Sarah Johnson's Blog: Sarah Johnson - My Peculiar World

This week I have the privilege of being a part of a blog tour for a wonderful friend, Sophie Andrews, and her newest book, BE YOUR OWN HEROINE: LIFE LESSONS FROM LITERATURE. Sophie has been a part of my author life since the beginning (she even did the audiobook for two of my earlier books). Now she has branched out into writing. Her first book BE MORE JANE, focused on Jane Austen’s characters, but in this second book Sophie has joined with her sister Charlotte. Together they expound upon the character qualities that can be found in heroines throughout literature. The artwork, by Yelena Bryksenkova, is fabulous – a nod to the life of the sisters and the influences they have found in literature. It is as lovely to look at as the words are to read, and they complement each section wonderfully.

BE YOUR OWN HEROINE
has quickly become a favourite of mine! It has insights into the journeys of a
few special ladies from literature, and it gives you tips on what character
qualities a true heroine possesses. For example: from the book LITTLE WOMEN (by Louisa May
Alcott), we learn from Jo March that heroines aren’t perfect.

Jo March is ashamed of those occasions which give way to the anger that can overwhelm her, and she recognizes that it adversely affects her relationships. (BE YOUR OWN HEROINE, pg 50)

All-in-all, I love this little book! It’s small enough to put in your purse and pull out when you are out and about, such as when you are sitting in the car while your daughter goes in for her dentist appointment. My only criticism, and it is a tiny one, is that the writing is small… and my eyes aren’t so good. I might need reader glasses, y’all. Even this little thing does not take the joy out of my perusal of this wonderful book though! I hope everyone grabs a copy! (Link to this book on Amazon.)

And just because Sophie is so fabulous, we get to have a giveaway!!! So, here are the rules: Comment below, or repost this on facebook; tag me and Sophie so I can keep track of reposts. I will then randomly choose someone after 24 hours. (Open to those in the US and UK only.)

My summer writing project is finally polished and ready for you, my readers! It’s available in eBook and Print formats through Amazon.

About The Book:
Imposter! Elizabeth Bennet knew she could not trust the stranger to their neighbourhood, but she never thought he would turn out to be an imposter!
The arrival of a new neighbour, Mr Charles Bingley, proves to be enlightening as he reveals the truth. When the real Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy arrives Elizabeth has a second chance to become acquainted with the gentleman. Can she break through the façade Mr Darcy erected because of a family tragedy, and will she like what she discovers of his character?

Grab your copy today!

I have a new story in the final stages of editing before it becomes another book!! I haven’t written the blurb yet, but the story is about **someone** trying to convince the neighbourhood of Meryton that he is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. So here is chapter 1, titled: Imposter!

I hope y’all enjoy this little sneak peek, and keep your eyes out for this new one to be published very soon!!

October 1, 1811
Meryton, Hertfordshire

“Charlotte!”

“Oh, Lizzy, I have not seen you for ages it seems!” She
hugged her best friend. “Are you feeling well enough to be here tonight?”

Elizabeth looked down to her slightly swollen foot. “It
is still a bit painful, but I convinced my father to grace the neighbourhood
with his presence just so I could utilize his arm.”

Charlotte smiled. “It is a good thing you are his
favorite. I know my father enjoys his company. When was the last time Mr Bennet
came to an Assembly?”

Elizabeth thought for a moment. “Hmmm, it must be at
least six months since the last one Mama was able to drag him from his books to
attend.” She nodded her head, “Yes, six months or so. It was just after Lydia’s
birthday.”

“Oh yes, I remember that one well.” Charlotte looked
around to be assured of their privacy before leaning closer to her friend.
“Your two youngest sisters should not be out. Neither one of them is sensible
enough, as I am sure you can attest to after that assembly.”

The smile left her features and she looked to her hands
that she now wrung together. “I know Charlotte; I know. Jane and I have both
approached my father about the situation, but my mother’s wails and cries have
kept him from rescinding what is already in place.” Her eyes stung with possible
tears and she turned away, trying to save the embarrassment of such a display at
the dance. “Perhaps my father’s presence this evening will save us from such
humiliation as these last few months has proven to be.”

Charlotte stepped closer to her friend’s side, wrapping
her arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders. “I pray you are correct.” With a lighter
tone to her voice, she said, “Now, have you heard of the newest gentleman to
grace our neighbourhood? Netherfield Park has been let by a Mr Bingley, and the
gentleman has just arrived in the neighbourhood yesterday. He is a man of great
means and my father has said he means to attend this evening. I hear his
sisters are the epitome of London society.” Charlotte leaned closer, and with a
gleam in her eye, she whispered, “As my mother would say, do you think they
will wear feathers in their hair?”

Elizabeth chuckled, adding, “Oh, what lace and silk they
will surely don!”

“Surely his dancing shoes will be of the finest quality!”

Elizabeth’s cheeks grew pink as she quoted what her
mother so often said, “For certain! After all, a single man in possession of a
large fortune must be in want of a partner with whom to dance the night away.”

Both girls laughed fully at the mimicking of their mothers’
often said lines. This was a conversation topic that had been heard in nearly
every drawing room over the last few weeks regarding another gentleman who had
recently entered the neighbourhood – a Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

“I know,” Charlotte jested, “you can have Mr Darcy and
Jane can have Mr Bingley.”

Elizabeth’s mouth opened in mock shock, “And just who
said I would want Mr Darcy? Perhaps he is not to my liking?”

“Just what is wrong with the gentleman? He is tall and
handsome for certain, and look how at charming he is.”

Elizabeth looked across the crush of people to the
gentleman who stood on the other side of the room. “Yes, he has eased into our
society with alacrity.”

“Lizzy, you look at him as if he is a scoundrel instead
of a gentleman. I think you are disposed to not appreciate him because of the
injury you received upon his arrival in the neighbourhood and your introduction
with him and his horse.”

“Well, I was nearly run down by that horse, and I cannot
blame the beast for what was obviously his master’s lack of equestrian skills.
I have never seen a gentleman who has less knowledge of horses than Mr Darcy.” She
turned, her eyes taking in her two youngest sisters who were making a great
fuss over Maria Lucas’ new dress. “There is something about the gentleman that
causes me great unease, and I do not think it is due to my injury. My aunt is
from Derbyshire, and I wrote to her just yesterday about his recent presence in
our neighbourhood. I suppose she will have a lot to say in her next letter.
Perhaps she will reveal something that will explain this unease I have felt
this last week since his arrival.”

“I think you are just opposed to the gentleman because he
has not turned his eye towards Jane,” Charlotte said with a smirk.

Elizabeth chuckled. “Yes, that must be it. Who couldn’t
love dear, sweet Jane?” She watched as the gentleman in question winked at
Lydia, who in turn exploded in childish giggles.

The music sounded, giving indication that the dancing was
soon to start. “Come,” Charlotte said, “I will help you find a drink and a
chair. I know you must be in need of respite.”

She was grateful for her friend’s keen eye. Her foot really was starting to hurt, but Elizabeth had been looking forward to the dance all week. What was a little pain to finally being able to escape her mother’s sitting room where any number of inane topics were the fodder of every conversation? At least here she could share in the bounty of excitement that surrounded such an evening of entertainment.

The doors opened and Sir William Lucas excused himself
from his friend’s side to go and greet the newest guests to their neighbourhood.
“Mr Bingley, it is a pleasure to see you and your party attend this evening’s
Assembly. Welcome, sir; welcome!”

Bingley’s cheeks displayed his pleasure and he gave a
bow. “We are happy to be in attendance tonight. It is certainly a crush of
people. I did not realize Meryton was such a large town.”

“We have a lot of families represented here tonight. A neighbouring
town has combined with our Assembly, so we are certainly filled to capacity.”
He pushed his way through the crowd as the music sounded. “Come with me and I
shall begin by making the required introductions to my friend here.”

Bingley followed after the portly gentleman, though he
noticed his sisters remained at the doorway. They had not wanted to attend, but
Bingley insisted they not disgrace him in this new neighbourhood as they were
wont to do. It was because of Caroline’s overly aggressive attention to a
gentleman in town that Bingley had chosen to not remain for the Little Season,
and thus was brought to this fine country of Hertfordshire. Hopefully it was
far enough away from the ton that her
lack of class would not give her a disgraced reputation. If only my friend had been available to help me out, he thought,
sadness gripping his heart at the reason his dearest friend had not been
available recently.

They arrived at the side of the room where Sir William
Lucas began the introductions. “Mr Bingley, the first gentleman of our neighbourhood
I wish to introduce you to is my dear friend, Mr Thomas Bennet. His estate, Longbourn,
borders Netherfield Park on one side.”

Bingley smiled broadly and bowed. “Then you truly are my
neighbour! It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Yes, a pleasure indeed,” Bennet said dryly. “Sir William
here has said you have come with your family?”

Bingley looked back to the doorway where his sisters
still remained. “Yes, my sisters have come with me. I will have to introduce
you to them later.” He nodded his head towards where Bennet saw two unknown
ladies standing, each a display of the finest silk, feathers sticking up proudly
from their heads. They stood alongside another unfamiliar, and overly dressed, gentleman.

“I ask only because I shall truly be rewarded by my wife
for such gossip, but are your sisters usually dressed so finely for a simple
country dance?”

Bingley chuckled. “We are unaccustomed to the ways of the
country, sir. We have been in London for several years and have rarely been in
such a neighbourhood as this. Perhaps they are a bit overdressed.” Bingley
looked around to the young ladies who gathered about the room. “Yes, certainly
they will leave an impression, as will my dandy of a brother-in-law.”

“Most certainly, sir,” Bennet said. “Well, Mr Bingley, I
see my wife has spotted me speaking with you, so it is incumbent upon me to
introduce my family. If you will follow me, we shall dispense with the
formalities post haste.” He led the young gentleman through the crowd and to
his wife, who stood beside three of their five daughters. “Mr Bingley, may I
introduce you to my wife, and three of our daughters. This is Mary, Kitty, and
our youngest, Lydia.” He pointed to the other side of the room, indicating a
group of ladies, and said, “My eldest, Jane, is somewhere around here, and our
second eldest, Elizabeth, is over there with Sir William Lucas’ eldest daughter
Charlotte.”

Bingley rose onto his toes to see over the others
surrounding them. He smiled. “Yes, I see them there beside the table.”

“Yes, yes, that is them. But here I have my wife and
youngest three,” he said, turning back to his family. “My wife, of course, is
spoken for, but my daughters are free for the first set.”

“Oh, Mr Bennet!” Mrs Bennet tapped his arm flirtatiously
with her fan at his comment of her being spoken for. She turned to Mr Bingley.
“Sir, it is a pleasure to have you join our simple country dance. Perhaps you
would wish to take the pleasure of the first dance with my Lydia here? She is
certainly in need of a partner such as yourself.”

Lydia became incensed, nearly growling as she said, “But
Mama, I am promised for the first dance.”

Mrs Bennet smacked her daughter’s arm with her fan and
said with a false smile, “Whoever it is, they cannot be as important to our
future as Mr Bingley here. After all, he is our new neighbour, Lydia. We must
show deference to him in welcoming him into our society.”

Lydia huffed and turned away, ignoring her mother’s words
and the glare from her father.

Bennet would have gone after her, but he knew what a
scene she would make. He would take her to task for her rudeness later, if he
remembered it.

Sir William Lucas walked up with a gentleman at his side.
The hum of the crowd surrounding him drowned out part of his greeting. “Mr
Bingley, I hoped to be able to introduce you to another visitor to our neighbourhood
this last week. This is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

The tall gentleman bowed and gave a genial smile.

Bingley was bowing at the introduction when he heard the
name. He was certain in the midst of the crowd he had heard incorrectly. “I am
sorry sir, but with so many people it is difficult to hear. What did you say
your name is?”

“Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire,” the
gentleman replied, louder this time over the hum of chatter and music that had
begun to play.

Lydia Bennet bounced up to the gentleman, grabbing his
arm and dragging him away as she said, “Come, Mr Darcy – we are to have the
first set.”

Bingley was stunned into silence as he watched them walk
away. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley?

Mrs Bennet was now talking, and her shrill voice cut
through the fog that had overtaken his mind. “Here is my eldest, Jane. She is
free for this first set, sir.”

Bingley shook his head and turned back to the matron.
“Oh, yes, your eldest.” His eyes beheld the beautiful lady who now stood before
him. “Miss Bennet,” he said in greeting as he bowed. She blushed and he found
it endearing. “Miss Bennet, I find myself without a partner for this first set.
Would you care to dance with me?” He quickly forgot the odd introduction as
they took their place in the line of dancers.

As the music unfolded and the steps took him to and away from his partner, he could not help but notice the couple further down from them in line. Fitzwilliam Darcy you are not, he thought to himself, nearly missing a step in the dance. When this set was over, he had determined he would try to find out as much information as he could about this man who was obviously trying to impersonate his friend. But for now, his attention was returned to the beautiful lady across from him.

The music ended and the couples began to wander from the
dance floor. Bingley turned to his partner, offering his arm. “Miss Bennet, you
have made this opening set a true pleasure.”

Jane blushed prettily at such attention from an
attractive gentleman. “I have enjoyed it, sir.”

Bingley looked around. Upon not seeing her father to
return her to his side, he asked, “Would you like a drink?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Her voice was light and her manners pleasing, and Bingley
was finding his eye drawn to her visage more so than he was usually drawn in by
a young lady. They wove their way through the crush of people and to the table
with drinks laid out. He took two cups, offering one to her, and they turned to
move to the side of the room.

“Mr Bingley, this is my younger sister Elizabeth,” Jane
said as they came upon the row of chairs.

Bingley smiled and bowed. “It is a pleasure, Miss
Elizabeth. I met the rest of your family earlier.”

“Mr Bingley,” Elizabeth said as she stood and curtsied. “The
parlours have been all abuzz over our newest neighbours, so it is a pleasure to
meet you so easily this evening.”

He looked around the room. Glad for the opening the turn
of conversation took, he charged ahead, asking, “Is it usual for such a large
crowd to be in attendance?”

“Usually we are a society of only four and twenty families,
but tonight we share the dance floor with neighbours from a nearby town and
with others who are visiting our area.”

He smiled at the opening. “Yes, I was introduced to a
newcomer when I was with your father.” Not wishing to alarm her, he sipped his
drink, asking casually, “How long has he been here?”

“Mr Darcy has only been with us a week at most. We do not
know much about him.” She eyed him suspiciously from across the room.

Noticing her glare, he asked, “You do not like the
gentleman?”

Jane spoke softly, barely able to be heard above the
crowd, “My sister is wary of him. I have tried to assuage her skepticism, but
she has held to it tightly.” Her cheeks blushed at such a harsh statement, and
to a near stranger at that.

Elizabeth took her sister’s arm in solidarity. “Mr
Bingley, I have never heard such harsh criticisms spoken from my sister before
now. What have you done to make her become so emboldened?”

Bingley’s eyes were drawn back to the face of the beauty
who stood before him. Her cheeks blushed in a lovely manner and her eyes turned
away when they met his. “Miss Bennet is all that is lovely.” He smiled. “I
wonder if you both will accompany me, as I wish to speak with your father about
this stranger among you?”

Elizabeth’s head tilted and she eyed him. “Is there
something you need reveal of this stranger,
Mr Bingley?”

He caught her use of the word stranger that he himself had used. “I know I myself am but a stranger to this neighbourhood, but I
do have some information which I hope will be of help to my new neighbours. I
just thought that perhaps if this information came from your father, it may prove
to be a more believable source.”

Elizabeth was intrigued by such a statement. “Mr Bingley,
if you will remove to the balcony with my sister, I will fetch my father and we
shall meet you there.”

Bingley nodded, put his arm out to Miss Bennet, and the
two walked off.

Elizabeth limped through the room and found her father.
“Papa, would you like to get some fresh air?”

Thomas Bennet looked to his daughter. She was up to
something. He could see it in her eyes. “What are you about, Lizzy?”

She leaned closer, saying, “I was sent to fetch you to
the balcony by Mr Bingley.”

“Oh? Has one dance with your sister so enamoured the
gentleman that he is ready to ask for Jane’s hand?”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, “Papa, even Jane could not
make such fast work of a gentleman’s affections. He has not revealed to me what
he wishes to tell you, only that he feels it is important enough to interrupt
the dance. I think it has to do with our other visitor to the neighbourhood, Mr
Fitzwilliam Darcy. You know I have been wary of the gentleman since his
arrival.”

Bennet’s eyes scanned the room and he saw his newest neighbour
exiting onto the balcony with Jane. He nodded and put his arm out to Elizabeth.
“Come, Lizzy, we shall see what this is about.”

I know my readers have been faithfully following along with my Leaving Bennet Behind series for many years, and you are all eager for the conclusion. Well, it is finally here!! We finally get to see Lydia’s story in this newest book, Sought.

For more information on this or other books in the Leaving Bennet Behind series, visit this web page.

I know it’s been a while since I updated here on my blog. I am sorry about that, but life is very busy for this homeschooling mom of six kiddos. Teenagers have very busy schedules!

The final book (#5) of my Leaving Bennet Behind series is finished and in the final editing process. Sought will be available very soon! It is taking a little longer than the others as I am going back to the beginning and revising the entire series while I’m at it. When I am done, and my editor has her red pen moment, then I will get it out to y’all, my faithful and very patient readers!

I was recently asked by my grandma if I had large print editions, as she has a friend with vision problems. My typical response when asked this is that I have eBook versions and you can make the size whatever you want. However, this friend does not do eBooks. So, for my grandma, I have started making large print editions. I started with my novellas. It might take me a while to get them all done, but I will try to focus on that as I can.

So far I have three large print editions available. I hope y’all enjoy them! Links are below.

I know y’all have been very patient with me, and I am grateful for that patience. I have finally finished Treasured, which is book #4 in the Leaving Bennet Behind series and it is now up and ready to purchase on Amazon.

You can find the ebook here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W4DKWFM

You can find the print book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1086461525

I thought at one time that I would finish this series with number 4, but as I wrote, and as the story got longer, I could not adequately flesh out both Kitty’s and Lydia’s stories well enough in one story. Lydia required her own book! So book #5 will be coming soon. I promise not to let it go so long before it is published. I am currently writing it, and am about halfway through. I don’t want to put a date on it, but I hope very soon.

I know y’all have been eagerly anticipating when I would post more on the story, Mail Order Austen. Thank you for your patience! Our family came from all over the nation to see the eclipse, then the hurricane caused some family (and friends) to have to remain here for a few extra weeks. It was just too busy around here to focus on writing. BUT, I am back in the swing of things, and updates should be more often now…at least, I hope so! I am still writing this story though, so please continue to have patience with me on the postings.

I am posting Mail Order Austen on my Peculiar Ramblings Library, here on my blog (link here to chapter 3), and also on the Beyond Austen forum online (link to story posting here).

To log into the Peculiar Ramblings Library to read this, and other stories, for free, you will need the following case sensitive password:

For the Beyond Austen forum, you can set up a username and log in to read and leave comments on my story, as well as other fabulous stories from other authors being posted right now.

Don’t forget to leave your thoughts about the goings on, as these encouragements help us authors press on towards the final goal of completion on those dark days when writing doesn’t come as easily.

It’s that time again – time for another chapter of my newest story, Mail Order Austen. I am posting this one to my Peculiar Ramblings Library, here on my blog (link here to chapter 2), and also on the Beyond Austen forum online (link to story posting here).

To log into the Peculiar Ramblings Library to read this, and other stories, for free, you will need the following case sensitive password:

For the Beyond Austen forum, you can set up a username and log in to read and leave comments on my story, as well as other fabulous stories from other authors being posted right now.

Don’t forget to leave your thoughts about the goings on, as these encouragements help us authors press on towards the final goal of completion on those dark days when writing doesn’t come as easily.

Howdy y’all! In my quest to begin writing more, I wanted to share what I have already with y’all. Today’s sneak peek story is a P&P meets mail order bride story I have been working on for a while now. (Yes, I am still working on the final LBB series book as well as this one.) I hope y’all enjoy this, and please let me know your thoughts! This story is currently being titled Mail Order Austen, and HERE IS THE LINK to Chapter 1.

Log into the Peculiar Ramblings Library to read this, and other stories, for free. You will need the following case sensitive password:

Don’t forget to leave your thoughts about the goings on, as these encouragements help us authors press on towards the final goal of completion on those dark days when writing doesn’t come as easily.

Howdy y’all! In my quest to begin writing more, I wanted to share what I have already with y’all. Today’s sneak peek story is a P&P meets mail order bride story I have been working on for a while now. (Yes, I am still working on the final LBB series book as well as this one.) I hope y’all enjoy this, and please let me know your thoughts! This story is currently being titled Mail Order Austen, and HERE IS THE LINK to Chapter 1.

Log into the Peculiar Ramblings Library to read this, and other stories, for free. You will need the following case sensitive password:

Don’t forget to leave your thoughts about the goings on, as these encouragements help us authors press on towards the final goal of completion on those dark days when writing doesn’t come as easily.