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Be not alarmed, Madam, on receiving this e-mail, but you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love your novel… I read this wonderful story in a single sitting, wondering from page to page whether you know my thoughts, because I quite often think exactly like your heroine. It must have been insufferable for the ladies of that period to lead a life totally unemancipated, almost devoid of any hygiene and often with only a prudent and mercenary marriage as prospect for their lives.
And yet, I often wonder why we admirers of the novels of the Regency are so obsessed to get back there in our imaginations ...
I wish your book all the success it deserves. Please accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.
--Anna from Germany
gotta confess: ... I was skeptical. NOBODY, but NOBODY has ever got it right. All those Jane wannabes out there...Let me tell you: I went to boarding school in England in the 60's and had to study P&P and Persuasion for exams (the only part of my English education that wasn't a chore and a bore),and fell in love instantly at the age of 14. Mr. D, of course. I'm a life member of JASNA. I reread Jane every summer.I've visited Chawton and touched her writing table. I live in Austin, Texas and one of the reasons I felt it was right to move here (to follow my heart) was the fact that it was "Austen, Texas" (yes, I misspelled it at first)and my first name is Jane. It had to be kismet! But I digress...
So I opened your book to the first page.
Less than 24 hours later, I finished it. Brilliant. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. You nailed it. You didn't try to "be" Jane and I appreciated that. But Jane was on every page.
--Jane from Austin, Texas
I work as a Book Seller with a very large company… I am always telling people my thoughts about the book and Let me tell you MANY have bought your book and they come back to me at the store and tell me how wonderful and delightful the book was...
I am over joyed with the thought of you writing a new book ! Oh that is going to be Wild ! Courtney and Jane flipping lives . I cant wait ! and as for a movie I will so cross my fingers and Pray to Gods that some wise company will see that this will be a Block buster at the movies ! I get giddy just thinking about it.
You just don't know how much your book meant to me , I read it when I was with my daughter Morgan in the hospital,
She had to have Spinal Fusion , and that was a Long operation, 9 hrs. she was 9 when she had this operation.
It really helped take my mind off of what was happening that day and many other days after that.
Just know that you for sharing your gift of word with the world. It meant alot to my world at that time.
The time I just wanted to escape reality due to being scared for my daughter . Your book let me !
--Angela from Florida
Thank you… for the down-to-earth view of the period in question. It
was gorgeous, to be sure, if we judge from the writings of certain female
novelists and period paintings. But the other side also has to be addressed,
and I think your book does an excellent job in getting people to see the
smelly, uncomfortable and highly restricted (for women) side as well…
--Christine from Germany
My question is: When is the sequel being published? I can't wait to read it. I mean I literally can't wait to read it. :-)
--Despina from Washington, D.C.
Too bad Courtney was having so many now-and-then relationship problems that she couldn't really explore and embrace the culture of 19th century England more fully - excluding cupping, sores, fleas, and bed bugs!
--Leslie from Ontario, Canada
I finished "confessions" in 2 days. I just wanted to tell you that I LOVED your book and will reread it many times, I know. Many authors have tried to tie their work with Jane's but no one with such great success as you.... Thank you, thank you for this wonderful book!
--Sue
I love Jane Austen - Mansfield Park is my favorite novel. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite movies - so much that my four year old son is named Colin after Colin Firth. But your book completely captured what I think everyone must daydream about - waking up as someone else in a different time period. Your book was fantastic, although I don't know if I could ever settle on only two baths a week...or one hair washing. I read it as soon as I got home and then had to call up my mother in Rochester and inform her that she needed to order it for the library she works at, if they didn't have it already.
--Nicole
I just wanted to write and say that I love your book! … My mom will be getting a copy for Christmas!! I was curious as to when the sequel would be coming out? … Thank you for quite a few wonderful nights with you splendid characters!
--a reader
I just finished your book last night and loved it so much I felt compelled to tell you!
I, too, am an Austen addict (probably an 'in-the-closet' one). I have read and re-read her books many times and have also read many of the supposed 'sequels' to or imitations of her stories. Oh yeah, I have also seen every film version of any of her stories ever made.
Your book is so different. I love they way you admire her in your story, not try to imitate her.
--Cindy
i am a self confessed Jane Austen Addict and loved your book! i am having all my friends read it! cant wait for the sequal! :)
--a reader from Ottawa, Canada
I could relate to all of this book! I'm number two addict! I will be going to Bath in the next couple of years to follow in Jane's footstep's and now yours. I actually have an unopened Jane Austen action figure...with writing desk and quill pen!!!! When I read that in your book, I had to read it to my husband who by the way had to watch the last 1/2 hour of Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth of course)for the 500th time last night! …Thanks for a great reading experience! I'm only sorry I missed your book signings close to me, I would have loved to meet you.
--Lori from Santa Barbara, CA
I adored your book. It was funny and romantic! I am one of those Jane Austen addicts. I own every version of "Pride and Prejudice." And who knows how many times I have watched them!
--a reader
I recently purchased your book at a book signing at Schuler's Books in Okemos, Michigan. I just finished the book and I had to tell you - I had the exact same giddy, lighthearted, wonderful feeling that I experience everytime I reach the end of one of Jane's own stories when i reached the end of your Jane's (or shall i say Courtney's) adventure. Thank you for a wonderful look into her life and a just plain good book! I loved it, and thanks again for coming to Michigan. Can't wait for the sequel.
--Jenni from Michigan
…I suffer from CSGD (Chronic Sentimental Goose Disorder). I guess I was born that way....You'd think that the busy life in which I've been trying to be everything to everyone would have cured me from it for eternity. Thankfully, it hasn't. That's actually what keeps me going.
That's why I have responded with triple enthusiasm to your book. I read it in one sitting, savoring your delicious wit and humor, feeling my knees weaken every time Edgeworth looked into Jane's eyes...your book made my disorder even worse....., enjoying it as much as You-Know-Whose novels themselves. Did I say I reread it in two days (life must go on...) the following week?
--Magda from Montana
I just this minute finished reading your book and I went in search of a website to write to you about it. I absolutely adored the book. As a fellow Jane Austen fan, I admit to being a little wary of the title when I first found it. Jane Austen is a popular subject these days, and not every book is worthy of using her name. However, your book delighted me from the first page and I found that I could not put it down. Congratulations on your wonderful book! Please, please write another one.
--a reader
I think this is the first time I have ever written to an author. I know I tried to write to Elizabeth George Speare, who wrote two of my most favorite books, but when I went to look her up, I found out she was dead. Having read your website, and having a rough idea of your age, I would guess that you will receive this in time.
I wandered through Vroman's today (such a treat) and picked up several books, and was pleased to find your book and read the synopsis on the cover, as I am a closet Jane addict. Not that my immediate friends and family don't know about my obsession, but I have not yet joined any formal group. I realized how bad it was after re-reading Sense and Sensibility several years ago. After I finished it and moved on to a modern novel, I realized that I was spoiled by the prose and style of Austen's writing, and by the development of her characters, and of course the book's settings. So now, when I need a dose of culture, I start to re-read her books over again. (P&P is my favorite, though - with Emma running a close second)
Anyway, the reason I am writing to you is to tell you how much I enjoyed "Confessions". I started it this afternoon while waiting for my son to finish at his tutor, and I have just at this moment finished it. I was pleased to find that it has just recently been released, and that maybe I could get a note to you ahead of the thousands of congratulatory letters that are surely coming your way. However, I feel like I've just read one of Miss Austen's books; I am sad I finished it, and I feel rotten that I have to go back to another mundane modern novel. So please, keep writing. I will keep an eye on your website so that I won't miss any upcoming events or books.
By the way, I was most touched by your inscription to Miss Austen.
Many, many thanks for a wonderful afternoon!
--Mary from Pasadena
Hello! I just wanted to write to you to tell you how much I enjoyed your book. I got my hands on it when an advance reading proof got delivered to my bookstore in Amherst, Mass. As soon as I saw it, I pounced on it and then became a social recluse for a few days until I had finished it.
--Scooter from Amherst, MA
I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. I wish you much success and
hope other "addicts" pick it up as well.
--Janet from Nova Scotia
I read it in less than 24 hours. I thought it was wonderful. I love Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility and your book took me back to that time.
--a reader
Just a note to thank you for writing a book that has me absolutely, 100% hooked! I am not even halfway through it and I am already dreading the writhdrawal once I turn the last page.
--Veronica from Winnipeg, Canada
…I read it in two sittings (I had to stop the first time because I had to go to bed as I had to work the next day) then I finished it. …Keep up the great work. I look forward to more of your work.
--Pattie from Cincinnati, Ohio
Hi, I just want to say that I love the book. I was lucky enough to find it in an airport in Austin, Texas. How ironic. But, I read it and now I am doing a book report on it for my senior English class. Thank you so much for admitting you addiction and writing an awesome book.
--Amy
I read it in one sitting as I too am an addict! (My poor family!) Just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it -- found myself LOL often and cheering for Charles even when he is presumed not worthy... Anyway, congrats on this book! It's a keeper!
-- Christina from Seattle
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