My Love for Jane Austen

Rating: ★★★★½/★★★★★ After having read Mary Lydon Simonsen's historical tale inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in Searching for Pemberley , I am in awe of her story-telling skills. Her knowledge of past events such as the post World War II times are extensive that I long to read other novels written by her. My wish is granted when I pick up her latest work titled Darcy Goes to War . In this invective re-imagining of Pride and Prejudice , the main characters are transported right in the middle of World War II era where England is at war with Germany. As a result there is a shortage of men in the workforce as able-bodied men are required to enlisted to fight the war. Thus we find Elizabeth Bennet as a lorry driver delivering farm produce to a pub on the outskirts of Meryton before heading back home to Longbourn. In the same pub, she met Flight Lieutenant William Darcy of the Royal Air Force (RAF) who indirectly slighted her by remarking that there is little be...

After the whirlwind tour of Austenesque blogs in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice , the Austenesque scout is sharing this week's book giveaways for her loyal readers. Marilyn Brant's guest post on Fresh Fiction include a giveaway for two e-book copies of Holiday Man . So leave a comment on her post and stand the chance and win one copy for yourself. This contest is only open for one day on Monday, 28 January 2013 . Maria Grazia has spotlighted Attempting Elizabeth , the recently released novel by Jessica Grey. There are two e-book copies of Attempting Elizabeth to My Jane Austen Book Club readers so fill in the Rafflecopter form on this post by Thursday, 7 February 2013 . Maria Grazia has interviewed Tinney Sue Heath, author of A Thing Done on Fly High! . Read the transcript and fill in the Rafflecopter form to win one of two e-books of A Thing Done in Kindle or Nook format. This giveaway ends next Wednesday, 6 February 2013 .  ...

In honour of the bi-centenary publication of Pride and Prejudice today, Alyssa Goodnight and Courtney Webb have join forces to mark this memorable day in style. They have invited bloggers, authors and Austen admirers to post their love of Jane Austen's ' darling child '. So join in the celebration by visiting the following blogs where giveaways are listed. You may even be tempted to share your story, compose a letter to Jane, write fan-fiction, create an Austen-themed challenge, etc. However if you don't have a blog, you can always comment on Alyssa's post . 1) A Penguin Drop Caps edition of Pride and Prejudice @ Alyssa Goodnight 2) A Jane Austen Journal @ Stiletto Storytime 3) A copy of Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy, Vampyre @ My Love for Jane Austen (my blog) 4) An e-book copy of Sharon Lathan's Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One ( Kindle or Nook ) @ Sharon Lathan 5) Two e-books of Loving Miss Darcy by Nancy Kelley @ ...

After the successful publication of Austen tatious a year ago, Alyssa Goodnight will be officially releasing Austensibly Ordinary , her follow-up to the novel, tomorrow. If you have read the earlier novel, you may know that Jane Austen gives advice to Nicola James, a modern-day heroine living in Austin, Texas through a magical journal. Now the journal has landed on another unsuspecting woman, Cate Kendall. Just like her earlier release, Alyssa is embarking on a virtual tour to promote Austensibly Ordinary . Do join her on her stops on book blogs because several copies of new novel will be given away. Take note that some giveaways are limited to US and Canadian residents only. So follow the instructions on various blogs where she is interviewed or guest posts. The following is the list of Alyssa's blog tour schedule which also include links for giveaways and reviews: January 25th: Alyssa Goodnight's 5 BEST EVERS @ Chick Lit is not Dead 26th: Austensibly Ordinary ...

Today is a special day for Jane Austen lovers because exactly 200 years ago Pride and Prejudice appeared for the first time in print. Jane Austen's second novel was published on 28 January 1813 and is the best-loved and favourite novels of all time in polls conducted in English-speaking countries. Thus is the unique power of Pride and Prejudice where it continues to capture the readers attention two centuries later. In honour of this celebration, I am going to share my experience of this novel. I have to thank my mother for borrowing the abridged edition from her school library when I was about twelve years old. It was very different from books I usually read namely Sweet Valley High series, Enid Blyton's boarding school stories of Malory Towers and St Claire and amateur detective series featuring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. My impression of the book at that young age is of a fairytale romance with its happily ever ending. I happily return to the story a few years later...

The Austenesque scout would like to share some delightful news with her readers regarding books giveaways that are hosted on Austen-themed blogs. A guest post by Susannah Fullerton, whose book titled Celebrating Pride and Prejudice: 200 Years of Jane Austen's Masterpiece has just been published earlier this month, is available on Jane Austen in Vermont . If you like to win a copy of this book, ask Susannah a question in your comment or mention your first experience of reading Pride and Prejudice . This worldwide giveaway ends next Tuesday, 29 January 2013 at 11.59 pm . Marilyn Brant has visited her friend Robin Bielman's blog to share her newest Austenesque e-book, Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match . Stop by to read her guest post and then answer Marilyn's question about online dating in the comment section. She is offering two PDF copies of her e-book releases which are On Any Given Sundae , Double Dipping and Holiday Man . The deadline to enter this ...

Here are some of the highlights of this week's giveaways courtesy of the Austenesque scout. Do check them out. Wendi Sotis's novel titled Dreams & Expectations was reviewed on Indie Jane . If you would like to win a copy of the book, head on over to Jessica's review and fill in the Rafflecopter form . US readers will be playing for a paperback copy while another will receive an e-book version. The last day to enter this giveaway is on Monday, 21 January 2013 . Next Laurel Ann of Austenprose is highlighting The Greville Family Saga trilogy by Phillip Rock. Fans of Downton Abbey should take note because the trilogy bears a resemblance to the hit television drama. Plus there is a giveaway for a copy of The Passing Bells , Circles of Time and A Future Arrived if you leave a comment here stating what intrigues you to about this series or why read this book or why you think Downton Abbey fans should read this books. This contest is open to US and Canadian...

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★ After enjoying Prom & Prejudice , a contemporary young adult novel based on the Jane Austen's classic work, Pride and Prejudice , I am ready to dive into this type of book. Thus I have selected Epic Fail as my next read as I came to know the novel through a review on Austenprose . The Benton clan made up of four school-going girls has recently moved from the East Coast to the glittering city of Los Angeles after their parents accepted a job there. Coral Tree Prep, an exclusive high school popular with wealthy kids, is where the three eldest sisters will be studying. On the first day at their new school, Elise (Elizabeth) and Julianna (Jane) encounter a different kind of world from their upbringing where students here dress to kill and drive fancy cars. Being from Amherst, a small town in Massachusetts, Elise certainly feels out of place. However elder sister Juliana has no such problems as she befriends Chase Baldwin (Bingley) who really likes her....

The Austenesque scout welcomes you to another weekly edition of book giveaways which may be of some interest to you. Austenprose is hosting a competition to win three copies of The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era . You need to leave a comment on the post stating your favourite character in Downton Abbey and the reason why you chose him/her. The contest is limited to residents from US only and due next Wednesday, 16 January 2013 at 11.59 PT . There is a contest on Goodreads where 150 copies of Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James are offered to US readers. If you fit the bill, just sign in to your Goodreads account and request a copy before it ends on 9 February 2013 . Alyssa Goodnight has listed three copies of her upcoming release of Austensibly Ordinary to be given away on Goodreads . Note that US and Canadian residents are allowed to participate so enter the contest by 1 February 2013 . DowntOnline is hosting their fifth giveaway of five copies ...