What Are You Reading? ~ August 2, 2017

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I just returned from my vacation! I traveled across the country on the train, from the west coast to the east coast and back again. In between, I spent a week with family. I had a fantastic time! Plus, I was able to get a couple of books read!

What Are You Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 


Here's my list: 

I'm currently reading Modern Love by Beau North. I'm not very far into it yet, but so far so good. :) 

I recently finished The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling. This was a fun time-travel, fairy-tale retelling. I began listening to the audio book on my last road trip and finished reading it on the train.

I also finished The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. I loved the secondary characters in this story! It was good, but it's not my favorite Dessen story. 

Plus, I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Always a good read! 

What's next? I hope to get back into A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin. 









Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.

And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. 

So, tell me, what are you reading? 

What Are You Reading? ~ July 19, 2017

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What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Here's my list:

I'm just starting my re-read of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. I'm enjoying taking my time and savoring this second time through the series.

I'm still reading A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin. I'm moving through this book much quicker than the last. It doesn't seem as wordy as the first two, but still, it's so long! Even though I'm enjoying it, I'm setting it aside for a bit to read some other stories. 

Oh! I who loved the first show of season 7??




I haven't finished anything recently. :(

What's next? I'm planning on reading The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. 








Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.

And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. 

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer! It's going by much too fast for me!

So, tell me, what are you reading? 

A Peculiar Connection by Jan Hahn ~ My Review

A Peculiar Connection by Jan Hahn

Publication Date: March 11th, 2015 
Publisher: Meryton Press 
Pages: 268 
Received: Purchased my own copy 
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Will a mysterious note from the past doom the love of Jane Austen's most beloved couple? 

A Peculiar Connection begins near the close of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Bent on preventing the engagement of her nephew to Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Catherine de Bourgh declares that any union between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth would be "a sin against Heaven itself!" Her shocking revelation, along with a cryptic message written over twenty years earlier, thrusts the couple into a whirlwind of heartbreak and disbelief. 

Could a deserted mansion in Derbyshire or a small church hidden in the wood hold the key to solving the puzzle? And why is Elizabeth inexplicably drawn to the portrait of three young boys in Pemberley's gallery? 

Determined to confirm or refute Lady Catherine's accusation, Darcy and Elizabeth are forced to embark upon a twisted trail into bygone days and family secrets. All the while, they must endure the exquisite torture of denying the indisputable desire that still hovers between them. 

From the award-winning author of An Arranged Marriage, The Journey, and The Secret Betrothal.

 
My Review:


What if Darcy and Elizabeth were closely related? And what if because of that they couldn't marry each other?! **shutter the thought!** In A Peculiar Connection, a Pride and Prejudice variation, Jan Hahn spins a tale with just those thoughts in mind.

This story begins when Lady Catherine pays a visit to Longbourn to get Elizabeth to promise not to enter into an engagement with Mr. Darcy, but here’s the twist, she produces evidence as to why they should never marry. Declaring, “it would be a sin against Heaven itself!” (p. 10)

It's at this time Elizabeth learns she is not a Bennet. The Bennet's took her in as a baby, never revealing the truth to anyone. If she’s not a Bennet, who’s daughter is she? Could she be a Darcy as Lady Catherine is claiming? Heartbroken at the realization that she can never marry Darcy, and the discovery that the Bennet's are not her parents, sends Elizabeth into a downward spiral; one that she may never come out of. 

Told in the first person, Elizabeth tells us the story of what happened to her during those months after Lady Catherine visit. Months of uncertainty and sadness. As you know, Elizabeth is not one to stay gloomy, her spirit always rises, but here Elizabeth has trouble rising above the gloom and sadness she feels. I wasn’t too fond of that. I like a Lizzy determined to make the best out of life. Also, Elizabeth’s lack of wanting to learn the truth annoyed me a bit. 

Darcy is also heartbroken and angry, but he's also determined to find out the truth. Was Elizabeth truly a Darcy? Was everything he had ever known a lie? I liked Darcy’s drive; he would not stop until he learned everything although at times it seemed he would be driven to madness! He had his dark moments where he was snappy and mean.

I loved the mystery of Elizabeth’s birth and how they come to find the truth! It was a fun adventure! Oh, and the ending was truly lovely! I'm so glad I read it! Jan Hahn is one of my favorite Austenesque author’s, and she hasn’t let me down yet! 

Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads.



FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

Connect with Jan Hahn

Facebook • Amazon Author Page • Meryton Press Author Page

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

What Are You Reading? ~ July 5, 2017

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What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

My outdoor work project is finished, so I'm back to sleeping in and doing craftsy type projects inside. But, wow, I burned through quite a few audio books while painting the house! Nice! 

Here's my list: 

I started A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin last night. I got into this book much quicker than the last. I know I probably won't read it straight through and will pick up another book or two before I finish it. I'm looking forward to the new season starting this month on HBO! Woot!

I'm also halfway through an audio book, The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling. I'm not sure when I'll get back to this. Maybe while I do some sewing? We'll see. I've been enjoying it though. It's really good! 







I recently finished re-reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. I enjoy this so much more the second time! I think because I wasn't rushing through it to get to the others. :)

I also finished listening to Rumours & Recklessness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Nicole Clarkston. I love this story. While Mr. Bennet lay in a coma, Mr. Collins decides to propose to Elizabeth in front of Darcy! Well, Darcy can not tolerate the thought and claims Elizabeth is already engaged to him ...and so the story begins! 

What's next? I want to read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.







Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.

And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. 

I hope you are having a great summer! Please, let me know what you are reading in the comments below! Links to your WWW posts are welcome! 

What Are You Reading? ~ June 28, 2017

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What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Here's my list:

I'm currently re-reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. We had the marathon of Harry Potter movies on over the weekend, and I decided I must re-read the series. Of course, I'm enjoying it! ;)





I've also been listening to some audiobooks while I'm still working on the outside of the house. (The roofer finally came, and now I'm working on the boards they had to replace.) Currently, I'm listening to Rumours & Recklessness by Nicole Clarkston.  Just started it, but love where it's headed! 





I recently finished listening to Playing for Love in Deep Haven by Katy Regnery. I love a good story about college love that ends badly then reconnects years later. 

I also finished listening to A Life, Refined by Tracy Hewitt Meyer. A gritty and emotional YA about a girl dealing with the guilt of being the one responsible for the death of her baby brother. I enjoy it!





What's next? I know I want to continue through the Harry Potter series. So, I'll probably read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.









Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.

And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. 

I'm posting a little late today, but at least I'm here! :) I'm so happy to have these audiobooks to listen to! It makes the work so much easier. Plus, I'm putting a nice dent in my TBR pile! Bonus! 
So, tell me, what are you reading? 

The Exile Blog Tour ~ Guest Post, Excerpt, & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! I'm delighted to be part of The Exile Blog Tour! Here today, Don Jacobson talks about the importance (or non-importance) of gender in writing a female or male role. Interesting stuff!  Also included is an excerpt for you to enjoy! And don't forget to enter the giveaway!  

The Gender of Jane Austen Fan Fiction

Throughout The Exile blog tour, I have been regularly challenged by the deep understanding about the writing process that JAFF readers, authors and bloggers bring to the table. The questions and comments served up have made me sit back and deeply consider what drives me as an author to offer a strong and relatable story for readers.

Outsiders to our world may react to the genre much in the way that Ms Austen’s contemporaries reacted to novels (see any of countless Darcy snorts over Georgie’s taste in reading material).  However, honest JAFF authors who appreciate their craft do analyze their writing with the same level of intensity as a Le Carre, O’Brien, Ephron, or Lewis. Simply pick up any of the works by authors in the Austen Variations or Austen Authors collectives (and many more outside of those two baskets). You will discover honest, well-written literature that transcends the romantic formula to force you to rethink the traditional memes.

There are times when I become concerned that readers will become disequilibrated with some of the darker aspects of my stories. 



Mary being assaulted by Collins in "The Keeper" is an example. Or Kitty being injured in the park in "Of Fortune's Reversal." Yet, in the first case, the attack is used to establish Collins' character. In the second, the attack is to set the underlying character of that particular version of Kitty Bennet...bravery in the face of danger to another...where she had been established (barely) in the Canon as a mouse-like follower. The Bennet Wardrobe Kitty’s trials in The Exile, while disturbing, are neither gratuitous nor unnecessary, but rather are intentionally offered up.