First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice

Pride & Platypus by Vera Nazarian

2013-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

I'm not usually a fan of supernatural takes on Austen's work, but the novels of Vera Nazarian are far too funny to miss. Having read and reviewed her previous two, Mansfield Park & Mummies and Northanger Abbey & Angels & Dragons, I kind of new what I was in for with Pride & Platypus, but the first two paragraphs still stuck me as uproariously hysterical: It is a truth universally acknowledged,

Mr. Darcy's Little Sister vs. And This Our Life by C. Allyn Pierson

2013-05-13T13:46:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure that what I am about to do is in any way fair. In fact, I'm so uncertain about this review that I spent two months trying to figure out a different way to go about it. May Ms. Pierson please forgive the following ... I first read And This Our Life: The Chronicles of the Darcy Family by C. Allyn Pierson early in my Austenesque explorations, and it was a book I returned to

Happy Mother's Day! Free Books and Giveaway Winner!

2013-05-12T11:36:00.000-04:00

First and foremost, in honor of all the mothers out there I've made both my novels, First Impressions and Second Glances, available for free Kindle download today. If your idea of a good Mother's Day is curling up with a delightful book, let me suggest my excessively pleasant stories as the perfect choice. I'm also gratified to announce the winner of my handmade, Jane Austen inspired Mother's

Reading Jane Austen to Children

2013-05-07T10:46:00.002-04:00

In the first few months of her life, my daughter was introduced to her parents' literary world. We read Pride and Prejudice, Alice in Wonderland, and the entire Harry Potter series aloud to her (also helping ourselves through long, sleepless nights). As she developed and became more active, her patience for such activities quickly dwindled. We had to find new ways of developing her taste in

Artist / Rebel / Dandy: Men of Fashion at the RISD Museum

2013-04-30T15:40:00.000-04:00

I was in Providnce, RI this weekend visiting my sister, and she took me to the RISD Museum. My two year old in tow, we were making quick pace through the galleries, trying to keep her engaged, when, upon turning a corner, I stumbled upon this: Suddenly an image I've long been familiar with, having studied it in many a book, was before my eyes! Abandoning my daughter to my sister, I excitedly

Mother's Day Card Giveaway, a New Book, and More!

2013-04-26T11:02:00.001-04:00

I have so much to celebrate. Even when life is at its most mundane, I try to constantly appreciate and rejoice in my many blessings, but right now my cup runneth over in such abundance that no effort is required. First, the reviews are starting to come in on Second Glances, and so far they're glorious! Few sensations compare to having your imaginings bring others

And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed: Henry and Maria

2013-04-25T13:19:00.000-04:00

This is the story I wrote a few years ago for the Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest, slightly expanded (word of advice: never enter a Mansfield Park story in any kind of competition). I decided to include it in And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed: The Novels of Jane Austen Expanded because I was never able to write a satisfactory Janeicillin story for Mansfield, largely because

Elegant Extracts: Memorable Moments in Pride and Prejudice

2013-04-20T08:31:00.000-04:00

I just finished my second round of book making, an interactive project composed with the assistance of followers of Austenesque Reviews, Meredith Esparza's awesome blog. As part of a Second Glances giveaway (read all about it here), readers were asked to share their favorite quotes from Pride and Prejudice, which I then proceeded to compile into one of my little folios. I'm so please with how

Second Glances: "Utterly Charming" Review

2013-04-19T10:30:00.000-04:00

I was beaming last week when I read this adorable review of Second Glances from Blodeuedd, the Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. I've been meaning to share it ever since, but my husband's transition to a new job has been rather distraction. Now that he's a week in, I finally feel like I've got my head on straight. So here it is: can I get a collective"aww"? http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/2013/04/

"And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed?": Persuasion

2013-04-18T16:12:00.001-04:00

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"And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed?": Emma

2013-04-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the future of Janeicillin! Some may remember my serialized stories, extending the ending chapters of Austen's novel, but anyone might read these musing in their original forms by going to the Janeicillin page of this blog, at least for now. I am in the process of editing the tales for ebook publication this spring under the new title "And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed?":

Great Review of Second Glances at Austenesque Reviews!

2013-04-05T11:58:00.000-04:00

I can't get stop reading and grinning over the review Meredith Esparza posted today on Austenesque Reviews for Second Glances. You should check both it and the guest post I authored there on Wednesday, as it comes with a very unique giveaway opportunity, but I have to post the review here, too, because I just can't get enough of it. Only other writers can truly understand my joy in having a

Second Glances Giveaway, Elegant Extracts Experiments, and More!

2013-04-04T21:38:00.001-04:00

I really meant to get a post up earlier this week, but it literally took me two days to get my head back on straight following my family's travels. It was intended to be a whirlwind trip to Texas, but the experience was further complicated by my father's home being burglarized while I was visiting. My daughter, husband, and I entered the house, thus scaring the intruders away before they moved

Second Glances & Elegant Extracts Giveaways

2013-03-25T10:23:00.000-04:00

I'm not making a big announcement regarding last week's winner of a handmade copy of Selected Verses by Jane Austen. She will know who she is. My little experiment did not auger well for the future of paper books. I had intended to do one more March giveaway of Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues, but as the book is/will be soon available through a variety of other

"And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed?": Pride and Prejudice

2013-03-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

Aisha (2010)

2013-03-19T22:02:00.001-04:00

I've been wanting to watch this movie ever since it came out, but as its release corresponded with my pregnancy(ies), I never got to it. Some may recall that I have a thing for Bollywood. It's a passion I discussed in my review of Kandukondain Kandukondain (I Have Found It), a fabulous adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. While Aisha is not as satisfying a film, it is a pretty faithful

Second Glances Giveaway #3, Elegant Extracts, and Winners of Giveaway #2

2013-03-18T08:27:00.000-04:00

I think I might have caused some confusion in my last giveaway. Too much going on at once. This week I'm going to try to keep things simple (not always easy for me), but first I must announce last week's winners. The copy of First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice goes to: Kaewink The copy of Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice Continues goes to: junewillaims7

Character Profile: Captain Wentworth

2013-03-14T20:45:00.000-04:00

He was not Mr. Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford, however suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action off St Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire, in the summer of 1806; and having no parent living, found a home for half a year at Monkford. He was, at that time, a

Second Glances Giveaway #2 , Plus Winner of Giveaway #1

2013-03-11T10:30:00.003-04:00

It is my great pleasure to announce the winners of last week's giveaway. The winner of the copy of Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues is: Arjanne! And the winner of Selected Verses by Jane Austen with the Tea Cup cover is Lúthien84! Congratulations! You will receive emails from me shortly with further details. Last week I asked participants to guess which

"And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed?": Sense and Sensibility

2013-03-09T14:32:00.000-05:00

An Unlikely Missionary by Skylar Hamilton Burris

2013-03-07T18:15:00.001-05:00

Tranquility swaddled the ocean, and the docile waves that lapped against the side of the docked ship seemed to mock me, such a contrast they made with the tumultuous events of the past few weeks. I would almost have preferred to leave on an overcast morning when the howling wind whipped the waves into a mad groaning; that, I thought, would have been a more appropriate setting for my abrupt

Win a copy of Second Glances at My Jane Austen Book C!ub!

2013-03-06T13:26:00.001-05:00

I'm honored to be a guest of Maria Grazia's today at My Jane Austen Book Club. Read more about Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues and enter to win a copy of the book! http://thesecretunderstandingofthehearts.blogspot.it/2013/03/author-guest-post-giveaway-alexa-adams.html#more

Second Glances Giveaway #1

2013-03-04T10:29:00.000-05:00

If anyone out there recalls the way I conducted giveaways following the release of my first novel, First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice, this should sound kind of familiar. I then asked readers to guess what alternative fate might befall Jane Austen's characters in my hands. The task is a bit more tricky this time, for if you haven't read First Impressions, it is hard to know

Austen Men Crossword Puzzle Solution

2013-03-03T06:33:00.001-05:00

I think this is a no go on the crossword puzzles. I'm kind of sad, as it was really fin to make.

Austen Men Crossword Puzzle

2013-03-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

I did this once before, for Austen's birthday celebration two years ago, and had a hankering for some more. This is just for fun. Answers are two words unless otherwise indicated (a first name or title and last). I'll post the solution on Sunday. I know the numbers are hard to see, even with the oversized image. Hopefully, it isn't a deterrent (feedback would be much appreciated). If you click