Jane Austen Addict Blog

HOLIDAY READATHON CHALLENGE & PRIZE PACK!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED, BUT THESE HIGHLY IMAGINATIVE ENTRIES ARE WELL WORTH READING! ENJOY, AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED HERE, ON FACEBOOK, AND ON TWITTER!

It’s that time of year again, the Holiday Readathon hosted by Whorublog, from Dec. 7-9th and featuring lots of cool prizes!

WHAT IF…

…you could be Lizzie Bennet’s BFF? Explore the spring flowers of Avonlea with Anne Shirley? Or invite Jo March and her family to Christmas dinner?

But that would mean that your favorite characters are real. (And who said they aren’t? You did read the Velveteen Rabbit, didn’t you?)

Imagine how cool it would be to merge your world with theirs and have some serious friend time together…

So, tell me:

Which of your favorite characters would you love to have as a friend, and how would you spend your time together?

Answer in the form of a comment below, or on Twitter or Facebook, for a chance to win!

THE PRIZE PACK:

Two winners will receive this prize pack: a signed two-book set of my Austen Addict novels, CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, PLUS a signed copy of JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT, which includes my short story INTOLERABLE STUPIDITY, in which fictional characters are not only real, they will see you in court! :)

OFFICIAL DATES ARE DEC. 7-9, BUT FEEL FREE TO ENTER EARLY.
Open to US, Canada, and UK. Ends Sunday, Dec. 9 at midnight PST.

FOR MORE CHANCES TO WIN :

Tweet this post @austen_addict.

Share this post on Facebook and let me know.

Reblog this post.

AND DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE HOLIDAY READATHON FOR A CHANCE AT MORE PRIZES:

EVERYONE who signs up for the Holiday Readathon on Mr. Linky at Whorublog,  no matter how much or how little they read, will be automatically entered to choose two signed books from BOOKS OF WONDER or a $40 gift certificate from THE BOOK DEPOSITORY, if out of the US.

Twitter Party!!!

#Readathon. Sunday night, Dec. 9th, from 9-10 PM EST.

The Book Rat: Time Travel, a Quiz, & a Giveaway ~ guest post from Laurie Viera Rigler

2 winners will receive signed copies of both Austen Addict books, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addictopen to US/CAN/UK Ends September 5thFill out the Rafflecopter to enter!Make sure to leave your answers to Laurie's quiz in the comments (or whether you answered mostly A/B)

via www.thebookrat.com

Do you have what it takes to time travel to Austenworld? Take the quiz and find out--and you also just might win both Austen Addict novels!

Lesley-Anne McLeod: The Ever-Expanding Regency

"The world of Regency romantic historical fiction has undergone quite a change in the last few years. While the traditional regency, which I consider that I write, continues to occupy (mainly in e-book form) a corner of the market, the large, sexy, duke-ridden romances have taken over the print market."--Lesley-Anne McCloud

via lesleyannemcleod.blogspot.com

Click the link above to read the whole post in The Regency World of Author Lesley-Anne McCloud, including a shout-out for CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT (thank you, Lesley-Anne!), and an intriguing list of reading recommendations.

By they way, Lesley-Anne's site is a great place to find a pictorial overview of the Regency world. There's even a Regency Colouring Book. And here's a fun excerpt from Lesley-Anne's newest novel. 

 

[The Assembly Rooms in Bath, taken in 2002 (not 1802; I wish!)]

My idea of good company.

It's always exciting to see one of my novels on a best-of list at this time of year. This year, CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT appears on Amused by Book's Favorite Books of 2011 list.

I love the scope and diversity of this list, which includes JANE EYRE and BOSSYPANTS. Who wouldn't want to be in the company of Charlotte Brontë AND Tina Fey?

(Can you just picture the cocktail party conversation?) 

Thank you, Amused by Books. 

Which Austenesque Heroine Are You?

Take the quiz and see which of the heroines of these Austen-inspired novels is most like you:

• According to Jane
• Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
• Definitely Not Mr Darcy
• My Jane Austen Summer
• Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict

It's all fun and games over at Austenesque Reviews!

 

2 Austen Addict books + Pride and Prejudice = 1 ebook bundle

THE COMPLETE JANE AUSTEN ADDICT ebook bundle is now in Kindle in the UK, thanks to the fabulous Bloomsbury.

THE COMPLETE JANE AUSTEN ADDICT Includes CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT,RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. And at a really good price. How cool is that?

Confessing my Austen Addiction at Sierra Madre Public Library, May 21

Please join me on May 21 at 2 PM at the Sierra Madre Public Library for a fun-filled afternoon. I'll be talking about Austen's timeless appeal and the genesis of my two Austen-inspired novels. Which could be considered semi-autobiographical, if they did not involve time travel and body-switching.

Hope to see you there! That's 2 PM, May 21. In whichever century you like.

Sierra Madre Public Library, 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA

626.355.7186

 


 

 

Just in time for the holidays: The Darcy Episode (+ a giveaway)

It's the season finale of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL! Watch our time-swapping heroines swoon over the man who launched a thousand sequels--and especially that version of him played by Colin Firth.

Comment on what you love about Darcy--on or off-screen-- to enter a giveaway of signed copies of CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.  Giveaway ends Thursday, January 6th, at midnight PST .

Has there ever been a greater specimen of the male sex than that ultimate romantic hero, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE? And is there anything more satisfying than watching "the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world" humbled by the realization that it takes a lot more than a big bank balance to win the girl?

Yes indeed, there is a Santa Claus. And he's brought us Mr. Darcy. So what if you think Darcy's a fictional character? That's your problem!

[SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL is inspired by the novels CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and stars Arabella Field and Fay Masterson. Catch up on all the episodes you missed.]

Interview + Giveaway on Pride & Prejudice (2005) Blog

Part 1 of a two-part interview has been posted. Comment on the post at the Pride and Prejudice (2005) Blog to enter the giveaway of signed copies of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Enjoy a chance to voice your thoughts about your favorite Jane Austen-inspired movies. And good luck!

Here's one of my favorites:

[Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Gemma Jones in "Sense and Sensibility," directed by Ang Lee and adapted by Thompson]

via prideandprejudice05.blogspot.com

Happy 235th, Miss Austen (+ lots of giveaways)

Welcome to the Jane Austen Birthday Blog Tour, hosted by Maria Grazia of My Jane Austen Book Club and Fly High.

Today is Jane Austen's 235th birthday, and each of the bloggers listed at the end of this post, including myself, are posting tributes and challenges and offering lots of fabulous prizes.

 

Leaving a comment here = one chance to win. The more blogs on the tour you comment on (see list below), the more chances you have to win.

My part in the Jane Austen Birthday Blog Tour begins today, 12/16, and ends Wednesday 12/22 at the stroke of midnight, PST. Other bloggers on the list may end a bit earlier or later. All bloggers will submit the names they draw to our host, who will draw the winners from those names on 12/23.

To enter my giveaway, please leave a comment below. And if you're inspired to do so, feel free to include your birthday wishes to Jane Austen .

Here are mine:

Dear Miss Austen,

On this occasion of your 235th birthday, I would like to thank you for all the wisdom, laughter, and insight that your stories provide. Your words have been a constant guide and an abiding inspiration in my life.

I wish that you could know how many millions of people you have made happy with your stories. I wish that you could see the films that have been adapted from your books. I wish that you could read all those sequels, continuations, and inspired-bys. And I wish I could buy you a birthday drink* (or seven) to help you over the shock!

*By the way, did you know that there's a drink named after you? They say it can be quite a restorative.

With gratitude I remain your humble servant,

Laurie Viera Rigler

LIST OF BLOGGERS PARTICIPATING IN THE AUSTEN BIRTHDAY BLOG TOUR:

Adriana Zardini at Jane Austen Sociedad do Brasil

Laurel Ann at Austenprose (who created the Austentini recipe)
Vic Sanborn at Jane Austen's World
Katherine Cox at November’s Autumn
Karen Wasylowski at  her personal blog
Laurie Viera Rigler (that's me) at Jane Austen Addict Blog
Lynn Shepherd at her blog
Jane Greensmith at Reading, Writing, Working, Playing
Jane Odiwe at Jane Austen Sequels
Alexa Adams at First Impressions
Regina Jeffers at her blog
Cindy Jones at First Draft
Janet Mullany at Risky Regencies
Meredith at Austenesque Reviews
and our host, Maria Grazia, at My Jane Austen Book Club

PRIZES:

Books – (signed copies):

1. WILLOUGHBY'S RETURN by Jane Odiwe
2.  CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT by Laurie Viera Rigler
3. RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT by Laurie Viera Rigler
4. MURDER AT MANSFIELD PARK by Lynn Shepherd
5. INTIMATIONS OF AUSTEN by Jane Greensmith
6. DARCY'S PASSIONS: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE RETOLD THROUGH HIS EYES by Regina Jeffers
7. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A TALE OF LESS PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Alexa Adams
8. JANE AND THE DAMNED by Janet Mullany
9. BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN by Janet Mullany

Other gifts:

1. Austen bag offered by Karen Wasylowski
2. DVD of Pride & Prejudice 2005 offered by Regina Jeffers
3. One package of Bingley’s Tea.  (flavor  ”Marianne’s Wild Abandon” ) offered by Cindy Jones
4. DVD of Jane Austen in Manhattan offered by Maria Grazia
5. Three issues of Jane Austen Regency World offered by Maria Grazia

 

Coming up 12/16: The Austen Birthday Blog Tour

Jane Austen turns 235 on December 16, and we at Austen Addict Central will be joining the Austen Birthday Blog Tour, hosted by Maria Grazia of My Jane Austen Book Club and Fly High. There will be tributes and lots of fabulous prizes.

The Austen Birthday Blog Tour begins 12/16 and ends 12/22. Winners will be announced on 12/23. Comment at each of the following blogs starting 12/16 for multiple chances to enter!

 

 Adriana Zardini at Jane Austen Sociedad do Brasil (who created this graphic)

Laurel Ann at Austenprose
Vic Sanborn at Jane Austen's World
Katherine Cox at November’s Autumn
Karen Wasylowski at  her personal blog
Laurie Viera Rigler (that's me) at Jane Austen Addict Blog
Lynn Shepherd at her blog
Jane Greensmith at Reading, Writing, Working, Playing
Jane Odiwe at Jane Austen Sequels
Alexa Adams at First Impressions
Regina Jeffers at her blog
Cindy Jones at First Draft
Janet Mullany at Risky Regencies
Meredith at Austenesque Reviews
and our host, Maria Grazia, at My Jane Austen Book Club

PRIZES:

Books – (signed copies):

1. WILLOUGHBY'S RETURN by Jane Odiwe
2. CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT by Laurie Viera Rigler
3. RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT by Laurie Viera Rigler
4. MURDER AT MANSFIELD PARK by Lynn Shepherd
5. INTIMATIONS OF AUSTEN by Jane Greensmith
6. DARCY'S PASSIONS: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE RETOLD THROUGH HIS EYES by Regina Jeffers
7. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A TALE OF LESS PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Alexa Adams
8. JANE AND THE DAMNED by Janet Mullany
9. BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN by Janet Mullany

Other gifts:

1. Austen bag offered by Karen Wasylowski
2. DVD of Pride & Prejudice 2005 offered by Regina Jeffers
3. One package of Bingley’s Tea.  (flavor  ”Marianne’s Wild Abandon” ) offered by Cindy Jones
4. DVD of Jane Austen in Manhattan offered by Maria Grazia
5. Three issues of Jane Austen Regency World offered by Maria Grazia

 

Austen's Timeless and Ageless Appeal

Today's Wall Street Journal has a fun piece on the ever-expanding Janeiverse on the web and on Austen's growing appeal with the young.

Makes sense, don't you think? After all, Austen wrote what could arguably be called the first classic YA coming-of-age novel, NORTHANGER ABBEY. The oldest heroine of Austen's six major works was 27-28 (Anne Elliot of PERUSASION), and the youngest was 17-18 (Catherine Morland of NORTHANGER ABBEY).

The latest Austen adaptations--both of which this blogger loved--clearly targeted a young demographic.[Romola Garai, L, as Emma Woodhouse; Felicity Jones, R, as Catherine Morland]

I'm just happy that a 27-year-old is no longer considered past her sell-by date, and a 17-year-old is usually more concerned with starting her freshman year of college than starting a family.

And on that note, I shall close with one of my favorite episodes of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, which focuses on this very topic:

[SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, babelgum.com/sexandtheaustengirl, is inspired by the novels "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" and "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" and stars Arabella Field and Fay Masterson.]

Join the Holiday #Readathon & Enter the Giveaways, Too!

Shop till you drop? How about you read till you need...to read some more! Really, is there anything better to take the edge off all that holiday stress than a good book?

WhoRuBlog is hosting a fabulous Holiday #Readathon, Dec. 2-5, and the Jane Austen Addict Blog is joining the fun. My mini-challenge for the Holiday #Readathon is:

Name your favorite holiday comfort read and tell us why it works for you. Enter your answer as a comment here on the blog OR as a tweet @austen_addict. Winner of this draw will receive personally inscribed copies of both CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT. ENTER BY MIDNIGHT PST DEC. 5.

Go to WhoRuBlog and check out its beautiful mini-challenge that is truly in the spirit of holiday giving. See the wonderful list of bloggers who are holding their own mini-challenges, including lots more giveaways. And there's a Twitter party, too, on December 5th. Why not sign up for them all!

 
                         (Ah, the comfort of a book...)

 

Episode 22 Worldwide Giveaway! or "My other car is a barouche"

Imagine you come from 1813 England, where a carriage going 10 miles per hour is a fast mode of travel (remember John Thorpe bragging in NORTHANGER ABBEY?). And then you land in 21st-century L.A., where half your life is lived in a speeding car. When you're not stuck in rush-hour gridlock, that is. 

Watch our time-swapping heroines Courtney and Jane, the one from today's world and the other from Jane Austen's England, talk about the pros and cons of cars and carriages and the wonders of life in the fast lane--no matter what century you're in. TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY, Watch "Transportation," Episode 22 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL , the Babelgum original comedy web series, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment here on the blog.

wo lucky winners will win signed copies of the novels that inspired the Babelgum original comedy web series SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL: RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT & CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT. ENTER BY MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY PST.

Is your other car a BMW, or a barouche? Is it cheaper, relatively speaking, to own a car today than it was to own a carriage in Jane Austen's day? (Sure, gas is expensive, but what about having to have a stable, feed for the horse, and a servant to care for it--remember Elinor's words to Marianne when Willoughby wanted to give her a horse in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY?)

Or just tell us what you like about the episode! FOR MORE CHANCES TO WIN, SEE BELOW.

DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FOR MULTIPLE CHANCES TO WIN:

1. COMMENT on Episode 22, "Transportation," here on the blog.

2. BLOG about this giveaway with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send us the link to your post: [email protected].

3. TWEET about the giveaway @TheAustenGirl or @austen_addict with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com.

4. FACEBOOK POST the giveaway & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send us the link to your post: [email protected].

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNERS, Carl and Susan!

[Sex and the Austen Girl stars Arabella Field as Courtney and Fay Masterson as Jane. For more about Sex and the Austen Girl, and to catch up on all the episodes you missed, visit the Sex and the Austen Girl showpage at Babelgum.]

Chamberpot vs. Toilet (& a giveaway)

What to do when the urge arrives to go to the bathroom during Regency times? Our time-swapping heroines, Jane and Courtney, debate the pros and cons of modern plumbing in Episode 21 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL , the Babelgum original comedy web series.

To enter this week's giveaway, watch "Chamberpot vs. Toilet," and leave a comment here on the blog. wo lucky winners will win signed copies of the novels that inspired the Babelgum original comedy web series SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL:  RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT & CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

ENTER BY MIDNIGHT THIS SATURDAY PST. For more chances to win, see below.

DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FOR MULTIPLE CHANCES TO WIN:

1. COMMENT on Episode 21, "Chamberpot vs. Toilet," here on the blog.

2. BLOG about this giveaway with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send us the link to your post: [email protected].

3. TWEET about the giveaway @TheAustenGirl or @austen_addict with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com.

4. FACEBOOK POST the giveaway & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send us the link to your post: [email protected].

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNERS!   

[Sex and the Austen Girl stars Arabella Field as Courtney and Fay Masterson as Jane. For more about Sex and the Austen Girl, and to catch up on all the episodes you missed, visit the Sex and the Austen Girl showpage at Babelgum.]

Regency Sports Talk (and a new giveaway)

Yet another reason to wish we lived in Jane Austen's time is that there was no Monday Night Football. No ESPN. No sports talk.

Oh really? Watch Courtney and Jane, time-swapping heroines of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, discover whether men in neckcloths and knee breeches are just as obsessed with sports as men who spend every Saturday in that ancient college football jersey you'd love to throw out.

Watch "Regency Sports Talk," Episode 20 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL , and let us know what you think. AND ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY BY MIDNIGHT SATURDAY PST (JUST AS WE ENTER HALLOWEEN).

Two lucky winners will win signed copies of the novels that inspired the Babelgum original comedy web series SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL:  RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT & CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Watch Episode 20, "Regency Sports Talk," and enter our giveaway!

DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FOR MULTIPLE CHANCES TO WIN:

1. COMMENT on Episode 20, "Regency Sports Talk," here on the blog.

2. BLOG about this giveaway with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send us the link to your post: [email protected].

3. TWEET about the giveaway @TheAustenGirl or @austen_addict with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com.

4. FACEBOOK POST the giveaway & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send us the link to your post: [email protected].

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNERS!   

[Sex and the Austen Girl stars Arabella Field as Courtney and Fay Masterson as Jane. For more about Sex and the Austen Girl, and to catch up on all the episodes you missed, visit the Sex and the Austen Girl showpage at Babelgum.]

Clothes Make the Man (and give you a chance to win books!)

Do you ever wish the men in our twenty-first-century world dressed like Mr. Darcy instead of "like farmers and workmen," as Jane, one of our time-swapping heroines of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, would put it?

Watch "Clothes Make the Man," Episode 19 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL , and let us know what you think. And enter our giveaway by midnight Saturday, October 23, PST!

Two lucky winners will win signed copies of the novels that inspired the Babelgum original comedy web series SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL:  RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT & CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Watch Episode 19, "Clothes Make the Man," and enter the giveaway!

DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FOR MULTIPLE CHANCES TO WIN:

1. COMMENT on Episode 19, "Clothes Make the Man," here on the blog.

2. BLOG about this giveaway with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send the link to your post to [email protected].

3. TWEET about the giveaway @TheAustenGirl or @austen_addict with a  link to http://janeaustenaddict.com.

4. FACEBOOK POST the giveaway & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send the link to your post to [email protected].

This week's giveaway ends Saturday October 23 at midnight PST . Good luck!

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

     
[Sex and the Austen Girl stars Arabella Field as Courtney (left) and Fay Masterson as Jane (right). For more about Sex and the Austen Girl, and to catch up on all the episodes you missed, visit the Sex and the Austen Girl showpage at Babelgum.]

 

Sex and the Austen Girl Episode 18 "The Art of Flattery" AND Another Giveaway!

Episode 18 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL has posted today, and we're having another giveaway!

Two lucky winners will win signed copies of both RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT & CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Watch Episode 18, "The Art of Flattery," and enter the giveaway!

DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FOR MULTIPLE CHANCES TO WIN:

1. COMMENT on Episode 18, "The Art of Flattery," here on the blog. Do women today still make flattery a tactic in the game of love? Or did that go out of style with bonnets and horse-drawn carriages?

2. BLOG about this giveaway with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send the link to your post to [email protected].

3. TWEET about the giveaway @TheAustenGirl or @austen_addict with a  link to http://janeaustenaddict.com.

4. FACEBOOK POST the giveaway & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send the link to your post to [email protected].

This week's giveaway ends midnight PST October 16. Good luck!

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

     
[Sex and the Austen Girl stars Arabella Field as Courtney (left) and Fay Masterson as Jane (right). For more about Sex and the Austen Girl, and to catch up on all the episodes you missed, visit the Sex and the Austen Girl showpage at Babelgum.]

 

OMG...iveaway! Win signed copies of the Austen Addict books

Episode 17 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL has just posted today, and we're giving away signed copies of both RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT & CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT to two lucky winners.

Watch Episode 17, "A Matter of Chance," to see Courtney and Jane make sense of divorce, Regency style.

And to enter the giveaway, DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FOR MULTIPLE CHANCES TO WIN:

1. COMMENT on Episode 17, "A Matter of Chance," here on the blog.

2. BLOG about this giveaway & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send the link to your post to [email protected].

3. TWEET about the giveaway @TheAustenGirl or @austen_addict & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com.

4. FACEBOOK POST the giveaway & link to http://janeaustenaddict.com. Send the link to your post to [email protected].

This week's giveaway ends midnight PST October 9. Good luck!

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNERS LOIS & ANA IRIS!

     
[Sex and the Austen Girl stars Arabella Field as Courtney (left) and Fay Masterson as Jane (right). For more about Sex and the Austen Girl, and to catch up on all the episodes you missed, visit the Sex and the Austen Girl showpage at Babelgum.]

 

"Snip, Snip": Enter the SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL Episode 16 Giveaway

The Episode 16 giveaway has begun, and it's easier than ever to enter.

Here's what you do for a chance to win signed copies of the novels that inspired the series, RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Each of the following equals one chance to win):

1. Watch Episode 16 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, "Snip, Snip," (below) and post a comment here on the blog. In two minutes you'll see two women from two different centuries tackling the issue of extreme makeovers.

 

AND/OR

2. Blog about our giveaway with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com AND send us the link to your post to [email protected] with "Episode 16 Giveaway" in the subject line

AND/OR

3. Tweet about our giveaway @TheAustenGirl with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com

AND/OR

4. Post on Facebook about our giveaway with a link to http://janeaustenaddict.com AND send us the link to your post to [email protected].

Have fun, good luck, and catch up on all the episodes you missed at the SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL showpage!

[On the set of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, starring Fay Masterson as Jane (L) and Arabella Field as Courtney (R)]

Enter the Episode 15 Giveaway!

Episode 15 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, "A Good Wedding," is up. Click here to watch the episode and enter this week's giveaway. And let us know what your idea of a good wedding is!

Two winners will each win a signed copy of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

TO ENTER: Follow the instructions posted each week on the Jane Austen Addict homepage. It's easy to enter. Have fun, and good luck!

 

 SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, the Babelgum original comedy web series inspired by RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, stars Arabella Field (L) as Courtney and Fay Masterson (R) as Jane. Visit the SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL showpage to watch all the episodes you missed!

 PLEASE DO NOT POST THE ANSWER TO THE EP.15 TRIVIA QUESTION ON THIS BLOG. THANKS!

Enter the Episode 14 Giveaway!

SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL is back from hiatus, and giveaway madness has begun!

Enter the first of our series of weekly giveaways to celebrate the second half of Season One of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, the Babelgum original comedy web series inspired by RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Each week till the end of Season One, two winners will each win a signed copy of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

TO ENTER: follow the instructions posted each week on the Jane Austen Addict homepage. Have fun, and good luck!

[Arabella Field (L) as Courtney and Fay Masterson (R) as Jane]

Dressed in White

SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, the comedy web series inspired by CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, is back on Babelgum.com!

Episode 13, "Dressed in White," is all about why Jane is wearing that white gown and what is means to her to wear white as opposed to what it means to Courtney. And how emotionally charged that white, fairy-princess dress can be. Especially if the fairy tale doesn't have a happy ending.

An interesting note on the difference between a wedding dress of Austen's day and a wedding dress of our day: We think of wedding dresses as white, but in Regency England, white was a common color for young women to wear on many occasions.

We also think of a wedding dress as a one-day-only-never-to-be-worn again garment. In Austen's time, a woman would just wear her wedding gown (which could be any color) again and again, like any other dress for special occasions. She'd change it up a bit when she got bored with the trimming or something got frayed. Or maybe she'd eventually cut it up and make a little girl's dress from it for her daughter. I do appreciate the difference between that custom and the ways of our disposable society. Besides, it might be interesting if white became more of a popular evening color than just for brides and debutantes. 

Watch Episode 13 and let us know what you think!

SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL stars Arabella Field (R) as Courtney Stone and Fay Masterson (L) as Jane Mansfield.  
 

By a Reader: An Austen Addict Collage

A very sweet surprise in my inbox: In addition to a lovely email from a 16-year-old reader named Tara, she made this Polyvore collage inspired by CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

I could definitely see curling up in that robe and reading NORTHANGER ABBEY (gotta get ready for the JASNA AGM coming up end of October. Or watching CLUELESS. Again.

Thank you, Tara!

Love, Money, & Pemberley (Ep.12 of SEX & THE AUSTEN GIRL)

Don't miss this week's episode which is OUR LAST EPISODE TILL SEPTEMBER 5, when we will return with a special MR. DARCY episode. Everyone wants to marry for love, but shouldn't we consider money as well? Where does romance end and practicality begin? And should they be mutually exclusive? Courtney and Jane, our time-swapping heroines of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, explore an issue that has not changed all that much since Jane Austen's time. Watch Episode 12, "Love, Money, & Pemberley." Only on Babelgum. And read all about it on the Babelgum blog. Episode 12, "Love, Money, & Pemberley," premiered Monday, August 2, 2010 on Babelgum. And stays on the SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL showpage. Where you can catch up on any other episodes you missed. See you September 5! Till then, we'll be dreaming of Pemberley...   [Pemberley. Now that's something Jane (Fay Masterson, L) and Courtney (Arabella Field, R) can agree on.]
SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL is inspired by the novels RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

"The 200-Year-Old Virgin" (Ep. 11 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL)

Imagine the shock you'd feel if you were a sheltered lady from 1813 England who woke up one morning in twenty-first-century Los Angeles. In another woman's body. A woman named Courtney Stone. Who is, like you, unmarried. But who is not, like you, a virgin.

Watch Jane Mansfield, that nineteenth-century lady, and Courtney Stone, the twenty-first-century woman who has taken over Jane's life, discuss things a lady should never talk about.

Watch "The 200-Year-Old Virgin," Episode 11 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL.

And read about it on the Babelgum Blog.

"The 200-Year-Old Virgin," premiered Monday, July 26 on Babelgum and stays on the site. Where you can catch up on any other episodes you missed.

SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL is inspired by the novels RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

[Poor Jane (Fay Masterson) is having a hard time wrapping her head around twenty-first-century dating and mating rituals]

Tell-Tale Signs (Episode 10 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL)

Ever wonder how you could have missed the signs (let's face it; the billboards) that screamed "He's just not that into you"?

In this week's episode of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, our time-swapping heroines Courtney and Jane discuss the tell-tale signs of a lack of male interest, both in Regency England and in twenty-first-century Los Angeles.

Watch Episode 10 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL. Only on Babelgum.

And read about it on the Babelgum Blog.

Episode 10, "Tell-Tale Signs," premiered Monday July 19 and stays on the SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL showpage. Where you can catch up on any other episodes you missed.

SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL is inspired by the novels RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

[Arabella Field (L) is Courtney, and Fay Masterson (R) is Jane.]

Is He For Real? (Episode 9 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL)

Wouldn't it be great if there were a foolproof decoder of male behavior, a dog-meter, if you will, that tells us if he's for real? Or, as Jane Mansfield, one of the heroines of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL would put it, is there anything that indicates his intentions are honorable?

Watch Courtney and Jane, time-swapping heroines of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, figure it all out in Episode 9, "Is He For Real?" 

And read all about it on the Babelgum Blog.

"Is He For Real?" premiered Monday, July 12 and stays on the SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL showpage. Where you can catch up on any other episodes you missed.

SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL is inspired by the novels RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

[On the set of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, from left to right: Director Thomas Rigler, Director of Photography Roman Jakobi, Gaffer Ken Wales, Arabella Field as Courtney, and Fay Masterson as Jane.]

Interview Part 2 + ANOTHER Giveaway!

Check out Part 2 of my interview at the lovely Maria Grazia's blog, My Jane Austen Book Club, in which I talk about--you guessed it--Jane Austen, SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, and the Austen Addict novels.

Speaking of which, enter a comment with your email address at My Jane Austen Book Club, and you will have a chance to win either a signed copy of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, or a signed copy of CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Enjoy, and good luck!

Interview + Giveaway of Confessions AND Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict

Check out  Part I of my interview and a big giveaway on the lovely Maria Grazia's My Jane Austen Book Club blog.

And don't forget to leave a comment there so that you have a chance to win a signed copy of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A  JANE AUSTEN ADDICT or CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT!

  

How many dates before you sleep with someone?

To wait or not to wait. To pursue or not to pursue. Those are the questions our time-swapping heroines explore in this week's episode of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, "Lady in Waiting."

Watch this week's episode now.

Read this week's guest post on the Babelgum blog.

Discuss.

And let us know what YOU think.

[Could the answers be found on the props table at the SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL set??]

[SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL is the new comedy web series inspired by the novels RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, in which two young women, one from Regency England and the other from 21st-century Los Angeles, swap bodies, time periods, and lives. In SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL the two ladies come together to debate the pros and cons of life and love and being a woman in today's world versus Jane Austen's time.]

No Make-up? No Way. (Guest post on the Babelgum blog)

Ever fantasized about meeting Mr. Darcy? How about without your lipstick on?

Read my latest guest post on the Babelgum blog.

And watch Episode 6,  "Concealer & Mascara," the latest episode of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL. Only on Babelgum.

 
[Arabella Field as Courtney (L) and Fay Masterson as Jane (R)]

The super fabulous Everything Austen Challenge is back!

Austenmania is here just in time for summer at Stephanie's Written Word, where the Everything Austen Challenge II is just starting up. 

Stephanie's got lots of choices for challenge participants, from Austen's own works to Austen-inspired novels (like those by yours truly) to sequels and continuations, movies, and even crafts.

I wonder if taking English country dance lessons counts? Or playing with my Jane Austen Action Figures??

And did I say there were lots of giveaways? 

Here's what I'm going to do (not necessarily in this order):

• Read A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED: 33 Great Writers on Why We Read Jane Austen (just got this and can't wait to read it)
• Re-read five of Austen's own, because I just can't stop doing it
• SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
• NORTHANGER ABBEY
• PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
• PERSUASION
• MANSFIELD PARK

Oh, and I want to read so many others on this list. I don't think I can keep it down to six!

Tip: If anyone's looking for a really fun, lovely Austen nonfiction, Margaret Sullivan's JANE AUSTEN HANDBOOK (also on Stephanie's list) is excellent. And did I say funny? There's one line on page 92 that will make you howl with laughter.

Make haste to the Everything Austen Challenge II!

Scents and Sensibility (guest post on the Babelgum blog)

Could it be possible that we have taken our ideas of “clean” too far? Have we scrubbed, deodorized, and perfumed away our very essence, and maybe even our sex appeal along with it? What would someone from Jane Austen's time think about our ideas of "clean"?

Read my guest post on the Babelgum blog.

And watch Jane and Courtney, the time-swapping heroines of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, explore these and other fragrant questions in this week’s episode, “Is Clean Sexy?”

Available now for your viewing pleasure. Only on Babelgum.

[Arabella Field (L) as Courtney Stone, and Fay Masterson (R) as Jane Mansfield in "Sex and the Austen Girl"]

Shopping con Jane Austen

The Italian edition of "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" is out. Let the shopping begin!

[Published by Sperling & Kupfer]

Why all the fuss about Jane Austen? (guest post on the Babelgum blog)

Here's my first guest post on the Babelgum Blog to introduce Jane Austen and Sex and the Austen Girl.

If you haven't yet seen Sex and the Austen Girl, the web series inspired by the Austen Addict novels, Episode 4 has just posted today. In fact, Episodes 1-4 are all ready for your viewing pleasure.

New episodes post every Monday. Only on Babelgum.

Enjoy!

[Actors Arabella Field as Courtney (L) and Fay Masterson as Jane (R) getting finishing touches on hair and makeup by hairstylist Hazel Hartman (L) and hairstylist/make-up artist Alma Anguiano (R)]

Watch Episode 3 of Sex and the Austen Girl

If you meet Mr. Darcy in a forest and there's no way to tweet it or put it on your Facebook, did it really happen?

Find out in Episode 3 of Sex and the Austen Girl:

Helicopters, air conditioning, cars, and a little picture-box called TV. Everything you always wanted to know when traveling to 2010 Los Angeles from the Regency Era. In this Freaky Friday-meets-Masterpiece Theatre comedy, two women have inexplicably switched bodies, time periods, and lives: One from Regency England, the other from 21st-century Los Angeles— they debate the pros and cons of life and love in today's world vs. Jane Austen's world.

Sex and the Austen Girl is inspired by RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

A new episode posts every Monday. Only on the fabulous Babelgum.

[Arabella Field as Courtney (L), and Fay Masterson as Jane (R)]

Pride and Pantylines (guest post on the Penguin Blog)

Ever wondered about undies in the time of Jane Austen? Read this guest post on the Penguin Blog.

And watch Episode 2 of Sex and the Austen Girl. Only on Babelgum.

 
[Courtney Stone (Arabella Field, R) explains to Jane Mansfield (Fay Masterson, L) that strange 21st-century garment called a thong.]

The 200-year-old Virgin (guest post on the Penguin blog)

The next in my series of guest posts takes a humorous look at the so-called sexual revolution for women and its effect on Miss Jane Mansfield, the 19th-century heroine of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT who finds herself inhabiting the body and life of 21st-century Courtney Stone, the heroine of CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT. Who has a very different sort of romantic history from Jane's.

Read the full post here.

And watch SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, the comedy web series inspired by the Austen Addict books.

[Fay Masterson as Miss Jane Mansfield in SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL]

[Arabella Field as Courtney Stone in SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL]

The Austen Girl's Guide to Meeting Men (guest post on the Penguin Blog)

If you think it's challenging for a single woman to meet her Mr. Darcy in today's world, imagine what it was like for a single woman in Jane Austen's time.

But are we really better off today?

RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, and Episode 1 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, the new web series inspired by the novels, explore that very question.

Check out more on this in my guest post on the Penguin blog.

And watch Episode 1 of SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL.

[Co-director Thomas Rigler working with actors Arabella Field (L) and Fay Masterson (R)]

More about Sex and the Austen Girl on the Penguin Blog

This week I've been doing a series of guest posts on the Penguin blog (as in publisher, not cute arctic birds in tuxedos).

The first one is all about the birth of the new comedy web series that premiered on Monday, May 17, SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, which is inspired by the Austen Addict novels.

[Arabella Field (L) as Courtney Stone, and Fay Masterson (R) as Jane Mansfield.]

Watch the Austen Addict Web Series Trailer

A couple  of weeks ago, I posted about SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL, the upcoming comedy web series inspired by my novels, CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT and RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

Now I've got more exciting news to report: The SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL teaser trailer is up!

Watch the trailer here, and please link, embed, post, and share!

SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL premieres on the broadband network Babelgum.com on May 17. For more about the show, go to  babelgum.com/sexandtheaustengirl.

 
[Arabella Field (left), plays Courtney Stone; Fay Masterson (right), plays Jane Mansfield. They're perfect!]

CONFESSIONS is now in paperback in the UK

AND it got reviewed in The Independent.  Bloomsbury, you rock!

Sex and the Austen Girl

Check out my guest post on the pros and cons of courtship today vs. courtship in Jane Austen's world. It's a question I pondered constantly while writing my latest novel, RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

The post is on Stephanie's Written Word as part of her Everything Austen Challenge.

Oh yeah, and there's a BIG giveaway: Dutton is providing three copies of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, and I'm providing three copies of CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

So head on over to Stephanie's Written Word and enter!

 
[Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam in EMMA.]

Q&A & Giveaway on Living Read Girl

The giveaway madness continues! Check out my Q&A on Living Read Girl, and enter to win a copy of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT or CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT.

 

A Real Writer Writes Every Day, and Other Myths

Please check out my guest post on Peeking Between the Pages, where I discuss some of the most common myths about writers and writing.

And there is yet another chance to win a copy of my new novel, RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, plus a copy of my first novel, CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT. Enter to win at Peeking Between the Pages!

 

RUDE AWAKENINGS is here, and CONFESSIONS needs your vote.

It's heeeeere! RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT. June 25 is the day!

 At a time like this I find myself caught between channeling Mrs. Bennet ("Oh, Lord! What will become of me. I shall go distracted") and that Mike Myers character (you know, the one who's always verklempt).

Romantic Times has made RUDE AWAKENINGS a Top Pick for July, SisterDivas Magazine praises it for its "great main character, solid storytelling, and social commentary on women, independence, and love," and the Deseret News calls it "the perfect summer read."

Enjoy the book, and please check the Jane Austen Addict homepage for giveaways and other news.

And please vote for CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, which has been nominated for  a 2009 Regency World Award.* 

Polls close June 30, so please cast your vote now! 

*The Regency World Awards are sponsored by The Jane Austen Centre in Bath, a wonderful place to visit.

Many thanks, and may this summer bring you much happiness! 

AustenFest on BrantFlakes!

What does that mean, you might ask?

BrantFlakes is the blog of author Marilyn Brant, whose upcoming Austen-inspired book, ACCORDING TO JANE: A NOVEL ABOUT PRIDE, PREJUDICE, & THE PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT GUY, comes out October 2009. ACCORDING TO JANE is already a winner—it won the 2007 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements.

So what is AustenFest?

AustenFest is a series of Q&A's and giveaways of Austen-inspired books and more on Marilyn's blog.

Here is the AustenFest lineup:

6/22/09: Syrie James, author of THE LOST MEMOIRS OF JANE AUSTEN, which was nominated for a 2008 Regency World Award for Best New Fiction; and her new novel, THE SECRET DIARIES OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE.

6/24/09: Kim Wilson, author of TEA WITH JANE AUSTEN and IN THE GARDEN WITH JANE AUSTEN, which is nominated for a 2009 Regency World Award for Best New Nonfiction.

6/26/09: Abigail Reynolds, author of THE PEMBERLEY VARIATIONS series of novels.

6/29/09: Laurie Viera Rigler (that's me), author of RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, which comes out June 25; and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, which is nominated for a 2009 Regency World Award http://www.janeausten.co.uk/awardsurvey.ihtml for Best New Fiction.

Although Marilyn Brant won't be doing a Q&A herself, she just received the ARCs of ACCORDING TO JANE and will be giving away at least one of them.

Each of these authors is giving away at least one book, so be sure to go to AustenFest to enter!

In Two Places at Once. I Think.

Two reviews in major UK papers in the space of a week. What riches! Lord bless me! I shall go distracted.

Okay, enough channeling of Mrs. Bennet.

But it is thrilling that CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT is receiving such a warm welcome in England, as it's just been published there by Bloomsbury.

Here's an interesting thought: Jane Mansfield, the protagonist of the upcoming parallel story, RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT (and no relation to the 1950s screen siren), will be able to go online and read The Observer, the same paper she could read in print in 1813 (it's been around since 1791). What I really can't wrap my mind around is that this nineteenth-century woman will be able to sit in her apartment in the twenty-first-century and read a 2009 review of CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, which will tell her what's going on in the nineteenth-century life she left behind.

Brain in pretzels? Me, too. Absolut martini? Thought you'd never ask.

 

How Do I Love Bath? Let Me Count the Ways.

A couple of days ago, Kerri Spennicchia, Assistant Regional Coordinator of JASNA NY  forwarded to me the Jane Austen Centre's newsletter with a note "You do know that “Confessions” has been nominated for [a] Regency [World] Award.”

No, Kerri, I didn't! In fact, as a subscriber to the excellent Jane Austen's Regency World magazine, I'd received the newsletter myself earlier in the day. But I hadn't yet looked at the nominees. Nor had it occurred to me that my book might be one of them.

I've been doing the happy dance ever since.

According to The Jane Austen Centre in Bath, which is the sponsoring organization, "the Awards recognise the contribution of the nominees in furthering the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the work of Jane Austen."

Winners are chosen by the public, so please visit The Jane Austen Centre's website and cast your vote.

I had the great pleasure of visiting The Jane Austen Centre when I was deep into my research for Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and took a trip to Bath. I'd long been curious about the city that figured so prominently in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, and where key scenes in my own novel take place. I'd read a great deal about Bath prior to my visit, but the one thing that all my reading hadn't prepared me for was the feel of the place. Before I'd spent a full day in Bath I was already thinking to myself: I could live here. In a heartbeat.

What struck me more than anything else about Bath was its own heartbeat. Its energy and vitality. Although going to Bath was like going back in time, it was also a vibrant, wholly alive place.

There was so much to do in Bath that every day was filled with exciting adventures. I went to The Jane Austen Centre  and breathed in everything Austen. I took one of The Centre's excellent walking tours of Jane Austen's Bath. I also took an unforgettable walking tour of Georgian Bath led by Bill Haxworth of the Mayor's Corp's of Honourary Guides.  I went to the Assembly Rooms  and thought of Anne Elliot and Catherine Morland,  gazed at the façade of 4 Sydney Place, where Jane Austen once lived, walked in Sydney Gardens, went to Bath Abbey, visited the Pump Room and the King's Baths, the Building of Bath Collection, Number One Royal Crescent, and the Victoria Art Gallery. I sketched, bought a suitcase full of books, wrote scenes for my novel.

I left Bath inspired and full of energy, ready to delve back into Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. At the time, I had no idea that my book would ever be published. It certainly never crossed my mind that it might some day be nominated for a Regency World Award. I am deeply grateful to the Jane Austen Centre for this great honor.

Please visit the Jane Austen Centre's website and cast your vote for the 2009 Regency World Awards.