My dears, Sofie has changed the title of her new WIP. There's another "Sources of Happiness" at a different site, and Sofie - who didn't know that - prefers to avoid confusion.
Teased enough by "An Evening at the Rose and Ring"? Well then, here's the first chapter of Sofie's brand new WIP "Sources of Happiness" of which EEATRAR is an outtake.
Enjoy Sofie's great talent, warmth and wit in another one of her modern day adaptations of Pride and Prejudice!
Email renee@mrsdarcy.com
Amy W.
I am so excited to read this story - I love her work. Her other story was the first modern fan fic I ever read - I loved it and now I'm hooked. Can't wait for chapter 2. Amy W.
Renée
"I would suggest you acquaint yourself with at least the basics of this disease, if you want to be taken seriously in the nursery business." He nodded to his companion and started to walk away.
That Mr Fitzwilliam is a total jerk indeed. How rude can one get? Sheesh...
Sofie, as always I'm totally hooked, and can't wait for the next instalment. One major aspect of your work I always admire so much is the warm, sincere relationship between friends and family, for good or ill, without ever getting sentimental or melodramatic. It's such fun to follow the characters and the story development. I for one always feel like being (or wishing to be) part of it all.
Thank you for sharing this great new one with us, dear friend.
Email renee@mrsdarcy.com
Frances
Sofie;
I was a little muddled at first because there is another story at a different ff with the same title but these are completely different stories.
This is a very interesting beginning and I'm looking forward to reading this story.
Renée
Indeed, Frances, there are more stories in PP fanfiction land having similar or almost similar titles because of the fact the authors often choose titles inspired by certain phrasings from the book.
I bet the inspiration comes from Elizabeth's mouth while arguing with Lady Catherine...
"But the wife of Mr. Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily attached to her situation, that she could, upon the whole, have no cause to repine."
I so LOVE this one!
Email renee@mrsdarcy.com
Amy Lynn
I enjoyed the first chapter. I look forward to more, soon. I like the nursery business tie-in.
Thank you so much, Renee, for changing the title for me and all your kind words about my story. And thanks to all the rest who commented - I enjoy all the feedback.
Frances, I am so glad that you noticed that another story had the first title I chose. It took me a few days to think of a new title that I could be happy with. Sources of happiness will remain a theme of this story, but I think that Time of The Season expresses a lot of what is to be conveyed as well.
I should have a new chapter ready for you all in another week. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.
Sofie, I'm enjoying this new story of yours. I love that you've set it in the plant nursery world - an unusual and interesting setting. You've certainly presented a first meeting rife with potential conflict - poor Bethie and Fitzwilliam's insulting greeting. But I loved her dream, and her calling him "Fitsnobbiam" LOL! And Carrie and Lou were delightfully incompetent. Looking forward to your next installment.
Bill Collins, Elizabeth's long lost friend! That was funny how he showed up and insinuated himself. Isn't that how it always is? Whenever your trying to be inconspicuous that one person who is "flamboyant" shows up and makes you appear like you have flashing lights taped to your forehead!
I enjoyed the way Elizabeth got mad at Darcy when he handled her customer for her. He really was doing a service, but she's too prejudice to see it that way. That was entertaining, then you have her mother who isn't interested in how to handle it the next time. She's a real ditz in the nursery business. Maybe she should go work with Jane at the florist!
I'm really enjoying this story so far, Sophie. Mrs. Bennett is funny, as usual. Poor Elizabeth with Collins. Amy Lynn was right about the flashing light when you just want to blend in. Please post a new chapter soon. I want to hear more about Fitzsnobbin. Cindy
This promises to be great story - as any reader of Sofie's other work would predict!
Any idea when another chapter might be posted?
In eagerness,
JulietR
Wow there are some stunning paintings here!
You are right, Renee, but I should have guessed this from the way she wrote about painting in Pember Lake.
Thanks for the info,
JulietR
Thanks so much for your comments everyone! I'm so glad you're interested in reading thuis still. I'm hoping to post regularly from now on. I've got most of it written - soon it'll just be up to my lovely beta!
Thanks for posting the link to my art website *blush* I just wish I were as good of an artist as Bella.
I love that name...Fitzsnobbiam...so clever of her. Thanks for posting a new chapter. I can't wait to see what happens when Beth gets a chance to accuse him of meddling in J & C's relationship. That should be amusing!
I enjoyed this chapter - especially Mr. Bennet's typically sarcastic comments about the girls! I feel sorry for poor Jane - and look forward to the inevitable confrontation with Fitzsnobbiam!
Thanks for all your responses. A few more things have to happen before Fitzsnobbiam gets blasted by Beth, but you can be sure that it'll be a doozie when it happens!
You'll see more of Wickham in the next chapter and maybe some of your questions will be answered. Thanks so much for all your comments and for continuing to read.
Thank goodness they didn't advance further or Lizzy will be hurt! It's good to have a good head on her shoulder, though i can't say the same for her prejudice towards Darcy...
Poor Jane...that was so sad thinking that she was glad at least someone was happy. I am glad E is tired of George. That's good sign. thanks for the new chapter. Sofie, you make this sound so real. Do you really know that much about plants? It sounds like you do!
Sofie,
Thanks for posting a new chapter. I can't wait for more of this story. I was also glad that Elizabeth was tired of George. I'm sure he's not finished with his damage. Please post soon!!! I posted a reply earlier, but I'm not sure where it went because it's not on here. Renee will probably find it in some weird place. Thanks again!!! Cindy
Thanks for all your responses. I'm glad you continue to enjoy the story.
Lucy - I know a bit about plants and nurseries as I used to work in the field. I actually worked as an inspector for this certification program until recently, though all the agency names have been changed to protect the innocent - namely me. One summer a couple of years ago I was letting my mind wander while inspecting a nursery and I began to see just how P&P could fit into the setting - and the idea for this story was born.
Oh Sofie,
This is a quite brilliant reworking of the Hunsford proposal.
DF is a judgemental idiot, but his vulnerability is clear.
I cannot wait to read how/if they deal with each other after the email.
Thanks for another terrific story,
Juliet
There's something strange happening in the forum... Some posts I receive in my mailbox don't show up in the thread!
Below I've copied two that are meant for Sofie's TOTS:
The message was posted by Dina C.
Message:
Wow! What a great job you have done (AGAIN!) at skillfully weaving the P&P plot into your modern tale. I just love the way you used modern language to achieve what Jane Austen did with the English of her time. Though this modern Wickham's crimes seem less severe than the original's (no attempted elopement with Georgiana), I'm glad to see Elizabeth already regretting her hasty judgment of Darcy. Great work! Please continue to post chapters regularly. I look forward to them so much!!!
The message was posted by Joanna
Message:
I wanted to say that I am thoroughly enjoying Time of the Season and am eagerly anticipating each instalment. They seem to take ages to come out! Sofie, we beg you speed up the posting process. I really like your stories and I really enjoyed the twist on the Pride and Prejudice theme in this one. The scene in the car was really well done, a worthy modernisation of a classic scene with just the right sense of indignation from Elisabeth and cluelessness from Darcy. I can't wait for the story to continue...
Love your Hunsford scene! Poor darcy though, but glad that the the explanation is out of the way, and Lizzy is regretting her outburst. Will there be a Wickham/Lydia elopment? Can't wait to see how you work that bit out, Sophie!
That was a great chapter, Darcy was great as usual, Wickham is a waste of space, at least Elizabeth knows that now too.
So she is starting to have a few regrets regarding Darcy, about time too.
Poor Darcy, he is such a gentleman, I rely on you geting these 2 back together and soon, preferably with Bingley in tow.
Many Thanks
Jo