Monica Fairview's Blog, page 64

Throwback Excerpt: It’s Always Been You

Happy Monday! Today, I’m revisiting a favorite borne out of a dreary English winter believe it or not. I hope you’ll join me in digging our toes into the sand and relishing the warm sea breeze.

 

Chapter 1

When I first laid eyes on the expanse of pristine white beach, I slid off my sandals, stepped down from the dock to the water’s edge, and gave in to the urge to squish the damp sand between my toes. The warmth of the sun magically prickled my skin as I took a deep breath, inhaling the air kiss...

Any Excuse for a Pressie!

Any excuse will do, right?

So I think I’ll blame Mr Darcy’s shirt

(Photo by kind permission of Mihaela Hercaud)

Mihaela and I came across it last Sunday at Jane Austen’s House, and at first I was quite blasé, thinking it was just another copy. But no, this time it was the real deal. A very thoughtful gentleman offered to take a few pictures of us, and later I went back and snap-snap-snapped photos of THE shirt from every angle (as you do),  but sadly at no point did Mr Darcy materialise into i...

The Perils of Writing Historical Fiction

The Perils of Writing Historical Fiction, by Jack Caldwell

Greetings, everyone. Jack Caldwell here.

As you all know, I’m the token guy around here that writes Jane Austen-flavored historical novels. That doesn’t mean that my wonderful cohorts at Austen Variations don’t write historical fiction. They do. But we usually come to it from different directions. I write historical novels with Jane Austen characters in it, rather than the other way around.

Let me explain.

I want to talk about the vast e...

The Greatest Risk-A Work in Progress

Years ago, while wandering through Google Maps searching for a particular spot in Canterbury, I came across an old abandoned abbey close to the cathedral. Scrolling through some pictures, there was a small alcove with a little ledge. I stared at the picture for only a moment when an image of Elizabeth Bennet sitting there in the moonlight concealed from a frustrated Darcy popped into my head. And that is how the story, The Greatest Risk, began to take shape.

Of course, questions immediately star...

Rational Creatures Excerpt and Giveaway

“But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days.”

~Jane Austen’s Persuasion

 

How marvelous would it be to traipse through a world with all our favorite heroines from Jane Austen’s novels? To learn about their back stories, their futures, and maybe even a parallel event which isn’t mentioned in original canon? Christina Boyd of The Quill Ink had been ruminating on...

One Read Leads to Another…

We’re always getting book recommendations from our friends. (In fact, here are a few of mine for you!) Sometimes from online lists – “50 Must-Read Books”,  Goodreads, etc.  But have you ever taken a book recommendation from another book or a movie?

I’m not talking about when you see a great movie, which motivates you to go back and read the book it was based on. Naturally, that happens all the time. That’s how a lot of us started reading Jane Austen, right? – we watched a wonderful movie adaptat...

Excerpt from Mr Darcy: A Man with a Plan

Happy Friday! Somewhat in keeping with the monthly theme (‘Any Excuse Will Do’), I’ve pulled an excerpt from an older story of mine, ‘Mr Darcy A Man with a Plan’. In the story, Elizabeth and Darcy meet in town very soon after the failed proposal in Kent. He wants her to realise she was wrong about him and, as shown in this excerpt, manufactures an excuse to see her to show that he is not as terrible a person as she accused him of being. Of course, his thoughts soon turn to wanting to win her lov...

release-Happiest Couple in the World

Good morning! It’s release day for The Happiest Couple in the World and I have another excerpt for you to (I hope) enjoy! You can get a copy here: https://geni.us/HappiestCouple

It is available in ebook and in KU or in a paperback.

The other excerpts I posted are at these links:

Excerpt #1: https://austenvariations.com/cover-reveal-for-the-happiest-couple-in-the-world/

Excerpt #2: https://austenvariations.com/new-book-excerpt-the-happiest-couple-in-the-world/

An Excerpt from Chapter 4: His Abho...

The Secret Life of Maggie Blake – Book Release & Giveaway!

The week of this book release is finally here! I can’t tell you how excited I am to get to celebrate this story with you all.    Below is a little bit about the novel, 2 excerpts, and a giveaway!!

THE SECRET LIFE OF MAGGIE BLAKE is a contemporary romantic suspense, light action & adventure tale. It’s a story for fans of humorous husband/wife spy films such as “True Lies,” readers who love slow-build romantic suspense, admirers of heroes in disguise like Zorro & The Scarlet Pimpernel, and anyo...

Having a Ball

Karlie and Jimmy

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to do something I have done at least 21 times in my life…go to Prom. As a high school teacher, and the Senior Class Advisor, I have enjoyed numerous opportunities to jump into a Conga line, dance the Macarena and most recently do the Cha-Cha Slide, all while watching the evolution of youth around me.

Jamie and Logan

Styles have changed, music has changed, and expectations have changed. Even the ritual itself has changed. It is no longer a...