Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Jane of Austin

GIVEAWAY

LODGE, HILLARY MANTON
JANE OF AUSTIN

"Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience -- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope." Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

Just a few years after their father's business scandal shatters their lives, Jane Woodward and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop. The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister, Margot, and Jane's tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

But life in Austin isn't all sweet tea and breakfast tacos. Their unusual living situation is challenging, and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia. When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the chasm grows deeper.

While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune -- retired Marie Captain Callum Beckett. Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected -- Texas.

In this modern spin on the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients to unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn't so far away.

My Review:

Jane Austen make way for Hillary Manton Lodge! Absolutely love this modern take on the classic Sense and Sensibility -- in fact I actually prefer it to the original! And now that I've offended die-hard Jane Austen fans I'll continue with my review. :-)

Love the dynamics between these three sisters. They've dealt with some pretty intense stuff and yet they've stuck together and created a soft place to land...until their life is disrupted in a major way all over again. The Woodwards are nothing if not resilient! Even when that includes an unexpected move to Texas.

Which brings me to another thing I love about this version -- the setting! It takes on a life of its own -- at least to this non-Texan-never-been-to-Texas reader anyway. And the author has some interesting quotes that head up every chapter -- some on Texas and some on tea which made the read all the more fun. Plus every chapter ends with a delectable recipe, which, I think, has become a trademark for Hillary Manton Lodge.

The story follows along the lines of Austen's book though the author does include her own unique flair -- and some surprising twists. I was gobsmacked by one in particular, though in hindsight I shouldn't have been, but I'm glad it took me by surprise just the same.

And speaking of surprising twists. Dash! Be still my heart!  Is that not the perfect hero name or what? I won't say another word about him -- you'll just have to read the book to discover why I'm still hyperventilating. (insert sneaky laughter here.)

The story is told in first person point of view, alternating between Jane and Callum. It's rife with sardonic wit and piercing heartbreak. And a great cast of secondary characters that help...or hinder...the potential happily ever after.

Of note to readers who enjoy an inspirational thread in their Christian fiction -- you won't find it here. It's a a clean read though.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Jane of Austin, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your comment. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 3 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

46 comments:

  1. I've never read Sense and Sensibility , or any Jane Austin book (Cue the flogging!!) In my defense, I say that to say this, you haven't offended me with your statement :-)

    Even though I don't seek out "clean reads", this one sounds too catchy to pass up. And I have no prior misconceptions on what is in a Jane Austin book so this won't ruin anything for me....lol!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Gasp! Never seen the movies either? No opinion on the best Mr. Darcy? LOL

      I don't seek out clean reads either -- I get a bit disgruntled when they come under the guise of Christian fiction but at least I am still supporting the publisher and author. Just wish they would create a designated line for their non-inspirational books so that buyers are in the know from the get go. Good luck, Trixi.

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    2. Alas but no, I've not seen one single movie either! I'm so woefully behind everyone else in the whole who-is-the-best-Mr-Darcy debate. Sigh! Guess I'll ostracize myself before the snubbing begins.....

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    3. Bwahahaha! We still love you, Trixi! And I'm not a huge fan of Jane Austen --- as in I can't quote whole passages of any book or have read any of them more than once. And the only movie I've seen multiple times is Pride and Prejudice. But I do enjoy these Austenish retellings just the same.

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  2. I too have not read any books by Jane Austin. One day I will. For now, I would love to read this book. It sounds delightful.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Again -- not even a Jane Austen movie? The British are very good at staying true to the novels. Good luck, Cindy.

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    2. I have seen several Jane Auten movies.

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    3. Phew, there you go then -- you have some background knowledge. :-)

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  3. This sounds like a fun read. Thank you for sharing it with us. I haven't read the original Sense and Sensibility but it still sounds really good. 👌
    Thank You 😃
    iamabho atgmaildot com

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    1. It's a great story all on it's own. There might be even more surprises for you. Good luck, Linda.

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    2. Cool Thank You I believe I do have a copy of sense and sensibility that I really need to read
      I actually have never really read any classics
      Thanks for the chance :)

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  4. Isn't this cover gorgeous! I loved your review, I can't wait to read the book!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  5. Would love to read this one, as I too, have never read Jane Austen. I thinkI must be missing out! Thank you, Kav! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Wow -- there are a lot of people who haven't read Jane Austen. Who knew? Good luck, Melanie.

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  6. I've enjoyed reading Hillary's other books and look forward to reading this one also. The Jane Austen nod is lovely. I'm actually re-reading Pride and Prejudice right now.

    nina4sm at gmail dot com

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    1. Hillary is an awesome storyteller and I love the recipe she ties in with her books. Good luck, Sylvia.

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  7. Well, am raising my hand, too....never read JA books or saw any movie! lol

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    1. I am plain ol' gobsmacked. I don't know how you've managed to avoid at least some exposure. LOL

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  8. Looks like I’m in good company, because I haven’t read JA either!
    However, I have seen Pride and Prejudice. Would love to read a Hillary M Lodge book and this one sounds like a fun read. Thanks for you great review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Well, I don't think I could any more surprised than if y'all showed up and told me that you didn't like to read any more. LOL Good luck, Pam.

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  9. Thank you for the chance.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  10. Have heard much about this book. Would love to read it....

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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  11. I read Jane a long time ago but I have seen many of the adaptations. Mr. Darcy is a tie: Colin Firth and Matthew McFayden. But I like the sea captain in Persuasion better. This one has been on my list for a while now. I would love to win it Kav! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. Here's where I confess that I haven't seen Persuasion. Gasp! Running over to my library to request a DVD. Good luck, Paula.

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  12. I haven't yet read any of Hillary Manton Lodge's books. Jane of Austin sounds like a good one to start with.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Definitely a great place to start. Good luck, Pam.

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  13. I can hear your sneaky laugh all the way down here in NE Ohio, Kav! I always get a charge out of reading your reviews. Thanks!

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. LOL -- I get so gleeful when I start talking about books. Good luck, Diane.

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  14. I love the name Dash, too. Have you seen the show Reign?
    Dianna (dedezoomsalot at yahoo dot com)

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    1. I haven't but my daughter keeps telling me I should. I think the library has the DVDs so I should give it a whirl. Good luck, Dianna.

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  15. Thanks for the review. You sure made me want to read JANE OF AUSTIN. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Glad I could sway you with my readerly discernment. LOL Good luck, Kay.

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  16. Had to laugh at your review, you have us hooked into wanting to read this one for sure. becci43atgmaildotcom

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    1. Bwahahah -- that was totally my intent. Good luck, Becky.

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  17. I've never read Sense & Sensibility but have seen a movie version of it. Sounds like a fun adaptation!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. Fabulous review, KAV! I'm excited to read Jane of Austin!

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  19. Eeek! This is the first day I've come by your blog this week and I've been hankering for a hard copy of this book since before it's release. Besides my love for all things Jane Austen, the premise of this book has me euphoric. And the cover! Sigh. The only reason I haven't yet acquired it yet, is the stash of books I'm trying to complete before I purchase more. I try to tell myself that it will still be there when I'm finished. Haha! #ReaderTemptations

    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Wait...what if they totally sell out because it's such a good book? Gasp! You might have to give in temptation just in case. Good luck, Terrill.

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  20. I love Jane Austen's books! Some people don't like them, but I think they are wonderfully written. I love reading modern retelling of books like these. Thanks for the chance!

    LLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. I like the retellings of fairy tales and classics too...just not the ones with vampires and zombies. LOL Good luck, Laura.

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