It’s a birthday or an anniversary, but whichever it is, it’s a celebration! Suzan Lauder’s first novel, Alias Thomas Bennet, is ten years old today. We are having a happy birthday week, and you are invited to join us!
We are excited to have it all wrapped up in a new package! Not only did the book get a new cover, but it also has a few new revisions and some added material from the author. We think you will love this one even more than the original book!
In the next few days, Meryton Press will offer its first translated book, the Spanish edition of Alias Thomas Bennet. It will be released in both eBook and paperback format. It was translated by our own, Belén Paccagnella! She did an awesome job, and we are thrilled. It will be announced on the Meryton Press Facebook page when the book is available.
We have another surprise coming later in the week! Watch for it.
From the Author
In August, 2022, I approached Meryton Press with the idea of a 10th anniversary edition of Alias Thomas Bennet: an upgraded edit that I would do myself and a new cover. Well, the next day, I was told that the project was approved. Over the coming weeks, I was pleased over and over again with the enthusiasm for this Special Anniversary Edition and its extras. You’ll hear more on all that later in the release week.
Janet Taylor and I had thrown around several ideas for the cover, and at the last minute, I sent a picture that I thought she could use for the background. She threw away all that she was working on and ran with this painting of Sir James Brooke by Francis Grant. His expression, his stance, and the balance of the colour and the subject matter all said Alias Thomas Bennet to her. I was thrilled when she showed me the artwork as upgraded to fit the time-line of our story, the fantastic fonts, as well as back cover’s drawing of a tall ship lightly in the background of the text. This is one fine book cover, totally suitable for a Special Anniversary Edition!
Doesn’t this guy make a good Mr. Bennet? He looked how I imagined a younger Benjamin Whitrow would look. It was a perfect painting for this book, and I’m so happy that Suzan and Jerry found it!
Those of you who have read the original novel will know the significance of the ship lightly in the background of the back cover. For those of you who haven’t, you are in for a treat! I’m thinking it is time for a reread myself!
The Spanish edition and its cover cover will be in a later post.
Blurb
A special anniversary edition, yet in essentials it remains the same…
Please note that this is not a new novel, rather, a new release. The most popular of award-winning, bestselling author Suzan Lauder’s novels, a Pride and Prejudice-inspired romance with a mystery twist, Alias Thomas Bennet has been recently edited to make it more readable and easier to follow. In addition, it is offered in a Spanish version.
When Fitzwilliam Darcy attends the Meryton assembly, he befriends a quiet, intelligent gentleman. In frequent visits to his friend’s home, he becomes acquainted with the Bennet family of Longbourn. Yet Mr. Darcy is distracted by a strange feeling of having met some of them before.
This is a different Bennet family from the cleverly crafted one in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Bennet is a responsible gentleman who takes an active role in the education and upbringing of all five of his well-behaved and clever daughters, manages Longbourn to be prosperous, and displays loving guidance towards Mrs. Bennet—a gentle, caring mother and wife.
A mystery lurks at Longbourn—a secret unknown even to Elizabeth Bennet—and Mr. Darcy is entangled in its extraordinary revelations.
Who is Thomas Bennet?
This book contains scenes with mild sex and violence and one brief scene of non-explicit sexual violence that may be concerning to sensitive readers. The sexual violence does not include Elizabeth Bennet.
Buy
Giveaway
To start the giveaway, two winners will be selected from the comments for the new Special Anniversary Edition eBook of Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder. Anyone can enter. The third gift is a tin of Jane Austen Pride & Peppermints and Novel Teas Book Lover’s Teabags with literary quotes. The giveaways end December 8th at midnight central time. Leave us your thoughts on the original book, the new one, the cover, or ask the author a question. We want to hear from you. Have fun and good luck to all.
There are more gifts to come so keep watching!
Michelle David
Love the new look! Congratulations on the Spanish edition. So much to celebrate 🎊
Meryton Press
Glad you like it! Yes, there is much to celebrate and more to come! Thanks for joining us!
Suzan Lauder
It was such a last-minute cover, and I’m so proud of Janet B. Taylor for her amazing skill at this type of artwork. We’re lucky to have her. Also luck had it that Belén agreed to translate and we have so much to celebrate this anniversary week. Thank you, Michelle!
Meryton Press
Boy, was it ever! I’m not over the stressing yet! lol I’m sure everyone else involved is right there with me!
Patty Edmisson
Congratulations on anniversary. I enjoyed this story when I read it a while ago.
Schilds
I can’t believe it has been ten years. Congratulations! Love the cover.
Marie H
This is fantastic! Happy Anniversary! This is one of my all time favourite JAFF books. I really loved this story. I’m looking forward to re-reading it yet again, but this time with the revisions. I would dearly love to see the second edition redone on audio as well (and dare I say with a new narrator 🫣). Congratulations to Suzan Lauder.
Suzan Lauder
We have so many wonderful things to share with readers for this anniversary week, and you’ll find mostly subtle changes in the book, Marie. So subtle, you won’t lose that feel you fell in love with. We’ll see if it’s timely to do a new audiobook at some later date, since the Special Anniversary Edition is only slightly upgraded.
SamH.
That is an awesome new cover! Shame I already own the paperback in the previous version.
Congratulations! If I have it as a paperback it made it amongst the top of my list. 😉
Suzan Lauder
The original artwork was a coloured pencil drawing by Janet B. Taylor and I love it, yet I also immediately fell in love with this Mr. Bennet. Thanks for coming by to comment, Sam!
ELIZABETH Jung
Excellent cover. Looking forward to reading about Thomas.
Suzan Lauder
I agree, Elizabeth. The face, the pose, the composition of this artwork are all fantastic. Janet B. Taylor touched him up to make him more Regency and did the wonderful fonts and voila, we have an awesome Special Anniversary Edition cover!
Melissa Anne
This is such a great book and one I need to re-read soon. Love the new cover!
Suzan Lauder
I do hope you enjoy it even more on its tidied up edit when you re-read, Melissa Anne!
Julie Goodman
Love the Cover! I haven’t read this so going to add it to my wish list now.
Suzan Lauder
Julie, it’s my oldest book, yet it continues to be a bestseller, so you can’t go wrong. Many fans list it as a favourite. That’s why we wanted to have a Special Anniversary Edition with that many Thomas Bennet on the cover.
Kelly Miller
This is so awesome; congratulations, Suzan on this book anniversary! I love the new cover, and it’s wonderful that Spanish readers will be introduced to this fabulous book! 🙂
Suzan Lauder
I’m so proud to be a Meryton Press writer because they found an excellent translator in fellow MP author Belén Paccagnella for the Special Anniversary Edition’s Spanish version. It’s a great cover, isn’t it?
Kim P.
Love the new cover and can’t wait to read it!
Suzan Lauder
Thank you so much, Kim. I hope you enjoy it!
Jennifer Redlarczyk
Love the new look and congratulations on the 10th Anniversary!
Suzan Lauder
I really appreciate you stopping by to comment, Jennifer! It’s a great new look.
Neville Withington
I have read this book a couple of times. It is a very interesting premise and an exciting plot. I really like the new cover. Congratulations on 10 years since publication!
Suzan Lauder
Your summary about the book sounds like the original editor, Gail Warner. She always called ATB “unique.” I’m pleased you have the same viewpoint as she and I do on its distinctiveness. I thank Janet B. Taylor for the wonderful cover to match. Thanks for the special comment!
Raluca Ioan
Love the new cover and congratulations on its 10th anniversary. I read the book with the initial cover and really enjoyed it… what an excellent and imaginative variation. I have reread it a few times over the years but would love to have it also in an ebook format. ❤️
Suzan Lauder
The initial release will be in e-book and paperback, but look for more fun later in the week, Raluca. I love to hear about readers who enjoy the book more than once and know it almost better than I know it!
Glory
I LOVE the new cover!!! The audiobook is great & one I have listened to several times. Are you going to do a print version of this with the new cover & content? If so I will be adding it to my (every growing) wishlist.
Suzan Lauder
We agree on loving Janet B. Taylor’s cover! Definitely there’s going to be a print version, Glory. Stay tuned for the way that decides to twist later in the week.
Mary Preston
Mr. Bennet is a great favorite. I love the cover too.
Suzan Lauder
This book made Mr. Bennet special, did it not? Now he has a new face. Thanks for commenting, Mary!
Joan G Brand
I own and have read the original “Alias Mr. Thomas Bennet.” I look forward to reading the new edition, and I love the new cover!
Suzan Lauder
I love your enthusiasm for the cover and for the book. Thanks, Joan!
Gwen Mitchell
I loved the original and have read it a couple of times.
Suzan Lauder
You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear from fans like you, Gwen. Thanks so much!
Sharon Bailey
I love the new cover. It is a great improvement over the original. Tim for a reread!
Suzan Lauder
Both covers will always be dear to me. I’m glad you’re pleased with the new one, though. Thanks for commenting!
Jennie Newbrand
I first read this story many years ago, perhaps not long after it was first published, and it became an instant favorite. The new cover is great! I’m definitely interested in reading the anniversary edition. You’ve probably already caught this, but there’s a typo in the mock-up of the back cover. It reads, “…guidance towards to Mrs. Bennet…” Keeping my fingers crossed for the eBook giveaway.
Meryton Press
It’s great to hear this book became an instant favorite. It is for me as well. Thank you also for pointing out the typo. No matter how many times I check, something still slips by. Your extra pair of eyes helped and I appreciate it! Good luck in the giveaway.
Suzan Lauder
Janet told me someone had found a typo, and I read the blurb three times before I found it. Good catch, and thanks for letting us know, Jennie! You’re a great fan. Good luck on the draw!
Jennie Newbrand
The tricky part is that the typo was only showing in the mock-up of the back cover and not in the blurb included in the text of the post. I was looking at the back cover to see the illustration on the back.
DarcyBennett
Great cover. Congrats and thanks for the giveaway!
Suzan Lauder
Thank you so much, DarcyBennett! I like seeing you in these threads.
Rebecca McBrayer
The new cover is beautiful! Congratulations on 10 years of publishing!
Suzan Lauder
Yes, that new cover is quite distinctive and delightful to me as well. Thanks for your well wishes.
Michelle H
I love the new cover. This has long been a favorite reread and re-listen of mine. I love the story very much. Congratulations on an impressive anniversary, I hope to be around in another 10 years to congratulate you on 20 years. All the best.
Suzan Lauder
What pleasant comments you give, Michelle! Ten years went by fast, so perhaps 20 will too. All the best to you as well.
MaryAnn Nagy
The new cover is fantastic looking. Read the first book when it came out and loved it. Looking forward to this new one!! Best wishes!
Suzan Lauder
Thanks for your good wishes, MaryAnn. You’re a cherished fan.
Dung
Congrats on the book anniversary! I enjoyed reading the original and look forward to reading the new anniversary edition!
Suzan Lauder
Thank you, Dung! I expect that if you enjoyed the original, you’ll enjoy this version just as much.
Sheila L. Majczan
I enjoyed this in its original form. Thanks for sharing here.
Suzan Lauder
I hope you like this version as much as you enjoyed the first edition, Sheila. You’re welcome!
jeannette
This outstanding story had me hooked from the first pages when I read it 10 years ago. I am proud to say that I own both the e-version and the paperback–the tale was that good! Congratulations on publishing this new anniversary edition. I adore the cover!
Suzan Lauder
I’m always so proud when someone loves this book from the start. There’s something special later in the week that you’ll enjoy if you own the paperback of the original. That cover is something special, right?
Belén Paccagnella
Congratulations Suzan and the entire Meryton Press team for relaunching this wonderful novel. The new cover is amazing and the perfect portayal of this intriguing Mr Bennet. I feel honored to have been part of this proyect and make this beautiful story available to Spanish-speaking readers.
Suzan Lauder
Thank you for being an integral part of this experience, Belén! Mr. Bennet has a special look and that painting captured him. I look forward to the release of the Spanish version of the Special Anniversary Edition later this week as I’m sure you do too.
Robin G.
Happy Anniversary! I enjoyed meeting you at the JAFF Get Together. I love the portrait you chose for the new cover. Thank you for the generous giveaways!
Suzan Lauder
That Get-Together was so fantastic! The portrait is a good match for this book. You’re welcome, Robin, and good luck!
MaryAnn Nagy
Day 4 request:
I would like the Anniversary Edition in English as I have the first one when it first came out!
email address is Tollygal55@comcast.net. Thank you for allowing me to enter your contest for Day 4. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Suzan Lauder
Good luck, MaryAnn!
Jan Hahn
I’m late to the party, but wanted to add my good wishes to this happy event. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since your first book was published, and look how your writing career has blossomed! Now, that’s worth celebrating. Suzan, you are a true asset to Meryton Press. Hope to see at least 10 more years of books coming from you.
Suzan Lauder
Thanks for the excellent compliment, Jan, and welcome to the party!
Meryton Press
We’re happy you came, late or not! It is hard to believe it has been ten years. We’re glad you dropped by and shared your thoughts, Jan.
J. W. Garrett
Love the new cover, Suzan. I purchased the E-book back in the day. Looks like I’m going to have to re-read it again. Blessings on the relaunch.
Suzan Lauder
Thank you for your kindness. The new cover is just what I wanted, thanks to Janet B. Taylor. Good luck on the draw!
Meryton Press
We hope you get to reread it soon. I plan to do the same!
Lúthien84
Happy 10th birthday to Alias Thomas Bennet, Suzan. I love the new cover because of the realistic look. I find the old cover a bit childish but it’s just me. I hope I don’t offend the original cover artist.
Sir Jame Brooke sounds familiar so I googled his name. It turns out that he is the first Rajah (which means King) of Sarawak, one of the states in my country.
Meryton Press
Hi Sylvia. We are glad you like the new cover. Paintings for covers are nice. I am the cover artist for the original release, and I am offended. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and good luck.
Suzan Lauder
Both covers are by the same designer, and I love both. It was hard giving up the original for something new, but I’m so happy with our Rajah! Wikipedia also says of him: “James Brooke was ‘a great admirer’ of the novels of Jane Austen, and would ‘read them and re-read them’, including aloud to his companions in Sarawak.” That makes him perfect for this book. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.
Darcy Coggins
How have I missed this for TEN Years! I devour all P&P reads, and have often wished Austen gave us more backstop to the Bennet patriarch. TY for this opportunity.
Suzan Lauder
Thanks for your kind comment, and good luck on the draw, Darcy!