Monday, April 02, 2018

Blog Tour: The Child by Jan Hahn - with giveaway!




I am thrilled today to be part of the blog tour for Jan Hahn's release, The Child. My thanks also goes to Claudine Pepe for inviting me to take part.



Will Darcy ever grow to love a child he never wanted?



In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth Bennet at Hunsford is disastrous. In Jan Hahn’s The Child, Darcy flees England soon afterward, striving to overcome his longing for her. Upon his return two years later―while standing on the steps of St. George’s Church in Hanover Square―he spies the very woman he has vowed to forget. But who is the child holding her hand?


Darcy soon discovers that Elizabeth and her family are suffering the effects of a devastating scandal. His efforts to help the woman he still loves only worsen her family’s plight. His misguided pride entangles him in a web of falsehood, fateful alliances, and danger.

Will Elizabeth be able to forgive Darcy for his good intentions gone awry? And what effect will the child have on Darcy’s hopes to win Elizabeth’s love?


I’m delighted to end my blog tour with you, dear Sophie, a true proficient in all things Austen! Thank you for hosting me. In Chapter Eleven of The Child, Darcy and Elizabeth finally kiss for the first time. Theirs is a marriage of convenience because of the child, and they are married in name only. While forced to share a chamber while visiting Netherfield, they have grown closer but have yet to consummate the marriage. Since the story is written from Darcy’s viewpoint, I thought you might like to hear how Elizabeth described that fateful first kiss in this little scene that’s not included in the book.

"As we left the nursery, I glanced at Mr. Darcy and he rewarded me with a smile. I was glad to return the expression. For the first time in weeks, I felt happy. Not only had Mr. Darcy deigned to help me put the little one to bed, but he had held her on his lap. His words had been kind and helpful, for the most part. He had lost his temper only once when Fan would not obey me, but at my signal, he had tempered his tone to one the child would accept. He had even attempted to converse with her. What a scene! I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. A month ago, I had doubted he would ever reach the point where he could tolerate Fan for more than a few moments. Tonight, he had talked to her!

We reached the door to the chamber we shared, and Mr. Darcy looked unsure, as though he should leave me there and rejoin Mr. Bingley and his sisters in the drawing room. I knew he was doing it for my sake. He had been more than generous in providing me time alone to undress and slip safely under the covers before he came to bed each night. If not for his kindness, I knew not how we could have put up with the awkward sleeping arrangements Mr. Bingley had thrust upon us. Of course, he had no idea we were married in name only.

I was thankful that Mr. Darcy elected to keep our private situation just that―private. As far as I knew, he had told no one of our agreement. I wished I could tell him how considerate I deemed him, especially when he pretended we cared for each other in the presence of Caroline and Louisa. He would not see me humiliated before them, and his thoughtful behavior had caused my esteem for him to grow.

Most likely, it is not easy for him to do so, I thought. He has been more than patient with me. Perhaps, I should offer some like indulgence to him.

“Shall you come in, sir? It is late to rejoin the others this evening, is it not?”

“Very well,” he said, following me to the sitting area of the chamber.

I offered him sherry and poured the drinks, all the time wondering if I dared broach the subject I contemplated. He had been so amiable, attending Fan in the nursery. Surely, I could extend some compassion in return. But how? And what? Would he consider any encouragement I extended as a request for more than I desired?

“You are elsewhere, Elizabeth. Are you well?” He stood by the fireplace after stirring the coals.

“Perfectly well, sir,” I said, fussing with the ribbons hanging from my dress. “I…I want you to know that I am grateful for your attentions to Fan this evening. I know it is not your nature to spend time with a child. I would like to…to repay you in some small manner.”

He frowned. “Repay me? There is no need.”

“I did not mean repay…I―” What a goose I was! Floundering about, searching for words.

“What do you mean, Elizabeth? What is it about the child you would have me know?”

“It is not about the child. It is about me.”

He raised his eyebrows and stared at me as though he did not understand. And why should he? I, who could make conversation with a wooden post, could not say what I wished to him.

“What may I do for you, Elizabeth?” He moved to my side, and the room suddenly felt far too warm.

“I want to do something for you!” The words burst forth before I could contain them.

“And what is it you would you do for me?” He appeared lost, as lost as he did when trying to interpret Fan’s gibberish.

I turned away, pressing my lips together. Perhaps I could speak clearly if I did not face him. “We have been married some weeks now, and I know men have…that is, you have…needs that you have denied. I want you to know I am trying, sir.” I felt the blush cover my cheeks. No doubt, I would soon turn bright red.

He cleared his throat. “I would not impose upon you, not until you are ready.”

“I…I thought, perchance, if we began slowly, we might show some small…affection one toward the other.”

He blinked as though I had startled him. “Affection? Slowly? Yes, yes, I can do that.” His words rushed forth in a jumble.

Dear God, what have I done? He wants me more than I feared! I could say nothing. I walked away from him, twisting the ribbons on my dress into a wrinkled mess.

“Might I dare suggest we start with a kiss, Elizabeth? Or do I ask too much?”

“A kiss?” My voice shook, and the tone sounded like that of a child thinking she was in trouble. I heard his steps as he crossed the room and stood behind me. His scent was all about me, and I found it most pleasant. My hands began to shake. Why had I done this? I had no idea how to kiss a man, certainly not a man like Mr. Darcy.

“A simple goodnight kiss,” he whispered. “Nothing more.”

I felt his hands on my arms as he turned me around to face him. I could not breathe. I could not look at him. I could not stop trembling. I felt his finger on my chin as he raised my face. I could not meet his eyes.

“Elizabeth?”

I sensed him growing closer, his head lowering toward mine. I raised my eyes to see his mouth coming towards me. And then it happened. Mr. Darcy’s lips touched mine ever so tenderly, and my eyes closed. I felt myself leaning towards him. And then it was over.

“Goodnight, Elizabeth,” he whispered.

I gasped! His eyes blinked several times as though he had been insulted. What had I done? Did he think I had not enjoyed his kiss? No, he must not think that. Say something, you ninny! I could not find the words.

“Goodnight,” I whispered and fled into my boudoir, closing the door behind me."


Award-winning writer Jan Hahn is the author of five Austen-inspired novels. She studied music at the University of Texas, but discovered her true love was a combination of journalism and literature. Her first book, An Arranged Marriage, was published in 2011, followed by The Journey, The Secret Betrothal, A Peculiar Connection, and The Child. The anthology, The Darcy Monologues, contains her short story entitled Without Affection. She agrees with Mr. Darcy’s words in Pride and Prejudice: ‘A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.’
Jan is a member of JASNA, lives in Texas, has five children and a gaggle of grandchildren.

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*** Giveaway ***


8 eBooks of The Child are being given away by Meryton Press and the giveaway is open to international readers. This giveaway is open to entries from midnight ET on March 21 – until midnight ET on April 4, 2018.



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.

Each winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and the giveaway is international. Each entrant is eligible to win one eBook.

For bloggers hosting a giveaway, paste one of the following Rafflecopter links into your blog. If you do not have GA by your date and want to participate, please include the Rafflecopter in your post. Reviews may include a GA.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




My thanks again goes to Jan for this adorable vignette! My thanks also to Claudine for setting up this tour.

I wish Jan all the best with this release as well as any stories in the future!



The Child Tour Schedule




March 21 My Jane Austen Book Club/ Guest Post& Giveaway

March 22 From Pemberley to Milton/ Book Review & Giveaway

March 23 More Agreeably Engaged/ Excerpt Post & Giveaway

March 24 My Vices and Weaknesses/ Book Review& Giveaway

March 25 My Love for Jane Austen/ Vignette & Giveaway

March 26 Of Pens and Pages/ Book Review & Giveaway

March 27 Just Jane 1813/ Author Interview & Giveaway

March 28 Austenesque Reviews/ Character Interview& Giveaway

March 29So Little Time / Guest Post & Giveaway

March 30Diary of an Eccentric/ Excerpt Post & Giveaway

March 31Babblings of a Bookworm/ Book Review & Giveaway

April 1Margie’s Must Reads/ Book Review & Giveaway

April 2Laughing with Lizzie / Vignette Post & Giveaway





16 comments:

  1. Well that was a quick kiss

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    1. Darcy will take any progress he can get in this story. Thanks, Vesper!

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  2. Poor Elizabeth, she got so flustered. I enjoyed getting to see her POV for this moment.

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    1. As usual, they're both so unsure of each other. Thanks for commenting!

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  3. Oh my! I did enjoy reading this. Poor Elizabeth, no wonder she was speechless. I hope her reaction didn't make Darcy think she didn't like it. I think she really should have suggested he repeat the exercise as she wasn't ready :)

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    1. Excellent idea, Glynis! I think she have too!

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    2. Yes, Glynis, neither one understands the other. Thanks for commenting!

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  4. What a great vignette to end the blog tour. Thanks, Jan, and thanks, Sophie, for hosting. It was good to hear Lizzy's take on this scene. Now I must go back and read Darcy's thoughts. :)

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  5. It's fun to get the peek inside Elizabeth's mind that Darcy so wishes to have for himself. And nice to see how much they fluster each other. Lovely windup to a fun blog tour, Jan!

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    1. I was ready to write something from Elizabeth’s POV after struggling with Darcy for so long. Glad you enjoyed it, Jan. Thanks!

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  6. What a lovely vignette! I often wondered about Elizabeth's thoughts when reading this book, so was pleased to read this.

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    1. Then I’m glad I wrote it. Thank you, Ceri!

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  7. I loved the vignette, thanks Jan and Lizzie.

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  8. It's a sweet and loving scene, Jan. But I do wonder why are Darcy and Elizabeth still staying in Netherfield instead of removing themselves to London or Pemberley? It seems weird and strange for the newlyweds not to have some time alone away from friends and family.

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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!