JANE AUSTEN LIED TO ME

Jeanette Watts

GENRE:  Romantic Comedy Audiobook

BLURB

What college girl doesn’t dream of meeting Mr. Darcy? Lizzy 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 think, except….

How could my hero be so wrong?

EXCERPT

Feb 28

I’ve been thinking about my conversation with Professor Jacobson over and over.  The thing about formulas and people.  It makes a certain kind of sense, but does it lack a romantic sensibility?

Ha!  Sense and Sensibility! 

This is the second time that Professor Jacobson has me thinking about S&S. Well, if I’m no Lizzie Bennett, there are worse things in life than being a Marianne Dashwood.  She had youth and beauty and high spirits.  She wasn’t good at the dating thing, either, and overlooked the better man at first.  Why was that?  Did Colonel Brandon seem unromantic at first impression?

Even though I’ve got an assignment due in Spanish, as well as the inevitable calc and chem homework, I grabbed Sense and Sensibility to take with me to read while I went to dinner. I wanted to read everything in the book about Colonel Brandon.

Anne spotted me in the dining hall while I was halfway through a tuna sandwich and a really big pile of potato chips.  “Hey, Roomie.” She slid her cafeteria tray onto the table across from me and plopped her book bag down beside it.  “You having a really bad day?”

“Um, no I don’t think so, why?” I asked.

“Usually, if you’re having a bad day, you pick up Jane Austen and read a little something before you start to study.  Since instead of sitting here doing your homework, you’re sitting here reading Jane Austen, I take it you had an exceptionally bad day today.”

guest post: why jane austen?

Before I answer your question, I wanted to comment on my pleasure in talking to a fellow practitioner of the Oxford comma!

Jane Austen is timeless. Her stories and characters have resonated across centuries, capturing the complexities of human nature and relationships with wit and insight. As an author, I find immense joy and exploring her works and translating them into contemporary settings, or going deep into the weeds investigating the point of view of another character.

Jane Austen’s novels provide a rich playground for my imagination. They are filled with sharp, social commentary, memorable characters, and intricate plots that challenge and entertain. Plus, there’s something universally appealing about her writing. Whether it’s the romance, the humor, or the astute observations of society, Jane Austen has a way of connecting with readers on a deeply personal level.

I’m fascinated by how people interpret her characters (like swooning over curmudgeons like Mr. Darcy and Mr Knightley). It’s intriguing to see how her subtle storytelling has led to a wide variety of perceptions (Mr Bennet – love him, or hate him?). By writing books like Jane Austen Lied to Me, I get to play with these interpretations and ask questions that provoke thought and laughter.

So, why, Jane Austen? Because her work is a treasure trove of inspiration. She’s a master of the craft, and her influence on literature and popular culture is undeniable. Writing about her and her fans is my way of celebrating her legacy while adding my own twist to her timeless tales.

To end on a less serious note: writing this, I have come to realize something. Jane Austen fans have been known to enthuse about “Jane,” although recent dialogue has chastised them for too much familiarity. So you can see scholarly works discussing “Austen,” to make her an equal with male writers.

Neither one sounds right to me. There are authors that require both names: Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Mark Twain – and Jane Austen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeanette Watts has written three Jane Austen-inspired novels and two short stories for Jane Austen Fan Fiction anthologies, two other works of historical fiction, stage melodramas, television commercials, and historical dance manuals. She is a regular contributor to MOMCC Magazine.

When she is not writing, she is either dancing, sewing, or making videos for her YouTube channel and TikTok accounts, “History is My Playground.”

Contact Links

Website: https://www.JeanetteWatts.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanetteWattsAuthor

Twitter: @JeanetteAWatts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6967936.Jeanette_Watts

https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jeanette2420/_saved/

Instagram: @jeanetteamlwatts

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClz5LwyUEhPYhBS6piNpBqQ

Or YouTube handle: @historyismyplayground1827

TikTok: @historyismyplayground

GIVEAWAY

The author will be awarding a Jane Austen Coloring Book (US only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter.

Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway