On Monday, April 8, at Austen Authors, I will launch my latest Pride and Prejudice re-imagining, When They Fall in Love. The story is set in 1820-21 in Florence, Italy. Here is a summary:
Spring of 1814 – Fitzwilliam Darcy proposes to Elizabeth Bennet at the Hunsford Parsonage, but his offer of marriage is rejected.
Spring of 1821 – A recently widowed Fitzwilliam Darcy has taken up residence with his six-year-old daughter, Alexandra, at a villa in the hills above Florence and invites Charles and Jane Bingley and their daughter to come for a visit. Included in the invitation is Elizabeth Bennet, who has taken on the responsibility of governess for her niece.
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| Duomo and Campanile - Florence |
In the intervening years, Elizabeth’s opinion of the Master of Pemberley has altered greatly, but has Darcy’s opinion of Elizabeth changed? After all, he married another and fathered a child. Will they be able to put their troubled history behind them?
When They Fall in Love is set against the background of the greatest city of the Renaissance, a perfect place to start over.
For those of you who have read my books, you know that I love history, but I also love art, most particularly the art of the Renaissance, which was the primary motivation for placing my story in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. I was fortunate to have visited Florence twice and to have viewed the magnificent treasures of the Uffizi Gallery. Several are mentioned in When They Fall in Love, and they are pictured here: Rape of the Sabine Women and the Colossus of the Appenines by Giambologna; Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Cellini; Venus d' Medici modeled on Praxiteles's Aphrodite of Knidos; The Duke of Urbino by Piero della Francesca (with an opening on the left for his deceased wife, Battista Sforza); The Venus of Urbino by Titian; and Madonna and Child by Fra Lippo Lippi.
I hope you will join me on April 8 at www.austenauthors.net for the launch and giveaway of When They Fall in Love.
Now available on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook.
Thanks for posting this, Mary. Your story had such detail about the art pieces. I can see why you fell in love with the place.
ReplyDeleteHow long did it take you to research the book? It was so meticulous - loved it!!
Actually, it took me years to research. I've been wanting to write a book with Florence as the backdrop since I first saw A Room with A View about twenty years ago. Thank you for your compliment and review. I am so glad you enjoyed the story. :)
ReplyDeleteThe premise sounds so interesting, Mary! I like seeing Darcy and Elizabeth in new situations, and having them meet again after seven years is definitely new! And it takes place in Italy, sounds awesome! Best of luck with your new release!
ReplyDeleteLove the artwork, Mary. Coincidental that I was reading a Regency romance where the heroine possessed a copy of the Venus. I love how the artwork, Renaissance, and characters' rebirths all seamlessly meld together in this story. I hope your readers enjoy D&E's rebirth! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meredith and Jakki. I appreciate your support.
ReplyDeleteMary, When is this coming out in print? I'm still proudly unpixelated.
ReplyDeleteJulia, The paperback will be out by the end of April. I want to get at least one more proof copy. Thanks for asking.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your new book! I will certainly be reading it; the plot sounds intriguing. Thank you for all your writing!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! I'm glad you posted this. I wanted to see these pictures after reading your book- especially The Venus of Urbino! Great story, btw!
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