Austen in Austin

Austen in Austin
Four Texas-Set Novellas Based on Jane Austen’s Novels
Susanne Dietze, Anita Mae Draper,
Debra E. Marvin, Gina Welborn
(Whitefire Publishing)
ISBN: 978-1939023773
January 2016/320 pages/$14.99
Discover four heroines in historical Austin, TX, as they find love–Jane Austen style.

Volume 1 includes:

If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn, based on Emma
A prideful matchmaker examines her own heart when her protégé falls for the wrong suitor.

Romantic Refinements by Anita Mae Draper, based on Sense and Sensibility
A misguided academy graduate spends the summer falling in love . . . twice.

One Word from You by Susanne Dietze, based on Pride and Prejudice
A down-on-her-luck journalist finds the story of her dreams, but her prejudice may cost her true love . . . and her career.

Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin, based on Northanger Abbey
A timid gothic dime-novel enthusiast tries to solve the mystery of a haunted cemetery and, even more shocking, why two equally charming suitors compete for her attentions.

Four more exciting novellas will follow in volume 2!


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Susanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she's the award-winning author of over half-dozen historical romances. Married to a pastor and the mom of two, Susanne loves fancy-schmancy tea parties, travel, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama and a plate of nachos.

Anita Mae Draper is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan, Canada with her hubby of 30 plus years and their youngest of 4 kids. In 2005, Anita Mae made writing a priority in her life when her husband finished a Love Inspired novel and said, "You could write one of these. Why don't you?" Why not, indeed. Anita Mae bought a used laptop and each day, as soon as the school bus pulled out of the yard, she sat down to write about a world where faith and romance were woven under the western skies she'd grown to love. She writes historical romance set in Canada and the United States.

Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She’d like to live a wee bit closer to her grandchildren, but is thankful that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor. Other than writing light-hearted romances and gritty gothics, she has rather normal obsessions such as fabric, peanut butter, vacations, British dramas, and whatever mystery series she’s currently stuck on.

Gina Welborn worked for a news radio station until she fell in love with writing romances. She's the author of eight inspirational romances, including the 2014 Selah finalist "Mercy Mild" in ECPA-bestselling Mistletoe Memories. She serves on the ACFW Foundation Board by helping raise funds for scholarships. She is also the webmaster for the Southwest Oklahoma Corvette Club. Gina lives with her pastor husband, their five Okie-Hokie children, two rabbits, three guinea pigs, and a dog that doesn't realize rabbits and pigs are edible.


MY THOUGHTS

They had me at the title! What's not to love about a collection of novellas patterned after Jane Austen's classic novels and set in the historic capital city of Austin, Texas? The result is as delightful as the premise. (And let me pause here to sigh over the beautiful cover with its iconic Texas bluebonnets, paintbrushes, and capitol building!) You don't have to be a fan of Austen (or Austin!) to enjoy these well-written historical romances. But if you are, they will be that much more enjoyable. For example, Susanne Dietze absolutely nailed the opening line of One Word, which is based on Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed the references to several events in Austin's late 1800's history, including the Servant Girl Murders. Don't delay in tracking down a copy of this book today! I'm already looking forward to Volume 2, coming in September as four more authors emulate a different collection of Austen stories in Austin!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Susanne Dietze and Whitefire Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”