Monday, February 14, 2011

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam Guest Post (and GIVEAWAY!) by Karen V. Wasylowski


Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski (author of Darcy and Fitzwilliam)

The internet calls him the nameless second son of an Earl, not very good looking in the popular sense but blessed with charm and wit. He appears in only a few pages of Pride and Prejudice but his existence is vital to the story, his importance to the Darcy family immense - he shares guardianship with his cousin for the precious Georgiana. And why would a father entrust the care of his only daughter to not only his son but his nephew? It followed that the nephew had to be as close to the family as a son.

That was my thought process as I watched the lovely 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice, especially the scene at the dining table when Aunt Catherine is enacting the Spanish Inquisition with Elizabeth. Oh how I love Judy Dench. I would watch her in a commercial and she would probably be nominated for an award. Darcy looks up briefly and catches the eye of his cousin. The look they exchange is the same one countless of young people have exchanged through the years as they sit politely by and listen to the ranting of their elders. It is hopefully respectful, seldom patient but always terribly embarrassing when strangers are present. I remember rolling my eyes around at my mother’s comments to such an extent that it’s amazing the orbs remained in their sockets.

Anyway, now my nieces and nephews do that with me.

So, writing the character of Fitzwilliam and his brotherly love/competition/loyalty to his cousin Darcy began. For my research on the Peninsular War I read the wonderful Bernard Cornwell books about Richard Sharpe, a rifleman in Wellington’s army who, due to his bravery, rises through the ranks from private to colonel. There are twenty-five ‘Sharpe’ books in all, covering each major battle of the Peninsular War, Waterloo and its aftermath. The internet helped explain any of the confusing details; each battle is covered so completely by the many groups still discussing that long war. It is a period of time that I find fascinating, the importance of that campaign still relevant today.

I have always loved stories about family and love, and the struggles we all experience as we bump along, trying to lead a decent life. We all fail occasionally but it’s the pulling yourself up and going on that counts. I see that in both Darcy and Fitzwilliam. They support each other; and, although they are both proud and stubborn, both with different outlooks of life, different temperaments, different lifestyles, the bonds of family and love will carry them through to another day.

If not, they’ll box each other’s ears.

Giveaway Details
Beth of Sourcebooks has been kind enough to offer one copy of Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski for a giveaway.

If you would like to win a copy of Darcy and Fitzwilliam, please leave a comment about what intrigues you about the novel, this fantastic guest post, or Colonel Fitzwilliam in general.

As part of your comment, you must include an email address. If I can't find a way to contact you I will draw another winner.

For an additional entry, blog about this giveaway or post it on your sidebar. Provide a link to this post in your comment.

I will be using random.org (or a monte carlo simulation in excel) to pick the winners from the comments.

This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents (Sorry!).

No P.O. Boxes.

The deadline for entry is midnight, Friday February 25th.

Good luck!

13 comments:

  1. Such a very enjoyable guest post. I agree with Ms. Wasylowski that even a commercial with Judi Dench would be a pleasure to watch. And, I'm impressed that she read Cornwell's Sharpe series as research. He is a favorite author. I'd love to read this novel. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Wonderful guest post! I am intrigued by the similarities and differences between the cousins. Please enter me in this great giveaway.

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

    I will post this in my blog's sidebar.

    Thank you for hosting this, Laura.

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  3. This entire novel intrigues me and I'd love to read it.
    +1 I blogged, http://bit.ly/hGUqiJ

    Thanks!
    brnterri at gmail dot com

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  4. I like the idea that they are like brothers, and act that way. I would love to read the book.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  5. I always thought Fitzwilliam seemed a dashing figure and deserved more attention. I think this idea of them as near brothers is wonderful. I would love to read more.
    leesmithwriting@yahoo.com

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  6. Darcy and Fitzwilliam have turned to be my most favorite period characters ever and I'm glad there is a book that explores their relationship. Jane Austen barely touched on Fitzwilliam, but gave us a glimpse into what the life of a war hero must have been in those days. As for Darcy, I think his cousin the Colonel was very good for him, he complented his personality perfectly. I imagine together they must have been a terror! I'm glad that Ricahrd gets lots of attention in this book! Your guest is lovely by the way.

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  7. No need to enter me. Just wanted to say that I enjoyed this post. I loved how Wasylowski portrayed Col. Fitzwilliam in the book.

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  8. ANYthing P&P related is fascinating to me! I'd like to know what happens to him because we all have a story. Thank you for the chance to win!

    kjv1611as at gmail dot com

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  9. Sounds like a good story about family and love!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  10. Is it not true, for all of us, that we are who we are because of the people we surround ourselves with? Which is not to say, that the behavior of others governs our behavior, but that we have a circle of people who are really important to us, and support us through thick and thin, that is imperative. I think this book is trying to present Darcy and Fitzwilliam in a camaraderie like that, and I think that's a novel idea. I'd love to see how the story unfolds...Again, anything in lieu of Jane Austen's writing, or is homage to such a wonderful writer, is a MUST read for me! :)

    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

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  11. What intrigues me about this book is that the author fleshes out the character of Fitzwilliams. He did play an important role in Pride & Prejudice, but that story wasn't really about him.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

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  12. This giveaway ended February 25, 2011 and a winner was already chosen.

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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