Loyal readers may recognize the name "Alexa Adams" by now, as she's been a part of Jane in June (in its various forms) since the very beginning. This year will be no exception, as she will once again be a part of our summery Janeite festivities. But her second book, Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues, has just been released, and Alexa was just so eager to share it with you that we decided to double down - and give you a chance to get your hands on it now, and dare I say, maybe read it in time for a little Jane in June action? Eh? Eh? [waggles eyebrows. Stops because it looks ridiculous.]
Ahem. As I was saying, Alexa's sequel to First Impressions is now out, and Alexa is here to tell us a little bit about it, share an excerpt, and then
Take it away, Alexa!
I adore the smell of books. It’s part of a sensory experience that can never be replicated by any ereader. Paper, born of living flesh, seared with ink and the soul of the writer: a book bears the mark of every hand who has touched it, giving each a scent uniquely its own. Only my husband and I have handled my copy of the first book I wrote, First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice. Three years on it has a smell like a mossy creek bank in summer. My new book, Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues, still smells primarily of glue, but behind it I detect lightly scented wildflowers, just on the verge of bloom. Then again, maybe it’s just the fumes ...
I feel some distress at the discovery that the paper used for Second Glances is thinner than it’s predecessor, but I’m trying to not to harm my second child through unfair comparison to the first. They are, after all, entirely different creatures. First Impressions took Jane Austen’s story and turned it on its head, entirely changing the fate of her characters. Second Glances, in contrast, largely follows Austen’s original plot. It might more properly have been subtitled A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues with a Great Deal of Pride and Prejudice, but my cover designer wouldn’t hear of it:
It was clear he would need to employ more unusual means than a mere declaration to convince Miss Bennet of his honorable intentions. Though they were an outrage to reason, he did not begrudge her her doubts. In fact, after being long accustomed to almost every young lady he met taking any friendly overture as a precursor to a proposal, Miss Bennet’s reluctance was a refreshing change. He fancied she did not, in truth, think so very ill of him as she professed. To quote the bard, “The lady doth protest too much,” but whatever her deeper feelings might be, he was determined to change her expressed opinion, and as he said to Mr. Brooks later that evening, “When she does look upon me with affection, I am sure to be certain it is sincere, and not just the maneuverings of a fortune huntress.”
“Indeed, she does not seem to be one concerned with wealth at all. She made no attempt to conceal the very small nature of her dowry, and when I brought up Teggington, she pressed me not a bit for those details which would determine its size and status.”
“But she did inquire into my antics as a child?”
Mr. Brooks looked confused. “Not at all! I shared with her a few stories, but only those that showed you in the best light.”
“Like my digging a trap for you to fall into?”
“I spoke of how you came to my rescue when I had broken my leg!”
“Which she interpreted as an example of lifelong foolishness.”
Mr. Brooks said consciously, “I did not mean it in such a manner. I am sorry, James.”
“I know you did not, Simon. You always mean well. Nevertheless, I am now confronted with something of a predicament. How am I to convince her I am in all seriousness, when she will not believe her own senses? Perhaps I will speak to Darcy, for he may know the way to win her. After all, he succeeded with her sister, did he not?”
“Yes, but he is Darcy, after all. Can you imagine the lady who would reject him?”
Sir James laughed. “I don't know; if he had made a muddle of a first impression upon his wife, as I have on Miss Bennet, then perhaps his gentlemanly status would have undergone similar attack.”
My greatest hope for my books is that they bring an irresistible urge to smile to their readers. “Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery!” Mine likes to dabble in the delightful. May those who pick up Second Glances discover in its pages the aroma of good humor and great company. Huge thanks to Misty for allowing me to introduce my story today. Like every mother, there are few things I enjoy more than sharing tales of my children’s triumphs.
***GIVEAWAY***
To celebrate the release of Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues, Alexa has offered up a finished copy to one lucky reader! Please note, this is a sequel, so if you haven't read First Impressions, you may want to pick up a copy.
This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, and it ends March 31 at 12am EST. Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. DO NOT leave sensitive info or email addresses in the comments.
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Good luck!!
My favourite Austen couple, in a very unreaderly fashion would be Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth (enter obligatory remark that I'm, quite manly so, in love with Colin Firth).
ReplyDeleteLove the excerpt, especially the authors notes. :)
For why I want to read it, well, I'm always up for some entertainment and would totally subscribe to the motto "let other ... dwell on guilt and misery!"
My favourite Austen couple has always been Henry Tilney and Catherine. The are such opposites you just know that they will go well together. And who doesn't love every new Austen imagining. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI would be really interested to read this, although I haven't read the first one yet, it's on my mahoosive wish list on Amazon :o)
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt sounds fun, fascinating what a lasting effect a first impression can have!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read the book because it sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway.
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ReplyDeleteOoh, intriguing! I absolutely adore Mr. Tilney and Catherine. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are a close second.
ReplyDeleteI do love Darcy & Elizabeth, but I also have a soft spot for Col. Brandon and Marianne.
ReplyDeleteI love Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. They are beautiful and flawed.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who expressed an interest in my book. ! I loved reading about everyone's favorite Austen couplings, but I can't decide which is mine. It's a toss up between Henry and Catherine, Elizabeth and Darcy, Emma and Knightley, or Anne and Wentworth. Thanks again, Misty. This was a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteLizzy and Darcy will always be the favorite!
ReplyDeleteLaura
My favorite has to be Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Leanne
Loved the excerpt! My favorites are Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth and Darcy are my favorite couple :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. I'm already looking forward to Jane in June.