Friday, July 08, 2016

Jane Austen Speaks by Maria Emilia de Medeiros - with giveaway!

I am thrilled today to be part of the blog tour for the lovely Maria Emilia de Medeiros' new book, Jane Austen Speaks.


In JANE AUSTEN SPEAKS, author Maria Emilia de Medeiros “channels” the great Jane Austen from her heavenly home and allows her the opportunity to speak her mind about the modern world nearly two centuries after her passing. Readers will gain a healthy dose of wise counsel and witty advice for leading a sensible, well-mannered twenty-first century life. Jane Austen’s heavenly exploits (not to mention her recipes) will both entertain and delight you. At times serious, drily humorous, or even a bit naughty, JANE AUSTEN SPEAKS is a necessary addition to every Janeite’s library. Dear Readers, if you have ever asked yourself, “What would Jane Austen think?” you have indeed come to the right place.





Thank you so much for welcoming me to Laughing with Lizzie today, Sophie!  I am most grateful for your kind welcome and for so graciously hosting me on your lovely blog during the tour for my recently released book, Jane Austen Speaks About Life, the Modern World, & Heavenly Pursuits. 

Today I would like to share with the readers of Laughing with Lizzie a bit about my long journey of finding images for the book.  Let me say first of all that Jane Austen Speaks is a unique book in many ways.  It is not a romance novel, but it is instead a series of often humorous essays written in the voice of Miss Austen, who comments on all manner of things from her place in Spirit or “Heaven.” Since a picture is truly worth a thousand words, I wanted to include images to illustrate each essay and recipe in the book.  I soon realized that doing so would not at all be a simple process.






Of course, I was able to find and use many images that are already in the public domain, including beautiful paintings, engravings, and ink drawings.  I myself created a few cartoon line drawings as well as black line drawings for some of the recipes found in the third part of the book, “Heavenly Culinary Delights.”

I was still left with many significant gaps.  Thus began the arduous, months-long process of locating appropriate photographs, contact information of the photographers, and emailing them in order to seek permission for using just a few photos in Jane Austen Speaks.  Generally, either I never received any response, or the answer was “no.”  All seemed rather bleak until my Janeite friends came to the rescue! 

One day, as I was chatting with my dear friend Sophie “Lizzie” Andrews, I mentioned my dilemma and was musing aloud whether or not I should just give in.  Immediately, Sophie asked me, “What do you need?”  She began to send me some of her own personal photographs, and thus began the process of incorporating several of Sophie’s own beautiful, personal photographs into the book.  Almost miraculously, we were able to find wonderful images for nearly all of my “blank spots.”  For those I still needed, I asked fellow Janeites on Facebook if anyone would be willing to share a photo of this or that for use in the book.  Three noble Janeites stepped forward and generously offered me the use of a couple of their lovely photos.




One of my particular favorites in the book is the very fun photograph of the lovely Sophie with her friend, the equally lovely author, Joana Starnes.  This photo was taken in the ladies’ lavatory in The Red Lion pub in Upper Basildon, Berkshire, which features the wall-sized murals of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Pemberley.  When I asked Joana for permission to use her likeness, her answer was an extremely affirming and very enthusiastic, “YES, OF COURSE!” I felt very humbled by such kindness. 

Dear Readers, Jane Austen Speaks would not have been the book it finally became without the assistance and collaboration of Sophie and other Janeites, some of whom are far too humble to be comfortable with me mentioning their names here.  In fact, it is a possibility that this book might not have come into being at all without their assistance, encouragement, and support.  For this, I am truly grateful.  Miss Austen, I believe, would be immensely proud. 


I so look forward to hearing from you!  Please enter your comments below for a chance to win an eBook copy of Jane Austen Speaks (international giveaway) and a soap from my “Jane Austen’s Simply Elegant Soaps” collection (U.S. only).


** GIVEAWAY - ends Friday 15th July **

As you can see above, Maria has been kind enough to offer a giveaway of an ebook copy, open internationally, and also one her lovely soaps, open to America only.

Please leave a comment for a chance to win, and state whether you are entering for the ebook or the soap as well.
The giveaway ends on 15th July. I will be in touch with the winners so please leave your email! The very best of luck!

I want to make it clear that there is a giveaway per blog, not just one for the whole tour, so make sure you enter them all for the best chance to win!

My Jane Austen Book Club:  July 6

Laughing with Lizzie:  July 8

Obsessed with Mr. Darcy:  July 12

So Little Time...:  July 14

More Agreeably Engaged:  July 19

My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice:  July 21

Babblings of a Bookworm:  July 25

Darcyholic Diversions:  July 28





Links:

Kindest Regards,
Maria-Emilia de Medeiros
My thanks again goes to Maria for this post and I wish her all the best with this new book. I am glad I could help you with the pictures you needed!

Maria Emilia de Medeiros is a teacher, writer, artist, and lifelong Janeite. She read her first Jane Austen novel at the tender age of twelve and has never looked back. In addition to reading, playing the pianoforte, and embroidery, she is fond of dogs, long country walks, and drawing. Jane Austen Speaks is her first published book about Jane Austen. 

Contact Information:
Barton Cottage Press


Your affectionate friend,


44 comments:

  1. an interesting concept (entering only for the ebook)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your comment, Vesper, and for the kind compliment! It is very much appreciated. Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
    2. Don't forget to enter the giveaway on each blog, Vesper, for your best chance to win! The blog tour schedule is posted above.

      Delete
  2. Curious (both eBook and soap)
    muma1958@outlook.com.
    Thank you and God Bless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by to comment and enter, Patricia! You are welcome! Best of luck.

      Delete
    2. Please enter the giveaway on each blog on the tour for your best chance to win, Patricia! Schedule is posted above.

      Delete
  3. Being able to read one of these books is a powerful thing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, knowledge is power, Son Prieto! I completely agree. Many thanks for your thoughts! Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
    2. Don't forget to enter the giveaway on each blog on the tour, Son Prieto, for your best chance to win! Blog tour schedule is posted above.

      Delete
  4. What a wonderful idea for a book, and I would make a lovely addition to my library. Please enter me for the ebook prize.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, Elaine! Here's hoping you are the lucky winner!

      Delete
    2. Please enter the giveaway on each blog on the tour, Elaine! This will give you your best chance to win. Blog tour schedule is posted above.

      Delete
  5. sounds very nice :)

    could you enter me for the ebook giveaway? Obrigada :)
    ana (dot) mr (dot) 1986 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment, aNa. Of course! Best of luck! Don't forget to enter the giveaway on each stop along the blog tour for your best chance to win.

      Delete
  6. Many thanks for the wonderful words and the lovely mention, Maria-Emilia, you're so kind!

    I can't wait to read your book, I heard fabulous praise for it! From everything I heard about it, this is a book I'd love to have on my shelf and go back to it again and again, so please don't enter me in the giveaway, I'm getting it in paperback :)
    Best of luck and keep writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so very honoured by your lovely comments, Joana! I am quite an admirer of yours. Many, many thanks for your kind words and for buying my book! I do hope you will enjoy it.

      Delete
  7. Oh I'd love to be entered!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your interest and your comment, KDB! Good luck in the drawing! Don't forget to make a comment on the guest post on each blog on the blog tour for your best chance to win.

      Delete
  8. Susan Kulasekara14 July 2016 at 00:09

    I already own the book, and I highly recommend it--it's informative and a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for buying my book and your recommendation, Susan! You are such a kind soul, and I am still so grateful to you for allowing me to use one of your photos of Darcy in the lake in my book! Bless you for your goodness and kindness.

      Delete
  9. Ooh I would love to win the eBook copy!!! My email address is

    dramaqueen4ever96@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for stopping by to comment, Lydia! Best of luck in the drawing! Don't forget to visit each blog in the tour and leave a comment for your best chance to win!

      Delete
  10. Great post :) Wish I had seen this in time to enter the US contest, but still fun to read nonetheless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Pailofpearls, it is NOT too late to leave comments on the rest of the stops on the blog tour! The eBook giveaway is international on each blog! Please scroll up to see where Sophie has posted the entire tour. Giveaways are still open on More Agreeably Engaged and My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice, with two more to follow those. Thanks so much for your comment.

      Delete
  11. I do not know what to comment here on your website. However, I am following your all works and post then wish you all good luck. You are working great.
    digital marketing services in india

    ReplyDelete
  12. Revuesdefaits defines personal characteristics of various health merchandise together with skincare, weight loss, muscle and male enhancement. The study presented here is briefly described for reader convenience and to deliver them assurance with health standards. The best potential answers are given here concerning the selection of a perfect supplement or cream or serum that presumably remains to be safe for health and do not cause any facet effects.


    http://revuesdefaits.fr/awaderm/


    http://revuesdefaits.fr/vital-keto/

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have found this post very informative and helpful. Thank you, it has definitely provided me detail information.
    Keto BodyTone

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a fantastic post ! it was absolutely actual informative.I attending advanced in account added of your assignment post, And accomplish you abiding that i will bookmark your post how ever i can appear a back latter.
    Health + write for us

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi
    You have found the right place to live your healthy lifestyle. We aim to help people lead healthy lifestyles, which will help in a positive approach to lifestyle.

    https://www.topbodyproducts.com/

    ReplyDelete

  16. This is one second-rate vanishing act. Keto Advanced Fat Burner was allocated by number. By what means do hot shots come up with prime Keto Advanced Fat Burner desires? Is it improper to use your Keto Advanced Fat Burner this way? This is a concise report on Keto Advanced Fat Burner. You will be able to use all of your Keto Advanced Fat Burner the right way. I'm feeling weaker now. I have previously pointed that out to you.
    Keto Advanced Fat Burner

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations on your article, it was very helpful and successful. 39625f5e1107017160b584bbafde97a1
    website kurma
    sms onay
    website kurma

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for your explanation, very good content. 02e6028ce32e3570b0e91a9db39ed793
    define dedektörü

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for your explanation, very good content. 4140f65e92a7f8cfac72ec5e0763f637
    evden iş imkanı

    ReplyDelete

"I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible," therefore I would dearly love for you to comment and let me know what you think!

Thank you for stopping by Laughing With Lizzie and I hope you will take the time to visit again before too long!