Hello lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Marianna
Green and her new book, “Colonel Brandon's Widow and Willoughby”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish
Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in
this post.
Be sure to make it to the
end of this post to enter to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Marianna
and to increase your chances of winning!
This book is on SALE
during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!
See below for more details.
Thanks for stopping
by! Wishing you lots of luck in this
fabulous giveaway!
Colonel Brandon's Widow and Willoughby
by Marianna Green
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GENRE: Romance Historical Jane Austen Sequel
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BLURB:
Mrs. Brandon, the former Marianne Dashwood, is now a widow, and
not yet twenty-five.
Her
former admirer Willoughby is as unhappily married as ever, and the thought that
she is free to marry again drives him to distraction. He has continued in his
dissolute lifestyle, which Marianne abhors, while his wife Sophia's life has
been poisoned by jealousy of Marianne.
Marianne
urges him that the only possibility of happiness for Willoughby and his wife is
for him to give up his empty pursuit of pleasure - but now the Colonel is gone,
Marianne finds that she can no longer push aside thoughts of Willoughby easily
herself; she must find some way of occupying her own empty hours. Willoughby
retains his rascally charm, which an older and wiser Marianne is determined to
resist; Elinor and Edward are as astute as ever, while Sir John and Lady
Middleton are as foolish. Mrs. Jennings remains determined to marry off all her
associates as before, while Sophia Willoughby is even more sour as the wife of
the man she wanted, and Willoughby's friends are suitably cynical rakes.
This sequel to Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' strives to
emulate some of the light ironic touch of the inimitable style of Jane Austen;
it is both funny and sad, and is told as dark comedy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT ONE:
The
union of the Willoughbys’ only resembled that of the Brandons’ in being
childless. Unlike the latter couple, they had no common interests to
compensate, unless an unfortunate tendency to over indulge in wine and other
stimulants could count as a mutual source of diversion. It is true that they
did share in common a manner of relating to each other that involved raised
voices behind slammed doors, angry silences and periods of cold civility; but
this shared inclination brought them no closer together.
It
could be further urged on their behalf , that in this conduct, they provided
society with the diversion of much talk, and their staff with constant
entertainment; - for Willoughby’s confidential valet knew all about his
improper pursuits, while his wife’s lady’s maid could recount how Mrs
Willoughby had cursed him for a fortune hunting libertine in full hearing of
the servants, and of how savagely he had kicked shut her sitting room door
before retorting that, ‘Devil take it, in his whole worthless life, he had only
cared for Mrs Brandon, and he’d be damned if he pretended anything else to
please a scolding…’
But
the reader does not wish to hear any more of this. Seemingly their staff lacked
any discretion, and soon enough, the content of the Willoughbys’ exchanges
leaked out into polite society, which showed still less decorum in repeating
them assiduously. Many a man had dined out for a month on his knowledge of
episodes that ought to have been cloaked in decent silence, and Miss Steele was
one of many maiden ladies agog for the latest outrage…
“Not
another word, damn it!” he exclaimed, coming again to a stop and turning on her
in a fury she had never seen in him before. “I cannot endure to hear this from
you, of all people. As to my wife, it must come to a separation; we are so at
each other’s throats. Then, Mrs. Brandon, you recommend to me a life devoted to
duty?” He stood breathing quickly, while unseen by either of them, a hare
bolted across their path. Willoughby’s normally fractious mount did not even
notice. Throughout their talk, it had showed remarkable patience at being
stopped and started at every other minute, and now stood gently waving its
ears, almost as if it felt for its master’s desperation.
He
rushed on, “No doubt that is how you plan to waste your youth and beauty. No, I
cannot find comfort in a life devoted to good works. Mrs. Smith’s tenants must
go to the hell in a handcart along with their master, when he comes to inherit.
Lord, but I am well served for my former misdeeds and treachery.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MY BOOK REVIEW:
Have
you ever wondered what happens to your favorite characters AFTER the book
ends? Usually I make-up HEA’s for them
if the author “forgot” to end the
book that way LOL!! Ms. Green seemed to
wonder the same thing as she created a sequel based on everyone’s past favorite
characters from the beloved Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility.”
This book was charming, enchanting, intriguing, witty, and
entertaining!
This book was a delightful step back in time and true homage to
the original story.
This
book effortlessly picks right up with the characters seven years down the
road. Marianne Brandon is now a widower
at the young age of just twenty-four. Even
though her and Colonel Brandon had a marriage of convenience, she had grown to
love him, and was deeply saddened and heartbroken by his departure. Since the Colonel left their house to the
next male heir, and they had no children, Marianne is forced to move out, and so she retreats back to her mother’s. Marianne’s youngest sister, Margaret is temporarily
still living at home, as she is engaged, and soon to be married. Now back home, it isn’t long before Marianne’s
path crosses with her former flame, Willoughby, and even shorter than that before
he begins flirting with her and offering himself up to her. But Willoughby is still married to Sophia,
the wealthy woman he dumped Marianne for.
However, it’s obvious Marianne is still smitten with Willoughby and at a
time of grief perhaps he is exactly what she needs to help get over her late
husband?
It
isn’t hard to see Marianne’s attraction for Willoughby. First loves are tough to forget. And when you see that person – or even come
across an old gift or memento from them it’s difficult to remember why you’re not
with them anymore. Those hateful
feelings or whatever caused the rift just melts away and it’s like butterflies
again. But this time Marianne is older
and wiser, and just getting over a tragedy.
Perhaps Willoughby’s timing is off?
And spark or no spark, Marianne knows better this time? Or now that Marianne is free to marry again
will she end up with her soulmate Willoughby?
No spoilers here!! But you
definitely will want to read this book and find out!!
It is truly enjoyable reconnecting with old characters, the setting,
culture, and of course that witty banter!
It was
fascinating to see where the characters have ended up and how their life has
evolved since the first book. I always
liked little Margaret and am happy to see she found someone great and is
getting her own HEA! I was sad to see
Marianne a widow so young, but that was an important part of this story. Willoughby was still the ever so dashing,
seducing, and charismatic fool.
Willoughby continued to be a philandering, despicable, scoundrel that
took no responsibilities or consequences for his nefarious actions until it was
pretty much too late. I enjoyed that the
author included even the smaller, secondary characters, and positioned them in
true stance with their historical reconstruction from the original book as well,
even though little detail may have been initially provided from the first book it
still felt authentic.
I
really liked that this book revolved around second chances. I, personally, strongly believe in them. It was the way I was raised. But I have to say, after all the things Willoughby
did, it was difficult to see him given a second chance. Especially since he was not apologetic or
remorseful until the very, very end. I
felt he actually needed to repent more and atone for his atrocious behavior. He seemed only contrite when it suited him
and when he realized he was running out of time to make amends. I realize sometimes you need to hit rock
bottom before you awaken and comprehend that you need to change. Perhaps that’s what Willoughby needed? Perhaps I am holding out resentment for girl
power and once a cheater always a cheater mentality?
Regardless,
I applaud this author’s creative take on this storyline and find it rather
intriguing! I only hope that Willoughby really
would turn over a leaf, make amends, and become a better man. Not just in the hopes of getting a chance to
be with Marianne – but because he wants to be a better person, a pillar of the community,
and someone his friends can count on.
This book also brings a second chance to
Marianne as she now has to start over with her new life. Although her husband did not leave her their
house, he did leave her enough money to be comfortable for the rest of her
life. It is very fortunate that she does
not need to worry about finances, and she can concentrate on herself and wait
to marry someone she truly loves instead of rushing into a marriage for support
or financial gain.
This book was an entertaining, short read at just 127 pages! I was able to quickly read it over the
weekend out on the deck.
This book was truly respectful, considerate, and kind to the original
and I think Ms. Austen would agree if not compliment the author as well for
taking such good care of her characters!
Although this book is technically a sequel it
can be read as a standalone. However,
there is a significant amount of references to the first book and the
characters substantially overlap. There
is so much backstory that would be missed out on if you didn’t know the
particulars of the original book. I don’t
think you would be confused or lost necessarily, just would not get the full ambience
or foundation of the story.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely
recommend it! I think all historical
romance readers and Jane Austen fans will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to
reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a
complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and
unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Did you find this review helpful?
If so, please, please, please mark it as
helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R116AMQSQB7TKX
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AUTHOR BIO:
Marianna Green is
lives in the UK, has a geekish fascination with English Literature and History,
and an irrepressible sense of humour.
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CONNECT WITH MARIANNA:
Goodreads Author Page:
Goodreads Book Page:
Amazon Author Page:
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BOOK BUY LINKS &
BOOK SALE INFO:
**Colonel Brandon’s Widow and Willoughby is on SALE during
the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!**
Amazon Kindle eBook:
Amazon Paperback:
Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:
Barnes and Noble Paperback:
Kobo eBook:
The Book Depository Paperback:
BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFO:
Marianna will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC
to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a
purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this
blog. This does not cost you anything,
it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**
This contest is sponsored
by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish
Promotions. Prizes are given away by the
sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish
Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
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