Linda Banche here. Today I welcome C. Allyn Pierson, whose latest book is her Jane Austen historical romance, Mr. Darcy's Little Sister. As you can tell from the title, she continues Pride and Prejudice with Georgiana's story. But here she talks about Regency spies. Mr. Darcy and spies?Leave a comment for a chance to win one of the two copies of Mr. Darcy's Little Sister which Sourcebooks has generously provided. C. Allyn will select the winners. Check the comments to see who won, and how to contact me to claim your book. If I cannot contact the winners within a week of their selection, I will award the books to alternates. Note, Sourcebooks can mail to USA and Canada addresses only.
C. Allyn has selected the winners Tiffany Green and gigi. Congratulations! I've sent you both emails. If I do not hear from you by October 8, I will select alternates.
Welcome, C. Allyn!
In my latest release, Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister, many of the characters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice make appearances, including Col. Fitzwilliam and we learn more about what I thought he might be up to while in the military. I selected the Horse Guards as Col. Fitzwilliam’s regiment because I felt that the son of an Earl would be in one of the elite regiments, and the cavalry was the most glamorous branch of the service. In addition, the Horse Guards and the Life Guards were part of the Household Cavalry so they would be stationed in London and not sent off to the batt
lefields of Europe to fight Napoleon. I decided upon the Horse Guards because one of their primary functions at that time was to guard the safety of the royal family, so I could give Colonel Fitzwilliam access to the highest levels of the court.In the Regency Era, England had not yet developed an organization dedicated to covert operations (sorry, no MI6 or James Bond!). Various ministers, such as the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, however, needed a source of information about the actions and plans of the enemies of the state. What these leaders did was develop their own system of contacts and informants, and these sources would then develop their own information systems. Because of the individual nature of these systems there was a great deal of duplication, and sometimes, holes in the system. The Horse Guards were not charged with carrying out covert actions, but I felt that their access to the most powerful men in England would make them an obvious choice when it came to sub rosa activities. I envision the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister getting to know Col. Fitzwilliam over the years and coming to realize that his easy-going appearance hid a trustworthy man who could keep his mouth shut and deal with problems diplomatically.
Eventually, the Horse Guards headquarters in Whitehall became the army headquarters and the term “Horse Guards” came to be used as the name of the building, like we use the term “Pentagon” for our military headquarters.
The English government first established the Secret Service Bureau in 1909 and it eventually changed name to the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Foreign intelligence became Military Intelligence, Section 6 (MI6) just before WWI. Until this time, all covert operations were strictly individual plans by powerful Ministers.
I hope you will pick up a copy of Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister to see how the Horse Guards are represented! Thank you to all of the Historical Hussies for having me on the blog today!
MR. DARCY’S LITTLE SISTER BY C. ALLYN PIERSON—IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2010
Pride and Prejudice continues...
Georgiana Darcy grows up and goes in pursuit of happiness and true love, much to her big brother's consternation.
A whole new side of Mr. Darcy...
He's the best big brother, generous to a fault. Protective, never teases. But over his dead body is any rogue or fortune hunter going to get near his little sister! (Unfortunately, any gentleman who wants to court Georgiana is going to have the same problem...)
So how's a girl ever going to meet the gentleman of her dreams?
About the Author
C. Allyn Pierson is the nom-de-plume of a physician, who has combined her many years of interest in the works of Jane Austen and the history of Regency England into this sequel to Pride and Prejudice. She lives with her family and three dogs in Fort Dodge, Iowa. http://www.callynpierson.com/
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20 comments:
I love spy stories, I love secret identity stories and I love the new role you gave Col. Fitzwilliam! My kind of hero.
Your research about the era really shows. I love that! This story sounds good - and I do want to read more about Colonel Fitzwilliam. He seemed like he would make a yummy hero. (grins) And I always thought Georgianna needed her own story!
~Marie~ mariehiggins84302 (at) yahoo. com
This sounds like a fascinating side to Mr. Darcy. That's very interesting about the Horse Guards and the indivual spies before it was organized. Should be lots in intrigue involved! I've been hearing great things about your book!
catslady5(at)aol.com
Yes, there were spymasters and brave agents collecting information for Wellington during the Regency. Makes for a fascinating story, and this one sounds great. I'm an Aussie and not elegible for the book sadly.
What a nice little twist on the Darcy story. I love it when secondary characters get a chance to shine. It's going on my TBR list.
In some regards the upper reaches of British society at this time very much resembled a club. For a man, if you were born into that level of society certainly you would have met most of your peers (literally!) by the time you reached middle age, no doubt having gone to school with many of them, joined the same clubs, belonged to same organizations (CofE, military units, etc.) as well as known their families. What was amazing wasn't that these people all knew each other but rather that the society allowed others (occasionally) to rise into the upper reaches. (This being accompanied by the occasional descent out the the upper class.) Britian, while looked at from the point of view of Americans was a closed society, compared to the rest of Europe it was a much more open society. Talent - along with good breeding - made for success. Thus could a Charles Austen the son of a country parson could rise to the top of the Admirality.
Carey, I have read both books and loved them both. I know there is a crossover of plots, but I really can't figure out why your 1st book is being discontinued. I enjoyed Darcy in Paris and all the different sub plots that was not in this recent book. Liked MDLS also. Gave insite to Georgiana. As far as I am concerned both books should be in print indefinitly. My only question is when will you continue the story. Lots of info left hanging for such another book, either Darcy or Georgiana's point of view? charlene
Sounds like I am going to love this book! Anything Regency catches my eye, but add a spy story to the mix and I'm hooked! Pride and Prejudice also happens to be my favorite Jane Austen book. Best wishes to you!
Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors. And I do love spy stories. And I can tell you've done your research just from the blog post, so I can only imagine how well the book will be.
Tonya
tonyacallihan AT hotmail DOT com
Thanks for all the nice comments! Chatty: the reason for the change in the book is because Sourcebooks insisted that I change the point of view to Georgiana because there are already so many books about Darcy and Elizabeth. They also require that the previous book be removed from circulation when they purchase the title- which is only fair. I am hoping that they will want my next book!
sounds very interesting for sure great post deff have to check it out honestly im glad theirs another point of view and someone besides Darcy and Elizabeth
mortalsinn@yahoo.com
Interesting information. Sounds like a good book! -Laura
Carey, Is your next book going to be a continuation of MDLS? Would love the story to be extended. thanks, love your writing stile.
charlene
I think the idea for this book sounds great! I love Austin inspired books, movies, etc... Can't wait to read your book.
gigi
Sounds like a interesting book.
Stormi
booklady2007[at]gmail[dot]com
Fascinating concept. I also love spy stories. Best of luck with sales! It sounds like an intriguing book. I'd love to win a copy.
caroline@carolineclemmons.com
Love this style of book and I want to say this topping across the blog page looks so peaceful. susan L. garysue@dejazzd.com
Congratulations on the new story! It makes sense that before there was an organization for them that they existed but very independently.
I always wondered what happened to Georgianna now I will be able to find out. I knew Mr. Darcy would be a wonderfully protective older brother.
gigihicks@windstream.net
Chatty: I hope that the next book is a sequel- the manuscript is sitting her awaiting the approval of Sourcebooks editor Deb Werksman. Maybe you should contact her and ask when I will have a sequel....:-)
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