Linda Berdoll's Blog

The  Darcys: New Pleasures is on Amazon in soft cover for $15.99!

At long last NEW PLEASURES is in print! While I'm having trouble getting the soft cover version loaded onto Amazon, that's just a temporary blip. Regardless. they are available here on my website via PayPal at an attractive price. We can sell it cheaper here since Amazon doesn't take a piece of it. 


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Mr. Darcy has long been every woman’s ideal. Darkly handsome, he is a gentleman of vast wealth and exceptional leg.  His virility, whilst of considerable note, is not what invites our adoration.  His true allure is his all-encompassing love for his wife. Indeed, Elizabeth and Darcy’s passion for each other remains steadfast.


My last book ended with the death of King George and thus Regency England. In this my fourth book about the Darcys,  New Pleasures begins twenty years into the future. The Darcys' love is boundless, but their happiness is tested.  Indeed, theirs is an ordeal familiar to parents through the ages. Their offspring have come of age and are eager to pursue their own love affairs.

Moreover, Elizabeth Darcy, the Mistress of Pemberley, has been overtaken by a peculiar malaise. Her disorder has the entire family in a state of agitation.  Darcy is particularly uneasy.  Hence, when he learns that his son engaged in a flirtation with a village wench, he reproves him a tad too vehemently. His pride injured, son Geoff flings himself headlong down Calamity Road–in the company of George Wickham’s son.         

A special Boxing Day promotion: Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife for $2.99 at Kobo!

I am pleased to report that The Ruling Passion and Fandango are available on KOBO.

Hang on to your bonnets,
My Pride & Prejudice continuation Number 4 is in the works!


When I wrote my first sequel to Pride & Prejudice, Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife, I had no idea that I invented, for better or for worse, a new literary genre - Jane Austen sequelist. I am proud to be a member of such a versatile collection of authors and aficionados.


After writing MDTAW (originally The Bar Sinister), I was content to rest on to my laurels - and dodge the bric-a-brac - with no thought of writing a sequel to my sequel. A reader asked me why I killed off some of the favorite characters from P&P. My response was that had I known I would be called upon to write Darcy & Elizabeth: Nights and days at Pemberley I certainly wouldn't have.


The success of The Darcys: The Ruling Passion, and readers' kind encouragement convinced me to take pen in hand (or fingertips to keyboard) once again. While I must apologize for being such an abysmally slow writer, I am well into the story. (At one point I had opined that I might be finished with it by Christmas - folly that.)


When last we visited the Darcys it was 1820. I take up their story in the year '35. In taking this leap, we must suppose that Darcy & Elizabeth spent the intervening years in rapturous and unfailing love.


Alas.


As we would expect, Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage prospers and they prove themselves to be good and dutiful parents. The twins, however, now on the cusp of adulthood, are determined to have their freedom. The Darcys also have a spirited fifteen year old, daughter - who made her appearance - so to speak - at the end of RP. Containing Maria's determined exuberance is a delicate undertaking - an office Elizabeth does not relish.


Because Darcy's was an excellent father, he means to enjoy the same relationship with his son, Geoff. Regrettably, they are of similar, exacting natures and are therefore doomed to lock horns. In the midst of this classic struggle, Elizabeth falls ill. Her ailment is a puzzle.


I hope to wrap it up in good time, but, as the Darcys well know: The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.


Linda Berdoll

Despite my paltry offerings, the First Annual Jane Austen Festival in Oklahoma City was a great success. The music was superb, the tea delicious and The Reduxion Theatre a jolly fine venue. Jane Austen herself might have opined the gowns only middling, but even she would have deemed the company exceptional.

My entire visit was eye-opening, thanks to my hosts, Erin and Tyler Woods, directors of the Reduxion Theatre. Redux-ion - From the Latin "redux" (to revisit) and the process of "reducing" a sauce in the culinary arts to its purest form - its essence. Therefore, the Reduxion Theatre has set its mission to to produce such classics as Austen and Shakespeare with an innovative eye. For their upcoming schedule go to reduxiontheatre.com. Check 'em out!

While in town, it was my great honor to experience (for that was what it was...) the sophisticated and moving Oklahoma City National Memorial. I would encourage anyone who has not, to see it in person. You will leave both impressed and touched.

I would never have guessed that Shawnee OK would be home to Bingley's Teas. I highly recommend them - including flavors such as Longbourn's Wedding Tea, Sweet Jane, Wicked Wickham, (a personal favorite) Compassion for Mrs. Bennet's Nerves and many more @ Bingleysteas.com. Having handsome Mr. Bingley himself (although he admits an affinity for Col Brandon) wield the teapot was a special treat.

Festivities for the first annual Jane Austin Convention have begun. They will continue 7:30 PM June 14-16 at 1613 North Broadway Ave.

On June 14: Costume exhibit and dance demonstration and workshop by Scissortail Traditional Dance Society with live music performed by Ladies at Play.

June 15: Reading of Pride and Prejudice by Erin Woods

June 16: Music by Ladies at Play, talk from best-selling author, Linda Berdoll (Darcy takes a Wife, Days and Nights at Pemberley, The Ruling Passion) who promises all avenues of scandal will be addressed.

 The event is a presentation of the Reduxion Theatre Company. Festivities begin at Tickets: $10 for a 1-night pass or, $25 for all three nights Order tickets online (no fees) reduxiontheatre.com/Tickets Or at the door For further information, please visit http://reduxiontheatre.com/austenfest... or contact Erin Woods at Erin.woods@reduxiontheatre.com;405-651-3191 Although I will give a talk, I will also be available for Q&A and book signing. Come one, come all!

I am pleased to announce that I will be speaking at The Jane Austen Festival in Oklahoma City June 16th. The event is a presentation of the Reduxion Theatre Company. Festivities begin at 7:30 PM, June 14-16 at 1613 North Broadway Ave. June 14: Costume exhibit and dance demonstration and workshop by Scissortail Traditional Dance Society with live music performed by Ladies at Play. June 15: Reading of Pride and Prejudice by Erin Woods June 16: Music by Ladies at Play, talk from best-selling author, Linda Berdoll (Darcy takes a Wife, Days and Nights at Pemberley, The Ruling Passion) Tickets: $10 for a 1-night pass or, $25 for all three nights Order tickets online (no fees) reduxiontheatre.com/Tickets Or at the door For further information, please visit http://reduxiontheatre.com/austenfest... or contact Erin Woods at Erin.woods@reduxiontheatre.com;405-651-3191 Although I will give a talk, I will also be available for Q&A and book signing. Come one, come all!

I am pleased to announce that my latest book, The Darcys: The Ruling Passion has been given a Gold Medal for Historical Fiction by 2012 Independent Publisher Book Award!

It has been brought to my attention that a miscreant author, Lillian M has usurped another Jane Austen sequelist's title, a second author's cover, and invented a blog under my name in order to manipulate search engines to sell e-book erotica on Amazon.

I have not read any of Lillian's work, but if she must resort to such unscrupulous measures to peddle it then it must truly be of questionable merit. If anyone knows Lillian M, I know that several indignant authors would be interested in learning how to contact her. Thanks!

Email me about this or any subject at lberdoll@aol.com