That's All Folks - Blog-wise

Fifteen months ago, my main computer was attacked by malware. One of the results was that I was denied access to my blog. No matter what I did, Blogger would not recognize me as the owner of the blog on that computer. I spent hours in computer chat rooms trying to figure this out, with no luck. (Blogger was of absolutely no help, and there is no one to talk to.) The only computer it did recognize was a laptop that may have been the first laptop ever manufactured by Dell. It is sooooo slow. It takes about three minutes to load a picture, and it's as easy to maneuver as an aircraft carrier.

Things were not going well when, several months ago, Amazon notified its authors, for the benefit of said authors, that it was severing old links to book titles of a certain age (like me). Despite Amazon's assurance that their directions were easy to follow, I couldn't figure it out. To prove that I couldn't figure it out, you can look at my sidebar and see blank spaces where books should be.

I saw these two events as signs that it was time to sign off, at least as a blogger. If you are reading this post, bless you, because you are one of only a handful of people who have stuck with it despite months-long interruptions--without explanation I might add because I could not get on the blog.

I do have a Facebook page for Mary Lydon Simonsen; Mary Lydon Simonsen, Author; and for Patrick Shea Mysteries. I also have a website for my mysteries: patricksheamysteries.com. Those pages are where I will post any information on new releases, blog posts for Austen Variations, etc.

I am closing out this blog with the notice that I will be releasing a prequel to Mr. Darcy's Bite on October 15 on Austen Variations. Parts of this novella previously appeared on Austen Variations. At the request of readers, I was asked to expand the story and turn it into an e-book, and I have done that. (While I was waiting for this picture to load, I made lunch. That will give you an idea of just how slow this computer is.) I truly appreciate all those who have followed this blog. Signing off, with gratitude, Mary

Mr. Darcy - Bitten is available on Kindle and Nook.

All my books can be found on Amazon's Author's page at this link.

Answered Prayers - The Third Short Story in the Pemberley Series by Mary Simonsen

Darcy and Elizabeth – Answered Prayers – Although four months have passed since Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of his marriage proposal, Fitzwilliam Darcy has yet to come to grips with the idea of a future devoid of Elizabeth’s love and companionship. Riding through the rain to reach Pemberley, Darcy arrives at his home with his mood as gloomy as the weather. When he discovers that Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle are touring the gardens, Darcy decides to use the approaching storm as a way to keep Elizabeth at Pemberley. It is his last chance to convince Elizabeth that he is a man worthy of her affection. Will he succeed?

Answered Prayers is the third and final short story in what I am calling the “Pemberley series” because all three stories take place at Pemberley. You may ask, why Pemberley? The answer is simple: I just love how Jane Austen brings it all together in the gardens at Mr. Darcy’s Derbyshire estate.

By the time Darcy and Elizabeth arrive at Pemberley, they have had sufficient time to take a hard look at their own prejudices. In doing so, they realize that they have both fallen short. Elizabeth recognizes that she was too eager to think well of George Wickham and too quick to think ill of Mr. Darcy. But it is Darcy’s epiphany that allows the story to blossom. A self-centered, class-conscious man from England’s elite has fallen in love with the daughter of a gentleman farmer. What will the neighbors think! The wonder of it all is that Darcy doesn’t care! It is at Pemberley where our charming pair take their first steps toward reconciliation. By the time Elizabeth leaves the manor house, there is nothing but blue skies and smooth sailing ahead.

Yes, I know that Lydia and Wickham happen, but we don’t believe for one minute that those two self-absorbed people will destroy the happiness of our beloved couple. The story of an immature teenager and a scoundrel almost gets in the way of the happy ending that we know is coming.

I write about Pemberley because it is so hopeful. Although Austen never intended to write a romance, once an author releases her work to the world, it becomes the property of the reader. To millions of Jane Austen’s readers, Pride and Prejudice is a romance—and a satisfying one at that. I hope you will enjoy my short story. Now, here is an excerpt fromAnswered Prayers:

The setting: The study at Pemberley with Darcy enjoying the port, i.e., he is a bit tipsy.

With the firelight flickering across Darcy’s face, Lizzy saw a deep and abiding hurt and knew that she was the one responsible for it.

“If I caused you any pain—”

“Yes, I know. It was unconsciously done, and you hoped that it would be of short duration. Unfortunately for me, you were wrong.”

“Mr. Darcy, I—”

“I was never so surprised in my life. Whenever I saw you at Rosings, I felt ridiculous because my feelings for you were so obvious: my visits to the Parsonage, our encounters in the park, how I could not take my eyes off of you during church services, supper, while you played, and on and on.” Shaking his head, he added, “A moonstruck calf had more dignity than I did.”

“I honestly did not know of your—”

“Of my what? Interest, regard, affection, love. That was the progression. When you came to Netherfield, you piqued my interest. During all those interminable card parties, you merited my regard. At the Netherfield ball, you earned my affection, and by the time I saw you in Kent, I was in love. Well done, Elizabeth,” Darcy said, raising his glass, “and you did not even notice.”

Darcy and Elizabeth – Answered Prayers is available on Kindle and Nook for .99.

Release of New Short Story - Behind Pemberley's Walls

I am pleased to announce the release of a Pride and Prejudice short story: Darcy and Elizabeth – Behind Pemberley’s Walls. As with Lost in Love, this story takes place at Pemberley where a dejected Darcy has gone to try to get over Elizabeth’s rejection of his offer of marriage. Here is the blurb:

Four months after Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of his offer of marriage, Fitzwilliam Darcy is still trying to puzzle through the reasons for her refusal. When he arrives at Pemberley, a place of reflection, he finds that Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle are touring the gardens. Is it possible that Fate has presented him with an opportunity to make amends for his awful proposal in Kent? Before doing so, he devises a plan to find out if Elizabeth is having second thoughts about rejecting him. The question is: Will he succeed? - Length: 10,000+ words

If it appears that I have been missing from the World of Austen, it is because I also write a police procedural series called The Patrick Shea Mysteries. Another, bigger reason, is that for the past eleven years, I have been researching a horrific train wreck that happened in 1888 at the Mud Run Train Station in Carbon County, Pennsylvania in which a distant cousin of my father’s was killed along with 63 others. A story this sad required pacing, but, eventually, I had to gather up all my research and write the story. The book, The Mud Run Train Wreck, A Disaster in the Irish-American Community, is now available in paperback on Amazon and in an e-book format on Kindle and Nook. If you (or anyone you know) is interested, please click on the links below.

As always, my sincere thanks for your support of my writing efforts.

P.S. The artist for the cover of Behind Pemberley’s Wall is Alexander Francis Lydon. As my maiden name is Lydon, I am sure we are related, and I had to support a relation. ;)

Behind Pemberley's Walls: Kindle, Nook

The Mud Run Train Wreck: Paperback on Amazon, Kindle, Nook

Patrick Shea Mystery Series Website