Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Blog Tour: One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories by Joy King

Today I am pleased to be part of the blog tour for the lovely Joy King's new release, One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories: A Pride &Prejudice Anthology. And there is a giveaway, which I will tell you about at the end of this post!

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Thank you so much, Miss Lizzie, for having me on your blog. It’s been a year since I visited here last so I am happy to be back. And, I’m excited to tell you about my newest book, “One Love – Two Hearts – Three Stories: A Pride and Prejudice Anthology.

A year?! WOW! I should have had you back sooner! Welcome back, I am glad to have you!



 

David Gandy by Serge Kerbel
My Mr. Darcy

 

First, though, I need to tell you about my Mr. Darcy. I do adore that man. This is surprising since I detested him the first time I watched the 1995 Pride and Prejudice mini-series with Colin Firth. Shocking!!! I found myself feeling the same disgust with him as Elizabeth Bennet did. And, I leaned towards Mr. Wickham, also just like Lizzy. Then came Hunsford. Not only did Darcy and Lizzy have a change to their thinking and their hearts. I did as well.

(Well this is exactly what Jane Austen wanted the reader to feel, so she did a good job didn't she! I was the same... I was with Lizzy and wasn't keen on Darcy!)  

Over the past three years my Mr. Darcy (yes, I claim ownership. Don’t you, too?) has morphed into a kinder/milder-tempered gentleman that is willing to set aside his pride because he recognizes the intrinsic value of Elizabeth Bennet. My Elizabeth Bennet is far less judgmental.

(Noooo, he is MY Mr Darcy! :P I am the same. I think this is also partly due to the influence of fan fiction.)

Therefore, in each of the three stories in this anthology, we have Darcy and Lizzy thrown together rather quickly. Their love grows rapidly, though never smoothly. Together they bond to battle outside obstacles that could tear a less loving couple apart. Darcy quickly becomes the hero and Elizabeth Bennet a heroine to be admired.

 (I am very much looking forward to reading them!)
 

David Gandy: Photo - Battersea
Dogs and Cats Home
Since my Darcy is a bit of a different bloke than Jane Austen gave us, I did not feel that either Colin Firth or Matthew MacFadyen would work for my imaginary protagonist. Who could I draw a mental picture of so I could write him as a real person? I chose Mr. David James Gandy. Why? For two reasons. First, he is undoubtedly handsome enough to be the most beloved male character in romantic fiction. He is very much a man’s man with varied interests in automobiles and animals. He especially loves dogs. And, would he not look spectacular in a cravat, top hat, and Hessians? Secondly, because of his fourteen years in the fashion industry, there is a plethora of photographs that show him in about every mood possible. Thus, for me as an author, it was a matter of popping over to a Pinterest board or a Google search to find just what I needed to be able to describe emotions and reactions for a man.

David Gandy: Photography by Laura
Pannack for the Sunday Times
Needless to say, my husband was more than pleased that I no longer asked him to show me his brooding face. John doesn’t brood or smolder very well. He smiles too easily.

So, what do you think of my Mr. Darcy? If you did NOT have Colin Firth or Matthew MacFadyen to choose from, who would your Fitzwilliam Darcy be?

(That is so hard! I need to think.... Good question though! I am sure I could think of other actors, but I liked your choice!)

 

 

About the Author:

As an avid reader, Joy Dawn King did not read Jane Austen until she was 55 years old. It was love at first read. While living in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador in 2014, she wrote her debut novel, A Father’s Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation. Joy is currently living back in the US, in the beautiful state of Oregon, with her husband, John, and is finishing the revisions for her Bingley/Jane story called Finding Their Way.

 

You can connect with Joy via her website, Goodreads, Facebook page or Twitter.

 
 

Book blurb:

One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories: A Pride & Prejudice Anthology: The Library, Married!, Ramsgate

This is a collection of two novella length stories and one full-length novel. 

 

The Library - (voted #1 at Jaffrecs.com for March 2015) 

 

What happens when Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are alone in the library at Netherfield Park and they decide to talk instead of ignore each other? In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the half hour passes without either our hero or our heroine speaking one word to each other. This sweet variation has them breaking their silence. What follows is a conversation filled with confrontation, clarification, and love. 

 

Married! (voted #2 at Jaffrecs.com for April 2015)

 

Fitzwilliam Darcy needs a wife! Elizabeth Bennet needs a husband! 

 

What results when two strong-minded, kind-hearted strangers unite in this most sacred state? Will love grow? In this full-length novel, Darcy and Elizabeth are faced with frustrations and blossoming feelings of tenderness. Our favorite couple finally reach their happily ever after. Or, do they? 

 

Ramsgate 

 

When Miss Georgiana Darcy stumbles upon her beloved George Wickham willingly wrapped in a passionate embrace with someone else, the elopement is off. Running to her new friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she involves her in a plan to get help from her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and bring Wickham to justice. 

 

In this novella length story, does Darcy marry Elizabeth? Does Colonel Fitzwilliam find the woman of his dreams? And, what happens to the nefarious Mr. Wickham? Enjoy this alternate path to our favorite couple’s happily ever after.

 

This book is available to buy in print and kindle formats - Amazon US - Amazon UK

 

Giveaway time!

 
Joy has very kindly offered a giveaway of one eBook and one signed print copy of her newest release, ONE LOVE – TWO HEARTS – THREE STORIES. This giveaway is open internationally. Just leave a comment below to enter the giveaway, ensuring that you leave your email address for me to contact the winners, and please state if you'd only like to enter for one format or both. I will draw the print copy winner first. The closing date to enter the giveaway is 24th June 2015.
 

In addition, as a welcome to Joy’s website, if you go to jdawnking.com and leave a comment, follow her, or sign up for her newsletter, you will be entered for a HUGE giveaway of Jane Austen memorabilia which will be drawn on 31 July 2015. Again, this giveaway is open internationally. 

 

Good luck! My thanks again goes to Joy for the giveaway and the lovely guest post!

I wish Joy all the best with any stories in the future!



Your affectionate friend,
post signature

34 comments:

  1. I already own both books so you need not enter me to win. But I must comment--I had never heard of David Gandy before Joy started mentioning him. But he's a great choice!

    I see Henry Cavill in ever book boyfriend roll.

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    1. I completely agree about Henry, Christina. He's my top three for Darcy. There aren't nearly as many photos available of him and many of the ones out there have him with a beard. Regency Darcy doesn't have facial hair (at least in my imagination). Therefore, Mr. Gandy went straight to #1. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Ah, another wonderful book to add to my
    TBR list! I would love to win a signed copy
    of it, and thank you so much for this giveaway. ladysusan(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. You are so welcome. I hope you get a chance to read it soon. So, who is YOUR Darcy?

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  3. Well, Joy, you know that I'm always in favor of Mr. Gandy. I am happily and unabashedly a "Gandy Girl." Great pictures!! *throws confetti*

    I have and love the e-book, but am interested in the signed print copy. Thank you for the opportunity to win and to see more lovely Gandy pictures.

    I'm redstrands1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ~Gail

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    1. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by, Gail. I appreciate it. And, I appreciate all the help with "research" when I needed more photos of David Gandy. You are such a help!

      Best wishes in the giveaway.

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  4. I really want to know what haappens at the library!!!
    What about the Ramsgate story??? how can you imply that Darcy and Elizabeth are not ending together??? Blasphemy!! :P

    ana (dot) mr (dot) 1986 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Ana, I completely, 100% guarantee a happily-ever-after for Darcy and Elizabeth - together. No worries! Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. I don't have a fixed idea on Mr. Darcy, it depends on my mood :) But Colin Firth will always have a special place, since that was the first Mr. Darcy I saw. I was 8 or 9 or something like that and we were on holiday in England. In that week they were broadcasting P&P on television, so we watched. I didn't understand a word of it (I'm Dutch and we only started to learn English at age 12), but I loved the costumes, the music, the scenery and the dances. Since then I've watched P&P many times (with subtitles... and now I can do without). But I have to admit that David Gandy looks like a good brooding Darcy!

    kookblogs (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Arjanne, thank you for leaving a comment. From living in South America and trying to learn Spanish, I completely understand how lost a person feels to see a movie in a language they don't understand. Good for you for persevering. Well done! I'm happy you stopped by.

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  6. I love your David Gandy idea. I saw him in a magazine and have been a goner since. I always thought Jim Caviezel from Count of Monte Cristo movie is handsome and brooding enough to be Darcy.

    Congrats on the new release, Joy!

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    1. Oh and I would be interested in either giveaway.
      sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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    2. Forgot to mention that I would like to be entered for either giveaway, please.
      sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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    3. Sophia, I had to Google Jim Caviezel as his image wasn't coming to mind. You are right. He's swoon-worthy. Great recommendation. You are entered again for both giveaways. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. I "met" David Gandy when Cat Gardiner used him as her model for a modern day Darcy on her Pinterest board for her book Lucky 13. He is dreamy. I have this book in paperback but wouldn't mind also having a copy for my kindle if I get lucky. I read and reviewed this book also and loved it! I know Jim Caviezel from that movie and from the Person of Interest TV series and The Passion of Christ movie.

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    1. I had not heard of Mr. Gandy until Cat told me about him as well. Jim Caviezel was new to me also. Who knew I would have such an interesting Pinterest - Darcy board from reading a 200+ year old novel written by Jane Austen. Amazing how this has broadened my knowledge.

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Sheila.

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  8. My DIMH (Darcy in my Head) also tends to change a bit, deoending on the story, and also whether he's historical or modern. He's kind of a Colin Firth/JoeyVotto/HenryCavill/JamesScott/JFKJr mix with a Mario Lopez dimple. Lol I've said a million times that I wish I could draw so I could put him on paper. Anyone know a police sketch artist? My LIMH has the sparkly spirit of Jennifer Ehle but doesn't really look like her too much.

    I love Jim Caviezel in the movie Frequency - it's one of my very favorite movies.

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    1. I love your acronyms, Monica. Impressive! And I love how you snuck your favorite Cincinnati Reds player into the mix. Well done! I'd love to see a photo of your mix. For Lizzy? Yes, that's much harder.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. I have always wanted to see Richard Armitage as Darcy! Wonderful post. I am enjoying your blog tour! I would love to win an ebook or pb. Thank you for the giveaway. Congratulations!
    Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net

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    1. Oh, swoon. Me too. His portrayal of John Thornton with his black jacket and white cravat was extraordinary. He has the smoldering good looks. Yes, Richard Armitage will do.

      Thank you for your comment.

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  10. This was a fun post! I loved the pictures! And I want the book!

    As for who would I want to be Darcy, I have seen so many propositions lately my head is spinning!

    Congratulations on your book.

    tgruy at netscape dot net

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    1. I'm so pleased you liked it. It was so much fun looking through the pictures to choose the ones to include. Then we had to find out who to attribute the credit to. Tons of hours all in the name of research. Tee-Hee! Thank you so much for stopping by.

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  11. I don't have a fix picture of Darcy in my mind but I do love yours. Bravo!
    I've seen the suggestion of Henry C. and I can, without a doubt or effort, picture him as Darcy.
    I would like to be eligible for both formats.
    Thank you for the giveaway ;)

    anacaralinda2009@gmail.com

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    1. Oh, yes. I can easily picture Henry Cavill as Mr. Darcy. He is a beautiful man with the perfect voice and accent for our favorite hero. As I replied to Christina above, there aren't as many photographs available of him without a beard as I needed... oh, who am I kidding? There are plenty of photographs. I ought to know as I spent HOURS and HOURS looking at them. And, he seems like such a nice guy.

      To be perfectly honest, it was the gentlemanly quality of David Gandy that sold me 100% on him. His whole persona harkens back to a time where men were respectable. If you read or listen to his interviews, comment after comment is made about him being polite and kind. He's obviously a hard worker and his voice has a rich, deep timber that is perfect. The only drawback was his Essex accent. It took me a while to get it figured out. I'd better watch those interviews again just to make sure I have it correctly.

      Thanks so much for popping by.

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  12. Hi Joy, I think I may have to steal him from you. He's delish!

    And you know that I would like to win a copy of your book, either e-version or print. I am at GinnaSaisQuoi at verizon dot net

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    1. Ginna, go for it. While Mr. Gandy is single (as far as I know) - I am not. Plus, I am probably older than his mother. So, if you want him for your Mr. Darcy, you'd best become his Elizabeth Bennet. How fun that would be.

      Thanks so much for taking time to come by and leave a comment. I appreciate it very much.

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  13. I can definitely see David Gandy or Henry Cavill as Darcy if you don't count Colin Firth. Can't wait to read your book! Thank you for the giveaway. tdungnvu (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  14. Me too. It seems we have a consensus here. All are talented, beautiful men.

    Colin Firth has been quoted as saying that books are "rather like old acquaintances." Doesn't that make you think this is how Darcy feels when he walks into the library at Pemberley? Swoon and Sigh!

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  15. I just finished watching Tudors and henry Cavill would be swoon worthy too although I will always picture Colin Firth. I am most anxious to read about the library conversation. There are so many directions it could go in - perhaps cause more angst and misunderstanding or open the door to a budding relationship where their pride and prejudice is beginning to disappear. Thank you for the giveaways and please enter me in both. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Eva. I have not watched the Tudors. In fact, I didn't even know Henry Cavill was in that program. He is definitely handsome.

      The Library was the first of these three that I wrote and I have to admit - it was the most fun for me. It frustrated me that Jane Austen had Darcy and Lizzy sit in silence for a whole half hour. A lot can be said in that time. I hope you get a chance to read the story.

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  16. Any tall, dark-haired and handsome actors can be my Darcy, for me. Sometimes I lean on Matthew Goode, Richard Armitage and Tom Hughes (my choice for Cat's Darcy competition on VPP). Thanks for your generous contribution, Joy.

    Sophie, please enter me for both format.
    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. You have exquisite taste, Sylvia. Well done!!! Apparently Richard Armitage won the competition with Henry Cavill coming in second. I'm not familiar with the third place winner. I don't think any of those three would have won had Colin Firth, Matthew MacFadyen, or David Gandy been in the competition though. Richard would have been up there, but... I think we need a new competition, don't you?

    Now, we just need one of these men to reprise the role of Mr. Darcy. It's been 20 years since Colin Firth and 10 since Matthew MacFadyen. Richard Armitage is older than Matthew, so I think that would leave Mr. Gandy.

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. Many, many thanks to you Sophie for hosting me on Laughing With Lizzie. It is such an honor to be here. As of now, the giveaway is officially closed. Sophie will randomly select the names for the winners of the print and eBooks.

    You may still enter for the Jane Austen memorabilia at jdawnking.com until July 31st. I keep adding prizes. There will be tons of winners so the odds are good. If you commented here on this blog post, you are also entered.

    Thanks so much for popping by. Hugs to you all!!!

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"I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible," therefore I would dearly love for you to comment and let me know what you think!

Thank you for stopping by Laughing With Lizzie and I hope you will take the time to visit again before too long!