The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen: A Novel by a Gentleman Volume I by Collins Hemingway Blog Tour with Personal Review and Giveaway!!!!

The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen: A Novel by a Gentleman Volume I by Collins Hemingway

Publication Date: June 20, 2015

AuthorHouse

Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook

Genre: Historical Fiction

Everyone should marry once for love - Even Jane Austen Jane Austen, single and seemingly comfortable in the role of clergyman's daughter and aspiring writer in the early 1800s, tells friends and family to hold out for true affection in any prospective relationship. Everybody, she says, has a right to marry once in their lives for love. But when, after a series of disappointing relationships, the prospect of true love arrives for her, will she have the courage to act? The Marriage of Miss Jane AUsten re-imagines the life of England's archetypal female by exploring what might have happened if she had ever married. It shows how a meaningful, caring relationship would have changed her as a person and a writer. It also takes her beyond England's tranquil country villages and plunges her info what the Regency era was really about: great explorations and scientific advances, political foment, and an unceasing, bloody war. In such times, can love—can marriage—triumph?

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Praise

"What if Austen, who penned so many classic love stories, found her own romantic match? Ashton Dennis fits right into the Austen universe, while this Jane remains true to life, an intelligent and determined young woman. The writing is Austen-ian, and Hemingway has a talent for witty banter and wry observations that would make Elizabeth Bennet proud. An enjoyable first novel in an imaginative, well-researched series." —Kirkus Reviews "A skillful portrayal of a ... literary icon takes this historical romance on an imaginative journey of the soul. … Insight and intuition, along with meticulous research, have created a believable version of her character in this tender story of Ashton and Jane. … Excellent character development enhances the plausibility of the scenario. Background, motivation, eccentricity—everything that constitutes a personality allow these fascinating people to step off the pages in lifelike form." —Julia Ann Charpentier, Foreword CLARION Reviews, 4 stars "All readers of Jane Austen wonder what Jane's life might have been like had she married, or had money. The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen explores these intriguing possibilities. It also depicts Austen in a rapidly changing world, connecting her to important aspects of the era-war, slavery, indistralization, and new modes of travel. Heminghway's book raises many 'what if's' in his thoughtful and thought-provoking portrayal of Jane Austen falling in love." -Susannah Fullerton, author of A Dance with Jane Austen and Happily Ever After: Celebrating Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice "[An] engaging and remarkably convincing romance. … Wry, observant, laconic—much like Jane Austen herself, without ever dipping into pastiche or mimicry. … Hemingway, with the lightest touch, builds up a thoroughly convincing alternative history for Jane. … [A] thoughtful re-imagining of Austen’s love life." —Joceline Bury, Jane Austen’s Regency World

***Personal Review***

Let me start by saying that I have a degree in English literature, Jane Austen is without a doubt my FAVORITE author, I love historical fiction and I am a true lover of all Jane Austen Fan Fiction.  This book falls into all 3 of those categories on some level which is probably why I loved it so much.  Any Austenite hungers for any information they can get on her and of course love to opine on how her life might have been, how it might have been different, and what would have happened had she married and had children.

This book does exactly that - it gives Austen a voice and shows what her life might have been like and more importantly - how she may have actually had suitors.  I love the character of Jane in this book - she is just as we would expect - a total spitfire of a woman when that was just not okay in society.  We get to see how she reacts to others, and of course I had to laugh when she would "bristle" when someone said something in the book.  That is just what I would expect - I think she may have been a lot more like Elizabeth Bennet - who is my heroine of all time - than anyone realized.  Of course we know she never met her own Mr Darcy, but through the book Jane sees that there are in fact men in her world who are interested in her - but will she end up married in the end?  Will the author give us the ending we all want?  

So many times while reading this book I just had to giggle - everytime Jane "bristles"; when she considers the horseman to look like Napoleon; and of course every time Jane steps in to outdo a man.  But the rest you will have to read to giggle for yourself, and I promise you will if you are a true Austen fan!  I really loved how real this seemed, it was not sarcastic or inane in any way - it was a truly revealing look at how things may have played out.  And Ashton, who is the main suitor in the book, is a compelling character because he is REAL.  He has a stutter but he can definitely stand up and be the man she needs and towards the end of the book we see him in an entirely different light - we see that he does have the capability to literally sweep Jane off her feet, and I absolutely love the scene that almost mirrors Pride and Prejudice (hint hint).  But all in all I was very pleased with the outcome of the book and I can't wait for the sequel but I will not be giving you any spoilers!!!!  Ohhh here is a spoiler ... go and buy a copy of the book :D  It's worth it if you are an Austenite :)  This Austenite is totally ready for Part Deux!

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About the Author

Whether his subject is literature, history, or science, Collins Hemingway has a passion for the art of creative investigation. For him, the most compelling fiction deeply explores the heart and soul of its characters, while also engaging them in the complex and often dangerous world in which they have a stake. He wants to explore all that goes into people's lives and everything that makes tThe hem complete though fallible human beings. His fiction is shaped by the language of the heart and an abiding regard for courage in the face of adversity. As a nonfiction book author, Hemingway has worked alongside some of the world's thought leaders on topics as diverse as corporate culture and ethics; the Internet and mobile technology; the ins and outs of the retail trade; and the cognitive potential of the brain. Best known for the #1 best-selling book on business and technology, Business @ the Speed of Thought, which he coauthored with Bill Gates, he has earned a reputation for tackling challenging subjects with clarity and insight, writing for the nontechnical but intelligent reader. Hemingway has published shorter nonfiction on topics including computer technology, medicine, and aviation, and he has written award-winning journalism. Published books include The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen trilogy, Business @ the Speed of Thought, with Bill Gates, Built for Growth, with Arthur Rubinfeld, What Happy Companies Know, with Dan Baker and Cathy Greenberg, Maximum Brainpower, with Shlomo Breznitz, and The Fifth Wave, with Robert Marcus. Hemingway lives in Bend, Oregon, with his wife, Wendy. Together they have three adult sons and three granddaughters. He supports the Oregon Community Foundation and other civic organizations engaged in conservation and social services in Central Oregon. For more information please visit Collins Hemingway's website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 4 Kick Off at Passages to the Past Tuesday, December 5 Guest Post at The Writing Desk Wednesday, December 6 Excerpt at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Thursday, December 7 Excerpt at What Is That Book About Friday, December 8 Review at A Chick Who Reads Review at Adventures Thru Wonderland Sunday, December 10 Review at Clarissa Reads it All Review at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings Monday, December 11 Interview at The Book Junkie Reads Tuesday, December 12 Feature at The Hungry Bookworm Wednesday, December 13 Review at Pursuing Stacie Saturday, December 16 Interview & Excerpt at T's Stuff Monday, December 18 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective Wednesday, December 20 Review at Faery Tales Are Real Feature at A Literary Vacation Friday, December 22 Feature at The Reading Queen Wednesday, December 27 Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views Friday, December 29 Review at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Tuesday, January 2 Feature at Broken Teepee Thursday, January 4 Feature at CelticLady's Reviews Review & Excerpt at Books of All Kinds Friday, January 5 Review at Birdhouse Books Monday, January 8 Review at Jorie Loves a Story Feature at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots Wednesday, January 10 Review at Singing Librarian Books Review at WS Momma Readers Nook Thursday, January 11 Review at What Cathy Read Next Friday, January 12 Review at Diary of an Eccentric Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two paperback copies of The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on January 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to residents INTERNATIONALLY. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen