Hello all and welcome back from Easter! I have just been in Paris after 15 years. It was very enjoyable! But today I am hosting MJ Stratton and her new book, “Crossroads” a P&P variation about Mary King and what happened to her.
BLURB;
What Became of Miss Mary King
Miss Mary King was whisked away to Liverpool by her uncle, thus escaping the clutches of Mr. Wickham. What became of the heiress once removed from the fortune-hunting cad that wished to marry her?
In Liverpool, she struggles with sadness and regret, battling the memories of what occurred in Meryton and resenting the fortune that made her so gullible a target for the charming rogue that stole her heart
This story completes Mary’s saga as she learns to trust and love again.
At First Slight
What happens when an angry fairy takes offense to Mr. Darcy’s insult of one of his favorite mortals?
Eros and his bride, Psyche, boasted many names over the eons, but their purpose has always been the same: unite mortals with the potential for love and see them off to their happy endings. Their magic draws them about to the moment possibly lovers are fated to meet. The magic guides them as they aid the couples.
But what happens when Eros is angered by Mr. Darcy’s cruel words to Elizabeth? He takes matters into his own hands, of course, bumbling and erring the entire way. After acting impulsively, he and his bride must work to correct the course before Elizabeth and Darcy lose their chance at a happy ending forever.
A Change of Outcomes
What would happen if Lydia Bennet, while snooping in her sister’s room, discovered Lizzy’s letter from Darcy before going to Brighton? How would her perception of Mr. Wickham’s attentions change?
Lydia goes to Brighton with eyes wide open, and instead of falling for Mr. Wickham’s charm, chooses a steadier path. Her friendship with Harriet Forster takes a different turn, and she sees life and marriage in an entirely new way. But Mr. Wickham seems determined to win her good opinion, much to Lydia’s vexation. Will she get her own happy ending, or will she remain the vapid, foolish child she has always been?
EXCERPT;
Excerpt from “At First Slight“
September 15, 1811
Meryton Assembly
Eros, the divine embodiment of Love, gracefully glided unseen through the assembly rooms in Meryton. He went by many names, but Eros, the one given to him by the Greeks, was the one he most favored, encouraging his female counterpart, Psyche, to also adopt her Greek appellation.
Across cultures there were multiple gods and goddesses of love. In truth, they were all the same manifestation of a singular divine force. He and his wife were fae, and moved among the mortals, dedicated to guiding them in their own quest for love, as they had for countless eons.
The fashion of the last several hundred years had vexed the immortal pair. They had watched in despair as some of their favorite humans had been coerced into unions devoid of affection, and driven solely for the purposes of convenience, political alliance, or consolidation of wealth. It was disgusting and went against the very laws of nature. Eros thought love ought to be the only reason someone would choose to marry.
Psyche was quick to remind him that marrying for love was not always practical nor prudent.
“One must eat, my dear,” she reminded him, gently, when one of his favored mortals had chosen to marry a rich earl instead of her lowly footman.“I know,” he responded petulantly. “That does not mean I have to like it.”
Eros and Psyche had assisted many of history’s greatest romances. It was a favorite part of their duties to aid in bringing together people whose love would prove legendary. John and Abigail Adams, Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Henry the Eighth and Anne Boleyn… and more recently, Napoleon and Josephine. In truth, many love stories ended in tragedy. Alas, their responsibility was to bring people together; the task of ensuring the mortals stayed together belonged to another. The two fae wandered, drawn to a distinct energy that would spring up when two people fated to meet were destined for love. In those initial moments, Eros and his bride would orchestrate the encounter and, using their individual gifts, guide the lovers together.
They had strict limitations on interference, however. Mortals could be very obstinate and even their powerful magic was sometimes not enough. Overpowering human will could suffocate the love they attempted to encourage, leading to catastrophic outcomes. Helen of Troy was an excellent example. She had been attracted to her husband but resistant to his overtures. The dratted woman ended up running off with Paris and the whole debacle ended in war.
So, he and Psyche roamed, attuned to any spark igniting when two mortals were destined to love each other. Then, they would orchestrate the union so they could form an attachment and, hopefully, marry.
Tonight felt special. As they floated through the crowd, he noted two of his favorite mortals mingling amongst the throng. Miss Jane Bennet was almost as lovely as his wife. Her golden hair and fair features had marked her as a beauty from a young age. She was serene and had a mild temperament. Any man would consider themselves fortunate to win her heart. This evening, she was surrounded by a blush-colored aura, a telltale sign for Eros that she was to meet her intended tonight.
Miss Bennet’s sister, Miss Elizabeth, was by her side and Eros was shocked to see that she, too, was surrounded by a blush-colored aura. Hers was much more pronounced than her sister’s and his brow creased in consternation.
“Do you see what I see, my dear?” Psyche asked.
“I do. Why do you suppose Jane’s aura is so… different?”
“In the past, a less-pronounced aura often signified only a possibility, if you recall,” Psyche answered. “Perhaps Jane is to meet someone tonight with whom she could suit. After all, one might find true love with more than one person in their lifetime.”
Psyche studied the sisters before her. “Elizabeth’s aura, on the other hand…” she said, trailing off.
“Yes, it is quite pronounced,” he agreed. “I have scarcely seen the like. Surely, this means hers will be one of the greatest romances ever to be.”
“I quite agree,” Psyche said, nodding. “I have yet to see any others here with auras besides them. When do you suppose the others will arrive?”
“I think they are here now,” he replied, nodding toward the door. His robes trailed behind him as he and his bride moved closer to the entry of the hall. A group of five had just arrived, all finely dressed. They were unfamiliar to him. His magic supplied their identities, though he had never seen them before. Only two sported their own auras. The first was a gregarious man, Mr. Charles Bingley of Scarborough, and the second was a tall, forbidding-looking man, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.
Eros and Psyche watched as the group was introduced around the room and when the two gentlemen were presented to the Bennet sisters.
Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet’s auras ignited brightly as they greeted each other. Her cheeks were stained with a becoming blush, and she gracefully accepted Mr. Bingley’s request for a dance.
“Well, I suppose it is clear who Jane will be paired with,” Psyche murmured. “Now it is up to us to help them along. I do not think much will be needed.”
“Observe the others,” Eros directed, pointing to Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. “Notice how their auras have surged? They appear to be ablaze!”
They watched in satisfaction for a moment, waiting for Mr. Darcy to ask her for a set, but he did nothing but bow and stride briskly away. The aura surrounding him ignited with a strange black tinge as he positioned himself against the wall, a scowl affixed firmly on his face.
“Well, I never!” Psyche said in shock. “What was that all about?”
“Elizabeth’s aura is flickering, too,” Eros murmured. “Perhaps this pair will require assistance.” Miss Elizabeth truly was one of his favorite mortals. It would please him greatly if she were contently wedded in a bond of mutual love.
“Let us not be hasty,” Psyche cautioned. “Their love is destined to be. My magic has confirmed it.”
Eros huffed in irritation. “Yet, human will is strong,” he argued. “Destined or not, they are free to make their own choices.”
“Yes, but destiny has a way of correcting itself when one is off course. Our calling is to assist them without overpowering their will. Love will conquer all in the end; we can only help it grow. Remember, we have considerable resources at our disposal.”
“Very well,” he replied. “We shall observe for the present.”
It was at that moment fate intervened. Eros glided closer to Miss Elizabeth, who was sitting out a set to provide other ladies an opportunity to dance. Standing very near to her was Mr. Darcy. The man stared blankly out at the throng of revelers, fleeting flashes of annoyance crossing his features. His friend, the amiable Mr. Bingley approached.
“Come, Darcy,” Bingley said cheerfully. “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”
Eros agreed. How dreadfully rude it was to keep to the walls when there were many young ladies without a partner.
“I certainly shall not,” Mr. Darcy replied crisply. “You know how I detest it unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”
Eros met Psyche’s gaze. Both raised their brows. How very rude this man was!
“I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Mr. Bingley, “for a kingdom! Upon my honor, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.”
“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.
“At least he thinks Jane is pretty,” muttered Psyche. “If he had insulted her, I might have lost my temper.” Eros nodded in agreement.
“Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!” Bingley cried. “But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”
“I do not believe we shall have to concern ourselves with those two,” Eros said pleasantly. “He appears smitten.”
“Which do you mean?” and turning round he looked for a moment at Miss Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said: “She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”
Eros narrowed his eyes, anger, and disbelief coursing through him. How dare the man speak such an insult! He reached into the air behind him and conjured his bow.
The bow was special. Its arrows were not designed to kill. Instead, they were tools to aid in his endeavors. The first arrow would amplify any attraction. This proved useful when one or both of a pair were proving particularly hardheaded. The second arrow encouraged the growth of any discontent, dislike, or aversion.
The arrows would not work if there was no genuine foundation for the feelings, be they good or bad. Some particularly obtuse humans were immune all together.
“Eros,” Psyche cautioned, “let us not be hasty.”
“You said it yourself,” he argued. “It is their destiny to be together. That does not mean we have to make it easy. It is certainly clear that this fellow is either blind or daft. Elizabeth deserves better. If they are truly meant to be, any obstacle will be overcome.
“The effects are temporary,” he continued, as he drew back the bow. Focused on his target, Eros released the arrow and was pleased that his aim proved true. The arrow pierced the arrogant Mr. Darcy directly in the heart with instantaneous results. His gaze followed Miss Elizabeth as she walked across the room and stopped next to Miss Charlotte Lucas, to whom she was without doubt relating Mr. Darcy’s insulting.
Reaching into his quiver, Eros drew another arrow. This one had a different colored shaft, and he hastily took aim and released his next shot. It struck Miss Elizabeth in the heart. The effects of this one were less obvious; the amused twist of her mouth became a bit more cynical, and the humorous glint in her eyes turned a little flinty.
“You have done it now my love,” Psyche sighed.
“I have done nothing wrong,” he protested. “The effects are temporary. Darcy is now on his way toward loving Elizabeth; I see no reason to make his path to happy ever after easy. He is evidently a man who expects to get what he desires the second he decides he wants it. Let this be a lesson to him.”
Psyche rubbed her temples with her fingers. “I have long since given up arguing with you when you set your mind to something. Temporary the effects may be, but you have decidedly complicated their journey. Do not forget that we cannot force them to fall in love.”
“If it is meant to be, it will be,” Eros quipped.
“Even some things that are meant to be can be interrupted due to the choices of others,” Psyche said softly. She said no more, turning away and disappearing amongst the merry mortals.
AUTHOR BIO;
MJ Stratton is a long-time lover of Jane Austen and her works, having been introduced to Pride and Prejudice by a much-beloved aunt at the age of sixteen. The subsequent discovery of Austenesque fiction sealed her fate. After beta reading and editing for others for nearly a decade, MJ started publishing her own work in 2022. MJ balances being a wife and mother with writing, gardening, sewing, and many other favorite pastimes. She lives with her husband and four children in the small, rural town where she grew up.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Good luck everyone! MJ Stratton has been kind enough to offer up a giveaway where you can win a copy of this book.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/af643a387/?
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