'The Unthinkable Triangle' – Cover Reveal and the first Giveaway of many - Welcome to the Author page of Joana Starnes

'The Unthinkable Triangle' – Cover Reveal and the first Giveaway of many

1/9/2015

“All is fair in love and war – or is it?

What if Mr. Darcy’s rival for Elizabeth Bennet’s affections is not some inconsequential stranger, but his dearest, closest friend?

How is he to reconcile the claims of loyalty and kinship with the urge to pursue his heart’s desire?”

We do love our ‘Pride & Prejudice’ what-ifs! We simply can’t have enough tales of our favourite couple. Some tales are adventurous, some are exquisitely and deliciously romantic - and some can be plain horrifying. Like, for instance, what if Mr. Darcy’s closest friend beats him to the post and proposes to the woman he loves, mere hours before he was going to? And what if Elizabeth says ‘Yes’?

Photo: BBC

It’s fair to assume that such a tale might torture Darcy far beyond the limits of what should be legally allowed :) which is why I have been so hesitant to write it.

Photo: BBC

But then, what if the rewards make up for the cruel torture? They say that what is hardest to reach is what people value most, so by these standards Mr. Darcy should treasure his wife more than anything in his entire world!
And that, as we all know, is exactly what he does!

An excerpt from Chapter 1 of ‘The Unthinkable Triangle’ has just been posted in the Writers Block at Austen Authors, and you can find it here.

Proud members of the ‘Let’s Torture Darcy’ Club, come join me for a sneak peak and please leave a comment here on my website, for a chance to read the full story for free, as soon as it’s released.

The international giveaway of two e-books closes at midnight (BST) on the release date, 23 September 2015. Do visit and I hope you’ll like what you see.

88 Comments

Joy King link

1/9/2015 04:28:53 am

Yes! Yes! Yes! I am so pleased we are this close to release day. I've been waiting for this. Lovely cover, Joana.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:08:43 pm

Thanks so much for the lovely kind words, Joy. You're wonderful, as always! Hope you'll like it. It looks grim for Darcy in the first half, but it gets better, as we all know it HAS to ;)

Hope you had a nice summer. Hugs!

Claudine

1/9/2015 04:39:14 am

This book sounds wonderful and I love the cover. Thanks for sharing!!

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:09:34 pm

Thanks so much for the support, Claudine! Much, much appreciated!
All the best and chat soon :)

Erika Messer

1/9/2015 04:41:34 am

I have always thought about the Captain as a choice for Elizabeth, thinking he could possibly have been a match for her - the only thing I ever wondered was his comment to her about Darcy having been pleased with himself when he came between Bingley and Jane. I wondered if he would have done the same or if he was just making conversation. He seems like a good match for Lizzy, I can't wait to read this when it comes out! Congrats and yes I love the cover :)

Erika Messer

1/9/2015 06:08:08 am

The colonel not the captain LOL! Oh my brain is not yet on this morning :)

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:18:42 pm

He really seems a good match for her, Erika, doesn't he? Outgoing, lively, great sense of humour, much like Elizabeth herself.

But then they always say that opposites attract :)

As for the scene you mentioned, I think you're right, he was just making conversation. Besides, chances are he didn't get the full story from Darcy, just that 'there were some strong objections to the lady'. Maybe if he got to hear more, he would have laughed at his cousin for what Darcy perceived as objections. Or maybe he would have trusted Darcy's opinion that Jane wasn't really in love with Bingley, and might have agreed that Bingley needed to be protected from a supposedly mercenary wife. I love these speculations, they're always such fun!

Thanks for visiting and good luck!

Roseanne

1/9/2015 05:43:49 am

Fantastic cover Joana! Beyond excitement waiting for the release of this. Col F really is a good match for her so looking forward to see how this plays out!

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:25:21 pm

Thanks so much, Roseanne! So pleased to hear you like the cover, I had a great time making it. Fiddly but fun.

I totally agree, they seem a great match for each other. Mr Bennet must have been so pleased when the Colonel came to ask for his consent, and Mrs B must have been ready to explode with glee ('The son of an Earl! Three thousand a year and very likely more! Everything that is charming! A pity he is only a second son, but we must not repine and make what we can of it!' - or words to that effect :D ) Thanks for the vote of confidence and I hope you'll like it.

MaryAnn Nagy link

1/9/2015 05:56:50 am

I absolutely love the cover and it sure does sound like it would be an interesting and intriguing read! Can't wait! Another great hit by Joana! Thanks for the heads up.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:29:04 pm

Thanks so much for the lovely warm words, MaryAnn, so kind of you to visit and comment! Wonderful to hear you like the cover and I hope you'll like the story too. Hugs and all the best!

Susan Meikle

1/9/2015 06:03:21 am

The Colonel is my favourite 'minor' character from P&P, I just hope he doesn't get his heart broken

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:36:11 pm

I know the feeling, Susan! I love him almost as much as Darcy. Almost, but not quite :) But you're absolutely right, he deserves much better than having his heart broken and I did my best to be kind to him!

Tina link

1/9/2015 06:08:50 am

I hope that everything turns out all right for Darcy.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:37:57 pm

It simply HAS TO, Tina!
(So yes, it does ;) )

Pam Hunter

1/9/2015 06:13:42 am

I can't wait to read this one! Poor Darcy! This will nearly destroy him, but I have faith you will make everything all right. :-)

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:42:30 pm

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, Pam!!! I did try to. What's the point of reading stories that leave us feeling miserable? A bit of misery along the way is fine, but NOT at the end ;)
Have a lovely week and thanks for visiting!

Wendy Roberts

1/9/2015 07:18:48 am

Oh dear! I wonder how this will end? I fear that there will be at least one broken heart.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:47:57 pm

Thanks so much for your interest, Wendy! Oh yes, there are troubles ahead for them all, but it HAS to end well. Somehow ;)
Good luck and thanks for taking part.

Sandra Larimer

1/9/2015 09:01:49 am

Oh the joy found in the agony! I am excessively diverted! How will the Colonel and Elizabeth come together? And how will you get them out of this muddle? I cannot wait to read it!

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 04:51:47 pm

Thanks so much, Sandra!
'Oh the joy found in the agony! I am excessively diverted!' LOL A lady after my own heart :)
Hope you'll like the story. Thanks for visiting and good luck!

Nicole DAC

1/9/2015 09:59:25 am

I've always had a bit of a crush on Colonel Fitzwilliam and think a rivalry between him and Mr. Darcy would certainly be possible, and very entertaining !

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:01:38 pm

So do I, Nicole, he's so adorable! Kind, open-hearted, far from dumb, easy to talk to, friendly, great sense of humour. Even the fact that he's described as 'not handsome' in the original P&P doesn't matter to me anymore, ever since I read a post by Regina Jeffers' where she points out that 'not handsome' might have simply meant 'not as handsome as Darcy', and that's fine by me.

Glad to hear you might find their rivalry entertaining. I hope you will. I tried very hard to prevent the rivalry turning into acrimony. After all, we don't want the dear men to start hating each other!

Thanks for stopping by and best of luck!

Nicole

1/9/2015 10:04:39 am

Oh no, hopefully it will have a happy ending

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:02:54 pm

It will, Nicole, it HAS to ;)
Thanks for commenting and best of luck!

Theresa M

1/9/2015 10:30:40 am

What an interesting idea....poor Mr Darcy! I definitely need to read this story.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:05:49 pm

Thanks, Theresa :) And yes, poor Mr Darcy!
I hope you'll like the story. All the best and good luck in the giveaway.

Susan S

1/9/2015 11:00:50 am

This sounds wonderful! I really like
the cover too.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:10:51 pm

Thanks so much, Susan!
Great to hear you like the cover. The miniatures, or at least one of them, is significant to the story. The fan, not so much. Just the idea that many things must have been concealed behind fans. A pity that Mr Darcy can't use one :)
Good luck and thanks for visiting.

Patricia Finnegan

1/9/2015 11:06:45 am

I love reading stories with love triangles!

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:14:09 pm

Thanks, Patricia, wonderful to hear that!!
And I so love writing them :) I think they're the spice of any love-story. Much less annoying than being thwarted by adverse circumstances or overbearing relatives or clueless friends. Thanks for visiting and good luck!

karana

1/9/2015 11:09:13 am

Ooohhh. Sounds intriguing. Love a good twist.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:15:32 pm

So glad it caught your eye, Karana. Hope you'll like this twist ;)
Best of luck and thanks for your comment.

Jennie N

1/9/2015 11:47:47 am

Sounds great! I'm glad to see another book from you coming out.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:17:06 pm

Thanks so much for the support and the very kind words, Jennie.
Hope you'll like the story. Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

Patty Edmisson link

1/9/2015 11:57:09 am

Oh my, poor, poor man! To be completely and utterly blindsided by Colonel Fitzwilliam. I await to see how our couple get together. I like how you alluded to how the Colonel should have had a clue.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:22:11 pm

Thanks, Patty! Yes, poor Darcy! If his rival were anybody else but Colonel Fitzwilliam, at least Darcy could have had a sympathetic ear in his cousin. But now who can he unburden himself to?

So glad you liked the excerpt and the idea and I hope you'll like the rest too. All the best and good luck!

Lynn s

1/9/2015 12:01:44 pm

Oh dear, I see lots of angst in this one!! Can't wait to read this. Poor Darcy. Poor colonel Fitzwilliam. Poor Elizabeth!! Now imagine Mrs. Bennett's rapture...

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:25:25 pm

LOL Lynn! Yes, Mrs Bennet is the only one who could find joy in such a situation :D As for the other 3, you're absolutely right, there's angst aplenty, and it keeps moving from one poor soul to another.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for taking part in the giveaway. Best of luck!

Betty Campbell Madden

1/9/2015 12:33:15 pm

I've purchased and enjoyed your other work; I eagerly await this one. Lovely cover. Thanks for the pleasure you've given me.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:31:46 pm

You're so very kind, Betty!.Thank YOU for telling me this, it means so much! I hope you'll enjoy my next book too, and thanks again for your wonderful words. Have a great week and all the best!

Teresita García Ruy Sanchez

1/9/2015 02:06:39 pm

While I don't want Mr. Darcy to suffer, I would love to read this story. I hope I get lucky!

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:34:01 pm

Hope so too, Teresita! Best of luck and I hope you'll like the story, even if Mr Darcy is having a hard time to begin with. But it does get much better for him eventually ;)

Rita Deodato link

1/9/2015 03:52:55 pm

My first reaction to this post was: YES!!! My second was: oh no, I hope she doesn't kill Col. Fitzwilliam.
And now I can only think how you are going to solve this! It sounds a promising book! Thanks for continuing presenting us with so many hours of puré joy while reading :)

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:43:37 pm

Thanks do much for the lovely message, Rita! LOL, the poor man's a sitting duck, isn't he? In Darcy's way to happiness (and of course we all want Darcy to be happy), and also a Colonel in his Majesty's army, due to go back to the war.
Hmmmmm, spoiler alert? Nah, I must have given the game away by now. So please don't worry about the dear Colonel, I can't kill him off, I love him too much! Thanks for the kind words and best of luck in the giveaway!

Monica P link

1/9/2015 04:25:02 pm

Yay! So excited the new book is almost here! I hope the Colonel won't be too hurt by it all. I'm available if he needs someone else to fall in love with! Can't wait to see how it all works out.

Joana Starnes

1/9/2015 05:47:49 pm

Thanks so much, Monica! For the lovely words and the encouragement, and also for putting your hand up :) The Colonel deserves a good woman in his life, if he can't have Elizabeth - and he really can't, she just HAS to be Mrs Darcy! All the best, thanks for stopping by and good luck!

1/9/2015 08:42:51 pm

Just read excerpt for Chapter 1. Poor Darcy. He who hesitates....comes in last. Cannot wait to read more. I am confident that things will come to a happy ending for Darcy in some way.

Joana Starnes

4/9/2015 03:31:49 pm

Thanks so much for your comment and the vote of confidence! Yes, he WILL get his happy ending! Promise, hand on heart! Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part.

Victoria Kincaid

2/9/2015 07:23:34 am

I'm so excited! I've been waiting to get your take on this story and it looks like it will be wonderful! Happy to be another proud member of the "let's torture Darcy" club.

Joana Starnes

4/9/2015 04:40:47 pm

Thanks so much for the lovely message, Victoria, and for all the chats we had ever since we figured out we were working on such similar stories. I'm still rooting very hard for your Darcy & Anne Elliot story, I'm SO keen to read YOUR take on that!

We do love our 'Let's Torture Darcy' Club :D it's such fun! Anji said that torturing Darcy is the only legal form of torture she knows of :D :D

Take care, have a great weekend and give us more stories for the club papers ;)

Carmen link

2/9/2015 10:57:41 am

Oh, this would be a horrible event for poor Darcy! Can't wait!

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:22:29 pm

Sorry about the late reply, Carmen, there was a blip at Weebly causing blocked comments for a while, but hopefully it's fixed now. Thanks for taking part in the giveaway and I hope you'll like the story!

Betty Campbell Madden

2/9/2015 02:37:53 pm

I can't bring myself to read the excerpt. I know how much I like your writing and waiting until the release would be too much for my patience to endure if I'd already started this one. Even the comments were too much for me to tease me. I know I'll acquire the book; I hope it's as a free prize. Thanks for the opportunity, Joan.

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:24:32 pm

Sorry about the late reply, Betty, there was a blip at Weebly for a bit, causing blocked comments, but now it's fixed - yay!

Thanks so much for the kind words about my books, I'm ever so happy you enjoyed them! Hope you'll like this one too :) Best of luck in the giveaway!

Ruth Telford

2/9/2015 08:22:13 pm

I think this will be a very good addition to my library of p&p variations... And sounds so good!

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:25:40 pm

Thanks so much for the kind words, Ruth! Sorry about the late reply, there was a blip at Weebly for a bit, causing blocked comments, but now it's fixed - yay! Thanks for visiting and commenting and I hope you'll like the story.

Dung

3/9/2015 12:36:41 am

It's always fun to see Darcy suffer a bit, but I hope there is a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth without ruining the Colonel & Darcy's relationship!

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:27:12 pm

That's what I was aiming for, the torture, the HEA and the two lovely gentlemen still on good terms, despite their rivalry. Hope I managed to get it right :) Thanks and best of luck!

Janet T link

3/9/2015 08:52:03 am

Joana, I love your cover and am extremely excited for this book to be released. (even if I am a bit anxious It! lol) I know you do torture dear Darcy but then always give him his HEA in the end. Your writing is always superb and I know this one will be no different!

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:29:22 pm

Thanks so much for the ever so kind words and the vote of confidence, Janet, much, much appreciated, as always! Sorry about the late reply, there was a blip at Weebly for a bit, causing blocked comments, but now it's fixed - yay. Thanks for including me in the lovely calendar, can't wait to see it. Hugs and all the best.

Julie Ann Rakowski

3/9/2015 10:08:43 am

Oh Joana,
This sounds like a great one. I have read at least one story where Darcy's cousin marries Lizzy, but they met out of the country and long before Darcy every met her. My appetite is now veracious and I need to read the rest. Lovely cover too, Good Luck :)

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:31:22 pm

Thanks, Julie, and ever so sorry about the late reply, there was a blip at Weebly for a bit, causing blocked comments, but now it's fixed - yay! So glad you liked the cover and the tricky premise ;) I haven't read the one you mentioned, what's the title? It sounds very tempting, although a bit scary to imagine Elizabeth married to anyone but Darcy :) Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part.

Jane Odiwe

4/9/2015 04:51:05 pm

What a beautiful cover, Joana-wishing you much success with your new novel!

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:32:34 pm

Thanks ever so much, Jane, you're so wonderful, as always! Can't wait to see you at the Bath Festival! Not long now, just a few days :)

SChilds

6/9/2015 02:52:28 am

I read the excerpt and loved it. I can't belive I am going to have wait for the release. This is such a great story. I always thought that if the Colonel had the money he would have made Elizabeth an offer. I look forward to reading the rest.

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:36:25 pm

Thanks so much for the kind words, I'm so happy you liked the premise. I went a bit on a limb here, assuming that the dear Colonel would be prepared to lower his standards of living a bit, for Elizabeth's sake. He needs a wife with substantial dowry to keep living as an earls' son, but maybe not quite so much, if he's willing to marry for love. Cavalry colonels had a relatively decent pay in the Napoleonic wars ;)

Ada Vittoria

6/9/2015 11:09:09 am

This your new book sound really lovely and poor Darcy... You really love make his life harder (Wenthworth, Brandon, Trevellyan) but this time is really the worst situation for him... This book will surely be soon with your others on my virtual library because

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:39:29 pm

So happy you read and loved my other books, Ada Vittoria, it's wonderful to hear that!!! I do love to write love triangles that torture Darcy, probably because I find it hard to torture Elizabeth. She already has the disadvantage of little to no dowry and embarrassing relatives, it would be so unfair to see her pining for what she might think was unrequited love as well. But you're right, this love triangle might be a touch to cruel. Hope you'll like the developments anyway :)

Rita Deodato link

9/9/2015 11:56:26 pm

Really? I confess I always love to read Elizabeth suffering for what she thinks it's unrequited love! She is the one I would prefer to "torture" as punishment for refusing such a man :) It always gives me so much joy to see her in love with Darcy without the assurance he loves her back.

Ana Darcy

6/9/2015 11:45:21 am

I am fearing the development on this novel!! how sad, how destroyed must be Darcy!

I actually like "‘Let’s Torture Darcy’ Club" but it feels too much!!

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 01:46:40 pm

I totally agree, Miss Ana Darcy (any family connections ;) ? )
It felt too much to me too, which was why I shelved this story for several months and tried to write another.

But that one just didn't want to be written. This one did. I hope you'll like Darcy's reward and that it might make up for the torture.

Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

Ana Darcy

7/9/2015 09:54:50 pm

Let's face it, Darcy deserves a bit of punishment. He may not be fine around strangers but he crosses the line of being rude, so he needs to learn hahaha

I wish I had any familiar bond with Pemberly!!

Angie W link

6/9/2015 05:28:05 pm

Like laughing through tears, Darcy will be better for it I bet! I'm looking forward to reading how you make it ok. I always thought if the Colenel had the funds, He would have offered for Elizabeth. They got along very well. I can't wait to read it, and I do love the cover!

Joana Starnes

6/9/2015 05:36:46 pm

Thanks so much, Angie, glad I set your heart at rest :) and I'm so pleased you like the cover!
Yes, I always thought the Colonel would offer for Elizabeth, and even be prepared to take a 'pay-cut' for the privilege :) , after all, he's not that hard-up, just used to living in style. Good luck in the giveaway, great to see you here!

Ginna

7/9/2015 01:17:58 am

Joanne, soooo looking forward to it!

Joana Starnes

8/9/2015 06:20:52 pm

Thanks, Ginna, you're so kind!
Hope you'll like it :)

BeckyC

8/9/2015 04:47:21 am

As the Colonel is my favorite secondary character, I always love to see variations where he gets lots of page time. I am very curious to see how you handle this situation......who do I root for??? Yikes! Thank you for the giveaway!

Joana Starnes

8/9/2015 06:24:36 pm

Oh, he gets plenty of page time ;) And I get the yikes, I was having a hard time too, deciding which of them I should be kind to in the next chapter :D
Let's face it, we know that Darcy MUST have the winning hand in the end, but I love love love the Colonel so I tried to let him down gently :)

Thanks for the lovely comment and for coming over to read the post and take part in the giveaway.

Maria

8/9/2015 04:09:40 pm

I so look forward to reading your new book, Joana! It will be extremely engaging to see what Darcy will do to win Elizabeth's heart! I love Colonel Fitzwilliam and this idea of him proposing to Elizabeth is so thrilling! :)

Joana Starnes

8/9/2015 06:27:46 pm

Thanks, Maria, I'm so glad that you find the premise exciting rather than terrifying :D As I said, it pretty much terrified ME, and I set the story aside for a while, but then I couldn't resist the temptation of a plot line where Darcy and Elizabeth get such free licence to spend more time together, and for her to get to know him better and see through his reserve, and through Wickham's lies.

Thanks for commenting, and best of luck in the giveaway!

Maria

8/9/2015 06:39:57 pm

Hahaha! Yes, I admit I love it when there is a lovely triangle! :P Maybe because I know that nothing will ever separate Darcy from Elizabeth! ;)

Thanks!

Angela Withrow link

23/9/2015 03:34:07 pm

The excerpts posted on your facebook page are wonderful! I love your writing style! I simply can not wait to read this one! Thank you!!!

Joana Starnes

23/9/2015 07:31:45 pm

Hi, Angela

Thanks so much for telling me that, I'm so happy you enjoyed them. Hope you'll like the story. Lovely to see you here and good luck in the giveaway!

Rhonda

24/9/2015 12:09:37 am

This sounds like an intriguing tale where we readers may have to choose between two good men. Oh, I dearly hope it is so. Good luck, Colonel! I will be rooting for you (some of the time).

Joana Starnes

24/9/2015 12:21:29 pm

Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Rhonda! Yes, some girls have all the luck, having to choose between two good men :D Hope you'll like how the story unfolds. All the best,
Joana

MaryAnnN link

24/9/2015 07:13:51 pm

While reading my emails from you I accidentally clicked the wrong button and I unsubscribed. So please put me back on the list. Thanks and I'm sorry for the mixup!

Joana Starnes

24/9/2015 08:01:05 pm

LOL No problem at all MaryAnn! Not 100% sure I know what button to press for that, Weebly's too clever for me :D but I'll dig around and find out. Hugs x

'The Unthinkable Triangle' – Cover Reveal and the first Giveaway of many

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