Friday, September 4, 2009

Loving Mr. Darcy Blog Tour: Visit with Sharon Lathan + giveaway

Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley 


I am very excited to participate in the Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley Blog Tour.  Please welcome Sharon Lathan to Starting Fresh!!


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Sharon Lathan Guest Blog, "Inspiring Happily Ever After"

On my website I write that nothing disappoints me more than watching or reading a romance story where I am not convinced that the lovers will live blissfully together forever. The oft considered elusive “happily ever after” is the expectation of a good romance. If for some reason I reach the final page or see the credits roll and am left empty or disillusioned, then the creator has not done the intended job. Do we not all feel that way? The payoff isn’t just the kiss, but the envisioned belief of happiness throughout the untold years to follow. 

Gaby requested I talk about what has inspired me to write a saga that centers on the happily ever after life of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In my saga, which began with Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One and now contining in Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley, I have simply done what most of us females are imagining when we close the book: I tell of the married life. So I guess you could say that my primary inspiration is the same that impels every writer of romance. We love to be in love.

Before I ever became a writer myself, or even an avid romance reader, I figured that the driving force behind why we women devour romantic stories – and thus why people write them – was that deeply seeded, divinely gifted desire to find our soul mate. We women are simply hardwired for it. Men are too, although it materializes a bit differently! But the point of my blog is not to discuss the differences in the sexes, as fun as that would be!

I suppose one of the reasons so few after-the-wedding-bell stories are written is because we fear the illusion will be shattered. It is all well and good to dream of endless felicity, but we live in the real world, right? Well, yes, the real world can be heartbreaking and downright ugly. Yet we continue to hope not because a fairy tale says we should but because we can find numerous examples of true love in this cruel world.

Enter my real life inspiration. I have been married for 23 years to a man who, even with his flaws, is the love of my life. I have taken to teasingly calling him my Mr. Darcy, not because his personality is like my written creation, but because he daily and hourly showers me with a love that is amazing, romantic, eternal, and utterly for me. I truly could go on and on about this remarkable man I am blessed to spend my life with, but to sum up I’ll share with you this one thing: When we were dating he wrote a poem for me; the first of many titled, “Your Smile Stops the Minutes.” A week rarely passes without him reciting that poem to me. And he means every word of it still to this day! With his permission I included his poem in my fourth book, with Mr. Darcy writing and speaking it to Lizzy. Fantasy? I think not!

Finally and most importantly, I have faith. I know we live in a world of grief and decay, but I also know that is not how it was intended to be. Perfection may not be wholly obtainable this side of heaven, but I do believe we can strive for it. And this includes in our relationships. Do I give Darcy and Lizzy an almost too perfect marriage? Yeah, probably. My excuse? Why not! Immerse yourself in a light, entertaining, hopeful story. How can that be a bad thing? And maybe, just maybe, you too will begin to believe that it can be.

Thanks, Gaby, for allowing me to share with your readers. I hope I have adequately answered your question.


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Thank you so much, Sharon!! Living the happily ever after isn't written about often and am glad that Sharon's books take us there.   I look forward to reading the poem Your Smile Stops The Minutes.  Congratulations on Loving Mr. Darcy and on the wonderful romance with Mr. Latham!  Please do keep these wonderful books coming!

About the Author

Sharon Lathan is a native Californian currently residing amid corn, cotton, and cows in the sunny city of Hanford. She divides her time as homemaker nurturing a husband and two children, plus the cat, dog, and fish; while also working as a Registered Nurse in a Neonatal ICU. Somewhere in there she finds time to write! Sharon Lathan can be found on her website/blog at: www.darcysaga.net, on Facebook as “Sharon Lathan, “ on Twitter as “@SharonLathan,” and on the Casablanca Authors’ blog at:http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/


Loving Mr. Darcy is the second volume in the Darcy Saga. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One is the first in the series. The Darcy's At Year End: An Amazing Journey into Love Everlasting comes out in 2010.

Sharon, Danielle and SourceBooks are generously sponsoring a giveaway of the first two books of the Darcy Saga.  One lucky winner will receive Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One and Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Into Pemberley. 

CONTEST DETAILS:

To enter, please leave a comment for Sharon Lathan or ask her a question. Please include your email address so I can get in touch with you if you win. No contact details, no entry. Limited to U.S. and Canada only. Contest ends at 5 pm on September 20, 2009.

Thank you so much Sharon, Danielle and Sourcebooks for visiting Starting Fresh and sponsoring this giveaway! 

30 comments:

  1. I've been hearing good things about these books! Sometimes it is just so refreshing to read a positive and lighthearted book for a change!

    Thanks for the great giveaway,
    cheers,
    julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

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  2. I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
    wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

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  3. Hello again, Sharon! I wonder: have you seen HBO's Lost in Austen? If yes, what did you think of it?

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. I'd like to know why you think that Jane Austen and Jane Austen "sequels" are so popular right now?

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    libneas[at]aol[dot]com

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  5. I love that you're giving us insight into what happens in "happily ever after" and I think if you didn't make it "happy" then it would somehow ruin the fairytale for us (at least for me!)

    melacan at hotmail dot com

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  6. Unfiortunately the average romance follows the formula of lust at first sight, , steamy sex, characters fall in love although they haven't built a relationship, often the couple has great difficulty getting along outside of the bedroom: yet, the couple has usually committed to one another by the end of the story without convincing the reader that they are more than strangers who enjoy each others company in bed.
    enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

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  7. Question: Were you at all intimated by taking on such a famous storyline? Were you worried some people would be upset?

    amanda
    catss99@yahoo.com

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  8. Hello ladies! First off I have to apologize, big time, for not being around yesterday, but I had the date scheduled for the 5th (today). So sorry for the mix up! I hope you will forgive and come back around today for my responses.

    Thanks, Gaby, for the opportunity to share with your readers. I loved the question and had a great time talking about my inspirations.

    Julie, It is wonderful news to know that you have been hearing good things about my books! Every author sure wants to hear that! And I totally agree that a positive, lighthearted read is nice now and again.

    Howdy Wanda. Great to see you here. Good luck with the giveaway.

    Etirv, Hello to you too. I have seen Lost in Austen and I very much enjoyed it. I admit that it was weird at first, but once you realize it is meant to just have fun with and not take seriously, it is a very entertaining movie. Now, Elliot Cowan does not supplant Matthew Macfadyen in my mind, but he is a very good Darcy. Dare I say the second best Darcy? *ducks*

    Neas, It is a good question and one that I have addressed in several blog essays. There are many reasons, but I think it primarily boils down to a love for Austen. Her characters and story grab hold. We do not want to let them go! Readers want more and writers want more. We all approach it from different angles (sequels, variations, behind the scenes, zombies!) but it comes down to a love and devotion to Austen.

    Pam, I completely agree! I can't imagine their life not being happy, so that is how I wrote it. Others give a variant future, and some like that too. Fine. But for me it just can't be any other way. Thankfully many readers feel the same way!

    Again I apologize for the mix up. But I will be checking in from here on out so don't hesitate to fire off those questions or comments! I'll be back!

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  9. Hello ladies! First off I have to apologize, big time, for not being around yesterday, but I had the date scheduled for the 5th (today). So sorry for the mix up! I hope you will forgive and come back around today for my responses.

    Thanks, Gaby, for the opportunity to share with your readers. I loved the question and had a great time talking about my inspirations.

    Julie, It is wonderful news to know that you have been hearing good things about my books! Every author sure wants to hear that! And I totally agree that a positive, lighthearted read is nice now and again.

    Howdy Wanda. Great to see you here. Good luck with the giveaway.

    Etirv, Hello to you too. I have seen Lost in Austen and I very much enjoyed it. I admit that it was weird at first, but once you realize it is meant to just have fun with and not take seriously, it is a very entertaining movie. Now, Elliot Cowan does not supplant Matthew Macfadyen in my mind, but he is a very good Darcy. Dare I say the second best Darcy? *ducks*

    Neas, It is a good question and one that I have addressed in several blog essays. There are many reasons, but I think it primarily boils down to a love for Austen. Her characters and story grab hold. We do not want to let them go! Readers want more and writers want more. We all approach it from different angles (sequels, variations, behind the scenes, zombies!) but it comes down to a love and devotion to Austen.

    Pam, I completely agree! I can't imagine their life not being happy, so that is how I wrote it. Others give a variant future, and some like that too. Fine. But for me it just can't be any other way. Thankfully many readers feel the same way!

    Again I apologize for the mix up. But I will be checking in from here on out so don't hesitate to fire off those questions or comments! I'll be back!

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  10. It's so wonderful to see the love we know existed between Lizzy and her William!

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  11. Hey Sharon,

    It's fun traveling w/you on your tour. Glad that you are keeping Mr. Darcy going so we can enjoy his experiences.

    Dina

    dlsmilad@yahoo.com

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  12. I don't seem to be able to post my comments, but I am trying! In hopes that it appears at some later date - all ten times I tried to respond - I will answer the latest questions.

    Enyl, I partially agree. In fact there are a great many excellent romance novels out there that do not follow the pattern you describe. However, far too many do. Those are the ones that irritate me as well. I referred to it on my website as the ones that "get it right." I have to believe the couple are meant to be together in every way, not just because they are attracted physically. Austen does that.

    Catss99, No, I wasn't. However, I did not know quite what I was getting into when I started writing. I fell in love with a story and wanted to write how it carried on. Period. Later I realized the huge scope of what I was taking on and it did intimidate me. I nearly quit, many times. But I never lost sight of what my intent was: to tell of an extraordinary love between two people. That those people happened to be beloved literary figures only heightened my resolve because I firmly believe that Austen herself meant for her couples to be happily married and content in life.

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  13. I have been following Sharon's tour and every time I read something more about her books, I want to read them even more! Now that I know she has her own Mr. Darcy, my interest just spiked again. Sharon, what sort of plans do you have for the future? Are you going to continue to tell the stories of the Darcys or are you going to venture into different territory?

    Margay

    Margay1122 (at) aol (dot) com

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  14. Mary D
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Hi there :) I've been hearing so many terrific reviews and readers' remarks about your Mr. Darcy series - that I've added them to my WANT list and hope to be able to collect ALL the titles! They sound amazing, and your take on 'happily ever after' rings quite true.

    Gaby, thanks for the wonderful tour, I always enjoy visiting your site :)

    Hope everybody has a safe and fun Labor Day weekend ~

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  15. I have heard great things about these books. I will definitely start reading them!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  16. I knew it would end up posting in duplicate! I am just thankful it was only 2 as I think I tried it about a dozen times. LOL!

    Hi Margay! Thanks for following me. :) I appreciate your words and do hope you will not be disappointed when you finally read my novels. At the moment I am up to my eyeballs in Darcy and Co. I am currently with 3 WIP - all related to the Saga - that are under contract. That will keep my busy for a while. After that, who knows? I love writing about the Darcys, and do have more stories floating in the wee brain, but I am also open to whatever inspires me. I love writing romance and I love all areas of history, so I can see myself someday venturing into another time or place.

    Hi Mary Ann. Excellent! I will confess to loving the terrific reviews and remarks as well! Let me know what you think when your "want" list in fulfilled. :)

    thruthhaze - Great moniker! Bet there is a story behind that. Thanks for the support. I do hope you love them.

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  17. I knew it would end up posting in duplicate! I am just thankful it was only 2 as I think I tried it about a dozen times. LOL! I am still having trouble posting. The replies I enter do not show up for hours, if at all. Several have not, so I do apologize. I am not trying to ignore, truly.

    Hi Margay! Thanks for following me. :) I appreciate your words and do hope you will not be disappointed when you finally read my novels. At the moment I am up to my eyeballs in Darcy and Co. I am currently with 3 WIP - all related to the Saga - that are under contract. That will keep my busy for a while. After that, who knows? I love writing about the Darcys, and do have more stories floating in the wee brain, but I am also open to whatever inspires me. I love writing romance and I love all areas of history, so I can see myself someday venturing into another time or place.

    Hi Mary Ann. Excellent! I will confess to loving the terrific reviews and remarks as well! Let me know what you think when your "want" list in fulfilled. :)

    thruthhaze - Great moniker! Bet there is a story behind that. Thanks for the support. I do hope you love them.

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  18. I would love to read this book. I have read the first book in the series and really enjoyed it.

    jen4777[at]hotmail.com

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  19. I'm so sorry for the technical troubles!! Sharon has been trying to comment and respond to everyone's questions. She's asked me to post this message:- I received this message from Sharon for everyone:


    "** I knew it would end up posting in duplicate! I am just thankful it was only 2 as I think I tried it about a dozen times. LOL!

    Hi Margay! Thanks for following me. :) I appreciate your words and do hope you will not be disappointed when you finally read my novels. At the moment I am up to my eyeballs in Darcy and Co. I am currently with 3 WIP - all related to the Saga - that are under contract. That will keep my busy for a while. After that, who knows? I love writing about the Darcys, and do have more stories floating in the wee brain, but I am also open to whatever inspires me. I love writing romance and I love all areas of history, so I can see myself someday venturing into another time or place.

    Hi Mary Ann. Excellent! I will confess to loving the terrific reviews and remarks as well! Let me know what you think when your "want" list in fulfilled. :)

    thruthhaze - Great moniker! Bet there is a story behind that. Thanks for the support. I do hope you love them. **"

    Sharon - I'm so sorry for the trouble and really appreciate how you've been so responsive despite these technical problems!! Thank you for being so game!

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  20. Thanks for the great giveaway! My q for Sharon is where did you meet your wonderful husband?

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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  21. For Sharon ..if you could meet anyone ..who would it be?
    thanks

    sounds great

    wadesherry@hotmail dot com

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  22. Getting back to you all a couple of days late. Sorry! Real life intervenes sometimes.

    Beth, My hubby and I tease that he picked me up on the Boardwalk! It is sort of the truth, but actually we were introduced by mutual friends. He just happened to be on the Boardwalk at the time! I was new in town, it literally my first day, and I had moved from a far warmer, desert clime, so was freezing when we met. All I could think of was how cold I was and have only vague memories of the introduction. No big fireworks for me! He, on the other hand, was instantly smitten. Isn't that sweet? One year and two days later we were married. A whirlwind courtship to be sure. Now it has been 23 years of marriage.

    If I could meet anyone, Wow, tough question. I would love to meet JRR Tolkien. His mind must be incredible and I could just sit for hours as he spun tales of Middle Earth.

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  23. Ooh! It's so nice to hear that there will be a third book in the series!

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

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  24. Hi Sharon, my question for you is when do find time to write your masterpieces??

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. Hi Beth! Yes, there is a third book, and a fourth and a fifth! And a couple other stories in the works that are part of the Saga. Lots to look forward to from me - I hope!

    Howdy Karen! I appreciate the "masterpiece" but think that may be pushing it a bit far! LOL. Glad to know you love what I have done thus far, though. Praise is not as swiftly rendered as criticism, so double thanks. Time is the million dollar question. It gets much harder when you get published. Not that I am complaining, mind you! But I still work full time as an RN, so finding hours in a day is really rough. Thankfully I have an amazingly supportive family. Without them it would be impossible.

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  26. I think the passion that you describe so beautifully in your books is what I like most about your writing.

    ryspenc@yahoo.com

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  27. Sharon,

    Perfection. Awe to breath that word is a breath of fresh air. And although, like you I don't believe absoult perfection can exsist on this side of heaven - I am one to hope and certainly meditate on its meaning to have perfect and incandescently happy true love.

    So, Sharon... thank you for providing the words to imagine Mrs. Darcy's perfect and incandescent happiness.

    - Jaclynn

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  28. Sharon,

    Perfection. Awe to breath that word is a breath of fresh air. And although, like you I don't believe absoult perfection can exsist on this side of heaven - I am one to hope and certainly meditate on its meaning to have perfectly and incandescently happy true love.

    So Sharon.... thank you for providing the words to imagine Mrs. Darcy's perfect and incandescent happiness.

    -Jaclynn

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  29. Thank you Paula. I really appreciate that. Passion is a much maligned characteristic I think. We immediately associate it negatively to sex. Yet passion, both in the bedroom and without, is a necessary and positive aspect of life. I try to delve into the passions of my characters in all respects, including that which exists between William and Elizabeth.

    Hey Jaclynn! Indeed true perfection is only found with God. But He does want us to aspire to that state. Perhaps if we understand what perfection is we can then have a better chance of getting closer to it. I hope the love and life I give the Darcys leads others to grasp for it within their own lives. And in the mean time they can read a fun story that will put a smile on their face! That is good too. :)

    I appreciate your words.

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  30. Thank you Paula. I really appreciate that. Passion is a much maligned characteristic I think. We immediately associate it negatively to sex. Yet passion, both in the bedroom and without, is a necessary and positive aspect of life. I try to delve into the passions of my characters in all respects, including that which exists between William and Elizabeth.

    Hey Jaclynn! Indeed true perfection is only found with God. But He does want us to aspire to that state. Perhaps if we understand what perfection is we can then have a better chance of getting closer to it. I hope the love and life I give the Darcys leads others to grasp for it within their own lives. And in the mean time they can read a fun story that will put a smile on their face! That is good too. :)

    I appreciate your words.

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