August 2, 1932…
Once they had gathered on the platform, Elizabeth wandered away from the bench where her mother and sisters waited.
“Lizzy!” her mother called. “Where are you off to, girl?”
“I’m just going to stretch my legs a little. I’ll be right back.”
Elizabeth ambled past the ticket window. Several dozen people were milling about, greeting loved ones or saying goodbye, several clustered together in embraces. The air had a thick, sweet smell, and she became aware of the long, drawled Southern vowels peppering the conversations around her. She turned in amusement to the sound of small voice calling, “Baa-baa.” A little girl, perhaps two years old, was toddling toward the train, waving at some unseen passenger. Corn silk blonde curls swirled around her shoulders. As she neared the edge of the platform, Elizabeth glanced around for the girl’s parents but saw no one coming to retrieve her. The little one had stepped perilously close to the train when Elizabeth sprang forward and caught her hand.
She squatted down to the girl’s eye-level and smiled at her. “Whoa there, sweet pea. You can’t go over there all by yourself.”
The girl looked at her, curious. “Choo-choo. Baa-baa!”
“Baa?” Elizabeth asked, amused. “I don’t see sheep anywhere.” She had noticed a chorus of baa’s from the passengers and their families as they stood and waved goodbye to each other.
“Where’s your mama?”
The girl parroted after her. “Mama!”
Elizabeth picked the girl up, looking around the crowd. She heard a woman’s anxious voice calling, “Ruth! Ruth?”
A child’s voice joined in. “Ruth!”
A young woman hurried through the crowd, scanning the platform, frantic. She was dragging another girl along by the hand.
Elizabeth called to her. “Ma’am, is this whom you’re looking for?”
The woman stopped, relief washing over her features. She put a hand to her heart and closed her eyes for a quick second. Taking a deep breath, she began moving toward them. Elizabeth set the little girl back on her feet, watching her toddle back to her mother, calling, “Mama!” The woman scooped the girl up into her arms and hugged her fiercely, wrapping a protective hand around her head.
“Ruth Anne Darcy! You mustn’t run from Mama like that, darling.” She approached Elizabeth, moving the little girl to her hip. “Thank you so much for catching her, miss. She’s quick as lightning. I looked away for a moment and she was gone.”
A little voice piped up from below. “I tried to tell you, Mama, but you shushed me.”
Elizabeth looked down into dark brown eyes with long, sooty lashes. Wide-eyed and curious, the little girl stared at her with an unnerving intensity. Her earnest face was framed by a shock of glossy brown hair, red and gold highlights catching the sun’s rays.
“You watch out for your sister, don’t you?”
The girl let out a dramatic sigh. “I try. But she just gets in troubles all the time anyway.”
Elizabeth stifled a chuckle and put on a serious-looking face. “I know exactly what you mean. My little sisters are always getting into troubles too.” She looked back at the girls’ mother, who seemed embarrassed at her daughter’s frank assessment of the situation. The young woman’s cheeks were pink in her lean, delicate face. She was about Elizabeth’s height, but thinner, with blonde hair and sad grey eyes. She changed the topic with a shy smile.
“Are you meeting someone here, miss?”
“Oh. No, I’ve just arrived. I’ve come here with my family to live.”
“How nice. Do you have children too?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Ah, no. I’m not married. I live with my parents and my sisters.” She felt a tug on her skirt.
“What’s your name?”
“Maggie! That’s a little forward, darling. You haven’t been introduced.” The woman admonished her older daughter, placing her free arm around the girl’s shoulders.
“I want to be introduced, Mama. That’s why I asked her.”
Elizabeth did chuckle this time. “Makes sense to me.” She knelt to look the girl in her big brown eyes and held out her hand. “My name is Elizabeth Bennet.”
The little hand shook hers. “I’m Maggie. My middle name is Elizabeth, just like yours. I’m Margaret Elizabeth Darcy, and I’m four years old.”
“Good to meet you, Margaret Elizabeth Darcy.” Elizabeth stood up and smiled at the girls’ mother. “Do you live here?”
“Yes, we live on a farm out in the country. The girls are so excited. We’ve come to meet—”
A loud squeal erupted from Maggie’s lips as she pulled loose from her mother’s hold and ran down the platform, yelling something incomprehensible. The young mother turned, and a smile broke over her face. “There he is!” Ruth was wriggling in her mother’s arms, trying to get down. After being set free, she followed her sister. Elizabeth glanced up and saw a tall, dark-haired gentleman with a small suitcase in one hand. He stopped and smiled at the girls’ squeals and held both arms wide, kneeling and gathering them into a hug.
“I guess I should go.” The mother turned back to Elizabeth. “It was good to meet you, Miss Bennet, and thank you so much for catching Ruth.”
“I hope to see you again soon.” The woman cocked her head to one side and smiled cautiously at Elizabeth, as though she was deciding if that were indeed a true statement.
“Goodbye, Missus.…” Elizabeth paused expectantly.
“Oh,” the young woman said, “I’m Georgiana. Georgiana Darcy.” She began walking backward toward her family, and with a broad smile, she turned around, striding swiftly away. Elizabeth watched as the man gave Georgiana a quick embrace. Georgiana then turned and gestured toward Elizabeth, obviously telling the story of the missing Ruth. The man frowned, and Elizabeth instantly recognized him from the passenger car, three rows behind her family. It was that grim, dour banker! The one who scowled at her and then retreated behind his paper. Amazing how a smile had transformed his haughty expression.
The family turned to go, and Georgiana held up a hand to Elizabeth in a friendly farewell. Lizzy waved back.
What a sweet little family. The children are precious, and the mother seems nice, if a little shy. But the father! Goodness, he’s rude!
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About 1932
“…do anything rather than marry without affection.”
—Pride and Prejudice
During the upheaval of the Great Depression, Elizabeth Bennet’s life is torn asunder. Her family’s relocation from the bustle of the big city to a quiet family farm has changed her future, and now, she must build a new life in rural Meryton, Kentucky.
William Darcy suffered family turmoil of his own, but he has settled into a peaceful life at Pemberley, the largest farm in the county. Single, rich, and seemingly content, he remains aloof—immune to any woman’s charms.
Until Elizabeth Bennet moves to town.
As Darcy begins to yearn for something he knows is missing, Elizabeth’s circumstances become more dire. Can the two put aside their pride and prejudices long enough to find their way to each other?
1932, Karen M Cox’s award-winning debut novel, is a matchless variation on Jane Austen’s classic tale.
Buy on Amazon
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About the Author
Karen M Cox is an award-winning author of five novels accented with history and romance, a novella, and several short stories.
Karen was born in Everett WA, the daughter of a United States Air Force Officer. She had a nomadic childhood, with stints in North Dakota, Tennessee, and New York State before settling in her family’s home state of Kentucky at age eleven. She lives in a quiet town with her husband and works as a pediatric speech pathologist.
If you would like periodic bits of authorly goodness delivered to your inbox, be sure to get Karen’s News and Muse Letter. Updates, sales, book recommendations, etc. are yours for the asking.
Follow Karen: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest
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Giveaway
To celebrate the 10th anniversary edition of 1932, Karen is giving away a signed copy of the book and some Jane Austen swag: fun notecards from The Quill Ink, What Would Jane Do? book of quotes, and Austen coffee mug (if US winner) or an ebook copy of the book and 25$ Amazon Gift Card (if International Winner – cause #shipping 🙂 You must enter through this link. Good luck!
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Thanks, Karen, for being my guest today, and congratulations on this publishing milestone!
Love this story. Congratulations on your rerelease!
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Thank you, Becky!
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Loving the blog tour and so looking forward to Karen’s re-release. 1932 is one of my favorite JAFF books. Thanks1
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I hope you enjoy the new edition, Jennifer. Thanks for commenting 🙂
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This has been a long time favorite and when I heard Karen M Cox was going to re-edit and add scenes, I didn’t see how she could possibly improve upon it. But she did! This is a treat for readers who are already a fan of 1932. And new readers: prepare to be blown away.
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Thanks so much for your comment, Christina!
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Congratulations! i have been wanting to read this, After I read the reviews!
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Would love to hear your thoughts, Veena. Thank you for stopping in 🙂
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Pre-Ordering my copy right now! This sounds marvelous and I don’t know how it wasn’t on my radar! ❤
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Happy Reading, Anngela 🙂 Thanks so much!
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Sounds like a fabulous read.
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It’s a story that is near and dear to me – time period, setting, the characters – including Georgiana and little Maggie D. Thanks for stopping in!
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1932 sounds fascinating and captivating. The era is meaningful and memorable as the depression had such an impact on millions of lives. What a treasure to cherish.
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Reading a novel titled 1932 would be an unforgettable experience since it evokes that period which is so profound. Thanks for your talent and creativity. This is a beautiful giveaway.
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Congrats on the new release! Do you know that I have not read yet? How is that possible? Thank you for the giveaway.
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I have the original copy of this lovely book and The Journey Home, both much read and enjoyed.
The promise of extra Darcy chapters means I will add this to my list anyway.
Thanks for sharing this excerpt.
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This sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing the excerpt. I had not heard of this one.
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I read and enjoyed the first version of this story but now want to read the new variation. Thanks for a chance to win.
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Eager to read this (I am not sure I can call it a modern variation 😉
Sounds like an intersting start for ODc. FD always with that timeless scow:)
Thank you for the excerpt
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