The return of the Dartmouth Brides! A guest post by Elizabeth Essex. Plus, a giveaway!
It has been said in literature that you can’t go home again, but in the age of digital publishing you most assuredly can. And I have—I am thrilled to bring you new editions of my first three romance novels: The Pursuit of Pleasure, A Sense of Sin, and RITA Award Nominee The Danger of Desire. These three loosely related stories set on the southern coast of England were first released seven years ago, but I am very happy for the chance to revise them and make them available in affordable e-versions.
One of the primary pleasures in revising these works is that I had the opportunity to revisit the characters that first made me want to write romance—those voices in my head that would not be silenced until I paid proper attention and wrote them down. Strong, sure, quick-witted Lizzie Paxton. Kind, thoughtful, intellectual Celia Burke. Light-fingered, brilliant thief Meggs Evans. Jumping back into their stories was like visiting old friends I hadn’t seen in a long time—the conversations picked right up where we left off, and gave me hours and hours of creative enjoyment.
Another thrill of making new editions was creating the beautiful covers in collaboration with brilliant photographer Jenn LeBlanc and visionary designer Patricia Pickyme Schmitt. With their help, I am able to bring you my personal vision for these novels, which I hope will forge a stronger visual and emotional connection between the covers, the characters and the stories within.
But the most abiding pleasure is that I had the opportunity to correct some rookie mistakes! In fact, when AAR first reviewed these books back in 2011 and 2012, reviewer Dabney Grinnan noted, “Satisfying endings are often the most difficult task a novelist faces and, in this book, Ms. Essex has not mastered that particular challenge. A Sense of Sin, a story with so much passion — “the joy of love… the clarity of hatred… and the ecstasy of grief” — needs a potent finale. I hope in Ms. Essex’s next book (which I will buy without a second’s thought) she writes for her readers an ending as winning as all but the last page of this one.” I knew back then that AAR was right, and I have matured enough as a writer to be able to take that good advice and make the corrections and amendments that will ensure a more enjoyable and satisfying reading experience for one and all.
I hope you enjoy reading these Dartmouth Brides books as much as I have enjoyed writing, and re-writing them! (AAR’s reviews of these are here.)
Elizabeth Essex
Ms. Essex is giving away a set of Dartmouth Brides, either print or ebook, to one lucky reader. Make a comment below to be entered in this drawing.
I love this author’s work.
I haven’t had the chance to read this series but what an amazing opportunity to go back and show your growth as a writer! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Also a question. Will these be available from amazon Canada in print version eventually?! I would love to own the physical copies.
Love the new covers!! I have not read these yet and would love to read them.
I think my favorite cover of the three is a Sense of Sin.
I have heard about these novels for awhile now, so I’m really excited to explore them as well as the rest of E.E’s catalogue!
Would love these as I love all of her stories.
I have to admit I own the original books but would love the ebooks! Thanks for the chance to win them!
Beautiful covers can’t wait to read them!!!
Oh, HReader, I’m so glad. I love that girl! She really just waltzed into my head telling me her story and all I could do was grab a pen and hope to keep track of her. In my revisions it was a singular pleasure to catch up with her, but I really don’t think there was a single line of her dialog that I changed. I think I just added more nuance into the relationship between Meggs and her captain. Hope you like this version just as well. Cheers & thanks! EE
Looking down on the characters is an interesting and different perspective for the covers. I like it.
You are a new author to me. I would love to get to know you and your books. Thank you for the opportunity!
Authors are fortunate to be able to go back and revise their books. As you mature as a writer, I am sure there are times you reread your books and think “I could have done this differently” or “why did I have a character say that.” A good author like yourself, can see that without having a reader tell you. That being said, as a reader, it is nice to know that you do pay attention to the reviews and what the readers think.
I am glad these have been revised and reissued. I had not yet discovered you as an author when they first came out. Thanks for the giveaway. Whoever wins will be a lucky reader.
I hope I win! I enjoyed Meggs the first time around.
They are gorgeous!
Thank you, Regina! I just love the saturated colors! Wishing you best of luck in the drawing, and thank you so very much for your interest! Cheers, EE
Thanks for the opportunity, Elizabeth! The covers are beautiful and I’d love to give the series a try.
Thank you for your interest, Elaine! And thank you for your kind words about the covers—I’m rather proud of them, if I do say so myself! Wishing you best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE
I’d love to read these. Thanks for the chance!
So happy to find new readers here, as well as old, Celine. Wishing you best of luck in the drawing and thanking you for your interest! Cheers, EE
Thanks for the chance I can’t wait to read them. I loved the originals.
Thank you, Molly. I think you’ll find the stories very much the same, but the motivations and intentions of the characters a little more straightforward. Wishing you the best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE
I love that you’ve worked to hone your characters. Good characters are what make a novel infinitely readable for me. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
Thank you, LSUReader (Geaux, Tigers!) My stories always start with a character talking in my head, and I’ve learned through the years to listen to them more closely, and not put in too many more of my own words in the way. :) But I will say, I’m no ‘just the facts’ writer—I do like a good ten-dollar word now and again! Wishing you happy reading! Cheers, EE
I have not read any of these books and look forward to doing so. Will the revised and updated stories be out in print? I am one of those readers who likes to hold a book and turn the pages rather than read on a tablet. I do not find reading on electronic devices as satisfying.
Yes, Anita, all three of the Dartmouth Brides titles will be available in print, sent to you from all the usual on-line stores, although the price will not be as low as I’d like, as they’ll be trade paper sized. The trade off is that you will have the glorious new covers in your hands. :) Wishing you happy reading! Cheers, EE
I’m curious about what the author changed in her edit of these books. Thanks for the offer to read these early books!
Diane,
There were two major things I changed: 1) my tendency to over-write or over-state a point—I think I often used two or three words when one better one would do. And 2) the love scenes—I dramatically edited the love scene content. When these books were first published, they came out under a publishing line that was more erotic in content. Although these three books are still quite ‘hot,’ the love scenes have been edited down to what I would consider a more ‘mainstream’ level of content. It other words, the sex scenes for sex’s sake have been taken out! And I hope by doing both these things, I’ve brought you stories with more clearly drawn characters! Wishing you happy reading!
Enjoyed the first time.
Thank you, Margaret. I will have new content for my dedicated readers like you, who I appreciate so very much, coming in a few months. But like with everything I put out, I’m rather too meticulous in my approach. It makes for slow writing but fast reading! Thank you so very much for stopping by! Cheers, EE
Hi Elizabeth!!
Hi right back, Annmarie. Thank you so much for stopping by! Cheers, EE
Such a fantastic set ! love the covers and I know they’re going to be a great read for new fans !
Thanks, Chris! So appreciate your enthusiasm! Cheers, EE