Happy book birthday to Under the Netherfield Mistletoe! I’m excited to get this story out to you. Originally I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it, since it was just a bit of holiday fluff I scribbled while I was stressed out last spring. Apparently my Muse knew what she was doing, though. One of the beta readers happened to be my German translator, and she’s insisting on translating it right away because it’s “so moving and uplifting” and will give people hope at a time when we need it so much. It’s also being translated into Spanish, and Harry Frost will be narrating the audiobook in the New Year. Not bad for a bit of fluff, eh?

It’s an old-fashioned variation – no action, adventure, shocking surprises, or new characters. Just kisses under the mistletoe, and Darcy and Elizabeth finding their way to a happy ending faster. Here’s something Elizabeth speaking to a sad Georgiana:

“Do you know why we bring greenery into our houses at Christmastime? The tradition is far older than Christianity. It is to remind us that even in the darkest, coldest time of the year, there is still green. Spring will come someday, no matter how impossible that might seem when the plants are brown and dead. Even if it feels like your heart will never heal.” She took a deep breath. “Do not let any man take that away from you. There is a bit of greenery even in the deepest winter.”

This story is a bit of holiday greenery for your heart.

On another subject, please keep an eye out in December for several freebies from me in the spirit of the holiday and Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. I’ll post here each time, since each one will only last a few days, and some will only be available through this blog and Austen Variations.

I hope you enjoy Under the Netherfield Mistletoe!