Jane Austen Lied to Me
by Jeanette Watts
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GENRE: Humor
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BLURB:
What college girl doesn’t dream of meeting Mr. Darcy? Lizzie was certainly no exception. But when Darcy Fitzwilliam comes into her life, he turns out to be every bit as aggravating as Elizabeth Bennett’s Fitzwilliam Darcy. So what’s a modern girl to do?
Jeanette Watts’ satire pokes loving fun at Jane and all of us who worship the characters who shall forever be our romantic ideals.
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EXCERPT:
Well! That was interesting. My roommate invited me along to this frat party she was going to. She went through something called rush week, and she is now pledged to a sorority. She said the frats are less formal than the sororities, and even though I wasn’t a pledge I could go with her. I figured, why not, it should be fun, right?
I got to meet the guy she’s chasing. I couldn’t blame her for being interested. He’s cute, and sweet, and considerate, and a total people-pleaser. One of his parents must be the demanding sort who is never happy.
He introduced us to his friend… whose name is Darcy Fitzwilliam! I wasn’t sure at first that the guy wasn’t just pulling our legs.
“Your mother obviously loves Jane Austen,” I laughed.
“Obviously,” he answered. Not much to go by.
“I love Pride and Prejudice,” I continued.
“I hate Pride and Prejudice.” I can only describe the look he was giving me as hostile.
“I think you will find yourself very much in a minority,” I answered, returning his look with one of my own.
We didn’t talk any more that night. Talk about getting off on the wrong foot!
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jeanette Watts had been writing historic fiction when the inspiration for Jane Austen Lied to Me hit her on the drive home from the Jane Austen Festival. The idea was simply irresistible, and she put aside other writing projects in order to focus on writing a satire, thinking it would be a "mental vacation." It turned out to take every bit as much research to write a modern story as it does to write a historical one.
She has written television commercials, marketing newspapers, stage melodramas, four screenplays, three novels, and a textbook on waltzing. When she isn’t writing, she teaches social ballroom dances, refinishes various parts of her house, and sews historical costumes and dance costumes for her Cancan troupe.
Links:
Webpage
www.JeanetteWatts.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/jeanette.watts.94
https://www.facebook.com/Jane-Austen-Lied-to-Me-342613389485243/
Twitter
@JeanetteAWatts
One of the joys of travel is the people that you meet. The kind stranger who gives you directions. The waitress that brings a free dessert just because you tried ordering from the Greek language side of the menu. The person on the bus who helps you get off at the correct stop.
Our very first trip to Europe, my husband and I encountered a couple that left a much more significant impact on our lives. We don’t know their names, or even if they’re still alive. But we think about them maybe once a week, and they changed our lives forever.
We had about 24 hours in Verona, Italy. We had walked all over the city – to the tourist-kitschy but still cute Juliet’s Garden, and to the beautiful gardens of Giardino Giusti (photos of which were why I was attracted to book a night there in the first place). We had walked through the still-intact Roman coliseum, which was putting up the set for a production of Aida. We had found the theatre that was going to be putting on Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona – and debated going back that night to see Verona in Verona. We were saving the very intriguing bridge and fortress for the following day.
Our legs finally demanded a break, and we found a restaurant with plenty of al fresco seating and the most fantastic gnocci on the menu.
The Parisians aren’t the only people who understand the joys of sitting at an outside table watching the world go by. The Italians are very good at outdoor tables, as well.
Our attention was drawn to a group at the next table. They were obviously Americans, the accent Midwestern. We were guessing it was grandparents traveling with their two grandchildren. The kids were around 10-12 years old, and would flit away to explore, then come back, and run off again, while the adults enjoyed their wine, and the sunset, and the gorgeous Italian evening.
Finally, we struck up a conversation. We found out they weren’t just fellow Midwesterners; they lived in the same suburb of Milwaukee where my husband and I got married. They were, indeed, grandparents sharing the joys of Europe with their grandchildren. They were seasoned travelers, loved Italy, loved Verona in particular and were curious how we’d decided to come to this delicious little town. It isn’t necessarily a big tourist destination.
“The pictures,” I answered. “The place looked too fabulous to miss!”
I don’t remember how it came about, but these two veteran travelers from Milwaukee ended up giving us advice that will be with us til our dying day. I remember they even said that there are two important things to remember about traveling.
1 -There’s no such thing as jet lag. When your plane lands, you hit the ground running. Whatever time it was back home, that’s irrelevant. There are things to do, places to see.
This elderly couple was obviously a couple of kindred spirits. My husband subscribes to the “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” philosophy of living, while I simply have more energy than any other two people. Up for two days straight? Sure, I’ll happily sleep when it’s bedtime and I have to stop doing things and seeing places.
2 – Always remember to look up.
This second bit of advice went well beyond the practical into the truly profound. Not that it isn’t very practical advice, as well. Those words came back several times over the course of that trip. We could be standing in the grungiest, crowded little train station, jostled, hot, and my husband would nudge me. “Always remember to look up.” And there on the ceiling of this dirty little building would be the most amazing fresco. Since then we have been to Rome, to Paris, to Prague, to Japan, to Amsterdam, to Greece, to London – it never ceases to be true. American architecture is often sadly lacking in detail by comparison. Older civilizations did not suffer from such a lack of beauty in their daily lives. Even if it is not a frescoed ceiling to contemplate, there are things of beauty, of whimsy, of fascination to be discovered in much of the world above eye level.
This leads me to the truly profound nature of this advice. It’s not merely a good idea when in Europe. It’s a philosophy of living. Always remember to look up. The stars are out. It’s a full moon. It’s a new moon. The trees are turning color. Or, they’re just leafing out. Or the people on the fourth floor of the apartment building down the street have put up pretty little white lights for the holidays. Even in unremarkable Dayton, Ohio where I live, the brown brick building on the corner of First and Main has these funny Humpty Dumpty statues on the second story.
It is a shame we didn’t exchange names and addresses with the couple from Milwaukee. I have no way to contact them, to thank them for the impact they had on our lives. We think of them often – every time we remember to look up.
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GIVEAWAY
Jeanette Watts will be awarding a doll dressed in Regency clothing, handcrafted by the author (International Giveaway) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Don't forget to comment on the other stops of the tour. More you comment the better chances of winning!
September 25: Fabulous and Brunette
September 26: Christine Young
September 26: Independent Authors
September 27: T's Stuff
September 28: Kit 'N Kabookle
September 29: Queen of All She Reads
October 2: Rainne's Ramblings
October 2: Sharing Links and Wisdom
October 3: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
October 4: The Reading Addict
October 5: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
October 6: BooksChatter
October 9: Two Ends of the Pen
October 10: Danita Minnis
October 11: Linda Nightingale...Wordsmith
October 11: Mixed Book Bag
October 12: Book Lover Promo
October 13: The Avid Reader
October 16: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
October 17: Notes From a Romantic's Heart
October 18: Locks, Hooks and Books
October 19: Edgar's Books
October 20: Jennifer Macaire, Tell me a Story
Jane Austen Lied to Me is my
first introduction to Jeanette Watts’s writing. Wow! She is a good writer. I
found this book to be quite entertaining with so many laugh out loud moments.
If her other books are this much fun, I want to go back and read them. Hoping
to in the near future.
I give Jane Austen Lied to Me
4 stars and recommend it for those who love a good laugh.
I received this book from the
author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Thank you for having me, and for the lovely review!
ReplyDeleteCongrats
ReplyDeleteWhat a great anecdote. Thanks for passing on what you learned from them.
ReplyDelete