Welcome Riana Everly to First Page Friday. Today, Rianna is sharing from her Pride and Prejudice variation novel: Through a Different Lens. I don't know about you, but I love reading stories of Darcy and Elizabeth. There's something about an enemy to friend trope that takes hold of your imagination. Regardless of how many stories I read, I never tire of them. Without further ado, here is more details about Riana's book.
Book Blurb:
A tale of second glances and second chances
Elizabeth Bennet has disliked the aloof and arrogant Mr. Darcy since he insulted her at a village dance several months before. But an unexpected conversation with a startling turn of phrase suddenly causes her to reassess everything she thought she knew about the infuriating and humourless gentleman.
Elizabeth knows something of people who think differently. Her young cousin in London has always been different from his siblings and peers, and Lizzy sees something of this boy’s unusual traits in the stern gentleman from Derbyshire whose presence has plagued her for so long. She approaches him in friendship and the two begin a tentative association. But is Lizzy's new understanding of Mr. Darcy accurate? Or was she right the first time? And will the unwelcome appearance of a nemesis from the past destroy any hopes they might have of happiness?
Warning: This variation of Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice depicts our hero as having a neurological difference. If you need your hero to be perfect, this might not be the book for you. But if you like adorable children, annoying birds, and wonderful dogs, and are open to a character who struggles to make his way in a world he does not quite comprehend, with a heroine who can see the man behind his challenges, and who celebrates his strengths while supporting his weaknesses, then read on! You, too, can learn what wonders can be found when we see the familiar through a different lens.
First Page:
Chapter One
Ill Qualified to Recommend Himself
It was an evening much like many others over the past few weeks. The small party were gathered in the salon after an uncomfortable dinner, to amuse, delight, and take advice from the doyenne of the house. The meal had seemed endless, with one overly fine dish superseding another, testimony more to the expense of a fine French chef than to the consideration due to the palates of the assembled guests. Likewise, the conversation, more of a series of interrogatory demands by the lady of the house than an exchange of light and pleasant thoughts to lend enjoyment to the meal. Now, the last of the dishes cleared away and the company retired to the salon, Elizabeth sat perched upon the uncomfortable sofa, seeking something amusing to say that would astound those gathered around. Beside her sat her dear Charlotte, whom she was visiting, and nearby, Charlotte's husband, Mr. Collins, who held the living at Hunsford, adjacent to the grand manor house of Rosings. Also in the room were the mistress of the house herself, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, domineering and fierce of temperament, her sickly daughter Anne, who seemed more intimidated than truly ill, Anne's companion Mrs. Jenkins, and Charlotte's timid sister Maria, who hardly spoke a word.
In all of these particulars, the scene had been repeated many times since Elizabeth first arrived at Hunsford for a prolonged visit with her friend; recently, however, two more members had joined their party, one adding to its pleasure, the other to its awkwardness.
The increased pleasure was due entirely to the newly formed acquaintance with Lady Catherine's nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, on a short leave from the army to visit his aunt and cousin and help tend to affairs of her estate. The colonel and Elizabeth had quickly formed a comfortable and easy friendship, for the gentleman was intelligent, quick-witted, and extremely good company. Elizabeth had taken an immediate liking to him and was pleased when he sought her companionship, either in the salon or whilst walking through the park.
His friend, however, was a far less of a source of pleasure. Silent, stiff and brooding, the colonel's constant shadow was none other than Mr. Darcy, whom Elizabeth had come to know and rather dislike several months ago at her home in Hertfordshire, near the village of Meryton.There you have it, dear reader. Mr. Darcy is still looked upon unfavorable by Miss Elizabeth Bennet. (Sigh) He really was quite the dunderhead, wasn't he? I'm hoping Ms. Everly will take us on a wild ride with enough twists and turns to satisfy our angst ridden desires.
Learn more about Riana by clinking on the links shown above. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you. Until then,
I read this in its early version, and I love the blurb and the chance to read the first page once more. Thanks to both of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Suzan. It's lovely how much the #JAFF community supports its authors.
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