Wednesday 13 April 2011

Interview and giveaway: Abigail Reynolds - What would Mr Darcy do?

Today I welcome Abigail Reynolds to my blog. And at the bottom of this interview there is a giveaway of her new book What would Mr Darcy do?

Welcome to Mur-y-Castell!


Could you briefly tell us something about yourself, so that those that missed you during your last visit can get to know you.

 I’ve written 8 books, most of them variations on Pride & Prejudice.  Variations are re-tellings of the original story with a major change in the plot, so I get to write Darcy and Elizabeth falling in love over and over again in different circumstances.  What could be better?  I’m also a part-time physician, full-time mom of a college-aged daughter and a son with Asperger Syndrome, and I wish I had time to sleep more often!  I’ve loved Jane Austen’s novels since I was a teenager.  I live in Madison, WI, but love to travel to Cape Cod which is a spiritual home for me.  


Your newest book is called What would Mr Darcy do?; can you tell me what it is about?

It’s a Pride & Prejudice variation in which Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet admit their feelings to each other instead of parting in silence and despair after their meeting at the Lambton Inn.  The failure of communication in that scene has always driven me crazy, even though it’s great for dramatic tension, so I decided to see what happened if I changed it.  There are more romantic moments, but still misunderstandings to be resolved, often with the help of Georgiana and Mrs. Gardiner.

Would you like to write other Jane Austen book variations?

Just lately Captain Wentworth has been whispering in my ear, so I expect a Persuasion variation may happen some day.  I’d love to explore what happens if he and Anne meet again but he hasn’t made such a success of his career in the Navy.  What would Anne do if he was a lower-ranked officer with less money?


Why do you think we all love Mr Darcy? 

What’s not to love – a handsome, devoted man who is willing to listen to a list of his faults and attempt to change them?  And he likes to listen more than to talk as well.  What could be better?

What is the next project you are writing on, or have in mind?

I’ve also just published A Pemberley Medley, a book of Pride & Prejudice short stories, and the next release will be Morning Light, a Persuasion-based sequel to my modern novel The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice.  I’m just starting work on a new full-length P&P variation in which Darcy doesn’t make it to Ramsgate in time to stop Georgiana’s elopement.  It’s been in my mind for a long time, but I insist on happy endings for my books, and it took me quite a while to figure out how to end that one happily!

Thanks so much for inviting me!


CONTEST
2 winners/What would Mr Darcy do?

1. US and Canda only
2. Ends April 18th
3. Just enter :)
But to make it more fun you can always comment on the interview, book. Or perhaps tell us why you love Jane Austen's books.




What would Mr Darcy do? by Abigail Reynolds
Out now from Sourcebooks

But what if Darcy hadn’t immediately left the inn? What if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy had chosen to speak their feelings rather than to assume the worst about the other?

Jane Austen’s beloved characters are given the opportunity to reach out one last time before they part. While their path forward is still filled with misadventures and misunderstandings it is rich with humor, romance, and sensuality as they learn about each other and the meaning of love. But there’s still a scandal threatening to engulf the Bennet family, and Elizabeth can’t be sure that Darcy’s love for her could withstand such a blow. Determined to give Darcy up rather than drag his name through the mud, Elizabeth will have to choose for herself between what she believes is right, and what she wants more than anything…



31 comments:

  1. Thank you for the interview Abigail :)

    I really like the sound of a Persuasion variation :D I do love P&P, but I love Persuasion even more these days.

    And that novel with Georgiana sounds good, since I sure can't see a HEA to it

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  2. I would love to win a copy - it sounds wonderful. And Persuasion is my favorite Austen so I'm very happy to hear that Captain Wentworth has been whispering to Ms. Reynolds :) I'm glad she's found time to write in her amazingly busy life.

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  3. Great interview! It is very exciting that there is going to be a Persuasion Variation, I love Wentworth as much as I love Darcy. :)

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  4. I have been dying to read What would Mr Darcy do? Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorites and I have never read a variation of it. The Persuasion variation sounds really interesting too!

    Don't enter me for the giveaway; I am International.

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  5. This sounds like a great austen retelling!! is it terrible that i'm not familiar with Persuasion? never read the book or seen any movies. I need to get on that!

    thanks for the contest!!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

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  6. I love Austen and have read everyone several times, I have not read many of the ones based off of her so this sounds interesting thanks lisapeters at yahoo dot com

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  7. I love all things Pride and Prejudice! I love that she decided to change one scene in particular that always bothered her and wrote a different ending to it, such a great idea! Thanks so much for the giveaway, I can't wait to read this one!

    supernaturalsnark(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. What an interesting interview!
    Abigail, thank you for writing all these wonderful variations on Pride and Prejudice, it's my top favorite classic book!
    I'd love to see a variation on Captain Wentworth in the future, I'll be looking forward to it! :)

    I'd love to read "What would Mr. Darcy do" :)
    Here's my email: evieseo@gmail.com

    Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

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  9. What a creative P & P retelling, thanks, Abigail!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. I love Jane Austen but please, would you tell me why you decided a variation of her novel(s) might be the right thing to write? Your personal whim? Something else?

    I would enter the giveaway but I can't (I don't want to bother my US/Cananda friends) - sorry!

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  11. Mary
    I am glad to see another Persuasion fan :D I think it was when I grew a bit older that I started loving Persuasion..well when I came into my 20s, lol

    Lieder
    Awesome news :)

    Misha
    I would love a Persuasion variation :)

    Carrie
    Of course not, I have only watched the movies anyway, hihi

    Hi lisa :)
    Thanks for stopping by

    Jenny
    I am glad she did that too

    Evie
    I am happy to see that everyone wants a Persuasion book *fingers crossed*

    Mrshukra
    :)

    Ana
    That is understandable :( I hope to have something international soon again

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  12. Oh a man who truly listens... yes... I'd agree with that assessment. :)

    This one sounds so good. Would love to see what you'd do with the other characters as well!

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  13. ZOMG! I love Captain Wentworth! I'd love to have him whispering in my ear! I really, really, really hope the next book will be about him! *le swoon*

    Thanks so much for the interview and giveaway! So exciting!

    missie at theunreadreader.com

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  14. Thanks for the giveaway! Would love to read this as I am a big Pride and Prejudice fan!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. I've never heard of this author before, it was very interesting to read the interview! Thanks both of you :-)

    ~Ailsa

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  16. It is very cool when Authors take their time to do the blog interviews! It is always interesting to know a bit more about the actual person behind the characters. For me these interviews are an important step in choosing new book.
    Thanks a lot,

    ~ Sorilla

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  17. I am a big Jane Austin Fan and am just beginning to discover the spin off books so thanks for this giveaway!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  18. Don't enter me...I loved this one!! and I'm excited about Capt. Wentworth!!!

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  19. Great interview. These Austen rewrites sound like fun :-)

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  20. I've only recently begun checking out Jane Austen variations. The truth is, I used to be extremely wary of them, and thought that they would completely ruin the originals for me. But I was surprised to find, they only serve to make the characters I love even more interesting to me.

    Like you, My favorite is Pride & Prejudice, but Persuasion has a real big place in my heart. And getting Georgiana's point of view would be extremely interesting, given that she's usually a character left unexplored.

    Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway - I would love to win/read a copy of this book! :)

    ~Hira~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

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  21. I love the idea of a variation on a classic. please enter me :)

    mk261274 at gmail dot com

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  22. See, I'm a die-hard Persuasion girl so I'm so excited to hear talk of more Wentworth. YUM!

    Lovely interview and guest post!

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  23. Melissa
    :)

    Missie
    Yay another Wenthworth fan, I mean how not to love the man that wrote a letter like he did

    Winnie
    Good luck :)

    Ailsa
    Thanks for stopping by!

    Sorilla
    I am glad to hear that. I do like author interviews too

    Margaret
    The spin-off books are pure gold :D

    Staci
    I want it now! Lol

    Marie
    They sure are, and I hope I never get tired of them

    Hira
    I can see why you thought so in the beginning. I was like that too, but then I tried one and I really enjoyed it. Like you they only made the original stories so much better. And when you love something you just want more

    melissa
    They are awesome :)

    Audra
    Yay, I am so happy to meet more Persuasion lovers

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  24. I love all of the wonderful variations out there! Your review for this book was wonderful and I am excited for the opportunity to win a copy of the book. I think it's crazy at how many variations one author can write but I'm so happy to hear Abigail really enjoys it! I'll be looking forward to reading this book whether I win the contest or not. :-)

    deanna(dot)lynn(dot)c(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. what would darcy do? the question every gal asks, eh. would love a chance to read about this doings in this novel.

    yesssssssss, i want to read more on georgiana too!

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  26. What I like about Jane Austen's novels is that even though they were written long ago and are set in a different time, the characters and their problems are so easy to relate to...well, with one exception. We modern women do find it hard to relate to the status of women back then. At least, I know I do!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

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  27. Great interview ladies! I'm a big Austen fan and I do enjoy these re-tellings. Darcy and Elizabeth are among my favorite couples in literature.
    I'll be on the lookout for this author.

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  28. Thanks for the interview and the contest. I think what continues to impress me about Jane Austen novels is how accessible they still are to the modern person. Really, her classics are quite timeless!

    wenzowsa at canisius dot edu

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  29. I love all things Pride & Prejudice and would love to be entered in the contest.

    My second favorite Austen novel is Mansfield Park. :)

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  30. Loved this interview. I do hope she writes a Persuasion variation someday (sooner rather than later, hint hint LOL).

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