MY JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB

AUTHOR GUESTPOST & GIVEAWAY - JAN HAHN, THE JOURNEY

2012-02-11T19:10:00.000+01:00

I've read so many positive reviews of her books that I'm very happy Jan Hahn is here on My Jane Austen Book Club as my guest to tell you about her latest release, The Journey. There's a giveaway linked to this post. Read through it. You'll find all the details at the end.

Jan Hahn is fascinated by all things Austen, the 19^th Century, and true love. Having spent many years in the world of business, she is now content to leave it behind and concentrate on her true interest—writing about Austen’s characters finding true love in the 19^th Century. She is blessed with a large, loving family who tolerates and supports her obsession. Although she is a native Texan, Jan doesn’t live on a ranch, can’t ride a horse, and doesn’t own a pair of cowboy boots. She will admit to being cursed with a definite Texas drawl.

Jan’s first novel, An Arranged Marriage, recently won the award for Best Indie book of 2011 from Austinprose. Her second book, The Journey, has just been released. Both books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.

Thank you, Maria, for inviting me to post on your lovely site about my new book, The Journey. Of all Jane Austen’s writings, Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, and I never grow tired of discussing Elizabeth and Darcy with fellow devotees.

I have always admired those who are able to write sequels to Pride and Prejudice. I’ve sketched out several such storylines, but for some reason, I’m unable to create a plot that goes anywhere. Instead, variations of the original story take over my imagination. There are many places in Austen’s narrative where the characters may take an alternate path, and it becomes an entirely new account. All of these paths, of course, lead to the ultimate question for Darcy and Elizabeth: Will they or won’t they end up together? And for me, that is my delight. It’s all about the chase.

A popular place for writers to vary the story is in Kent around the time Darcy makes his first dreadful proposal to Elizabeth. It seems to be a natural jumping off spot. I used it in my first book, An Arranged Marriage. Mr. Bennet died immediately thereafter, plunging Elizabeth and her family into poverty, thus creating the need for a marriage of convenience.

The Journey begins earlier in Austen’s story, not long after the Netherfield ball. After refusing Mr. Collins’s proposal and to escape her mother’s disappointment, Elizabeth sets out on a trip to visit the Gardiners in London. Unfortunately, she is forced to suffer the trials of traveling not only with Bingley’s sisters but Darcy himself. Thus far, Elizabeth knows nothing of Darcy other than his arrogant behavior and Wickham’s lies. Naturally, her opinion of him is quite poor. Suddenly, the carriage is abruptly stopped, and a menacing cry rings out. “Stand and deliver!”

By the early 1800s, the scourge of highwaymen had abated in England somewhat, but remnants of the blight still existed. In The Journey, we meet Nate Morgan—the blonde, handsome, leader of the gang that holds up the carriage. As if robbery isn’t bad enough, things grow worse when Morgan decides to seize Elizabeth for his amusement. Darcy offers himself as hostage in her place, but when his proposal fails to secure Elizabeth’s release, he makes a shocking declaration—Elizabeth is his wife!

Abducted for ransom by the highwaymen and taken to a remote cabin in the woods, Elizabeth and Darcy are forced to act as husband and wife and rely upon each other for their survival. At a time when a woman’s future could be ruined by the slightest hint of scandal, Elizabeth’s reputation will depend not only upon the actions of Darcy but Morgan as well. The fateful journey embarked upon that day changes the lives of all three characters forever.

I like to read and write stories of Elizabeth and Darcy that contain a great number of scenes where they interact. Whether sparring in conversation, quarreling outright, or falling in love, I want them to experience an abundance of togetherness. If the plot dictates that they spend time apart, I understand the necessity, but I long for their reunion. When I first considered writing The Journey, I was intrigued by the idea of locking the couple in a room together with no one to talk to but each other. Of course, I needed a reason for their seclusion, and voilà!—a band of highwaymen appeared before me with one handsome rogue in particular who would be attracted to Elizabeth.

Bad boys make an appearance in all of Austen’s books. From Wickham to Willoughby to Frank Churchill, they often arrive quite charming and amiable. Their true nature is hidden, and it takes time for all to be revealed. From the beginning of The Journey, Nate Morgan is clearly a bad boy but not without charisma. His appeal lies in the possibility of redemption, and that’s a seductive temptation for any woman. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed creating the character.

Who’s your favorite Austen bad boy and why? Is it Henry Crawford, John Willoughby, George Wickham, Frank Churchill, William Walter Elliot, John Thorpe, or even the fearful General Tilney? Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to see redeemed? Writers are always searching for new inspiration. Perhaps your idea might stimulate a brand new book.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in An Arranged Marriage. I hope you will enjoy traveling on The Journey with Darcy and Elizabeth.

Jan Hahn

<p>&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;center&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Visit Jan at Facebook or Meryton Press

Giveaway Details

1 autographed paperback copy of The Journey limited to US and Canada.

1 e-book copy of The Journey open to all countries

Leave your comment and don't forget to add which country you live in and your e-mail address. This giveaway contest ends on February 18th.

MR DARCY'S PROPOSAL BY SUSAN MASON-MILKS. GIVEAWAY WINNER

2012-02-10T14:45:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Shannon , who wins the paperback copy, and to Cerena Leigh who will get the kindle edition of Mr Darcy's Proposal . Many grateful thanks to Susan Mason-Milks for being such a kind and generous guest. Great success to her Mr Darcy's Proposal!

Draw carried out via random.org.

LOVE JANE AUSTEN & DRINK TEA - GREAT GIVEAWAY FROM BINGLEY'S TEAS

2012-02-09T10:23:00.001+01:00

I started this blog, My Jane Austen Book Club, in January 2010 because one of the ladies working at the public library in my town had so much loved the movie The Jane Austen Book Club that she wanted to repeat the experience that film told about and she involved me as she knew how fond I am of anything Austen. This was meant to be a blog supporting and narrating the experience of reading an Austen novel a month for 6 months. But it has gone on and become an online meeting place for lots of nice Janeits. Thanks to all of you! So this great giveaway from Bingley's Teas is perfect to celebrate the turning two years old of my little blog.

Are you ready to celebrate with me? The wonderful prize you can win is a set including:

1. THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB DVD (region 1, US version)

2. a book box of Emma's Perfect Match, a sweet green tea of dried strawberries, rhubarb and roses.

N.B. This extraordinary giveaway contest is open worldwide but I must remind you that to watch the DVD you must have a player reading region 1 encoded DVDs.

Now, what you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter form below choosing your options (up to 6!) Good luck!

Visit Bingley's Teas Official Site

The Jane Austen Tea Series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SHANNON HALE, MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND - GIVEWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

2012-02-08T18:03:00.004+01:00

Here we are! I'm ready to make one of you very happy. Those who entered the giveaway to win Shannon Hale's new book, her return to Austenland, Midnight in Austenland can keep their fingers crossed few seconds more. Just the time to read that ... the winner is ...

phastings!!!

Congratulations to the lucky winner and many thanks to the publishers, Bloomsbury, for providing the brand new copy to give away.

AUTHOR GUESTPOST & GIVEAWAY - P O DIXON, FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN!

2012-02-07T17:32:00.004+01:00

P O Dixon writes Pride and Prejudice adaptations with one overriding purpose in mind—falling in love with Darcy and Elizabeth once again. Sometimes provocative, always entertaining, her stories are read, commented on, and thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of readers worldwide. Initially written in 2009 and published in 2010, To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too): Mr. Darcy’s Tale represents her first venture into the Jane Austen fan fiction community. Her current work in progress, Bewitched, Body and Soul: Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will be released in 2012. She resides in North Carolina with her husband and young daughter; neither of whom understands what exactly is all this fuss about Mr. Darcy.

I confess. I fell in love with Mr. Darcy before reading Pride and Prejudice, thanks to Matthew Macfadyen. Once I read Jane Austen’s classic, I began to understand the enigmatic Mr. Darcy. Then I happened upon the world of fan fiction and indeed, my life has never been the same.

Mr. Darcy is my favorite literary hero. Every day, I ask myself, “What would Darcy do?” “What would Darcy think?” “What would Darcy say?”

I admit it has not always been this way. Mr. Darcy was not my first love. Margaret Mitchell’s Rhett Butler bears that distinction. Yes, my first glimpse of him was in the movie Gone with the Wind. As with Mr. Darcy, my affection grew for Rhett Butler after reading the book.

I’m sensing a pattern here. While I shall not ascribe many of Mr. Butler’s less admirable traits to Mr. Darcy, nor do I postulate he was capable of performing many of Rhett Butler’s dastardly deeds—dare I mention Miss Belle Watling as a start. Both being gentlemen of their times, who is to say for certain?

In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet had this to say about Mr. Darcy, “We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man ...” Elizabeth spoke of his arrogance, his conceit, and his selfish disdain of the feelings of others—the last man in the world whom she could ever be prevailed on to marry.

In another time, another place, these words might describe how Mr. O’Hara and Scarlett saw Rhett Butler. Of course, Elizabeth and Darcy worked through their misunderstandings more swiftly and far less painfully than did Scarlett and Rhett. Miss Jane Austen provided a satisfying happily ever after conclusion to their love story. Still, legions of writers and far more readers keep asking, “What if?”

What if, indeed? This begs the original question. What if my favorite literary heroes have more in common than I dare allow? Am I merely blinded by love? What say you?

P O Dixon

GIVEAWAY

1 Paperback copy of either He Taught Me to Hope or Still a Young Man for US readers. Leave your comment adding US , choose the title you prefer and don't forget your e-mail address, please.

1 e-book copy of either He Taught Me to Hope or Still a Young Man for readers from the rest of the world. Leave your comment adding "rest of the world"or the country you live in , choose the title you prefer and don't forget your e-mail address, please.

The giveaway ends on February 15 when the names of the winners are announced. Good luck, everyone!

He Taught Me to Hope

What if Elizabeth is promised to another when she meets Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the one man who captures her heart and imagination like no other? As dire as their chance for “happily ever after” seems, there is a measure of hope by way of a strong and enduring bond between them.

The legend of King Arthur meets the timelessness of Miss Jane Austen’s endearing works in this delightfully entertaining Pride and Prejudice adaptation that takes you back to a magical time of enchantment and romance and lets you fall in love with Darcy and Elizabeth once again.

Still a Young Man

Widowed after six months of marriage, Elizabeth determines to leave her past behind, to enjoy life to its fullest and on her own terms. Charming, witty, and engaging, she is widely admired by all. However, everything is not as it seems. She harbours a secret.

The beautiful widow captivates a younger Mr. Darcy. He knows her better than she knows herself. He struggles to break through her protective barriers, the most daunting being her tightly held conviction that she will never marry again.

Follow Darcy and Elizabeth on this path of discovery that leads to true and abiding love.

P.O. Dixon 's Facebook Page

Blog Indie Author Meets Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Twitter @podixon

Amazon Author Page

GIVEAWAY WINNER - PRIDE & PRINCESSES BY SUMMER DAY

2012-02-06T18:33:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Danielle, the winner chosen by random.org, for Summer Day's Pride & Princesses. Read about Summer and her Austen-inspired YA romance HERE. PRIDE & PRINCESSES is published at AMAZON Kindle

Many thanks to Summer Day for being my guest and providing a free e-book for the giveaway contest
on My Jane Austen Book Club.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY - SUSAN MASON-MILKS : I DIDN'T LIKE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE THE FIRST TIME I READ IT ...

2012-02-03T10:28:00.000+01:00

Susan Mason-Milks’ eclectic career includes teaching high school English, working as a communication consultant, conducting management and leadership classes, and as a career counselor, helping people decide what they want to do when they grow up. Although writing has been part of her work for years, Mr. Darcy’s Proposal is her first work of fiction. She is currently a member of Austen Authors, a group of authors who all write Austen-related fiction. In addition to writing, her other loves include singing in a women’s a cappella chorus, reading, and yoga. She currently lives in Seattle with her husband and their four very naughty cats.

Read our Austen-related chat and leave your comments to this post. There's an amazing giveaway contest you can enter simply adding your e-mail address. Read the details below, at the end of the post.

Welcome on My JA Book Club, Susan! I’m very happy you’ve joined our on line club and you accepted to talk Jane Austen with me.

This is my first question for you: when and how did you come to write a Pride and Prejudice “what if” story?

In my bio for Mr. Darcy’s Proposal, I confessed to not liking Pride and Prejudice the first time I read it in the eighth grade. I know it’s blasphemy, but it’s true. I’m still not sure why, but I’m very grateful, that like Elizabeth Bennet, I got a second chance. I fell in love with Jane Austen after watching the 1995 movie version of Pride and Prejudice. I immediately rushed out and read all her other books—and then read them again. I just couldn’t get enough of Jane! Some time after that, I discovered fan fiction, and after reading many, many of those stories, decided I wanted to write a story, too.

If I say ... Mr. Darcy, what is the first image that comes to your mind?

Physically, I think of Darcy as played by Colin Firth. In terms of who he is as a person, I feel as if by retelling his story, I’ve come to know him quite well. He is, above all, an honorable man. Pretty much the classic introvert, he often hides behind a protective façade because he’s terribly shy and uncomfortable around people he doesn’t know. At times he can be quite eloquent, but to him a conversation must be about a topic of mutual interest or have a specific purpose. Conversation for its own sake is a real challenge for him. Remember, Mrs. Reynolds who knows him well said, “Some people call him proud; but I never saw anything of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away like other young men.”

Whose point of view did you use to tell the story Mr. Darcy’s Proposal?

The point of view in Mr. Darcy’s Proposal primarily alternates between Darcy and Elizabeth. In many scenes, the story unfolds first from Elizabeth’s perspective, and then shifts to Darcy’s point of view to look at his side of the same interaction. I think it’s a great way to emphasize how they continually misunderstand each other. There are so many times when they look at the same situation and see two completely different things. Inevitably, the misunderstandings continue until they begin to talk to each other rather than just make assumptions. There are moments in the story where you just want to scream, “Talk to each other!”

Several people have commented that when reading this story, they were really frustrated with both Darcy and Elizabeth because they didn’t communicate. My first thought was, “If you think you were frustrated, just imagine how they felt!”

What is so special about Darcy to make him a hero beyond time?

This question made me think quite a bit about what the word “hero” means. In mythology, the hero traditionally must go on “the hero’s journey.” He (or she) leaves the comfort of his home and ventures out to face a challenge—maybe slay a dragon or two? After that, he returns home and uses the knowledge he gained to help others. In Darcy’s case, the journey is not out into the world—it’s into himself.

When Elizabeth turns down his proposal and tells him in no uncertain terms what she thinks of him, he’s forced to look at himself through someone else’s eyes. In some ways, he sees himself for the first time. It would be easy for him to continue his life as before, but he can’t ignore the awakening he experiences following her rejection. We know Darcy is basically a really good person. He’s loyal, always taking care of the people he loves, and he has a strong moral sense of right and wrong. Part of his challenge is to modify his outward behavior so people are able to see more of who he really is. Darcy has the opportunity to show how he’s changed when he meets Elizabeth again at Pemberley, and he takes it. Another important part of his journey is to learn empathy and compassion. I think this happens when he helps Lydia in order relieve the pain her elopement has caused Elizabeth.

What I really like about Darcy is that he makes the choice to act differently because he knows it’s the right thing to do. Going back to being his old self is not an option. At the time, he has no idea Elizabeth will ever give him a second chance. Some people would say he changes for her, but I like to think changes because of her, which is quite different.

What aspect in Mr. Darcy’s personality do you especially highlight in your own version of Pride and Prejudice?

I like to think Darcy has a sense of humor that’s almost equal to Elizabeth’s. It’s always been there, but she helps bring it out. He always appears perfectly in control, but actually he’s a man of very deep feelings. It’s not that he feels too little, but that he almost feels too much. I like to think being around Elizabeth helps him to relax and loosen up a bit. As this happens, his sense of humor comes out even more.

Is there any other Austen hero/heroine you would like to write a sequel/spin-off for?

My second favorite Austen novel is Persuasion. I’ve read several retellings from Captain Wentworth’s point of view and one or two modern adaptations that were well done, but I think there’s still a lot more to explore with those characters.

Do you think the wide-spread interest in Austen fan fiction is due to a desire to preserve Jane’s messages, atmospheres, techniques and prolong the pleasure, or more the result of some writer’s ambition to correct and adapt what in her work is considered too distant or different?

I think it’s the former. It seems to me modern authors who write sequels, variations, etc., are trying to recapture the magic they feel when reading Austen’s work. Since there’s only a limited amount of Jane – just six completed novels – once you’ve read those, there’s simply no more and that’s very hard to accept. It seems we just can’t get enough of her characters. Jane is truly unique, and can’t be replaced. The way I see it, writing using Austen’s characters is a form of tribute to her. I enjoy writing these stories because I get to spend more time with the characters I’ve come to love.

Do you think that all these adaptations, both novels and screen adaptations, could alter, mislead or even distort the interpretation of Austen’s work?

I think some fans have only seen the movies but never read Austen’s books. While some of the movie adaptations are wonderful, nothing is as good as the real thing. I’m afraid over time some people will forget the movies are not the original source and miss out on the rich experience of reading Austen’s words. A few times, I’ve run across people who are shocked to find certain events portrayed in the movies never occurred in the books. I admit I’ve even had to double-check myself to make sure a scene or quote is in the book, not just the movie script!

Someone who hasn’t read the original books might think Austen was just a romance writer, but she’s so much more. Over and over she touches on social and personal issues that both comment on the times she lived in, and transfer to our own lives.

Why do we still read JA’s novels in your opinion? What can we learn from them?

I think we read Austen because even though customs and manners have changed, basic human nature has not. Who doesn’t know people who are like Wickham or Mr. Collins, or some members of Elizabeth’s family?

Was Jane Austen more a romantic girl or a matter-of-fact woman?

To me, Austen was a wonderful blend of both. If you read her stories at one level, they’re lovely romances. At another level, you find astute commentary on social issues, such as class distinctions, marriage, and women’s rights.

Let’s look specifically at marriage. Even though most of her stories end with a wedding, Austen’s work is filled with evidence of the effects of unfortunate choices in marriage. Mr. Bennet may have married Mrs. Bennet because he loved her at one time, but he no longer respects her. She’s something of an embarrassment to him, and he basically ignores her. Early in Pride and Prejudice when Charlotte and Elizabeth are discussing marriage, Charlotte says that just because you think you know the person beforehand, it doesn’t ensure a happy ending. “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance” according to Charlotte. Basically, Elizabeth laughs and says to her friend, “You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself,” but we all know, that in fact, Charlotte does marry simply for the security of a comfortable home. It’s a sad commentary that Charlotte believes it’s her only choice. On the other hand, Darcy and Elizabeth decide they will be the happiest couple in the world, and we’d like to believe it just might be true.

How would you advertise your book, Mr. Darcy’s Proposal, in less than 50 words?

Here’s what I think Elizabeth Bennet would say to sum up Mr. Darcy’s Proposal, “I had always hoped to find a man I could respect and love and have the privilege of marrying him. I just never imagined the marriage would come before the love.”

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

One print book -- limited to US, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Europe

One ebook – sent via email, so it’s open to everyone. Ebook winner may choose format (Kindle, Nook, iBook)

Leave your comments or questions for Susan, add your e-mail address and specify if you want to be entered for the paperback or the ebook edition (read details above carefully). This giveaway contest ends on February 10, when the winner is announced.

Good luck!

Visit Susan Mason-Milks at her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/masonmilks or stop by her personal blog www.austen-whatif-stories.com or the Austen Authors web site at www.austenauthors.net.

MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND BY SHANNON HALE - GIVEAWAY

2012-02-01T09:57:00.000+01:00

This book, following Austenland (Bloomsbury, 2007), sprang from the work Shannon Hale was carrying out while writing the screenplay for Austenland the movie (starring Keri Russel and J.J. Feild and coming out 2012) with Jerusha Hess, as the author herself explains on her site. Shannon Hale states she was delighted to explore the gothic romance in order to write her "unintended" sequel to her successful first Austen-inspired novel, a genre she has always been fascinated by since she was in college.

Synopsis

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?

Read an excerpt of the book

GIVEAWAY - WIN A COPY OF MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND!!!

This contest to win a copy of the book is limited to US readers and sponsored by Bloomsbury. Readers living in the US can enter the giveaway leaving a comment + their e-mail address. The winner will be announced on February 8th.

The Author

New York Times best selling author Shannon Hale started writing books at age ten and never stopped, eventually earning an MFA in Creative Writing. After nineteen years of writing and dozens of rejections, she published The Goose Girl, the first book in her award-winning Books of Bayern series, followed by Enna Burning, River Secrets, and Forest Born. She has two standalone books for young readers--Book of a Thousand Days, a Cybils award winner, and Princess Academy, a Newbery Honor Book. Her books for the adult crowd are Austenland, Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), and The Actor and the Housewife. With her husband Dean, Shannon wrote two graphic novels: Rapunzel's Revenge, an Al's Book Club for Kids selection featured on NBC's Today, and its sequel, Calamity Jack. They reside near Salt Lake City with their four young children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig

February 4, 2012
2 pm
Book release party for Midnight in Austenland
The King's English Bookshop
1500 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, Utah

AUSTENTATIOUS BY ALYSSA GOODNIGHT - GIVEAWAY WINNER

2012-01-31T23:41:00.000+01:00

Today Alyssa Goodnight's AUSTENTATIOUS is out. Good luck and great success to Alyssa! But I'm here especially to announce the name of the winner of the giveaway linked to Alyssa's guestpost, OH-SO-QUOTABLE AUSTEN .

Congratulations to Kelli H. who's the winner chosen by random.org of the signed copy offered by the author to the readers of My Jane Austen Book Club!

VICTORIA CONNELLY, DREAMING OF MR DARCY - GIVEWAY WINNER

2012-01-30T21:24:00.001+01:00

I've used random.org to pick up the name of today's winner and ... Congratulations to cyn209 for winning Victoria Connelly's new US publication, Dreaming of Mr Darcy!!! This giveaway was open

worldwide and was linked to my interview with the author. Have you had a look at it? If you've missed it, you'll find it HERE .

GIVEAWAY OF PRIDE & PRINCESSES BY SUMMER DAY (E-BOOK)

2012-01-28T23:05:00.001+01:00

Did you read Summer Day's guestpost introducing her debut novel, an Austen-inspired YA modern romance? If you've missed it, follow the link HERE. Then, come back and leave a message under this brief posting of mine announcing a giveaway contest open internationally of Summer's e-book: PRIDE & PRINCESSES.

Don't forget to add your e-mail address to let me get in contact with you in case you win. The name of the winner will be announced on 6 February. And, by the way, start reading Summer's book at her blog. You'll find the first three chapters there. Good luck, everyone!

GUESTPOST: SHERRI RABINOWITZ, WE NEED MORE JANE AUSTEN

2012-01-26T22:21:00.004+01:00

Sherri Rabinowitz has been writing since she was a small child. She was inspired by Ray Bradbury and Agatha Christie. She had always loved writing but has had to make a living in a varied number of ways. She worked as an actress, a travel agent and in several forms of customer service. Her passion though has always been writing. She loves and enjoys both reading and writing fan fiction. Fantasy Time Inc. is her second work of original fiction.

Sherri is my guest to meet you, friends of My Jane Austen Book Club and to share her love for Jane Austen and her novels with all of us. She thinks we need more Jane Austen and less reality TV. Do you agree with her? Enjoy her blogpost and welcome her among us!

It’s a world full of domestic issues, romance with the wrong men, not understanding where the other sex is coming from, sibling rivalry, family issues and people full of self importance.

Sound familiar? Well it’s not now, my friends. This is the world of Jane Austen. People haven’t changed at all socially; we have the same worries, problems and dreams.

In the western world women have achieved a lot since that time, and we should be grateful and appreciative. Unlike the women of Austen, we have the right to vote, to work, to own property, and most important, the right to choose who to marry or if we want to marry at all. We take these things for granted in this country but our Great Grandmothers fought for these rights and some died for them.

And yet, there are things of that world I envy. I love that there was a politeness and gentleness that we don’t have now. There was a poise and elegance that does not exist today. I would love to go to a ball. I would love the beauty of the period. Would I give up the rights I have now for that? NO! I would like it if we could be a little more polite and caring though. And I would still like to go to a ball.

All of Jane Austen’s work is about the social life that went on around her. All of her ironic comedy was about a very serious issue for women. Her only job was to marry and marry well. It’s all subtext but one false step could have a woman drop out of polite society and ruin her. A woman was supposed to be politely poor till some man rescues her and marries her. Her work is funny and fun: the misunderstandings, the silly fights, the women who are full of themselves. Women today have to see all we have gained and yet try to understand where we came from. If you don’t know and understand the past you’re doomed to repeat it.

Jane Austen clearly saw the problem and used it as the serious part of her text. She brilliantly showed life then in a funny way. She also could see that things were going to change because women were changing. She saw it all and it is all in the subtext. She was such a shrewd woman - she knew how people of her time would accept it and she fed it with a happy ending that would be acceptable. Amazing.

Today young women think that they are only people to ever go through these things and that only other young women could understand. I have a young friend who is college educated who had never heard of Jane Austen. She saw Pride and Prejudice and she was telling me all about it. I had a weird smile on my face and she said “What?”

I said, “I know the story, I read it.”

“Oh, is it from a book? Is it a new writer?”

I started to laugh, and explained. She was a bit embarrassed, “That’s the writer you always go on and on about?”

I nodded.

“Ok, I will buy the novel.” She is hooked, now she has read all her books and juvenilia.

The reason I love Jane Austen is because she saw the irony in life. Her work is very funny and cutting. She opened the eyes of her contemporaries and she created the romantic comedy as we know it. People still use her formula to write the perfect comedy.

If the family is foundation of America I am very worried our foundation is crumbling. Look at Reality TV, is this the example you want our children to have of family life? I am really, really not advocating Father Knows Best but The Kardashians know worst as far I can see.

I think it would be better to give young people Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility then Kim and Kourtney Take NY. I really don’t have anything against them but I would rather our next generation follow Elizabeth Bennet then Kim Kardashian.

Sherri Rabinowitz

MARIA GRACE. DARCY'S DECISION: GIVEAWAY WINNERS

2012-01-25T21:26:00.000+01:00

Following Maria Grace's guestpost of last week, here I am to announce the name of the two winners in the giveaway contest for her Darcy's Decision:

1. the paperback for US readers has been won by Heather M.
2. the e-book for the rest of the world goes to Helen

As usual congratulations to the winners, thanks to the kind and generous guest author and thanks to all of you who commented and entered the giveaway!

AUTHOR GUESTPOST - SUMMER DAY, PRIDE & PRINCESSES

2012-01-24T22:20:00.001+01:00

Summer Day is here to meet the readers of My Jane Austen Book Club and present her debut novel, Pride & Princesses. Join me and welcome her!

"PRIDE & PRINCESSES: when handsome Mark Knightly and his best friend Jet Campbell arrive at Sunrise High School, best friends Phoebe and Mouche invent a dating game that changes lives forever…"

I wrote PRIDE & PRINCESSES as a novel for teens and young adults. Although I chose a high school setting, the themes are universal. After all, most of us go to high school. I started writing stories when I was very young and I liked to draw. When I completed my first novel at nineteen I showed it to a friend who encouraged me to keep the manuscript locked in my wardrobe (she was right!) I trained originally as a teenage actress and that world was very present to me when I wrote PRIDE & PRINCESSES.

PRIDE & PRINCESSES is inspired by Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in many ways, and there is also a touch of EMMA and the influence of SENSE & SENSIBILITY. All of those stories resonate with me. However, PRIDE & PRINCESSES is very much a ‘standalone’ novel. Only readers well-acquainted with Pride & Prejudice will connect the dots. All the characters and most of the places are invented and all have their own names. I had (of course) read Pride and Prejudice and seen the film versions of Pride and Prejudice (including the television drama). Plus, I’d seen Colin Firth perform as a stage actor in London and I was very impressed with his portrayal of Darcy and with Jennifer Ehle’s as Elizabeth. I also enjoyed the more recent film version with Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen.

I was intrigued by the scene at the ball when Elizabeth Bennet refuses to dance with Darcy, so I incorporated that plot turn in my teen novel. I like the idea that sometimes it is the woman who drives the romance and steers it in a certain direction. PRIDE & PRINCESSES is about finding true love but it is also about teenage friendship and relationships and the important things in life. It is about small and special moments which go on to create bigger moments of love, hope and (mostly) happiness.

Summer Day

PRIDE & PRINCESSES by Summer Day is published at AMAZON Kindle

Contact the Author

- The first three chapters of PRIDE & PRINCESSES by Summer Day are on her blog

- Summer Day is on Twitter @summerdaylight , FB (Summer Day),

- Her Email is summerdaylight99@hotmail.com

VICTORIA CONNELLY, DREAMING OF MR DARCY - AUTHOR INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

2012-01-22T16:56:00.003+01:00

I read The Perfect Hero, liked it and reviewed it in June 2011, when it came out for HarperCollins in the UK. Now Victoria Connelly's second book in the Trilogy, The Austen Addicts, has been published in the US by Sourcebooks as Dreaming of Mr Darcy.

New author interview and new giveaway for the readers of My Jane Austen Book Club! Read through the interview, leave your comment and e-mail address to enter the giveaway of a copy of the just released US edition. This giveaway is open worldwide and ends on January 30th when the winner is announced.

This novel was previously published as The Perfect Hero in the UK (my review is here). Is there any particular reason for the change of the title, Dreaming of Mr Darcy , in order to fit the US market?

This novel has actually had three different titles! I originally called it “The Illustrated Darcy” which is the title of the book my heroine, Kay, is working on. Unfortunately, I was the only person who liked that title so it got changed to “Dreaming of Mr Darcy” but then my UK publisher decided that it didn’t want a second book with the name ‘Darcy’ in it so I came up with “The Perfect Hero”. I have to admit to still preferring my original title “The Illustrated Darcy”, though!

Your new book is set in Lyme Regis where a troupe is shooting a new adaptation of Austen’s Persuasion. What position is Jane’s last novel in in your personal “Austen Major Novels Chart”?

It’s definitely in my top three which are: “Pride and Prejudice”, “Sense and Sensibility” and “Persuasion”. I love the sparkling wit of “Pride and Prejudice” and the fascinating relationships of “Sense and Sensibility” but there’s a beautiful melancholy about “Persuasion” which really resonates.

Since the characters in the story are involved on a film adaptation of Austen, what is your opinion on the many series or films we’ve had so far? Do you like them? What are your favourites? Do you think they are more an invitation to read Austen’s work or more a distraction from doing it?

I came to Jane Austen through the 1940’s film adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” staring Laurence Olivier. I watched it as a teenager and then read the book and I think the adaptations do encourage people to pick up the books if they haven’t discovered them already.

I adore the adaptations – can’t get enough! Favourites includes the BBC “Pride and Prejudice”, Emma Thomspson’s “Sense and Sensibility” and “Persuasion” staring Amanda Root as Anne Elliot. I also thought the recent Andrew Davies adaptation of “Northanger Abbey” was wonderful and have to admit to having a big crush on Henry Tilney!

Kay Ashton and Gemma Reilly are the two female protagonists of Dreaming of Mr Darcy . They are present-day heroines but are they anyhow modelled on Austen heroines?

I wanted to create my own characters but there are lots of little nods to Jane Austen in my trilogy. The most obvious one is Kay’s similarity to Emma Woodhouse because she loves to meddle and matchmake and, like Emma, seems to always get things wrong. I think Gemma is a little like Anne Elliot because she finally finds the courage to stand up to her family and makes an important decision that will change her life.

What about the heroes, dashing Oli Wade Owen and sensitive Adam Craig?

There are some wonderful ‘villanous heroes’ in Jane Austen like Willoughby and Wickham and I think Oli Wade Owen is in a similar mode although not quite as bad, I like to think! He finds it very easy to attract the ladies but he doesn’t always treat them well whereas Adam Craig is much more like Mr Darcy or Edward Ferrars – he doesn’t find it easy to speak his mind but he cares desperately about the heroine and has a good heart.

And, on a shallow note, who would you rather spend a romantic weekend with between Captain Wentworth and Mr Darcy?

Oh, don’t make me choose! Oh, all right then – it would have to be Mr Darcy because he is the ultimate hero, isn’t he?

Victoria Connelly at Chawton Cottage

What’s next in your Austen-inspired writing trail, after “A Weekend with Mr Darcy” and “Dreaming of Mr Darcy"?

The third book in the trilogy is Mr Darcy Forever which is available on Kindle in the UK now and comes out in the US in paperback in April. It’s about two estranged sisters who meet again during the famous Jane Austen festival in Bath. This is the novel which is most closely linked to an Austen one because I wanted to explore the relationship between two very different sisters. Oh, and there’s a love story between a young woman and a much older man. Can you guess which Austen novel I was inspired by? Some of the characters from the first two books also make an appearance!

I’m also writing a Christmas novella sequel to the trilogy in which all the main characters from the three books meet at a special festive Jane Austen conference at Purley Hall in Hampshire. It will be available on Kindle in time for Christmas 2012 so do watch out for that too!

We'll watch out for every new title from you, of course. Thanks a lot, Victoria, for visiting My Jane Austen Book Club once again. Good luck to you and your "Dreaming of Mr Darcy"!

P.S. to readers: Want more chances to win?

Here are some other Dreaming of Mr. Darcy giveaways!

The Calico Critic - deadline is February 5th, 2012
Laura's Reviews - deadline is February 3, 2012

MERITS AND MERCENARIES BY A LADY - A REVIEW

2012-01-20T20:43:00.001+01:00

This novel was a pleasant surprise in its originality, a newly written story planned and narrated following Jane Austen's style, wit and sharpness with intelligence and talent. Not a sequel nor a prequel, not a spin-off, none of the protagonists or characters are taken from Austen's major six, nonetheless Merits and Mercenaries does take readers back to those charming atmospheres and plunges them into the dynamics and manners of the society Austen herself so brilliantly depicted. What is remarkable is the skillful echoing of Jane Austen's wit and irony through refined diction and detailed research.

Merits and Mercenaries is the first published novel in an ambitious and promising project of seven, called The Bath Novels of Lady A. , defined as Regaustenian .

I was intrigued as soon as I started reading the Preface to the novel itself, which is a smart fictional connection between Jane Austen's biography and the so-called Bath novels. It relates the mysterious story of how fortuitously Cassandra Austen came to own a series of manuscripts after her beloved sister's death - seven "dissidents" which quite differed from the perfect published major six - and why she decided to leave them to a person Jane trusted and love, Miss Anne Sharp.

The tales are so tacitly attributed to the"devil" of Jane Austen's quill but written by a lady , who doesn't reveal her identity, but in her thorough and creative tribute to that genius demonstrates great love and respect.

The plot develops between Hampshire and London following the pursuit of love and self-discovery of trusty and admirable protagonsits such as Mr William Halford - as honorable as handsome and of excellent breeding - and Miss Katherine Huntley - intelligent, beautiful and truly generous young woman. Their path to the fullfilment of their wishes will not only be full of menaces from unscrupled villains but also made hard by their own praiseworthy principles, which will turn themselves into obstacles and delay the two young lovers happy ending.

Vividly written villains crowd the tale and make the comedy in it become often drama. The opposition of good and evil is, of course, the main contrast leading the thread of the events but there are others very Austenesque clashes: the country and the town, duty and love, comfort and poverty, appearance and reality, sense and sensibility.

Amusing and well-written, I'm glad to add Merits and Mercenaries to my "Austenesque Reads" shelf .

Politics & Polemics / The Arch ‘A’ in Austen. Guestpost by Lady A.

LAUREN GILBERT, HEYERWOOD - GIVEAWAY WINNER

2012-01-20T16:42:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Lauren Gilbert for writing an very interesting article about health at Jane Austen's time for My Jane Austen Book Club and thanks to all of you who contributed to the discussion leaving their comments. Among those commenters, I've just picked up the name of the winner of Lauren's Heyerwood. My congratulations to...

Linda!

If you haven't done it yet, read Lauren Gilbert's FLU SEASON IN JANE AUSTEN'S TIME

MARIA GRACE, DARCY'S DECISION - GUESTPOST AND GIVEAWAY

2012-01-18T23:03:00.000+01:00

Maria Grace has just released her first book (kindle and paperback) and is here to introduce you herself, her love for Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and her "Darcy's Decision" . Read her piece, leave your comments or questions , don't forget to add your e-mail address in order to get the chance to win a paperback copy if you live in the US continental or an e-book if you live in the rest of the world (please, specify in your comment). The giveaway ends on January 25th.

“As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. … I was spoilt by my parents, who, … allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own.”—Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

This particular line always fascinated me. It gave so much insight as to who Darcy is, but it also begs the question: What is to be done with a man like Fitzwilliam Darcy? One who knows better but does not know how to do better? After much consideration, it came to me—you give him a mentor! So that’s exactly what I did. We meet them both in ‘Darcy’s Decision’, the first volume of the Given Good Principles series. The tale is not so much a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but rather a reimagining of what the story might have been if our hero (and in the second volume, our heroine) had the opportunity to learn how to live up to the standards they had been taught and to follow them from the beginning. Our beloved characters remain true to their essentials while they make different and arguably better decisions throughout.

Ah, but you must ask, since much of the conflict in the original story came from Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice, would there be a story left to tell if those things were dealt with before our dear couple meet? The short answer is yes, I promise there is quite a story to be told. It begins even before Darcy is born. John Bradley, long-time friend and advisor of George and Lady Anne Darcy, isa man whose wisdom is hard won, refined in the fires of personal tragedy. He stood by the elder Darcys through their good times and bad and is committed to do the same for their son. He does not lecture Darcy, but rather challenges him not to settle for the status quo, to reach for a higher standard.

Not surprisingly, the task of managing Pemberley is enough to awaken Darcy’s deepest insecurities. His Aunt Catherine and Uncle Matlock provide no help and little encouragement. So he turns to Bradley as he tries to fill his father’s shoes. An alternate version of Georgiana’s near disaster at Ramsgate and the surprising revelations that follow rattle Darcy to the core and force him to confront dark family secrets that nearly destroyed his father. The question is,of course: will Darcy be the man his father was, or will he succeed in reaching for more?

While Darcy faces his challenges, Elizabeth, too, must confront uncomfortable truths in the soon coming sequel, ‘Darcy’s Helpmate.’ I have to confess, I loved exploring their characters through the course of these tales and I hope you will enjoy it too.

Maria Grace

The Author

Though Maria Grace has been writing fiction since she was ten years old, those early efforts happily reside in a file drawer and are unlikely to see the light of day again, for which many are grateful.
She has one husband, two graduate degrees and two black belts, three sons, four undergraduate majors, five nieces, six cats, seven Regency-era fiction projects and notes for eight more writing projects in progress. To round out the list, she cooks for nine in order to accommodate the growing boys and usually makes ten meals at a time so she only cooks twice a month.

The Book

Six months after his father's passing, Fitzwilliam Darcy still finds solace in his morning reflections at his parents' graves. Only in the quiet solitude of the churchyard does he indulge his grief. None but his unlikely mentor recognize the heartache and insecurity plaguing him as he shoulders the enormous burden of being Master of Pemberley.
Not all are pleased with his choice of advisor. Lady Catherine complains Darcy allows him too much influence. Lord Matlock argues, "Who is he to question the God-appointed social order?" But the compassionate wisdom Darcy finds in his counselor keeps him returning for guidance even though it causes him to doubt everything he has been taught.
In the midst of his struggles to reinvent himself, his school chum, Charles Bingley, arrives. Darcy hopes the visit will offer some respite from the uproar in his life. Instead of relief, Darcy discovers his father's darkest secret staring him in the face. Pushed to his limits, Darcy must overcome the issues that ruined his father and, with his friends and mentor at his side, restore his tarnished birthright.

Maria Grace can be contacted at: author.MariaGrace@gmail.com. You can find her profile on Facebook facebook.com/AuthorMariaGrace or visit her website at AuthorMariaGrace.com.

MY INTERVIEW AT PAPER.LI BLOG ABOUT THE EVERYTHING AUSTEN DAILY

2012-01-15T17:50:00.001+01:00

Have you ever read my paper The Everything Austen Daily? It is one of the over 400,000 paperlis published everyday, it focuses on anything Austen-related and is made up of the any good news I can find online via twitter, facebook, blogs, google alerts, my blogmates. Paper.li blog features a periodical event called The People Behind the Papers and today's guest is ... YOURS TRULY! ME!

Can you believe it? They wanted to interview ME. Thanks to Liz Wilson, staff writer for Paper.li, freelance writer and editor for contacting me and writing this interview. If you want to have a look, I'd be glad to meet you there. The questions are mainly on my interest in everything Austen and everything English, my daily paper, my avatar, my blogging experience, my readers. I hope you'll enjoy it and ... retweet!

I'll wait for you all there, then. MG

Maria Grazia: Using social media
to share a literary passion with the world

FLU SEASON IN JANE AUSTEN'S TIME - GUESTPOST AND GIVEAWAY BY LAUREN GILBERT

2012-01-13T18:33:00.001+01:00

My guest today is Lauren Gilbert, a member of The Jane Austen Society of North America and the author of Heyerwood, a Regency Novel. Read her post about Flu Season at Jane Austen's Time, and welcome her at My Jane Austen Book Club! If you live in the US or Canada, you can enter a giveaway contest to win the hardback cover book of Heyerwood. To be entered you have to leave your comment or a question for Lauren and add your e-mail address.

Here we are in the depths of winter. We all know someone who has it, has recovered from it, or is trying hard not to get it. What might “it” be? That miserable cold, the awful flu, whatever it is that is going around. Interestingly enough, it was all going around in Jane Austen’s time, too. However, the seriousness of the winter ailments and their effects in the late 18^th and early 19^th century is frequently forgotten or overlooked today.

In the early part of the 19^th century, medicine had improved dramatically. Superstition was waning-people no longer believed that the ruler’s touch could heal a form of tubercular infection called scrofula (or “King’s Evil”). Bathing was becoming more common. Vaccination with the cowpox vaccine was making inroads on that dreaded scourge, smallpox. However, bleeding, laudanum and bathing in or drinking spa waters were still standby treatments for many illnesses.

Mrs Bennet always complains for her poor nerves and health - Pride & Prejudice 1995

Two of the winter ailments in Jane Austen’s time were the “epidemic cold” and the “putrid sore throat.” The epidemic cold appears to be basically the same as it is today; a virus resulting in sneezing, sore throat, coughing, slight fever, and so forth. It would appear that the standard treatment was staying in, keeping warm, and getting plenty of rest, as it is today. (It must be noted that the stricture to get plenty of rest would have been reinforced with a few drops of laudanum, if necessary, in Jane’s day!)

Jane Bennet is sick in bed and Elizabeth, her sister, takes care of her (Pride and Prejudice, 2005)

The second ailment, the “putrid sore throat,” was much more serious, indeed life threatening. This term appears to cover a variety of ailments, all manifesting in the throat. At its most basic, a putrid sore throat seems to be a sore throat complicated by serious infection resulting in any or all of these: accumulation of pus, ulceration and sloughing of soft tissue at the back of the throat, and even gangrene. In trying to identify this illness with modern diseases, it has been linked to tonsillitis, diphtheria, bronchitis, and even a form of streptococcal throat infection, as well as scarlatina or scarlet fever, and possibly measles. Obviously, this would be a very painful condition. Scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, and strep are also quite contagious. It is also worth noting that all of these conditions frequently resulted in death or disability, such as damage to the heart. While most are considered childhood diseases, adults can also contract these illnesses. Lacking knowledge of germs, bacteria and other microorganisms, as well as the issues of sepsis, these conditions could sweep through a household (or a neighborhood), creating havoc if not outright death.

Diphtheria produces fever and weakness, and causes the formation of a thick gray membrane in the throat, causing difficulty breathing and swallowing. Scarlet fever and scarlatina result from infection with type A strep bacteria, and are characterized by a fever, sore throat, and a bright red rash; there is also flushing from high fever. Tonsillitis is the inflammation of tonsils resulting from infection by a virus or bacteria, with symptoms including fever and sore throat; if the result of a bacterial infection, this can be contagious. Measles also manifest with fever, sore throat, a rash.

Colonel Brandon rescues Marianne - She will lie in bed sick for days (Sense & Sensibility 1995)

The similarities of the symptoms of these diseases, as well as the fact that they were all common in Jane’s time, make the question of pinning down an exact definition of what disease constituted a putrid sore throat very difficult. The real issue is the lack of modern medical treatment, some of which evolved later in the 19^th century, made treatment very difficult, infection hard to contain, and recovery as much a matter of luck and a good constitution as anything else. The discovery of how disease spreads, improved vaccination for more diseases, and antibiotics have drastically reduced, if not eliminated, these conditions today, and the resulting damage that these conditions can cause, which include heart damage, blindness, deafness, and even brain damage from an uncontrolled high fever. Thanks to modern medicine, our concept of “flu season” is much more an uncomfortable inconvenience; in Jane Austen’s time, it was truly a major threat.

Lauren Gilbert

Bibliography

“18^th Century Medicine.” Life in the 18^th Century. http://www.local histories.org/18^thcent.html (viewed 12/29/2011)

19^th Century Diseases. http://logicmgmt.com/1876/overview/medicine/diseases.htm (viewed 12/29/2011)

Bader, Ted, “Mr. Woodhouse is not a Hypochondriac!” PERSUASIONS On-Line, V. 21 , No. 2 (Summer 2000). http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol21no2/bader.html. (viewed 12/29/2011)

“Health and Medicine in the 19^th Century,” LIFE IN THE 19^th CENTURY. http://www.localhistories.org/19thcent.html (viewed 12/29/2011)

Landers, John. DEATH AND THE METROPOLIS Studies in the Demographic History of London, 1670-1830. Cambridge Books On-Line. The Autumn Diseases and the ‘putrid sore throat’ pp. 363-364. http://ebooks.cambridge.org viewed 12/29/2011

MedicineNet.com, http://www.medicinenet.com (viewed 1/82012)

Rudy’s List of Archaic Medical Terms. http;//www.antiquusmorbus.com/English/EnglishP.htm (viewed 12/29/2011)

The author

An avid reader, Lauren Gilbert has always dreamed of writing books, and has written all her life. She enjoys non-fiction (especially history) and fiction alike. Favorite authors include James Thomas Flexner, Alison Weir, Diana Gabaldon, Dorothy Sayers and, of course, Jane Austen. Lauren is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, and has delivered presentations for chapter meetings, as well as a break-out session at the recent JASNA Annual General Meeting. Now semi-retired after a career spanning almost 30 years, HEYERWOOD: A Novel is her first published novel. Another novel and a non-fiction work are in process. Lauren Gilbert lives in Florida with her husband

The book and the giveaway

Power. Romance. Destiny. Step into Lauren Gilbert's Heyerwood and discover the journey of a young woman navigating the trials of Late Regency England: an arranged marriage, family, and love. A fairytale to delight austen fans, history buffs, and romance lovers alike, Heyerwood: A novel touches the heart.

If you live in the US or Canada, leave your comment or a question for Lauren Gilbert, add your e-mail address and get a chance to win a hardcover version of this intriguing Regency novel. The giveaway contest ends on January 20th when the winner is announced. Good luck!

- Heyerwood at Amazon.com

- Lauren Gilbert's Website: http://www.heyerwood.com

- Blog: http://laurengilbertheyerwood.wordpress.com

SECOND IMPRESSIONS BY AVA FARMER - TRIBUTE TO JANE AUSTEN BY AN EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL WOMAN

2012-01-11T17:37:00.001+01:00

Ava Farmer is a fictious nom de plume of Sandy Lerner, a successful business woman, the founder of a large technology company and a small grunge cosmetics company. She now spends her time contemplating cow and the scourge which is industrialized, chemical agriculture and she love it! She is also the author of a now-obsolete dictionary of terms related to digital music, and the translator/editor of an old book on carriage driving. None of the above qualifies her to write this novel, but she hopes you will buy it anyway as all profits from her Second Impressions go to The Chawton House Library, a non-profit resource for the study of English women’s writing to support students and research of women writers, pre-1830, writing in English, world-wide.

The book

Written in the idiom of Austen’s time, Second Impressions is a story of the Darcy family, their friends, and relations. It has been ten years’ time since that happiest of days when Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters. What does Elizabeth do all day at Pemberly? Has Lady Catherine been allowed to visit? Have Mr. and Mrs. Wickham become, as Jane Bennet predicted, steady and rational? What about England’s most eligible daughter, Georgiana Darcy? Even Anne de Bourgh has a life after P&P.

With the Great French War over and peace come, at least, what doesEnglandlook like in the late Regency? Is there a place for Austen’s heroes and heroines in anEnglandgreatly changed by industrializations, a new elite of fortunes made in trade, and reformist politics? It may be safely conjectured that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are settled and happy, as are Jane and her Bingley, Austen left the protagonists finished and complete (or are they?), but there are other characters, other lives, and other loves to explore.

The author

To know more about Ava Farmer (aka Sandy Lerner) watch this video from Fox News or this one below from the Morgan Library.

Remember, if you buy Second Impressions, you help The Chawton House Library!
You can meet the author Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Time: 5:30 PM–7:30 PM Virginia Shop at The Library of Virginia

OH-SO-QUOTABLE AUSTEN BY ALYSSA GOODNIGHT - GUESTPOST & GIVEAWAY

2012-01-07T22:58:00.002+01:00

Her AUSTENTATIOUS is going to be released on January 31st (see countdown widget in the sidebar on the right) in the USA and today Alyssa Goodnight is here to meet us at My Jane Austen Book Club. She's going to share her favourite Austen quotes. We expect lots of others from you. Choose your best favourite and write it in your comment. Don't forget your e-mail address to enter the giveaway contest of a signed paperback copy of AUSTENTATIOUS! The giveaway is open internationally and ends on January 31st when the book is out! And now, enjoy Alyssa's guestpost!

We are all familiar with the famous first line of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice: "It is a truth universally acknowleged, that a single man, in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." It has been quoted, tweaked, reused, and generally adored by Jane Austen fans everywhere. For good reason. In that one sentence, an important theme of the book is established, as is Ms. Austen's rather cheeky brand of eloquence, wit, and sarcasm. It defines for us, so perfectly, our beloved Pride & Prejudice. But this one exquisite quote does not, by any means, stand on its own as a measure of the wit of Jane Austen. There are a plethora of utterly quotable quotes from Jane's six published novels, not to mention her letters and diaries. And the majority of them still have relevance today.

My novel AUSTENTATIOUS is not a retelling of any of Austen's works, nor is it a sequel. It is a contemporary spin-off, imagining that Jane Austen's spunky spirit remains (not so difficult to believe, is it?), and that she isn't quite done with match-making yet. The story revolves around a magical journal that simply can't keep its opinions to itself. As the story progresses and the interactions between the protagonist, Nicola, and the journal start to escalate, Fairy Jane moves beyond the confines of the journal to affect other aspects of Nicola's life.

For instance, she starts to mess with the Jane Austen Quote-A-Day calendar sitting on the kitchen counter. Rather than let pass an opportunity to make her point, and possibly influence her 'charge,' Fairy Jane switches things up a bit, magically altering the daily quote to fit her purposes. And they do--fit her purposes (and mine), that is. Jane's wisdom continues to be relevant two hundred years later.

Right after Nicola discovers the journal and its evidently magical properties (which she doesn't yet believe in), she glances at the calendar to find:

“Sense will always have attractions for me.” Sense and Sensibility

When her journal hints that she'll be meeting someone new, the calendar reads,

“Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way.” Northanger Abbey

When she's fighting against the impossibility of it all, she gets,

“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.” Emma

And when she persists in being close-minded about her magical journal with resident literary darling, she gets,

“Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.” Emma

(which just happens to be one of my absolute favorites...)

These are just a few of several, and I have to admit, I had the best time rummaging through Jane's writings to find the most sensible, witty, relevant quotes. Perhaps not surprisingly, given what we know of Jane, there are an extraordinary number of snippets to be had in the collection of her writings. Including them in AUSTENTATIOUS, via the Quote-A-Day calendar, made her spirit come alive even more, particularly as Nicola is such a Jane Austen fan and already very familiar Jane's style and flair. I think the quotes help make an arguably unbelievable situation easier to accept and more fun too. I hope you agree!

What about you? Do you have a favorite Austen quote? Please share!

Alyssa Goodnight

The Book

What happens when an eighteenth century literary darling magically pops up in the weirdest city in Texas? Magic and weird collide in AUSTENTATIOUS, the story of Nicola James, a left-brainer with a Jane Austen obsession and a carefully finessed life plan. A plan that doesn’t include an enchanted journal or an interfering fairy godmother, who just might be the spirit of Jane Austen herself.

When Nicola discovers her journal entries mysteriously whittled down to a cheeky bit of commentary on her life, she’s freaked first, skeptical second, and finally downright curious. She can’t help but keep writing, dueling really, with a two-dimensional fairy godmother she doesn’t totally believe in. Soon, the witty little notes start coming true, screwing with her plans, her head, and her life, and nudging her towards an impossible—and impossibly seductive—romance with a man who’s inarguably wrong for her. Nicola’s torn, trapped between a life that makes sense and a man who doesn’t, with “Fairy Jane” wedged in the middle, relentlessly rooting for another “Mr. Darcy”.

The Author

Alyssa has lived in Austin, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, worked in the semiconductor industry (just like Nicola), and experienced the weird. She has not owned a magical journal or ever bandied words with the spirit of Jane Austen, but she's relish the opportunity! She currently lives between Houston and Galveston with her husband, two sons, and their adventure dog, Indiana Jones. She does her writing with an ice-cold can of Dr. Pepper and her reading with cake whenever possible. She is dutifully working on her next novel while dreaming of the day that she finds herself conscripted into a flash mob dance. (This just happened!! You can watch on her blog!)

DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY BY P.D. JAMES - MY REVIEW

2012-01-06T11:57:00.002+01:00

If you think of Regency and the Novel of Manners, the first name that comes to your mind is Jane Austen. What happens if you think of contemporary murder mystery novels? P.D. James is one of the first names that you recall. What happens if you put the two iconic names together? Death comes to Pemberley, of course. I mean you expect a crime must someway take place somewhere in the otherwise-too-peaceful Regency world of Jane Austen.

This is what P.D. James’s skill and experience imagined and crafted in her new novel, which is a tribute to one of her favourite authors, a myth, Jane Austen. In Death Comes To Pemberley she blends her knowledge of the fields of prosecution processes and murder investigations with her fondness for Jane Austen’s world. She weaves a gripping mystery and the resulting detective story is thrilling. She adds a sensitive insight to the successful and happy marriage of the Darcys -Elizabeth Bennet and Fitwilliam Darcy - now shadowed by a murder occurred in their lands.

The year is 1803, Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for 6 years now. They have two handsome and healthy sons, Jane and Bingley live within 17 miles, they are hosting their annual autumn ball and the secure life at Pemberley seems unassailable. But their peace and happiness is threatened just on the eve of the great event: in the middle of the night a chaise appears, docking down the path from the woodland and Lydia Wickam, an uninvited and most unwelcome guest, tumbles out screaming that her dear Mr Wickham has been murdered. Old sins and misunderstandings are rekindled. Darcy and Elizabeth will be involved in a murder case and will strive to defend the reputation of their family and the tranquillity of their life.

Is there any space for romance? Little but, yes, of course. Miss Georgiana Darcy is sought-after by two suitors: Colonel Fitzwilliam - now the heir of the title and fortune of his family after his elder brother’s death - and young Alveston, a successful lawyer but also the heir of an ancient baronetcy . Who will she marry in the end?

As for love, may Wickham reckless love life - even as a married man - be included? The answer may well be, “no, it should not”, but that scoundrel’s extramarital affairs will be crucial in this story in order to understand the reasons of the crime at the heart of Death Comes to Pemberley.

But remember, as usual, in a murder mystery nothing is what it seems at first.

What’s new respect to Jane Austen in this novel inspired to her Pride and Prejudice and set in the Regency era?

- Detailed information about the law and the arrangement of a prosecution process in that period

- Constant reference to the historical background (the Napoleonic wars, the resulting economic depression)

- The world of the servants (their thoughts, their feelings, the strives in their poor lives were totally absent in Austen)

- Irony and wit are only occasional. The tone is typical of a serious investigation.

You needn't be an expert Austenite or know Pride and Prejudice by heart to appreciate PD James’s new novel, there are constant flashbacks and additions explaining the background of the characters introduced. However, if you are an Austenite you’ll enjoy Ms James’s tribute to our beloved author and you’ll be glad to recognize characters from other of her novels (Emma and Persuasion) peeping out here and there in the story.

Thanks to Faber & Faber UK for providing my review copy.

Take a look at my previous post about this book with author video interview

MR DARCY'S LETTER BY ABIGAIL REYNOLDS - GIVEAWAY WINNER

2012-01-05T18:28:00.000+01:00

Thanks for all your nice comments to Abigail Reynolds guestpost. Pride, Prejudice and Propriety was a very interesting piece and, of course, it gave you the chance to take part in a giveaway contest for "Mr Darcy's Letter", Abigail's latest Pride & Prejudice Variation.

Here's the name of the lucky winner ...

Melanie

Congratulations to Melanie and my gratitude to Abigail Reynolds for sharing her brilliant post with us here at My Jane Austen Book Club and for granting a free copy of her new book.

THE #AUSTENMURDERMATCH - MY MATCHED REVIEW OF MURDER AT MANSFIELD PARK AND DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY

2012-01-04T08:12:00.001+01:00

As I announced few days ago, I'm taking part in an event/contest at Lynn Shepherd's site: The #AustenMurderMatch. I've read Murder at Mansfield Park and Death Comes To Pemberley and this was definitely pre-requisite to enter the contest, which consisted in writing a matched review of both novels in no more than 150 words.

Here is mine. It is up at Lynn Shepherd's site, too. CLICK HERE and enjoy all the reviews there. And above all, read these two gripping murder mystery novels inspired to Austen, if you haven't yet!

“Murder at Mansfield Park takes Austen’s masterpiece and turns it into a riveting murder story worthy of PD James or Agatha Christie”. This is what I wrote reviewing Lynn Shepherd’s first novel on My Jane Austen Book Club when it was published. I didn’t imagine I would really read an Austen murder story written by PD James herself!
Now that I’ve just finished reading her successful new sequel to Pride and Prejudice - which is brilliant, how could it not? - I may say I was right. In fact, “Murder at Mansfield Park” and “Death Comes to Pemberley” are excellent examples of well-written Austen fan fiction and brilliantly crafted detective stories. Lynn Shepherd is a rising star and P.D. James a well-established one in the writing firmament, but I’m sure that, if Jane Austen would have turned to murder tales, she might have written something like their stories.

A proper review of PD James's new Austen mystery is coming soon. Meanwhile you can read a presentation of the book HERE. You can instead read my review of Murder at Mansfield Park HERE.

By the way, There's still time to join in the fun at the #AustenMurderMatch!