My Love for Jane Austen

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★ This is a truly an amazing guide that acts as a companion to the fourth movie which is currently showing in theatres. Divided into smaller and compact chapters, the book begins with a forward by producer Jerry Bruckheimer explaining the reasons behind shooting another new instalment in the successful movie franchise. After a brief and concise introduction, there is a short description of the main characters accompanied by pictures of the movie and interesting tidbits and trivia. The main players elaborated in this hardcover book are namely Captain Jack Sparrow, his ex-first mate Joshamee Gibbs (I never knew his first name as Jack always calls him Mr Gibbs in the movies), his nemesis Hector Barbossa, Jack's former lover Angelica and her father, the notorious pirate Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) whom everyone fears. I like the illustrations included such as the pirate gear worn by each of them. Besides the characters, there are also  chapters devoted to ship...

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★ I always enjoy watching Johnny Deep play many eccentric characters in movies and among my favourite films featuring him is Pirates of the Caribbean series based on the Disney theme park rides. In anticipation of watching the fourth instalment in the cinema next Friday, I decided to take a peek at this movie storybook to know what I will be in for. The book briefly explained the plot of the film with photo stills inserted beside the text to enhance the narrative. I think this is a good structure to entice readers to learn what the story has to offer and raise the excitement level among fans before watching it on the big screen. However it stop short of revealing the ending. In my opinion Disney do not want to spoil our enjoyment and thus it employ a good marketing strategy. The story begins when Captain Jack Sparrow was brought on trial in London court to face justice for acts of piracy on British colonies in the Caribbeans. During the trial, it was revealed...

Marsha Altman, author of The Darcys & the Bingleys series which focuses on the lives of Pride and Prejudice 's favourite characters and comprises of three books — The Darcys & the Bingleys , The Plight of the Darcy Brothers and Mr. Darcy's Great Escape — has recently launched her fourth book in the market. Published by Ulysses Press, The Ballad of Grégoire Darcy tells of the main character's adventures into Regency England's secular society. He is actually Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy's half-brother who used to live in a Catholic monastery in Spain. As with other Austenesque author in the genre, she will be guest blogging and interviewed on some book blogs to promote her fourth novel in a planned 10-book series. Along with these posts, there will be giveaways for a copy of this latest novel. Do note the rules to know whether you are eligible to participate as some giveaways specifically state so. Courtesy of Marsha Altman's blog , her virtual tour wit...

The Austenesque scout is delighted to inform readers about a competition on Victoria Connelly's website . She is the author of two novels inspired by Jane Austen's novels, A Weekend with Mr Darcy and The Perfect Hero which was published end of last month and available in UK. To celebrate this momentous occasion, she is hosting a contest to win an autographed copy of The Perfect Hero and a Jane Austen goody bag but it is only for UK residents . Just answer a simple question here and enter your name and email address . Deadline for this competition is on 31 August 2011 . Read the rules at the given link for more information. Good luck!

Rating: ★★★★½/★★★★★ I always have a love for historical events that happened in the past such as World War I and II but so far I have never attempted to read any books about this important piece of history until now. Although this is not a factual account per se, the research poured into this story is believable which left me in no doubt about the horrors and sufferings of victims and survivors of these two great wars. Based on the title alone, you might not expect the plot too be complicated but as it turns out, the novel has 3-in-1 stories that somehow link the main characters of each story together. The premise of the story goes like this: What if Jane Austen was inspired to write her first draft of her work titled First Impressions , which evolved to become Pride and Prejudice , after hearing the romance of two lovers from different social class with contrasting personalities from her relatives? What if Pemberley, the stately home of Fitzwilliam Darcy was real? I'm sure J...

The Austenesque scout is pleased to inform her readers about a book giveaway for this week. Kaitlin Saunders is a guest in My Jane Austen Book Club 's weekly column that discusses Jane Austen's works among other things. She has kindly offered a signed copy of her new novel, A Modern Day Persuasion . If you want to win this book, do leave a comment with your email address here . This contest is open to all readers and ends next Wednesday, 25 May 2011 . Best of luck!

This film was released in US theatres earlier this year in January and is now available in DVD format. The story is inspired by Jane Austen's novel, Sense and Sensibility with a Latino twist and sets in the metropolitan city of Los Angeles. As this year marks the 200th year since the release of Austen's first published novel, it is a fitting tribute to watch and review any movies and mini-series based on her works. This is a feel-good romantic comedy movie that I enjoyed watching. It managed to capture the important elements of love, romance, family and financial aspects that are prevalent in the novel. This film first came to my notice when AustenBlog first spread the news several years ago about a modern adaptation of Austen's work with a working title Sense and Sensibilidad . You can read all past news on the long journey from script, casting to the release of the film at this link . The Plot Mary (left) and Nora (right) with their father (centre) Directed ...

The Austenesque scout is delighted to report on three book giveaways for this week. My Jane Austen Book Club is hosting a interview with Austen-inspired novelist every week. Her guest for this week is Kathryn L. Nelson whose debut novel, Pemberley Manor , a sequel to Pride & Prejudice was released by Sourcebooks a few years ago. She also regularly blogs at Austen Authors . Read their lovely interview and comment on the post with your email address to win an autographed copy of Pemberley Manor . This giveaway is international and ends next Wednesday, 18 May 2011 . In addition, there is a guest post by Anne O'Brien at Maria Grazia's other blog, Fly High! . Take a look at what the author of Devil's Consort has to say about Eleanor of Aquitaine which her novel is base on. Leave a comment with your email address at the end of the post to qualify yourself for an opportunity to win a copy of Devil's Consort . The deadline for this giveaway is on Monday, 2...

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★ I have a lot of fun reading all Janet Mullany's four novels for Little Black Dress, an imprint of Headline Publishing Group based in UK. Mr Bishop and the Actress is her latest novel released two months ago and it is a continuation of Improper Relations which I read last year. This time the focus is on the lower class with Harry Bishop, steward to Viscount Shadderly (the hero in Improper Relations ) and the notorious courtesan, mistress and actress Mrs. Sophie Wallace. Both of them got off on the wrong foot when Lord Shadderly (Shad) send his steward to rescue his cousin, Charles Fordham from financial ruin in London. At that time, Sophie Wallace is Charles's mistress but due to his situation, he has to let her go and find another protector. Sophie decides to look for another profession with the help of her school friends, Claire the Countess of Dachault and Lizzie Buglegloss, widow to a clergyman but now works as Claire's secretary. With the Count...

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★ After reading The Art of Tangled which I reviewed here , I enjoy knowing the success stories and behind-the-scenes work involved begin in making a film, whether it is live-action or animation feature. When I find this gem on display at my workplace, I knew I must put it at the top of my list of books to be read. Basically, this delightful book is split into eleven chapters from the origins of the fairytale story, initial concept of the film to the pre-production, animation process and right up to the present day with Broadway adaptation, IMAX and 3-D release. The chapter headings are recognisable as it is taken from lyrics from some of the best loved songs in the animated film and composed by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman. For instance, the first chapter, True as It Can Be is from a line from the theme song, Beauty and the Beast . This chapter tells the origins of the tale that can be traced back to Greek legend, Cupid and Psyche . It exists in ever...

Besides Susan Adriani's debut launch on 1 May, Maria Hamilton is also celebrating her book launch on the same day. Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman is Maria's first novel and is published by Sourcebooks who is renowned for publishing Jane Austen fan-fiction. Previously available on the Internet with the working title By Every Civility in his Power , the story is about the Mr. Darcy who is devastated when Elizabeth Bennet refuses his hand and makes it his mission to change in order to win her affections. Maria will be going on a promotional blog tour either to guest blog or answer interview questions regarding her novel. As with all Sourcebooks' Austenesque authors, there will be giveaways of several copies of her novel donated by her publisher. Simply leave your comments at any of the book tour but read the rules and deadline first before commenting. Please take note that shipment is to US and Canada addresses. Do visit each of the blogs below and g...

The Austenesque scout is delighted to present good news on four giveaways for this week. Stephanie has reviewed The Kitchen's Daughter by Jael McHenry at her blog at Stephanie's Written Word . You can read her review here and take part in a giveaway to win a copy of this novel donated by the publisher, Simon & Schuster. However, giveaway is only open to US and Canadian residents and to enter, leave a comment with your email address here . This contest ends at 12 noon on Friday, 6 May 2011 . As usual at My Jane Austen Book Club , Maria Grazia is continuing her weekly post of interviewing an Austenesque writer. This week, she is talking Jane Austen with Cindy Jones and Lily Berry , the protagonist of Ms Jones' recently released debut novel, My Jane Austen Summer . At the end of the short interview, there is a giveaway for an autographed copy of My Jane Austen Summer and it is open to all readers. You need to leave your comment and email address here befor...