Follow Friday: Jane Odiwe of Austen Effusions

Author and artist Jane Odiwe of the Austen Effusions website and Jane Austen Sequels Blog is one of my favorite Austenesque authors writing today. Her two recently published sequels: Lydia Bennet’s Story and Willoughby’s Return are both classic Regency-era novels inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice & Sense and Sensibility respectively. Jane’s understanding and knowledge of the culture and history of the time and Jane Austen’s characters are superb. Her artistic eye and keen sense of humor always delights. I know that I’m in for a great read when I crack open one of her books.

We also have the advantage of visiting England vicariously through Jane, who not only resides there, but travels to Jane Austen sites including Lyme Regis, Bath and many of the movie film locations sharing her travelogue and photos with us.

You can also follow Jane on Twitter as she tweets about Jane Austen, her research and writing career.

Visit Jane at Jane Austen Sequels Blog by Jane Odiwe
Visit Jane at her official website Austen Effusions
Read an interview of Jane by Vic at Jane Austen's World

Enjoy! Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Lydia Bennet's Story

Shall I tell you a secret? You must promise not to tell anyone else. When I took the Which Jane Austen Character Are You? quiz, Lydia Bennet kept popping up in my profile. No, she wasn't number one on my list. Marianne Dashwood was. So, now you know: Ms. Place is either a hopeless romantic or ... a hopeless romantic.

I suspect we all share a warm spot in our hearts for Jane Austen's over the top heroines. Whenever Lydia pops up in Pride & Prejudice, the story sparkles. She is such a delicious character: young, headstrong, and immature. Who among us has not encountered a tweeny who is as willful and behaves just as outrageously as Lydia?

Yesterday I opened up my mailbox and discovered Lydia Bennet's Story inside it. I haven't read this book by Jane Odiwe yet, and will save it for the holidays, but just glancing at the first few pages makes me want to sit down and read it. Look for my review soon. Meanwhile, you can read Chapter One here, and several of the book's reviews on Austen Blog and Becoming Jane Fansite.

Oh, I also received ten of Jane's lovely cards, all tied in her characteristic blue ribbon. I ordered them only a week ago from the U.K. and they arrived in plenty of time for gift giving. Click here to view them and for ordering information.

Find Jane's lovely illustrations, sequels, and gift shop on the following sites:

• Austen Effusions, Jane Odiwe's web site

• Jane Austen Sequels, Lydia Bennet's daily journal