Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice at More Agreeably Engaged!

I wish I had gotten this post up on Wednesday as intended, but I just returned him from visiting my in-laws with my daughter and was never able to finagle the computer time. This is also the reason the third chapter of Being Mrs. Bennet did not post on Monday, though I did write it longhand on the plane (I made the questionable choice of traveling without my laptop, thinking its absence would make security with a two year old less of an ordeal). Look for it next week when my heroine, Alison Bateman (in the guise of Mrs. Bennet) begins trying to rein in Lydia's behavior.

My Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice were featured in a spree of wonderful reviews at More Agreeably Engaged this week! All three books are up for giveaway, plus each post features an excerpt from The Madness of Mr. Darcy! It has been ablest reading the responses to my work in progress. In fact, I'm considering sharing most, or maybe even all, of the work prior to publication. More on that to come.

Please do check the great reviews and tantalizing (I think) excerpts. Thanks Janet!

First Impressions: http://moreagreeablyengaged.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-share-in-conversationfirst.html

Second Glances: http://moreagreeablyengaged.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-share-in-conversationsecond-glances.html

Holidays at Pemberley: http://moreagreeablyengaged.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-share-in-conversationholidays-at.html

Terrific Review of Second Glances & Sneak Peak at The Madness of Mr. Darcy!

Please stop by A Spoonful of Happy Endings, a truly lovely blog, and read the fabulous review Jody wrote for Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice Continues. I do think Sir James Stratton the most charming creature I have ever imagined. Less charming (but terribly tantalizing, I hope) is the excerpt from my next book, The Madness of Mr. Darcy, which follows Jody's review. The scene depicts a conversation between an unhinged Mr. Darcy and radically altered Mr. Wickham. This book is my obsession and entirely to blame for my poor blogging habits so far this year. I'm about 50,000 words into draft two. Working with the unruly rough draft composed during NaNoWriMo is kind of like quilting: there is so much to piece together, and I'm impatient for the final product! A third draft will be required before I let anyone see it, but critics and well-wishers a like will be pleased to know this novel will be subjected to a proper beta-editing process, not just the gracious eyes of my relations. I really fell into this self-publishing thing not knowing at all what I was about, and only learned of beta-readers while working through my last novel. Pitiful, I know, but it is the sad truth. My hope is that The Madness of Mr. Darcy will be a far more mature work than the Tales of Less Pride & Prejudice stories. The plot is certainly more complicated, and I have allowed myself to explore darker feelings and themes than before. I'm itching for feedback, so please let me know what you think!

http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-guest-post-second-glances-by.html

After the fast, the feast: Great New Reviews!

Just when you feel your books have disappeared from the collective consciousness, a sudden burst of good reviews spurt forth and quench the thirst for feedback. I really should have put up this post last week (where did the last two weeks slip away - this is supposed to be the low key time of year!) when a review of First Impressions first appeared on Indie Jane, a wonderful website dedicated to the promotion of independently published austenesque. Yet it took a foot of snow to get me to sit in front of the computer and focus long enough to write it! So be it. There was a giveaway, which is unfortunately now over, but there is some solace to be found! A review of Second Glances is now posted, including a giveaway of that novel. Do check out both reviews at the links below!

http://indiejane.org/2014/01/review-giveaway-first-impressions/
http://indiejane.org/2014/01/review-giveaway-second-glances/

First Impressions also received some attention from Jody of the aptly named blob, A Spoonful of Happy Endings. My kind of place, right down to the Mary Poppins silhouette! There is a beautiful review and also an interview, so please check it out and leave your thoughts.

http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspot.com/2014/01/review-interview-first-impressions-tale.html

I have posts I already intended to write but have yet to get to, sitting in the backlog of my brain. I picked up a new project this year and I'm still getting used to managing the additional constraint on my time. I trust I will adapt, and blogging will proceed at normal intervals, rather than fits and starts. Maybe I'll pound out a long overdue review tomorrow, when I'm sure to still be snowed in. Maybe 14 inches! That's the most we've ever had in this house. Kind of exciting, but I wish we weren't still waiting to repair the leaky roof. Fingers crossed on that one. Happy and safe nor'easter everyone!

A Triade of Reviews!

I have a full sweep of reviews to share with you this beautiful, snowy morning! It's going to be a great day - the elves left supplies for snowy day art activities over night, which should keep Eliza busy while the great bake off begins. I have twelve pounds of pecans in need of spicing, and at least six kinds of cookies to make. What a glorious prospect for a cold winter day!

Might receiving three fabulous reviews have anything to do with my high spirits? Absolutely. Let's start at the very beginning ...

First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice received a four star review yesterday from Anna at Diary of an Eccentric. She plans to review the next two books over the course of the weeks, so stay alert for those. I'm so thrilled to have my books featured in this way by a reviewer I have come to greatly respect. Please visit her lovely blog:

http://diaryofaneccentric.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/review-first-impressions-by-alexa-adams/





Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice was enthusiastically Laughing with Lizzy over the weekend. This came on the heels of her review of First Impressions. which she also approved. Check it out here:
endorsed by Mrs. Darcy at

http://laughingwithlizzie.blogspot.com/2013/12/second-glances-by-alexa-adams.html

Holidays at Pemberley, or Third Encounters: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Concludes was well received yesterday at Kimberley's Book Life. "A wonderful addition to my Austen collection," she says. Please visit and enjoy this new blog!

http://kimsbooklife.blogspot.com/2013/12/title-holidaysat-pemberley-author.html?spref=tw

Lovely Reviews!

In midst of Twisted Austen madness, I received some rather gratifying reviews. First, the one I missed: Anna at Diary of an Eccentric wrote the ONLY proper Emma and Elton: Something Truly Horrid review the story has received. I learned of the post right when Jane and Bingley started posting, so though I was late to the game, the timing probably was perfect. Read it here: http://diaryofaneccentric.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/review-emma-elton-something-truly-horrid-by-alexa-adams/

Also super exciting was stumbling upon Warmisunqu's Austen review of the ENTIRE Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice series. This is the first time I've read reviews of all three books as a trilogy, which was very exciting! Read the review of First Impressions here: http://warmisunquausten.blogspot.com/2013/10/libro-01-first-impressions.html

Second Glances here: http://warmisunquausten.blogspot.com/2013/10/libros-2-second-glances.html

and Holidays at Pemberley here: http://warmisunquausten.blogspot.com/2013/10/libro-03-holidays-at-pemberley-o-third.html

Second Glances: "Utterly Charming" Review

I was beaming last week when I read this adorable review of Second Glances from Blodeuedd, the Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. I've been meaning to share it ever since, but my husband's transition to a new job has been rather distraction. Now that he's a week in, I finally feel like I've got my head on straight. So here it is: can I get a collective"aww"?

http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-second-glances-alexa-adams.html

Awwwwwwww, can I just let my review be that, awwww :)

Ok ok I will say something more. I just got the same feelings as I did with her other book. It was just so sweet and wonderful. It's a book that will make you happy. Sure there is some drama and doubt, but most of all it's just sweet in the most perfect way. Sweet that will make you smile and hope for the best for these young lovers.

This is then Kitty's book, and she meets a very eligible bachelor by mistake and wants nothing to do with him. Sir James is smitten and the dance these two dance. Kitty is rather like Lizzy and he will be the wiser. I really like how she portrays Kitty, it's the way I wanted to see Kitty, who was always in Lydia's shadow.

It's truly a perfect PP variation. I started reading it and did not put it down before I finished it. I could see Austen writing a sequel like this.

 

Conclusion:
Utterly charming.

 

Cover: Cute

Great Review of Second Glances at Austenesque Reviews!

I can't get stop reading and grinning over the review Meredith Esparza posted today on Austenesque Reviews for Second Glances. You should check both it and the guest post I authored there on Wednesday, as it comes with a very unique giveaway opportunity, but I have to post the review here, too, because I just can't get enough of it. Only other writers can truly understand my joy in having a reader so complete get what I was trying to achieve in this book. I'm absolutely ecstatic.

Out of all the Bennet sisters, Kitty is perhaps the sister that is the least developed and defined by Jane Austen. Described as “weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Lydia's guidance,” she doesn't seem to possess any unique characteristics or admirable marks of distinction (unless you count being an indiscriminate cougher!) And as far as Austenesque novels go, to date it would seem that both Mary and Lydia are more frequently chosen as heroines over poor, unpopular Kitty. Which is why I am so elated and thankful that Alexa Adams has penned a sequel to her Pride and Prejudice variation, First Impressions, that features Kitty Bennet as the heroine!

At the close of First Impressions with Kitty and Lydia being sent to a ladies school in Bath, it would seem that “two of the silliest girls in the country” were on the path to improvement! As one might expect, one sister made the most of this rare opportunity and worked hard with her studies, while the other remained preoccupied with flirting, frivolity, and fun. Because of Kitty's remarkable progress with her accomplishments and manners, she is invited to London to accompany Georgiana Darcy during her season. As bosom friend and sister to the illustrious Darcys, Kitty anticipates a season full of entertainment, excitement, and elegance. What she doesn't expect is to be plagued by one of the most presumptuous, eccentric, and eligible bachelors in town!

How I adored this novel! As with First Impressions, I was greatly impressed with Alexa Adams adept use of satirical tone and Austenesque language. Her narratives and asides cannot help but make one think of Jane Austen and her delight in the imperfections and follies of others. But my favorite aspect of this book was the development and fleshed-out characterization of Kitty Bennet! Ms. Adams delved into Kitty's psyche and thoroughly explored this oft forgotten character. With her modesty, more reserved nature, understandable insecurities, and romantic heart – Kitty easily won my heart and compassion. Furthermore, I greatly enjoyed observing how spending time with the Darcys (during her summer and winter holidays) has impacted and influenced Kitty's development. Especially Mr. Darcy, who can be credited with triggering the most significant change in Kitty's character. I loved witnessing the mutual respect and high opinion these two had for each other.

However, Kitty's admirable transformation isn't the only aspect of this novel I enjoyed. Far from it! The hero, Sir James Stratton, with his impulsiveness and absurdities, charmingly reminds one of Georgette Heyer's characters. In addition, Mr. Bennet, with his matchmaking machinations and perverse delight in teasing young men in love, provides much sport and mirth. Moreover, Caroline and Lydia, per their usual, enhance the drama of the story with their schemes and shenanigans. All of these amusing and intriguing components mixed in with Alexa Adams' brilliant prose and gentle wit create a sequel that is delightful, diverting, and very hard to put down! I highly recommend!

Have I mentioned I'm ecstatic? Should by some chance you not be familiar with Meredith's reviews, I highly recommend following her Austenesque Reviews at janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com. Her dedication to the genre is unparalleled.

Second Glances & Elegant Extracts Giveaways

I'm not making a big announcement regarding last week's winner of a handmade copy of Selected Verses by Jane Austen. She will know who she is. My little experiment did not auger well for the future of paper books.

I had intended to do one more March giveaway of Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues, but as the book is/will be soon available through a variety of other venues, (including Goodreads, where I'm giving away five copies), I'm afraid I might be pushing an over saturation point. If you want to win a copy, check out my guest post at The Book Rat (where fairy tales currently abound.You should totally check it out).

The first official review for Second Glances is out, and I'm hugely relieved it's a good one. Only other authors can truly appreciate the anxiety of waiting for feedback. I liken it to singing your heart out before a huge crowd and standing on stage for three weeks before the audience decides whether or not to applaud. Please take a moment to visit Delighted Reader and read Sophia Rose's review:  http://www.delightedreader.com/posts/review-second-glances-by-alexa-adams/

And does anyone out there want to own not only their own Elegant Extracts volume, but also collaborate on its content? Next week I'll be at Austenesque Reviews with a very unique giveaway opportunity. I hope everyone will check it out.

I don't know if I'll get another opportunity to blog this week, as life is pretty hectic between Passover and Easter, but I'll give it a go. Happy holidays to those who have them!