tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30443298879619631062024-03-06T04:14:05.038-05:00For the Love of AustenKate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-51226730569369671942016-01-30T17:07:00.001-05:002016-01-30T17:08:35.466-05:00Music and Inspiration<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Short blog
post today as I am hard at work on the edits to overhaul the story of Colonel
Fitzwilliam and Lady Grace into an amazing story which I hope to publish this
year or early 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Music is a
huge part of my writing process. It helps me get to the emotion of particularly
hard scenes by setting the tone. My writing process is unique or maybe not so
unique. I have to have music to write. It helps my process. I think it makes me
a better writer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I work on
my Austenesque novel about Colonel Fitzwilliam there have been two songs which
I have deemed the theme songs of my novel. I tried to pick only one, but both
of these songs just spoke to me and they really encompass the tone of the
relationship between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sexy and playful, but with a touch of
darkness and mystery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Please take
a moment to listen to the theme songs for the romance of Colonel Fitzwilliam
and Lady Grace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Tip of my
Tongue by The Civil Wars</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H-RtrpwIME0" width="560"></iframe></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dance Me to
the End of Love by The Civil Wars</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AmbVqO9GCY0" width="420"></iframe></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You can
check out additional musical inspiration for my novel by checking out my playlist. Click on
the tab titled playlist at the top. </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-14094191421158266662016-01-18T11:10:00.001-05:002016-01-18T11:10:41.337-05:00Dusting off a manuscript and the Alpha Male……
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was going through some papers when I came across my
manuscript for my novel about Colonel Fitzwilliam and my heroine, Lady Grace.
As I read through the pages I was infused with a sense of contentment and
realized that I had been missing very much my characters and the story I was
attempting tell. The Colonel and Lady Grace deserve to have their story told.
It is a shame that I have allowed their story to collect dust for the past 2
years. Yes, it has been 2 years that I have allowed the Colonel and Lady Grace
to waste away. My only explanation was I was uninspired, not by the characters
or the story I am telling, but by my environment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2013 I married my amazing husband, who is equal parts
Capt. Wentworth and Henry Tilney. I was living in California at the time. My
husband is in the military and was stationed in North Carolina. In early 2014 I
was finally able to make the cross country move from California to North
Carolina. We were both extremely happy to be living on the same continent and
in the same place after so must time doing the long distance, but I wouldn’t
change out journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have never warmed to North Carolina, even after almost 2
years. Now, part of it could be my due to my day job which I was able to keep
when I moved. My office environment leaves must to be desired on my part, but I
am blessed in what I do have, so I cannot be overtly dissatisfied with my
current situation. In essence my current environment left me uninspired. It is
something that probably plagues writers all the time. I like to think that I have
rediscovered my inspiration and I feel inclined to finish the story of the
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Grace and in turn share it with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am hesitant though. I have indicated that I was ready to
return before, but then found myself uninspired all over again. However,
something feels different this time and I hope that this time I am truly ready
to continue on the journey I started 5 years ago. I hope that there may still
be those who are interested in the story I was trying to tell for the Colonel
and Lady Grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colonel Fitzwilliam is an alpha male and as such he has been
quite vocal in is displeasure at being pushed aside for the last two years. I
will admit that my take on the Colonel may have been a tad scandalous for the
lovely Jane Austen, but I love an alpha male. He is strong, loyal, firm in his
convictions and a bit possessive of what is his. A male who when he does fall
in love, loves his female fiercely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition, Lady Grace herself has voiced her discontent
quite a bit about the lack of resolution between her and her Colonel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In conclusion, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Grace are
demanding that I bring some resolution to their romance. It is only fair that I
appease them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What kind of hero and heroine do you like? Are there characteristics
you typically look for? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-57493525881027034452014-12-13T07:36:00.001-05:002014-12-13T07:46:15.007-05:00A REVIEW: Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mswEItk_FpGUlFuXpBkH4CeNCnuNn8F0xnOmK-7LbHYdBlPa3V_gx5wMZA-zTbIuxOa-lS5jmVQaNrGUvRgp01Ulr2Tdsp7km_lKXXhEeb5eey-pHQLOTnPcBkDUPK9cG43i_-LTm2su/s1600/blog+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mswEItk_FpGUlFuXpBkH4CeNCnuNn8F0xnOmK-7LbHYdBlPa3V_gx5wMZA-zTbIuxOa-lS5jmVQaNrGUvRgp01Ulr2Tdsp7km_lKXXhEeb5eey-pHQLOTnPcBkDUPK9cG43i_-LTm2su/s1600/blog+tour.jpg" height="158" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> Thank you to Laurel Ann Nattress (of Austenprose) for allowing me to be apart of the blog tour and giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book and thank you to Syrie James for writing it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hgH1fhuLh_Spp2jMcrmNzn2rPUS1LlBUubscUjGbpk4l6jp1tkDPG4myg9_ivhPCZjCRsUqy37pSzpk3iyKTEgBWQX4OhKNacR1T7Uonl3MS_MjLLQC4WeXh35NRnYRxEkt6xQKV0Ap6/s1600/janes+first+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hgH1fhuLh_Spp2jMcrmNzn2rPUS1LlBUubscUjGbpk4l6jp1tkDPG4myg9_ivhPCZjCRsUqy37pSzpk3iyKTEgBWQX4OhKNacR1T7Uonl3MS_MjLLQC4WeXh35NRnYRxEkt6xQKV0Ap6/s1600/janes+first+love.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Genre: Austenesque/Historical Fiction/Romance/Young Adult <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Publisher: Berkley (Penguin Group USA) <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Trade paperback ISBN: 978-0425271353<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">eBook ISBN: 978-0698139268<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I became a fan of Syrie James
after reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nocturne</i>, so when I was
asked if I might consider reviewing her latest work, I could not resist the
temptation. I find that I was not disappointed in the beautiful tale that James
has so masterfully woven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jane Austen is a precocious
fifteen year old who dreams of doing something useful, writing something of
importance and falling in love. When her older brother Edward (who was adopted
and raised by wealthier cousins) announces his engagement Jane get’s her
chance. Jane, her sister Cassandra, their brother Charles and Mother travel to
Kent to celebrate. While there Jane meets the worldly Edward Taylor and she
falls in love with him. It makes for a fascinating tale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I found exciting as I read
was the connection to the novels Austen herself wrote. A play is to be produced
at home after poor weather cancels some of their previously planned events
which is reminiscent of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mansfield Park. </i>Matchmaking
attempts gone awry such as in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emma</i>,
Sisterly bonds as in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and
Sensibility </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice, </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rapier wit as evident in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i>, and an active imagination as in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Northanger Abbey</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the book, Jane herself has the
traits of heroines in her own novels. Jane tried to be a matchmaker and just as
Emma discovered, it does not always have the results you were hoping for and
the human heart is better left to discovering its own wants and desires. Her
wit and impertinent remarks reminded me of Elizabeth Bennent in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice. </i>Jane is a bit like
Marianne Dashwood in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i>
in that she meets a dashing stranger who she falls madly in love with. We also
know that in real life Jane and her sister Cassandra had such a strong bond and
it is portrayed beautifully on the pages. There bond reminded me of Jane and
Elizabeth in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice </i>and
of Elinor and Marianne in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and
Sensibility.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all know Austen’s works and
they always say to write about what you know, so I cannot help but think that
each of Austen’s heroines had a little bit of herself in them. Or that her
novels did not have some of her own experiences in them. I wouldn’t have
expected less form James in this regard, for I feel that when she writes
something about Austen she makes sure to do her justice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jane Austen’s First Love </i>is a captivating read. Any Austen fan
would like to think that Jane herself had been in love at least once even though
she never married and this book fulfills our greatest wish as fans---to see
Austen in love. James has done her research for the novel and really brings the
characters to life. Edward Taylor was a real person and just the sort of man
Jane would have been drawn to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">James has constructed a beautiful
love story. A fitting interlude that while it brings pangs of regret for its ending
can only be looked back upon with fond remembrance. As Elizabeth Bennett said in
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i>, “Think only of
the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” This novel has given me pleasure, indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
Get this wonderful book in time for Christmas. Order by December 15th. <br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=forthelovofau-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0425271358&asins=0425271358&linkId=UYARGHTM2GXY5JER&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><br /></iframe><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">AUTHOR BIO:<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC263kUjR7oy161itrlBOGlHyppz6S8xU1wTlj1JV4TbolqUCvXPv4nT1XsohZhgIMhotxK0CIyX-YdBk3U2kOgXUgLTsMvC33kf1iyZCO1zTnv89ptq5EWzPs6XPX88ZxvLyvnZfp9Hz/s1600/syriejames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC263kUjR7oy161itrlBOGlHyppz6S8xU1wTlj1JV4TbolqUCvXPv4nT1XsohZhgIMhotxK0CIyX-YdBk3U2kOgXUgLTsMvC33kf1iyZCO1zTnv89ptq5EWzPs6XPX88ZxvLyvnZfp9Hz/s1600/syriejames.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a> <b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Syrie James</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, hailed as “the queen of nineteenth century re-imaginings” by Los Angeles Magazine, is the bestselling author of nine critically acclaimed novels that have been translated into 18 languages. Her books have been awarded the Audio Book Association Audie, designated as Editor’s Picks by Library Journal, named a Discover Great New Writer’s Selection by Barnes and Noble, a Great Group Read by the Women’s National Book Association, and Best Book of the Year by The Romance Reviews and Suspense Magazine. Syrie is a member of the WGA and lives in Los Angeles. Please visit her at </span><a href="http://syriejames.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">syriejames.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSyrieJames" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> or say hello on Twitter </span><a href="https://twitter.com/SyrieJames" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">@SyrieJames</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. <u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Syrie’s Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSyrieJames" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>AuthorSyrieJames</a><u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Syrie’s Goodreads page: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/806500.Syrie_James?from_search=true" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/<wbr></wbr>author/show/806500.Syrie_<wbr></wbr>James?from_search=true</a><u></u><u></u></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Grand Giveaway Contest<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Win One of Five Fabulous Jane Austen-inspired Prize Packages<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_GS63qgn_Qf2JyRVwKubmKYDY1ayeDWFw_QZ3Xsu89xepiEyRpphogvcQs9sBGwq0ah3snoPM1D1EWJkKMopM8kW7QQLOghexalQflUpLVY64Kimq3i5EPhcnRaJvlxt21RU_9CFpv2h/s1600/giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_GS63qgn_Qf2JyRVwKubmKYDY1ayeDWFw_QZ3Xsu89xepiEyRpphogvcQs9sBGwq0ah3snoPM1D1EWJkKMopM8kW7QQLOghexalQflUpLVY64Kimq3i5EPhcnRaJvlxt21RU_9CFpv2h/s1600/giveaway.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To celebrate the holidays and the release of </span><a href="http://www.syriejames.com/JaneAustensFirstLoveSummary.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Jane Austen's First Love</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, Syrie is giving away five prize packages filled with an amazing selection of Jane Austen-inspired gifts and books!<br /><br />To enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any of the blog stops on the </span><a href="http://www.syriejames.com/LatestNewsPage.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Jane Austen's First Love Holiday Blog Tour</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">.<br /><br />Increase your chances of winning by visiting multiple stops along the tour! Syrie's unique guest posts will be featured on a variety of subjects, along with fun interviews, spotlights, excerpts, and reviews of the novel. Contest closes at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_442008855" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">11:59pm PT, December 21, 2014</span></span>. Five lucky winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments on the tour, and announced on Syrie’s website on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_442008856" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">December 22, 2014</span></span>. The giveaway contest is open to everyone, including international residents. Good luck to all!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<br />Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-10273326095265208372014-09-29T09:00:00.000-04:002014-09-29T17:09:53.145-04:00REVIEW: A MODERN DAY SENSE AND SENSIBILITY BY KAITLIN SAUNDERS<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyJ_XsX4Ar-c4k3NsF71ouW3WeyfTQdWbmFqk7tI4rU5Sp6zKb-bIvp0-bc0iyHXEum7rKJJl7ZHP_WXtJQzy2zm4v9Fi7QfCvtozeToxgn9UZqNcTp4BCEnOL9aj44ZGT_KGu_SnMQun/s1600/senseandsense.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyJ_XsX4Ar-c4k3NsF71ouW3WeyfTQdWbmFqk7tI4rU5Sp6zKb-bIvp0-bc0iyHXEum7rKJJl7ZHP_WXtJQzy2zm4v9Fi7QfCvtozeToxgn9UZqNcTp4BCEnOL9aj44ZGT_KGu_SnMQun/s1600/senseandsense.png" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s sometimes hard to imagine a
Jane Austen story today given the change in social dynamics. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility </i>could perhaps be
on the harder Austen books to modernize, next to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mansfield Park </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Northanger
Abby</i> perhaps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Older men who marry significantly
younger women may have been necessity in Austen’s time, but it is not such a
socially accepted norm today. Marrying a person you don’t love is kind of an
archaic thought now, but I guess if you had Donald Trump assets and wanted your
child to marry into even more money that it could happen this day in age. While
we can all relate to the theme of money and the reality of having to downsize
to a lifestyle that is within our means, it is harder to imagine that one’s own
family could be cruel enough to deprive them based on a mere technicality of
not having drafted an updated will. But then is it really so hard to imagine?
People are just as unwilling to confront the possibility of their own death now
as they were back then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Kaitlin Saunders modern
adaption of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility, </i>Mr.
Dashwood did not leave a will which would have provided for his second wife
Diane and their children, Elinor (Ellie for short), Marianne or Margaret. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That lack of foresight to provide for his
family will cost them dearly. While he may have been the CEO of a successful
company and able to provide for his second family and his son, John Dashwood,
from his previous marriage, his lack of planning meant only John would inherit.
While John was willing to provide for his step-mother and half-sisters, his
money hungry wife Francil is not so desirous in sharing their newfound wealth.
Using her female attributes she persuades John that his father’s dying words on
his death bed only implied that he should give his step-mother and half-sisters
a small lump sum payment of money and the rest was to be for them and their son
Harry. I never much cared for John’s wife in Austen’s original novel, but Miss
Saunders has really made me detest her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diane Dashwood’s pain at the
unexpected death of Mr. Dashwood leapt of the pages. I found my heart strings
pulled and my emotions well up at what can only be unimaginable pain and then to
find out that your husband had never revised his will has to be truly
devastating. The unfeeling nature of Francil increases the emotional turmoil of
a reader. Diane and her daughters not only have to deal with the stages of
grief at the unexpected death of Mr. Dashwood, but they have to contend with
being forced out of the only home they have ever known. In all of Francil’s
greediness and making them feel like guests in their own home, I almost
expected Francil to demand to look through the boxes they had packed so she
could<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>make sure that they were not
taking anything that she deemed hers. She didn’t go that far, but she was
navigating that way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Diane, Ellie, Marianne and
Margaret are finally able to leave it almost comes as a relief to the reader. The
relief is overshadowed by how much their life has changed. Arriving at their
new home in Oregon is perhaps the most depressing realization that they are not
in Kansas anymore. They have gone from a beautiful arced estate to a tiny
apartment. Yet with surprising resilience they come to accept and love their
new home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the many challenges of
this adaption would be the romance of Marianne and Brandon. These days it’s a
lot harder to justify an older man marrying a significantly younger woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss Saunders handles this situation
perfectly by not really focusing on the age difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost as if by not acknowledging it
that it develops into something unimportant when the age difference is brought
up. This is no easy feat as today’s readers have an entirely different idea of
social acceptability than what was acceptable back in Austen’s time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The dislike Brandon has of
Willoughby remains in a slightly updated version of the story. Yet, with
Willoughby we retain a certain sympathy for his plight when he gets the chance
to explain himself to Ellie when Marianne is ill. In Austen’s original I cannot
say one ever feels remotely connected enough to Willoughby to give him the
chance of sympathy. Although, in Saunders version of the Marianne/Willoughby
romance one feels a sense of distrust for a stranger who shows up out of
nowhere to conveniently rescue the injured Marianne, which I do not feel we
were fully privy to in Austen’s original. It’s as if updating the story makes
you more aware of a stranger who is so charming from the start, although being
a modern retelling I feel as if we are able to get justification for
Willoughby’s actions more readily. Saunders handling of this was perfect to the
point that the satisfaction of Marianne and Brandon finally coming together was
even greater than anticipated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ellie and Edward are always my
favorite couple of the story. I have just always identified with Elinor more so
than Marianne only because I see myself in Elinor. In this adaption, Edward is
a freelance photographer and Ellie is an accountant. I think the way Saunders
tells the tale of Ellie and Edward’s romance does significant justice to them.
As readers of the original, we have always known Elinor to be the reserved one,
but it’s so poignant in the way Saunders writes Elinor that her reserved nature
practically jumps off the page to the point that you want to be able to reach
through the pages and shake her. In addition, you can feel the absolute fatigue
that Ellie feels at having to be the emotional pillar for not only Marianne,
but her mother too. I don’t think I ever really felt that way when reading
Austen’s original. I felt the love and need to support one another, but I never
had the sense that Elinor was tired or frustrated in being that emotional
pillar for her sister and mother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This adaption is a great modern
retelling of Austen’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and
Sensibility</i>. The elements of Austen’s work remain the same, but Saunders is
able to seamlessly modernize the story. It makes for an exciting read. I was
most curious to how she would create the scene when Marianne spots Willoughby
with the mysterious Miss Grey and I was not disappointed. Behind the backdrop
of a modern company party Marianne’s world comes crashing down. I felt pain and
sympathy at the final undoing of Marianne’s heartbreak and I can’t say I have
always sympathized with Marianne. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miss Saunders is able to achieve
something that not all authors can. She achieves the desire of making readers
want to read more. This is what keeps readers coming back time and time again.
She is able to create stories where the reader feels as if she is right there
with the characters. I felt this to be a delightful adaptation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i>. I cannot wait to
read more from Kaitlin Saunders. I am hoping her next modern adaptation may
involve Northanger Abbey.</span></div>
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Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-16265223672252905142013-02-03T19:44:00.001-05:002013-02-03T19:45:59.147-05:00Traversing the English Countryside with Jane<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve often
desired to hop across the pond to England just to go into the English countryside
and visit the places which Austen speaks of in her novels and places where Jane
herself lived. I have loved many authors, but none so much as our dear Jane.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3grwsmINoWQ_lvRaD8BeG-GGa4J8vvtxLehhblIB7t_hRmzJaQE4CL61YTyCviB_yuzOtvlXqTOnPSC1Bx5I70OOM08PL_ezOY5EopbnE637FbZNiP65cE_id70JRQ4DXodVN9K1B6RTE/s1600/Outside-House-by-flickr-user-starry-jen-Jane-Austen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3grwsmINoWQ_lvRaD8BeG-GGa4J8vvtxLehhblIB7t_hRmzJaQE4CL61YTyCviB_yuzOtvlXqTOnPSC1Bx5I70OOM08PL_ezOY5EopbnE637FbZNiP65cE_id70JRQ4DXodVN9K1B6RTE/s1600/Outside-House-by-flickr-user-starry-jen-Jane-Austen.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chawton House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who is to
say what it is about her that speaks to us. Her novels are like old friends
that bring us comfort or happiness when we need it most. They are timeless
treasures which each of us holds onto. This enchantment is what spurs our
desire to see the places Jane lived and those she spoke about in her novels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pride and
Prejudice is 200 years old! Who knew age could look so good, but it does. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a tour through <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Jane-Austens-English-Countryside-188361401.html" target="_blank">Jane Austen’s English Countryside</a> with Smithsonian Magazine. Read the article by Nina Fedrizzi <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Jane-Austens-English-Countryside-188361401.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope you
enjoy your journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-69753842617598411312012-11-07T19:40:00.001-05:002012-11-07T20:07:02.968-05:00If My Life Was A Jane Austen Novel<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Persuasion</i>. My
life would most closely resemble <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Persuasion</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s true. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhidlY_vYqB9Z5osqNoSP_yvLAeU0Yj3iQlUCfw4knWdLzh1QCmog1cvbf0yIdm1dZCMLO56hEds2-gMSk3L2mAa4L2dZoG9LBACXyrFQxmBaFcfnj19oxFgh60dDufD7C8Ba5h98wsj0/s1600/persuasion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhidlY_vYqB9Z5osqNoSP_yvLAeU0Yj3iQlUCfw4knWdLzh1QCmog1cvbf0yIdm1dZCMLO56hEds2-gMSk3L2mAa4L2dZoG9LBACXyrFQxmBaFcfnj19oxFgh60dDufD7C8Ba5h98wsj0/s1600/persuasion.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As many of you may have noticed my blog, my twitter feed and
my facebook page have been silent. I have been having my own Anne Elliot moment
of second chances with my Captain Wentworth. While I did not have a first round
proposal, we did have a separation of two years which was mostly through faults
of my own. We have received our second chance and I am happy to report that we
will get our happy ending. However, we must endure a 7,000 mile separation
until he is stationed stateside once again. My Wentworth is actually a U.S.
Marine currently stationed in Japan. Although, if we are comparing my other
half to a Jane Austen hero then he is more of a Henry Tilney whom we all know I
love and adore.</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In between my own <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Persuasion</i>,
I moved back to my parent’s house to save some money and pay off student loan
debt faster. That alone has been an experience all its own. Twenty-seven and
back living with your parents again, albeit temporarily, picture it. I have
also been honing my craft with my employment and my patience paid off and a
promotion opened up in our district. I am just waiting to see if I get that
promotion. There have been other life events that have occurred and I have not
had much time for writing. I am slowly making my return, however.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am so happy to be coming back to the Austen community. I
realize many of you were disappointed by my Colonel Fitzwilliam novel not
making his debut in June, but I assure you that I have not forgotten him. He
has been making his presence known to me constantly and hasn’t fared well with
my neglect. The draft is written, but first round edits are being finished
before I am able to send the pages to my beta readers. </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am also at work on other material for my other book the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Northanger Abbey Vignettes</i>. I am
currently working on a piece about Isabella Thorpe titled Mirror, Mirror. I
also have a story about John Thorpe which I had been working on before my
hiatus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, I have some book reviews which I will be posting
soon. I can’t wait to share those with you. I love to read and I enjoy sharing
my affection for the activity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello friends and please join me for a spot of tea.</span></div>
Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-32119537903634388912012-02-10T08:54:00.000-05:002012-11-07T20:07:27.264-05:00Awake: A Fairytale by Jessica Grey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqD6O7d8R263xoLKO6uWbgtFXhoTNmMz-vaE6-mkKhqdoU1HCsp9JtsEhA_KcrjoF_Pb_56rp67h-kaeMUrDnoNLeMxgPDJTDqPERpJDEsL1rCRAvNBDNqQtmgskmRYPvSD0WDzL3nWG8Z/s1600/awake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqD6O7d8R263xoLKO6uWbgtFXhoTNmMz-vaE6-mkKhqdoU1HCsp9JtsEhA_KcrjoF_Pb_56rp67h-kaeMUrDnoNLeMxgPDJTDqPERpJDEsL1rCRAvNBDNqQtmgskmRYPvSD0WDzL3nWG8Z/s1600/awake.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Awake: A Fairytale by Jessica Grey</strong></span></div>
<br />
<b>Format:</b> Kindle Edition
(Paperback coming soon)<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Tall House Books (February 4, 2012)
<br />
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<b>ASIN:</b> B0075WO1Q0 <br />
<br />
<strong>Summary:</strong><br />
<div class="productDescriptionWrapper">
<em>Alexandra Martin didn’t believe in
fairytales…<br /><br />Alex has always been more interested in rocks and science
than stories about princesses and magic. Now she’s far too busy with her summer
internship at the Gem and Mineral Museum to think about children’s stories.
Between avoiding her former best friend and high school baseball star, Luke
Reed, and trying to hide her unrequited crush on her mentor at the museum, the
real world is occupying all of her time.<br /><br />…Until she walked into
one.<br /><br />It turns out fairytales aren’t all fun and games. A curse has turned
her neat and orderly world upside down, and to break it, she bands together with
a fellow intern and a recently awakened princess who’s been asleep for 900
years. Can this trio of unlikely heroines put an end to an ominous enchantment,
discover true love, and keep an ancient and evil magic from being unleashed on
modern-day Los Angeles?</em>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fairytales have an enduring
quality and thanks to Disney every girl can dream of a Happily-Ever-After, but its
how you get there that is the true story. The work one has to do for the
relationship to succeed is what makes the ending all the more satisfying. In
fact, it is the requirement of any good relationship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Debut author Jessica Grey has
created a world suspended just above reality, but with its Los Angeles setting
it’s not a stretch. I admit that I have only ever seen the Disney film about
Sleeping Beauty and have never read the actual fairy tale, but Grey keeps the
basic Disney elements (for people like me perhaps) so that the story is not
completely unrecognizable and then Grey twists the elements to make it
exciting. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Awake</i> the tale of Sleeping
Beauty is tilted on its axis and given a dynamic and captivating new approach.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alex Martin is a classic heroine
because she doesn’t try to be one. Alex doesn’t realize the real power she
holds, literally and figuratively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
is the girl that is beautiful and smart, but does not see it herself, but our
hero Luke does. So to progress with Alex throughout the novel and to watch her
really come into herself is one of the best parts. Alex still doesn’t really
understand how others see her at the end, but she is embraced and held up by
the love and affection of Luke which is all that she needs to be successful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luke is sexy. I have a quote on
my blog which I try to live by when I create the heroes in my novels and I
think it represents Luke exceptionally well. Author Umberto Eco said “<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he
dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else”</span></em></span><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke acts in the manner of a hero, but he does
not purposefully try to be the hero. Luke’s feelings for Alex are what compel him
to act the way he does and it is because Luke is being true to himself that he
is heroic. <o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">When the romance of Luke and Alex
finally comes to fruition it is a meeting of equals and because of that we can
only imagine what an enduring relationship occurs beyond the pages of </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Awake</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">. It is relationships like the
ones in </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Awake</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> that
keep me reading because it portrays the hope that even the least conspicuous
individuals can have a happy ending.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Awake</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> has
my endorsement.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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little magic to your life and read </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Awake</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></em></div>
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Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-83019875247130964552012-01-31T23:51:00.000-05:002012-01-31T23:51:41.919-05:00Tastes of Colonel Fitzwilliam<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colonel Fitzwilliam’s tale is progressing nicely, but title wise is in an identity crisis. That will work itself out and that is not what I wanted to share with you today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did want to take a moment to share with you some insight into my Colonel Fitzwilliam. I say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my,</i>because 2012 may be the year of 3 different Colonel Fitzwilliam novels. <a href="http://austenaspirations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nancy Kelly</a>, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His Good Opinion</i> is working on her yet untitled Colonel Fitzwilliam novel. Then there is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Presumption</i> by the wonderful <a href="http://emilycasnyder.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Emily C.A.Snyder</a>, whom also wrote the wickedly funny <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nachtstürm Castle</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe my Colonel Fitzwilliam offering will perhaps be the darker of the three, but I could be wrong. Not to worry there will be plenty of romance for Colonel Fitzwilliam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What did I imagine for Colonel Fitzwilliam?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Austen herself does not tell us much about Colonel Fitzwilliam, except that he is in the military and is “about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly a gentleman”. Just the little that Austen says about Colonel Fitzwilliam leaves him open for a lot of development. Well, dear readers, I kidnapped him. I promise to give him back when I’m done, but until his tale is told then I am afraid he must stay with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colonel Fitzwilliam’s tale begins after the end of the Napoleonic Wars and after a long, fruitful career he retired. Colonel Fitzwilliam is a changed man. He must navigate a world he has not lived in often enough because he was on various campaigns for the British Crown. The Colonel and his family must become reacquainted with each other. It all creates an interesting dynamic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps, my favorite aspect of Colonel Fitzwilliam is the internal scars he carries. He was one of the few who made it home. The Colonel is dealing with the Regency equivalent of PTSD, except he could never admit to such a flaw because the closest Regency equivalent would be a medical condition known as hysteria. How is that a problem? Hysteria was largely considered a female disease which was abelieved to largely be the result of sexual dissatisfaction. In other words, men did not and could not suffer from feminine attributes. They acted like men: strong, commanding and infallible. Imagine how hard it is today for soldiers with PTSD and then imagine what it would have been like for Colonel Fitzwilliam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A tough road for Colonel Fitzwilliam follows. As I mentioned previously, there is romance, but this is a story that deals with so much more than just finding a happy ending. At least that is what I believe. Once I release the Colonel into the wild I am sure I will hear all about how I did or did not succeed, but until then the little tidbits I do share will have to sustain your curiosity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you intrigued by Colonel Fitzwilliam yet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, I want to share two more things with you. First, A peak at my chosen portrait of Colonel Fitzwilliam, which I hope serves to intrigue you. What do you think? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Secondly, a song which I think really highlights what might be the mindset of a soldier during the time. This song is placed in 1917, so somewhat past the Regency, but it’s beautiful and haunting. The lovely Niamh Parsons’s sings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope you enjoyed a little insight into Colonel Fitzwilliam. Watch my blog, visit my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKateDana" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> or wait for his book to find out more. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-36834199043883348322012-01-23T23:08:00.000-05:002012-01-24T09:17:17.526-05:00The 2012 Goal Posts or Tea Time<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone has goals and I’ll admit to not being very good
meeting certain goals, such as exercise and weight loss, but I feel like I
should always make a list of goals so I have something to aspire to each year.
Here is my list of goals for 2012.</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Publish Colonel Fitzwilliam</b>: Everyone
keeps telling me how excited they are for this book (Oh, the pressure!). I am
very intent on meeting this goal and am happy to say that rewrites are coming
along very nicely.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Northanger Abbey Vignettes</b>: As many
of you know I wrote a Northanger Abbey short story last year. Northanger Abbey
is one of my favorite Jane Austen works and I am in love with Henry Tilney. In
2012 I want to work on additional NA vignettes and compile it into a small
anthology. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Go Cruelty-free</b>: Replace all face &
body and cleaning products with cruelty-free products by year’s end. I love
animals and can’t stomach the thought of using products that have been tested
on animals. As part of my personal commitment I am making a determined effort
to only buy cruelty free products.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pay off my credit card debt</b>: I have two
remaining credit cards which need to be paid off. One of those will be paid off
by February which will leave on credit card to pay off by year’s end. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Travel to France</b>: My mom is taking a
group of high school students and adults on a ten day trip in July. The trip
will take them to France and Switzerland. I will be accompanying her and am
very excited that I will get to speak French the whole time. I have been saving
up for this trip for a while now which makes it all the more fantastic.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">JASNA AGM</b>: I would like to attend this
year’s AGM, but I am not confident that my finances will accommodate it, partly
because Goal #5 (see above). That does not mean I cannot attend the 2013 or the
2014 AGM. I lean toward 2014 only because it is in Montreal and I really look
for any excuse to speak French. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buy American Made</b>: Living in the United
States it is sad to say we outsource a lot in an effort to produce a cheaper
product. In an effort to support the economy where I live, I try, whenever
possible, to buy products Made in the U.S.A. It’s not easy and sometimes it
costs a little more, but nothing can replace the feeling you get when you feel
like you are doing something to help out.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Volunteer at my Local Library</b>: I love
to read. This year I would like to be involved with the adult reading program
which helps adults learn to read. I cannot think of anything more rewarding and
I get to share the joy of reading with another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What are your goals for 2012?</span></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-70232427452566477602012-01-01T09:00:00.000-05:002012-01-02T23:02:22.812-05:00His Good Opinion by Nancy Kelley: A Review<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT3vn3V05K_XQvSG_ugpzB4VlPsyFHJ86gPPR9Mn0MxOVbB83ZkREDHssilbTUajLsiKK-v2os-HbtKt12WySbW8fKB6ld0cECti8nnsU5v8dB1webkF3fpg_QkLdlDpTQDiMQ-0uv5T9/s1600/good+opinion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT3vn3V05K_XQvSG_ugpzB4VlPsyFHJ86gPPR9Mn0MxOVbB83ZkREDHssilbTUajLsiKK-v2os-HbtKt12WySbW8fKB6ld0cECti8nnsU5v8dB1webkF3fpg_QkLdlDpTQDiMQ-0uv5T9/s1600/good+opinion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT3vn3V05K_XQvSG_ugpzB4VlPsyFHJ86gPPR9Mn0MxOVbB83ZkREDHssilbTUajLsiKK-v2os-HbtKt12WySbW8fKB6ld0cECti8nnsU5v8dB1webkF3fpg_QkLdlDpTQDiMQ-0uv5T9/s1600/good+opinion.jpg" /></a><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">His Good Opinion</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Author: Nancy Kelley</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Publisher:</b> Smokey Rose Press (November 23, 2011) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Format:</strong> Paperback or E-book</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Language:</b> English </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ISBN-10:</b> 0984731202 </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Source:</strong> Author supplied ebook</div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A subtle charm exists between these pages about Darcy’s opinion. The desire to read this book with a cup of tea beside you while you sit on the balcony on a spring day is alluring. It invites you in for a visit and results in your longing to stay.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has long been wondered just what exactly was going through Darcy’s mind in his unconventional courtship of Elizabeth Bennet. When she set him down, most indelicately, how did he occupy himself and in turn make himself worthy of the wit and intelligence of a woman he supposed to be beneath him at one point? </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Darcy himself never did anything without purpose and at times he was deftly slow in his pursuit of particular actions. The craft of deftly noting the change in a character is difficult at best. He cannot change too quickly or it would be unbelievable, but he also cannot change too slowly or readers will think him bereft of any common sense. It has to be done just right. That has been achieved here. We are allowed to explore the twisting avenues in Darcy’s head, which allows us to come away with a better understanding of the man he is.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His Good Opinion</i> is a pleasing addition to the genre of Austenesque works. The writing it strong and specifically crafted to melt itself into Austen’s original prose, which should satisfy purists in the Austenesque genre. The story itself, while mirroring the timeline of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i>, is just as captivating as the original. In the end we are offered the answer to an age old question: What Would Mr. Darcy Do?</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Final Recommendation:</strong> Learn how to gain Darcy’s good opinion and read this book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit author Nancy Kelley at her blog <a href="http://austenaspirations.blogspot.com/">Austen Aspitations</a>.</span>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-56974537407750012992011-12-28T22:10:00.000-05:002011-12-28T22:10:30.713-05:00The Tale of a Novel and Other Tidbits<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the end of 2011 approaches, I want to give a year end wrap up and provide a look into the future. What have I been up to in 2011? Read on.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colonel Fitzwilliam’s story is developing nicely. Rewrites are going full steam ahead and are a constant companion in my life. There are some big changes going on in the manuscript and there were some technical difficulties which have made it necessary to push back my release date to June 2012.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I realize many of you will be disappointed by a later publishing date, but know that it so Colonel Fitzwilliam will be worth spending your hard earned money on. I want you to be excited to have his story in your library. I hope you will all be just as eager to get your hands on Colonel Fitzwilliam in June as you are now.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you don’t already know, I have two cats named Sonya and Sophia. Sonya and Sophia are both rescue animals that like to think they’re people. I have not yet determined which cat it is, but they like to knock over the water dish. I spend a lot of time mopping the floor. </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sophia likes burrow under the bed covers in the winter and sleep all day in their warmth. She also likes to chew on the plastic shower curtain liner.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sonya likes to look out the window and at five in the morning will paw at the shades to ensure I will wake up and open them for her. She also likes to nip at my nose when she is in a particularly loving mood.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonya</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophia</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to move to Denver, Colorado. It is a waiting game, while I patiently await an opening in one of our field offices. Maybe in 2012 I will be writing you form there and posting some fabulous pictures. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll keep you updated on that front.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, I want to thank you all for a fabulous year. I look forward to another great year and to giving you a new novel to explore. </span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What do you look forward to most in the New Year?</span></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-62722552303264112362011-12-26T19:58:00.000-05:002011-12-26T19:58:45.078-05:00Winner of Mr. Darcy Take A Wife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonRtsTQwcIEG9ADWdmMAzc6Pi74vzS8pVlX43U2lI3lfAw4-7fFqfJS9VGZT1SHLAzlL20677soi8plU_-f5jKTlEfOJUbuyCzsNVOKQjWuM5ZhUwfPXjKoagDL7k0seq5hXTLjd13M0Q/s1600/congratulations-47-95334.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonRtsTQwcIEG9ADWdmMAzc6Pi74vzS8pVlX43U2lI3lfAw4-7fFqfJS9VGZT1SHLAzlL20677soi8plU_-f5jKTlEfOJUbuyCzsNVOKQjWuM5ZhUwfPXjKoagDL7k0seq5hXTLjd13M0Q/s320/congratulations-47-95334.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">FARIDA MESTEK</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">You won a copy of Mr. Dracy Takes A Wife by Linda Berdoll</span></strong></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;">Winner was chosen by <a href="http://random.org/">Random.org</a>.</span></strong></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-37740599424058635072011-12-09T08:30:00.000-05:002011-12-09T08:30:49.064-05:00Pride and Prejudice: The Jewess and the Gentile by Lev Raphael: A Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Evk7cbppysGLrOaUgUzUjYQ4mjDITsG8SQLfS6JRSRIwEm6fSYr4vrDYjgItKnBKBjGUAFvVpDqK0qJWtoDgQhk2oQ4FZvs9VIT7zt5RHD4ukb96d6xDpevuHarbE9TavH45IqwlmNhY/s1600/Pride_and_Prejudice__The_Jewess_and_the_Gentile_-_Lev_Raphael-200x267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Evk7cbppysGLrOaUgUzUjYQ4mjDITsG8SQLfS6JRSRIwEm6fSYr4vrDYjgItKnBKBjGUAFvVpDqK0qJWtoDgQhk2oQ4FZvs9VIT7zt5RHD4ukb96d6xDpevuHarbE9TavH45IqwlmNhY/s1600/Pride_and_Prejudice__The_Jewess_and_the_Gentile_-_Lev_Raphael-200x267.jpg" /></a><br />
Pride and Prejudice: The Jewess and the Gentile<br />
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By: Jane Austen and Lev Raphael<br />
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ASIN: B005FQ1FMG <br />
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Format: E-book only<br />
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Source: Supplied by the Author<br />
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Pride and Prejudice with a spice of Jewish flare. We know the story so famously written by Jane Austen that I won’t go into the particulars again. Lev Raphael offers us a nice dose of Austen, which remains virtually unchanged. Purists will delight in this offering, but those looking for something more may be disappointed.<br />
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<div style="border: currentColor;">I enjoyed this novel. What I did know to be Mr. Raphael’s contributions where witty, funny and well composed. Mrs. Bennet as a <em>yenta</em> was actually quite appropriate and I laughed quite a few times at her carefully placed Yiddish sayings. The conflict of Elizabeth being a Jewess and Darcy being a gentile was staged delicately, providing just enough tension to make their romance rocky.</div><div style="border: currentColor;"><br />
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<div style="border: currentColor;">I was disappointed in this Jane Austen retelling. I had high expectations for what I presumed to be a fresh take on the Austenesque novel. I was disappointed because I saw so much potential. For anyone familiar with Jewish history there is the basic knowledge that they have not had it easy. While I would not look for Mr. Raphael to make any political statements, my point is there is so much more Mr. Raphael could have done with the Jewess and Gentile aspect of the novel.</div><div style="border: currentColor;"><br />
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<div style="border: currentColor;">Mr. Raphael could have really placed his mark, but he fell short by playing it safe. When I read an Austenesque novel I want to know the author has placed their mark on it. I know who Jane Austen is, but who are you and what makes your Austen novel so different? There was too much Austen and not enough Lev Raphael. As I mentioned earlier Raphael could have really played with the Jewess and Gentile aspect, but didn’t.</div><div style="border: currentColor;"><br />
</div><div style="border: currentColor;">Despite my gripes, I would recommend this novel if you are looking for a light Austen diversion.<br />
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</div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-91705915736212938912011-11-06T02:00:00.000-05:002011-11-06T02:00:01.212-05:00A Modern Day Persuasion by Kaitlin Saunders: A Review<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNiWyLpzjy8sw8vhcgLoA6_b9kTJxx7hYoZNHoA-vzMOSpdQLi1zD-o8eHB7hnjzdG8YWI959hTB2YPSAaEy35Eb11PXV_Ifc-D7hzxD25xRsiWODddPujgGs-xS8r8U7HO2-rYE6U8Sd/s1600/A-Modern-Day-Persuasion.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNiWyLpzjy8sw8vhcgLoA6_b9kTJxx7hYoZNHoA-vzMOSpdQLi1zD-o8eHB7hnjzdG8YWI959hTB2YPSAaEy35Eb11PXV_Ifc-D7hzxD25xRsiWODddPujgGs-xS8r8U7HO2-rYE6U8Sd/s1600/A-Modern-Day-Persuasion.png" /></a><em></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">A Modern Day Persuasion</span></strong></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">By: Kaitlin Saunders</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">ISBN-10: 1439261172</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Source: Author supplied copy</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Persuasion</em> is one of those novels that are timeless. A tale of second chances for the love of a lifetime, which has the power to completely disarm you and something you never recover from. Persuasion is one of Jane Austen’s most emotional novels for this very reason.</div><br />
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</div>It was with great delight that I read Kaitlin Saunders modern take on Persuasion.<em> A Modern Day Persuasion</em> packs an emotional wallop and there were moments where I found myself tearing up, having a lot to do with Miss Saunders impeccable writing.<br />
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Anne is a greeting card designer, which given her emotional and compassionate heart is a great career. I always knew that her family walked all over her, but in the modern adaptation it was much more apparent. I found myself gritting my teeth about how uncompassionate her sisters, and even her father, were. Anne has always been the adult of the family and the weariness, coupled with her heartbreak, shows how vulnerable she really is.<br />
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Mary, Elizabeth and Mr. Elliot all have the characteristics of their original counterparts, but they are more developed. Mr. Elliot comes across as a bit softer, yet he still is careless in his concern or Anne. Mary and Elizabeth are only concerned with themselves and they were well-developed ‘villainous’ characters. You just want to wonk them over the head with a nice, fat, leather bound book.<br />
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Now, dashing Wentworth still get’s to don a naval uniform, but he makes his money as an author. His actions when he and Anne meet again after so long are not so nice. He’s a prat who redeems himself in the end, of course. He does soften toward Anne as time proceeds and then there is that letter. Oh, that letter!<br />
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I really liked this modern interpretation of <em>Persuasion</em>, especially since this is only my second time reading a modern Austenesque novel. It kept all the themes and main plot points of the original so that you knew you were reading Persuasion, but there were some surprises in the pages. I really felt Anne’s pain when Wentworth reentered her life and I also felt how suffocating it must have been to have a family like hers. Captivating, engaging and delightful are all that my final words can convey.<br />
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<em>A Modern Day Persuasion</em> is a must if you enjoy Austen inspired novels. Miss Saunders has done a fantastic job and I look forward to her next publication.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>Final recommendation: A modern Persuasion worth reading.</strong></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=forthelovofau-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1439261172&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-23324739050702535452011-11-04T03:00:00.000-04:002011-11-04T08:56:48.608-04:00Why Jane Austen?, by Rachel M Brownstein: A Review<span style="color: black;"><strong>Guest Review by Laura Handlin (@opheliacat on Twitter)</strong></span> <br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Explaining Jane</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BLk3m8AYPjI4rFud-PO5JzRLmvAW1m3iJuaS_B4_OdSgwpt0eyYM_yVfKPAoVBMedKdxmR_VxXqonTnjI33LsNBumLhAcR1YnrfZl6Conm-UsqK0Bv8drXjkzWqZ7mrOPlQ76aFus0ur/s1600/why-jane-austen-rachel-brownstein-2011-x-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BLk3m8AYPjI4rFud-PO5JzRLmvAW1m3iJuaS_B4_OdSgwpt0eyYM_yVfKPAoVBMedKdxmR_VxXqonTnjI33LsNBumLhAcR1YnrfZl6Conm-UsqK0Bv8drXjkzWqZ7mrOPlQ76aFus0ur/s200/why-jane-austen-rachel-brownstein-2011-x-200.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Why Jane Austen?</em> is not only the title of Rachel M. Brownstein’s book—it is a provocatively posed question, open, like so much about Austen and her work, to multiple interpretations. Brownstein’s purpose is, in part, to try “to account for the continuing popularity of the novelist and her novels . . . ” The title is also a nod to scholar and critic Lionel Trilling’s final, unfinished essay, “Why We Read Jane Austen.” Through references to Trilling as well as to numerous other critics, Brownstein shepherds the reader through the changing trends in Austen criticism from the nineteenth century to the present. These critical writings draw upon an area of scholarly endeavor of which even Austen’s most dedicated readers, unless they are scholars themselves, may not be aware.</div><br />
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The prevailing views of Austen have changed over time: early twentieth-century writers viewed her as socially conservative writer who was approved of the conventional society depicted in her novels. The feminist revolution of the 1970s brought about a change in the way critics viewed women writers; their works were examined, for the first time, as products of the female experience—a development that led, one could argue, to a resurgence of interest in Austen. Scholars also began to examine her writings in the context of history, including ever-present background of the Napoleonic Wars. The 1990s—and the films and mini-series of Austen’s books that became so popular in that decade—played up the subversive, satiric side of the novels, the “inside joke” that she shares with her readers (an aspect of her writing that Brownstein illustrates at length). This historical tour of works about Austen makes her seem like a kind of Regency Rorschach, a mirror each age holds up to itself in order to illustrate the values and issues it deems important.<br />
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Although the book is divided into chapters with specific subject matter, it seems to blend into a whole, becoming more of a meditation on Austen and an eclectic, although at times unsorted, treasure trove of information about the author, her life, times, and work. Brownstein is a professor of English Literature at Brooklyn College, and some of the book’s most interesting and illuminating offerings are her accounts of how she teaches Austen to her classes—introducing students at a large, public, urban school to the world of early nineteenth-century rural English gentry. The students’ questions and her responses make fascinating reading, and are windows into an accomplished and knowledgeable teacher’s classroom techniques.<br />
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<em>Why Jane Austen?</em> contains lots of treats for the Austen devotee, in particular an in-depth analysis of Emma as well as a discussion of English tourism, the cult of scenery, and visits to great houses (Pemberley, anyone?) This includes a mention of what is known as the Frog service of tableware—painted with views of England—that the firm of Wedgwood and Bentley made for Catherine the Great of Russia in 1773–74, a highly publicized commission that jump-started, if you’ll pardon the pun, the English craze for scenery—at a time when travel to the Continent was limited by world events and domestic travel in England became very fashionable. <br />
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There is also, of course, Jane Austen the woman—who remains an elusive figure despite all the attempts that have been made to learn more about her from her novels and any other evidence researchers can find. The reticence that Austen displayed in life, Brownstein argues, was a “conscious aesthetic choice,” a rejection of what Coleridge called the “age of personality”—and he had never even seen a reality TV show.<br />
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In the introduction, the author describes her work as “biographical criticism,” telling readers that she provides “no bright new take on Jane Austen.” She offers, instead, an enticing assortment of thoughtful analysis, historical context, literary criticism, and personal anecdotes. We continue to read Austen and to reread her because, as Brownstein says, we see ourselves in the novels—and maybe because we think Jane Austen can see us. <br />
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</div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-45759792884615980542011-10-29T10:00:00.000-04:002011-10-29T11:02:14.471-04:00JANE AUSTEN FOR PRESIDENT<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Jane Austen for President!</span></strong> That was the subject of an email I received in my inbox and naturally I was intrigued. After finding out more about <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Gone Reading</strong></span> and Founder and CEO Brad Wirz, I am pleased to inform you, my dear readers, about this amazing philanthropic organization.<br />
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I consider Janeites to be some of the most literary individuals on the planet and we cannot imagine a world without books. Well, neither can <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Gone Reading</span></strong>, which was founded on the simple idea of bringing “the magic effect of reading to places where it doesn’t exist.” It is <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Gone Reading’s</strong></span> belief that when people have access to reading materials that their life can change for the better. Wouldn’t our dear Jane approve? After all it was her witty pen which declared that “after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxu27g1S8G11c0-V3qAasn04y7cLjW00KXOceuDBCI-6wb4xnEdQ2xVQMGbLRqp86Uka_oBdwEUcc89rp9b7Bus_MIJdhlGfRbBO5s9DaweEOj_juyIOk4suTOSrSxVFQ96z2pw-iLc_C/s1600/JaneAustenforPresident-From-GoneReading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxu27g1S8G11c0-V3qAasn04y7cLjW00KXOceuDBCI-6wb4xnEdQ2xVQMGbLRqp86Uka_oBdwEUcc89rp9b7Bus_MIJdhlGfRbBO5s9DaweEOj_juyIOk4suTOSrSxVFQ96z2pw-iLc_C/s320/JaneAustenforPresident-From-GoneReading.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Gone Reading</span></strong> has pledged to donate 100% of their company profits to fund new reading libraries and other literacy projects in the developing world. Fantastic! By purchasing gifts for you or your bibliophile friends you can help bring the joy of reading to others.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This brings me to the novel idea of <span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>Jane Austen for President</em></span>. As election season approaches for the 2012 season we can campaign for our favorite literary leader who understands human nature with wit, prose and a keen intellect and help a great cause. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pick up your <em><span style="color: #cc0000;">Jane Austen for President</span></em> coffee mugs for the office and a water bottle for when you walk your dog.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Don’t forget to pick up a <span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>Jane Austen for President 2012</em></span> t-shirt so your pooch can be the envy of all the other dogs at the bark park.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You should probably pick up a book bag too as it’s sure to spread the word about our dear Jane.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are plenty of <span style="color: #cc0000;"><u><a href="http://gonereading.com/site/our-gifts-for-readers/jane-austen-gifts/">Jane Austen gifts</a></u></span> in the <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Gone Reading</strong></span> <strong><u><a href="http://gonereading.com/site/">online store</a></u></strong> as well as other great products for you. Remember <strong>100%</strong> of the profits go to fund new reading libraries and other literary projects. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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I also hope you will join me in the <span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>Jane Austen for President 2012</em></span> campaign. Oh, did I mention Mr. Wirz reads Austen too? <br />
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Visit The <u><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/gonereadingstore"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Gone Reading</span></strong> Online Store</a></u>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">FIND OUT MORE at <a href="http://www.gonereading.com/">http://www.gonereading.com/</a> </span></strong></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-38976310991598097962011-10-23T19:57:00.000-04:002011-10-23T19:57:53.131-04:00Jane Austen Made Me Do It Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress: A Review<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZN6ebvM0fKeT3jzAJzkhQkeFyAA_qCjurbHD1XIwTUWUxgqHI2bDsuIrk4-GLUvUJIEr_mS5B1ezZ4wSIGXOZnCsejMZqutpeAnRiRmbz8YcsKCD15jn5yI0wqcAmZDhEfK7HcP_sRYM/s1600/jane-austen-made-me-do-it-edited-by-laurel-ann-nattress-2011-x-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZN6ebvM0fKeT3jzAJzkhQkeFyAA_qCjurbHD1XIwTUWUxgqHI2bDsuIrk4-GLUvUJIEr_mS5B1ezZ4wSIGXOZnCsejMZqutpeAnRiRmbz8YcsKCD15jn5yI0wqcAmZDhEfK7HcP_sRYM/s1600/jane-austen-made-me-do-it-edited-by-laurel-ann-nattress-2011-x-200.jpg" /></a></div><strong><span style="color: magenta;">JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;">Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;">Publisher: Ballantine Books</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;">Paperback: 464 pages. Also avaliable as an e-book.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;">ISBN: 979-0-345-52496-6</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;">Source: Supplied by the editor</span></strong><br />
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Laurel Ann Nattress (of <a href="http://austenprose.com/">Austenprose.com</a>) should be proud of her achievement as represented in the <em>Jane Austen Made Me Do It </em>(JAMMDI) anthology. The short stories complied here are a reminder to us of the enduring heart of Austen which acts as old friends to us. We all come to Austen for various reasons, but just like a cold winter’s night curled up on the couch under a blanket, with a cup of hot cider, we find a familiar comfort that only Austen can give. <br />
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I am going to do this book review a little differently as this is an anthology and not a full length novel. I am going to talk about a few of my favorite stories and some of my not so favorite stories.<br />
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<strong>NOTABLE FAVORITES:</strong><br />
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<em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jane Austen’s Nightmare</span></em> by Syrie James: A clever story which asks the question, what would happen if Jane Austen met her literary creations? Not all her creations are happy with their portrayals either. Syrie draws on factual accounts of how Austen’s works were received when they first published which adds a sense of realism to the story, in addition to being cleverly funny. This story just proves why Syrie James is one of my favorite authors. <br />
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<em><span style="color: #0b5394;">When Only a Darcy Will Do</span></em> by Beth Pattillo: The plot: an American girl studying in London, England who is trying to make ends-meat by giving Jane Austen tours and finding the Mr. Darcy she didn’t realize was there. This is an enchanting tale with an unexpected ending.<br />
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<em><span style="color: #0b5394;">What Would Austen Do?</span></em> by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway: Having a male lead, not a female lead, was a fresh change which I can support. This story was laugh-out-loud funny and well written. A high school boy is accused of doing something improper (like drugs) by school administrators because he has good manners and dresses differently from all the other kids. GASP! This was a charming tale and was cleverly done.<br />
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<em><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Love Letter</span></em> by Brenna Aubrey: The winner of the JAMMDI contest and a well deserved winner at that. She writes a modern twist on <em>Persuasion</em>, which is wonderfully executed and exhibites the same tense emotion of the original work which inspired it. I just have one question: Did our hero pass his medical boards or not? <br />
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<strong>NOTABLY LIKED FOR ITS NOTABLE DIFFERENCE</strong><br />
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<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Chase</span></em> by Carrie Bebris: This story stood out because it is not inspired by an Austen work and is not about Austen herself. This story is about her brother Francis William Austen and it focuses on a particular battle in his Navel career which helped elevate him to post-captain. I really enjoyed this story as it was off the beaten path. It was almost out of place in the anthology, but not quite. This is a gem hidden within. <br />
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<strong>HONORABLE MENTIONS</strong><br />
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<em><span style="color: #274e13;">A Night at Northanger</span></em> by Lauren Willig<br />
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<em><span style="color: #274e13;">Jane and the Gentleman Rogue: Being a fragment of a Jane Austen mystery</span></em> by Stephanie Barron<br />
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<em><span style="color: #274e13;">Jane Austen, Yeah,Yeah,Yeah!</span></em> By Janet Mullany<br />
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<em><span style="color: #274e13;">Jane Austen and the Mistletoe</span> <span style="color: #274e13;">Kiss</span></em> by Jo Beverley<br />
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<strong>STORIES NOT SO LIKED</strong><br />
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<em><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Note: The opinions expressed below are merely that, opinions, and are in no way a reflection on the talent of the author’s themselves. For we know these authors are talented and that we cannot dispute. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: purple;">Faux Jane</span></em> by F.J. Meier: The ability of the author (a husband and wife team) is not in dispute, but I did not like this story at all. I couldn’t warm to the characters, the dialogue was difficult to follow and I felt this story was poorly executed.<br />
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<em><span style="color: purple;">Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane</span></em> by Adriana Trigiani: This wasn’t a bad story, but a minor quibble of mine keeps me from embracing it wholeheartedly. This is a letter from Jane Austen to her soon to be married niece Anna. A Regency piece that had me up until the mention of tweets, emails and text messaging which caused me to discredit the story. Like I said it is a minor quibble, but a quibble none the less. <br />
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<em><span style="color: purple;">Me and Mr. Darcy, Again</span></em> by Alexandra Potter: I really wanted to like this story, but I just couldn’t. Emily, our heroine, has hopped across the pond on an impromptu vacation after a fight with her boyfriend Spike. She can also see Mr. Darcy and this is where my problems arose. I’m not against fictional characters being given a life of their own in a story, but in this story it just didn’t feel right. It felt forced in order to drive the plot. My response to this story was merely tepid. <br />
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With a few notable exceptions, I enjoyed every story in this anthology. The stories that appear are a tribute to what Jane Austen has given us and are a stunning example of how she continues to inspire us.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Final Recommendation: For admirers of Austen, you will enjoy this anthology of Austen inspired shorts.</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Editor Bio:</strong> <br />
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A life-long acolyte of Jane Austen, Laurel Ann Nattress is the author/editor of Austenprose.com a blog devoted to the oeuvre of her favorite author and the many books and movies that she has inspired. She is a life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, a regular contributor to the PBS blog Remotely Connected and the Jane Austen Centre online magazine. Classically trained as a landscape designer at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, she has also worked in marketing for a Grand Opera company and at present she delights in introducing neophytes to the charms of Miss Austen’s prose as a bookseller at Barnes & Noble. An expatriate of southern California, Laurel Ann lives in a country cottage near Snohomish, Washington where it rains a lot. Visit Laurel Ann at her blog <a href="http://austenprose.com/">Austenprose – A Jane Austen Blog</a>, on Twitter as <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Austenprose">@Austenprose</a>, and on Facebook as Laurel Ann Nattress. <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=forthelovofau-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0345524969&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-75863010349875964842011-10-19T00:01:00.000-04:002011-10-23T20:17:49.942-04:00October with Jane Austen: The New Releases Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEC7fXUMhsdXnWn6BK1Lo9y1_-GQsSDZOMi4ImoAHrm9ta_CgAyNmMLpC2qWYecx_WLmu7ermX8s6t6P4DuCRfGmHjF9sINpjGhsXh2xSE_-rBdPipNp7kNSx2Vby1XJUqn6ELBTKN9Kt/s1600/bloodpers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEC7fXUMhsdXnWn6BK1Lo9y1_-GQsSDZOMi4ImoAHrm9ta_CgAyNmMLpC2qWYecx_WLmu7ermX8s6t6P4DuCRfGmHjF9sINpjGhsXh2xSE_-rBdPipNp7kNSx2Vby1XJUqn6ELBTKN9Kt/s200/bloodpers.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>By: Janet Mullany</strong></span><br />
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<em>It is 1810, and the Damned are out of favor—banished from polite society. Jane Austen’s old undead friends have become new neighbors, raising hell in her tranquil village just in time to interrupt Jane’s work on what will be her masterpiece. Suddenly Jane’s niece is flirting dangerously with vampires, and a formerly respectable spinster friend has discovered the forbidden joys of intimate congress with the Damned (and is borrowing Jane’s precious silk stockings for her assignations). Writing is simply impossible now, with murderous creatures prowling the village’s once-peaceful lanes. And with the return of her vampire characteristics, a civil war looming between factions of the Damned, and a former lover who intends to spend eternity blaming her for his broken heart, Jane is facing a very busy year indeed. </em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXURjv0t0M1CqylvuJCxLkDYuY1qApT93hj2-lPZoS5S27cyQwUTRBZM5jGo9KJJeCpSynS8gJyS1oHrAQRBWoi2LfOlKfKTxwdTreqxUh260A6VIGhsvWe5pIkeh1EAusWvjT1a7x5v6/s1600/mr-darcys-bite-by-mary-simonsen-2011-x-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXURjv0t0M1CqylvuJCxLkDYuY1qApT93hj2-lPZoS5S27cyQwUTRBZM5jGo9KJJeCpSynS8gJyS1oHrAQRBWoi2LfOlKfKTxwdTreqxUh260A6VIGhsvWe5pIkeh1EAusWvjT1a7x5v6/s200/mr-darcys-bite-by-mary-simonsen-2011-x-200.jpg" width="130" /></a> <br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><strong>Mr. Darcy's Bite</strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong>By Mary Lydon Simonsen</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Mr. Darcy has a secret...</em></div><br />
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<em>Darcy is acting rather oddly. After months of courting Elizabeth Bennet, no offer of marriage is forthcoming and Elizabeth is first impatient, then increasingly frightened. For there is no denying that the full moon seems to be affecting his behavior, and Elizabeth's love is going to be tested in ways she never dreamed...</em><br />
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<em>Darcy has more than family pride to protect: others of his kind are being hunted all over England and a member of Darcy's pack is facing a crisis in Scotland. It will take all of Elizabeth's faith, courage, and ingenuity to overcome her prejudice and join Darcy in a Regency world she never knew existed.</em><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><strong>By Jennifer Becton</strong></span><br />
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<em>When Charles Bingley and Mr. Darcy made proposals of marriage to the Bennet sisters at the end of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Caroline Bingley was both distressed by her brother's choice of bride and humiliated by Mr. Darcy's rejection of her. And she made her objections known. </em><br />
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<em>Now banished from her brother's household, Caroline must return to her mother's home in the north of England until she can make amends with both Bennet sisters. Desperate though Caroline may be to return to polite company, she absolutely refuses to apologize to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and instead, she seeks an alternative route back into society in the form of Mr. William Charlton, heir to a barony. </em><br />
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<em>Through her connections with Mr. Charlton's sister Lavinia, Caroline begins to infiltrate the household in the hopes of securing the gentleman and his title for herself. However, she must also contend with her vexing emotions regarding Mr. Patrick Rushton, a once-wealthy landowner, and the meddlesome opinions of Mrs. Rosemary Pickersgill, the companion sent by her brother. </em><br />
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<em>When all that Caroline has ever dreamed of attaining--an ancient family name, a title, and a home of her own--is finally within her reach, will she grasp for it even if it means disregarding the workings of her own heart? Or will she cast off the trappings of society and give herself to true love? </em><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong><span style="color: magenta;">Jane Austen Made Me Do It</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong><span style="color: magenta;">Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
<em>Stories by: Lauren Willig • Adriana Trigiani • Jo Beverley • Alexandra Potter • Laurie Viera Rigler • Frank Delaney & Diane Meier • Syrie James • Stephanie Barron • Amanda Grange • Pamela Aidan • Elizabeth Aston • Carrie Bebris • Diana Birchall • Monica Fairview • Janet Mullany • Jane Odiwe • Beth Pattillo • Myretta Robens • Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway • Maya Slater • Margaret C. Sullivan • and Brenna Aubrey, the winner of a story contest hosted by the Republic of Pemberley</em></div><em></em><br />
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<em>“My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” If you just heaved a contented sigh at Mr. Darcy’s heartfelt words, then you, dear reader, are in good company. Here is a delightful collection of never-before-published stories inspired by Jane Austen—her novels, her life, her wit, her world. </em><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEntUsS9E41Mpb8bXsFNP_-dBdNtxffBSti3BRWdvbuMdh03pnf3Ae-7sJoPttjbkg_gWEy_TRudDvFGLYbav8aWJJlArsUW_5MrQPuZgEtw_X14QY2gt6sNp4qoEasrYtOeARrTSBAT3/s1600/Pride_and_Prejudice__The_Jewess_and_the_Gentile_-_Lev_Raphael-200x267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEntUsS9E41Mpb8bXsFNP_-dBdNtxffBSti3BRWdvbuMdh03pnf3Ae-7sJoPttjbkg_gWEy_TRudDvFGLYbav8aWJJlArsUW_5MrQPuZgEtw_X14QY2gt6sNp4qoEasrYtOeARrTSBAT3/s200/Pride_and_Prejudice__The_Jewess_and_the_Gentile_-_Lev_Raphael-200x267.jpg" width="149" /></a> <br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Pride and Prejudice: The Jewess and the Gentile</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">By Jane Austen and Lev Raphael</span></strong><br />
<em>Get ready for Pride and Prejudice with brisket. Lizzy Bennet's an Anglo-Jew with a Jewish mother, some Jewish attitude, and lots to say about Mr. Darcy, who has some serious attitude problems of his own when it comes to “Hebrews.” When these two proud people meet, is it still love at first...slight? Will prejudice keep them from bridging the gap between Jew and Gentile? Austen's classic novel gains new layers of comedy and drama in this subtle, ingenious mash-up. There are no monsters here. Raphael doesn't do violence do Austen's text, but lovingly and meticulously reinvents the book and helps readers see it and Regency England through a brand new prism.</em><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzBwRVul3t_ETBPiE-etS37UaBQg6hjIofLMKTXbtZ-cRmKG0mxCNa775Q_WMiXp22ixWrNuUqdEYFzp66Tmz9LaB-v_5DGKmFUAU3r6igI_QEKB34_8NSCgt44b677So8VEUSM70lOIk/s1600/mr-darcys-undoing-by-abigail-reynolds-2011-x-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzBwRVul3t_ETBPiE-etS37UaBQg6hjIofLMKTXbtZ-cRmKG0mxCNa775Q_WMiXp22ixWrNuUqdEYFzp66Tmz9LaB-v_5DGKmFUAU3r6igI_QEKB34_8NSCgt44b677So8VEUSM70lOIk/s200/mr-darcys-undoing-by-abigail-reynolds-2011-x-200.jpg" width="142" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzBwRVul3t_ETBPiE-etS37UaBQg6hjIofLMKTXbtZ-cRmKG0mxCNa775Q_WMiXp22ixWrNuUqdEYFzp66Tmz9LaB-v_5DGKmFUAU3r6igI_QEKB34_8NSCgt44b677So8VEUSM70lOIk/s1600/mr-darcys-undoing-by-abigail-reynolds-2011-x-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mr. Darcy's Undoing</span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">By Abigail Reynolds</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><em>A passionate new Pride and Prejudice variation explores the unthinkable-Elizabeth accepts the proposal of a childhood friend before she meets Darcy again. When their paths cross, the devastated Mr. Darcy must decide how far he'll go to win the woman he loves. How can a man who prides himself on his honor ask the woman he loves to do something scandalous? And how can Elizabeth accept a loveless marriage when Mr. Darcy holds the key to her heart? As they confront family opposition and the ill-will of scandal-mongers, will Elizabeth prove to be Mr. Darcy's undoing?</em></div><em></em><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: right;"></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-46213647151441821402011-09-22T09:23:00.000-04:002011-09-22T09:24:54.583-04:00Why Jane Austen? by Rachel M Brownstein: A Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC_fKzUh8FsXdJCfi5oB8Yrj6tQvvqHg72bBqfFAG3nldyHDYg2CvuSiCGG0hnCB9j5ipyFQZs-Pe15zUKY35Nh5RR8pUy0hqA-V3HhgToMV_DIjKyAmEsAsPwEtrmZIX3bV756O1Q5Td/s1600/why-jane-austen-rachel-brownstein-2011-x-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC_fKzUh8FsXdJCfi5oB8Yrj6tQvvqHg72bBqfFAG3nldyHDYg2CvuSiCGG0hnCB9j5ipyFQZs-Pe15zUKY35Nh5RR8pUy0hqA-V3HhgToMV_DIjKyAmEsAsPwEtrmZIX3bV756O1Q5Td/s1600/why-jane-austen-rachel-brownstein-2011-x-200.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong><em>Why Jane Austen?</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>Author: Rachel M. Brownstein</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>Hardcover: 320 pages </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>Publisher: Columbia University Press (June 28, 2011) </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>ISBN-10: 0231153902 </strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Source: Supplied by the Author's Public Relations Dept.</span></strong><br />
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I have to admit for all my love of Jane Austen I have never picked up a biography, except the ones in the front of her novels, which admittedly are brief. Yet, that doesn’t mean I don’t like the art of opposing viewpoints. It’s the one thing I miss about Graduate School----the critical analysis. When the opportunity to read and review Rachel M Brownstein’s <em>Why Jane Austen?</em>, I jumped at the chance.<br />
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This book fed my academic loving heart. Miss Brownstein takes a critical look at what draws us to Jane Austen and what makes us stick around. Pop culture is a funny thing as it can cultivate or destroy a beautiful thing. Jane Austen has caught onto the masses like a fever that refuses to abate. So, really what does draw us to Miss Austen?<br />
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It seems and I am not surprised after my foray into Women’s Studies that Jane Austen is tied to, at least in critic’s minds, feminism. Brownstein brings this to our attention and explores what it is about Jane Austen that ties her to feminism or the belief in general. Let me not dissuade you into assuming this book is all about feminism, let me caution you for a moment to say that while a look at Jane Austen and feminism is certainly a theme throughout the book that it is in no way the main stage. <br />
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Brownstein takes a look through out to study at the use of language in Jane Austen. For example, just moving the word truth to a different area of a sentence can change the meaning entirely and Jane Austen was a master at it. In fact I had not even considered the implications because I read Jane Austen just because I enjoy it, but perhaps I should pay more attention to Austen’s prose. <br />
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Taking a look at each of Jane Austen’s works Brownstein takes us on a riveting ride throughout. As I mentioned earlier this is a critical analysis of Jane Austen and what her work meant and still means today. Of all her novels <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> (P&P) is a favorite of most of us. There is a charm about it. Something I did not know is that <em>Mansfield Park</em> (MP) was the novel Austen published after P&P. MP is usually the least favorite of the Austen novels. What inspired Austen to write two dramatically different novels?<br />
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I could go on about how Brownstein deftly takes a look at Austen in film, the desire for Austen prequels/sequels and how something of a bygone era continues to draw us to her. Brownstein makes you think---stop and consider and reconsider----your views on Jane Austen.<br />
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However there is something almost more interesting than Jane Austen herself in Brownstein’s book and that is a look at Lord Byron and other authors which may have influenced Austen, but by far Lord Byron is the best. Mr. Darcy is an iconic Byronic hero. Was that Jane Austen’s aim? Lord Byron is the antithesis of Jane Austen. For all of Byron’s impropriety Jane Austen counters it with her proper novels. It was a debate, sadly I had been unaware of, but now that I know of it I am intrigued. Brownstein does much to abate my intrigue by exploring the Byron connection.<br />
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Wollstonecraft is the perpetuated mother of feminism in academia, also arguably the predecessor of the Byronic approach to human emotion. There are shades of Wollstonecraft in Austen argues Brownstein. They are products of romanticism, a period in literature which gave us arguably the best classics. <br />
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Brownstein’s look at Jane Austen and why we gravitate toward her kept me riveted. It’s intelligent work like hers that make me fall in love with reading again. <em>Why Jane Austen</em> should be a part of any Austen devotee’s curriculum.Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-9312511016974971872011-09-21T09:00:00.000-04:002011-09-21T09:00:03.773-04:00Colonel Fitzwilliam, You're a Darling!If you haven't already check out my Colonel Fitzwilliam on <a href="http://indiejane.org/">IndieJane</a>. He's pretty sexy!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I wanted to do a short post to update you all on my book. I have never considered myself having a huge social life, but it has suddenly exploded. I have invitations flying at me right and left, which means less time to devote to writing. As much as I would like to dream about being a full time writer I do work 8 hrs a day (sometimes on Saturdays too), plus my outside commitments. My point is my edits are going slower than anticipated. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVZkgcnQ2R6WeAEEdZvopbm2-u2cJAuGN8ZbwszjuwTtlVjNgAtVigaydUji5mXgfjouqXuddzQ4YO7YYMxwyiyAzmriYQLdT20vzXLe8cOZu-yAXMEKRXa6BEhg02d4rMU9UsrMsdH36/s1600/Colonel-Fitzwilliam-pride-and-prejudice-1995-6169369-150-201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVZkgcnQ2R6WeAEEdZvopbm2-u2cJAuGN8ZbwszjuwTtlVjNgAtVigaydUji5mXgfjouqXuddzQ4YO7YYMxwyiyAzmriYQLdT20vzXLe8cOZu-yAXMEKRXa6BEhg02d4rMU9UsrMsdH36/s1600/Colonel-Fitzwilliam-pride-and-prejudice-1995-6169369-150-201.jpg" /></a>Any who, Colonel Fitzwilliam is the man of the hour. My PTSD, ever tortured, hero is turning into a man in love. Poor man doesn’t know what to do with all these new found feelings of love and jealously. Being a military man he is quite accustomed to having things just so, but he knows what he wants and he will get it. Ah, so strong and self-assured. Well, most of the time.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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For an excerpt of my novel you may go to a previous blog post titled <a href="http://fortheloveofausten.blogspot.com/2011/03/meet-cute-between-hero-and-heroine.html">A Meet Cute between a Hero and a Heroine</a>. It's not perfect yet, but it will give you an idea.Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-40305120524546829282011-09-01T09:18:00.000-04:002011-09-01T09:18:17.932-04:00Winner of the Sense and Sensibility GiveawayThank you to all who participated. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityQpRpvGRcp5xcnvlJ2tZAh8VDfYm8xT6JYNzHcmYneBjYifIuW_i4WTPpUHwHZhVkc8kxKGldbRxOnfdrhYeSPG6eMXGpZHRHTCXMU6JIunSkccWVfFbQaONLvC_LE4b8Sff_4RLfSA7/s1600/congratulations-47-95334.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityQpRpvGRcp5xcnvlJ2tZAh8VDfYm8xT6JYNzHcmYneBjYifIuW_i4WTPpUHwHZhVkc8kxKGldbRxOnfdrhYeSPG6eMXGpZHRHTCXMU6JIunSkccWVfFbQaONLvC_LE4b8Sff_4RLfSA7/s320/congratulations-47-95334.gif" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">FELICIA S.</span></span></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-53573436138831003542011-08-21T13:49:00.000-04:002011-08-21T13:50:23.400-04:00Winner of Nachtsturm Castle by Emily C.A. SnyderSorry for the posting delay of the winner. I was hosting a Lia Sophia party last night, but without further ado let us announce the winner. Thank you to all who participated.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2Qc-K6XIKo58tOsTgq86Agz1M4khQyrtcPTqCg69U_EMthyphenhyphen9-Uug_j37Tbduna16VVahvcZr6hqCMXirLaAQ7De2t4EwWiVNl37vWLHLfPbMMgiP9_QbzIF0INsOGKOOHpJbpLxj5Mgi/s1600/congratulations-47-95334.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2Qc-K6XIKo58tOsTgq86Agz1M4khQyrtcPTqCg69U_EMthyphenhyphen9-Uug_j37Tbduna16VVahvcZr6hqCMXirLaAQ7De2t4EwWiVNl37vWLHLfPbMMgiP9_QbzIF0INsOGKOOHpJbpLxj5Mgi/s320/congratulations-47-95334.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">TIFFANY </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-26687371616823499272011-08-08T03:00:00.000-04:002011-08-08T08:43:23.709-04:00The Companion of Lady Holmeshire by Debra Brown: A Book Review<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG9zGse0iUjsipLzalnN9xkZ6caNo-hbRkVh6rsk6ZpGc34xUXhsGJt0y8qmVFilv3B9ozrfyKeg9eft3EKVnnPNAuW15Qdvb-I13-kO3XKR6mkJMj0COdogf66Finrv-pgUfuYqJwZoz/s1600/campanionbrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG9zGse0iUjsipLzalnN9xkZ6caNo-hbRkVh6rsk6ZpGc34xUXhsGJt0y8qmVFilv3B9ozrfyKeg9eft3EKVnnPNAuW15Qdvb-I13-kO3XKR6mkJMj0COdogf66Finrv-pgUfuYqJwZoz/s320/campanionbrown.jpg" t$="true" width="212" /></a><em>The Companion of Lady Holmeshire</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">By Debra Brown</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">ISBN: 1937085376</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: World Castle Publishing</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Author Supplied PDF</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><strong>Back Cover Summary:</strong> <em>A baby girl was found in a basket on Squire Carrington's doorstep. She was raised and sent to work as a servant girl for The Countess of Holmeshire. The widowed and unconventional Countess chose Miss Emma Carrington as a companion and sent her off for finishing with the goal of dragging her along into genteel Victorian society. What sort of reception would she have at tea and dinners? The young Earl of Holmeshire was engaged by arrangement to a lovely London lady, but their relationship was difficult. Could they work it out? Even the tribulations and banned romances of the servants downstairs play into the story as we follow Emma from a stone fortress to a Victorian village and then into fabulous London mansions. Great surprises unfold at a Midsummer Night's Dream Ball which helps to solve mysteries that have gradually developed. You are invited to predict the great revelation of the last few pages!</em><br />
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The Victorian Age was a time of immense change. New inventions and questions of social norms were arising and it set the established upper crust on edge. Change is not something welcome as it means a reconfiguring of what was. In Debra Brown’s debut novel <em>The Companion of Lady Holmeshire</em> we see all the turbulence of Victorian change dashed with romance and mystery. <br />
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The novel was a refreshing change from my usual fare, as I found myself whisked away into the elite society of Victorian living much in the vein of Jane Austen and yet I was also given to the crass and harsh realities of the less fortunate much in the way of Charles Dickens. For all the sweetness and subtle romance I was forced to envision the realities of the less affluent class. It was blunt and could not be ignored.<br />
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The intricate weaving of Victorian history with the plot of the story was fabulous. I found myself enthralled by the story and yet learning at the same time. It is not always an easy thing to do and Miss Brown hit it spot on.<br />
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The main character of Emma was strong and mysterious and throughout her parentage is veiled in mystery. Lord Holmeshire is the son of Lady Holmeshire and he is a bit of an eccentric, a lovable hero for the novel who is devoted to the plight of the poor. <br />
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There is a cast of many interesting characters. I have to say, as well, that this read a lot like a variation of <em>Upstairs, Downstairs</em>. We are given a view of both the elite and servant classes through the cast of characters. It was fascinating. <br />
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Yet, what I enjoyed most was the surprises Brown managed to throw at me. None were what I expected and I appreciate that in an author. It was not till the end that all is revealed and I have a hunch Brown took a cue from Shakespeare’s Puck in a <em>Midsummer Night’s Dream</em>. <br />
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Debra Brown’s debut novel was a valiant and intriguing effort. Her writing style is sophisticated and on point and her ability to weave a story is unique and of a style I have not encountered before. I really enjoyed <em>The Companion of Lady Holmeshire</em> and wait for Brown’s next novel with anticipation. <br />
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<strong>Final Recommendation: If you want the treat of Victorian mystery and suspense, with a spice of romance.</strong><br />
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To learn more about author Debra Brown, please visit her <a href="http://authordebrabrown.blogspot.com/">website</a>.Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-91974427861641425492011-08-02T03:00:00.000-04:002011-08-02T03:00:08.742-04:00Henry Tilney's Heroine: A Northanger Abbey Vignette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She was here! Here at Woodston. </span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry struggled to put on his coat bounding down the stairs and out the door. He rounded the corner, and the breath left his body when he caught a glimpse of her beside an oak tree, which softly swayed in the breeze causing some stray strands of her hair to flutter.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The soft glow of the moonlight revealed the luscious hue of her tresses---like melted chocolate. How he longed to run his hands through it.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Her back was to him. If only she would face him so he could look into those beautiful eyes--- eyes deep enough for a man to drown in. </span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As if he had willed it, she slowly turned to face him. He was struck anew by her enchanting beauty.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine.”</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Her hand reached out and she opened her mouth to speak.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He started---something in the dark was pulling her away from him.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He struggled towards her, stumbling---clawing the dirt beneath him---whilst calling her name. His heart felt like it was being ripped straight from his chest.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fear on her face tore at him, forcing him on. It was no use.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She was gone!</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He yelled. “Catherine.”</span></em><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">****</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry Tilney jolted awake and sat up. It had all seemed so real. What a terrible nightmare.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Throwing the covers back, he slipped out of bed and down the stairs to the modest study. He poured himself a little brandy and sat in his favorite wing-backed chair near the cold fireplace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What was it about Catherine Morland that enchanted him so? He closed his eyes and allowed her image to come to him again. As usual, the mere thought of her created a feeling of tenderness in his chest. When he was around Catherine all felt right in the world; it was like coming home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Departing Northanger Abbey was the hardest, because it meant leaving <em>her</em>. The sky had apparently concurred; for no sooner had he arrived at Woodston than it opened up and poured.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He glanced at the now empty glass in his hand. The feeling of discontent would not leave him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thunder rumbled outside. A decision was made.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He returned to his room and dressed. As dawn crested in the horizon, he saddled his horse and made quickly for Northanger Abbey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">****</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There was a chill in the air as he dismounted. He relinquished the reins to the stable boy and rushed towards the entrance of Northanger Abbey. If anything, his feeling of dread had strengthened the closer he had come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His steps echoed on the stone walk, and the sound only agitated him more. The entrance door opened, and the sight of his sister stopped Henry in his tracks. Eleanor had been crying and her fatigue showed. The look on her face told him all he needed to know, but he had to hear the words out loud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eleanor grimaced. “Gone.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The air left him. The sky above crackled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eleanor wrung her hands. “Father sent her home.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What?” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eleanor told him the whole story then, how Father had returned in a rage, demanding Catherine pack her bags and leave at once. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Monstrous! What excuse did he give for this outrage?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Only that we had an engagement which he had forgotten about. Catherine went without a chaperon in the early dawn.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Agony swelled inside Henry. His adorable, innocent Catherine. How frightened she must have been. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eleanor placed a comforting hand on his arm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m sorry Henry.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He shook his head in disbelief at his Father’s actions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I am obliged to her. She must have been frightened, and I was not there to protect her---Beautiful Catherine. I apologize, Eleanor.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You will do no such thing,” intoned General Tilney, his presence looming in the doorway like a dark cloud. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry narrowed his eyes. “Do not dare presume to tell me what I will not do! What possessed you, Father, to send her with no chaperon? Why send her away at all?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It was the least that could be done for such a scheming and lying chit. In fact it was more than she deserved.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Don’t speak of Catherine like that. What did she do that was so horrible?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">General Tilney sniffed as if his time was wasted by such a question. “She is no heiress.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry paused, bewildered. “Of course Catherine is not an heiress. She is a clergyman’s daughter. What would make you assume she had money?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">General Tilney rubbed his fingernails on his coat, giving them a good shine. “An intimate acquaintance of Miss Morland’s, a Mr. Thorpe, divulged the information of her riches to me. However, it seems Miss Morland’s fortune is nothing but a sham. She is no more an heiress than I am a street urchin! Forget her Henry.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It is no fault of hers that you believed a fool like Thorpe. Catherine never claimed to be anything but what she is.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">General Tilney’s eyes narrowed in anger. “You will forget her, Henry.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“No! I will not.” He smiled sadly at his father. “Excuse me I must be departing.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Henry, you will cease this foolishness at once. Where do you think you are you going?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry did not turn back. He was too angry to look at his father. “Home. Home to Catherine.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">They carried on the wind, his father’s incensed cries, but Henry cared not. All he cared about was getting to Catherine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">****</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The disgruntled sky threatened to open up, constantly grumbling and rumbling. Henry rode as fast as his horse would allow. The rhythmic movement beneath him was somehow soothing, giving him further time for reflection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He hadn’t understood how smitten he was with Catherine until now. The first time he met her, in the Lower Rooms of Bath, he had been amused by her innocence. She was fresh and completely different from the insipid women he usually came across. Catherine was only herself, and unconcerned with the riches of the world. He was deeply in love with her before he realized it had begun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love. It was a funny thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a clergyman he was not supposed to wish ill on anybody. But the self-centeredness and corruption which oozed from John Thorpe was hard to ignore. He was the type of man who liked to weave a spider’s web of lies, hoping that web glistening with morning dew, might beckon some unsuspecting soul into its trap. Having had the misfortune to observe Thorpe around Catherine, Henry could not say that he had felt at ease---no---he had wanted nothing more than to save her from that man’s clutches. But then Catherine had to learn for herself the dangers of contemptible people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Despite her misfortunes with the Thorpes, she had proven what he had already known: Catherine was a woman of exceptional character. Even in her innocence she exhibited the kind of grace and maturity which one was born with---it could not be learned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The sky cracked violently overhead, causing Henry to rein his horse in. A steady rainfall began, increasing in speed until it was pouring down and striking his face like hard stones. He realized he would need to rest for the evening, much to his displeasure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He stopped at the next inn, where he acquired the appropriate lodgings and requested a hot bath be prepared. When that was ready, he slipped his wet clothes off and laid them in front of the fire to dry. Then he sunk into the steaming water, leaning is head back as he did so. His arms rested carefully on the edge. The heat seeped into his body, relaxing him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He was just drifting off when he heard a scratching at the window. He furrowed his brow. It was dark outside and rain was pounding against the panes. Perhaps it was nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He sighed and let his head loll back. The scraping came again. It was faint, but this time he was sure he had heard it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He stood---the water cascading down him---slipped on a robe, and approached the window. Upon closer inspection, it became apparent it was only a tree branch manufacturing noise with a little assistance from the wind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry laughed---a rich, deep laugh. How Catherine would have delighted in his Gothic imaginings. He placed his hand on the panes---feeling the cool glass ---and as he stared out at the storm his reflection stared back at him, beckoning him to consider something else entirely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Catherine would have loved the adventure, but did she love him?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The burning question. Love. It was an exciting adventure, and yet, if love was not returned? He let the thought linger like an aging fine wine---tasting and savoring---as he contemplated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There was no question as to his affection for Catherine Morland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Turning from his reflection in discontent, he walked briskly to the bed, slipped under the covers and closed his eyes in an attempt to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">****</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Henry? Why have you not come for me?”</span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine,” Henry cried. He heard her voice, but saw only darkness. </span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine, why cannot I see you?” </span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Henry, I am here. Where are you?”</span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Standing at the edge of a forest he looked and willed himself to see her, but alas still nothing. He tried to enter the forest, but something prevented him. Turning around quickly, he beheld Catherine’s appearance near the tree line.</span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Praise<em>, he thought. He was walking towards her, but a shadow crossed between them. She began to struggle as the shadow forced her farther and farther away from him.</em></span><br />
<em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He ran, but it was no use. He yelled for her. The darkness had taken her again.</span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">****</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry awoke in a cold sweat as dawn broke. The desire was strong to see Catherine, if only to assure himself that she was well and, just as importantly, that she returned his affection. He dressed in his now-dry clothes from the night before. In the haste to leave Northanger Abbey after realizing the extent of his father’s poor hospitality there had not been the opportunity to properly prepare for this trip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He partook of a breakfast of kidney pie and coffee before acquiring his horse from the stables and setting off. The morning was cool and calm after the storm from the night before. The roads were wet, and he was finding his breeches painted with mud. He cared not a wit, for each step brought him closer to Catherine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dusk was beginning to crest and his anticipation came to a climax when he finally arrived in the tiny village of Fullerton. After inquiring from one of the passing town folk as to the location of the Morland’s, he set in the direction on foot, choosing instead to stretch is tired muscles and to hopefully quell some of the nervous energy in him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">From behind an oak in the bend of the road, the residence of the Morland’s came into view, showing it to its best advantage. While it was a small home it radiated the affection of the family within, reminding Henry of what he hoped for with Catherine at Woodston. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In his moment of reflection he had failed to notice what was around the bend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry froze. His breath stuck in his throat as he saw her. She had made the trip from Northanger Abbey ---alone---and arrived safely home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His hands suddenly felt clammy, and sweat formed on his brow. He, Henry Tilney, was nervous. But then perhaps he should be since he was about to make a fool of himself over a woman who might not even return his affection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He turned around and paced back and forth, muttering to himself and trying to work up the courage to approach her. If it had been any other time, he would have been amused, but he had never wanted something so much in his life. It was ironic when he thought about it. He had his parish and his parishioners and his sister Eleanor, but it all seemed not quite right without Catherine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The soft lilt of laughter had him peering around the oak again. Catherine was snickering at something one of her siblings had said. Yet, her amusement did not quite reach her eyes. As he looked closer, dark circles were evident denoting lack of sleep. Guilt at his Father and the urge to comfort her ripped through him as he unconsciously moved forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Suddenly her head lifted towards him and their eyes locked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He took a cautious step toward her, which seemed to shake Catherine from her shock. She quietly told her siblings to go indoors, never taking her eyes from his. Then she straightened and folded her hands demurely in front of her. Her face was devoid of emotion. That concerned him, as he was used to always knowing what she thought.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry scowled. He did not like this at all, but he also had not come all this way to tuck tail and run. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He felt a shift in the temperature, which only seemed to rise as he came closer. Yet Catherine remained as she was, fixated on his face. Henry stopped just inches from her, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to take her into his arms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He opened his mouth, but he ended up looking more like a fish as he found it difficult to articulate his thoughts out loud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Good day, Mr. Tilney. I am well thank you for inquiring.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry looked at her, startled. Then he noticed the glint in her eye. She was teasing him. The corners of his mouth curled in amusement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Good day, Cath-er-ine.” He purposely drew out her name and, as he did so, he saw something spark in her luminous gaze. It almost looked like hope. Could she have been waiting for him?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Testing his luck, he took one of her small hands into his larger one. There was no resistance. He regarded their joined hands with an air of anticipation of things to come. Lifting his head and fixating his gaze on Catherine’s face, his nervousness slipping away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine. You must allow me to apologize for my father’s actions.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She shook her head. “No. It is not you who must apologize. I was in error…I who…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He silenced her with a finger on her lips. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry had a wicked thought as he removed his finger from her pert mouth and carefully, purposely, dragged it along her cheek. It was her blush and the hitch in her breath that gave her away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine, I am going to kiss you.” He said it slowly, giving her time to deny his request. The anticipation was going to be the death of him. Now that he was here, he was finding it hard to restrain himself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He leaned in about to kiss her when she abruptly withdrew from his embrace. He growled in frustration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What are you doing here?” she asked. “Surely it cannot be just to apologize for your father?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He glanced at their still joined hands. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine, you must know.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She shook her head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I came for you.” There! He had said it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Before he knew what was happening, she launched herself into his arms and kissed him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He smiled against her mouth. She loved him. The temperature had risen to burning levels as she pressed herself further into his embrace. She was eager and, dare he say, almost wild in her passion. It took what little will power he had left to tear himself apart from her. He laughed at her squeal of protest, but he had to ask her one thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Catherine will you do me the greatest honor by becoming my wife?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Oh, Henry!” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As she breathed his name, he felt a surge of triumph and no small amount of happiness. Her lips met his again and he took her passionate response as an affirmative to his proposal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She was <em>his</em> Catherine. He was home.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Finis</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">****Photo used for story cover at the top of the page is of Eilean Donan Castle which is located in the rugged, wild and romantic Scottish Highlands.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"> A special thanks to Meredith Esparza of Austenesque Reviews for inviting me to participate.</span></div><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">****</span><span style="color: #351c75;">GIVEAWAY TIME****</span></strong></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial;"></span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>Northanger Abbey</em> is one of my favorite Austen novels. As a special treat to my visitors during Austenesque Extravaganza and to my long time followers, and because I just love this book,</span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial;">I will be giving away ONE copy of Emily C.A. Snyder's Nachtsturm Castle.</span></strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV5be9BlgZsjJicNA71DCjaoDZVkEkLCk1a2FK-pfpo2G_ENsK4iAJXLuWc-IkS_7_EVoEoe6-MjRO3OWP9uHXO-YfwakB9J-X29Zvz28Au4SxTyBBxiwe2vttjEossEo6n4O_Hlk6uzU/s1600/nachtsturmcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV5be9BlgZsjJicNA71DCjaoDZVkEkLCk1a2FK-pfpo2G_ENsK4iAJXLuWc-IkS_7_EVoEoe6-MjRO3OWP9uHXO-YfwakB9J-X29Zvz28Au4SxTyBBxiwe2vttjEossEo6n4O_Hlk6uzU/s200/nachtsturmcastle.jpg" t$="true" width="133" /></a><strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></span></span></strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">First:</span> </span>You MUST <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHF1eEhkYjJfMG1RZ05jbVZoTV9PQ3c6MQ">fill out this form</a> to let me know you are interested in being entered in the giveaway </span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></span></strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Second:</span> Leaving a comment grants you ONE entry</span></strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">Tweeting grants you a SECOND entry</span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">This giveaway is international. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ENDS</span> <u><span style="color: #e06666;">August 20th</span></u>.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">ALSO, There is another giveaway on my blog to win a copy of Jane Austen's <em><a href="http://fortheloveofausten.blogspot.com/2011/07/sass-and-serendipity-by-jennifer.html?spref=tw">Sense and Sensibility</a></em>. This giveaway ends August 31st.</span></strong></div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3044329887961963106.post-69242912530397831922011-07-18T09:36:00.000-04:002011-07-18T09:36:02.948-04:00Winner of the Jane Eyre Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #073763;">Thank you to all who entered the Jane Eyre Giveaway. Without further ado the winner is:</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">POOFBOOKS.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCAcbvUrbA7QAtM82Tiwp4kGV-XchiuPZHdPvU6r8jm70D-jCTbbly7BU9L45ptuIfsW3p-Nmi5-ldsju8SngQp_il8uxj8APZIUe-bQzhyTJcUno_LTfGhXcwi48nJAtjPNpzhLeMaQa/s1600/congratulations-47-95334.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCAcbvUrbA7QAtM82Tiwp4kGV-XchiuPZHdPvU6r8jm70D-jCTbbly7BU9L45ptuIfsW3p-Nmi5-ldsju8SngQp_il8uxj8APZIUe-bQzhyTJcUno_LTfGhXcwi48nJAtjPNpzhLeMaQa/s320/congratulations-47-95334.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosz1ENtboCc9qDDedBa7MkOGsLI87cjYO2FbH1Hs843th6BZZJdgOsjpHQJYjvsKch8IcPCTJOPnPBylcTHFutnj9OLTC4-AUhtYvp_5bDv1HuckIUJt0-Gq_BiS26FQWu289CQ4ApBAZ/s1600/janeeyre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosz1ENtboCc9qDDedBa7MkOGsLI87cjYO2FbH1Hs843th6BZZJdgOsjpHQJYjvsKch8IcPCTJOPnPBylcTHFutnj9OLTC4-AUhtYvp_5bDv1HuckIUJt0-Gq_BiS26FQWu289CQ4ApBAZ/s200/janeeyre.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><br />
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If you didn't win there will be other giveaways. Look for my August 2nd post for Austenesque Extravaganza and I will have a surprise giveaway not listed on the giveaway page. I'm sneaky like that.<br />
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Also, In honor of the 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen's <em>Sense and Sensibility</em> I will be giving away a wonderful edition of the book which can be found on the giveaway page. More details soon.<br />
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See more chance to win. Who doesn't love to win!Kate Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698174666002747781noreply@blogger.com0