Today I welcome Sarah Johnson to my blog, with her latest book Sweet Caresses! Rather than posting an excerpt, I have actually read it for you! The video is posted below, and there is also a giveaway - details below!
“There are as many forms of love as there are moments in time.” ~ Jane Austen
Sweet Caresses is a charming compilation of inspirational and heart-warming Regency and Modern short stories, interspersed with fun letters. These tales have appeared, over the years, on several Jane Austen forums and blogs, and now they have been bundled together with all new material written just for this book for your reading pleasure. Feel the joy and triumph as our favourite characters defeat each obstacle set in the way of their own happily ever after moments.
Book trailer:
I have to say, I am truly blessed to have
the husband I have. He loves the classics just as much as I do, his favorites
being Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and while he cannot boast of
loving or knowing the intricate details of Jane Austen’s books as well as I do,
he never tires of hearing me opine, even after 17 years of listening to the
same boring subjects.
Talking of this subject reminds me of the
first time he watched Pride and Prejudice was with me—sort of. He was in the
Army for 15 years, and there were many times throughout those years that he was
on the other side of the world from us. One of those times was when he spent a
year in South Korea while we were living in Oklahoma. Phone calls were too
expensive, letter would take forever to get across, so they were few and far
between, but our sleep schedules worked out to give us a few hours each evening
(evening for me at least) to spend talking on instant messenger.
Every night we would chat. Mostly it was
just about whatever was on our minds that day, but often on the weekends when
we had more time it was centred on what we were reading. I, of course, was
reading Jane Austen and JAFF stories a lot. (This was the year I was determined
to read through every story listed on the JAFF Index. What a chore that was!)
It was one evening while we were chatting
that the subject of us watching a movie together on YouTube came up. So,
thinking that would be a fun way to have a “date”, we both went searching for
the perfect movie. The hubby is wonderful, because he found Pride and Prejudice
and suggested we watch it together. Even more amazing was it was my favorite
version – the 1980 series.
Yes, the 1980, very dated version is my
favorite. Go ahead and laugh… I can take it.
Sorry all you Matthew and Colin fans, but
my favorite is not with their gorgeous faces. Though, I honestly can’t say that
David Rintoul is my version of Darcy either. However, I do so love Elizabeth
Garvey’s portrayal of Elizabeth, and I feel that Sabina Franklyn gave more life
to Jane Bennet than any other actress in other versions did.
My hubby not only watched it with me, he
enjoyed it! We talked about the details that usually only come up with other
JAFFers, and I found that his explanations from a man’s perspective gave me
great insight into things I never thought about before with some of the
characters. It turned out to be a date I will always cherish.
My hubby does not resemble Mr Darcy hardly
at all, but he is the perfect complement to this unromantic JAFF lover. Perhaps
I am Darcy and he is my Elizabeth Bennet? Hmmmm...now,
that is something to ponder in my dark corner of the room as I watch all the
others dancing about in their social haze.
** GIVEAWAY - ends Saturday August 1st**
Sarah has provided me with a giveaway with two lucky winners! I have an 2 ebooks (international) of Sweet Caresses.
To enter, leave a comment below and the winners will be picked randomly.
Please leave your email address and if you are one of the lucky winners, I will pass on your email to Sarah who will be in touch.
Good luck!
Thank you again to Sarah for this giveaway, and for the sweet story! I hope you enjoyed my reading too! I wish you all the best with this story and any future stories!
Your affectionate friend,
Totally agree with you the 1980 version is my favourite -- I can't stand the portrayal of Mrs Bennet or Lydia, just to pick 2, in the 1995 one
ReplyDeleteGreat post ! Love Sophie's video - What an awesome idea ! I also love 1980 version; it was the one that made me fall in love with Darcy ! (I was thirteen when I first saw it).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post! Loved your video, Sophie, and as always, your narration is wonderful. The short story was such fun and I enjoyed it much, Sarah. Good job, ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and the short story. Sophie, well done with your narration. I've yet to see the 1980 version. Will have to watch it :)
Deletesavedbyhisamazinggrace (at) gmail (dot) com
PS wish we could edit typos after posting :)
Thank you!
DeleteI enjoyed your post and loved the video. You did a great job. I haven't seen the 1980 version either. I'm intrigued now, so I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a great memory! Sounds like your hubby is a keeper! I've never watched the 1980 version. Perhaps I should check it out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
Pam
Pamh5230 at yahoo dot com
I enjoyed Sophie's reading of this portion of the book. I love your date night with your husband. What a wonderful way to spend time together.
ReplyDeleteskamper25 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thank you!
DeleteI loved your video and reading! The short story was a great blend of Emma as a matchmaker. Thank you for the wonderful narration. I am now going to rewatch the 1980 version of P&P. Thank you for the giveaway. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLoved this!!!! should be an amazing read! dramaqueen4ever96@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI really like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, too. Also Agatha Christie. I like the P & P 2005 edition. Some of the older ones from the 70's and 80's remind me of stage plays. I could get some from the library.
ReplyDeletecatbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com