REVIEW: CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY, A DELECTABLY DELIGHTFUL MYSTERY

Hello,  everyone! I hope you've been following all the excitement around the release of Katie Oliver's Cyanide and Sensibility so far. What about my author interview, which opened the virtual book tour on December 4th? Well, if you've missed it somehow, here is the LINK to enjoy it and hear directly from the author about the creation of her new delightful mystery story. Today I'm especially here to share with you my review of the book. Ready to scroll down and read? No major spoilers ahead, only the typical ramblings of a well-entertained Austen fan. MG

CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KATIE OLIVER

Welcome, dear readers, to the much-anticipated kickoff of the Cyanide and Sensibility Virtual Book Tour here at My Jane Austen Book Club! We are delighted to bring you an exclusive sneak peek into the latest installment of The Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series by the talented author Katie Oliver.

NEW RELEASE! WORTHY BY JULIA WINTER: AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

        

About The Book

In the course of 1811, the Bennets of Longbourn meet two sets of estranged relatives: Mr Bennet’s unprepossessing heir, and his mother’s family. Elizabeth Bennet journeys into Kent to stay with the Palmers at Wingham Hall: her grand-aunt Iphigenia, her cousin Sir James Palmer, who had loved her grandmother ardently in his youth, and his son Galahad. Pleased with her new relations, Elizabeth is less content with the taciturn friend Galahad has invited to join him at Wingham. Fitzwilliam Darcy—rich and proud, disdainful of those beneath him—has escorted his sister Georgiana to Ramsgate, to recuperate from a dangerous illness in the care of her companion, Mrs Younge.

Complications arise with the arrival of Elizabeth’s sister Jane and, separately, Charles and Caroline Bingley, the authors of Jane’s unhappiness. Tensions and quarrels result in the Bingleys’ abrupt departure, swiftly followed by Darcy after a maladroit proposal that Elizabeth spurns with a pride that matches his own.

Unfortunately, Darcy leaves Kent just as his enemy, George Wickham appears, intent on securing Georgiana and her fortune. Who will stand between Georgiana and ruin? Who will win Jane Bennet’s hand? And can Darcy and Elizabeth ever be reconciled?”

AUSTEN MINDFULNESS: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

 

Jane Austen's novels offer valuable insights into human behaviour and relationships, and there are mindfulness lessons that can be gleaned from her works. While mindfulness as a concept and practice didn't exist during Austen's time, her keen observations of human nature and her characters' journeys can still offer wisdom for contemporary readers seeking to cultivate mindfulness and emotional intelligence.

BOOK REVIEW: JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY BY STEPHANIE BARRON

 

 

Stephanie Barron, the talented author known for her Being a Jane Austen Mystery series, brings us a captivating and bittersweet conclusion to a beloved literary journey in "JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY." As winter turns to spring in March 1817, we find Jane Austen's health slowly declining, threatening to silence her quill and halt the progress on her latest manuscript. But when a chilling mystery unfurls at her nephew Edward's former school, Winchester College, Jane's indomitable spirit and unwavering curiosity propel her forward into a world of secrets and deception.

NEW RELEASE! AMANDA KAI, MISS BINGLEY AND THE BARON: AUTHOR GUEST POST, EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY

 

Dear readers and Jane Austen aficionados,

We're thrilled to have the talented author Amanda Kai with us today to celebrate the release of her latest literary delight, "Miss Bingley and the Baron." As we open the pages of her enchanting story, we're transported to the world of Regency romance, where love blossoms under the veil of disguise and false pretenses.

JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY, INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR STEPHANIE BARRON

 

Dear fellow Jane Austen enthusiasts and mystery lovers,

It's a delightful honour to kick off the blog tour for Stephanie Barron's latest novel, "JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY." As we gather here, ready to embark on a literary journey that promises both intrigue and bittersweet reflection, we have the unique privilege of delving into the mind of one of the world's most beloved authors, Jane Austen, as envisioned by the talented Stephanie Barron.

In this beautifully crafted book, Barron invites us to step into the final days of Jane Austen's life, where her indomitable spirit and unquenchable curiosity drive her to solve a mystery that hits close to home. Based on true events from Austen's life, this novel promises to be a fitting tribute to the woman whose wit and wisdom continue to captivate readers around the globe.

But the excitement doesn't stop here. In an exclusive treat for our readers, we have the privilege of a one-on-one interview with the brilliant author herself, Stephanie Barron. 

So, grab your favorite tea, settle into a cozy spot, and let the adventure begin as we step into the world of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries. It's a journey that promises to be as captivating and enchanting as the works of the great Austen herself.

Without further ado, let's dive into our interview with Stephanie Barron and discover the secrets behind the mysteries that continue to keep us turning the pages.

Stay tuned, dear readers, for a delightful exploration of literature, history, and the enduring legacy of Jane Austen. My review of the book is coming soon!

Happy reading!  

Maria Grazia💕

SHANNON WINSLOW: DISCOVERING MR. KNIGHTLEY

 

(from Shannon Winslow)

Writing a novel takes a long time, so authors need strong inspiration to carry them through. My inspiration (for this book and all the others) comes from Jane Austen – from what she wrote, yes, but just as much from what she didn’t write. My mission, you see, is to fill in the blanks she left behind. I add on to rather than varying from Austen’s timeless stories.

HOW JANE AUSTEN PERSEVERED

 

Jane Austen's House - Chawton 

Recently, I have faced some huge challenges in my life and have had many obstacles to overcome. My experiences have made me think of the challenges Jane Austen faced and how she overcame them. Jane did not always have an easy life. An example of this is the decision by her parents in 1801 for Jane’s father, a vicar, to retire from Steventon in Hampshire and, with his wife and their two daughters, move to Bath. Neither Jane nor her elder sister Cassandra were consulted.

AUTUMNAL MELANCHOLY IN JANE AUSTEN'S PERSUASION

 

Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliott - Persuasion 2007

“Her pleasure in the walk arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season which has drawn from every poet worthy of being read some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.” - Persuasion

Fall is here again and it's definitely my favourite season. Autumn, with its wistful beauty and the melancholy it often carries, has long been a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and artists. It's a season that mirrors the bittersweet emotions of change, reflection, and the passing of time. Jane Austen, in her final completed novel Persuasion, masterfully weaves the melancholic essence of autumn into the narrative, a reflection of her own life circumstances as she penned the novel while seriously ill.

BLOG TOUR - THE SCANDALOUS CONFESSIONS OF LYDIA BENNET, WITCH

Welcome to My Jane Austen Book Club! Today, we embark on a bewitching literary journey that merges the timeless atmosphere of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with the enchanting world of magic. Get ready to uncover the secrets and confessions of the Bennet family like you've never seen before as we dive into The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch. Join us as we explore this wildly inventive and utterly addictive reimagining, and don't miss our exclusive interview with author, Melinda Taub, where we delve into the magic behind the pages.

JANE AUSTEN'S LEADING LADIES: VIRTUES AND FLAWS

 

Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (1995)

After discussing heroes, let’s have a look at Jane Austen's female leading characters. Her novels are filled with a cast of strong and memorable heroines, each with her unique set of virtues and flaws. From the witty Elizabeth Bennet to the reserved Fanny Price, these female protagonists have charmed readers for generations. In this article, I’d like to explore the world of Austen's heroines, highlighting both their admirable qualities and their human imperfections.

JANE AUSTEN'S LEADING MEN: BEST QUALITIES AND FLAWS

 

Jane Austen, often celebrated for her sharp wit and keen observations of human nature, was a master of creating compelling male characters who have left an indelible mark on literature and raised our expectations so dangerously high! In this post, I will delve into the world of Austen's male heroes from her various novels, highlighting their best qualities and, just as importantly, their flaws. These characters, including Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, Colonel Brandon, Edward Ferrars, Mr. Knightley, Henry Tilney, and Edmund Bertram, continue to captivate readers with their complexity and enduring charm. Scroll down, enjoy reading and let me know if you agree with or not in the comment section below if you wish. 

BOOK REVIEW: WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO? A CHARMING ROM-COM WITH AUSTENIAN SPARKS

 

Step into the enchanting world of "What Would Jane Austen Do?" by Linda Corbett, where romance, wit, and modern-day love stories intertwine with the timeless allure of Jane Austen's novels. This delightful rom-com is a must-read for Austen fans and lovers of sparkling contemporary fiction.

BOOK COVER REVEAL! CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY: A JANE AUSTEN TEA SOCIETY MYSTERY - A DELICIOUS WHODUNIT BY KATIE OLIVER

 

Dear fellow Jane Austen enthusiasts and cozy mystery lovers, the time has come for a truly delectable revelation! Get ready to put on your detective caps and join us as we dive into the enchanting world of "Cyanide and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery." In this upcoming masterpiece by the talented Katie Oliver, prepare to indulge in a delightful blend of cozy culinary mystery, amateur sleuthing, and Austenesque fiction. With the cover reveal today, let's start embarking on a new tantalizing journey into the realm of confections, clues, and cunning in Laurel Springs. Scroll down to have a look at the lovely book cover! 

LOVING MISS TILNEY BLOG TOUR: EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY

Dear readers and fellow Jane Austen enthusiasts,

I am thrilled to introduce you to a lovely new release from the talented author, Heather Moll. As you know, Heather has graced us with her literary brilliance before, and today, I am excited to present her newest release: "Loving Miss Tilney." This enchanting tale takes inspiration from Jane Austen's beloved work, "Northanger Abbey," and promises to sweep you off your feet into a world of longing, scheming, and undeniable passion. 

NEW RELEASE! SPELLS AND SHADOWS BY VICTORIA KINCAID

Welcome to My Jane Austen Book Club! We're delighted to have the talented author Victoria Kincaid as our guest again! Today, we're diving into the magical world of Pride & Prejudice with her latest release, Spells and Shadows. In this captivating fantasy variation, Mr. Darcy finds himself entangled in a dangerous mission as a secret agent for the Mages' Council. Fleeing from an evil necromancer, Darcy's path crosses with Elizabeth Bennet, a skilled mage at Longbourn estate. As secrets, spells, and shadows enshroud their budding relationship, they must navigate a treacherous web of danger and deception. Scroll down for an exciting excerpt from Spells and Shadows as we discover how Elizabeth and Jane stumble upon Darcy in the most unexpected circumstances. Will they be able to protect themselves and their loved ones from the malevolent necromancer's sinister plots? Dive into this enchanting Pride & Prejudice variation, where love is entwined with magic and mystery. You won't want to miss this thrilling adventure! Spells and Shadows is now available on Amazon. Let the journey into Regency fantasy begin! MG 💕

DOUBT NOT, COUSIN: A REGENCY SAGA OF LOVE AND INTRIGUE

 

Welcome, dear readers, to My Jane Austen Book Club! Today, we embark on a journey through the pages of a captivating new novel, Doubt Not, Cousin, written by the talented author Barry S. Richman. Filled with love, secrets, and the charm of England's Regency era, this book promises to delight all Austen enthusiasts. Join me as we delve into the depths of darkness and emerge into the light of happily ever after.

OUT TODAY! THE PORTRAITS OF PEMBERLEY BY ELIZABETH GILLILAND, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY

 

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT? 

All of Jane Austen’s characters combined into one modern-day novel, + mystery

After George Wickham is found tied up, naked, on the Austen University Campus Square, President de Bourgh gives student journalist Lizzy Bennet an ultimatum: Find out who committed the crime, or be expelled from the school. Lizzy must team up with some old friends (like the Austen Murder Club) and some new (like...Karoline Bingley?) to get to the bottom of the truth.

NEW RELEASE: A FAR BETTER PROSPECT. TALKING JANE AUSTEN WITH AUTHOR M.J. STRATTON.

 

 

What is the book about?

Louisa Bingley had never defied her mother in her life, until she found something she wished to fight for. In love with a man with close ties to trade, Louisa refuses to give him up when her mother demands it.

But Mrs. Bingley is not to be reckoned with and through despicable means manages to force her daughter into a much more appropriate marriage to a gentleman named Mr. Hurst.

Married to a man she does not love and finding herself in increasingly desperate circumstances, the newly wed Louisa Hurst must learn to navigate her husband's expectations and demands while still trying to hold on to the threads of herself. Through all of this she must also survive the malice of her younger sister Caroline when the responsibility for her sister is thrust most unwillingly upon her.

Convinced contentment in life is all that she can expect, Louisa finds herself quite unexpectedly released from her unwanted marriage and free to pursue her own happiness. But does she dare take the chance at allowing herself to feel again?

 Along with Jane and Lizzy and all our favorites, Louisa Hurst gets her own happy ending in this Pride and Prejudice Vagary.

 

WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO? INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LINDA CORBETT

Hello everyone and happy weekend! Summer has come and with it some spare time for leisure reading. I'm having great fun leafing through a witty modern romance with so many winks at Jane Austen and her world. What Would Jane Austen Do? is what you need to relax and enjoy these first summer days. 

While the story is not exactly a retelling of any Austen novel, each chapter starts with a Jane Austen quote, and the main character Maddy is an Austen superfan, which leads to references to her books, characters and quotations.

I'm really glad and grateful to the author, Linda Corbett, for being our guest at My Jane Austen Book Club and for taking the time to talk Jane Austen with me. 

Please scroll down to discover more about the book and its author. I hope you'll enjoy reading and will be willing to welcome Linda and share your thoughts in the comment section below after finishing.  

ALLOW ME TO TELL YOU: MONICA FAIRVIEW IS BACK WITH A NEW DARCY TALE! INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome back, Monica, and thanks a lot for accepting this interview. Here’s my first question: what inspired you to write your new Pride and Prejudice variation, Allow Me to Tell You?  Was it something you read or saw?

The idea popped into my head one day when re-reading the section of Pride and Prejudice in Netherfield where Caroline Bingley praises Mr. Darcy for his letter-writing skills. I love this scene in the novel because Caroline is so transparent in her compliments. In a way, she is like Mr. Collins with his ‘little elegant compliments’!

TOMI TABB, THE GREAT AUSTEN ADVENTURE

 

Thank you so much to Maria Grazia for allowing me the opportunity to stop by and say ‘hello’ to you all. My name is Tomi and I am an author who writes sweet, clean romance novels.

Aside from being an author, I’m also an avid reader of Regency and JA inspired stories.

When I sat down to write my latest novel, “The Great Austen Adventure,” I thought it would be fun to explore the types of fans we have in JA fandom. Little did I know that this story would take on a mind of its own.

THE CRIMES OF ELIZABETH DARCY BLOG TOUR: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR SOPHIE C. TURNER & GIVEAWAY

Hello and welcome back, Sophie! Let's start our interview with something you said in your review. You said the premise of this story was “bonkers.” How did you come up with the idea for this book?

First off, thank you so much for hosting me here at My Jane Austen Book Club, Maria Grazia!

As for the bonkers premise, it was a combination of things, and I can’t remember which came first. I had been mulling over a what if for a lost at sea story and I also have a soft spot for amnesia plots. I also at some point learned that bigamy was technically punishable by death in the Georgian era. That was dangerous knowledge for me to have!

EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: LAURA MORETTI, FOUR PROPOSALS OF MARRIAGE

Here's a new Pride and Prejudice Variation to discover: Four Proposals of Marriage.  It's by Laura Moretti, who has generously granted 3 readers of My Jane Austen Book Club the chance to win a copy of her new release. Scroll down, read chapter one and try your luck in the giveaway contest!

ABOUT THE BOOK

What if Darcy had to propose marriage four times—yes, FOUR—before Elizabeth accepted his hand?

The Darcys and the Bennets have always been neighbours and close friends, and Fitzwilliam Darcy grew up scampering through the fields in the company of Mr Bennet’s two daughters, the very pretty Jane and the very impertinent Elizabeth.

AUTHOR GUEST POST & EXCERPT: AMANDA KAI, A FAVORABLE IMPRESSION

Hi Maria Grazia, thanks so much for having me back at My Jane Austen Book Club to help me celebrate the release of A Favorable Impression!

This is the second book in my series of Regency-era standalones, each featuring a different path to Happily Ever After for Darcy and Elizabeth. I guess you could say that each book takes place in a different “universe”, with all the same characters appearing, but with varying circumstances, which makes for a unique story in each, even though they are all patterned after Pride and Prejudice, and they all arrive at the same destination in the end. I suppose that is why we love Pride and Prejudice variations so much though, right? 

P&P & LOL! JANE AUSTEN'S PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ... THROUGH TEXTS. GUEST POST, EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY

 

 

Thank you, Maria Grazia, for hosting me today.  I’m excited to talk about my newest release: P & P & LOL: a Novella Retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice…Through Texts!

A NEW NOVEL BY JAYNE BAMBER: HANDSOME, CLEVER AND RICH

 

It’s great to be back at My Jane Austen Book Club! Today I am here to share another excerpt of my new release, Handsome, Clever, & Rich, which is now available on Kindle Unlimited.

 

This Pride & Prejudice variation is a crossover with another of my favorites, Emma, and the titular heroine plays an important role in the story. While Emma’s love story is a gradual progression, Elizabeth’s path to romance is much rockier in this story. This retelling has styled her a Bennet by marriage rather than birth, and after a youthful elopement and brief marriage, the widow of four years has sworn never to wed again… until Elizabeth is convalescing at Netherfield and a moment of passion with Mr. Darcy leads to a compromise that jeopardizes the reputation of her Bennet relations.

CPP COMMUNITY THEATRE: AUSTEN ON STAGE IN AUSTRALIA

 

AUSTEN ON STAGE IN AUSTRALIA

CPP Community Theatre (previously Croydon Parish Players) is a not-for-profit theatre group,  based in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia. As a not-for-profit amateur theatre group CCP encourage an appreciation and understanding of dramatic art. This year marks their 67th year performing for the public! In April they will be performing in a brilliant adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. The show premieres on Friday 14th April  and will be on until  22nd April  2023.   What about peeping behind the curtain and having a glimpse at the last rehearsals? Just click and watch the short promo video right below.

THE SAILOR'S REST, THE NAVAL ADVENTURE JANE AUSTEN MIGHT HAVE WRITTEN. GUEST POST & GIVEAWAY.

 

The Naval Adventure Jane Austen Might Have Written

 The Sailor’s Rest, the latest Austenesque novel by Don Jacobson, has been released worldwide on March 28, 2023. Published independently, this is the author’s twelfth variation using Austen’s Canon as a basis for the story. The book is a cross-over (not a mash-up) of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. For plot purposes, the novel (approx. 117,000 words) is set on the Persuasion timeline in 1815. However, the age and plot constructs from Pride and Prejudice have been maintained to establish context.

CHRISTINE COMBE, WHY I KISSED YOU. AUTHOR GUEST POST, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY

Our guest today is Christine Combe, who is back to My Jane Austen Book Club to present her latest novel, Why I Kissed You. It's her 7th JAFF novel and it's a Pride and Prejudice Variation. Scroll down and enjoy reading. ! Good luck in the giveaway, of course! MG

TO WIN HER HAND BLOG TOUR: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JEN GEIGLE JOHNSON

Hello  everybody! I'm glad and honoured to welcome a new author to our online book club.  Jen Geigle Johnson has granted us an interview on the occasion of the release of her new Regency novel, TO WIN HER HAND. Ready to discover more? Scroll down and enjoy! 

HEATHER MOLL, MR DARCY'S VALENTINE: GUEST POST & GIVEAWAY.

HEATHER MOLL WRITES ROMANTIC VARIATIONS OF JANE AUSTEN’S CLASSIC NOVELS. SHE IS KNOWN FOR HER HISTORICAL DETAILS, UNIQUE PLOTS, AND CHARACTERS TRUE TO THE BELOVED ORIGINALS. SHE'S BACK TO MY JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB TO PRESENT HER 'MR DARCY'S VALENTINE'. LET'S WELCOME HER BACK! M.G. 

NEW RELEASE! CHRISTINE COMBE, THREE BRIDES FOR THREE COUSINS

Hello dear readers, was your holiday  season good, relaxing and rewarding?I  really hope so.  Did you manage to read anything new and good? I have an Austen-inspired new release to recommend. Let's welcome Christine Combe back to My Jane Austen Book Club, shall we?  Scroll down and discover more about Three Brides for Three Cousins, her sixth JAFF novel. We'll be waiting for your messages and ideas in the comment section.  MG

AMANDA KAI, NOT IN WANT OF A WIFE. AUTHOR'S GUEST POST + EXCERPT

 

Hello everyone! Let's welcome author Amanda Kai to our online Jane Austen Book Club  and let's congratulate her on the publication of her latest book, Not in Want of a Wife. Scroll down and enjoy reading. MG

AUTHOR'S GUEST POST

Thank you, Maria Grazia, I’m so excited to be here today at My Jane Austen Book Club.

My latest book, Not In Want of a Wife, was born from the thought “what if Darcy and Elizabeth decided to fake a courtship?” The fake courtship/fake dating trope is such a fun one, because you just know that the couple who is pretending to like each other are going to fall in love! I absolutely love fake dating/fake courtship tropes, so it was really fun to put Darcy and Lizzy into this situation. Instead of getting off on the wrong foot at the Meryton Assembly, Darcy and Elizabeth strike up a secret partnership to make it look like they are courting one another.