Category: Contemporary Romance

Jane in Love: A Novel, by Rachel Givney — A Review

Jane in Love by Rachel Givney 2020From the desk of Sophia Rose:

Australian filmmaker, and debut writer, Rachel Givney brings us a whimsical time travel romantic adventure for none other than Jane Austen herself with her new novel, Jane in Love.  What does the twenty-first century have to teach this well-loved author? Equally important, what does Miss Jane have to teach her counterpart in the twenty-first century?

Jane is twenty-eight and living with her aging parents in Bath. Her writing isn’t good enough to get published and her mother threatens to burn any further attempts. Mrs. Austen insists Jane focus on the Continue reading “Jane in Love: A Novel, by Rachel Givney — A Review” →

11

Recipe for Persuasion: A Novel, by Sonali Dev — A Review

Recipe for Persuasion 2020From the desk of Sophia Rose: 

Jane Austen’s Persuasion gets a modern facelift Desi-style in this standalone sequel to Sonali Dev’s 2019, Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors, as Indian American chef, Ashna Raje, and Brazilian footballer, Rico Silva, encounter each other once again as acrimonious cooking partners on a reality TV show. I love that the author has cooked up a series of modern retellings of Jane Austen’s classic works by giving members of the Raje family their chances at romance.

In Recipe for Persuasion Ashna’s family is convinced a reality cooking show is just the jumpstart her dying Continue reading “Recipe for Persuasion: A Novel, by Sonali Dev — A Review” →

4

Polite Society: A Novel, by Mahesh Rao–A Review

Image of the cover of Polite Society, by Mahesh Rao (2019)From the desk of Katie Patchell:

I have loved Jane Austen’s Emma for as long as I can remember. Yes—I mean that literally. When I was six, my first introduction to the Regency and the magnificent world of Jane Austen began with a battered VHS copy (Gwyneth Paltrow/Jeremy Northam version) and, well, has never ended.

In fact, my first classic ever read was a neon yellow copy of Emma gifted for Christmas at the age of ten. It is now battered and torn, but will forever hold a place on my shelves. To me, the heroine Emma has always gone beyond the place of a lovable but mistaken fictional friend; she’s been in some ways, a mirror of myself. Perhaps this quality is why people love to hate her – she reflects how we all would be if given enough time, money, and influence. And that is: Sure that our way is the best way. Mahesh Rao’s Polite Society shows a world and cast of characters where this idea is everything.

Retellings can always be tricky – there’s a whole host of questions we ask ourselves. Will the modern setting give or detract something from the original? How much do morals connect to ethics, and Continue reading “Polite Society: A Novel, by Mahesh Rao–A Review” →

1

Austenprose’s Favorite Books of 2018

austen_warhol_banner

Dear readers:

Along with oodles of other media outlets and book bloggers, it’s time to reveal my own favorite books of 2018. It has been a serendipitous journey—full of adventure, comfort, and surprises—mostly generated from reading beloved authors and stepping outside my sphere.

Traditionally I gravitate toward classic or modern authors in the historical fiction genre, focusing on novels inspired by Jane Austen. My reading choices this year were diverse within historical and contemporary fiction, romance, mysteries, and nonfiction, exploring new tropes and themes. However, they all share a common thread—sharp writing, comprehensive research, compelling stories, and levity. Continue reading “Austenprose’s Favorite Books of 2018” →

22

A Preview of Longbourn’s Songbird: A Novel, by Beau North

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

Just released this week is a new Jane Austen-inspired novel, Longbourn’s Songbird. Based on Austen’s iconic novel, Pride and Prejudice, author Beau North has transported the action to post WWII South Carolina.

While Pride and Prejudice has spawned the largest number of sequels in print, most of those are set Continue reading “A Preview of Longbourn’s Songbird: A Novel, by Beau North” →

26

Sun-kissed: Effusions of Summer Blog Tour Launch Party — Featuring editor Christina Boyd

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: 

It is a pleasure to welcome Austenprose reviewer Christina Boyd here today in celebration of the release of her first book, Sun-kissed, a summer-themed short story anthology. Christina has been a contributor here at Austenprose reviewing Jane Austen-inspired books for seven years. In fact, she was my first recruit to the staff in 2008. Christina has an eye for a great story and I always had a hunch that she would make a Continue reading “Sun-kissed: Effusions of Summer Blog Tour Launch Party — Featuring editor Christina Boyd” →

80

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet, by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick – A Review

From the desk of Lisa Galek:

In 2012, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries debuted on YouTube. Smart, confident (and only slightly prejudiced) grad student Lizzie Bennet posts videos twice a week all about her life, friends, and family. The Internet promptly fell in love. But, there were some things Lizzie couldn’t share in her videos. Luckily, she kept a diary… and now we finally get to see it.

Pride and Prejudice Updated

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet is a companion book to the excellent LBD web series. If you haven’t seen Continue reading “The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet, by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick – A Review” →

4

Pride’s Prejudice: A Novel, by Misty Dawn Pulsipher – A Review

From the desk of Kimberly Denny-Ryder: 

We all make first impressions. Every time we meet a stranger we immediately form an initial opinion, whether it be good, bad, objective, subjective, or any other form. Sometimes, after meeting this person, his/her actions fall so far opposite to your initial impression that it simply astounds you. I myself am guilty of developing a wrong first impression. When I first met my husband, I felt he was a bit odd. Yet here we are, still blissfully happy after 9 years! Anyway, back to wrong first impressions. Such was the case with Continue reading “Pride’s Prejudice: A Novel, by Misty Dawn Pulsipher – A Review” →

3

The Proud and the Prejudiced: A Modern Twist on Pride and Prejudice, by Colette Saucier – A Review

From the desk of Kimberly Denny-Ryder:  

As most Austenprose readers will know by now, I’m a big fan of Pride and Prejudice variations, what-if’s, and retellings. In fact, if you look at the scope of Jane Austen fan fiction that I read it’s almost entirely comprised of Pride and Prejudice inspired novels. A recent addition to this group that I adored was Colette Saucier’s Pulse and Prejudice (review is here).  After reading this I couldn’t wait to see what else Continue reading “The Proud and the Prejudiced: A Modern Twist on Pride and Prejudice, by Colette Saucier – A Review” →

1

Find Wonder in All Things: Persuasion Revisited, by Karen M. Cox – A Review

From the desk of Christina Boyd:

Jane Austen’s most serious and compelling work, Persuasion, is all about retribution, forgiveness and second chances.  Her masterpiece begins seven years after the broken engagement between the young heiress, Anne Elliot, and a junior naval officer, Frederick Wentworth—when he is thrown back into her sphere and both must face the pain from their past.  Karen M. Cox’s award winning novel, Find Wonder In All Things is a modern day homage to this Austen classic.  The tale begins with a lakeside friendship in the Continue reading “Find Wonder in All Things: Persuasion Revisited, by Karen M. Cox – A Review” →

6

Searching for Captain Wentworth, by Jane Odiwe – A Review

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

We can only imagine what life would have been like in the great Georgian resort town of Bath, England circa 1800. There are vintage illustrations of buildings, maps of the winding streets, and descriptions from travelers and writers of the time to help us visualize. And then there is the Bath that we know of from Jane Austen’s two novels: Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Her characters visit the famous pump-room, dance at the Lower Assembly Rooms, climb that noble hill Beechen Cliff, and propose on the gravel walk. Continue reading “Searching for Captain Wentworth, by Jane Odiwe – A Review” →

15

Imperfect Bliss: A Novel, by Susan Fales-Hill – A Review

From the desk of Lucy Warriner: 

How could Pride and Prejudice be adapted to reflect the reality realevision craze? Those intrigued by this question may consult Imperfect Bliss, a comedic examination of class and celebrity by Susan Fales-Hill. The escapades of the Harcourt family of Maryland will keep readers turning the pages.

To her chagrin, recent divorcee Bliss Harcourt is once again living with her parents. She cares for her young daughter Bella, pursues her doctorate at Georgetown University, and laments the antics of her mother and two younger sisters. Harcourt matriarch Forsythia is obsessed with emulating British royalty and suppressing her Jamaican heritage. Second-youngest daughter Diana is starring in The Virgin, a Continue reading “Imperfect Bliss: A Novel, by Susan Fales-Hill – A Review” →

2

Website Built with WordPress.com.

Up ↑

%d bloggers like this: