If My Life Was A Jane Austen Novel

Persuasion. My life would most closely resemble Persuasion.  It’s true.

 

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.

In between my own Persuasion, 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.

 

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.

I am also at work on other material for my other book the Northanger Abbey Vignettes. 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.

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.

Hello friends and please join me for a spot of tea.

A Modern Day Persuasion by Kaitlin Saunders: A Review

A Modern Day Persuasion

By: Kaitlin Saunders

ISBN-10: 1439261172

Source: Author supplied copy

Persuasion 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.

It was with great delight that I read Kaitlin Saunders modern take on Persuasion. A Modern Day Persuasion packs an emotional wallop and there were moments where I found myself tearing up, having a lot to do with Miss Saunders impeccable writing.

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.

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.

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!

I really liked this modern interpretation of Persuasion, 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.

A Modern Day Persuasion is a must if you enjoy Austen inspired novels. Miss Saunders has done a fantastic job and I look forward to her next publication.


Final recommendation: A modern Persuasion worth reading.

Tweeting through Persuasion......

Last evening I watched the 2007 version of Persuasion, staring Sally Hawkins (Anne Elliot) and Rupert Pery-Jones (Cpt Frederick Wentworth). I tweeted throughout the movie and have printed the tweets below. Enjoy!

About to start the viewing of Persuasion (2007).


Opening of Persuasion (2007) camera movement a reflection of Anne Elliot's turmoil.

Anne learns Cpt Wentworth is coming to visit. Poor girl!

The Musgrove's have arrived.

Oh, lawd it's Mary.....the faux invalid.

A picture of her mother and letters (love letters from Cpt Wentworth perhaps?) and then leaving behind her home. Such a gripping scene.


"I think very differently now that I was persuaded to do eight years ago."

Lady Russell tries too hard to look out for Anne.


Sir Elliot and Elizabeth are selfish brats.


Then her nephew falls from a tree and ever steady Anne is there to care. She has a big heart.


Standing in front of the mirror trying on a dress for Cpt Wentworth's arrival...heartbreaking


Anne is always passed over and yet volunteered for everything. How unfeeling these people are.


Cpt Wentworth arrives.


He sees her....she tries to hide. Oh, the LOOK! The passion


"Once there were no two hearts so open.....now we are strangers." Ouch


Awkward. Neither knows what to do at dinner with the Croft's.


Cpt. Wentworth doesn't know what to do with Anne. Trying to pretend he does not love her. Fool!


Frederick Wentworth you unfeeling jerk. Trying to cut Anne like she has no feelings.


Moonlight Sonata....great choice for Anne's feelings


Love Cpt Wentworth watching her play.


Geez Mary shut your mouth. She is so immature.


Anne is about to fall. A reflection of her she is teetering on edge. Damn you Wentworth


Of course, he goes to make sure she is alright so Wentworth you sort of redeem yourself.


That's right Wentworth, Anne has had other suitors. Charles Musgrove could have been her husband.


She's walking like a wounded animal. Of course, she just overheard Louisa and Wentworth


Wentworth you know you enjoyed lifting Anne into the Croft's carriage. You do still care. Sly devil.


Here come the visit to Lyme. The catalyst is approaching like a storm.


Cpt Wentworth on a horse riding behind the carriage. Such a sexy scene.


Discussion between Anne and Cpt Benwick about his lost love....very poignant


We love longest when our love is gone, that is what Anne believes


"He is young and time is a great healer."


Ah, the cousin Mr. Elliot Arrives. I don't think Wentworth likes the way he eyes Anne.


Mr. Elliot you are a bad man.


Wentworth is staring down Mr. Elliot and he doesn't even know it. If Wentworth had a sword he's run you through Elliot. HA!


That is not Wentworth's happy look. Mr. Elliot better watch out.


Here is comes! Louisa falls.


Anne displays her calm under pressure yet again.


Yes, Wentworth you still love her. Don't deny it!


Wentworth deserves a little torture for trying to stick it to Anne by flirting with Louisa.


"Do you think this is a good plan?" Proof that Wentworth still cares for her opinion.


Lady Russell the worst word to mention Anne. Wentworth turns cold again and rides on his horse back to Lyme.


Sigh, Anne left again. On to Bath she goes.


Sir Walter and Elizabeth living in luxury still. You fools will never get out of debt. Geez, money grubbing brats.


Elizabeth Elliot is about to wet herself talking about Mr. Elliot. Is she a tramp?


Yes, Elizabeth is drooling at the mouth over their cousin Mr. Elliot. If she could rip her bodice I think she would. Tramp in training?


Cpt Harville just dropped the bomb. Paying all that attention to Louisa has got people thinking you will marry her Wentworth. You FOOL!!!!!!


Listen to Harville, Wentworth. Get your butt out of Lyme under false pretenses or you will be saddled with Louisa. YOU WANT ANNE!


Great now Anne thinks Wentworth and Louisa are engaged. Hold you head high darling Anne


Lady Russell stop trying to persuade Anne. I know you are just trying to guide her like a mother, but really stop it.


Mr. Elliot you are worse than the slime on a snake. Stop trying to cozy up to Anne.


Elizabeth is pissed that Mr. Elliot kissed Anne's hand. Don't worry honey Anne is not interested.


Louisa improves. She is engaged, but to whom? Anne thinks Wentworth.


Anne cries in pain and heartbreak. Wentworth if you hadn't flirted with Louisa just to stick it to Anne.


Anne has a backbone. Money is not everything to her. That's right Sir Walter she is going to meet Mrs. Smith. Anne has a HEART.


Nurse Roge has all the gossip for Mrs. Smith. Hehe. You want the juice go to the servants.


Wentworth wet along the sea wall. He realizes he still loves Anne. "She is perfection itself. I will never love any but her."


Cpt. Harville tell Wentworth the Cpt Benwick has proposed and was accepted by Louisa Musgrove.


"Then I am free," Wentworth cries in jubilation. Manly hug with Cpt Harville.


Lady Russell trying to persuade Anne to marry her cousin Mr. Elliot. That meddling woman.


Anne considers Mr. Elliot briefly since it would give her her home.


Anne learns from the Croft's that Cpt. Benwick is to marry Louisa, not Wentworth. She is all astonishment and yet relieved I believe


Wentworth is in Bath. Oh my.


Wentworth comes in out of the rain to see Anne. Sigh, those looks. The closing of distance.


Wentworth has to point out that Louisa is to marry Cpt. Benwick. Haha. Had to work it in didn't you Wentworth.


Damn, Mr. Elliot you had to ruin their passionate look moment. DRAT!


Awkward. Mr. Elliot think' he won and Wentworth would punch him if he could.


Wentworth came for you Anne. She can barely contain her joy.


Yes, Wentworth is acting cold cuz he thinks’ Anne is attached to Mr. Elliot. "Are you staying in Bath long?" "That depends." tense moment


Rumors of Anne and Mr. Elliot....don't fall for gossip Wentworth. You idiot. That's right Anne run after him. STOP him!


"There is nothing here worth me staying for." Ouch damn it Wentworth!


Oh, Mr. Elliot you slimy fool. Oh, well make a fool of yourself. She's going to just say no.


Anne would like you to go away now Mr. Elliot. She don't want you!


Wentworth comes to speak to Anne on behalf of the Croft's in regards to the house they rent. Trying to act cold and unfeeling. Sigh.


LOL...it is all Wentworth can do to get out what the Croft's asked him to say. All he wants’ to do is kiss Anne or run like heck.


"He is utterly misinformed!" The shock on Wentworth's face at finding out Anne is not engaged to Mr. Elliot is priceless


Great...Lady Russell interrupts. That meddling woman


Mrs. Smith tells the truth of Mr. Elliot. Anne goes off after Wentworth. That's it girl. Land your man!


The famous letter penned by Wentworth is approaching. I melt every time at its contents.


Letter delivered to Anne.....and


"Miss Elliot, I can no bear this no longer."


"I have loved none but you. For you alone brought me to Bath. For you I think and plan."


"A word or a look.....tell me I am not too late."


Anne is on the run through Bath.


She is out of breath. Wentworth and Anne staring at each other. Charles they don't even know you are there anymore. Go away.


"Cpt I am in receipt of your proposal and I am of mind to accept it."


"Are you quite certain?"


"I am determined. I will. And nothing will persuade me otherwise."


The slow lean in to the long awaited kiss. Perfection!


They are finally happy. Wentworth also gives her her home back. That is love.


Wentworth you sly dog you. Passionate love at its best. Wentworth and Anne at long last.

LoveStoned A Jane Austen Photo Montage

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

Emma (1996)



Emma (2009)

Mansfield Park (2007)

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Sense and Sensibility (2008)

Northanger Abbey (2007)

Northanger Abbey (2007)

Sense and Sensibility (2008)



Persuasion (2007)



Persuasion (1995)









"I have loved none but you." Romantic Love Letters in History.

"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in

F. W.