In case I haven’t mentioned it…I have a new book coming out next month. November 26th, to be exact.
THE PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET is my homage to Jane Austen, a sequel to the beloved PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, about Mary, the middle Bennet sister. I imagined a life for Mary beyond Austen’s rendering, one that seemed within the realm of possibility for her. Here’s the copy on the back cover of the book:
For most of her life, Mary, the serious and unpolished third daughter of the Bennet family, has been overshadowed by her sisters–beautiful and confident Jane and Elizabeth, and flirtatious and lighthearted Lydia and Kitty. But with nearly all of her sisters married and gone from the household, awkward, unrefined Mary has blossomed into an attractive young woman with a quiet poise of her own.
When a very pregnant Lydia unexpectedly returns to the Bennet home and scandalously announces she’s left Wickham, Mary and Kitty are packed off to visit Jane and her husband, Charles Bingley, in Derbyshire. Yearning for the solitude of home, Mary is dismayed to discover Bingley’s handsome and eligible friend Henry Walsh everywhere she turns. Unschooled in the game of love, Mary finds Henry’s warm attentions confounding . Is his interest genuine or does she foolishly mistake friendliness for something more? With her heart and her future at risk, Mary must throw cautiion to the wind to find the truth–a journey of discovery that will teach her surprising lesons about herself and the desires of her heart.
The on sale date for THE PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET is Nov. 26, and you can pre-order it right now from many retailers.
There are Austen-inspired sequels to suit any taste. Do you have a favorite?
Loved the book. I want more!! I’m sad that I read it so quickly.
Thanks for loving the book, Jennifer! Glad to know you want more…
I just received a copy, which I am very eager to start. The back cover description led me to your site and your comments on Me Before You by J. Moyes. I’m so intrigued. I just wanted you to know that your recommendation had me reserve a copy at my library and is in queue to read right after Pursuit of Mary Bennet.
Has anyone ever told you that you look like romance novelist, Mary Balogh?
Hi Regina,
I hope you love my imagining of Mary Bennet’s story! I’m so glad you’re going to read ME BEFORE YOU–you’ll love it. It’s my favorite book of the past year. I’ve never been told I resemble Mary Balogh, but I think she’s very attractive, so thanks for the compliment!
Happy reading!
Pam
Pam, I loved TPoMB! How wonderfully satisfying that Mary got her HEA to such a dishy man. I appreciated your comments, too, at the end giving me more background into your view on Mary. I’ve read several sequels to P&P but I’ll remember yours the most for the seamless way you integrated your story with Austen’s. I was instantly transported to the Bennet household and it was lovely to catch up with favorite characters as I remembered them.
Thanks, Regina. High praise indeed! I’m so glad The Pursuit of Mary Bennet seemed grounded in the world Jane Austen created. And glad you thought Henry Walsh was “dishy!”
Dear Mrs Mingle,
I am a great Jane Austen fan, and I would like to compliment you on your plot. However, although you state you used the language of Jane Austen, I doubt she would have used the adjective ” cute”, or described a baby as a “poppet”. I hope you do not mind my advising you to find an editor with a good knowledge of English grammar, it is better not to switch between “one” and “you” in the same sentence.
My compliments on your skill in plot development and in elevating a minor character to one worthy of her own story.
Hi Maureen,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the plot of The Pursuit of Mary Bennet. Thanks so much for your comments and feedback.
I just wanted to let you know that I thought your book The Pursuit of Mary Bennett was an amazing book and a very worthy sequel to Pride and Prejudice.
Thank you so much for writing it, I could not put it down.
I hope you intend to write more.
Thank you, Bronwen. It was so nice of you to let me know how much you liked the book. If you enjoy the Regency period, you may want to check out my new book, A False Proposal, a Regency romance (smooching is involved!). Here’s a link http://www.entangledpublishing.com/a-false-proposal/ You can read an excerpt from the first chapter. Thanks for writing–I loved imagining Mary’s story.