Wednesday 30 November 2011

ELIZABETH DARCY AND BARBARA TILLER COLE'S SHOPPING ADVENTURE - GUESTPOST AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to a new friend of My Jane Austen Book Club! Barbara Tiller Cole is the author of Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy and is my guest here today with a lovely guestpost. Join me and welcome her on her first visit to our online club!
Leave your comment + your e-mail address to win a signed copy of Fitzwilliam Ebenezer DarcyThe giveaway contest is open internationally and ends on December 9th when the winner is announced. 

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be with you for a guest post. I recently had a wonderful opportunity to talk with the Elizabeth Darcy from my story Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy.  I was shocked that I got to visit with her a second time.  Neither of us can explain how it came to be, but neither could Mr. Darcy explain how his life was changed by the 4 ghosts that I sent to visit him.   Visiting with a personage that lived 200 years ago was a wonderful experience, and I recorded our conversation and will share part of it with you here.

‘Elizabeth Darcy and Barbara Tiller Cole’s Shopping Adventure’

Elizabeth Darcy:  I am so happy I was allowed to visit with you again, Barbara.  As I shared before, I do not understand how it came to be.  But then since your ghosts were allowed to visit Fitzwilliam and I again, I find it best not to ask too many questions. 

Barbara Tiller Cole:  Mrs. Darcy, I do understand and am happy that the ghosts helped both you and Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth Darcy:  I thought we agreed to call each other by our first names.  Please call me Elizabeth.  I thoroughly enjoyed our shopping experience, Barbara.  But I find this century, and many of your customs and inventions hard to understand.

Barbara Tiller Cole:  I enjoyed our shopping adventure as well Elizabeth. I believe Mr. Darcy will thoroughly enjoy the portable DVD player and the movies you are taking back for his viewing pleasure. I am happy we were able to find the hand crank battery charger. Utilizing that device will allow you to be able to see the films multiple times since you do not yet have electricity in your home.

Elizabeth Darcy: Electricity!  Oh, Fitzwilliam and I read about Benjamin Franklin and his discoveries.  I do hope that electricity will become commonplace in my lifetime.  I am glad to have this device to take to my husband.  You called it a D.V.D.  Does this have something to do with an unmentionable disease?  I have read about the French disease while trying to improve my mind.  I understand that some of the lower classes call it VD?

Barbara Tiller Cole:  Oh no, Elizabeth, it has nothing to do with the French disease.  It stands for Digital Video Disc.

Elizabeth Darcy:  Digital Video Disc…hmmm? Well, I am not sure that helps me understand this any better.  So I will trust you with your knowledge.  I do want to understand more about these moving pictures you helped me purchase.  You said they are about my Fitzwilliam and I? Who are these two men who portrayed my Darcy, my beloved?  Colin Firth and Matthew MacFadyen?  Do you have a preference?



Barbara Tiller Cole:  They are two actors. I much prefer Colin Firth.  But many of my friends like Matthew better.  You should watch them both. 

Elizabeth Darcy:  I find it quite strange that people in your time would be interested in us.

Barbara Tiller Cole: Believe me when I say there are many people quite obsessed with you and your Fitzwilliam. Why I myself have written two books featuring the two of you. There are literally thousands of stories that feature the Darcys. A woman named Jane Austen wrote the original version.

Elizabeth Darcy:  Jane!  Oh, I met her at a private reading in London.  It was after she wrote a lovely story about Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.  How delightful that she would write about my beloved and myself.  Why are people obsessed with us so many years later?

Barbara Tiller Cole:  Let’s see, how can I explain this to you?  The fact that the two of you were willing to let go of your pride and prejudices, and change, in order to find true love together is a fantasy of many of us in this century.

Elizabeth Darcy: You find it unbelievable I was willing to see beyond my blindness, and my tendency to unfairly judge others?  It was that enlightenment that allowed me to see my Fitzwilliam's true worth.  People in your time find bewilderment in that?

Barbara Tiller Cole:  Your willingness to change is definitely a part of it. However, I am sure it has more to do with your husband's willingness to change to win your love that caused my fascination.  There are many that long to have your kind of love.  And, of course, it doesn’t hurt that your Mr. Darcy is rich and handsome.

Elizabeth Darcy: Oh, he is quite wealthy, indeed, and the most handsome man of my acquaintance—including those I have seen in your century. However, his true worth is in his genuine love for me. It is truly an amazing thing to have made such a love match. Did you not make a love match yourself, Barbara.

Barbara Tiller Cole:  Oh, I am blessed to say that I did.  That is not to say that he changed for me as your Darcy did for you.  Why I have trouble even getting him to put down the toilet seat! (laughs)

Elizabeth Darcy:  Toilet seat?  Do they have seats on chamber pots in this century?

Barbara Tiller Cole:  (laughs) We have indoor plumbing and my husband and I share a bathing chamber.  I know that would have been unheard of in Regency time.

Elizabeth Darcy: (shudders) I cannot imagine such a thing. My Fitzwilliam did purchase a special large tub from France, as a special present for me, and we love to take baths together (blushes).

Barbara Tiller Cole:  Yes, I wrote about that in your story.

Elizabeth Darcy:  I would like to go back to the concept of indoor plumbing. I would wish to return indoor plumbing back to my dear Fitzwilliam, but that may be too much to hope for.  Does your manservant no longer have to empty the chamber pots, and that allows you both to use the same one?  But certainly you have privacy…

Barbara Tiller Cole:  … Of course we have privacy.  But I do not have a manservant.  Few do in our century, though many wish that they did.  I am not sure I can explain flushing a toilet to you.  I would love to send you home with a Home Depot catalogue however. It details all types of home improvements that will be available in the future. Perhaps Mr. Darcy can find someone who could assist you with creating such a device.

Elizabeth Darcy:  I would like that indeed.  I have so many more questions to ask of you, Barbara. Do you think that I could come and visit you again?

Barbara Tiller Cole:  I would love that, Elizabeth.  Until next time…
Barbara Tiller Cole

Now leave your comments to enter the giveaway contest announced at the top of this post. Be sure not to forget to add your e-mail address so that I can contact you in case you win . Good luck! MG

Synopsis:
'Pride and Prejudice' meets 'A Christmas Carol' A Jane Austen/Charles Dickens crossover story, 'Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy' takes the best of both classics and spins them into a delightful Holiday treat! F.E. Darcy has fallen into pitiful self-loathing and sorrowful angst-ridden despair; all of this due to his belief that he has lost forever the chance to marry the only woman he has ever loved—Elizabeth Bennet. Seeing her son in such a state, the Ghost of Anne Darcy reaches out to him; informing him that three ghosts would visit him and give him hope. Will these Spirits provide him with the courage to try again to win the esteem of his one true soul mate? Barbara Tiller Cole, an Atlanta native and the writer of the popular book 'White Lies and Other Half Truths', presents this family friendly classic—a delightful combination of the best of her two favorite authors, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Barbara credits her parents with fostering a love for both of these authors. Each Christmas, Barbara’s father would sit and read Dicken’s classic 'A Christmas Carol' to the family. Her mother consistently challenged her to improve her mind by extensive reading, Jane Austen style. This book is dedicated to the memory of Cliff and Jeanne and the season they loved the best.

Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy is available at Amazon in soft cover and Kindle and at Smashwords for Nook and Apple applications.
  

26 comments:

MonicaP said...

I like these chats with Mrs Darcy, they're fun to read. Tell her if she gets bored to come and visit me! Lol I'd love to know what else she'd want to take back with her, and her and Darcy's reactions to the DVDs!

Thanks for the giveaway. I so want to win!

Monica (@jaffobsession)
monicaperry00 @gmail.com

Unknown said...

Barbara, I am enjoying your chats with Elizabeth! I hope we may see more of these in the future.
A bathtub scene with Darcy and Elizabeth? Sounds steamy! ;)
Thanks again for the giveaway, as always, my fingers are crossed! ;)

cyn209 said...

congrats & good luck to Barbara on her novel!!! i love reading Austen-inspired variations!!!!

& what a lovely shopping trip & conversation you had w/Lizzie!!!! LOL!!!

cyn209(AT)juno(DOT)com

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

{MonicaP said...
I like these chats with Mrs Darcy, they're fun to read. Tell her if she gets bored to come and visit me! Lol I'd love to know what else she'd want to take back with her, and her and Darcy's reactions to the DVDs!

Thanks for the giveaway. I so want to win!

Monica (@jaffobsession)
monicaperry00 @gmail.com}

Monica... I am so glad that you are enjoying the chats. I will see if I can get Elizabeth Darcy to come by and visit you. But as we haven't figured out how she came to be able to visit with me...I can't promise anything....LOL..

I may have the next one talk about some of her reactions to the DVDs... Not quite sure yet! I have another one in mind as well! Thanks and good luck on the give away!

Barbara Tiller Cole

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

{Barbara, I am enjoying your chats with Elizabeth! I hope we may see more of these in the future.
A bathtub scene with Darcy and Elizabeth? Sounds steamy! ;)
Thanks again for the giveaway, as always, my fingers are crossed! ;)}

Jakki... So glad that you enjoying the chats with Elizabeth. Hopefully you will see more of them! Good luck with the giveaway!

Barbara Tiller Cole
http://barbaratillercole.tumblr.com

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

{cyn209 said...
congrats & good luck to Barbara on her novel!!! i love reading Austen-inspired variations!!!!

& what a lovely shopping trip & conversation you had w/Lizzie!!!! LOL!!!

cyn209(AT)juno(DOT)com}

Cyn... Thanks so much for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed the shopping trip and conversation with Elizabeth Darcy!

Barbara Tiller Cole
http://barbaratillercole.tumblr.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

This sounds like such a great idea for a Jane Austen book. I would love to read this! Mr. Darcy seems to me although he could use some reminding of the Christmas spirit.

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Sophia Rose said...

I was giggling almost through your whole chat with Elizabeth. Talk about a generation gap.

Your book combining two wonderful stories and adding a little something of your own sounds perfect for the season.

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
sophiarose1816@gmail.com

Jan Hahn said...

Lovely interview, Barbara and Elizabeth! I'd love to read your book, and the bathtub scene sounds delightful.

bennetdarcy@austin.rr.com

Ruby said...

I've enjoyed these chats with Mrs Darcy. Imagining what Mrs. Darcy might say of what our world is like compared to hers.

Ruby Chun @ yahoo.com

Nina Benneton said...

Oh, Barb,

THANK YOU so much for making me laugh with your interview. Elizabeth sounds like someone I'd love to go shopping with, and I hate shopping.

I LOVE how you describe her and Darcy's willingness to change for love. Yeah, yeah, if you love someone you don't want to change them, but darn it, why can't we have all men change like Darcy did!

Lori Johnston said...

Barbara, thank you for a thoroughly diverting guest post. I am sure you had a delightful shopping excursion with Mrs. Darcy. I imagine Mr. Darcy might be thrilled to receive a DVD on fly fishing or perhaps how to more easily converse with strangers? :)

Congrats on your new book - - it looks fun!

Thanks for the contest, I'd love to be considered.

Lori
psychoticbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carmen said...

Thank you for the giveaway!
It seems a perfect book for this Christmas!

8zeronove4@excite.it

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

[Margaret said...
This sounds like such a great idea for a Jane Austen book. I would love to read this! Mr. Darcy seems to me although he could use some reminding of the Christmas spirit.

Margaret]

Margaret. I am glad that you think it is a good idea! Good luck with the giveaway. And as for needing some reminders...YES indeed he does!

Barbara

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

[Sophia Rose said...
I was giggling almost through your whole chat with Elizabeth. Talk about a generation gap.

Your book combining two wonderful stories and adding a little something of your own sounds perfect for the season.

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.]

Sophia Rose...

I am glad that you found humor in my interview! It was fun to write. I thank you for your comment. And hope you have good luck with the give away!

Barbara Tiller Cole
http://barbaratillercole.tumblr.com

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

[Jan Hahn said...
Lovely interview, Barbara and Elizabeth! I'd love to read your book, and the bathtub scene sounds delightful.

bennetdarcy@austin.rr.com]

Jan:

Thanks so much Jan! I know that Elizabeth will want me to thank you FOR her as well! Good luck with the contest! I really appreciate another author taking the time to comment!

Barbara Tiller Cole
http://barbaratillercole.tumblr.com

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

[Ruby said...
I've enjoyed these chats with Mrs Darcy. Imagining what Mrs. Darcy might say of what our world is like compared to hers.

Ruby Chun @ yahoo.com]

Ruby:

I am so glad that you are enjoying these chats. It has been fun working on them!

Barbara Tiller Cole

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

[Nina Benneton said...
Oh, Barb,

THANK YOU so much for making me laugh with your interview. Elizabeth sounds like someone I'd love to go shopping with, and I hate shopping.

I LOVE how you describe her and Darcy's willingness to change for love. Yeah, yeah, if you love someone you don't want to change them, but darn it, why can't we have all men change like Darcy did!]

Nina:

I am so glad that you enjoyed the interview and that I made you laugh! You always make ME laugh with what you write!

As far as willingness to change, I think perhaps you speak the truth. But I do know many people that are desperate to change the one that they at least profess to love. I guess we are not all married to Darcy... :)

Thanks so much for commenting!

Barbara Tiller Cole

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

[ Lori said...
Barbara, thank you for a thoroughly diverting guest post. I am sure you had a delightful shopping excursion with Mrs. Darcy. I imagine Mr. Darcy might be thrilled to receive a DVD on fly fishing or perhaps how to more easily converse with strangers? :)

Congrats on your new book - - it looks fun!

Thanks for the contest, I'd love to be considered.

Lori]

Lori:

I am so glad that you enjoyed my guest post. It was a lot of fun to work on it! I did enjoy shopping with Elizabeth Darcy. She was actually interested in taking back a camcorder to record her Darcy and be able to return it to our time. We were both concerned that we might be tempting fate to hope she would be allowed to return with it. But I KNOW that many of your would have LOVED to see Darcy ride his horse, fish, play billiards, and perhaps just admire his figure while walking :D. Thanks for talking the time to comment!

Barbara Tiller Cole.

Barbara Tiller Cole said...

[ Carmen said...
Thank you for the giveaway!
It seems a perfect book for this Christmas!

8zeronove4@excite.it]

Carmen! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope that people will enjoy sharing this story here during the holidays, and all year long.

Barbara Tiller Cole
http://barbaratillercole.tumblr.com

Kelli H. said...

What a fun post! This book sounds great! I can't wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway!!=)

kellik115@yahoo.com

Phoebe's Sisters said...

Thank you for sharing your conversation with Elizabeth! It was very interesting and entertaining and the book sounds fascinating :-))

faridamestek@yahoo.com

Chelsea said...

I think this sounds like a really interesting book. I love Pride and Prejudice and I love A Christmas Carol so I am looking forward to seeing how you combine the two.I hope I win. Your chat with Elizabeth was also really cute.

Happy Holidays!
crystal_dark@att.net

Unknown said...

The book sounds really good. I can't wait to read the bathtub scene.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Woops, I was going through and realized I forgot to leave my email address.
jakki36 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Thanks again for the giveaway!

kaewink said...

I don´t know if this giveaway is closed already or not. It´s here the 9th in the morning so...?

I loved the interview, esprecially Mrs. Darcys reaction on the sharing of the bathing chanbers :D:D.

I´d love to read the novel. Need to put it on my tbr-list!

kewinkler at gmail dot com.