Let’s meet Captain Darcy from The Darcy’s Hope Saga, a Historical Romance by Ginger Monette. Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.

The Darcy’s Hope Saga

Genre: Historical Fiction
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG-13
Pride and Prejudice meets Downton Abbey in this blogger-favourite saga!
Escape to the era of Downton Abbey and experience all the drama of World War I alongside Jane Austen’s iconic Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy in this TWO-volume saga!
In Darcy’s Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes, you’ll watch the couple’s tender love unfold as they learn to work together and reconcile their differences at a field hospital only miles from the Front.
In Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey, Darcy is crushed when espionage separates him from Elizabeth and injury leaves him in a dark and silent world. But Donwell Abbey holds a secret that just might change everything….
“…a stellar example of fine Austenesque literature. …an exceptionally moving story complete with a compelling plot, danger, mystery, action, introspection, vivid detail, and an emotionally wrought romance.” ~Austenesque Reviews
When someone dies, we say they “kicked the bucket.” Therefore, a list of things that a person wants to accomplish, places to go, situations to experience, and so on have become known as a “Bucket List.”
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Birthplace: Derbyshire, England
Profession: Landowner, now serving as Army Captain
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Please provide a physical description of yourself.
I stand right at six feet, with dark brown hair inherited from my father. Women consider me handsome, although my 1914-issue Captain’s uniform doesn’t fit as smart as it once did as army fare on the Front is rather…lacking.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m the owner of Pemberley, a large estate in Derbyshire, England, which has been passed down through six generations of Darcys. Both my parents are deceased, and I share guardianship of my beloved sister Georgiana with my cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. At present, I’m serving as an Army Captain in France. My specialty is telegraphy communications.
Who is the significant other in your life?
<cough> Err. There is a certain young lady, a Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who captured my affections when I was sent to Meryton to requisition property for the Army from her father. In a gesture of goodwill, I made the man a promise regarding his daughter.
I made a muck of it, and let’s just say things did not turn out as I anticipated…
If you haven’t made a bucket list before, perhaps now would be a good time. Who knows? It might inspire another book. While you’re at it, how about telling us about some of your other favorite things? Here are the questions.
What is your birth order?
Eldest. Heir.
Tell us about your favorite toy as a child.
A brown filly gifted to me by my father on my fifth birthday. She was my constant companion until I left home to attend Eaton.
Describe your favorite food and how it’s prepared.
I’m rather fond of the scones prepared by Pemberley’s cook. Preferably spread with orange marmalade or strawberry jam.
Tell us about your best friend.
I have more acquaintances than friends, but I do find great enjoyment spending time with my cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Of course I’ve known him all my life, and I trust him. He understands me.
Outside of family, Charles Bingley is my closest friend—although I’m not sure why. We could hardly be more different. He is outgoing whereas I am reserved. He enjoys dancing and social affairs where I find them tiring. Perhaps that is why the Army paired me with him in requisitioning land for military use. I negotiate the business; he manages personalities. We’re good complements.
What are two places you would like to visit before you die, and why?
I travelled Europe extensively as a young man, but America holds some curiosities. My father was an acquaintance of George Vanderbilt. I hear his estate is one of the nation’s crown jewels.
A trip to the Great Pyramids might tempt me as well.
Where is a place you would never like to return, and why?
Bloody trenches in France! Rats, mud, death, filth. Not fit for pigs.
Who is someone you would like to meet, and why?
<sigh> Although already acquainted, I hope for a future encounter with Elizabeth Bennet. She never responded to my letter…
Who is someone you would like to avoid, and why?
George Wickham. He’s been a thorn in my side for years. I’ll never forgive him for what he did to my sister.
If you could time travel to any date, what would it be, and what would you do there?
I would like to travel back to 1812 or so—the Regency Era. I would be keen to look in on Pemberley and see how my great-grandfather ran the estate. See how things were different back then and ask his advice.

About Ginger Monette

Ginger currently writes riveting romances inspired by Donwton Abbey and Jane Austen. Her use of compelling plot, vivid historical detail, and deep point of view has earned her Darcy’s Hope Saga numerous blogger awards and stellar reviews. Ginger lives in Charlotte, NC, where she enjoys Pilates, Turkish and period dramas, public speaking, and reading—a full-length novel every Sunday afternoon.
What was your biggest challenge in writing this book?
Weaving a romance into a complex and unfamiliar WWI setting with both the hero and heroine experiencing significant character evolution, all in the context of a mystery was a HUGE challenge. I’ll never try to combine that many elements again.
Why did you choose this character for the interview today?
Jane Austen’s Fitzwilliam Darcy from the Regency Era is one of the most famous characters in literature.
I thought readers would enjoy seeing him 100 years later in the era of Downton Abbey, which is the setting for The Darcy’s Hope Saga.
When writing the book, what did you discover about this character that surprised you?
Although he came from a very stable and static background, he was able to adapt to a harsh and volatile environment completely foreign to him. He learned to respect and embrace people he would hardly have associated with before the war.
I loved how he evolved as a leader and man, and how his romance with Elizabeth Bennet bloomed among the thorns of war.
Are any sequels planned for this book?
John Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South plays a role in Darcy’s Hope. He may one day have a Great War Romance of his own!
What genre(s) would you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?
Contemporary Romance. I have pages and pages of notes for a Sons of Steadman series—three cousins who all served as Marines in Afghanistan. They return home to find love in spite of their “wounds.”
What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
The first fiction story I EVER wrote was my first novel, Tree of Life ~ Charlotte and the Colonel. My forte’ had always been expository writing, but within fifteen minutes of trying my hand at fiction, I was hooked!
Why should readers who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?
I “hit” on all the bases romance readers are looking for:
•Compelling plot centered on a well-developed romance
•Multi-faceted, “living” characters
•Deep point that really immerses readers in the story
•A suck-you-in story that is hard to put down
Both books in the Darcy’s Hope Saga were voted as 2016-2017 favourites by several bloggers, and both have received stellar reviews on Amazon.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers?
Do you like Pride and Prejudice or Downton Abbey? Then you will LOVE the Darcy’s Hope Saga!
Even if you typically “don’t do war stories,” I encourage you to give this one a try. Just like Downton Abbey, it isn’t a “war” story, it’s a romance in a wartime setting.
Readers have commented that they couldn’t predict where either story was going, and much of that is due to the volatile nature of the war-time setting.
A video trailer and excerpt are on my website at https://www.gingermonette.com/darcy-s-hope-beauty-from-ashes

Where to buy Darcy’s Hope Saga

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778XWLWH/
Universal link Darcy’s Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes: https://books2read.com/u/47kXOj
Universal link Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey: https://books2read.com/u/3yP2Le

Ginger Monette Social Media

Ginger currently writes riveting romances inspired by Donwton Abbey and Jane Austen. Her use of compelling plot, vivid historical detail, and deep point of view has earned her Darcy’s Hope Saga numerous blogger awards and stellar reviews. Ginger lives in Charlotte, NC, where she enjoys Pilates, Turkish and period dramas, public speaking, and reading—a full-length novel every Sunday afternoon.
Website: https://www.gingermonette.com/
Blog featuring Turkish Drama actor Kivanc Tatlitug: https://www.gingermonette.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GMonetteAuthor
Facebook featuring Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, Period Drama: https://www.facebook.com/Ginger-Monette-Author-612096318934524/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7434573.Ginger_Monett
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Ginger-Monette/e/B00GWZIT0U/
Newsletter: https://www.gingermonette.com/contact