A Searing Acquaintance
by J.L. Ashton
by J.L. Ashton
Book Blurb
“I don’t know why I ever
thought we made sense.”
Smart, educated people are fools in love, especially when
they’re mired in denial and misunderstanding.
In this modern spin on Jane Austen’s
classic tale, Elizabeth Bennet, a grad student with literary aspirations, has
found her big career break—and broken up with yet another forgettable
boyfriend. While grateful for the professional lifeline thrown by sports agent George
Wickham, she is intrigued by the man she calls Mr. Noir.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, marked by tragedy, is a
man accustomed to living his life in the spotlight even as his heart dwells on
the dark side of loneliness. When he first meets Elizabeth, he thinks she
looks like “a bloody pumpkin,” but he soon sees so much more. She, however,
can’t even decide
what to call him. Mr. Noir? Nurse Darcy? Sleazy British playboy? Ferdinand?
“So, it’s Fitzwilliam, right?
That’s an amazing name, you know. Which came first—the name or the accent?”
He looked at her.
“Oh, come on. It’s like the
name of a subdivision or a sofa at Pottery Barn. `Please note the extra firm
cushions on The Fitzwilliam.’”
Can an accidental encounter that leads to shocking intimacy
change the course they’ve both set and bring them into love’s light? Or will they stay mired in
cold words and angry misunderstandings, overshadowing the deep connection they
each feel? Getting beyond their own mistakes to find each other again is one
thing; they also have to heal the wounds of their pasts. Can they do that
together?
Review
This is a remarkable retelling of the classic story we all love, Pride and Prejudice.
Although set in the modern era, you seen the similarities with the original along with the changes made to fit within this storyline. Readers will be drawn into the story, the complex past of Elizabeth and Will, and the endearing love they share. You will find laugh, cry, and smile with each passing page as the heart and soul of Elizabeth and Will shine through.
Whether you're a JAFF reader or just a lover a romance, I think this book should be embraced for it's admirably written and captivating love story.
J.L. Ashton Bio
J.L. Ashton didn’t meet Jane Austen until she was in her
late teens, but in a happy coincidence, she shares a similarity of name with
the author and celebrates her birthday on the same day Pride &
Prejudice was first published. Sadly, she’s yet to find any Darcy and
Elizabeth candles on her cake, but she does own the action figures.
Like so many Austen fans, Jan was an early and avid reader
with a vivid imagination and a well-used library card. Her family’s frequent
moves in the U.S and abroad encouraged her to think of books and their authors
as reliable friends. It took summers in London, a history degree, and another
decade or two for her to start imagining variations on Pride &
Prejudice, and another decade—filled with career, marriage,
kids, and a menagerie of pets—to discover the world of JAFF. Today, in between
writing Jane Austen variations, Jan lives and works in the Chicago area, where
she volunteers far too often and is a member of the local and national chapters
of the Jane Austen Society of North America.
A Searing Acquaintance is her first book.
Author Links
A Searing Acquaintance Blog Tour Schedule
3/7: Excerpt & Giveaway at My Jane Austen Book Club
3/8: Guest Post & Giveaway at So Little Time…
3/9: Review at Tomorrow is Another Day
3/10: Author Interview & Giveaway at From Pemberley to Milton
3/11: Character Interview & Giveaway at Leatherbound Reviews
3/12: Excerpt & Giveaway at Babblings of A Bookworm
3/13: Review at Liz’s Reading Life
3/14: Review at Half Agony, Half Hope
3/15: Review at Margie’s Must Reads
3/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars
3/17: Guest Post at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice
3/18: Review at Diary of an Eccentric
3/19: Review at Just Jane 1813
3/20: Excerpt & Giveaway at Delighted Reader
3/21: Guest Post & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews
