Greetings, Dear Readers! I have such happy news. I am excited to announce that my latest book, Once He Made a Beginning, is set to release soon! You may have heard me mention it a time or two in the past. The story was my 2022 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) project. While it has suffered more than its fair share of stops and starts during the ensuing months (years?), I am thrilled that it is now complete.
Coming September 30, 2024. Click and reserve your copy now.
I hope you are as excited to read Once He Made a Beginning as I am to share it with you.
Here is a favorite passage from Chapter 2 which offers a hint of the delightful twists in store—the drama, the tension, the vulnerability.
Happy reading!
Chapter 2
When Colonel Fitzwilliam, aided by unknown townspeople, stormed into the manor carrying Darcy’s unconscious body, hurried footsteps and urgent voices filled the grand hall.
Lady Catherine’s eyes widened at the chaotic scene before her. Despite being cautioned to step aside, she refused to back down and continued towards the commotion, determined to make her own assessment of the situation.
No one told Lady Catherine de Bourgh what to do—no one, especially not in her own home, where she reigned supreme. Her formidable will rightfully dictated that she was the best able to oversee the unfolding crisis.
However, seeing Darcy—her favorite nephew and the embodiment of her hopes and dreams—lying unconscious in such a wretched state was nearly too much for Lady Catherine to bear. All her color drained from her countenance, rendering it a ghostly shade of pale. The sight of Darcy’s pale face and the crimson stain everywhere her eyes could see struck her like a physical blow. The usually immaculate manor seemed to blur around the edges, the grandeur of the room fading into insignificance against the vivid horror of Darcy’s condition.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, a proud, virile young man, now so fragile. He was as dear to her as a son, and in many ways, he had filled that role his entire life. She and her late sister, Lady Anne Darcy, had sanctioned him thusly while in his cradle, planning his marriage to Lady Catherine’s daughter, Anne, from almost the moment of their births.
With the untimely death of her husband, Sir Lewis de Bourgh, Lady Catherine had come to rely on Darcy much more than anyone, even her own brother, Lord Edward Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock, practically empowering the young man with the management of her vast estate, Rosings Park. It only made sense, for he was to become its rightful owner upon his marriage to Anne, was he not?
Worry tugged at her iron will, and Lady Catherine felt the first cracks in her stoic facade. She loathed this picture of herself—this unfamiliar sensation of helplessness, as much as she feared losing Darcy. Weakness of any kind was her abhorrence, even in the face of such a tragedy. She had not shed a tear at her own husband’s passing.
“What if my dear, dear nephew does not recover? What is to become of us?” the grand lady questioned aloud. “What is to become of my Anne?” Her ladyship’s voice trailed off, tears welling up in her eyes.
As Lady Catherine’s fears for her beloved nephew consumed her, she could feel the weight of it bearing down on her. It was a rare sight to see the usually domineering and confident woman so vulnerable and concerned.
Overwhelmed by hopelessness and helplessness, her body sagged, drained of all energy, as a cold sweat dampened her skin. Her limbs turned numb, her legs buckling under the weight of her mounting dread until she collapsed under the crushing force of her fears.
A voice called out, “Lady Catherine!”
Is it my nephew Fitzwilliam? Her ladyship wondered, wanting to ask and know, yet she struggled to respond. But it was all in vain, for her body betrayed her: her mouth was dry, her tongue heavy and thick, leaving her unable to speak.
The voices grew even more indistinguishable as Lady Catherine’s heartbeat began pounding in her ears, loud and rapid, drowning out all other sounds, heightening the sense of panic and urgency in her mind. Lady Catherine’s vision dimmed, the world fading into an abyss of silence as she slipped into unconsciousness, her last thought a desperate plea for Darcy’s survival.
What fate awaits Lady Catherine? Assuming she recovers, will she be up to her usual tricks and stratagems? And what of Darcy himself? I would love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to share them in the comments below!
As Featured on BookBub this week!
Hooray! Another BookBub Featured Deal. I love it when that happens.
Grab your eBook edition of Estranged for only 99 cents worldwide for a limited time only.
*****
In celebration of the BookBub deal, if you enjoy audiobooks too, here’s a special offer you won’t want to miss.
When you grab your 99-cent eBook edition of Estranged from my author store, you can save 50% off the already reduced price of the audiobook edition.
Save your credit and grab this companion deal today.
(This is a limited time only savings offer)
Giveaway Time!
Because what’s a new release announcement without a giveaway, right?
Leave a comment for a chance to win a $5 gift card from Amazon.com. One winner will be selected. In case the winner is not eligible to redeem gift cards from Amazon.com, one of the stories from my backlist may be awarded instead—winner’s choice.
Hurry, this offer ends Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
Good luck to all!
Leave a Reply