The Future Mrs. Darcy
In which the fledgling author learns about plot and readers expectations.
The original Given Good Principles was huge wandering in the weeds sort of story. After pulling out Darcy’s story, it was Elizabeth’s turn. In the process I realized that there was this thing called a ‘plot’ that was rather important to story telling. And more significantly, this part of the story did have one. And it needed one.
I quickly realized it was time for a crash course in plot. That crash course lasted YEARS! Who knew there was that much to know about plot.
And about readers…apparently readers really prefer books with Darcy and Elizabeth both in the plot.
Who knew?
I give you…
The Future Mrs. Darcy
With the regiment come to camp in Meryton, many young ladies are pleased. Not all share their enthusiasm. Among them, Mr. Carver, who removes his family from Meryton’s savage society. He blames, not on the militia officers, but the Bennet family. The flirtations and boisterous ways of the youngest sisters are too much to be borne. Not even Jane’s renowned beauty and charm can make up for them.
Elizabeth denies the allegations at first, but rapidly uncovers the shocking truth. The Carvers are not the only family to cut the Bennets from their acquaintance. Their reputations materially damaged, the family borders on social ruin.
The news is too much for Mrs. Bennet who collapses from the shock. So, Elizabeth and her sisters must manage the estate until she recovers, a task for which none of them is prepared.
Warned by Mr. Pierce, the local curate, that several of the officers have unsavory designs on the local girls, Elizabeth must find a way to honor her father, rein in her sister and salvage the family’s reputation, all in the most ladylike way possible.
Yes, I purchased this book as well. I must read it again. You would think readers would remember Mrs. Bennet fainting after being told that she is the reason that her daughters are being shunned. She raised Lydia and Kitty with poor manners, and her husband did not correct her. What did she expect? Also, she is loud and vulgar. What did she expect?
It’s hard to believe that I read this back in 2016. That seems forever ago. I like this looking back at each of your books. Thanks for this review. What fun to see how you have progressed and what you have learned in the process. I really like this cover. Look at her eyes. Wow!
I purchased the original book in 2014. So you are recommending I reread the story but as the edited version?
Amazon is not allowing me to borrow from KU a book I already own. So that means I won’t read the new version…sorry.
If there is a new version, you can download it to your Kindle by going to your Amazon account, then “Content and Devices” and find the book. It will show how many devices it has been downloaded to, and there will be something like “Update Available” or similar wording under the number of devices (on the left, below the title) where you can click to get the new version.
I’m sorry for the confusion. The published version was edited from the original fan fiction version, it has not been substantively edited since publication.