Jane Odiwe, author of Mr. Darcy's Secret, Guest Blog and GIVEAWAY!

Mr. Darcy’s Secret is a witty novel with an intriguing premise and great love story that kept me reading too long into the night (see the rest of my review here). I am lucky today to have author Jane Odiwe on Laura's Reviews to discuss her new novel, Mr. Darcy's Secret.

Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe

Thank you, Laura, for inviting me to talk to you about my new book, Mr. Darcy’s Secret.

I did a great deal of research when I was writing the book, and some of it involved travelling to Derbyshire where Jane’s ‘Lambton’ and ‘Pemberley’ were set. I was lucky enough to go on two separate occasions stopping in the pretty town of Bakewell, which may have provided the inspiration for ‘Lambton’, and also Beeley, a village on the Chatsworth estate. A walk I took along the river from the village of Beeley to Chatsworth and back again inspired this short excerpt. The bridge mentioned is based on a real one, the medieval bridge at Bakewell. It was a beautiful, sunny day as I walked through the fields following the course of the river – I just had to include a description in Mr. Darcy’s Secret. I hope you enjoy it.

Donning her sturdiest boots and a beloved cloak from her Longbourn days, which was warm and comfortable if not considered as smart as others in her new wardrobe, she set off. Out of doors, Elizabeth instantly felt better in the fresh air with a light rain misting her features, the smell of Derbyshire limestone and the scent of moss sprinkled like green jewels upon stone walls assailing her senses. Following the river on the shortcut to Lambton bridge, she took pleasure in observing the riverbank twisting and curving with the rushing water moving swiftly in between, glinting like steel knives when the afternoon sun decided to make a brief appearance. Ancient trees dipped their gnarled fingers into the rushing torrent as their branches arched over her head dripping raindrops onto her hood. Walking was sublime exercise when the outlook was so beautiful and Lizzy made rapid progress becoming almost disappointed as the sight of a few scattered cottages and the medieval bridge with its five arches and triangular cutwaters came into view. Crossing the bridge she paused to watch the waterbirds for a moment. There were few people about and of those who walked none seemed to take much notice of her for which she was grateful. She knew if she had arrived in a carriage or dressed in her best pelisse it might have been a different matter. It was lovely to be anonymous for a change and the sense of freedom that she felt such as she had enjoyed in the old days almost overwhelmed her. Chiding herself for being silly and sentimental she continued over the bridge and turned into the lane leading to the High Street. It had been her intention to turn round and walk straight back to Pemberley, but now she was here she was struck by the idea of calling on Mrs Butler. That she could send news to her Aunt Gardiner about her friend seemed a wonderful idea.

Giveaway Details
Beth of Sourcebooks has been kind enough to offer two copies of Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe for a giveaway.

If you would like to win a copy of Mr. Darcy's Secret, please leave a comment about what intrigues you about the novel or this fantastic guest post.

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 March 4th.

Good luck!