In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales - Kelly Miller visits My JAFF Obsession. Excerpt & giveaway!

In a first for My JAFF Obsession, today we are joined by the lovely Kelly Miller, to talk about her contribution to In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales. 

Welcome Kelly!

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Gill!

Story quote from Kelly Miller’s story, The Love Potion

I toyed with my sleeve, averting my vision from her piercing scrutiny. I could not shake the fanciful notion that she had a window into my thoughts.

Book Blurb for In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales

We will know where we have gone—we will recollect what we have seen.

—Pride and Prejudice Chapter 27

With a foundation of the prose created by six handpicked Austen-inspired authors who have selected a location from their travels upon which to base an Austenesque short story, this book is just as much a whimsical travelogue as an anthology of excellent Regency romance fiction and fantasy. Each author tells the story of their homage to Jane Austen during their past travels to the UK, with photos to enhance the tale.

Curated and edited by meticulous Regency romance and Austenesque editor Carol S. Bowes, the anthology/travelogue is a quality edition that will be sure to grace a few future trips to England by Janeites or settle on coffee tables for those who prefer to live vicariously through the travels of our authors and enjoy a variation or six.

Suzan Lauder, Kelly Miller, L.L. Diamond, Heather Moll, Lory Lilian, and Riana Everly are the six authors, and each one is known for their popular, engaging, and high-quality Austenesque novels, with many bestsellers and prize winners among them.

Profits from the sale of the book will go to the Jane Austen House Museum   

Author bio

Award-winning Austenesque Regency author Kelly Miller is a native Californian. When not pondering a plot point or turn of phrase, she can be found playing the piano, singing, or walking her dogs. Kelly resides in Silicon Valley with her husband and their pets.

Excerpt from The Love Potion by Kelly Miller

This scene from Kelly Miller’s story The Love Potion is in Elizabeth Bennet’s point of view, and takes place during a party at Lucas Lodge.

When the refreshments arrived, Charlotte accepted my offer to assist by serving the beverages. I took advantage of Jane and Mr. Bingley’s proximity and delivered their drinks first. At my inquiry, Mr. Bingley provided the helpful intelligence that Mr. Darcy preferred coffee to tea, with one lump of sugar.

After providing libations to Mrs. and Miss Long, I obtained the coffee intended for Mr. Darcy. He wandered the perimeter of the room alone, sending dour glances here and there. With a furtive look around me, I slipped into an alcove and added the potion to the cup. I wiped perspiration from my palm and set my shoulders before continuing towards Mr. Darcy. His brown eyes flashed as I drew near, betraying surprise at my audacity in approaching him.

“Would you like coffee, Mr. Darcy?” I swallowed. If he refused me, my little game would be over before it began.

“Thank you, yes.” He accepted the cup and continued to stare at me in that disconcerting way of his.

Darn, why did he have to be so attractive? His strong jaw, dark, intelligent eyes, straight nose, and prominent cheek-bones aligned with perfect symmetry; and his tall, virile figure contributed to his singular masculine allure. I coughed to dispel a sudden thickness in my throat. “I should be obliged if you would taste it. Charlotte fretted that she might have used too much sugar.”

He took a sip and nodded. “You may assure Miss Lucas that the coffee is to my liking.”

“Thank you. She will be pleased.” As I turned and strode back to Charlotte, the thudding of my heart echoed in my ears. I could not shake the worry of having erred. What if Mrs. Greenwood had lied to me and given me a poisonous substance? Yet that did not make sense; she had no reason to do anything so hateful. Nevertheless, a twisting discomfort plagued my insides, hampering my appetite. For the remainder of the evening, I should keep a covert watch over Mr. Darcy for any indication of a malady.

Thank the stars, Mr. Darcy appeared to remain hale that night. Nevertheless, his puzzling conduct spurred my anxiety.

Just before we departed, I encountered Lucy, the Lucas family’s maid. She waved to me, and I approached her.

“Miss Elizabeth.” Lucy looked left and right, before her head bent near mine. “I thought you might want to know what I over’eard tonight.”

“Oh?” What could this pertain to?

“When I gathered the empty cups in the drawing-room, I stood behind Miss Bingley. She told ’er sister that Mr. Darcy ’ad proclaimed you to be pretty and your eyes fine.”

“Mr. Darcy is supposed to have said this to Miss Bingley? That cannot be true!”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy, the tall, dark-’aired ’andsome one. There’s no mistaking what Miss Bingley said. ’Er back was up like an angry cat!” Lucy straightened her attitude and giggled. “Well, I best return to me work.”

I stared after her, my chest constricting. What have I done?

Contact Info for Ms. Miller

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Blog Tour Schedule

October 7: Kelly Miller is at My JAFF Obsession

October 8: Suzan Lauder is at My Vices and Weaknesses

October 9: Heather Moll is with Sophia Rose

October 10: Riana Everly is at Interests of a Jane Austen Girl

October 11, 2025: Carol Bowes is at From Pemberley to Milton

Giveaway

★★★★★ The authors and editor of In the Path of Jane Austen: Travels and Tales are graciously giving away one e-book to a commenter from this blog. End date for the giveaway is October 19th. The winner will be chosen at random. So add a comment below. ★★★★★