2nd Sunday Sneak Peek, Two Clues, and an Interview!
Good morning, dear readers!
Today I will share TWO Clues for The Pulse and Prejudice Pop Culture Challenge (where you can win an iPad4 PLUS a Cash Jackpot!) in an excerpt below.
Until October 31st, Pulse and Prejudice will be offered through the Secret Cravings Store at a 25% off Discount! Use Promo Code Paranormal25 when placing your orders. Although the discount is only available through the Secret Cravings Store, Pulse and Prejudice is available in print, eBook, and Audiobook through all the major outlets (just click here) or order from your favourite bookstore.
BUT FIRST!
I recently had the honor of being interviewed by by Jamallah Bergman for her Stories of Love and Romance! Here are a few of the questions she had for me....
1. Before we start talking about your book, why don’t you tell everybody a little bit about yourself?
I’ve lived in South Louisiana just about all my life. Any time I try to go North, the snow convinces me to come back! I am married and have three grown daughters, so we have an empty nest except for our two dogs. I love to travel internationally and hope to visit all seven continents. I only have Australia and Antarctica left to go! I love Pink Floyd, the New Orleans Saints, wine, and cheese.
2. Besides writing, what other things do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
And now, on to the Clues found in this Excerpt from Pulse and Prejudice!Pulse and Prejudice retells Jane Austen's classic love story from Mr. Darcy's point of view but as if
Miss Austen herself had conceived his character as a vampire. Throughout the novel, you will find references to film, music, and literature I have enjoyed over the years, all of which are listed on the Acknowledgements page.
In this scene from Volume II, Chapter 9, following (Spoiler Alert!) Elizabeth's rejection of his proposal, Darcy has realized his failings as a man, and he is discussing his epiphany with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Here you will find not only a nod to a Pink Floyd song but also a twisted reference to my favourite song by Pearl Jam. Here's a hint: It's also the colour I seem to wear most often...
As dawn broke, Darcy sat in his study in deep reflection. He heard the front door open and close. “Fitzwilliam,” he called out.A moment later, the Colonel appeared in the doorway. “Good morning, Darcy. How are—good God, you look like hell! What happened to you?”“You have been scarce recently. Have you taken up again with that lady from St. John’s Wood?”Fitzwilliam took a seat across from Darcy, neither of them acknowledging that their questions had gone unanswered. Fitzwilliam pretended to ignore the cup in Darcy’s hand that occasionally came to his lips.“I have been a fool, Fitzwilliam.”Fitzwilliam raised his eyebrows. “Far be it from me to argue with you on that point, Darce; but to what specifically are you referring?”“I have been proud and arrogant.”“You can be a bit stiff-rumped; and you do have rather fustian tendencies; but what is this all about?”“Is that how others see me?”“I have always found you a bit starched, but you can be congenial when you choose.” Fitzwilliam paused in thought before continuing. “Since your…change, you have simply chosen not to be.”Darcy’s eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean?”“I don’t blame you; I cannot imagine anyone would not be seriously affected—”“Wickham has not. Wickham has gone on as if it were a blessing rather than a curse.”“Wickham was of the devil long before his…transition.”With a thoughtful nod, Darcy considered Fitzwilliam’s words. “I have chosen not to be congenial.”Fitzwilliam stood and approached Darcy, sitting near him on the edge of the desk. “Lady Calmet described you as a diamond—brilliant but cold and hard.”They were quiet for some moments before Darcy broke the silence. “I have lost her.” He looked up into Fitzwilliam’s eyes. “I have lost Elizabeth. I know someday she will be the moon in someone else’s sky. Why can it not be mine?”“I am sorry, Darce. Is there nothing to be done?”Darcy shook his head. “Quiet desperation is the English way, or so they say. From the first moment of our acquaintance, she was prepossessed to dislike me.”“How so?”“Do you recall Georgiana mentioning that a young lady had heard me say she was not handsome?”“Do not tell me that it was Miss Elizabeth! Why would you say such a thing? She is lovely. Indeed, she is one of the loveliest—”“I fear I was not completely forthcoming. I did not say she was not handsome.” Darcy turned his head and mumbled, “I said she was not handsome enough to tempt me.”“What’s that?”Darcy pushed himself up from his chair. “I said she was not handsome enough for me!”“Oh, Darcy. It is no wonder she refused you.”“I know.”“Of all the arrogant—”“I know.”“—asinine—”“I know!” Darcy snapped. “Do you not think I have regretted those words for all these months?”Fitzwilliam shook his head. “You really are an arse.”Darcy glared at his cousin with a tilt of his head. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam, for clarifying your opinion. And must you be vulgar? Need I remind you that, regardless of how long you were on the battlefield, you are the son of an earl?”Fitzwilliam ignored Darcy’s admonition. “So she will not have you.”“No, but I will not have gone through this misery in vain. I have been obdurate. From those ill-fated words at the assembly until my behaviour when I offered for her, my manners, my conduct have been unpardonable. I have been selfish and overbearing, thinking meanly of the sense and worth of others compared to my own. To that, add the bitterness I have felt due to my affliction, the disdain I have felt for those who could find joy in life, as if they were somehow to blame for my misery. Elizabeth said nothing of me that I did not deserve. I have not behaved in a gentlemanlike manner. I had thought she beneath me, but I know now that I do not deserve her. And not because of my curse but because of my character.”Darcy glanced at Fitzwilliam and found he was gaping at him with wide eyes. “I…I know not what to say.”“Have I left you speechless, Fitzwilliam?”“Indeed, you have! So what does all this mean?”“Although I know I will never have her, I want to become someone worthy of her.”“But you still love her.”Darcy turned and stared out the window before answering. “More accurately, only now do I truly love her. I thought I loved before; but I was selfish and unkind, thinking only of myself and my own needs with no consideration for her feelings. Elizabeth has brought me a greater understanding of myself, and for that I feel the utmost gratitude.”
There is no purchase necessary to enter or win, so feel free to borrow a copy from a friend or the library - although I'm sure you will want your own ;) . Just don't use a pirated copy, or you will be disqualified.
But time is running out! Submit your contest entry to: pulseandprejudicecontest@outlook.com by October 31st, 2013.
I have already given away several hints, and I will be revealing a NEW CLUE EVERY WEEK from now until the end of the contest, so be sure to Follow this blog or "Like" my Facebook Author Page. For complete contest rules and more information, please go to PulseandPrejudice.com. Good luck - and have fun!
~Colette
Only open to residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, age 18 and older at the time of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where otherwise prohibited by law. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING; HOWEVER, ANYONE USING A PIRATED COPY OF PULSE AND PREJUDICE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. For complete contest rules and more information, please refer to the Contest Rules link on PulseandPrejudice.com.
Pulse and Prejudice – A tale of love, blood, and desire; the definitive vampire adaptation of the Jane Austen classic.
This compelling paranormal adaptation of Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Mr. Darcy, vampire, as he endeavours to overcome both his love and his bloodlust for Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
When the haughty and wealthy Fitzwilliam Darcy arrives in the rural county of Hertfordshire, he finds he cannot control his attraction to Elizabeth Bennet – a horrifying thought because, as she is too far below his social standing to ignite his heart, he fears she must appeal to the dark impulses he struggles to suppress.
Available Now in Print, eBook, and audiobook!
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