Monica Fairview's Blog, page 5
July 7, 2025
Finding time to write
Have you seen that meme going around about Ursula Le Guin’s writing schedule?
Some writers are early birds and swear by waking up early and getting things done while they are fresh and the world is new. Others are night owls, doing their best writing as the world quiets around them.
I have six children, which means that my writing routine is less of a regular routine than it might be for some writers! I tend to write in the evening once my kids are gone to bed (or in the case of the teens, gone...
July 4, 2025
The Travails of Mr Charles Bingley Part III
Happy Friday! For your reading pleasure, here is Part II of my wee summer tale. Part I is here, and Part II is here, if you need to catch up.
There was no denying it was a blow to discover Jane Bennet was not at home. Bingley’s only consolation was that she was away on a holiday. It had not occurred to him ahead of time, but at least he had not arrived at Longbourn to discover she was no longer Miss Bennet at all. He would have lost his chance to…well, he still was not certain what he wanted. H...
July 2, 2025
Book Preview: Chapter 1 – The Unexpected Heir
July 11th is coming quick! I do not have a preorder yet, but I am working on getting the final proofreading and edits done on The Unexpected Heir so it will be out on time! We had a preview a while back of the preview and Chapter 1, but I have reposted both since they have since been edited (This has not been through final proofing yet. I’m working on it!). Chapter 2 will post early next week on my website, lldiamondwrites.com. If you have not read the preview yet, click here. I also talk about...
Audiobook Release: It’s Always Been You!
July is plugging right along, and I’ve got a ton going on. Firstly, It’s Always Been You came out on audiobook this week! If you haven’t heard the sample of Christine reading it, look no further than below!
I’m giving away 5 audiobook codes to 5 lucky winners, so please comment below and let me know you want to enter!
Happy Reading!
https://austenvariations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Its-Always-Been-You-sample-Diamond.mp3
The post Audiobook Release: It’s Always Been You! appeared first ...
July 1, 2025
P&P Prelude to Pemberley: Darcy Races to Ramsgate
Darcy Races to RamsgateWelcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on our journey as the Austen Variations authors post the events of 1811 in real time on the date they happened – 214 years in the future.
August 27, 1811
Dar...
June 30, 2025
The Slipper Scandal Game–With a Giveaway!
BONUS QUESTION GAME for The Slipper Scandal Readers!
The Slipper Scandal was released last Friday and is available in Kindle Unlimited–reviews have been great, so thank you for that!
Now, let’s play a game, so you can win a prize!
In The Slipper Scandal, Elizabeth almost leaves London—but at the very last moment, she changes her mind.
What moment or realization helps her decide to stay?
EMAIL ME your answer at
melanierachel@melanierachelauthor.com
This game ends Sunday night, July6th at 11:5...
June 27, 2025
The Travails of Mr Charles Bingley Part II
Happy Friday!
If you missed it, Part I of my wee summer tale can be found here. With no further ado, on we go with Part II. Let’s see what Elizabeth has to tell Mr Bingley!
Elizabeth stood at the window and gazed into the garden. It was a fine summer day—the first day of summer, as it happened—and she should be rejoicing. Yet a part of her was melancholic. She could make excuses for it—she was lonely, the sameness of being at home, the anticipation of her trip later in the summer with her aunt ...
June 25, 2025
Bullock’s Museum and The Slipper Scandal
When I was writing The Slipper Scandal (which will be released into the wild tomorrow!) I wanted to think up some lesser used sites in 1811 London where ODC could meet. The story takes place in January/February of 1811 (yep, a little pre-canon), so these places needed to be indoors.
The main one I decided to use was Bullock’s Museum.
Bullock’s Museum, Picadilly, June 1810
In the early 19th century, London was captivated by ancient Egypt, a trend fueled by Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign and the sub...
June 24, 2025
Prelude to Pemberley: Georgiana Agrees to Elope…
Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on our journey as the Austen Variations authors post the events of 1811 in real time on the date they happened – 214 years in the future.
25th of June 1811
“Georgiana?”
At George’s ...
Country Lanes, an Ancient Village and a Dazzling City
I have always had a fondness for the less-travelled road, and earlier this year the less-travelled road took me and my husband to the coast of Norfolk. It was our first trip to East Anglia. I can’t imagine why we had never visited that part of the country before (but I’m pretty sure that if it had a strong connection with Jane Austen, I would have rushed to visit much sooner).
I imagine she never had cause to travel all the way across Norfolk to the delightfully named Cley Next the Sea, with its...
