In the arms of Mr. Darcy sound good to you?
There are many literary heroes whose embrace we can imagine ourselves languishing in, but Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is probably in the top twenty for many of us. No doubt that is partially the fault of Matthew Macfadyen and Colin Firth. However, not entirely as Mr. Darcy has held up well for over a hundred years before either of those hunky blokes donned breeches!
I was thrilled when Sourcebooks came up with this title for my newly released fourth novel. The image conjured is pleasant to say the least. Per my typical romantic modus operendi the reader will spend a fair amount of time within my hero’s arms, vicariously via Lizzy that is—
He straightened and turned, drawing her gently into his embrace. She draped her arms over his shoulders, twining her fingers into his hair and pulling his head down to meet her upturned lips.
“What were you saying about needing a few kisses to restore your harmony?” She whispered against his lips.
“Hmmm. I believe I said they would suffice if we had no time for more.”
“I was thinking,” Lizzy whispered huskily, biting his earlobe sharply, “I bathed this morning so do not really need to do so again, and I am sure Marguerite has my garments prepared, and you can remove my day dress as well as she, so… Oh!”
Darcy had uttered not a word. Instead he precipitously lifted her into his arms, moving quickly to the bed.
Lizzy laughed breathlessly. “You had to carry me the ten steps to the bed? We couldn’t walk?”
“Far speedier this way. Time is of the essence, Mrs. Darcy.” He grinned, but was quite serious.
Yet, as romantic as the vision of literally being in the arms of Mr. Darcy, I divined another interpretation. My Mr. Darcy is a man of action. He is a leader and competent businessman with great responsibility. Figuratively his arms are loaded with burdens. His duties as husband, father, brother, and friend are taken seriously and not easily relinquished.
“I have been thinking it may be best if you do not chaperone Georgiana. Wait, hear me out!” She lifted her hand to stay his response. “You can trust Georgie not to do anything foolish. She deserves this time to have fun, and I am not so sure if she will relax with you glowering at anyone who tries to dance with her!”
“I promise I shan’t.”
“You will try not to, but it will come naturally, my love.” She smiled, kissing his cheek. “You will be uncomfortable in the atmosphere and worried for her. Emotion will show on your face to some degree no matter how you strive for nonchalance. There are others who can chaperone, sparing you the torture.”
“Who did you have in mind?” He asked suspiciously.
“I was thinking of George or…”
“My Uncle George? Are you serious?” He sputtered. “He would be too busy flirting with every female over the age of five-and-twenty to notice if a gentleman acts inappropriately with my sister!”
“Dramatic again,” she countered with a shake of her head and laugh. “Indubitably, George would be pouring on the charm, but he loves Georgie too much to ignore her. You trust him to escort her to Stevenage this summer—”
“I was coerced and taken unawares,” he inserted grumpily.
“—so how is this worse? And there is also Richard. He is her guardian, after all.”
Darcy remained silent, his face set in the expression Lizzy knew meant he was considering. She waited, watching as he kept his focus upon Alexander, bouncing and caressing idly as he frowned and thought her arguments through. Finally, “Very well. I concur that I am overreacting, slightly. I will accompany her this Wednesday for her first appearance. She has requested my presence to ease her nervousness. After that, I will permit Richard and my uncle to alternate if they wish.” He glanced up into her eyes, smiling faintly. “I need to learn to let go, yes?”
For me one of the greatest joys is writing a complex man who is both soft and strong. My Darcy is bit of a control freak! Of course this is understandable to a degree considering his responsibilities. Thankfully Lizzy is there to assume some of the weight he carries and her playfulness lightens his seriousness. What a great team they are!
How about you? We know you want to languish in the arms of Mr. Darcy, but what other literary hero’s arms sound like a pleasing place to fall into?
All excerpts © Sharon Lathan, Sourcebooks Landmark, 2010
IN THE ARMS OF MR. DARCY BY SHARON LATHAN—IN STORES OCTOBER 2010
If only everyone could be as happy as they are…
Darcy and Elizabeth are as much in love as ever—even more so as their relationship matures. Their passion inspires everyone around them, and as winter turns to spring, romance blossoms around them.
Confirmed bachelor Richard Fitzwilliam sets his sights on a seemingly unattainable, beautiful widow; Georgiana Darcy learns to flirt outrageously; the very flighty Kitty Bennet develops her first crush, and Caroline Bingley meets her match.
But the path of true love never does run smooth, and Elizabeth and Darcy are kept busy navigating their friends and loved ones through the inevitable separations, misunderstandings, misgivings, and lovers’ quarrels to reach their own happily ever afters…
About the Author
Sharon Lathan is the author of the bestselling Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley, and My Dearest Mr. Darcy. In addition to her writing, she works as a Registered Nurse in a Neonatal ICU. She resides with her family in Hanford, California in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. For more information, please visit www.sharonlathan.net, as well as the two group blogs Sharon contributes to: Come to www.austenauthors.com and www.casablancaauthors.blogspot.com.
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Thank you Ms. Lathan for joining us today! Two readers (U.S. and Canada only) will win a copy of IN THE ARMS OF MR. DARCY. To be entered in the drawing, just leave a comment below.
Congratulations on the new book! It looks like a lovely story. I would pick Rhett Butler after Mr. Darcy.
I’m one of those who didn’t plan to read any of the so-called ‘sequels’ to Austen’s novels. But, these by Sharon Lathan sound wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway.
Two other literary heroes that I can think of would be John Thornton from ‘North and South’ and of course, Rhett Butler!
Congratulations on the release of your book Sharon. It sounds like a good read. I’ll be adding it to my ever growing BTB list!
Good morning ladies! Thanks for jumping in so early in the day! For me it is the end of my day since I worked all night at the “real” job in a hospital. Sleep is calling me, but I will be back later I promise!
Thanks again to RR@H for hosting me. I love coming here for a day! I always feel so welcome.
Rhett Butler is a great choice! I didn’t think of him, but yes, that would work nicely indeed. 🙂
Thanks Linda. Of course I think they are wonderful! Hopefully you will also.
Thanks Karen. I understand the ever growing TBR pile. I often say that the only real drawback to writing is that I have less time to read. My pile is actually several piles now.
Hi Sharon. Your book sounds good. I am intrigued by your story.
This book sounds awesome! Please enter me in the contest.
Margay
Coming a distance behind our beloved Mr. Darcy, would be Bond, James Bond! Darcy and Bond would certainly enjoy martinis and good stimulating conversation.
Hi Sharon!
I work during the day at a clinic, but I still try to sneak in on some of these things when I can:) The cover of IN THE ARMS OF MR. DARCY is beautiful… it looks like it could be a painting. I loved the blurbs you posted too! Mr. Darcy is probably my favorite when it comes to literary hero’s but I am kind of partial to Edward Rochester from Jane Eyre. I am definitely adding this one to the wishlist:)
yadkny@hotmail.com
This wonderful and intriguing book sounds appealing and lovely. Congratulations and best wishes for your success.
Congrats on your new release!
Personally, languishing in Mr. Darcy’s arms is pretty enticing. And although I love to read Sherlock Holmes’ stories, he’s more of an intellectual attraction than a physical one. How about Jacob Black from “Twilight”? That Taylor Lautner, young as he is, is pretty hot. Plus, he’ll keep my feet warm at night. Also, Carrot Ironfoundersson from Terry Practhett’s Discworld series is a good, strong man (and the secret king, too boot).
I would say John Thornton from North and South…. Le Sigh…. 🙂
sounds good!
Love to win this book! It sounds good.
It’s excellent Jill. I hope you got to read the other 3!
After falling into Mr. Darcy’s arms, I would do it, again…just for good measure.
Some runner ups…
Athos from The Three Musketeers
Green from The Little Goddess Series
Jamie Fraser from Outlander
Oh my, everyone has been busy coming up with some delicious choices while I was asleep! Fabulous!
Jamie Fraser – Oh yeah baby!
Bond – Yes if it is Pierce Brosnan 🙂
John Thornton is a wonderful choice, whether Richard Armitage is visualized or not. Such an amazing character!
Mr. Rochester is a great option. I loved the way Tobey Stephens played the role!
I’ll add Aragorn from Lord of the Rings. My all time favorite hero! Yes, even above Mr. Darcy, but don’t tell anyone I said that!
My taste runs to fantasy, so I loved the mention of Pratchett! Thanks cories!
Just about any of the heroes within Karen Marie Moning’s stories. Highlanders are, well, yummy…..
Acheron from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s novels.
OK, I better stop!! You ladies are terrific. Keep the ideas coming!
Butler has been my favorite since high school.
And I LOVE Hawkeye in Last of the Mohicans–the movie, not the book.
Susan Shay
Oops. Apparently Rhett fell out. Rhett Butler, not some other Butler.
Congrats on the new book! I can’t wait to read it. I love all things P&P (well, most things- that one zombie book is not on my like list).
Can’t wait to read this book! Sounds just a wonderful as
the rest of your three other books! Those were hard to put down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For the same of my husband’s happiness, I would say I want to fall into his arms…he can be quite the character at times…he finds it difficult to compete with a fictional character.
Sorry typo. that is supposed to read “For the sake of my husbands happiness…..
Hi Sharon! My pick would be George Knightly from Jane Austen’s Emma… especially when he was played by Jonny Lee Miller in the 2009 TV miniseries!
“Complex man who is both soft and strong” and boy do you get him right Sharon!
I am so much more in love with Darcy by reading your books. You have given him so many wonderful attributes, he remains poised and regal as Master Darcy, yet so beautifully sentimental and romantic with his Lizzy and Alexander.
This lastest “In The Arms Of Mr Darcy” ( SO love that title) is another brilliant extension of this wonderful fulfilling life you have given my favourite characters of all time Lizzy & Darcy!
Love the post and the excerpts!
TSBO devotee
Vee
I love the title- the cover is gorgeous – the words and story inside Divine!! I can only say that my husband finished this wonderful book with a smile on his face came over and held me in his arms and we danced our wedding song in the terrace!! Loved it – Sharon you better keep writting!!! I am having so much Fun!!
I must say that Mr. Darcy has always been my favorite literary hero. Second place would go to Mr. Rochester. I am looking forward to reading this book. I read the first one and loved it and have the second already on my reading pile.
For me, first, it was Rochester from Jane Eyre. Second, it was Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind. Now and forever, it is William Darcy and he is the ultimate man of my dreams!!
eeek! I’ve fallen behind on this series! Thank you for the sneak peek and for whetting my appetite.
Hi all! I left for a few hours to watch Lord of the Rings with my family. All this talk about great heroes must have gotten to me! Thanks for the fabulous comments.
Nice to see Rhett Butler getting some love. Can’t help but envision Clark Gable, of course, and that is nice. Daniel Day-Lewis as Hawkeye, oh yeah! Rewatched that movie not too long ago for my son. He loved it!
I understand, Deanna. I haven’t read the zombie one, or any of the monster mashups, but that has more to do with my not being a fan of monster stories in general. We are having Ben Winters who wrote S&S and Seamonsters as our guest at Austen Authors on 10/29. That should be fun!
Seli you and hubby are so adorable! Go the romance!
TSBO devotee
Vee
Sounds wonderful, truly, all the best for its release!
I honestly have no idea who’s arms I’d like to fall into. I do wonder what it would be like to be with Sherlock Holmes. He’s brilliant and witty. He’d be great at puzzles and you’d never have a dull conversation. A powerful quiet strength.
One would never be bored with Sherlock Holmes, that is for sure. And if he really did look like Robert Downey Jr. then all the better!
Seli, I never tire of hearing about you and your wonderful hubby. True love all the way!