I’ve got a very special guest on the blog today, one who fits in perfectly with the recent 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride & Prejudice. She’s Alyssa Goodnight, and she writes delicious and quirky contemporary romance inspired by Jane Austen. Her first book got great reviews, including this one from Publishers Weekly:
“Jane Austen meets Austin, Tex., in this fast-paced, quirky novel about the unpredictability of love. … Goodnight’s breezy style with a believable heroine, lively conflicts and lots of best-friend confidences elevates this above the usual chick lit fare.”
Alyssa has a new book just out. Let’s ask her about it, shall we?
Jane Austen meets Austin, Texas, is how Publisher’s Weekly described your previous book, Austentatious. Austensibly Ordinary also plays off Jane’s beloved canon of books. How did you come up with such a great idea?
Honestly, it was quite by accident. I had just started writing the manuscript that would become Austentatious and was trying to incorporate a magical journal into the story. Meanwhile, I was loving all the Jane Austen fan fiction options, and suddenly it hit me: What if the magic in the journal was coming from Jane Austen, match-maker extraordinaire?? I thought it was a super fun idea, and just what the story needed. And honestly, I had such fun writing it and imagining the possibilities if it were actually true… Austensibly Ordinary was just as fun, and and now I’m feeling like I might need to write a few more stories that feature the Jane Austen Journal.
What’s Austensibly Ordinary about?
Austensibly Ordinary is about two best friends, Cate and Ethan, both high school teachers. Cate feels like she’s in a rut and needs a little adventure–maybe even an alter ego… She also suspects that Ethan is keeping something from her–something big–and she’s determined to ferret it out. When Cate stumbles across the journal, intending to use it to chronicle her newly exciting life, she doesn’t realize that its magical messages are about to wreak some serious havoc in her life and relationships. Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, it’s light and fun women’s fiction.
Your first book was a Regency historical romance. Why the switch to contemporary fiction?
For the simple reason that there was a shift in my reading preferences. For years, I read a TON of Regency romances, so when I decided I wanted to try writing a book, my natural inclination was to write a Regency. My Regency novel is Unladylike Pursuits. I had a lot of fun writing it, and I adore the Regency period, but my tastes started to run to chick-lit, and then Jane Austen fan fiction. From there, it just seemed a natural slide into my own Jane Austen-inspired homage.
What’s up next for you?
I’m currently working on the first book in a series of contemporary romance novels set in the Texas Hill Country, tied together with a hint of magic.
There you have it, readers. For those lovers of contemporary romance, chick lit, and/or Jane Austen, Alyssa’s books are just perfect for you! For my readers today, Alyssa is giving away a copy of her first book, Austentatious. For a chance to win, simply tell us which is your favorite Jane Austen novel, or an Austen-inspired movie or TV show. One person who comments will win Alyssa’s fabulous book!
And don’t forget to visit Alyssa’s website for all her book info.
My favourite Austen novel is definitely Persuasion. I just fell so in love with it the first time I read it. Pride and Prejudice is a close second.
Thanks for the giveaway! Love to enter if international.
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
Persuasion is a lovely novel, Jess. Anne Elliot is a wonderful heroine.
I just recently re-read SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and because it’s so fresh in my mind that has to be my favorite for now. I’d take Col. Brandon home I think.
I’ve been meaning to re-read S&S myself. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Mary, I am SO with you on that! He’s a classic romantic hero in disguise.
Pride and Prejudice (movie and TV series).
Love the series, Olga!
I like Lost in Austen… It was so much fun.
I loved Lost in Austen! It was totally fun!
Congrats Alyssa on the new release! It really sounds fun!!! I love Pride and Prejudice! And the most recent movie adaptation w/ Kiera Knightly was awesome!
Thank you so much! I prefer the 1995 version, but the Keira Knightley version was very swoony. 😉
Patkf2007 {at} hotmail {dot} com
My favorite Austen movie version is 1995 Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth. Mansfield Park I would choose the one from the 1980s.
I’ve never seen that version of Mansfield Park, Patricia. I’ll have to check it out!
Hello! I enjoyed the 1995 version of “Sense And Sensibility!”
I love how one of the words to describe you book is “quirkY!”
That really appeals to me…
Many thanks, Cindi
I do believe I need to watch that adaptation again, Cindi!
I like quirky too. 🙂
Hmmm? What is my favorite Jane Austen novel, or inspired tv show or movie? Curiouser and curiouser? A more dumbfounding question I’ve not been asked I think. As I sit here typing my answer and not typing (just staring at the screen racking my brain) I cannot pick just one to rise high above the others. This may sound political but I love them all equally and with the whole of my heart. Each novel appeals to a part of me that I can identify with and together they all match up to make me whole. Just like each novel speaks to me I love every movie I’ve seen for different reasons. The 1940 P&P I love because I love classics in a way seldom of my age group tend to. I love all the 70’s/80’s Jane Austen BBC miniseries movies because they in my opinion stick closer to the novels than most others. I love 95 P&P for more reasons than countable (starting and ending with Colin Firth0 and the same goes for the 05 P&P. (Matthew MacFadyen is charming and his chemistry with Kiera is all fireworks). Clueless spoke to me when I was in Junior High and I’ve never been the same since.
Suffice to say I could ramble for days about all the novels, variations, remakes, movies, tv shows and miniseries and their many adoring attributes, but I won’t further. Instead I’ll list for you what I don’t love…Not a thing!!
Viva La JAFF!!!
Your enthusiasm is infectious, Dianna! Love it!
I am in the process of rereading Mansfield Park, but Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. It is great to reread these when I don’t know what I want to read next.
So many new things to discover on each re-read… 🙂
pride and prejudice
I love Pride and Prejudice! What a beautiful piece of literature (and a fun movie). No matter how many books I read, it will always be a classic favorite!
Agreed! 🙂
Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite story..I reread it every year..in fact I’m always saying “where’s my mr. darcy”..ahha I do love Lost in Austen..that was such a cute movie! And recently for those of you that are uber fans of Austen stories..there’s a book I discovered called “50 shade of Mr.Darcy” yes it is one of those..a paraody and extremely for adults only hahah..and I love it!
Wow! I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet, Dawn! 😉
I adore JA! Of all the screen adaptations, my favorite is Pride and Prejudice directed by Joe Wright (2006). He is such a sensitive and talented director and the cast was spectacular…this is how I fell in love with Matthew MacFadyen.
It was definitely well done, Mina!
Pride and Prejudice.
Thanks for the giveaway.
A natural choice… 🙂
Pride and Prejudice. 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway.
You’re welcome, Crystal! Good luck!
My all time fave is Pride & Prejudice. There just isn’t anyone who can match Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth. I loved Lost in Austen and I can’t wait to see Austenland when it comes out. I haven’t read the book yet but I’ve heard great things about it! By the way, I love the cover of this book!! I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this cover really draws you in.
I’m very excited for Austenland (the movie)myself! But I definitely want to read the book again before I see it!
My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. My favorite Austen movie version is 1995 Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth.
A close second is Emma! and the loosely based movie version is Clueless!
BTW.. I love finding new authors especially ones in Texas like me.
Yay, Texas! 🙂 I love Clueless too!
I’m always going to be a P&P gal. I prefer the 1995 version, I think because I’d already loved the book and fell in love with the story years before the 2006 movie release. For me Mr. Darcy is always going to be Colin Firth… sorry Matthew.
But I’m a huge reader of published and online JAFF. Can’t get enough of how so many wonderful writers tweak the characters and plot a bit here and there (or a lot) and come up with so many wonderful new stories or my favorite couple.
The scope of JAFF is pretty amazing… There is never a shortage of good books to read.
My favorite Jane Austen book is Pride & Prejudice. My favorite Austen movie is the 1995 version of Pride & Prejudice with Colin Firth.
Thanks for the giveaway!
crystal_dark[at]att[dot]net
You are not alone with those favorites, Chelsea! 🙂
I love Northanger Abbey, Emma and of course Pride & Prejudice. BBC version of Emma & P&P.
I’ve never seen the BBC version of Emma. These comments are showing me just how much catching up I have to do! 🙂
Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are my favourite Jane Austen novels. I can’t choose which is better as each is equally excellent.
I understand your dilemma, Lúthien. 🙂