Laura Hile is one of my favorite Austenesque authors, and her Darcy By Any Other Name is one of my all-time favorite variations. So I am delighted to welcome Laura to Diary of an Eccentric today to celebrate the release of her latest novel, So This Is Love. I love it when authors tackle Austen’s secondary characters, and especially when they give Charlotte a different option than Mr. Collins, so I’m especially looking forward to this one. Laura is here to share a little about the book, as well as an excerpt. Please give her a warm welcome!
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I am so very happy to present to you So This Is Love at the beginning of the summer reading season. It’s a fun, romantic, adventurous story I think you will enjoy.
I will say, it is more of a romance than an Austen variation (although it is loaded with Austen’s characters). I present to Charlotte a hero who is as different from Mr. Collins as chalk is to cheese. Will she fall in love?
So This Is Love began life as an anthology contribution. After my author friend Margie Bayer read Mercy’s Embrace (which features Elizabeth Elliot), she begged me to do the same kind of thing for Charlotte Lucas. I took up the challenge.
This would be a fluff romance, written for the pure joy of it. I threw in all my favorite ingredients: swashbuckling adventure, an isolated seaside setting, a lifelong bachelor seadog of a Captain, a handful of his crew (hired to work at his house until called back), and dear, ever-practical, unromantic Charlotte.
But then Charlotte’s impish twelve-year-old brother Johnny showed up. And her silly aunt, Mrs. Allen (borrowed from Northanger Abbey). Even Mr. Collins began acting like his toadish self.
Right away I knew I was in trouble. This story would not behave and stay small! It grew both in length and in depth, and soon I was needing to write a different novella (You’ve Got to Kiss the Girl) for A Very Austen Romance.
So This Is Love became a full-fledged novel, filled with my very favorite ingredient for a romance story, banter. Charlotte and the Captain outdid themselves here. Chapter after chapter, their friendship becomes something more – with each of them fighting it all the way. It would be no fun if they didn’t!
That the story line exceeded expectations is an understatement. Heavens, I fell in love with Captain Jack Blunt myself – and with all the characters in this tale.
So This Is Love became a story of my heart. It’s a feel-good romance, just right for summer reading. The excerpt will give you the flavor of it, oh yes.
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Mr. Collins is little more than a stranger when Charlotte Lucas agrees to marry him. This is a prudent choice, given her situation. But when Mr. Collins crosses the line, something in Charlotte snaps. How dare he be so familiar, so shamelessly forward! It isn’t as if he loves her!
Come with Charlotte as she breaks the engagement, is sent away to her father’s relations, and discovers a future that is vastly different from the one she envisioned.
Because “I am not romantic” is anything but true. Charlotte simply hasn’t met the right man.
In this story, she will.
Excerpt from Chapter 9: Charlotte is delighted to learn that her uncle’s provoking house guest plays cards. Will she win money off him tonight?
Charlotte pulled up short. What business had she to be rude? “I beg your pardon. All this talk of marriage, and my aunt’s endless hints and mistletoe everywhere, have put me out of temper.”
“Is this a display of temper?” Captain Blunt sounded amused. “Shouldn’t you shriek or throw things against the wall? That shepherdess on the mantelpiece is a likely candidate.”
“My purse is empty enough without having to replace broken figurines, thank you.” Suddenly a new thought occurred. “Speaking of my empty purse, do you play cards?”
“I do.”
“Are you any good?”
Again he laughed. “It so happens that I am.”
“And are you rich?”
This was an outrageous question, but Charlotte was finding it easy to say outrageous things to Jack Blunt.
“I am Allen’s heir; does that tell you anything?”
“Not much. If you are not rich, there is no help for it. You must go to the moneylenders when you lose. My situation is such that I cannot accept promissory notes. Nor shall I wait to be paid until after you inherit.”
He grinned, leaning forward. “A grim possibility. But, not likely.”
“Good. Then I shall positively enjoy winning money off you.”
“You, ah, do understand that we sailors play cards while at sea? Often daily? We are keen to win.”
“Do you understand the desperation of an unmarried woman?” Charlotte countered. “One who can do little else to earn money? I am much more determined to win. The delightful thing is that with you I needn’t prevaricate.”
“We shall go at it hammer-and-tongs,” he promised.
“With the gloves off, as Richard would say. Richard is my eldest brother.”
“And when you lose? When I demand payment?”
“If that happens tonight, I have several options. I could cry, although as you know I am not skilled at crying prettily. I could manage to look sad and rather crushed. This would be even better, I think, for then everyone present would think you nothing but a heel for demanding payment.” A grin escaped. “After all, it is Christmas.
“Do you know,” she went on, “two Christmases ago, we entertained the squire and his guests.” The words came tumbling out, but Charlotte did not care to check them. “One of them, a London gentleman, thought he would have my head for washing, er, as Johnny would say. I began carefully, showing maidenly trepidation, hesitating over my discards and looking doubtful. He was so very pleased, but by the end of the night he realized his mistake. I won four guineas off him.”
Captain Blunt was grinning. “You will not object if I ask you to prove these rash claims?” He rose to his feet and brought forward a small table. “I happen to know where Allen keeps his playing cards.”
Moments later he returned with a new pack. He removed the paper and passed the cards to Charlotte. “Would you like to do the honors?”
“With pleasure.” On her mettle, Charlotte shuffled with a flourish and passed the deck for him to cut.
There was a new glint of respect in his eyes. How delicious! Now he would see.
“The trouble is,” she confided, “that within our small circle, I must restrain myself. If I were to be paralyzingly ruthless, no one would play cards with me again, and I would have no source of income.” She took up her cards and sorted her hand. “By the way, what are we play—”
She was interrupted by the opening of the parlor door. In came Mrs. Allen’s maid. “Begging your pardon, Miss Lucas, but you are wanted above-stairs.”
“Botheration,” muttered Charlotte. “Thank you, Fleur. Tell Mrs. Allen I’ll be up directly.” She rose to her feet and turned to Jack Blunt with a look of apology.
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About So This Is Love
“I am not romantic, you know. I never was.”
Newly escaped from a loathsome engagement of convenience, Charlotte Lucas has no interest in romance. More than ever, she is convinced that no man would—or could—love her. As companion to an aging aunt, Charlotte’s new life is as predictable as it is circumspect.
But then she is rescued from a robbery by her uncle’s heir, a masterful man who is disastrously handsome. Why has he remained as a guest in the house? Why is he so determined to draw Charlotte out and make her talk? And what of his invitation to visit his home by the sea?
Romance is not on the chart for Captain Jack Blunt. Never again will he be played for that kind of fool! He is ashore only to heal from an injury and see to business, nothing more. And yet the pointed disinterest of his cousin’s pert niece is intriguing. She is forthright, refreshingly honest—and altogether lovely. She will make a fine wife for one of his officers. But not, of course, for him.
So This Is Love is available as an eBook and paperback, and is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.
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About the Author
Encourager. Believer. Author. Teacher. Friend.
By day, Laura Hile teaches at a Christian school. By night—or rather, in the early morning when she can think! —she writes Jane Austen and Regency romance with laughs and happy endings.
The comedy Laura comes by as a teacher. There’s never a dull moment with middle school students!
She enjoys gardening (she is a weed warrior!), choral singing, and having coffee with friends.
Laura lives in Beaverton, Oregon, with her husband and a collection of antique clocks. One day she hopes to add a cat or three.
Other books by Laura Hile: Darcy By Any Other Name and the Mercy’s Embrace trilogy. She is a regular contributor to the A Very Austen anthology series.
Connect with Laura: Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter
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Giveaway
Laura is generously offering an ebook copy of So This Is Love to one lucky reader. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. The giveaway is open through Wednesday, July 1, 2020. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Thank you, Laura, for being my guest today and congratulations on your new release!
I read and enjoyed this lovely romance story. Don’t include me in any giveaway.
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Hi, Sheila! Thanks for your kind encouragement. I do love this story, simply as a romance. Go, Charlotte!
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Oh, this excerpt was perfect. I love that banter back and forth with the Captain. What fun. I can see how this Charlotte would get along well with Elizabeth Bennet… and, I think, she will do well with our Captain. Oh, I like him. Won’t they have fun together? I can see it now. Thank you for this delightful scene. Blessings on the launch and success of this story. It will be on my wish-list until after the blog tour. Who knows, I might win a copy. Either way… I will own it. Stay safe and careful during these difficult times. Be healthy. Thanks to Anna for hosting and thanks to Laura and her publisher for the giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing.
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Banter, my favorite thing. It’s one of the reasons I struggle to write during the school year, J.W. After a long day in the classroom with middle school students, my emotional energy is tapped out.
But summer is here, so bring on the writing!
Good luck in the giveaway.
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I loved Hile’s Darcy By Any Other Name. This sounds delightful. I love that the characters wouldn’t behave and she ended up with a novel.
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Hi, Serena! If you are looking for a sweep-away romantic escape that is just plain fun to read — especially when Captain Blunt gives Collins what he deserves — So This Is Love is for you.
You’re right; misbehaving characters is a sure sign of a fun story. Thanks for entering the giveaway.
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Ohhhh, I love the idea of Charlotte getting a better ending! This one sounds so promising!
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Christine, this story is just plain fun. If our girl Charlotte is brave enough to kick Collins to the curb, she deserves to encounter a swoony hero.
We’re rooting for you, Charlotte! Not for a minute do we believe that “I am not romantic” bunk. 😀
Good luck in the giveaway, Christine.
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Thank you for this great guest post, excerpt, and giveaway! I will share the giveaway with my readers.
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Suko, thanks for helping share the news about the giveaway. That’s very nice of you. Good luck, by the way. Perhaps you’ll win. 🙂
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Anna, thanks for having Laura and her new book. I read it when it was in Beyond Austen in installments and LOVED it! You will too. Congratulations again on your new release, Laura!
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Jen, thanks for cheering me on. One of the benefits of posting serially as I work is that I must stay ahead of intelligent readers. 😀 It’s my job to keep you guessing. That is anything but easy!
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I think we all benefit when Laura’s books don’t behave and we get a lovely story out of it. 🙂
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Well, Sophia Rose, actually … 😀 the novel I am finishing this summer is another such story.
That’s right, it’s a Valentine-themed Elizabeth and Darcy novella that got out of hand. I had to ditch it and come up with Sir Walter Takes a Wife for the anthology.
Funny how this works, isn’t it?
As Only Mr. Darcy Can (working title) is about 30% written. If all goes well, it will be released at Christmas.
“Write, Laura, write!”
Good luck in the giveaway!
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I love it when Charlotte gets a better ending than marriage to Mr. Collins! I’m looking forward to reading this one! My email is cyndyhenry1@gmail.com. Thanks for the opportunity to win a book!
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Charlotte is someone most of us can identify with — and feel for. A whirlwind romance with a swoony guy is just what we’d like to see happen.
Thanks for entering the giveaway!
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I got to love anyone who uses the word “botheration.” Thanks for the chance to win a copy. jadseah4[at]yahoo[dot]com
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Right, darcybennet? Good old Charlotte. We’re rooting for her.
Good luck in the giveaway!
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Oh my! Love the excerpt! Look forward to reading!
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Thanks for entering the giveaway, Becky. Good luck!
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Thank you for the excerpt. we are enjoying this. Rare do you find a story about Charlotte that she doesnt end with Mr Collins. Loving this!!!
Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
eanoba@yahoo.com
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As Sheila pointed out (above), this is more of an Austen-inspired romance than it is a variation. I run Charlotte’s track off the Pride & Prejudice rails and bring in an entirely new hero for her.
Good luck in the giveaway.
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I read another Charlotte reimagining and I liked it, but there was no happy ending for her. I feel like I need to read this for closure 🙂 Would love a chance to win!
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Hi, Stacy,
That’s one thing I can guarantee you in this story. Adventure, smiles, and romance. And an awkward time for Collins … 😀
Good luck in the giveaway!
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What a lovely tale. I like Charlotte the cardshark.
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This scene was a surprise to me too, Xena. Go, Charlotte!
Good luck in the giveaway.
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I want to know what Mr. Collins did to cross the line so that Charlotte could break the engagement as that was normally frowned upon. I am so glad that Charlotte becomes a romantic and has a chance at love. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
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Thanks for entering the giveaway Eva.
If you want to know right now what Collins did, you can read the Look Inside at Amazon (first four chapters). 😀
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I’m always interested in learning more about Charlotte and her story!
And thanks for offering a giveaway 🙂 NovEllaandBanannabelle(at)GMail(dot)com
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Good luck in the giveaway,NovElandBanannabelle. Thanks for coming by to enter.
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I find the premise of So This is Love fascinating, Laura. I am a strong believer that Charlottle should experience true love instead of ending up in a marriage of convenience with Mr Collins. So what’s next for you? Perhaps you can think about redeeming other secondary characters from one of Jane Austen’s novels?
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Thanks everyone! The giveaway winner is evamedmonds. Please check your email. Congrats and happy reading!
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