From the desk of Katie Jackson: J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote that “not all those who wander are lost.” That is certainly true for some; for others, they have convinced themselves they are on a mission, all the while searching for a true purpose. It is this concept, as well as the topic of another of... Continue Reading →
A Bright Young Thing: A Novel, by Brianne Moore — A Review Â
From the desk of Katie Patchell: I have a question for you, fellow bibliophiles: Have you read P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves series? Written between 1915 and 1974, this series of short stories and novels is a sometimes biting (yet always fun) satire of Britain’s posh upper class. Starring wealthy and hapless Bertie Wooster and his much-put-upon... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Cover Reveal of Bloomsbury Girls: A Novel, by Natalie Jenner
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â Hello dear readers, I am so pleased to share a first look at a forthcoming historical fiction novel from bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society, Natalie Jenner. Bloomsbury Girls releases on May 17, 2022, and I am so thrilled to reveal the first details of the novel... Continue Reading →
In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen’s Governess, by Tessa Arlen — A Review
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: There is something about royalty that is so fascinating to me. What would it be like to be born into a world of privilege and power? How do they live? Who are their friends? What are their secrets? The British royal family is my favorite, so I jumped... Continue Reading →
Austenprose’s Best Austenesque & Historical Books of 2020
Happy New Year dear readers! While I am not shy about kicking 2020 to the curb, it was not a total bust for those of us who enjoy reading. Publishers and indie authors continued to supply us with a fabulous selection of choices in the Austenesque, historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. Of the 75... Continue Reading →
Q&A with Rachel McMillan, Historical Fiction Author of The London Restoration
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â Hello readers. Summer is in full swing here at Woodston Cottage. My hydrangeas, anemones, and roses are blooming. We had a heatwave over the weekend that sent this hot weather wimp inside and under a fan! Today I am so happy to welcome bestselling author Rachel McMillian to... Continue Reading →
Bronte’s Mistress: A Novel, by Finola Austin — A Review
From the desk of Molly Greeley: The mystique of the BrontĂ« sisters hasn’t lessened in the years since they wrote their extraordinary novels. Their brother Branwell is remembered by history less for his literary talents than for his notorious addictions, and for the alleged affair he had with his pupil’s mother, Lydia Robinson. In Brontë’s... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of Brontë’s Mistress: A Novel, by Finola Austin
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: Hello dear readers. How is your summer going so far? What have you been reading? My TBR pile is still out of control, but I have managed to enjoy several very diverse genres from romcoms to Austenesque to nonfiction writing books. I have Indulged my “imagination in every... Continue Reading →
The Jane Austen Society: A Novel, by Natalie Jenner — A Review
From the desk of Tracy Hickman: My go-to choice in times of uncertainty is a comfort read. While each person has their own ideas about what qualifies as comfort, I especially enjoy books by authors such as Miss Read (Dora Saint) and D.E. Stevenson. These books are set in a time and place distant enough... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of The London Restoration: A Novel, by Rachel McMillan
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 →
A Preview of The Socialite, by J’nell Ciesielski
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 →
A Preview & Exclusive Excerpt of The Jane Austen Society: A Novel, by Natalie Jenner
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 →