Friday 22 December 2017

Christmas at Darcy House by Victoria Kincaid - Guest Post and Giveaway

Book cover: Christmas at Darcy House by Victoria Kincaid
Today I'm welcoming Victoria Kincaid back to the blog. Victoria has a new book out which spends Christmas at Darcy House and she's come here with a guest post and international giveaway. Let's look at the blurb and then hand over to Victoria for a guest post.


Book Description

Mr. Darcy hopes Christmastime will help him to forget the pair of fine eyes that he left behind in Hertfordshire.  When Elizabeth Bennet appears unexpectedly in London, Darcy decides to keep his distance, resolved to withstand his attraction to her.  But when he learns that Wickham is threatening to propose to Elizabeth, Darcy faces a crisis. 

For her part, Elizabeth does not understand why the unpleasant master of Pemberley insists on dancing with her at the Christmas ball or how his eyes happen to seek her out so often.  She enjoys Mr. Wickham’s company and is flattered when he makes her an offer of marriage.  On the other hand, Mr. Darcy’s proposal is unexpected and unwelcome.  But the more Elizabeth learns of Mr. Darcy, the more confused she becomes—as she prepares to make the most momentous decision of her life.

It’s a Yuletide season of love and passion as your favorite characters enjoy Christmas at Darcy House! 

Guest Post from Victoria Kincaid

Today we think of the Christmas season as a time to share with family and enjoy seasonal traditions.  Although during the Regency era they did celebrate with family, they also saw the Christmas season (which lasted most of the month of December and into January) as a time for visiting friends, socializing, and attending balls and parties.  While we certainly enjoy Christmas visitors and parties today, they were a far more central part of the Regency celebration of the holiday.  In one of her letters, Jane Austen even complains about how tired she is from having fed and entertained guests during the holiday season. 

All of this visiting and partying also meant that Christmastime was also known at a time for courtships and marriages.  Traditions like kissing under the mistletoe and games that partnered random men and women further encouraged courtship opportunities.  In fact, Jane Austen’s one documented romantic liaison occurred during the Christmas season of 1795 when Tom LeFroy, a law student in London, came to visit relatives near the Steventon Rectory where Austen lived.  Their mutual attraction was noted by both families, and Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra of her feelings for LeFroy.  However, LeFroy was supported by his relatives who did not want him to marry the penniless daughter of a clergyman.  LeFroy was sent away from Steventon, and they never met again.

Fortunately, the Christmastime courtship during Christmas at Darcy House has a much happier ending! 

Excerpt of Christmas at Darcy House

Mr. Darcy offered his arm, and they climbed the steps to the French doors that opened onto the terrace.  At the first blast of cold air, Elizabeth was reminded that it was indeed December.  But she had grown overheated from the dancing, and the fresh air was rather appealing after the ballroom’s stuffiness.  Then she perused the garden, and the temperature was forgotten.  “It is snowing!” she exclaimed.

Mr. Darcy squinted into the darkness.  “So it is.”

Elizabeth hurried to the edge of the terrace, leaning against the balustrade to better view the Marlowes’ extensive garden.  Naturally, nothing was in bloom at that time of year, but the bare tree branches and ornamental bushes were decorated with a delicate covering of new snow.  Torches had been placed at intervals along the garden paths, providing a gentle golden illumination. 

“How enchanting!”  Elizabeth sighed.  “A fresh layer of snow can make anything lovelier.  Do you not think so?”

Mr. Darcy regarded her with a most peculiar expression on his face; his lips were slightly parted and his eyes wide.  He appeared, for all the world, as if he gazed upon a most wondrous and unusual sight.  But he was staring at Elizabeth, not the snow. 

“Is the snow not beautiful?” she prompted again. 

“Oh yes, yes!”  His eyes shifted toward the snow-covered garden below them.  “Yes, it is quite pretty.”

“Pretty” was a completely inadequate word to describe such a sight, but Elizabeth was not of a mind to quarrel with him.  She turned her gaze back to the garden and the snowflakes illuminated in the torches’ glow.  Fortunately, the terrace was protected from the elements by a roof of sorts, and she was only struck by an occasional wayward snowflake.  “I wish I could have a painting of such a scene!” she exclaimed.  “It is altogether charming.”

“Indeed,” he breathed. The wonder on his face would have been more appropriate if he had never before seen such a sight.  “Do you know, Miss Bennet, I do not believe I fully appreciated the beauty of snow before this moment.”

At least he was finally gazing at the snow.  Why was the man so vexing?  Most of the time he seemed so distant, but occasionally he would demonstrate how he was not only attending to what Elizabeth said but also taking it to heart.  And it was most frustrating.  It complicated her propensity to dislike the man and caused her to rethink her opinion of him.  As she grew better acquainted with him, the more he puzzled her. 

Only when Elizabeth felt a chill did she recall why they were outside: Mr. Darcy had professed a desire to say something to her.  What could it be?  Customarily there was only one reason a single man would ask to speak privately with a single woman.  Her momentary panic was quickly quelled.  Mr. Darcy would no more think of marrying Elizabeth than he would consider marrying his cook. 
Now she was quite curious about the topic of his desired conversation.  And quite cold.  “Mr. Darcy, you wished to speak with me about something?” she prompted, wrapping her arms around herself.

He started as if in a reverie and slowly focused his eyes on her.  “Yes.  Yes, I did.  I…”  His voice trailed off as his eyes fixed on her…lips?  What an odd man. 

Still, Elizabeth could not help noticing that he cut a fine figure in his well-tailored coat.  And a wayward dark curl over his forehead gave him a completely undeserved rakish appearance.  I could brush it away from his forehead.  How would it feel beneath my fingers?  Merciful heavens!  How could she entertain such thoughts about Mr. Darcy of all people? Her eyes sought the safer sight of the garden.

“You—”  Mr. Darcy cleared his throat and started again.  “Your family enjoys some intimacy with Mr. Wickham, I believe.”

Elizabeth would not have phrased it so.  “I suppose.”

“And you…?” Was he asking about the nature of her relationship with Mr. Wickham?  The thought made Elizabeth bristle; she did not respond.

His hand, gripping the balustrade, shook noticeably.  Why?  The other hand ran through his hair, disordering his careful coiffure into a mass of curls.  With eyes still fixed on the snow-coated garden, he shook his head sharply as if arguing with himself.  “It will not do.  I must tell you all,” he muttered. 

* * *

Ooh!

* * *

Giveaway Time

Book cover: Christmas at Darcy House by Victoria Kincaid
Victoria is offering a copy of Christmas at Darcy House to a commenter on this post. The winnner can choose either ebook or paperback and it's open internationally. To enter, just comment on this post before the end of the day on 28 December. Please ensure you leave contact details so that I can inform you if you're the lucky winner.

If you can't wait for a giveaway and need to treat yourself to this story immediately it's available to buy on Amazon US, Amazon UK and others. you can also add it to your Goodreads shelf.

Thank you so much to Victoria for visiting us with a giveaway and Merry Christmas to you all!



52 comments:

  1. I am adore Darcy and Elizabeth Christmas works!! Good luck everyone!! Sharon Legg slegg43@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Sharon, I do too! Good luck with the giveaway.

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    2. I enjoy seasonal reading too :)

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  2. Oooh indeed! I really really hope he does tell her all. I also hope she didn't accept Wickham's proposal or at least that it wasn't announced as I would like to know his reaction when she refuses. I'm looking forward to this book but unless Amazon.com changes their new policy of not downloading books out of the US I wouldn't be able to get the giveaway even if I won. However it's on my to buy list so no worries.
    Thank you for this post.
    Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year

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    1. Hi Glynis, I didn't know Amazon had such a policy! Of course, I can always email it to you. :) Or you can get a paperback. Good luck with the giveaway!

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    2. It's so disappointing to hear that people outside the US can't be gifted books from Amazon, I've had so many lovely reads through that route! Thanks to Victoria for making it possible for this giveaway to be won by somebody outside the US too.

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  3. Oh how wonderful to have Christmas and Darcy + Elizabeth together in a story :) I adore them and would love to read this holiday themed book. The excerpt is ratger prommissing !

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed the excerpt! Good luck with the giveaway.

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    2. Yes, it's an enticing excerpt isn't it!

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  4. Oh, I love this excerpt. It is a different setting for our couple. I like taking them out of the usual and putting them into the unusual. I would love an e-book. I already had this on my wish-list. I am looking forward to reading this. Blessing on the rest of the Season and Happy New Year to everyone. I wish you peace and joy and a blessed season in the manner in which you celebrate.

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    1. Hi J.W. Happy Holidays to you as well! Thank you for being a faithful reader and good luck with the giveaway!

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    2. Thank you so much Jeanne! However you are celebrating, I hope you are having a good time.

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  5. I want to read about the havoc that Wickham has caused

    meikleblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Vesper, He causes a lot in this book! Good luck with the giveaway.

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    2. *Shakes fist at Wickham*

      Hope you enjoy the book, Vesper.

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  6. So in this variation Elizabeth gets his side of the story before the Hunsford disaster? Well done. Now hopefully she begins to change her opinion of him. He seems to have attraction towards her but does he acknowledge it? Thanks for sharing. Would love to read this tale.

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    1. Hi Sheila, Yes, this all happens before Hunsford--which adds some interesting twists. Good luck with the giveaway!

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    2. Just having a little excerpt raises so many questions, doesn't it Sheila!

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  7. I want to win this giveaway. I have yet to win one giveaway. Lol! Good luck on the release.

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    1. Hi Susan, Hopefully this is your lucky day!

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    2. Good luck with this giveaway, Susan. My winners are chosen at random, so you have just as good a chance as anybody else :)

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  8. Firstly, how sad for Jane & Tom.....in those days families seemed to stand in the way of true love ��...... class distinction was very prevalent.
    I get a little annoyed at Elizabeth when she seems to be attracted to Darcy but talks herself out of it....Wickham is such a charmer, but nowhere as attractive as Darcy..... I look forward to reading “Christmas at Darcy House”....Merry Christmas everyone and May the New Year bring more of Elizabeth & Darcy.......love them...������

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    1. Hi Sheryl, It is annoying, but she thinks she can't trust Darcy. :( Good luck with the giveaway!

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    2. The sad truth is back then that just love wasn't enough :(

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  9. Darcy + Elizabeth + Christmas = ❤️❤️❤️
    Love your books and can’t wait to read this one!

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    1. Hope you enjoy the book when you read it Claire.

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  10. I woukd love to read the eBook to find out what happens.

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  11. SOunds like a divine christmas read. thanks for the giveaway!

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  12. I always love a good Christmas variation, so I'm looking forward to reading this one. Happy holidays everyone!

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  13. What a lovely and intriguing excerpt! Dear, sweet, blind Lizzy, a besotted Mr Darcy, an enchanted garden and full disclosure - can it get any better?

    Thanks for yet another gorgeous story, Victoria. Have a lovely Christmas, a great New Year & lots of inspiration!

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  14. Oh, Darcy, just get the courage and tell Elizabeth how you feel! I hope that she listens to him when he tels her about Wickham. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway. It would be such a wonderful read during the twelve days of Christmas.

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    1. I'm always cheering Darcy on in my head in these situations too, Eva!

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  15. Victoria, thank you for the giveaway. I'm really looking forward to reading this book; all of your stories are so good. This rain today has me so sleepy, but when I wake up, I'll be all ready to read a new JAFF!
    Ginna Say What at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Ginna, hope you enjoy the book when you read it.

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  16. Great excerpt! So glad he is going to tell Elizabeth now...or is he? I'm going to have to read the book to find out for sure! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks Carole, I hope you've had a good Christmas and have a good new year too!

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  17. An intriguing excerpt. I'd love to read this book!Thanks for the giveaway!
    noagnes (at) gmail (dot) com

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  18. Happy holidays to all of you and thank you for the giveaway!
    I didn't know that Jane Austen met LeFroy during the Christmas season!!! Thank you for this information!
    My email is: LorenDushku@gmail.com

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  19. Oh what a tease you are, Ms Kincaid! I love your books! Thank you for the review and giveaway, and of course, the excerpt!

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    1. She certainly is, Leah! Thanks for commenting.

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  20. I look f0orward to reading your new book. I am enjoying President Darcy!
    Becky B
    ohiohomeschool (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Glad to hear President Darcy is proving to be a good read Becky. I hope you enjoy Christmas at Darcy House as much.

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  21. I'm guessing that Darcy intends to propose to Elizabeth at the terrace. Was he successful or did he keep his intentions to himself? I'm hoping he does but not the part where he blurts out why he thinks this match will be unsuitable and criticise her family connections.

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I wonder if he will propose, tell her all the truth about Wickham or just part?

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  22. What a cute scene, I love when Darcy talks about Elizabeth's beauty, and she talks about Nature. I'm looking forward to see what happens next. Congratulations Victoria.

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    1. Me too, *sigh*

      Glad you enjoyed the scene.

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