"Such I Was" by Elaine Owen, and a special Guest Post about Bath!

CC: Hello again, Dear Readers. Today we have the privilege of hosting one of my top three favourite JAFF authors, Elaine Owen! She is here to tell us about her most recent release, "Such I Was," and she has written us a lovely guest post telling us all about her recent trip to Bath! I have never been to Bath, but I plan to visit in the next few years. Let's see what Elaine thought of her adventure!

EO: I Really Believe I Shall Always Be Talking of Bath.

If you had told me twelve years ago, when I first dipped my toe into the world of Pride and

Prejudice fan fiction, that one day I would be strolling through the streets of Bath, I would have

laughed. Surely that was something that happened to other people.

And yet, this summer, there I was. My husband and I were able to celebrate our anniversary

with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London, Bath, and Paris!

I had been looking forward to visiting Bath for months, but there was one destination that

topped my list: the Jane Austen Centre. My husband, who patiently endures my Austen

obsession despite not quite sharing it, understood that this stop was non-negotiable. Some

people travel to famous cathedrals or castles, but I wanted to visit Jane.

I had heard people describe the Centre as "small," which is true enough if you're measuring

square footage. But if you're measuring heart, it feels much larger. From the moment I walked

through the door, I knew I had found my people!

The exhibits don't simply tell you when Jane was born or where she lived. They remind you that

she was a real woman with parents and siblings, a keen observer of human nature, and an

author whose wit still lands perfectly more than two hundred years later. It is one thing to

know those facts. It is another to stand in a place dedicated to preserving them.

As someone who has spent years immersed in Jane Austen’s world, I found myself wondering

what Jane would think of the thousands of us who continue borrowing her characters. Would

she laugh? Roll her eyes? Be secretly pleased? I'd like to think she'd appreciate that, after all

this time, readers still aren't ready to say goodbye.

One of my favorite moments came when I met the Centre's resident Elizabeth Bennet, a

professional actress who looked exactly as I picture Elizabeth in my mind. (Fun fact: she has

been an extra on “The Other Bennet Sister!”) Naturally, I had to explain that I write Pride and

Prejudice variations. She was gracious enough not to ask how many times I have found new

ways to throw Darcy and Elizabeth together before allowing them to reach their happily ever

after. (The answer is...quite a few.) I also had lovely conversations with Elinor Dashwood, Emma

Woodhouse, Mrs. Bennet, and even Mr. Knightley!

The gift shop was, honestly, dangerous. Every shelf seemed to whisper, "You know this would

look lovely at home." Books? Of course. Christmas ornaments? Naturally. Darcy and Elizabeth

earrings? Well...who am I to argue? I showed remarkable restraint. My credit card may

disagree, but my suitcase managed to close, and I count that as a victory.

After leaving the Centre, we spent the rest of the day simply wandering the town, which may

have been my favorite part of visiting Bath. As an author of Pride and Prejudice variations, it was a strange and wonderful feeling to walk streets that Jane herself knew-even if Elizabeth

Bennet never did. Bath doesn't feel like a museum. It feels alive. The Georgian buildings glow

with that distinctive honey-colored stone, and every corner seems familiar. You round a bend

and suddenly think, "This could be where Anne Elliot walked." You stumble onto a view of

Pulteney Bridge and realize it’s the perfect spot for a romantic poem reading by Colonel

Brandon. Be still, my heart!

As we wandered the streets, I caught myself mentally placing scenes from my own stories into

the city. It was impossible not to imagine Lady Arabella from The Matlock Scheme (my work in

progress) sweeping through the Assembly Rooms, leaving society completely off balance before

breakfast. Colonel Fitzwilliam would undoubtedly know every shortcut in the city, while Darcy

would spend half his time trying to appear dignified and the other half searching for Elizabeth

after she'd wandered off to investigate something interesting.

The wonderful thing about Bath is that it doesn't merely preserve history; it fuels imagination.

Every Austen reader arrives carrying the novels in their imagination, and every fan fiction writer

arrives carrying a few dozen unwritten stories as well. I left with even more.

People often ask me where ideas for my books come from. Sometimes they begin with a single

sentence; sometimes with a question. Occasionally a newspaper article or a historical curiosity

sparks a creative idea. And sometimes a story begins by walking down a quiet street in Bath and

thinking, "What if Darcy turned this corner right now?"

That is the magic of this town. You don't simply visit Jane Austen's Bath. For a little while, you

get to live there. And if you're very lucky, you come home with a suitcase that's just a bit

heavier, a camera that's completely full, and a notebook containing the beginnings of your next

story.

CC: And now, onto Elaine's newest novel, "Such I Was" which released on May 31, 2026!

Synopsis:

Elizabeth Bennet marries Fitzwilliam Darcy carrying a secret she hopes her husband will never discover. Determined to protect her family from financial ruin, she enters a marriage founded not on love, but on necessity—and on a deception that could destroy Darcy’s trust forever if the truth comes to light.

Yet life at Pemberley is not what Elizabeth expected. Beneath Darcy’s proud reserve she discovers loyalty, tenderness, and a depth of devotion that slowly transforms admiration into love. As their guarded relationship blossoms into genuine happiness, Elizabeth becomes painfully aware that the man she deceived is also the man she cannot bear to lose.

When old mistakes, family scandals, and long-buried truths threaten to tear them apart, Elizabeth and Darcy must decide whether a marriage built on falsehood can survive the truth.

This emotional variation on Pride and Prejudice is a story of regret, redemption, and two hearts learning that love is not proven by perfection, but by forgiveness.

CC: I don't know about the rest of you, but news of a new Elaine Owen Release sends me running to the Kindle Store, and this description is no exception! Let's check out the excerpt Elaine was kind enough to provide! This takes place after Elizabeth marries Darcy in a lie, allowing him to think she loves him. They have traveled to Pemberley together and now she is getting the tour of the house. 

***

Elizabeth allowed Darcy to guide her through a doorway close at hand. Her head was already swimming with all that she had seen; what more could he possibly have to show her? But she had underestimated him yet again. As Darcy lit one candle after another she found herself immersed in a room nearly filled with row upon row of shelves, and the shelves all filled with books. Indeed, the air itself seemed infused with the scents of ink and old paper. A few stray volumes lay strewn on an oversized table nearby. “This is my favorite room in the entire house. Do you like it?” Darcy asked eagerly, his eyes on her face. 

She clasped her hands in delight, circling in place to take it all in. “Caroline Bingley once said that she would be miserable if she had a house without an excellent library. I believe even she would approve of this room.” 

“Caroline Bingley said a great many things,” Darcy answered, with a touch of humor. “Perhaps she even meant some of them.” 

“She said most of them to gain your attention, you know. She was determined that she would be the one to receive your proposal of marriage, not me.” 

“Whereas you said most of the things you did in order to turn me away, I am sure.” 

She raised a questioning eyebrow in his direction. “I have rarely been so unsuccessful in any endeavor. Why did you decide to pursue me if you were so convinced of my dislike for you?” 

“The real question is, why did you decide to accept me?” he countered with a smile. 

Too late, she realized that they had entered dangerous territory. She must be clever if she wanted to preserve Darcy’s illusion of a marriage of love, yet not betray her own sense of honor. “Not a fair question! I asked you first; therefore you must answer me. If you believed that I did not like you, what made you decide to marry me?” 

Darcy accepted her diversion easily. “You were not like other women. Other women thought and acted for my attention and approval alone, but not you. You were different, and I came to admire that difference.” 

“Did you also admire my impertinence, and the poor manners I used when addressing you? For you must admit, it was often very little less.” 

“I did not think of you in those terms. I only knew that I was tired of the deference and officious attention I received on nearly every hand. Other women only wanted to marry me because of my money; but there was nothing mercenary about you. I came to want to be with you more and more, and eventually my desire overruled my previous objections.” 

“And that was when you fell in love with me?” 

“I do not recall the day, or the look, or the hour. I was in the middle before I knew I had begun.” His warm, dark eyes were fixed on her with a look of open admiration. 

Why was she dwelling on such an uncomfortable topic? It felt dishonest to listen to such words of devotion from her husband when she could not return them. She needed to change the subject. “Have you read all of these?” she asked, sweeping her arm to take in the entire room. 

He followed her glance. “I have not spent nearly as much time here in recent years as I did when I was younger. After my father died I had many demands on my time, and then I fell out of the habit.” 

She gave him a half playful, half chiding look. “Books are friends, not habits, and like friends, they should not be neglected on any account.” 

“Then with your encouragement, I shall be happy to renew the acquaintance. Georgiana is a great reader but her taste and mine do not often coincide. You and I, however, will have many points to discuss on whatever volumes catch your interest.” 

She glanced around again. “There are so many to choose from! I do not even know where to start.” 

“If there are any titles you would like to add, simply inform Mrs. Reynolds and she will send to town for them at once. Anything that I can give you or get you, you have but to ask.” 

His generous offer aroused a wave of guilt. Darcy was devoted to her. His only thought was to ensure her happiness, while she was using him for her own ends. How could she possibly maintain this façade? 

Darcy’s brow furrowed and he stepped closer to her. “My love, what is wrong?” 

“I-- I feel the start of a megrim,” she fumbled. It was a weak excuse but it would have to do. 

“Of course, I should have realized.” He was immediately solicitous. “It has been a long day and you have taken in so much. No wonder you are fatigued. Perhaps we should retire now.” 

His earnestness made her feel even worse. “I think I would like that. Fitzwilliam . . .” she hesitated. “I hope you know that I will always do my best to make you happy.” 

“My dearest Elizabeth.” He came to her then and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. “You already have.” 

CC: I have recently started reading "Such I Was," though I have not reached this part yet, and I an eager to experience Elizabeth and Darcy navigating their new relationship at Pemberley! I am certain that it will be less than a day before I have consumed the entire volume, not an uncommon occurence when I am consuming content by the talented Elaine Owen.

CC: But Elaine has another surprise for us... Elaine... What do you have up your sleeve?

EO: To celebrate the release of "Such I was, and my trip to Bath, I would like to offer a giveaway! See below to participate!

First, I am offering a

signed paperback copy of my newest release, Such I Was. This story has been warmly received

and I am thrilled to offer it to a reader here!

Second, I am giving away a copy of Jane Austen’s

Bath: A Souvenir Guide. This is the booklet you receive when you tour the Jane Austen Centre. I

hope the recipient will feel as though they visited the Centre right along with us! To enter,

please leave a comment below.

Have you ever visited a place that connected you to a favorite

literary character? If so, tell us about it in the comments below! Or tell us a place you would like to visit someday.

Winners will be picked at Random from the comments on Saturday, July 25, 2026!

Winners must have a U.S. shipping address. Good luck to everyone!

Author Bio:

Elaine Owen was born in Seattle, Washington and was a precocious reader from a young age. She read Pride and Prejudice for the first time in ninth grade, causing speechless delight for her English teacher when she used it for an oral book report. She practiced writing in various forms throughout her teen years, writing stories with her friends and being chief editor of the high school yearbook. She moved to Delaware when she married.

In 1996 she won a one year contract to write guest editorials in the Sunday edition of The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware, and she continued her writing habit in political discussion groups and occasional forays into fiction.

In 2014 she began to write Pride and Prejudice fan fiction and decided to publish her works herself to see if she might possibly sell a few copies. Thousands of books later, the results have been beyond her wildest hopes, and she plans to continue writing fiction for the foreseeable future.

When she's not writing her next great novel, Elaine relaxes by working full time, raising two children, volunteering in her church, and practicing martial arts. She can be contacted at elaineowen@writeme.com. Look for her on Facebook!

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