Author: J "Joy" Dawn King (Page 2 of 13)

It has been far too long since I posted on my website. In fact, it’s been so long that I am seriously thinking about closing it down. Why? Because I forget I even have it available, I fail to promote the site on social media, and I seriously lack time. Shame on me!

Life has gotten crazy, hasn’t it? Between COVID-19 and protests, our world changed quickly. On top of this I fractured my femur down by my knee. It’s not nearly as painful as it sounds but sitting with my legs at an angle is not comfortable. Therefore, my ability to get writing done is minimal.

However, I will tell you that the story I am working on has been on my mind since before I wrote and published my first story, A Father’s Sins. I am almost 10,000 words in and love it so far. I plan it to be a full-length J Dawn King story. I have a few ideas I am kicking around for a Christie Capps short story but can’t write them either because of my leg. Frustrating!

I do have some great news. I found a journal online at Michael’s that I think you would love. It’s an 18 month reading planner that starts on July 1, 2020. There is also a “bookish” sticker pack and a sticker book that’s included. If you think you could use this to track your reading, please leave a comment below. I will do a random drawing from those who respond on June 20, 2020.

In the meantime, please take care and stay safe!

Since I stopped posting my works-in-progress on fanfiction (dot) net I have had many readers ask why and when I will do so again. A particularly impassioned plea came from a reader last week that I simply could not resist. Therefore, I am posting chapters on their site. They will only stay for one week after I finish the book. Then, I will remove the story to publish on Amazon.

Here is the link: A Baby for Mr. Darcy

Thank you very much for your responses. The deals are scheduled as follows: (they are only for the US and UK Amazon stores – none others are available. If you do not purchase from those two stores please email me at jdawnking@gmail.com and we will see what we can work out.)

Hello! Since I started publishing I have taken advantage of offers from Amazon to make some of my books available for free download. In the past two years the seven books I’ve discounted have been downloaded 135,247 times. For some reason giving away all of those copies tickles me.

One thing I have not done that Amazon offers is a countdown deal. I thought that since it’s back to school time, perhaps I should take advantage. I am not sure how many I can do at one time, but I’d like to offer three Christie Capps and three J Dawn King books starting August 31st (isn’t that a holiday weekend in the US?). Do you have a preference? If so, please leave a comment below.

The past several months have seen some drastic changes in the King household. We sold our house, our vehicles, and put our stuff in storage and headed to Ecuador to live next to our daughter Jennifer and her family. Pretty drastic, huh?

My desk is now set up and (as of yesterday) we have Internet that works. Therefore, I am writing again. However, I am taking my time with this story. You might be able to imagine the hours I’m chewing on the little details as Darcy and Elizabeth plot their course. The secondary arc to this story involves the ever-wonderful Colonel Fitzwilliam. Sigh!

Thank you all. The responses here, on Facebook, via email, and private message was amazing. In the end, there were two names that had the most requests. Jonathan was a close third.

The baby’s name is: James Alexander

Again, I have stopped working on my Bingley/Jane sequel to A Father’s Sins. I haven’t given up completely but…it’s going to have to wait. Why? Because I’m writing like crazy on the story I intended for later this year, “A Baby for Darcy”. Here’s the blurb:

Fitzwilliam Darcy is on the run…with a baby!

When an emergency summons Mr. Darcy back to London during the Netherfield ball, he discovers a newborn in his study along with a note. Now, he must guard a secret that could shatter his family and put the child in danger. But that isn’t his biggest challenge.

He must now find a wife—a woman he can trust with his charge and with his heart.

Elizabeth Bennet’s prospects for a marriage based on love are taken away from her when her father makes a deal with Mr. Darcy, a man she despises. When she learns the identity of the baby and the true identity of the man she married, will their marriage of convenience develop into a love for the ages?

Together they face slander, intrigue, family pressure, and murder. Will their marriage survive? Will the baby thrive? Or, will forces much larger than themselves destroy everything Darcy and Elizabeth hope for?

from “A Baby for Darcy”

I can see how the story will unfold in my mind, and I can see the baby. However, what I don’t see clearly is a name for the infant boy. Would you help me, please? What would you name a baby who is NOT Darcy’s son but will be raised as a Darcy? (No, he’s NOT Georgiana’s either)

I received an apology email from Audible about the UK codes I shared for a free copy of my audiobook, Friends and Enemies. This should explain why there were so many difficulties. I will reapply for new codes and post them here. Please accept my sincerest apologies along with that of Audible/ACX. Here is what their email said:

As a lovely surprise, Audible is putting out a new beta reporting program for their division of Amazon and I am included in the beta testing. To encourage participation, at least I think this is the reason, they have given me free codes to distribute to USA and UK listeners for my J Dawn King book, Friends and Enemies. If you would like to download a free copy, please go to the link that applies to your Amazon marketplace at: ACX Promo Codes can only be redeemed at audible.com/acx-promo and audible.co.uk/acx-promo. 

Here are the codes. They are first come, first served.

Enjoy! (by the way, the picture below was copied from an ad on fanfiction.net when I looked up a story I’d read in the past. I think Big Brother is watching what I do on the Internet. Creepy!)

John and I didn’t have the most romantic beginning. When he suggested marriage he said, “I kind of really like you. But I don’t want a big wedding.” That was it!

We pulled a Lydia/Wickham by eloping to Lake Tahoe, Nevada where we actually did marry in a six minute ceremony (including pictures). The deed was done.

Six months later, I was three months pregnant with our Jennifer when he decided to set sail into the vast Pacific Ocean. John spent 21 years as the Captain or Chief Engineer of ocean-going vessels. Despite hating him being gone for months at a time, when he was home we played. The three of us enjoyed traveling the world, attending sporting events and concerts, and living life to the full. Often, we drug my nieces, nephews, and Mom along.

My John, he’s the best of men, both hard-working and handsome. Mostly, and you can verify this with our daughter, he’s kind.

Our 39th anniversary will be April 25th. However, before you think this might be our most important date of the year, you need to know that we found out 2 1/2 years later that we weren’t legally married. Someone forgot to sign the license as a witness. Thus, on November 25, 1983, we were remarried at the Coos County Courthouse Annex by a judge (very legal this time!) Do we celebrate both days? Oh, yeah!

Do I miss having a big splashy wedding? Not at all. Neither does John. And, fortunately, he still kind of likes me.

To celebrate, I’m releasing the last four Christie Capps stories in a boxed set. Also, I’m making my most romantic story ever, “A Forever Kind of Love”, which is actually very John and I in Darcy/Lizzy Regency context, free from April 25-28th. I sure hope you pick up a copy.

Was your husband romantic when he proposed? Did you have the wedding of your dreams? I sure do hope so.