The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen (Book Tour)

Join 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.

Have you ever gone on a blind date?

Amelie is an independent woman in Victorian England working for her Aunt at the Marriage Gazette.  She decides to match together two lonely heart letters at the Gazette.  She knows she is not supposed to, but she spies on the date to see how it is going.  She is surprised to see Mr. Radcliffe is one of the people meeting.  He is a member of her book club and a recent widower.  She has developed a tendre for him.  She runs into Michael Baker who is trailing Mr. Radcliffe.  He believes that Mr. Radcliffe’s first wife did not die by accident and is determined to figure out what happened.  What happened to Mr. Radcliffe’s wife?  Will Amelie find her own happy ending?

 I greatly enjoyed this novel.  I loved the witty banter between Detective Baker and Amelie. I also enjoyed the other characters such as Amelie’s cousins Charlotte and Eva.  I hope they get their own novels.  The Victorian setting was perfect. This story had it all, romance, mystery, suspense and adventure.  It does take a dark turn, but I really enjoyed the ending.

 I loved the quotes at the start of each chapter from different publications.  They not only set a great backdrop to the times, but they made me chuckle sometimes when the characters acted in direct opposition of the quotes.

 Favorite Quote:

“I do not know that absence of emotion holds any sway in a debate on human evolution.  I should think Darwin’s observations prove the opposite, in fact.  The more man evolves, the higher his plane of morality, the greater this depth of compassion, wouldn’t you say?”

 Overall, The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart is an entertaining Victorian romance and mystery.

 Book Source:  Shadow Mountain Publishing as part of the Austenprose Book Tour.

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart: Proper Romance Victorian

·       Author: Nancy Campbell Allen

·       Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Mystery/Suspense, Inspirational Fiction

·       Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (September 7, 2021)

·       Length: (336) pages

·       Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

London, 1885

Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple's blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe―a grieving widower and a member of Amelie's book club.

Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.

When a woman's body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman's husband―Harold Radcliffe―of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe's innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match.

They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.

ADVANCE PRAISE

"Allen pairs a matchmaker and a detective in this charming Victorian romance. Allen expertly combines mystery and romance into a fast-paced tale complete with plenty of surprises and a central relationship founded on mutual admiration and respect. Readers are sure to appreciate the strong, well-shaded heroine and twisty plot." —Publishers Weekly

"Allen's chaste tale of Victorian romantic suspense will also appeal to historical mystery readers, and it would be great for mother-and-daughter reads. This has great appeal for teens who like historical fiction laced with mystery and romance." —Booklist

“I was immediately drawn into the characters’ lives and enjoyed the unraveling of the mystery and the development of the romance.” —Mystery and Suspense Magazine

AUTHOR BIO

Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of fifteen published novels and numerous novellas, which span genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction.  In 2005, her work won the Utah Best of State award, and she received a Whitney Award for My Fair Gentleman. She has presented at numerous writing conferences and events since her first book was released in 1999. Nancy received a BS in Elementary Education from Weber State University. She loves to read, write, travel, and research and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She is married and the mother of three children.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB

 

TOUR SCHEDULE           

Sept 06         Timeless Novels (Review)

Sept 07         The Book Diva Reads (Excerpt)

Sept 07         Wishful Endings (Review)

Sept 08         Robin Loves Reading (Review)

Sept 08         A Darn Good Read (Review)

Sept 08         Storeybook Reviews (Spotlight)

Sept 08         Austenesque Reviews (Review)

Sept 09         Bookfoolery (Review)

Sept 09         The Lit Bitch (Excerpt)

Sept 10         The Bluestocking (Review)

Sept 10         Bookworm Lisa (Review)

Sept 10         The Silver Petticoat Review (Review)

Sept 11         Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)

Sept 11         My Bookish Bliss (Review)

Sept 11         Nurse Bookie (Review)

Sept 12         The Bibliophile Files (Review)

Sept 12         My Jane Austen Book Club (Spotlight)

Sept 13         Heidi Reads (Excerpt)

Sept 13         Reading with Emily (Review)

Sept 13         Our Book Confessions (Review)

Sept 14         Rosanne E. Lortz (Review)

Sept 14         Laura's Reviews (Review)

Sept 14         Beauty in the Binding (Spotlight)

Sept 15         All-of-a-Kind Mom (Review)

Sept 15         Gwendalyn's Books (Review)

Sept 15         Life of Literature (Review)

Sept 16         From Pemberley to Milton (Review)

Sept 16         Probably at the Library (Spotlight)

Sept 17         Greenish Bookshelf (Review)

Sept 17         Relz Reviewz (Review)

Sept 18         Novel Kicks (Review)

Sept 19         Historical Fiction with Spirit (Excerpt)

                  

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP

| GOODREADS

 

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede

 

What is the last inspiring book you read that restored your faith in humanity?

 The Day the World Came to Town is the story of what happened to the planes that were forced to land elsewhere when the United States closed its airspace on 9/11.  Thirty-eight planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland which had an extra-long landing from its early days in aviation.  6,595 passengers were deposited on a town of barely 10,000 people.  The community came together to help out these passengers from all over the world. 

 The Day the World came to town is the stories of individuals that were flying to the United States for various reasons.  It is also the story of the individuals in Gander and how they helped.  I was amazed at how the town was able to mobilize and help out the people including stripping their beds of sheets and beddings and bringing all of their towels.  I loved the individuals and the pictures included.  Some of the individuals including the parents of a NYC firefighter, a couple trying to fly home with their adopted daughter, a US general trying to get back to her command, etc.  I was riveted.  This was a truly human story of perseverance.  It reminded me that just like Mr. Rogers said, you should focus on the helpers on not on those that are evil in the world.  When you get down to it, most people are good people that just want to help each other out.  I think this story applies to today more than ever. 

 Favorite Quotes:

“We realized we are part of a global village, as my children used to say: What is happening in one part of the globe is affecting us all.”

 “Their willingness to help others is arguably the single most important trait that defines them as Newfoundlanders.”

 “They affirmed the basic goodness of man at a time when it was easy to doubt such humanity still existed.  If the terrorists had hoped their attacks would reveal the weaknesses in western society, the events in Gander proved its strength.”

 “We’re all Americans tonight.”

 “There was no hatred.  No anger.  No fear in Gander.  Only the spirit of community.  Here, everyone was equal, everyone was treated the same. Here, the basic humanity of man wasn’t just surviving, but thriving.”

 “Nevertheless, given all of those human frailties, what happened in Gander is still remarkable.  And perhaps the lesson learned isn’t that these acts of kindness occurred because Gander is a magical place, but rather these people came together in a time of crisis regardless of their own personal shortcoming.  And if that’s the case, then it offers us hope that all of us have that ability within us.”

 Overall, The Day the World Came to Town is a truly inspiring story that will restore your faith in humanity.

 Book Source:  Review Copy from William Morrow.  Thank-you!

Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

 

I read Evil Under the Sun at the end of August for the #ReadChristie2021 challenge.  The prompt was a story on a seaside.  Poor Hercule Poirot never gets a break, even when he is on a seaside vacation.  He goes to visit the Jolly Roger Hotel, Smuggler’s Island, Leathercombe Bay on a promontory that is cut off from England at each high tide.  He meets a motley crew of characters and soon enough, one is found dead on the beach.  Who committed this murder during a seaside vacation and why?

I enjoyed this Christie as I’ve been enjoying each one as I read them for the first time.  Christie tricked me again, but I loved going along for the ride and seeing how this mystery turned out.  This novel did not have a narrator and I liked how chapter one set up the seaside location including a map.  I loved how once again Poirot uses his little grey cells to understand people’s characters and to really look at how much they are saying or not saying.  He shows the reader and the characters of the novel that sometimes or own biases are what make it so that a murderer can be hiding in plain sight.

Favorite Quotes:

“It is romantic, yes. It is peaceful.  The sun shines.  The sea is blue.  But you forget, Miss Brewster, there is evil everywhere under the sun.”

“One can’t go back, can one?  That – never.  But I’d like to have gone on - a different way.”

Overall, Evil Under the Sun is the perfect mystery to take along on your next holiday.

Book Source:  Purchased from Amazon.com

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley

 

Have you ever learned about a new (to you) figure in history that is inspiring?

Dorothy Kirwan was born enslaved in Montserrat in the Caribbean to an enslaved woman and white plantation owner father in 1756.  She spent long years working and saving until she was finally able to buy her and her family’s freedom.  Once free, Kirwan built an empire of her own as an entrepreneur, merchant, hotelier, and landowner.  Along the way she experienced great love and great loss.  She had many children and she worked to ensure that they and her grandchildren received a great education in Great Britain. 

Dorothy Kirwan Thomas lived a fascinating life and I loved learning about her in this wonderful historical fiction novel.  Her life at times reminded of the fictional Amber in Forever Amber or fictional Becky Sharpe in Vanity Fair.  She had a lot of strength of character and was able to work hard and put everything on the line to move herself up and help her family.  The story was epic, and I couldn’t it down reading it over a weekend of camping.

My favorite part was reading in the afterword that Island Queen had an Austen connection.  Author Vanessa Riley was reading the unfinished Jane Austen novel, Sanditon, and discovered the character of Miss Lambe who is described as a half mulatto heiress from the West Indies.  Riley wondered, “was this character a creature derived from a progressive author’s creativity or was his character based on persons of color that Austen learned about or saw or interacted with in her community?”  Riley went on a ten-year quest for the answer and discovered that both were true.  She found the true history of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas and other black women who were powerful women in that time.  I have been fascinated by this question as well also from Sanditon and the movie Belle.  I felt like my questions were finally answered!

Favorite Quotes:

“No woman needed a man who wasn’t worthy of her heart.”

“I was an impressionable girl who needed a hero.  I’m my own savior now.”

“No man in my life, none had supported me, not like Thomas.  He wasn’t threatened by my dreams or my past.  I should assure him of my heart and say to him the three words he said easily.”

“Broken glass still sparkles when the light hits it.  It might even look like diamonds or chandeliers’ jewels.  It’s still ruined and in need of repair.  Time will fix it, if you live free.”

“What was the use of building a legacy if the ones who deserved the fruit never lived long enough for the harvest?”

Overall, Island Queen is a historical fiction novel that brings the riveting story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas to life.

Book Source:  Review Copy from William Morrow.  Thank-you!

 

Deer Season by Erin Flanagan (TLC Book Tour)

 Deer season has opened in Gunthrum, Nebraska in 1985 and a girl has gone missing.  Peggy was a typical high school girl that snuck out from home for a party on Saturday night, but failed to turn up for her brother’s confirmation Sunday morning.  As the family starts to look for her, more mysteries abound. Alma Costagan’s intellectually disabled farm hand, Hal, is like a son to her.  Hal shows up early from a weekend of deer hunting with blood in his truck and a dent in his truck.  His story doesn’t add up, and soon the small town turns against him.  Is Hal guilty and where is Peggy?

I enjoyed this story for the slow burn mystery and more for the masterful portrait of small-town rural life and people.  I loved the small-town farm community setting.  It reminded me of where I live now in Wisconsin and where I grew up in Michigan.  I also loved the characters.  They were all interesting in their unique ways. The novel is told from Alma and Peggy’s 12-year-old brother Milo’s point of view.  The two viewpoints kept the action moving in the novel. I also loved that this novel really explored families and relationships.  Most of all I loved Alma Costagan.  She’s a woman of a certain age who tells it like it is to everyone she meets.  She has suffered through great heart ache in her life, but she’s also found happiness with her husband Clyle and Hal.  I would love to read more about Alma.  Milo’s coming of age story was riveting as well as he grapples with guilt for knowing that his sister was sneaking out and wondering what happened to her.  What does Milo want from life?

Favorite Quote:

“He wondered if for the rest of his life he’d think about the time his sister went missing while he watched it snow.”

Overall, Deer Season is a wonderful literary mystery with great characters.

Book Source:  Review Copy from University of Nebraska Press for being a part of the TLC Book Tour.  Thank-you!  For more stops on this tour check out this link.

For a chance to win a copy of this novel, check out my Instagram post. 

What If You & Me by Roni Loren

 

Title:  What If You & Me

Author: Roni Loren

Read by:  Desiree Ketchum

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC

Length: Approximately 7 hours and 48 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Netgalley. Missing first two chapters so then purchased from Audible.

What if fear of the world can turn to trust and love?

Andi Lockley has a mysterious past traumatic event in her teenage years that has made her distrustful of the world and of relationships.  She meets her new neighbor, Hill Dawson after he barges in thinking she is being assaulted when he hears the screams from the horror movie she is watching.  They meet again when Andi runs over to his place after finding her back door open during another horror movie-a-thon.  Andi is a horror novel writer and Hill is a retired firefighter. Hill has trauma in his own past as he lost first part of his leg while rescuing people from a fire, and then his fiancée when she cheated on him with his best friend.  Will these two seemingly very different people find love and a way to move forward in life?

I LOVED this novel.  I really loved how the two main characters had very different trauma in their life and were able to work through it to build a trusting relationship together.  I also loved how this novel brough in elements of suspense as well.   This novel does have open door romance in it, but it did not go overboard.  I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series until I was well into it.  It stands on its own, but I do want to go back and read the first book.

What If You & Me is the August selection of the Brenda Novak Book Group. I listened to the meeting a day later on Friday, and it was a great interview with author Roni Loren.  My question was asked about whether Loren was a horror fan herself and what were her favorites.  It turns out she read a lot of the same books that I read as a preteen / teen – RL Stine, Christopher Pike, etc.  She then turned to a love of classic horror.  I am not much of a horror movie fan myself, but I enjoyed Andi’s passion for them in this novel.  This book group meeting is still up on Brenda Novak’s Facebook page if you would like to listen.

I downloaded this audiobook from Netgalley for review, but it was unfortunately missing the first two chapters, so I bought it from audible.  Desiree Ketchum was a delightful narrator.

Overall, I loved this romance and want to read more from author Roni Loren.

A Seaside Summer by Josi S. Kilpack, Martha Keyes, and Heather B. Moore (Review and GIVEAWAY)

Join the virtual book tour of A SEASIDE SUMMER, a collection of novellas by bestselling authors Josi S. Kilpack, Martha Keyes, and Heather B. Moore, August 23-September 19, 2021. Over twenty-five popular on-line influencers specializing in Regency romance, historical romance, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of the release of the 17th book in the bestselling Timeless Regency Romance Collection with a spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new anthology set in Regency England.

Do you like to take a vacation by the sea or a lake?  If so, where if your favorite vacation spot?

A Seaside Summer was just the book I needed this hectic first week of school to calm my nerves like a seaside vacation.  It is no secret that I love regency romance novels.  This anthology contains three regency novellas set by the seashore. 

In The New Countess, Diane is happy to be visiting the family cottage by the sea with her children without the societal pressures of being a countess.  She has just married the earl as a second marriage and is expecting their first child together.  When the earl arrives, it threatens to upset her vacation plans.  Can the two of them learn to love each other without the societal roles and pressures they entail?

In Mishaps and Memories, Judith’s chances of marriage are ruined with Mr. Carlisle makes a great joke of her last name after an unfortunate incident.  Shortly thereafter, Mr. Carlisle suffers an accident and is discovered by Judith with no memories.  She tells him he is a servant for a joke, but will it become something more?

In Moonlight Summer, Dottie is on vacation with her new stepsisters and stepfather, as well as her mother.  Her stepfather has found a great match for her, but after she meets their mysterious neighbor Oscar, she starts to wonder if she should marry without love.  What is Oscar’s mysterious past?

I loved all three stories, and they were highly enjoyable to read.  I flew through this book as I loved the characters and their unique stories.  I really enjoyed the seaside theme as the end of summer winds down.  I enjoyed that each love story explored different aspects of love.  I especially enjoyed that this was a clean read as I love closed door romances.

Overall, A Seaside Summer is a wonderful collection of regency novellas that I could not put down.  I highly recommend it!

Book Source:  Review Copy for being a part of the Book Tour put together by Austenprose.  Thank-you!

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: A Seaside Summer: Timeless Regency Romance Collection (Book 17)

·       Authors: Josi S. Kilpack, Martha Keyes, and Heather B. Moore 

·       Series: Book 17 in the Timeless Regency Romance Collection

·       Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction

·       Publisher:  Mirror Press (August 24, 2021)

·       Length: (307) pages

·       Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1952611186

·       Audiobook ASIN: B09C6PDGB2

·       eBook ASIN: B092FLD2TX

·       Tour Dates: August 23 – September 19, 2021

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Summer on the seaside . . . a perfect place for romance.

Join us for three novellas in one collection:

The New Countess, by Josi S. Kilpack

Diane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.

Mishaps and Memories, by Martha Keyes

Judith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.

Moonlight Summer, by Heather B. Moore

Oscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay.

 

 

ABOUT THE SERIES

Since 2015, Mirror Press has been presenting the Timeless Regency Romance Collection, a curated anthology of novellas and short stories set in early 19th century England. Featuring bestselling authors from the historical romance genre, the series has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. In October the Timeless Regency Romance Collection will present its 18th anthology, The Inns of Devonshire, including stories by Sally Britton, Annette Lyon, and Deborah M. Hathaway. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.   

 

AUTHOR BIOS

Josi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance, Timeless Romance series, and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton's Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

 

Martha Keyes is a Whitney Award winning author born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can by traveling the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.

Word crafting has always fascinated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her family. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

 

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

TOUR SCHEDULE

 

Aug 23          Austenprose (Review)

Aug 24          My Jane Austen Book Club (Excerpt)

Aug 24          Getting Your Read On (Review)

Aug 25          The Bibliophile Files (Review)

Aug 26          Heidi Reads (Review)

Aug 27          Our Book Confessions (Review)

Aug 30          The Lit Bitch (Spotlight)                       

Aug 30          Wishful Endings (Review)

Sept 01         The Book Diva Reads (Spotlight)

Sept 01         Rosanne E. Lortz (Review)

Sept 02         Laura's Reviews (Review)

Sept 04         Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Excerpt)

Sept 07         Probably at the Library (Review)

Sept 08         Gwendalyn's Books (Review)

Sept 09         Books and Socks Rock (Spotlight)

Sept 10         Christian Chick's Thoughts (Review)

Sept 11         Storeybook Reviews (Excerpt)

Sept 13         From Pemberley to Milton (Review)

Sept 13         My Bookish Bliss (Review)

Sept 14         Bookworm Lisa (Review)

Sept 15         Relz Reviewz (Spotlight)

Sept 15         Reading with Emily (Review)

Sept 16         Lu Reviews Books (Review)

Sept 17         Greenish Bookshelf (Spotlight)                     

Sept 17         Austenesque Reviews (Review)

Sept 17         Bringing Up Books (Review)

Sept 18         Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)

Sept 19         Eli's Novel Reviews (Review)

         

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 GIVEAWAY

Mirror Press is pleased to offer one digital copy of any of the 16 previous books in the Timeless Regency Romance Collection to one unique winner at each stop on the tour.

To qualify, please leave a comment with this blog post before 11:59pm, September 26, 2021. Visit each stop on the tour and leave a comment to increase your chance to win a book.

This contest is open internationally. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments and announced on each blog on September 27, 2021. The winner must claim their prize before October 04, 2021. Good luck to all! 

Persuasion by Jane Austen

 

Title:  Persuasion

Author: Jane Austen

Read by:  Juliet Stevenson

Publisher: Naxos Audiobook

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 43 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible.

 

Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel.  It was published posthumously and was written at the end of Jane Austen’s life.  The story is a story of second chances.  Anne Elliot rejected the engagement from Frederick Wentworth eight years before.  She loved the young Lieutenant Wentworth, but his wealth and consequence were not enough for her friends and family to think it a prudent marriage.  She allowed herself to be persuaded out of the marriage.  Now Wentworth is back as a wealthy Captain.  The Elliot’s meanwhile have seen a decrease in their fortune and have to rent their estate out to Wentworth’s sister and brother-in-law while they take a house in Bath.  Will they find their way back to each other?

 I read Persuasion this month as it is the September book club selection for JASNA Wisconsin.  I can’t wait to discuss it! I have reviewed Persuasion on this blog before as I love, love, love this book.  This time I’m going to go over highlights and thoughts on had on my latest reread.

 

·       Juliet Stevenson is a wonderful narrator.  She was Mrs. Elliot in the 1996 version of Emma, and I have listened to her narrate other audiobooks in the past. 

·       I love thinking about this novel and how it was written at the end of Jane’s life.  It makes me wonder, did she look back on life and have regrets perhaps of a love that she rejected?  If only we had her missing letters!

·       I love Austen’s characters.  Their traits are still what we see in family, friends, and neighbors today from the preening and narcissism of Mr. Elliot to the hypochondriasis of Anne’s sister Mary.

·       I love the description of Lyme Regis.  Every time I listen to this book, it makes me want to visit and find Louisa’s wall.

·       Louisa puzzles me and kind of makes me sad.  I know she was young and impetuous, but it seems a lot to have a near death experience to take away her spirit and have her settle down.

·       Speaking of Louisa, do you think Captain Wentworth ever had any feelings for her? 

·       I love Anne’s friend Mrs. Smith and her good-natured gossip.  I love that Captain Wentworth helps her at the end to get what is due to her.  It’s sad that without a male relative back in that era, you couldn’t get your finances settled.

·       I wonder if Elizabeth Elliot every married.  I can imagine her spending the rest of her days just wandering around Bath with her father.

·       Wentworth’s letter is still the most romantic letter of all time.

·       The ending is not nearly as long as Austen’s other novels.  I wonder if she would have lived if this book would have been expanded at all.

·       Where do you think Anne and Captain Wentworth ended up living?  The movie versions have different ideas.

·       What is your favorite movie version?  I love the 1995 version.  Are you looking forward to the new movie?