Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â Hello Dear Readers, Did you know that in historical fiction the fabulous fifties are the new forties? Yes, after years of WWII stories, novels set during the post-war years are now being published more frequently. I adore the Grantchester mysteries series by James Runcie, and later this month... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â I have been watching several romcoms lately to offset the stress and anxiety generated from a world health crisis. Last week I enjoyed Father of the Bride (1991), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Made of Honor (2008), and The Wedding Date (2004). Do you notice a theme... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: Raise your hand if you agree that the “half agony, half hope” love letter written by Captain Frederick Wentworth to Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion is the most romantic love letter in literature. If not, by the time you get to the “you pierce my soul” line,... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: Fans of the bestselling World War II historical fiction novels such as The Nightingale, The Women in the Castle, and Lilac Girls have been eagerly waiting for The Socialite, by J'nell Ciesielski. Loosely based on the real-life Mitford sisters, this wartime novel is set in Paris, France, a city conquered... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: A year and a half ago I had the privilege of reading an early manuscript of The Jane Austen Society by debut novelist Natalie Jenner. It only took two chapters for me to be totally hooked. By the end of the book, I was weeping with joy. I just... Continue Reading →
I am dogged in my pursuit of new books. I subscribe to Publisher’s Marketplace. I read publishers quarterly catalogs. I read Advance magazine. However, the path to discovering a new book is sometimes fortuitous—by chance rather than by design. Such was the case with author Sawyer North. Our serendipitous introduction on Twitter makes his debut... Continue Reading →
I am always encouraged when new Jane Austen-inspired young adult novels hit my radar. The Austen Girls is a welcome addition to the Austenesque genre. Written by historian, television celebrity, and Janeite Lucy Worsley, it is the latest addition to her series of novels featuring young women from history. Following Lady Mary (2018), Eliza Rose... Continue Reading →
Being a book geek, I am not ashamed to say that I get chills when I see a beautiful book cover. I am drawn to them like a moth to the flame. The mesmerizing design of When Duty Calls is by Janet Taylor. It is her best to date. Bar none. Forgive this indulgence. I... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â I have great news to broadcast today. Bestselling historical romance author Mimi Matthews has a new book in the queue. We are thrilled to share with our readers everything we know about the novel and reveal the stunning cover! Gentleman Jim arrives on November 3, 2020, continuing the... Continue Reading →
I am happy to welcome author Lona Manning to Austenprose today. She has graciously offered to share her latest Austenesque novel, A Different Kind of Woman with us. Inspired by Mansfield Park, this is her third book in her Mansfield Trilogy, all of which are variations on Jane Austen’s original. Manning’s Mansfield Trilogy sets out... Continue Reading →
Happy Valentine’s Day Janeites! Jane Austen has been attributed as the mother of romance, so in honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s all crack open Persuasion and let Captain Wentworth pierce our soul and Mr. Darcy say to us, “dearest loveliest (insert your name here).” In celebration of a holiday devoted entirely to romance, we are... Continue Reading →
It’s raining Austenesque books! Last month, according to the industrious Meredith at Austenesque Reviews, there were 52 new Jane Austen-inspired books released in January 2020. 50 of those were Pride and Prejudice variations. That is a lot of Lizzy and Darcy! I’d like to spotlight the two authors who went out on a limb and... Continue Reading →
