Syrie James's Blog, page 2
February 23, 2023
EMILY film review — an impassioned biopic of Wuthering Heights author Emily Brontë
July 28, 2014
“Jane Austen’s First Love” Virtual Book Launch Party & Blog Tour with Giveaways!
Dear Reader,
I’m happy and excited to announce that my new novel, 
JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE, comes out August 5 from Berkley Trade and is available everywhere books are sold. You can pre-order now.
Don’t miss my launch parties! The first one begins online TODAY, July 28, at austenprose.com! And join me in person at B&N bookstore, Santa Monica, on Sat. Aug. 16 at 2 PM–details below. Fabulous giveaways at both parties!
JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE is the story of the summer of 1791, when the teenage Jane Austen met and fell in love with Edward Taylor—a very real, truly extraordinary young man upon whom Jane admitted that she “fondly doted” in her youth.
Little was previously known about Edward Taylor, other than references to him in Jane Austen’s letters–until now.
My research uncovered a wealth of new information, revealing him to be a remarkable young man with an unusual upbringing. I immediately understood why Jane fell in love with him! I had a wonderful time bringing their relationship to life.
Here are some nice things that others have said about
JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE:
“Syrie James has woven a quite delightful romance—not only a touching record of a young girl’s first experience of love, but also a funny, eventful and entertaining comedy of Regency manners…As ever, James’s ear for dialogue is unfaltering, and her sympathy for her heroine whole-hearted. It all adds up to an unashamedly romantic package, presented with affection and respect.” —Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine
“A wonderful, charming and lively story of what might have been. James presents readers with an evocative and sweet romance that reads like Emma… This enchanting tale will have readers recalling their first love: the joy, the nervousness, and the sadness of parting. Simply a lovely novel!”—RT Book Reviews
“Magnificent! This early Austen adventure is truly unforgettable!”—Feathered Quill
“It was not until reading the Author’s Afterword that I learned that Edward Taylor was an actual person! … a second reading left me so very hopeful that maybe, just maybe, it happened that way, that our beloved Jane did experience a first love (and even heartache), which made me adore this story all the more. With a manifold of bestsellers behind her, Syrie James is an incomparable storyteller, turning obscure details from personal research into inspired, yet richly embellished, fictional narratives. Jane Austen’s First Love is a lively, romantic ‘what if’ that will make you laugh, as well as tug at your heart. 5 stars!” —Christina Boyd, Austenprose
RED LETTER DATES FOR JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE
Monday July 28: ONLINE LAUNCH PARTY begins
at Austenprose.com
Read about my inspiration for the novel, plus great giveaways: books, a tote bag full of goodies, and an original Austenesque painting!
July 28 – Aug. 21: VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR
Join the celebration as my online book tour continues at other great sites with fun, unique guest posts, reviews, and giveaways.
Check my website for details.
Tuesday August 5: The book debuts! Available at your local bookstore, in Trade Paperback on Amazon, for kindle, and at Barnes & Noble.com.
Saturday August 16 – 2 PM – Santa Monica, CA
PARTY WITH ME IN PERSON: Book talk, signing, refreshments, & prizes!
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
3rd Street Promenade (1201 3rd St.), Santa Monica, CA.
Invite your friends—all are welcome!
Saturday September 20 – 9:30 AM – Glendale Public Library
JASNA-SW Fall Meeting: Keynote speaker
222 E. Harvard St, Glendale, CA
Illustrated talk + Q & A. Registration info available soon here.
I’m thrilled to share JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE and hope you love it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I look forward to chatting with you at one of the stops on my virtual book tour, or in person on August 16 or September 20.
Please feel free to forward this announcement to anyone you think might be interested. As always, thank you so much for your support.
Have a great summer…and happy reading!
All best wishes,
Syrie James
P.S. Attending the JASNA AGM in Montreal? Don’t miss the world premiere of “A Dangerous Intimacy: Behind the Scenes at Mansfield Park” on Fri. Oct. 8, the play Diana Birchall and I were commissioned to write and present as a plenary entertainment, with a cast of 13 players. Hilarity will ensue!
July 11, 2014
July 28: “JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE” ONLINE LAUNCH PARTY & PRIZES!
Please mark your calendars for the official ONLINE BOOK LAUNCH PARTY on July 28, 2014 for my new novel Jane Austen’s First Love on Austenprose.com. I’ll be blogging about my inspiration for the novel, which reveals the untold story inspired by actual events, of the teenage Jane Austen’s relationship with the dashing, extraordinary Edward Taylor during the summer of 1791. Join the fun for a chance to win the novel and other fabulous prizes! A blog tour will follow with new posts every day on other great sites across the blogosphere, with lots more chances to win.
JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE comes out on August 5 and is available for pre-order now.
COME PARTY WITH ME IN PERSON! Do you live in southern California? If so, please join me at the book launch party on Saturday August 9, 3PM, at the lovely Barnes and Noble bookstore on 3rd Street in Santa Monica. I’ll be giving a talk, signing books, and hosting a giveaway with prizes. Please invite your friends!
“JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE” BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
Talk, signing, and prizes!
Saturday August 9, 2014 — 3:00 PM
Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 3rd Street Promenade (1201 3rd St.), Santa Monica, California
Here are some nice things that others have said about JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE:
“Syrie James has woven a quite delightful romance—not only a touching record of a young girl’s first experience of love, but also a funny, eventful and entertaining comedy of Regency manners…As ever, James’s ear for dialogue is unfaltering, and her sympathy for her heroine whole-hearted. It all adds up to an unashamedly romantic package, presented with affection and respect.” —Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine
“A wonderful, charming and lively story of what might have been. James presents readers with an evocative and sweet romance that reads like Emma… This enchanting tale will have readers recalling their first love:
the joy, the nervousness, and the sadness of parting. Simply a lovely novel!”—RT Book Reviews
“Magnificent! This early Austen adventure is truly unforgettable!”—Feathered Quill
I’m excited to share JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE with you.
I hope you’ll stop by the online book launch party on July 28th on austenprose.com, and I’d love to see you in person at the party on August 9th in Santa Monica. Feel free to forward this invite/announcement to anyone you think might be interested—all are welcome. Have a great summer!
With all best wishes,
Syrie James
May 23, 2014
February 12, 2014
Announcing THE HARRISON DUET: Two steamy romances + A Jane Austen short story
I’m thrilled to announce that in honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve combined two of my most romantic novels into a single volume, The Harrison Duet, at a special introductory price. That’s two books in one— Songbird and Propositions, books which Christina Boyd of Austenprose gave five stars and said kept her “turning pages well into the wee hours of the morning.” The Harrison Duet is available now for download for Kindle and Nook (promo price ends Feb. 26) and the print edition will soon follow. As a bonus, the book also includes my short story, “Jane Austen’s Nightmare.”
THE HARRISON DUET holds a special place in my heart, because the stories are very personal. The heroes and heroines experience whirlwind courtships, just as my husband and I did when we first met and fell in love.
SONGBIRD
When radio deejay Desiree Germain embarks on a passionate love affair with wealthy entrepreneur Kyle Harrison, it plays havoc with the life she has struggled so hard to control. Can Kyle convince Desiree to risk her heart and her career for love?
“I loved it! A beautifully written, almost lyrically told story about two people overcoming their fears and the profound love they share.” —The Book Hookup
“Provocative, sultry romance! Songbird hits all the right notes…Syrie James’s realistic characterization of two strong personalities kept me turning pages well into the wee hours of the morning.” —Christina Boyd, Austenprose
Read an excerpt here.
PROPOSITIONS
Advertising artist Kelli Ann Harrison can’t resist teaming up with ingenious Grant Pembroke to create an ad campaign for a casino account in beautiful, wintry Lake Tahoe, but a high-voltage charge sizzles between them. Can business and pleasure mix? Can a whirlwind love affair last forever?
“I loved, loved, loved this perfectly crafted, lush love story…This poignant, steamy romance will have you believing there can be love at first sight. 5 stars!” —Christina Boyd, Austenprose
Read an excerpt here.
BONUS MATERIAL: JANE AUSTEN’S NIGHTMARE
This short story, originally published in the anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It, is a first person narrative by Austen herself. She recounts a dream in which she unexpectedly meets some of her own characters—many of whom have a few choice words for her about how she portrayed them.
“A clever story which asks the question, what would happen if Jane Austen met her literary creations?…This story just proves why Syrie James is one of my favorite authors.” —For the Love of Austen
“It is only fitting that the collection begins with the woman who started my journey onward into the world of Jane Austen and subsequent retellings and inspired novels, Syrie James with ‘Jane Austen’s Nightmare.’… From characters perceived as too perfect to those with a great number of flaws, Austen meets them all in her nightmare set in Bath.” —Savvy Verse and Wit
Visit my blog posts on austenprose and austenvariations for a chance to WIN a free copy of The Harrison Duet and other great prizes!
Post a review to WIN an ARC of
Jane Austen’s First Love
Post a review of The Harrison Duet, Songbird, or Propositions on Amazon.com, bn.com, or goodreads.com, email me to say you posted at authorsyriejames@gmail.com, and you’ll be entered in a contest to win one of several free advance copies of my next book, JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE. For every review posted you receive an additional chance to win. The novel is due out from Berkley, a division of Penguin, on August 5, 2014. Reviews must be posted by April 15. U.S. Residents only. Thanks so much for your support!
