My Love for Jane Austen

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★ This is an enjoyable book which I read on my commute back from work and is also one of the quickest book which I finished with only 127 pages to browse through. The book contains memorable quotes on the subject of love culled from original sources of Jane Austen's oeuvres, juvenilia and letters. It begins with a brief introduction to summarise what you will expect to find. I think Ms Moore made a wise decision to divide her book into fifteen chapters which addresses topics ranging from love, dressing, dancing, conversation, to engagement, marriage, breaking up and living happily ever after. Besides this, I applaud her effort to include selected illustrations by C. E. Brock, H. M. Brock and Hugh Thomson to correspond to the various quotations mentioned. I would prefer that the illustrations are in colour but I am satisfied as it is in blue colour because it is pack with more quotations to compensate this quality. It is also handy when you need to refer to s...

The Austenesque scout is pleased to inform readers that there are four giveaways for this week. Vic Sanborn of Jane Austen's World has kindly offered three copies of Dancing with Mr. Darcy: Stories Inspired by Jane Austen and Chawton House to her loyal readers. This anthology of short stories will be released for US market on 19 October 2010 but if you can't wait for next month to get your hands on it, it is already available in UK since early last year but with a different cover. In order to win this lovely compilation of 20 short stories, you just need to leave a comment on her post stating your answer to her question. Click here to view the question and details of this giveaway. Deadline for this contest is on Wednesday, 20 October 2010 but is only open to US and Canada residents. This Wednesday, 29 September 2010 marks the bi-centenary birthday of mid-Victorian novelist, Mrs. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. Laurel Ann Nattress, mistress of Austenprose is organizin...

The Austenesque scout is delighted to inform readers about two competitions available from Austenesque authors' websites to win autographed copies of their books and other prizes. Take note that both contests deadline is a long way to go so please enter early in case you forget. The first contest is by Victoria Connelly where her novel, A Weekend with Mr Darcy was recently released this month in UK. She is offering a signed copy of her book together with some Darcy gifts to only UK readers who answer a simple question . This contests ends on Wednesday, 15 December 2010 at midnight and the winner will be announced the next day which is Jane Austen's birthday. Proceed to her website to read the rules and participate if you are eligible to enter. Over at J. Marie Croft's blog , she has posted a 20 question quiz on Pride & Prejudice . All you have to do to be in the running to win an autographed copy of her debut novel, Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge is to email th...

The Austenesque book scout is delighted to bring news on three books giveaways for this week. Today is Skylar Hamilton Burris' turn to blog at Austen Authors about herself and the publication of her three Pride and Prejudice -themed novels. At the end of the post, she is kindly offering an autographed copy of her second novel, An Unlikely Missionary to one lucky reader who leave your comment(s) on her post . No deadline was mentioned but restrictions do apply to win this contest. Head over here to read the general contest rules at Austen Authors . I append this post to include the second giveaway from Stephanie's Written Word . As you may have read from my earlier post , she is hosting the Everything Austen II challenge until the end of the year. Syrie James is guest blogging here so read what she has to say on writing four great books on different historical and contemporary subjects. At the end of the post, the publisher has graciously offered to giveaway 2 set...

The Austenesque scout is proud to inform readers that there is one giveaway this week (besides the giveaways already mentioned in the previous posts). Since Regina Jeffers is celebrating her latest book launch at Austen Authors blog , she has offered 2 autographed copies of The Phantom of Pemberley to 2 lucky winners who comment on her post . This contest is open worldwide so hurry because she will announce the winners on Saturday, 18 September 2010 at Austen Authors . Good luck! Make sure you head on over to Austen Authors for a month of fantastic giveaways.

Since I have a dedicated post on Darcy's Voyage contests, I might as well do the same for Mr. Darcy's Little Sister . To celebrate the release of her debut novel early this month, Ms Pierson is virtually touring book blogs to promote and talk about her new labour of love. There will be more chances to win her book at the following blogs whereby she is interviewed or guest blog. Some of the giveaways are already mentioned in the weekly post but I post it here again to streamline all contests for Mr. Darcy's Little Sister . Do take note that some contests are already over and not all are open to worldwide readers. As some of her books are donated by Sourcebooks, participants are limited to residents of US and Canada . The list of giveaways arranged chronologically are as follows: 2nd: Talking Jane Austen - C. Allyn Pierson Part I and Giveaway @ My Jane Austen Book Club (previously posted here ) 2nd: C. Allyn Pierson's Inspiration Inspiration for Mr. Darcy'...

The Austenesque scout is happy to inform readers that there is a weekly giveaways at Jane Austen Addict website until the end of season one of Sex and The Austen Girl webisodes to celebrate the second half of this Babelgum original comedy web series. Scheduled to be broadcast every Monday, season one comprises of 20 episodes inspired by Laurie Viera Rigler's two novels, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict which I previously posted here . Each episode showcase certain aspects of Regency life versus modern life. If you do not know about this web series, proceed here to watch all episodes up till Episode 14 for now. The prizes for each week are one set of signed copies of Austen Addict each for two winners . This week's contest is already posted at the website and ends at 12.00 am ET on Sunday, 18 September 2010 . Good luck if you are planning to enter this contest!

The Austenesque scout is delighted to inform readers about numerous giveaways from the blogosphere world for this month. The prize for all giveaways mentioned below is the recently released novel entitled Darcy's Voyage . However giveaways are only open to US and Canada residents (which I think is not fair considering readers of Jane Austen fan-fiction are everywhere around the world) donated by the publisher, Sourcebooks. The blogs in which Kara is virtually touring with giveaways (including her very own blog) are as follows: September 3rd: Kara Louise (Author of Darcy's Voyage) Interview & Giveaway @ Laura's Reviews 4th: Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise @ Royal Reviews 4th: Interview + Giveaway with Kara Louise (Author of Darcy's Voyage) @ Austenesque Reviews (previously posted here ) 7th: Darcy's Voyage Release! @ Delightful Diversions from the Heart (previously posted here ) 8th: Kara Louise, Author Guest Post & Giveaway @ The Book Fa...

The Austenesque scout is pleased to inform readers that there are three book giveaways for this week. The good news is all giveaways mentioned below are open to worldwide readers . Kara Louise recently posted on her blog, Delightful Diversions from the Heart that she is giving away prizes in conjunction with the release of her debut novel, Darcy's Voyage . Previously self-published as Pemberley's Promise , the book is a Pride & Prejudice variation with Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet falling in love aboard a ship from England to New York.   Two lucky winners will each receive a signed copy of Darcy's Voyage and bookmark . To enter, just leave a comment here telling her where you saw her book being sold with the name of book store and location . Remember to include your email address so that she can contact you if you win. Users can also choose to visit Austen Authors and post your thoughts on her book there. There is a special criteria as she will draw from the ...

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★ I first came to notice this novel when it was mentioned in two of my favourite blogs which I visit whenever I'm online, Jane Austen Today and Austenprose . Based on good reviews posted here and here , I decided to venture into Allegra Goodman's newest novel even though I have not read any of her novels before. Billed as the Sense and Sensibility for the digital age, I was not disappointed although at 394 pages, I took about a month to finish reading it which is quite long compared to my previous reads. The story sets from Fall 1999 until Spring 2002 and revolves around two sisters, Emily who is the CEO of Veritech, a start-up data-storage company based in California and Jessamine, an impulsive graduate student in Berkeley who fall in and out of love as quickly as changing bed sheets (okay, a little exaggeration here). Over the course of the novel, we learn about their dead mother, Gillian, the father, Richard Bach and his new family, significant ot...

The Perfect Gift for a Literary Lover Rating: ★★★★½/★★★★★ As soon as this book is available to purchase in my bookstore, I quickly browse through it and decided that this is going to be my next Austenesque read. I was not disappointed for I manage to complete it in just two sittings. At 175 pages, this hardcover book is a must read for novice readers of Jane Austen's oeuvre or neophytes who have just began to read one of her novels and would like to know more. The book is divided into nine chapters devoted to Jane Austen's life, her novels, Regency culture and adaptations from and inspired by her novels and her life. It provides an insight and useful information into the enchanting world of Miss Jane Austen. For readers who have extensively read Jane Austen's biography, you will find the opening chapter insufficient to add to your knowledge. The second chapter dwells on Regency history and context where a timeline of major events happened during Austen's life such...

There is a brand new blog, Austen Authors created by Abigail Reynolds and Sharon Lathan, two popular Sourcebooks Landmark authors of Pride and Prejudice sequels and variations with the encouragement of Sourcebooks's publicist, Danielle Jackson and editor, Deb Werksman. The aim of this blog is to have a consolidated platform for traditionally published writers dedicating their craft to writing Austenesque novels and to learn of all the wonderful novels published that recognises Jane Austen as their mentor and friend. Their goal is to shine the light to readers on the varied visions that exist in the market since every Austen writer is inspired differently. There are contemporary novels, prequels, sequels, retellings from a particular character's point-of-view, variations or what-if plots, the fill-in-the-blanks stories, secondary character novels, mysteries, monster mash-ups such as vampires, zombies, etc. and more. The list of 19 Austenesque writers who have respond...

The Austenesque scout is happy to present to 3 giveaways for this week quoted from my favourite blogs. Do not fret because 2 of the 3 contests listed below are international giveaways which means anyone can enter with an equal chance to win these lovely prizes. The first giveaway is hosted by Meredith Esparza in honour of her blog, Austenesque Reviews ' first anniversary which falls on 20 September 2010. She is offering two new sets of Jane Austen: An Illustrated Treasury by Rebecca Dickson to two lucky readers . As mentioned, this giveaway is open worldwide . All you have to do to win one of this beautiful hardcover volume is to leave your comment together with a valid email address at this post . Hurry for the deadline is on Sunday, 19 September 2010 . In order to double or even triple your chances of winning this wonderful collection, check the details here . Meredith also had a wonderful opportunity to interview Ms Kara Louise, author of various Pride and Prejudice ...