What Are You Reading? ~ Nov. 13th, 2019

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *

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

Current Read

I'm currently re-reading Holidays with Jane: Thankful Hearts* by Rebecca M. Fleming, Jennifer Becton, Melissa Buell, Nancy Kelley, Cecilia Gray, and Jessica Grey. I'm reading this with my JASNA reading group. It's a fun set of modern Jane Austen short stories!  






Recently Finished

I finished reading One Second After* by William R. Forstchen. Wow, it was good and so intense! It's about a small town in North Carolina, and their struggle to survive after an EMP goes off and shuts down the country. The story looked at so many aspects of the aftermath from an EMP, not only trying to find food and defending it from raiders. But also not having proper medications; for instance, diabetics, what happens to them. What happens to hospitals, nursing homes, and with communications down, there is no way to find out if or when help is coming. So many things to think about. What a page-turner! ~ 5 stars

I also finished listening to The Girl With No Name* by Diney Costeloe.  Another great book for me this week! Lisa is a Jewish refugee who is sent to London just before the Blitz during WWII. She slowly learns English and starts to feel comfortable with her foster family when she gets hurt during a bombing. Her new family thinks she is dead, and she has no memory of them or who she is. I really enjoyed listening to this story and loved following Lisa as she grows into a young woman. Also, the secondary characters are wonderful too. ~ 5 stars



What's next? 

I'm thinking about reading The Knight Before Christmas* by Marilyn Brant, who kindly gifted me a copy! Ooh, it looks so good! 








*Disclaimer: Links are 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! 


Have a great week, friends! I'm excited to have started in on my holiday reads! How about you? Do you have any holiday books on your list? 

Giveaway Winner!

Hello, friends! I'm delighted to announce the winner of When Charlotte Became Romantic! 

Many thanks to Victoria Kincaid for graciously offering one of my readers a chance to win an e-copy of her new book! 

Without further ado... the winner is: 

Dung!

Buy: Amazon US (paid link) • Amazon Uk • Amazon CA

Add to Goodreads.

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

Thanks again to all who entered!

Prayer and Praise Blog Tour! ~ Interview with Shannon Winslow

Hello, my friends! I'm thrilled about Shannon Winslow's newest book, Prayer and Praise: A Jane Austen Devotional! I enjoy reading devotionals, and I'm excited about reading this one!  

I was curious about what started Shannon on her path to writing, and I wanted to know more about this book, so I interviewed her. I hope you enjoy reading it!

1. Welcome, Shannon! You’ve been a guest here several times before, but let’s start at the beginning. When did you read your first Jane Austen novel, and what was it?

It wasn’t until about a dozen years ago, unfortunately. Once my two sons were nearly grown, I got back to reading again (something I had thrived on in my early years but nearly given up while I was a super-busy working mom). I already had the idea that I should catch up on “the classics” when I fortuitously spotted a copy of Colin Firth’s P&P ’95 at Costco. It was love at first watch, needless to say. That started me off. But I decided to read Austen’s novels in the order they had been published, so I actually read Sense and Sensibility first! 

2. What persuaded you to write Jane Austen Fan Fiction?

After reading and rereading all her novels, I still hungered for more. Then the first modern P&P sequel I stumbled across…  Well, let’s just say it disappointed me (in the extreme!). So I sat down at the computer one day to try my hand at writing my own – the kind of sequel I envisioned, something true to Austen’s style and to the characters I knew and loved so much. I had no idea if I could do it, but it turned out well and I’ve never looked back. The Darcys of Pemberley, published in 2011, is still my best-seller.

3. You now have a total of seven successful JAFF novels to your credit. So what inspired you to tackle the challenge of a non-fiction piece? To write a Jane Austen Devotional?

You used the right word: inspired!

I had always been curious about Jane Austen’s spiritual side, and so I did some reading on the subject. Then, as I perused her three surviving prayers, ideas kept popping into my head – associations to her stories and characters. Finding the words “Pride and Vanity” together in the first prayer made me think of that contentious conversation between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The mention of repentance reminded me of Emma, after she insulted Miss Bates. Elinor and Marianne came to mind when I read a section on suffering.

I started thinking that it might be possible for me to write a meaningful Jane Austen devotional base on her prayers. After all, I had years of Bible study under my belt as well as extensive knowledge of Austen’s works. So that’s what I ultimately decided to do!

I ended up breaking down Austen’s three lengthy prayers into fifty individual petitions, allowing each one to inspire a separate message founded on scripture and using characters and situations from Austen’s novels as illustrations for each spiritual principle. Every book I’ve written has been a new and interesting challenge in some way or another. That’s definitely true of this devotional, and it was a thrill to see how well it came together!

4. I’m curious about the title. Where did “Prayer and Praise” come from?

It’s because I conclude every devotional message with a brief on-topic prayer and a quoted bit of scripture (or sometimes an excerpt from a traditional hymn) in God’s praise. Plus I admit that I rather enjoyed the idea that the title could then be abbreviated as “P&P,” the same as my favorite novel.  

5. You implied before that you liked having a fresh writing challenge every time. Can you elaborate on that?

I’d love to! My first novel (The Darcys of Pemberley) was my first novel, so everything was a new challenge! For my second, instead of borrowing Austen’s characters, I created my own for a brand new Austen-style story (For Myself Alone). In The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen, I made Jane Austen herself a character, drawing a parallel between her own life and her novel Persuasion – the most complex story I’ve ever attempted. I’ve also written two time-travel novels (Leap of Faith, Leap of Hope) – one JAFF and the other not. I’ve written stories for minor characters (Mary Bennet, Georgiana Darcy, and Anne de Bourgh). And I recently wrote my first play (adapted from my novel The Ladies of Rosings Park), so we’ll have to see if anything comes of that.

6. I see what you mean, Shannon. So what’s next for you? What are you currently working on?

I have a campy Northanger Abbey sequel about half finished (my first murder mystery!), which should be out sometime next summer. Then I’m feeling drawn back to Pride and Prejudice, probably something from Darcy’s point of view this time – also something I’ve never done before. To paraphrase the name of your blog, Candy, “So many ideas; so little time!”

Lol! Yes, that's so true of many things! Thank you for letting me interview you! It has been a pleasure working with you on this. 

 

Prayer & Praise
A Jane Austen Devotional
by Shannon Winslow

Did you know that Jane Austen wrote prayers in addition to her six classic novels? She was not only a woman of celebrated humor, intellect, and insight; she was a woman of faith.

Prayer & Praise is a treasure trove of thought-provoking messages inspired by the lines of Austen’s three preserved prayers. Atop a solid foundation of scripture, these 50 devotional segments (each finishing with prayer and praise) enlist familiar characters and situations from Austen novels to illustrate spiritual principles – in creative, often surprising, ways! 

Which one of Austen’s characters developed a god complex? Who was really pulling Henry Crawford’s strings? Where do we see examples of true repentance, a redeemer at work, light overcoming darkness? With a Biblical perspective, Austen’s beloved stories reveal new lessons about life, truth, hope, and faith.

Buy: Amazon US (paid link) • Amazon UK • Amazon CA
Add to Goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon US. 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 Shannon Winslow

Twitter • Facebook • Website

Here is a sample from Prayer & Praise from Shannon's website. 

For a chance to win a copy, go to Shannon's website! Good luck! 

So, friends, what do you think? Isn't it amazing that a few of Jane Austen's prayers survived?! I'm so happy about that! Do you read devotionals? 

What Are You Reading? ~ Nov. 6th, 2019

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *

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

Current Read

I'm currently reading One Second After* by William R. Forstchen. I'm enjoying it immensely! It's so intense. What I like about this one is that it explains more of how an EMP works - how it fries all electronics. Also, you see more of a small town trying to survive and maintain civility, instead of just a couple of people (preppers) trying to survive. It's interesting, and it makes you think. 

I'm still listening to The Girl With No Name* by Diney Costeloe. I'm about 60% finished and loving it! It's about a Jewish refugee teenager sent to London just before the Blitz during WWII.







Recently Finished

I finished reading Looking for Alaska* by John Green. It was good, and now I'm watching the series on Hulu. One thing, for a YA, I thought it was a little too mature. 







What's next? 

My reading group is reading Holidays with Jane: Thankful Hearts* by Rebecca M. Fleming, Jennifer Becton, Melissa Buell, Nancy Kelley, Cecilia Gray, and Jessica Grey, so that's what I'll probably read! I've already read it, but it will be fun to read again. 







*Disclaimer: Links are 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! 


Have a great week, friends! Be sure to share what you've been reading! 

The Perfect Gentleman Blog Tour! ~ Guest Post, Excerpt, & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! It's my stop on The Perfect Gentleman Blog Tour! I'm very excited about this book! It's the kind of tale I look for in a Pride and Prejudice retelling! I hope you enjoy this excerpt Julie Cooper has selected for us, and be sure to check out the awesome giveaway! Details are at the bottom of the page! 

Greetings all, and thank you for letting me talk a little bit about this story! Every Pride and Prejudice variation needs a “Hunsford” moment, and The Perfect Gentleman is no exception.

One drawback to most Hunsfords, however, is the sense of helplessness we feel as readers, watching our favourite couple make decisions that could potentially destroy any chance of a future together. I will admit that I don’t always mind watching Darcy make a muck of things—but Lizzy’s participation in any ugliness can get to me. I suppose I always want Lizzy to be a much better human than myself—more patient, more charitable, and most of all…wiser than Fitzwilliam Darcy.

I believe this Lizzy achieves this lofty goal. In The Perfect Gentleman, Lizzy is a girl with dreams. Born of a mother who is “sunk beneath reproach” so to speak, and abandoned by her father, she might have turned to her mother’s scandalous means of supporting herself. But she can always see through the false glamour of her mother existence, even while recognising that Mrs Bennet did the best she could with the means she had. Lizzy doesn’t judge—she simply believes in herself, and that she can do better and become more than society expects.

By the time we come to the following excerpt, we are rooting for Lizzy to triumph over the circumstances of her birth and realize her goals. We’re also pretty sure that nothing will stop her, despite her upcoming confrontation with the arrogant Mr Darcy:

Excerpt from The Perfect Gentleman: 

SHE FOUND HIM pacing impatiently near the carriage. For just a moment, Lizzy was simply captivated by his appearance. From shoulders needing no buckram padding to the long legs leather-tipped in polished Hessians, he was a picture of wealth, masculinity, and authority. His wardrobe alone priced him beyond her reach; she ought to have known better. To have kissed him was a blunder of monumental proportions, for she could not imagine anyone else ever making a better job of it. 

And yet, in an odd way, she was proud of herself. She had captured the interest, however briefly, of a formidable, aristocratic man. In this, she could understand what had driven Fanny Bennet to sacrifice herself for Sir Eden; there was a thrill in it, an imitation sort of power, for a female so often at the mercy of others.

And yet, unlike Fanny, Lizzy had not succumbed. Her hopes and dreams remained intact. She would not sacrifice or give them away, not in return for fleeting—if wonderful—sensation. And though the odds of seeing Mr Darcy again were sadly slim, she could not be sorry she had known him just a little. A deep-seated fear that she was her mother’s daughter was forever banished. 

She was Elizabeth Bennet, a sculptor, and Fitzwilliam Darcy thought her beautiful. 

How many could say that? 

***

Of course, our Mr Darcy isn’t exactly stupid, and we can have perfect confidence in this “perfect” gentleman that, despite the upcoming setback, he won’t let her get away. 


It was great fun writing this couple, who from an “outside looking in” view were exact opposites, but along the way of their Regency Road Trip, discover that they aren’t so far apart, after all.

The Perfect Gentleman
by Julie Cooper

Book Blurb 

’Tis no secret that Lizzy Bennet has dreams. The uniquely talented daughter of a woman with a dubious reputation, Lizzy knows she must make her own way in a world that shuns her. Fitzwilliam Darcy carries the stains of his family’s disgrace upon his soul and only by holding himself to the strictest standards has he reclaimed his place in society. 

Now Georgiana Darcy has gone missing. If his fifteen-year-old sister cannot be found quickly, the scandal could destroy Darcy’s years of perfect behaviour. Lizzy Bennet know just what to do to find Georgiana. She is willing to join the pursuit to get what she wants but will Darcy be willing to trust her with his secrets? And what will they do when the search for Georgiana reveals what neither expected to find? 

The Perfect Gentleman is a romantic adventure so big it needs two volumes in one book. Follow the adventure in A Not-So-Merry Chase and discover the surprises and temptations that await at Pemberley in Love Wisely But Well.

Buy: Amazon US (paid link) • Amazon UK • Amazon CA
Add to Goodreads

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

About the Author

Julie Cooper, a California native, lives with her Mr Darcy (without the arrogance or the Pemberley) of nearly forty years, two dogs (one intelligent, one goofball), and Kevin the Cat (smarter than all of them.)  They have four children and three grandchildren, all of whom are brilliant and adorable, with the pictures to prove it. She works as an executive at a gift basket company and her tombstone will read, "Have your Christmas gifts delivered at least four days before the 25th."  Her hobbies are reading, giving other people good advice, and wondering why no one follows it.

You can connect with Julie Cooper on Facebook.

Blog Tour Schedule

Oct 28 - My Jane Austen Book Club

Oct 29 - Savvy Verse & Wit

Oct 30 - Diary of an Eccentric

Oct 31 - From Pemberley to Milton

Nov 1 - Babblings of a Bookworm

Nov 5 - So Little Time...

Nov 6 - My Vices & Weaknesses

* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

It's giveaway time! Quills & Quartos Publishing is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card! To be eligible, just comment on any of the blog tour stops. You need not visit all the stops (one point per stop and comment), however, it does increase your chances of winning by earning more entries. The contest ends on November 13, 2019.

• To enter, leave a comment below!
• For more entries, comment on any of the blog tour stops.
• Open Internationally
• The last day to enter the giveaway is November 13, 2019.

Many thanks to Quills & Quartos Publishing and Christina Boyd @ The Quill Ink for having me on this book tour! 

Congratulations to Julie Cooper on the release of The Perfect Gentleman, and thank you for visiting us here today!

So, friends, what do you think? Do you like stories where Elizabeth and Darcy are thrown together in some way and have to work with each other? 

Giveaway Winner!

Hello, friends! I'm excited to announce the winner of the Fine Eyes & Pert Opinions giveaway! 

Many thanks to Maria Grace for that lovely excerpt! Also, for offering one of my readers a chance to win an e-copy of her new book!

So, without further ado ... the winner is:

Ginna!

Congratulations, Ginna! I have sent you an email.

Buy links: Amazon (paid link) • Universal Book Buy Link

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! 

Thanks again to all who entered!