My Bookshelf’s Shelf Life ~ Part 2

In this continuation from Part 1, which is what Part 2 usually means, I’ll touch upon more of the books sitting on my shelves.  Perhaps those books should be touched upon more often … with a duster.  Dang!  I said I wouldn’t mention dust again.  Anyway, I went through a phase of reading volumes of bestsellers; but most of those novels were passed along for others to enjoy.  Very few (see below) remain on my shelf, although I took pleasure in them at the time.

I went through a science fiction phase and total obsession with all things Star Trek.  I have two, count ‘em, two bookcases (not just shelves) full of novels, non-fiction books, and technical manuals.  I am not ashamed to admit I was, and still am, a Trekker.  Once upon a time, family and friends knew not to bother me when reruns aired, even on my wedding day.  Now I’m more of a word nerd than a Trekker; but those novels and manuals remain … gathering dust.

Here are just a few other books and authors, in no particular order, that have a permanent place on my shelf:

• A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)
• The Cry of the Kalahari (non-fiction by Delia and Mark Owens)
• Gondar and also Kala (Nicholas Luard)
• Bill Bryson’s works
• Janet Evanovitch’s ‘Stephanie Plum’ stories (a guilty pleasure)
• Ken Follett’s novels
• Wilbur Smith’s works (especially River God and its sequels)
• Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series (Oh, yeah!  My love of Jamie & Claire is only surpassed by my love of Darcy & Elizabeth.)
• Jane Austen’s six novels (My favourite is Pride and Prejudice.)
• I’m going to include Regency stories written by Austen’s fans amongst my favourite reading material.  There’s a wealth of Jane Austen fan-fiction out there, and I’m very happy to be part of that community.  By the way, Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge does not come with a dust jacket.

“These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves.”
~ Gilbert Highet (1906 – 1978) ~

 

My Bookshelf’s Shelf Life ~ Part 1

Over the years many of the books I once enjoyed reading have disappeared from my shelves.  Certainly, the children’s stories, comics, Nancy Drew series, and Lucy Maud Montgomery novels have long been passed along for others to appreciate.  Yet particular favourites, even from childhood, remain in my possession.

Two works by local Nova Scotian authors have been boxed and moved from shelf to shelf as I changed address.  Beautiful Joe by (Margaret) Marshall Saunders touched me more than Black Beauty.  The works of author Kay Hill, my mom’s friend, include the title And Tomorrow the Stars: The Story of John Cabot.  Perhaps thorough enjoyment of that biography was the onset of my enduring interest in historical characters, whether real or fictional.

Eons ago, my Grade Six class was assigned a novel to read.  It was Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart, and I was instantly hooked.  I have remained a loyal fan of her work but was especially enchanted by Stewart’s The Crystal Cave and its sequels.  That enchantment with the Arthurian legends inspired me to seek out many other authors‘ works on the topic, and my fascination never waned.  The first book I’ve written (Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge) has a chapter in which its characters recite puns about King Arthur and his knights.  The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley still sits upon my shelf, and then there’s Jack Whyte.  I highly recommend Whyte’s Dream of Eagles / Camulod Chronicles series.  Start with The Skystone and then enjoy its many sequels.  For me, discovery of Whyte’s works was akin to stumbling upon treasure, and his books only leave my shelf to be reread … or when I have to dust.  I could fill several blog posts with my intense dislike of housework, but I won’t.

More favourite reading material will be revealed in Part 2 of A Bookshelf’s Shelf Life.  Dust will not be given further mention, except for a certain silky Maltese named Dust Bunny that appears in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.

November 1, 2010

November 1, 2010, was the official release day for

Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.

Here’s a link to Rhemalda Publishing’s blog post explaining the delay in distribution of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge and the other two titles scheduled for launch on November 1st.

Be sure to visit Austen Authors on November 2nd for my celebration.

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT

Ok, I admit it’s more like a week late and a weak excuse short than a day late and a dollar short; nevertheless, I am very happy to finally announce the winner of my contest.

CONGRATULATIONS TO … CHARLENE/CHATTY!!!

Charlene will receive a signed copy of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge plus a few other surprises.

How Well Do You Know Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? was the name of the contest quiz, and here are the answers:

1. Westerham

2. Michaelmas

3. Kympton

4. Colonel

5. attics

6. Charles Bingley

7. Brighton

8. barouche box

9. St. Clements

10. hack chaise

11. Georgiana Darcy

12. Lucas

13. Elizabeth Bennet

14. stupid

15. War Office

16. Haye

17. attorney

18. six

19. Harriet

20. Pope

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

LET’S DO LAUNCH

The launch date for Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge is here, and I’ve been reflecting on my decision to name this blog ‘Pride and Pre-jitters’.  The months have certainly flown by since then and a lot has obviously happened.  I’m rather pleased with my book’s sales and reviews at Amazon. Yet, even now, on the day of the book’s official release, proud and jittery are still apt descriptions of my state of mind.  I cannot wait to actually see Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge on a bookstore shelf.  Yet wait I must.  Although it may appear in USA stores starting today, my book won’t be available in Canadian shops for a while yet due to a recent printer and distributor switchover. However, Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge is readily available through various on-line sites, and you should also be able to order it now as an ebook.

Here’s a link to my publisher’s blog regarding their first year, the November 1st launch, and their plans for 2011.

My heartfelt thanks to anyone who has already purchased Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.

“Characters hijacked Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge“

“Guaranteed Laugh”

“A lighthearted book for those looking for a laugh”

“Clever, Cute, and a Little Corny”

“A Punny Story”

 

 

Mrs. Lovelace and Velvet

Excerpt from Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge (pages 214-215):

Blissfully unaware they were soon to receive an unwelcome visitor, Mrs. Bennet and her two eldest daughters were in the sitting room of their London townhouse busily choosing ribbons, beading, and other trimmings suitable for the brides’ trousseaux. The fact that Jane and Elizabeth had made very eligible matches and were truly in love with their husbands-to-be was, of course, deeply satisfying to their mother. Most gratifying was the undeniable fact the gentlemen returned their affection tenfold. However, Mrs. Bennet realized she would be quite melancholy when it finally came time to part with her dear girls; that said, having three more daughters and a son still under her care was, in some measure, a comfort. The woman could not image how bereft she would feel when the last child had finally flown the nest.

“Mama, are you crying?” A soft voice roused Mrs. Bennet, and she suddenly realized Jane knelt in front of her and had reached to clasp her hand.

“Most certainly not, my dear. Good heavens, why would I have occasion to weep? Is this not every mother’s fondest wish … to be planning her daughter’s wedding? I have been doubly blessed with the duty of overseeing the production of not one but two trousseaux, which, of course, would be incomplete without: ‘Dresses for breakfasts, and dinners, and balls; Dresses to sit in, and stand in, and walk in; Dresses to dance in, and flirt in, and talk in; Dresses in which to do nothing at all; Dresses for Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.’”  2

“Speaking of all these purchases of attire, it is fortunate Papa’s own clothing has rather deep pockets,” said Lizzy.

A modiste in the city was already at work on the young ladies’ wedding clothes. When she had been needled for a completion date, the woman had hemmed and hawed before replying. “I am only doing sew-sew. I toile day and night, and eye-let my assistant, Velvet, do the crewel embroidery work. But the darn thread, together with the tight fit of the bodices, causes much seam-stress. I will not embellish the truth but must tack on a few extra days. So awl things considered, I have a notion you may pin your hopes on the garments being ready five days before the wedding.” The Bennet ladies had quickly cott-on to the dressmaker’s wordplay; and, without bias, they baste their trust on Mrs. Lovelace and Velvet.

2 From William Allen Butler’s “Nothing to Wear”

Aww … check this out!

One of my ‘pride and joy’ daughters wrote a post for my publisher’s blog.  Here’s the link to:   J. Marie Croft ~ blown away by biggest fan.

Pets & Animals

Dogs, cats, horses, and other animals play important roles in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge; and throughout my life, pets have always been considered family members.

As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian until I discovered the necessity and frequency of surgery and euthanasia.  In Grade 10 Biology there was no way I was cutting open that frog! I have the greatest respect and admiration for veterinarians. They perform those surgeries and euthanasias to relieve animals’ suffering.

Molly, our beloved Border Collie received excellent and compassionate care from our vet, who cried with us while we all said goodbye.

 

Molly

 

Here are some of the critters in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge:

Pug-Nacious (Pug puppy)
Dust Bunny (Maltese puppy)
Barbara Thorne (hedgehog)
Herr Stewart (rabbit)
Rex and Regina (Dalmations)
Geoffrey Canterbury Tail & Chaucer Cantering Burybones (Italian Greyhounds)
Romulus and Remus (Foxhounds)
Cato, the Philoso-fur (ginger kitten)
Balthasar (Gordon Castle Setter-English Setter crossbreed puppy)
Khaldun Kahleil (grey Arabian stallion)
Majeed (grey Arabian colt)
Sharifa (Arabian filly)
Gloriana (sorrel mare)
Zephyr (gelding)

Excerpt from Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge (Elizabeth Bennet):

“… Mama and Papa have never permitted us to have animals in our residence. Hmm, I wonder whether they are concerned about household pets taking over the world. Why the puzzled look, Mr. Darcy? Have you never heard of reigning cats and dogs?”