Hello, dear readers! I am so excited to welcome Jenetta James back to Diary of an Eccentric today to celebrate the release of her latest novel, Lover’s Knot. When I saw that this book had been released, I bought a copy right away; I would’ve done that anyway, since I loved all of Jenetta’s previous novels and she is one of my favorite JAFF writers, but once you read the blurb for this one, you will be as excited as I am! I am anxiously waiting for my life to slow down a little bit so I can read at more than a snail’s pace. In the meantime, I am delighted to share this guest post from Jenetta, as well as a giveaway. Please give her a warm welcome!
The characters Jane Austen didn’t write
Thank you so much to Anna for having me to visit the blog today. I am a long time reader and it is a real pleasure to be here. For this guest post, I have decided to talk new characters.
It is always a bit unnerving introducing new characters to what is frankly a perfect cast of existing ones. After all, the population of Pride & Prejudice is so fabulous — how could one hope to improve on them, or even supplement them in a welcome manner? Today I’m talking about a few of the new faces who I have invented for Lover’s Knot, but who do not appear in Jane Austen’s original. I do hope that those readers who meet them in the story enjoy them. I have decided to look at three of them in particular.
Firstl, as with my previous stories, I have fleshed out the servant characters a bit. Jane Austen never did this and, of course, I am showing my modern sensibilities by doing so against her example. The story is told by Mr. Darcy himself and he is a man surrounded for much of the time by servants. In particular, he has a valet, called Stevenson. Stevenson is a long standing right hand man, whom Darcy trusts. His capabilities go substantially beyond his job description and his station and he is useful to his employer in solving the mystery with which he is faced. It is a trope of detective fiction that all detectives must have a side-kick and I trust that Stevenson fills those boots well and convincingly in this story.
Secondly, and most prominently, the plot of Lover’s Knot forced me to invent a local magistrate. The story is that there is a murder at Netherfield early in the story. Now, this is well before the establishment of the police as we know it and a private house in which a murder had taken place would not have been subject to the kind of intrusion by the authorities that we would expect now. However, the local constable and magistrate would inevitably have been present. On this basis, I have invented Mr. Allwood. I intend him to be not completely dissimilar to Mr. Darcy, although he is substantially older. A dour and observant local enigma, he benefits from standing apart from society. For good or ill, he suspects everyone. There may even be a hint that Mr. Allwood is the sort of man Mr. Darcy may have become absent finding the love of his life — Elizabeth.
Thirdly, I have invented a godmother for Mr. Darcy. She takes the form of an all-seeing society lady named Mrs. Protheroe. Mrs. Protheroe is known for her parties and her enormous social network. She is therefore a powerful contrast with Darcy and in their differences, they are surprisingly close. She has an important function in the plot of Lover’s Knot, which I shall not give away here. But more than that, I have always felt that Mr. Darcy is somewhat undersupplied with family and family friends in canon. The formidable Mrs. Protheroe is my attempt to change that.
There are others, but these are the characters who jump out at me. I do hope that they are liked and that they are believable additions. Who are your favourite “non-canon” characters in JAFF and why?
Thanks, Jenetta, for introducing us to your original characters. I can’t wait to meet them! I always find myself enjoying the non-canon characters. I read JAFF because I don’t want to say goodbye to my favorite characters, and the new additions tend to add some surprises on the journey to the happily ever after. Thanks for being my guest, and congratulations on your latest book!
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About Lover’s Knot
A great love. A perplexing murder. Netherfield Park — a house of secrets.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is in a tangle. Captivated by Miss Elizabeth Bennet, a girl of no fortune and few connections. Embroiled in an infamous murder in the home of his friend, Charles Bingley. He is being tested in every way. Fearing for Elizabeth’s safety, Darcy moves to protect her in the only way he knows but is thwarted. Thus, he is forced to turn detective. Can he overcome his pride for the sake of Elizabeth? Can he, with a broken heart, fathom the villainy that has invaded their lives? Is there even a chance for love born of such strife?
Lover’s Knot is a romantic Pride & Prejudice variation, with a bit of mystery thrown in.
Buy Lover’s Knot on Amazon (also available for free through Kindle Unlimited)
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About the Author
Jenetta James
Jenetta James is a mother, writer, lawyer and taker-on of too much. She grew up in Cambridge and read history at Oxford University where she was a scholar and president of the Oxford University History Society. After graduating, she took to the law and now practices full-time as a barrister. Over the years, she has lived in France, Hungary, and Trinidad as well as her native England. Jenetta currently lives in London with her husband and children where she enjoys reading, laughing, and playing with Lego. She has written, Suddenly Mrs. Darcy and The Elizabeth Papers as well as contributed short stories to both The Darcy Monologues and Dangerous to Know: Jane Austen’s Rakes and Gentlemen Rogues.
Connect with Jenetta James on Facebook | Twitter
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Giveaway
Jenetta has selected a lovely giveaway package where one lucky winner will receive a Pride & Prejudice scarf, a Kindle cover and paperback copies of all five of her JAFF books. You must enter through the Rafflecopter link.
Terms and conditions:
Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once each day and by commenting daily on a blog post or review that has a giveaway attached to this tour. Entrants must provide the name of the blog where they commented.
The winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and the giveaway is international. Good luck!
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March 29 My Jane Austen Book Club/ Guest Post & Giveaway
March 30 Savvy Verse & Wit / Guest Post & Giveaway
March 31 Liz’s Reading Life / Book Review & Giveaway
April 1 My Vices and Weaknesses/ Excerpt Post & Giveaway
April 2 Of Pens and Pages / Book Review & Giveaway
April 3 So Little Time / Guest Post & Giveaway
April 4 Austenesque Reviews / Author Interview & Giveaway
April 5 From Pemberley to Milton / Excerpt Post & Giveaway
April 6 Babblings of a Bookworm / Book Review & Giveaway
April 7 More Agreeably Engaged / Book Review & Giveaway
April 8 My Love for Jane Austen / Guest Post & Giveaway
April 9 Diary of an Eccentric / Guest Post & Giveaway
April 10 Laughing with Lizzie / Excerpt Post & Giveaway
April 11 Margie’s Must Reads / Book Review & Giveaway
April 12 Just Jane 1813/ Author Interview & Giveaway
Diary of an Eccentric 