From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â Happy Holidays Dear Readers. Today, I am so pleased to present an exclusive interview with bestselling and award-winning author Julie Klassen who has just released her latest historical romance mystery, The Belle to Bridge Island. Set in Regency-era London and an island on the River Thames, it is... Continue Reading →
The Lost Books of Jane Austen, by Janine Barchas — A Review
Today is #JaneAustenDay, marking the online celebration of her birthday. Born on a stormy night in 1775, she was the seventh child of Rev. George Austen and his lady Cassandra of Steventon, Hampshire. Her modest beginning stands in strong contrast to her international fame today. In observance, I am participating in a blog tour organized... Continue Reading →
12 Terrific Historical Christmas Novels and Short Story Collections for Your Holiday Reading
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: It’s that time of year again when the holiday spirit takes hold and I am compelled to read Christmas stories in between shopping and baking. I especially appreciate short stories during this busy time. There are several historical anthologies to choose from along with novellas and novels to... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of The Knight Before Christmas, by Marilyn Brant
Hey-ho-ho Jane Austen fans. How are your holiday festivities and shopping shaping up? My neighborhood has decked their houses with lights and a few Santa’s on the rooves. One even sports a giant green Grinch. Ouch! They could use a good dose of holiday cheer, like watching one of the billion Hallmark Holiday movies airing... Continue Reading →
A Preview of Dangerous Alliance: An Austentacious Romance, by Jennieke Cohen
Did you know that contemporary fiction outnumbers historical fiction by tenfold in the young adult genre? I have never understood this trend. I have been told that teens prefer to read about heroes and heroines their own age and set in their own time. When I was younger, I read many historical novels and adored... Continue Reading →
The Ultimate Jane Austen-inspired Holiday Gift Guide for 2019
The holiday season is upon us once again with all the joys of gift giving for loved ones and friends. To make it easy for you, here is a handy gift guide for the Jane Austen fan in your life. COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS OF JANE AUSTEN’S NOVELS The Jane Austen Collection from the Folio Society... Continue Reading →
A Preview of By Time Divided (Love Without Time Book 2), by Elaine Jeremiah
Hey-ho Janeites! May I introduce you to a newly released Regency romance fantasy novel today? By Time Divided, by Elaine Jeremiah is a time-travel story that takes us back into Jane Austen’s England. Time-travel in fiction is a creative literary technique. It allows characters and readers to be transported to a different era. The Time... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of Loving Like Jane (Princeton Ladies Book 1), by Connie E. Sokol
How many contemporary Austenesque books have you read? If you are like me, my bookshelves and Kindle are packed with stories set in the Regency era with just a few set in modern times. It is a challenge to transport Austen’s characters and plots into contemporary settings. Authors must tweak much of it to fit... Continue Reading →
A Preview of the Emma (2020) Movie Adaptation of Jane Austen’s Classic Novel
UPDATED 12/16/19 - in honor of Jane Austen's birthday today, Focus Features has premiered the second trailer. Scroll down to view. There are some amusing lines. This new adaptation just gets better and better. Janeites are all aflutter over the forthcoming release of the new Focus Features movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma,... Continue Reading →
A Preview of Yuletide: A Jane Austen Inspired Collection of Stories (Audiobook), Narrated by Harry Frost
Hey-ho Gentle Readers! The holiday season is quickly approaching with all of its delights. My local radio station started playing Christmas music the day after Veterans Day. Retailers are hanging garland and stocking their tables with gift-giving fare. A friend told me that they are finished with their shopping and have already mailed their gifts.... Continue Reading →
A Completing of the Watsons, by Rose Servitova and Jane Austen — A Review
From the desk of Debra E. Marvin: Author of The Longbourn Letters, Rose Servitova’s candid preface in A Completing of the Watsons intrigued me as much as the concept of someone taking on an incomplete Austen manuscript. It’s believed Miss Austen began the story around 1803, but it was no more than a partial manuscript at the... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen, Volume III, by Collins Hemingway
There are hundreds of Austenesque books inspired by Jane Austen’s characters; namely featuring Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy who really dominate the field. Interestingly, there are few inspired by the authoress herself. Bestselling author Syrie James has written two: The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen (2007) and Jane Austen's First Love (2014); and Shannon Winslow... Continue Reading →