Wednesday 27 March 2024
Charming Echoes: A Review of Pride and Preston Lin
Monday 4 March 2024
NEW RELEASE! FINDING JANE FAIRFAX BY ROBBIN J. PETERSON
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jane Fairfax knows she is truly fortunate. Most orphans face lives of hardship, whereas she was adopted by doting surrogate parents who elevated her place in society and love her as their own. Yet even they cannot shield her from the grim realities of life without a suitable marriage. In moments of despair, Jane comforts herself with a well-worn memory: that of a young man whose kind words when they were children once soothed her heartbreak. But now that boy has grown into a dashing gentleman―and their lives could not be more distant. Frank Churchill is a prisoner of his station. His inheritance is held in the balance by his demanding aunt, and the weight of her expectations is suffocating him. But when a chance encounter brings the lovely Miss Fairfax back into his life, he discovers what it is to truly live. As the pair secretly become acquainted amid the confines of society’s strict rules, their friendship blossoms into love. But in a world ruled by unyielding traditions, endeavoring to build a life together would mean inviting a scandal that would shake the very foundation of the ton.
Sunday 3 March 2024
DISCOVERING THE HUSBANDS OF ELIZABETH BENNET WITH CHRISTINE COMBE: EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY!
Dear Austenians,
Welcome, one and all, to My Jane Austen Book Club! I am thrilled to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you who decided to join us on the second day of a truly special journey.
Today, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce our esteemed guest, Christine Combe! Welcome back and thank you for being a part of this delightful gathering.
Today, we have the privilege of exploring Christine's latest literary marvel, The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet. This brilliant duet, crafted with Christine's masterful pen, promises to whisk us away to the enchanting world of Jane Austen's iconic characters.
Saturday 2 March 2024
CAROLINE BINGLEY: DAMN HER AND HER FINE EYES. A SHORT STORY.
Introducing Damn Her and
Her Fine Eyes!
Greetings, dear readers of My Jane Austen
Book Club! Today, I am thrilled to present to you a delightful treat for all
lovers of Regency-era literature and the intricate dance of courtship: Damn Her and Her Fine Eyes!
This short story, penned by the talented
author behind "The Three Witches of Milton," delves into the world of
Caroline Bingley, a character familiar to fans of Jane Austen's beloved
classic, Pride and Prejudice. Set in the illustrious realm of
Austen's England, Damn Her and Her Fine Eyes! offers a captivating
glimpse into the life and intrigues of one of literature's most memorable
antagonists.
In this intimate tale, Caroline Bingley takes center stage, revealing layers of her character often left unexplored. With a narrative spanning a mere 2,000 words, the story unfolds with precision and nuance, inviting readers to unravel the complexities of Caroline's ambitions, desires, and innermost thoughts.
Friday 1 March 2024
SHE PLAYED AND SANG, JANE AUSTEN AND MUSIC: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR GILLIAN DOOLEY
Wednesday 28 February 2024
AUTHOR GUEST POST & EXCERPT: JAYNE BAMBER, A QUICK SUCCESSION OF BUSY NOTHINGS
Tuesday 20 February 2024
TALKING JANE AUSTEN WITH ... AUTHOR CAROLINE MALCOM-BOULTON!
A Unique Crossover
Caroline Malcom-Boulton is the author of The Three Witches of Milton, a unique crossover novella which unites and
explores elements from three of my absolute best favourite classic novels: Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South,
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Playing
with quotes from these three inspirational novels and their iconic screenplays,
Caroline Malcom-Boulton blends the English classics together, infusing them
with an original plot, all so that we might explore the intriguing relationship
of similarities between their characters and themes.
I invited lovely Caroline to join me at My Jane Austen Book Club to talk Jane Austen and also to tell us more about her new release.
HERE’S MY INTERVIEW
Saturday 10 February 2024
NO LESS THAN ANY OTHER BY MJ STRATTON: EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY.
Dear readers,
It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you a brand new Pride and Prejudice variation, "No Less Than Any Other," authored by MJ Stratton. This delightful novel presents an intriguing twist on the classic tale we all know and love. Are you ready to scroll down and discover more?
Thursday 18 January 2024
WITHOUT AFFECTION: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CAROLINE CARTIER & GIVEAWAY
Today, here at My Jane Austen Book Club, we have a new guest, Caroline Cartier, author of a brand new Pride and Prejudice Variation, “Without Affection.” Welcome, Caroline and thanks for finding the time to answer our questions. Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your journey into the world of writing?
Hi Maria! Thank you so much for letting me stop by your lovely blog! Let me see, what can I tell you about myself. I’m 43 and married with one daughter. I used to be a surgical coordinator, but I injured my spine during the pandemic and now I write books.
Thursday 11 January 2024
MR DARCY'S BOOKSHOP, A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION BY SUMMER HANFORD. INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY
Today, here at My Jane Austen Book Club, we have the pleaatting with Summer Hanford, the brilliant mind behind the new Pride and Prejudice Variation, Mr. Darcy's Bookshop. Welcome, Summer! Could you start by telling us what inspired you to explore the idea of Fitzwilliam Darcy as a bookseller?sure of ch
Hi Maria Grazia! First, thank you so much for hosting me today. I’m very excited to be here at My Jane Austen Book Club. Thank you for putting together such a nice gathering place for the Austenesque community.
Monday 18 December 2023
REVIEW: CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY, A DELECTABLY DELIGHTFUL MYSTERY
Hello, everyone! I hope you've been following all the excitement around the release of Katie Oliver's Cyanide and Sensibility so far. What about my author interview, which opened the virtual book tour on December 4th? Well, if you've missed it somehow, here is the LINK to enjoy it and hear directly from the author about the creation of her new delightful mystery story. Today I'm especially here to share with you my review of the book. Ready to scroll down and read? No major spoilers ahead, only the typical ramblings of a well-entertained Austen fan. MG
Monday 4 December 2023
CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KATIE OLIVER
Welcome, dear readers, to the much-anticipated kickoff of the Cyanide and Sensibility Virtual Book Tour here at My Jane Austen Book Club! We are delighted to bring you an exclusive sneak peek into the latest installment of The Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series by the talented author Katie Oliver.
Wednesday 1 November 2023
NEW RELEASE! WORTHY BY JULIA WINTER: AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY
About The Book
In the course of 1811, the Bennets of Longbourn meet two sets of estranged relatives: Mr Bennet’s unprepossessing heir, and his mother’s family. Elizabeth Bennet journeys into Kent to stay with the Palmers at Wingham Hall: her grand-aunt Iphigenia, her cousin Sir James Palmer, who had loved her grandmother ardently in his youth, and his son Galahad. Pleased with her new relations, Elizabeth is less content with the taciturn friend Galahad has invited to join him at Wingham. Fitzwilliam Darcy—rich and proud, disdainful of those beneath him—has escorted his sister Georgiana to Ramsgate, to recuperate from a dangerous illness in the care of her companion, Mrs Younge.
Complications arise with the arrival of Elizabeth’s sister
Jane and, separately, Charles and Caroline Bingley, the authors of Jane’s
unhappiness. Tensions and quarrels result in the Bingleys’ abrupt departure,
swiftly followed by Darcy after a maladroit proposal that Elizabeth spurns with
a pride that matches his own.
Unfortunately, Darcy leaves Kent just as his enemy, George Wickham appears, intent on securing Georgiana and her fortune. Who will stand between Georgiana and ruin? Who will win Jane Bennet’s hand? And can Darcy and Elizabeth ever be reconciled?”
Thursday 26 October 2023
AUSTEN MINDFULNESS: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
Jane Austen's novels offer valuable insights into human behaviour and relationships, and there are mindfulness lessons that can be gleaned from her works. While mindfulness as a concept and practice didn't exist during Austen's time, her keen observations of human nature and her characters' journeys can still offer wisdom for contemporary readers seeking to cultivate mindfulness and emotional intelligence.
Monday 23 October 2023
BOOK REVIEW: JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY BY STEPHANIE BARRON
Stephanie Barron, the talented author known for her Being a Jane Austen Mystery series, brings us a captivating and bittersweet conclusion to a beloved literary journey in "JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY." As winter turns to spring in March 1817, we find Jane Austen's health slowly declining, threatening to silence her quill and halt the progress on her latest manuscript. But when a chilling mystery unfurls at her nephew Edward's former school, Winchester College, Jane's indomitable spirit and unwavering curiosity propel her forward into a world of secrets and deception.
Wednesday 18 October 2023
NEW RELEASE! AMANDA KAI, MISS BINGLEY AND THE BARON: AUTHOR GUEST POST, EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY
Dear readers and Jane Austen aficionados,
We're thrilled to have the talented author Amanda Kai with us today to celebrate the release of her latest literary delight, "Miss Bingley and the Baron." As we open the pages of her enchanting story, we're transported to the world of Regency romance, where love blossoms under the veil of disguise and false pretenses.
Monday 16 October 2023
JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY, INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR STEPHANIE BARRON
Dear fellow Jane Austen enthusiasts and mystery lovers,
It's a delightful honour to kick off the blog tour for Stephanie Barron's latest novel, "JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY." As we gather here, ready to embark on a literary journey that promises both intrigue and bittersweet reflection, we have the unique privilege of delving into the mind of one of the world's most beloved authors, Jane Austen, as envisioned by the talented Stephanie Barron.
In this beautifully crafted book, Barron invites us to step into the final days of Jane Austen's life, where her indomitable spirit and unquenchable curiosity drive her to solve a mystery that hits close to home. Based on true events from Austen's life, this novel promises to be a fitting tribute to the woman whose wit and wisdom continue to captivate readers around the globe.
But the excitement doesn't stop here. In an exclusive treat for our readers, we have the privilege of a one-on-one interview with the brilliant author herself, Stephanie Barron.
So, grab your favorite tea, settle into a cozy spot, and let the adventure begin as we step into the world of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries. It's a journey that promises to be as captivating and enchanting as the works of the great Austen herself.
Without further ado, let's dive into our interview with Stephanie Barron and discover the secrets behind the mysteries that continue to keep us turning the pages.
Stay tuned, dear readers, for a delightful exploration of literature, history, and the enduring legacy of Jane Austen. My review of the book is coming soon!
Happy reading!
Maria Grazia💕
Saturday 7 October 2023
SHANNON WINSLOW: DISCOVERING MR. KNIGHTLEY
(from Shannon Winslow)
Writing a novel takes a long time, so authors need strong inspiration to carry them through. My inspiration (for this book and all the others) comes from Jane Austen – from what she wrote, yes, but just as much from what she didn’t write. My mission, you see, is to fill in the blanks she left behind. I add on to rather than varying from Austen’s timeless stories.
Saturday 30 September 2023
HOW JANE AUSTEN PERSEVERED
Jane Austen's House - Chawton |
Recently, I have faced some huge challenges in my life and have had many obstacles to overcome. My experiences have made me think of the challenges Jane Austen faced and how she overcame them. Jane did not always have an easy life. An example of this is the decision by her parents in 1801 for Jane’s father, a vicar, to retire from Steventon in Hampshire and, with his wife and their two daughters, move to Bath. Neither Jane nor her elder sister Cassandra were consulted.
Wednesday 27 September 2023
AUTUMNAL MELANCHOLY IN JANE AUSTEN'S PERSUASION
Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliott - Persuasion 2007 |
“Her pleasure in the walk arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season which has drawn from every poet worthy of being read some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.” - Persuasion
Fall is here again and it's definitely my favourite season. Autumn, with its wistful beauty and the melancholy it often carries, has long been a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and artists. It's a season that mirrors the bittersweet emotions of change, reflection, and the passing of time. Jane Austen, in her final completed novel Persuasion, masterfully weaves the melancholic essence of autumn into the narrative, a reflection of her own life circumstances as she penned the novel while seriously ill.