I Did A Thing!

~ Cat

Hi everyone! Happy Holidays!

So, yes. I did a thing!

An Old Acquaintance: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Novella is my latest release, just in time for the holidays! Many years ago, it was written as a one-chapter story for the JAFF website called “A Happy Assembly.” It was posted in The Playground, which is a part of the site where a monthly theme is given, and authors are challenged to write a very short story with that theme in mind.

It was around the holidays, and I believe the theme was “Blah Humbug,” or something along those lines. I submitted a modern Pride & Prejudice bit, based on the song “Same Old Lang Syne” by the late, great Dan Fogelberg. It didn’t have a happy ending, per the theme (and the song), but it struck a chord with readers, who very quickly demanded a part two with a happy ending. (In the published novella, the original Playground story makes up chapters 10 & 11, although they’ve been changed a great deal).

Fast forward to this year, when I thought about expanding the two parts into a novella. I started writing the other chapters in November, and here we are! I’m not going to lie; I put Elizabeth Bennet and Will Darcy through the wringer in this one, but rest assured, they get their happy ending.

And now, without further ado…here’s the absolutely gorgeous front cover!

Credit goes to Marie Hudson for the stunning photograph of the woods, and for her invaluable input for the rest of the design. I’m so in love with this cover. For me, it’s the black and white with those pops of red, and I love the ornament as the ‘O’ in Old. I wanted it to be clear that the story was related to Christmas, without hitting readers over the head with it. And of course, I had to have a couple in silhouette, walking in that beautiful snowy landscape.

Initially, I was only going to release this as an eBook, but once the front cover was done, I started thinking that I wanted to hold this pretty book in my hands! I reached out to my previous cover designer to see if she had time, and before I knew it, I had a paperback cover! Brandi, from eBook Cover Design, whipped up the wrap with about five days’ notice. She did a fabulous job, as always. Here’s the full wrap:

Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

This story is written a bit differently from anything I’ve written before. Each chapter is told from either Elizabeth Bennet’s or Will Darcy’s point of view, and each takes place on or around the Christmas holiday. In total, as the blurb states, the story spans two decades. Another difference is that it’s rated PG (maybe PG-13). I think there are a few instances of “colorful” language, and there are a couple of love scenes, but nothing very explicit. This story just didn’t have that “steamy” vibe for me.

And now, here’s an excerpt from the story:

***

Will decided to leave just as the party began to wind down, as he was making the drive to Cambridge to see his father, and had a four-hour trip ahead of him. He donned his coat, and after saying goodbye to everyone—Elizabeth included—he walked out the front door and headed to his rental car. His head swam and his eyes blurred but he kept walking, knowing that once he was ensconced in the car, he could release the breath he was holding.

He heard the front door open behind him, and a familiar voice called out.

“Will, wait.”

He froze, his hand on the car door handle, and turned to see Elizabeth coming down the walkway. It was sunny but cold, and she was without a coat. His hopes flared as they stood there, staring at each other, and she shivered.

“You should go in, it’s freezing,” he said, once again resisting the temptation to pull her into his arms.

“I will. I just–I wanted to say it was nice to see you.”

He smiled sadly. “It was nice to see you too, Lizzy.”

Odd that they’d once been inseparable, wrapped up in the throes of a passionate, young love, yet now they were here, awkwardly trying to figure out how to say goodbye to each other.

“I miss you,” he finally confessed, feeling it was the safest thing to admit to.

“I missed you too.”

Missed. Past tense.

Despite the pinprick of pain and sadness, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His heart raced as he looked into the brilliant blue eyes that haunted his dreams. “I’ll never forget what we had. I’ll never forget you.”

“I won’t forget you either,” she whispered.

Finally, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. It was a familiar, comforting embrace, but it also served as a painful reminder of everything he’d lost. He inhaled deeply, pulling the scent of her into his lungs.

“Goodbye, Will. Merry Christmas.”

“Bye, Lizzy. Merry Christmas to you too.”

She eventually stepped back, out of his arms, and walked back into the house; and though it went against every instinct he possessed, he let her go.

***

I hope you enjoyed that little bit, and I hope you give An Old Acquaintance a chance—though you may need to have some tissues nearby! It will be available on Monday, December 18th, at Amazon (and available in KU, of course). In the meantime, please leave a comment below to let me know you stopped by, and you might just win a copy of the eBook! I will randomly select one commenter on Monday (U.S. only).

Lastly, to celebrate the holidays and my new release, each of my other eBooks—all three volumes of Sanctuary, plus An Unexpected Harvest and Dance the Tide—are on sale for $1.99 through January 1.

Thanks so much for coming to the cover reveal! Heartfelt wishes to you and yours for the happiest of holidays!

Cat

36 thoughts on “I Did A Thing!”

  3. I remember reading the playground story, and that they didn’t have a HEA, so I didn’t know what to expect in the novella. I was lucky enough to get an ARC, and this story doesn’t disappoint.

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    1. The original one-part story didn’t have a happy ending, but I did end up posting a second part that game them a happy ever after – maybe you missed that part! In any case, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much, Kim!

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  4. Thanks for the heads up re tissues, there’s nothing worse than not having one when I need it! My sleeve just isn’t as good!!??
    TWO decades? Such torture! However, I’m prepared to cope with it. Such a treat.

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  5. My first thought when I read the excerpt was “Wow–he let her go!” My inner self was screaming “no, no, no!”. I’ll read the story in its entirety, hopefully next week. You are a gifted writer who is able to engage the reader from page one. Congratulations on publishing another tale.

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  9. As you’ve said, the contrast of colors in the cover brings something more to the story. Although I haven’t read it, I’m sure another masterpiece is on the line. To wrapped up my comment, it’s funny that your story, as their relationship, has started in the past and finally got a conclusion after all this time. Guess fate has its way. Can’t wait. Bring it on, Cat!

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    1. I love the black and white with the red accents…I think it really pops. And yes! Your observation of something started in the past finally coming to fruition in the present is spot on! Very clever! Thanks so much, Thais!

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  14. Love the black and white and red for the cover! It’s nostalgic, but also vibrant. It speaks of the past, but with hope for the present. Can’t wait to read the whole thing!

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    1. Hi Mariana! (I wish you could see the big smile on my face right now!) I hope you enjoy the story! Thank you so much, my friend, and Merry Christmas!

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  15. I read both of the original vignettes and enjoyed them. I’m looking forward to reading the expanded version. The cover is perfect for a winter/Christmas story.

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    1. I’m glad you remember the original stories! And I hope you enjoy this one. I wanted the cover to look like a Christmas story without going to over the top with it, and I think it’s the perfect balance. Thanks Ginna!

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    1. Your comment about the last line made me giggle! I think it’s better now…you’ll have to let me know what you think! Thank you so much Gail! xoxo

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  18. Cat, the cover is beautiful— with a lovely mix of current and nostalgic. With colors that provoke cold and warmth. Sounds like the perfect package for the tale inside. Much gratitude for this unexpected treasure. I love, no I crave, your books!

    Kim

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