Which Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Character are You?

Ok! The sad truth is revealed. I took the Which Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Character Are You quiz on Facebook and I am . . . you guessed it . . .

Mr. Collins: You have a huge fondness for cookies, cakes, and pies. In fact, you are so enamored with culinary delights and material wealth that you don’t notice that a zombie is a zombie . . . even when it’s sleeping in your bed.

Oh my! that toady buffoon that everyone but Lady Catherine abhors! At least I will come into property when Mr. Bennet is devoured by zombies in the P&P&Z sequel. Those Bennet women can just camp out in the hedgerows with the blackberries. Yum. Must put them to work picking blackberries for tarts. Lady Catherine would approve.

The incredible popularity of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies just keeps growing. Vic and I liked the book, but geesh, it seems to be the energizer bunny of spinoffs. This fall Quirk Books will be releasing a new deluxe edition with new illustrations and 30% more zombie action! You can follow co-authors Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith on Twitter, and visit the P&P&Z Facebook page.

To discover which P&P&Z character you are, register or sign in to Facebook and take the quiz here.

I am Mr. Collins!!! Oh my. Must do something to correct that - fast! Where are my cookies whilst I contemplate a solution?



Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Elizabeth Bennet, Zombie Slayer

I am shouting with glee. After taking the Zombies quiz, I came up as Elizabeth Bennet. Here is what the image looks like. To take the quiz, enter the link provided by Laurel Ann in the post above.

For a chance to win some fabulous Georgette Heyer books, leave comments in the post below. Avon is also giving away a copy of Syrie James's new book, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte. That contest will end on July 14th. Keep scrolling down.

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Advice Column

Have a question about life or etiquette or finances? Ask Jane Austen will provide you with answers to your most pressing life questions. Whether the answers are spot on is for you to decide. This was the answer to my question, "Are you in love with Mr. Darcy?"

Don't forget to leave your comments for our fabulous book giveaways. Just scroll down to the posts below.

In Honor of The Grand Sophy, The Biggest, Best, Grandest, Most Astonishing Book GiveAway from Source Books!

In honor of the reissue of The Grand Sophy, one of Georgette Heyer’s best and most beloved regency romance novels, Source Books will be giving away a full set of the Georgette Heyer books that have come out this spring. One LUCKY winner will receive the complete set. In addition, five copies of The Grand Sophy will also be given away to five runner up winners. Yes, you read this correctly. You have five chances of winning a Georgette Heyer novel and one chance to win a complete set of some of the most enjoyable Regency romances ever written.

The GRAND PRIZE winner will receive a set of 10 books, or one copy each of Georgette Heyer’s:

• The Convenient Marriage
• The Corinthian
• Cousin Kate
• The Grand Sophy
• The Nonesuch
• The Talisman Ring
• My Lord John
• Behold, Here's Poison (Mystery)
• The Unfinished Clue (Mystery)
• Why Shoot a Butler? (Mystery)

Please click on the titles of the books to read the reviews of the Regency romances on Jane Austen’s World.


If you live in the United States or Canada, all you need to do is to leave a comment on the following topics: For Georgette Heyer fans, we’d like to know which is your favorite GH novel and why. For those who have never read a Georgette Heyer book before, please let us know why you would like to start reading one.

This fabulous contest will be open until July 31st. Meanwhile, look for Laurel Ann’s review soon on Austenprose, and for posts related to The Grand Sophy throughout the month in Jane Austen’s World. Remember, only people who live in the U.S. or Canada will be eligible to participate in this giveaway.

Win a New Book: Syrie James's The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte

Update: Contest Closed. Inquiring readers.

How fabulous! Avon books is donating a copy of Syrie James's fabulous new book, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte to the lucky winner of our drawing on Tuesday, July 14th. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. We will draw the winner on July 14th at midnight.

Only those who live in the Continental USA and Canada are eligible to win the book. Leave a comment or observation about The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte in the post below or in this post for a chance to win the book! Deadline to leave a comment is July 14th.

The Author of the Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë, Syrie James, Will Respond to Your Questions

Gentle Readers: Great news! Syrie James's new novel, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë, has been published and is available for purchase. Syrie will be available to read your comments and to respond to your questions should you have any. We are extremely grateful to Syrie for taking the time out of her busy schedule to visit our blog and communicate with our readers today and tomorrow. If you leave a comment, you will be automatically eligible to win a copy of her book! UPDATE - CONTEST CLOSED

Syrie's name should be familiar to Jane Austen fans, for last year her first novel, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, became a bestseller. Her new book, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë is the product of Syrie's extensive research into Charlotte’s life. I cannot put the book down and am finding it quite enjoyable. Please look for my review this weekend on Jane Austen's World. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits that even Brontë fans may not know:

For years, Charlotte harbored a secret love for her Belgian professor, Monsieur Hegér—a married man. Monsieur Hegér is the basis for all the heroes in Charlotte’s books, including Mr. Rochester in her most famous novel, Jane Eyre.

The Brontë sisters were plagued by the violent, unpredictable actions of their only brother, Branwell, an alcoholic and opium addict who nearly burned down their house, yet he remained a beloved part of the family until the day he died.

The love of Charlotte's life was Arthur Bell Nichols, her father's curate...but their love took years to materialize, because at first she despised him for calling her an "old maid".

More information:

• Syrie James's Website
• Order the book at this link
• Review of the novel at Brontë blog

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR SYRIE. SHE WILL RESPOND TO THEM THROUGHOUT TODAY & TOMORROW! NOW CLOSED

Your comment will make you automatically eligible to win a copy of her book (contest to be announced tomorrow).

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Ah, it's the July 4th weekend in the Colonies when staggering amounts of peach pie, fried chicken, and fresh corn are consumed along with vast quantities of pale ale and ice tea. You have been invited to be a guest in a cozy house just outside the small village of Meryton and have received two invitations from two Bennet families. Whose invitation will you accept? A weekend with the Bennets from 2005's Pride and Prejudice or with the Bennets from Lost in Austen? Both families are, shall we say, a tad eccentric, and both can offer music, lively conversation, a turn around a pretty wilderness of sorts, lawn bowling, shooting, and ample food at mealtime.

I'd Like to Be Their House Guest

pollcode.com free polls

I'd like to be their house guest for July 4th

2005 Pride and Prejudice Bennets Lost in Austen Bennets

Happy Birthday, America!

Just remember, when imbibing too much ale or elderberry wine, please designate a carriage driver! Click here for festivities in Boston.

Farewell, Hercule Poirot. Hello, Miss Marple. July 5th. Be There.

Masterpiece Myster! viewers love Agatha Christie.

After two highly-rated episodes of Poirot, Masterpiece Mystery's "Six by Agatha" continues this Sunday, July 5 on PBS with the first of four new Miss Marple episodes, starring the Julia McKenzie (the lady with the cow in Cranford) in her debut as the spinster sleuth. Guest stars include Joan Collins (admit it, you've missed her), Matthew MacFadyen, Zoe Wanamaker, and many other familiar faces.

McKenzie plays Miss Marple as a keen observer who looks like a harmless old lady—which is her ace up her sleeve. "She just notices feminine things that a man inspector wouldn’t see,” McKenzie says. “For example, in one episode, a woman dies of drinking hat paint that she thought was medicine, and Marple deduces that she wouldn’t have chosen that color of red [to have around] because she is a redhead, so someone obviously put it there. That’s where Marple scores more than a male detective like Poirot.” - The Buffalo News Entertainment

The first Miss Marple episode is entitled 'A Pocketful of Rye' and guest stars Rupert Graves, (The Forsyte Saga); and Hattie Morahan, (Sense and Sensibility).

"Six by Agatha"
A festival of murder from Agatha Christie
June 21 to July 26 on MASTERPIECE MYSTERY!

Winner announced in the giveaway for copy of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict

Congratulations to Miss Remmers. You are the lucky winner of a copy of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, by Laurie Viera Rigler. To claim your prize, please reply by e-mail to Vic and Laurel Ann at janeaustentoday at yahoo dot com with your full name and address. Shipment is by USP to continental US addresses only. Please respond by July 9th. Thanks again to all of our participants. Your responses were amazing.

Cheers, Vic & Laurel Ann

PS Please note email correction: janeaustentoday at yahoo dot com

Is the Darcy Syndrome a Truth Universally Acknowledged?

Are most women unrealistically searching for their own Mr. Darcy? Do they disqualify every nice guy who is not arrogant and surly enough to fill Mr. Darcy’s big black Hessian boots? Keira at Love Romance Passion blog asked a male friend if he thought that women obsess about Mr. Darcy. The proverbial men are from Mars women are from Pemberley debate ensued. His written response is classic. Here’s a brief excerpt.

[Y]ou women are crazy. Not all of you, just the ones who actually look for guys like this, and you let this be your idea of what romance should be. Well, that’s like me looking at an airbrushed playboy centerfold and expecting women to be D cups and enjoy football – it’s not going to happen. Mr. Darcy doesn’t exist, that’s right Virginia, there’s also no Santa Claus.

No Santa Claus? No Mr. Darcy? The world is now over as we know it.

You must have your share of the conversation at Keira’s fabulous blog, Love Romance Passion. I know that if we all wish hard enough and clap our hands, that we can bring Mr. Darcy back to life.

BREAKING NEWS:

The rebutal is up. This Lizzy Bennet speaks her mind and refuses to settle for anything less than her Mr. Darcy. (I have to agree)

[Y]ou men need to step up your game. I’m not asking for the world, only that you act like you belong in the one of which I inhabit...

But do not ever imagine that Darcy, had he lived in the 21st century, would walk around in crumpled clothing, looking like he just got out of bed, threw on a backwards cap (which hides some greasy hair), sliding his badly-kept toes into some beat up reefs, and shower himself in cologne expecting me to swoon.

You go girl!

Oh, and by the way. You 'can' find Mr. Darcy most days hanging out on Twitter under the moniker of DarcyToYou. I know, because his advice is the highlight of my day. *sigh*

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Original Portraits of Lizzy and Darcy Available

The very talented illustrator Carmen Keys has created these lovely original watercolor paintings of Jane Austen's characters Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Do you see a resemblance to any of the actors who have played the famous couple in any of the many movie or mini-series adaptations? I do. They are available for purchase on Esty, but do not delay. They will certainly not be available for long.

New in Book Stores: Ransome's Honor by Kaye Dacus

Summer is the perfect time for reading new books.

Can two people overcome their hurt, reconcile their conflicting desires, and find a way to be happy together? Duty and honor, faith and love are intertwined in this intriguing tale from the Regency era.

Just out in book stores is Ransome's Honor by Kaye Dacus. This regency romance about second chances has many elements of Jane Austen's Persuasion. The setting is Portsmouth, where Captain William Ransome sees Julia Witherington for the first time in twelve years. Julia, who had expected a proposal from the captain when she was a young girl, is convinced that the only reason he paid false court to her was to get close to her influential father.

Our review of this very interesting tale will be coming soon. Meanwhile, click here to read the first chapter of the novel, and click here to order the book.

Announcing The Grand Sophy

Can anything be more delightful than a lazy summer afternoon stretched out in an easy chair by the sea, pool, or lakeside reading a new book? July is a particularly good month for Jane Austen and Regency romance fans, as you can see with:

The Grand Sophy

The sweet, retiring niece that Lady Ombersley expected as a house guest turns out to be an opinionated and sophisticated Regency glamazon. Arriving in a stylish chaise and four, the well traveled Miss Sophy Stanton-Lacy breezes through the entryway of the Ombersley's elegant London townhouse with dog, birdcage, and monkey in tow. She quickly sizes up the dysfunctional household and determines to set things right. Added to the mix are a stuffed shirt hero with a heart of gold, a jealous fiancee, and an assortment of needy but interesting characters who require Sophy's intervention. Sparks fly the moment Sophy meets Charles, who disapproves of almost everything Sophy does. Their verbal exchanges are among the best that Georgette Heyer has written. In fact, The Grand Sophy's characters, language, plot, and setting are all outstanding. After I turned the last page of this amusing book, I felt a pang of disappointment that this rollicking tale had come to an end.

The Grand Sophy comes out tomorrow, July 1. During this month look for an incredible giveaway contest from Source Books on this blog.

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Jane Austen wrote of Emma Woodhouse, “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” In this week's movie throwdown, our question is: Whose performance as Emma do you like best? Elegant Gwyneth Paltrow, the earthier Kate Beckinsale, or uber modern Alicia Silverstone? All played the character between 1995 and 1996, a particularly fine period for Emmas.

Favorite Emma

Gwynneth Paltrow, 1996 Emma

To many, Gwynneth is the embodiment of Emma. Tall and graceful, she lends to the character an elegant, haughty, and aristocratic air. Her background as the privileged child of a director and actress resembles Emma Woodhouse's in many ways. Still channelling Emma over 12 years later, Gwynneth dispenses advice to one and all in her new website, Goop!

Her Emma quotes: "Had I not promoted Mr. Weston's visits and given encouragement where encouragement was needed, we might not have had a wedding today," and "One does not like to generalize about so many people all at once, Mr. Knightley, but you may be sure that men know nothing about their hearts, whether they be six-and-twenty, or six-and-eighty."

Kate Beckinsale, 1996 Emma

Amazingly Kate looks prettier these days than when she played Emma 13 years ago. Her interpretation of Emma is earthier than Gwynneth's and more matter of fact. The hats she's forced to wear in the film, although historically accurate, are excrutiatingly ugly, though they lend her character authority and maturity beyond her years. Kate's Emma stands up to Mark Strong's forceful performance as Mr. Knightley. This Emma was written by Andrew Davies, prolific Jane Austen script writer.

Her Emma quotes: "He is very plain, undoubtedly, but that is nothing like his very lack of gentility. I had not expected much but I had no idea he was so very clownish, so totally without air," and "Papa, I have heard that the chicken thieves have returned to the neighborhood. Not two nights ago they broke into Mrs. Weston’s chicken house and stole all the turkeys…would you not be happier knowing Mr. Knightley was in the house?"

Alicia Silverstone, 1995 Clueless

Although Alicia's character was renamed Cher and lives in 20th century LA, Amy Heckerling's adaptation of Emma remains true to the character. Alicia's performance as a rich, spoiled, bossy, materialistic Cher is unforgettable. She's simply perfect as the clueless driver license-challenged Cher. I'm still waiting for her to find another part so richly suited to her talents.

Her Emma quotes:

"Old people can be so sweet," "Isn't my house classic? The columns date all the way back to 1972," and " I am totally butt crazy in love with Josh."

pollcode.com free polls

Whose Emma peformance do you like best?

Gwynneth Paltrow Kate Beckinsale Alicia Silverstone

Seen On the Blogosphere

Georgette Heyer is tweeting The Grand Sophy on Twitter! Follow her as the book is being released. Sample tweet: "He is the kind of odious little toad who kisses the housemaids on the stairs." Click here to read the tweets.

In addition, seen at Wimbledon: Two yummy men. Jonny Lee Miller, our future Mr. Knightley, and Jude Law.