A SUMMER WITH JANE: PAULA BYRNE ON SIX WEEKS BY THE SEA

 

by Maria Grazia, My Jane Austen Book Club

 It is a real pleasure to welcome acclaimed biographer, novelist and Austen scholar Paula Byrne to our blog today. Paula is the author of numerous bestselling works, including Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice, The Real Jane Austen, The Genius of Jane Austen, and Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the Secrets of Brideshead, and she is widely respected for the depth, elegance, and originality of her work including biographies, literature, and history.

Her latest novel, Six Weeks by the Sea, offers a compelling blend of historical insight and imaginative storytelling. Set during the summer of 1801, the book follows a young Jane Austen during a six-week holiday in Sidmouth, where she becomes entangled in a quietly dramatic love triangle—with both a dashing Royal Navy captain and a thoughtful, abolitionist lawyer vying for her heart. Drawing on known facts and rich period detail, Paula creates a vivid world of family ties, social pressures, and romantic possibility—all with her signature grace and intelligence.

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.

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.

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? 

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

GODMERSHAM PARK BLOG TOUR: INTERVIEW WITH GILL HORNBY

  

I am so excited to kick off an exceptional historical fiction novel blog tour here at  My Jane Austen Book Club!  Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby is a story based on actual events, people, and locations in Jane Austen’s life, which takes place at the grand country estate of Jane’s wealthy brother Edward and his large family. 

To discover more about it, please read my interview with author Gill Hornby and, then,  feel free to leave your comments here and spread the good news! 

KISS ME GOOD NIGHT, MAJOR DARCY: FEATURETTE, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY

 

 ABOUT THE BOOK

The wind ruffled Darcy’s hair. “You’re beautiful.”

Happiness surged through Elizabeth's body like electricity. This moment was as close to perfection as she had ever known.

1943. World War II has torn the continent since 1939 and tested families, the Bennets included. Elizabeth and Jane nurse wounded soldiers and civilians in a London hospital. The other sisters volunteer as best suits their inclinations. Mr. Bennet rattles about Longbourn. Wickham sniffs about the edges of the estate—and the Bennet daughters.

 

Even the ever-present threat of death from the skies cannot prepare Jane and Lizzy for the most devastating news. The words one never wishes to hear are delivered by two officers, each scarred by years on the front lines. In the dark days that follow, devotion is tested, and affection blooms.

THE MATCHMAKER’S LONELY HEART BLOG TOUR

Welcome to the virtual book tour of THE MATCHMAKER’S LONELY HEART, Nancy Campbell Allen’s highly acclaimed historical novel, September 6-19, 2021. Thirty popular on-line influencers specializing in historical romance, mystery/suspense, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of its release with a spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new Victorian-era novel set in London, England.

BLOOMSBURY GIRLS BY NATALIE JENNER: COVER REVEAL!

If you like me read and loved Natalie Jenner's The Jane Austen Society, you'll be happy to know there's a new book coming, Bloomsbury Girls. Evie Stone, one of the characters of Natalie's debut novel, is now one of the three protagonists of a new story set in 1950. I can't wait to read it and I've joined the cover reveal blog tour to share the good news with you all! 

GEORGANA'S SECRET BLOG TOUR

Welcome to the virtual blog tour of GEORGANA’S SECRET, Arlem Hawks’ highly acclaimed debut historical romance novel,  which starts today at our blog and will close on February 14. Over forty-five popular blogs specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction will join in the celebration of its release with excerpts, spotlights, and reviews of this new Regency-era novel set aboard a Royal Naval ship. Discover more about the book and the other blog tour stops scrolling down and enjoy reading the exclusive excerpt Arlem Hawks has granted us.  

GENTLEMAN JIM BLOG TOUR, A TALE OF ROMANCE AND REVENGE

The virtual blog tour of GENTLEMAN JIM; A TALE OF ROMANCE AND REVENGE, Mimi Matthews’s highly acclaimed new historical romance novel, started on November 9 and will go on through December 6, 2020. Forty-five popular blogs specializing in historical fiction, historical romance, and Austenesque fiction have joined in the celebration of its release with exclusive excerpts, interviews, spotlights, or reviews of this new Regency-era novel set in Somerset, England. Ready to discover more?

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY - JANE AUSTEN & KATE RIORDAN, SANDITON

Jane Austen's Sanditon

When Jane Austen was chronically ill with a mysterious disease in early 1817, she turned her thoughts to a happier subject. She started working on a witty and delightful novel set in a seaside town, Sanditon.  She never finished it. She just left us 11 chapters, about 60 pages.

Sanditon tells the story of Tom Parker, who is obsessed with turning the sleepy seaside village of Sanditon into a fashionable health resort. He enlists the backing of local bigwig Lady Denham. Through a mishap, Tom makes the acquaintance of the Heywoods and invites their eldest daughter, Charlotte for an extended stay at Sanditon.

Meanwhile, Lady Denham, a widow, is playing matchmaker for her destitute nephew, Sir Edward, who is determined to seduce Lady Denham’s ward, Clara. The arrival of wealthy, mixed-race heiress Miss Lambe, under the protection of Tom’s upright brother Sidney, adds an interesting complication. Eligible men naturally find Miss Lambe fascinating, while Charlotte is intrigued by Sidney…

BLOG TOUR - KAY BEA, LETTERS FROM THE HEART: GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY

Geetings to Austen lovers everywhere and thank you for hosting me at My Jane Austen Book Club and allowing me to talk about my debut publication, Letters from the Heart!

I don’t think I can talk about this story without talking about the online Jane Austen experience. I am so incredibly thankful to the Jane Austen community. It has welcomed me, challenged me, and absolutely pushed me to do more than I thought I could. I still have a little trouble believing that a series of letters I wrote almost on a whim has grown into this!

AUTHOR GUEST POST: BEAU NORTH ON MAKING THE COLONEL

Hello, and thanks so much for hosting me today! After nearly a decade of having this story kicking around in my head (and through countless incarnations on my Google Drive) I’m thrilled to be able to finally share ‘The Colonel’ with all of you. Some of you might be familiar with my first book, Longbourn’s Songbird, and the trials and tribulations of Will Darcy’s cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam. When I set out writing this story back in 2009, I had an idea of telling Pride and Prejudice from The Colonel’s point of view, in a more modern setting while still keeping the action at a pivotal moment in world history.

After several drafts, I put most of Fitzwilliam’s story aside in favor of getting to the juicy Darcy-and-Elizabeth story. But Richard lingered in my head. A kind-hearted rake, the archetype of men I’d been watching on AMC since I was a girl. The final product, this character I’d borrowed from my beloved Austen, had become a sort of Frankenstein of these leading men. My Richard would have the quiet intensity of Cary Grant’s TR Devlin in Notorious, his exterior cool while his eyes devoured every expression on his lady love’s face. He would have the gin-soaked humor and self-depreciating wit of Bogart’s Richard Blaine in Casablanca, and the looks and go-to-hell attitude of Gene Kelly’s Victor in Cross of Lorraine.