Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Blog Tour: Mr. Darcy's Rival by Kara Louise


Today I am pleased to be part of the blog tour for the lovely Kara Louise's release, Mr Darcy's Rival. And there is a giveaway, which I will tell you about at the end of this post! I love Kara's stories, and I am looking forward to this latest story!
My Journey To and With Jane Austen
I regret that I am one of those people who came to Jane Austen relatively late in life. I never had the opportunity to read her in school and never took the opportunity to read her on my own when I was younger. In school I had read Jane Eyre and loved it, but I have to admit I struggled through other classics we had to read.
In the mid-nineties, I was finally introduced to the works of Jane Austen through the films Emma and Sense and Sensibility. I enjoyed those films as I enjoy most period pieces, but they did not move me enough to seek out the books and read them.
Then in 2011, a friend loaned me her DVD of the 1995 film Pride and Prejudice, and assured me I would love it. And I did. I could not get enough of it of that six-hour film, and watched either all or parts of it every day for at least a month. When we were about to take a road trip to Yellowstone, I wondered how I would survive without my daily fix. Fortunately, I had the sense to realize I could read the book. I purchased a small, Penguin-classics book that was very helpful to me as it also containedexplanatory notes at the back.
I devoured that book, realizing that even though the film was wonderful, the book was even better. Jane Austen’s writing jumped out from the page. It was clever and witty, and she had such a way with words. From there, I purchased a complete set of her works and read each one, along with watching a film version if I could find one. Within about 3 months, I had read each one, and Jane Austen had become my favorite author.
I went online one day just to see what I could find on P&P. I had no idea what was out there, and I have to say that I was quite surprised! I found communities of people who felt the same way I did! People were talking about her novels, characters, plots, and her writing. People had been as deeply moved as I had been!
What really surprised, me however, was discovering that people were writing continuations of her works. They were writing prequels and sequels, variations, and moderns! I suddenly found myself immersed in the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction. I no longer had to worry about there being no more books penned by her. Others had taken up the task, and I read the good along with the bad.
After about a month of reading dozens of stories, I got an inspiration for a story of my own. What I plotted out to be about seven chapters turned into a twenty chapter book, Assumed Engagement. From there I wrote others, receiving a fairly positive response. I was now journeying with Jane Austen, who at one point in her life plotted out how Darcy and Elizabeth would get together. I was now doing the same.
I began self-publishing my novels in 2006, and my recent release, Mr. Darcy’s Rival, is my ninth novel. In this variation, a nephew of the late Sir Lewis de Bourgh is visiting his aunt at Rosings when Elizabeth arrives to visit her friend, Charlotte Collins. Mr. Rickland is open and lively and very much the kind of gentleman who might easily touch Elizabeth’s heart. When Mr. Darcy arrives a few weeks later, she cannot help but compare the two men.
Here is the blurb for Mr. Darcy’s Rival:
Mr.Darcy has learned he must prepare himself when he and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, make their yearly visit to his aunt, particularly when it comes to Lady Catherine’s expectation that he marry her daughter, Anne.
This year, however, will throw in a few additional obstacles to Darcy’s peace of mind with the presence of a nephew on the de Bourgh side of the family, and quite unexpectedly, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
An interrupted proposal, a letter written and unknowingly lost, a harsh accusation, and a rival all conspire to thwart Mr. Darcy in securing Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s affections when he visits his aunt at Rosings.
Will Elizabeth find the handsome and engaging Mr. Rickland more suited to her than Mr. Darcy? And will a novel she reads that was written secretly by Miss Anne de Bourgh help smooth the path to the couple finding true love?
*~*~*
I hope you will be intrigued enough to discover for yourself whether Mr. Darcy will improve upon acquaintance before Elizabeth loses her heart to Mr. Rickland. There are several changes to the events at Rosings that I hope will keep readers interested.
There are often times I wonder what Jane would think about her fame two hundred years later. Would she shrug it off, laugh at it, or be a little envious of the authors who are now receiving the notice she ought to have received when her novels were first published? Would she be angry or jealous that her characters, fictional towns and homes, and plot elements were now in hundreds of other novels? Would she mind the vampires, zombies, moderns, and other ways her novels had been turned upside down?
I would hope she would not mind, and instead feel honored. My hope in writing Jane Austen variations is that it might prompt someone to turn to Jane Austen’s own novels, possibly for the first time. I visited a book club once that had read my book Darcy’s Voyage, and I was a little dismayed that more than half of them had not read Pride and Prejudice or even seen a film version. I told them quite bluntly that P&P needed to be one of the next novels the book club read! And if anyone reading this had not picked up a Jane Austen novel, I would beg of you to please do!
I am well aware that I do not write like Miss Austen, or even come close, but I hope my readers will enjoy the journey I take Darcy and Elizabeth on. It has been a journey that I have enjoyed taking with Jane Austen, as well.
Thank you Sophie, for allowing me to come and share with your readers! I am offering an ebook giveaway internationally.
Kara Louise
 
About Me:
Kara Louise began writing Jane Austen inspired stories in 2001 and has currently written nine novels, including "Darcy's Voyage" and "Only Mr. Darcy Will Do," which were both published by Sourcebooks. Her seven other novels are self-published, including the most recent release, "Mr. Darcy's Rival." She is also one of the contributing authors from the austenvariations.com blog.

Kara grew up in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Los Angeles. She and her family moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1991, which was quite a (pleasant) change for them. They left the hectic, crowded busyness of LA and found themselves in a medium sized city with a small town feel. In September, 2013, she and her husband moved to the bustling St. Louis area to be near their son and his wife. In May, 2014, they were blessed with their first granddaughter, whom they love and spoil endlessly. They live on five acres in a wooded area with their five cats, one dog, and a Shetland Pony.
Links
Twitter - @2karalouise
Mr. Darcy’s Rival Available at:
 
 
 ***GIVEAWAY***  
 
As I mentioned above, I am very lucky to be able to offer a giveaway of an ebook copy of Mr Darcy's Rival, and this is open internationally

To enter please leave a comment below and include your email address so that I can contact the randomly selected winner.

The giveaway will end on the 7th of July, and I will be in contact with the winner!




Good luck! My thanks again goes to Kara for the giveaway and the lovely guest post!
I wish Kara all the best with any stories in the future!
 
 

Your affectionate friend,

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41 comments:

  1. I always find it strange when people have not read any Jane Austen. Thankfully my husband has read them all so when I exclaim about the latest fanfiction story at least he knows what I am talking about.

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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    1. I find it a little strange, too, Vesper, that I didn't read her. I often wonder if any of my friends did. I don't recall anyone talking about it (not that I would remember, as it was a very long time ago!).I may have been late to the party, but I've been having a very good time once I came! :)

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  2. I always love the journey you take us on with our favorite characters. I look forward to seeing how you give Darcy a little competition. Thank you for the giveaway. Congratulations on your release.
    Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net

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    1. Thanks, Becky! I'm glad you've enjoyed the different journeys and I hope you'll enjoy this one!

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  3. I am very interested about how Mr. Darcy will react when he sees Mr. Rickland with Elizabeth!

    Patkf2007 (at) hotmail (dot) com Patkf2007@hotmail.com

    (I never know whether to put () in or not)

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    1. I think Darcy will have some surprises in store for him! (I think your 'long' descrition of your email is just fine!) :)

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  4. A new book! Good job on your release... Can't wait to read... Music for my eyes! Thanks for the giveaway fingers crossed!

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    1. Music for my eyes - now that's a novel thought! I like it! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  5. I, too, found Jane Austen later in life. First with the movies, then the books. Now I can't seem to get enough. I am so excited for the new book and can't wait to read it.

    brendas9290 at gmail (dot) com

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    1. I think this just goes to prove that Jane Austen is timeless and ageless! Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Can't wait to find out how Elizabeth reacts to all her suitors and how Darcy handles a little competition for her affection. Thank you for the giveaway. My email is tdungnvu (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Thanks, I think Darcy needs a little competition to show him a few things! Thanks for commenting, and good luck in the giveaway!

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  7. I have read several of Kara's books and really enjoyed them! Please enter me in the give away. jcn at CenturyTel dot net

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    1. I'm so glad you've enjoyed some of my other books and I hope you'll have the opportunty to read this one. Good luck!

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  8. I've always been curious as to how Mr. Darcy would react if he had a rival! I was dismayed to find that some of my period drama friends have never read anything by Austen. For me, they were on a list of required reading and even my brothers have watched the movie adaptions with my mom & I. Thank you for sharing about your book and for the lovely giveaway, Kara!! - Blessings, Juli emeraldelena@hotmail.com

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  9. In talking to some literature teachers I know now, the classic authors get rotated, and if that's what happened when I was in school, I guess I just was in the wrong rotation. Or maybe it was the teacher's preference, I'm not sure. I'm delighted to have finally found her, though - and I'm also delighted to offer the giveaway!

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  10. I did not read any of Jane Austen's novels until after I was married! And now my husband and I are great fans of her work! We both also enjoy take-offs of her novels, so this would be a fun one to win! Thanks, Laura Gaunnac (My email address is: Lcgaunnac@gmail.com )

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    1. Thanks, Laura! Your comment made me wonder what we would all be doing if there was no internet. No stories online, no books being written and published so easily. We'd probably just be re-reading her books, which really isn't that bad. :)

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  11. Kara may have come to Jane Austen late but she has certainly made up for it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I have all the other books. Each story line is so unique from dogs telling stories to pirate Darcy! I really enjoyed Darcy's journey with a rival, worrying about Lizzy making the right choice!
    As much as I love winning freebies, no point in entering me, I already own it, I hope someone else enjoys it as much as I did.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, Hazel! And yes, I have done some different stories! So glad you enjoyed Mr. Darcy's Rival! I appreciate it!

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  12. Don't enter me in the giveaway since I already purchased and devoured Darcy's Rival. Kara, can I say how much I loved your book? It was such a creative and interesting plot which still remained true to Austen's characters. I loved every minute and didn't want it to end!

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    1. Thanks, Victoria! That means a lot! I appreciate your kind words!

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  13. Are really existing people who read books inspired by another book without having read the original? They do not know what they do really. I think our world is too much different from that of Jane Austen and we know too little about her for know what she will think about her fame. Likely she will be totally shocked and maybe a little pleased.
    adavittoria (at) email (dot) it

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    1. It pains me to say that probably many have not read the original. I would say they would be in the minority, and these ladies who read my book in their book club read it because they were friends with me, but I always hope it will make them curious about the novel Jane penned. And I hope that each film adaptation that comes out will do the same. Thanks for your thoughts!

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  14. I am commenting for: Patricia A. Edmisson
    "I loved your other books. Congratulations on this one being the 9th. Cannot wait to read this one - Pattyedmisson@gmail.com"

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    1. Thanks, Patty! I'm always blessed to hear that! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  15. Julie Rakowski2 July 2015 at 21:40

    I too Kara did not get exposed to Jane Austen until later in life, mine was the 6 hour mini series and I was already 30 years old. I have all her books and movies and now read as many JAFF as I can. I already have this book and have read it and really enjoyed it so I do not need to be entered in the give a way, Please keep writing, I so enjoy your stories :).

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Julie, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the book. Thanks so much!

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  16. Such a fun interview! Can't wait to read this! :)

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  17. I knew Jane Austen's work since high school. But I read her books and fell in love with her characters during my university years. That was a great phase of my life, and Jane is now a special "friend" in my life. I'm so glad that so many people love her, and so many authors write lovely stories inspired by her novels!

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    1. Forgot my email address, sorry!

      newyorkgirl82(at)gmail(dot)com

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    2. I do wonder how I would have felt about her if I read her when I was younger, especially if I hadn't started with Pride and Prejudice. I think the different film adaptations reach new audiences. It will be interesting to see what P&P and Zombies does. Not sure that would have reached me. :)

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  18. Kara, how would you describe Mr Rickland compared with other male characters in Jane Austen? I mean, is he as nice as Mr Tinley or as constant as Captain Wentworth or as happy manner as Mr Bingley or as "womanizer" as Mr Crawford...?

    ana.mr.1986(at)gmail.com

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    1. Very interesting question, Ana! I would say he is a lot like Mr. Bingley, in that he is very amiable and engaging. Elizabeth greatly enjoys convrsing with him. There will be other traits that come out in the book, but I do not want to give away any spoilers, hoping you'll want to read the book to find out! Thanks for asking!

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  19. I too wasn't introduced to Pride and Prejudice later in life. 2011 to be exact. The person that introduced me....my husband with the 2005 film. I then read the book and found variations and have been in love with the characters ever since. Thank you for the generous give away, Kara. skamper25 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I love that the films are presenting her to those who never had the opportunity to read her! Aren't the variations fun? Good luck in the giveaway!

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  20. Thanks for the giveaway!! I wasn't introduced to Jane until late but have been hooked ever since and my 2 sons know her very well as well raising them right I say :) tresha_7@msn.com

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    1. That's great that your two sons know her well! You are raising them right! :) Thanks for stopping by, Tresha!

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway!! I wasn't introduced to Jane until late but have been hooked ever since and my 2 sons know her very well as well raising them right I say :) tresha_7@msn.com

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