Happily-ever-after coming your way!

Greetings Everyone! First, I have to thank the gals at Romance Junkies for allowing me to tell you about my new novel. It is such a thrill to be entering the marvelous – and sometimes scary – world of publishing. As a debut author it is especially comforting to be given the opportunity to share my vision at a place where the aim is to promote and support romance. Because, if it is romance you want, I got it for ya!

My name is Sharon Lathan and thanks to the amazing crew at Sourcebooks I am privileged to present Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Two Shall Become One. Probably easy to figure out that it is a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but rest assured that my version offers something different.

Back Cover Blurb~~~~

A Honeymoon can last a lifetime… Beginning on their wedding day, Pride and Prejudice’s Darcy and Elizabeth are two people who are deeply in love with one another and are excited to begin their marriage. Their courtship was tempestuous; misunderstandings and misgivings nearly tore them apart. But now that they’ve seen each other without prejudice, their trust, attraction, and delight in each other grows with each passing day. Both are inexperienced and innocent, sharing moments of shyness and boldness as they discover the kinds of intimacies that a newlywed couple shares. As their love story unfolds, they reveal their innermost secrets and feelings, embracing each other in a marriage filled with romance, passion, humor, and drama that will keep you spellbound.

Right from the beginning I suppose I was ‘doing it wrong’ according to the standard romance-writing formula. Ages before I was inspired by P&P and wrote this story I was continually curious about what happened after the final page, after the screen faded to black, after the kiss. Imagining the couple as they dealt with life together and lived the happily-ever-after of the fairy tale intrigued me. I always wanted more and was never content to let the magic wane as I spun scenes in my head. I rejected the idea that it had to be boring. I also rejected the idea that it had to be tragic! Why not find joy and be in love forever? And heck, life can be fun!

The why and how of my taking these random dreams from this particular story and creating a series of novels can be read in depth at my website – The Darcy Saga. In a nutshell, I still am not sure why! Timing and divine providence, I guess. Whatever the case, I believe I have proven my convictions: Two people can become one soul and have terrific fun in the process.

Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth offer hope that marriage can be wonderful and special. They are human, of course, and far from perfect! But don’t we read and write romance novels because we want to believe that the elusive true-love exists? That the fire of passion can persevere and flame hotter? I think so!

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Two Shall Become One is volume one in my Darcy Saga series. It is a tale for Austen fans. It is a tale for romance fans. It is a tale for history fans. It is a tale for believers in love. Are you one of those?

Here is a small taste from the wedding night. Hopefully it will whet your appetite for more!

“All in due time, Mrs. Darcy. First, I have a wedding present for you.” He took her by the hand and seated her on the sofa. He went to the armoire and pulled out a square box wrapped with blue paper and tied with a thick blue ribbon. He returned to her and placed it into her lap, kneeling before her. “For you, my wife, always to remember this day, the happiest day of my life.”

Elizabeth was slowly shaking her head and tears filled her eyes. “William, you should not have. You have given me so many wonderful gifts already! All I need to remember and mark this day is you … only you.”

Darcy smiled, “Thank you, dearest. You shall always have me. Now you shall also have this meager token as well. Open it.”

Elizabeth untied the bow and pulled the wrapping away. Inside the box, lying on a bed of dark blue velvet, was a vanity set … brush, comb and mirror … made of mother-of-pearl with Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy engraved on each handle. The craftsmanship was exquisite. She was overwhelmed.

“William, I do not know what to say. They are beautiful! I have never owned anything equal. Thank you so very much!” She leaned over and kissed him soundly.

Darcy beamed at her obvious pleasure. “You would have enjoyed the spectacle, my dear. I have come to realize how lacking my education is in the area of feminine requirements. I have, in fact, studiously avoided the subject in the past. Recently, I have discovered myself extremely fascinated by all the mysteries related to the fairer sex, or more specifically related to you. I scoured my extensive library and found not a single book that could answer the questions I had. I surmised that the only sure avenue open to me was to enter the shops in London that cater to the needs of women.”

Elizabeth could picture it clearly and the vision did make her smile. He went on, “I was most relieved to find that I was not the only gentlemen present in the establishments, but I certainly was the most ignorant! Fortunately the proprietors were remarkably sympathetic and willing to further my education. So, I learned numerous incidentals, which I am certain will aid me in being an understanding husband. As for this particular gift, considering how ardently I admire your beauty and especially your lovely hair, it seemed fitting.”

“William, you are too good to me. I truly do not deserve you.”

“Nonsense,” he replied gruffly, “I love you and enjoy giving you gifts.” As he spoke, he absentmindedly reached up under her gown and began running his hand along her right calf. Time stood still for both of them. Instantaneously their mutual desires were awakened and their thoughts became riveted to their need for each other.

Gazing into her eyes with a deep intensity, Darcy took the box off Elizabeth’s lap, laid it on the floor, and then rose onto his knees, bringing himself level with her. He slowly ran his hands along the tops of her thighs and around her bottom, pulling her to the edge of the sofa. Her knees parted and he moved closer to her body as his hands leisurely caressed their way up her back, eventually entwining in her hair as he brought her lips to his and kissed her passionately.

****For more excerpts and information, please visit my website: The Darcy Saga