Jane Austen’s First Love Holiday Blog Tour and Excerpt

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It’s my favorite time of year! To celebrate the holidays, JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE has embarked on a Holiday Blog Tour. 

I’m so excited to share JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE with you. Inspired by actual events and real people, it is the story of the summer of 1791 when the vivacious fifteen-year-old Jane Austen met Edward Taylor, the remarkable young man who first stole her heart.

To whet your appetite, here are just a few of the wonderful things critics are saying about Jane Austen’s First Love:

“James has a way of getting into Austen’s head and her style that is truly riveting. A realistic tale that could have been written by the revered author herself. James’s latest will charm Austen fans (and fans of James, too) as well as Austen unfamiliars…Romance fans will root for Jane all the way.”  —Library Journal (Editor’s Pick)

“Smart, brave and witty teenage Jane–who is also the first-person narrator in the story–is enchanting, while devilishly handsome Edward Taylor is temptingly irresistible. A fresh and engaging new story, which is a real feast for any Austen fan. This book can’t be missing on your Austenesque shelf and would be a very special gift to young readers you want to initiate into Jane Austen’s world.” 
—My Jane Austen Book Club

Brilliant characters…full of romance… I’m so very impressed and amazed with how much research, truths, and actual events/people were used as the foundation of this story! Imaginative, thoughtful, and expertly crafted – Syrie James has done it again! 5 stars.—Austenesque Reviews

 AND NOW FOR AN EXCERPT FROM

JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE

By Syrie James

In this excerpt, it is a beautiful day in March 1791 at Steventon Rectory, home of the Austen family. Jane, her sister Cassandra, and their mother have spent the morning sewing shirts for young Charles Austen, who will soon be going off to the Naval Academy.

 

Glancing out the rectory window, I observed that the sun had made a bright appearance, and there was nary a cloud in the sky. After a frigid and dreary winter, the last dusting of snow had at last melted away, and the fields beyond, covered in a sparkling frost, beckoned to me. “Mamma, I have finished the long seam on this sleeve, and made good progress on the cuff. May I stop working now and take a walk?”

“You wish to go out in this weather, Jane?” She was incredulous.

“The post will not deliver itself. Someone has to go to Deane and fetch it,” replied I lightly, adding to my sister, “Would you like to join me?”

“I would, very much,” answered Cassandra, lowering her work. My sister, a prudent, well judging young woman, was generally less demonstrative of feeling than I—a characteristic which I struggled in vain to emulate. She was also my dearest friend in the world; I valued her advice and counsel above anybody else’s, and loved her more than life itself.

“Well! I, too, am ready to do something else for a while,” mused my mother, putting her work in her bag, “but to go out? The roads and fields are all covered in frost. You will catch your death of cold!”

“It is nought but a light frost, Mamma,” countered I.

“There is nothing worse than a light frost, for it will soon melt away, and then you are forced to walk over wet ground. I had a childhood friend whose death was occasioned by nothing more—she walked out one morning in April after a hard rain, and her feet got wet through—she never changed her shoes when she came home—and that was the end of her! Have you any notion how many people have died in consequence of catching cold? There is not a disorder in the world except the smallpox which does not spring from it!”

“Mamma,” said Cassandra gently, “you are very right to be concerned, but I do not think there is any danger of the frost melting away today. The fields are still quite frozen.”

“We have walked for miles over fields far frostier than this,” added I. “We have been stuck inside such a long time this winter. I am dying to get out.”

My mother stood, and said, “Well, I can see there is no point trying to talk sense into either of you. If you catch cold, it will not be my fault. But see to it that you put on your boots, change your shoes the minute you get back home, and then it is back to sewing for the three of us.”

Cassandra and I donned all the essential accoutrements, and as we were about to leave the house, my mother cried, “Jane! That shawl will never be warm enough! Take it off and fetch your cloak! Why cannot you be more sensible, like your sister?”

Exasperated, I ran back upstairs and did as bidden.

As we stepped outside, I savoured the taste of the crisp, winter air and the refreshing bite of the breeze against my cheeks. “Is not it glorious to be outside? It is cold, but not too cold. Sunny, but not too bright.”

Cassandra agreed. “It is the perfect day in every way.”

“Yes—well—nearly perfect.” As we struck out along our usual short cut—the well-travelled path carved across the half-frozen field in the direction of Deane Gate Inn, where the mail was delivered—I could not help but sigh. “Cassandra: why is Mamma so harsh where I am concerned? She is ever so sweet to you, yet constantly finds imperfection in me.”

“I think it is because she admires you more, Jane.”

“Admires me more? That makes no sense!”

“It does. You are ever so much brighter than I am, Jane.”

“That is not true.”

“The point cannot be argued. It is not in my nature to invent clever and witty stories, and relate them aloud in such a manner as to have the entire family laughing into stitches. Mamma perceives how very clever you are; so naturally, she expects more from you.”

“That is kind of you to say, but I fear it is not so. I know you all indulge me only because you love me. Mamma insists that my writing is not important. It is expert needlework, she said, which is to be the hallmark of my future.”

“Every woman needs to be skilled at needlework, Jane; but regardless of what Mamma says, she knows you are capable of far more than that; I feel certain of it.”

“If that is true—what do you think she expects of me?”

“I do not know,” replied she, troubled. “It is possible that even she does not know.”

“How confusing this is! How I wish I could oblige her! How I wish I could do more, Cassandra; more than darning stockings and making shirts and writing nonsense for no ears other than our own. Nothing of interest ever happens to me. I should dearly love to be useful somehow, to do something which might make a difference in the lives of others—but what that might be is a mystery to me.”

“You will discover it in time, Jane. You are still young.”

“Young! How that term exasperates me!” My footsteps crunched noisily against the hard, frosty ground. “I am not so very young, Cassandra. And what does age matter, in any case? How often have you said that you consider me your equal in every way? Oh! If only I were seventeen and out like you!”

“Do not wish your life away, Jane.”

“I am not wishing it away; I only wish to be out. Do you have any idea how hard it is to sit home while you go off to the assembly rooms without me?”

“I understand how you feel, my dearest; and I am sorry for it.”

“There are so few real amusements in the world. Dancing is such a glorious activity! It exercises both the body and the mind, all while moving with spirit and elegance to lively music.” Holding out my arm as if to an imaginary partner, I curtseyed, then practised my dancing across the field, making several turns.

Cassandra smiled. “You are an excellent dancer, Jane—so much more elegant and animated than I could ever be.”

“You are too modest. I love nothing more than watching you dance, dearest; except, perhaps, dancing myself. Oh! We know of parents who allowed their daughters to come out at fourteen, when accompanied by their mother or an older sister. Why must I be denied the same pleasures? How I wish I could powder my hair and put on a new gown, white gloves, and satin slippers with shoe-roses, and make my debut at the ball at Basingstoke with you tomorrow!”

“It is not all that agreeable to powder one’s hair, Jane; I only do it when I absolutely must, and because Mamma insists upon it. And with regard to your debut—you know Mamma will never bend on this matter. I wish you would not continue to let it vex you so.”

“How can I do otherwise?” The breeze whipped the strings of my bonnet, and I pulled my cloak more closely about me as we walked along. “It is so unfair. I am tired of dance lessons with Catherine and Alethea, improving my skills for nothing more than children’s balls at Manydown, or snug dances in our own parlour with pushed-back furniture and our brothers and neighbours’ sons for partners. How I long to converse and dance and flirt openly with gentlemen I have never met!”

With a little laugh, Cassandra said, “What appeals to you more? The flirting or the dancing?”

“The flirting, absolutely!” We had reached the opposite side of the field now, and holding up the hems of our skirts, we made our way up the mud-encrusted lane, past the tiny village and the church of St. Nicholas, over which my father presided. “Oh, Cassandra! Every night I dream of meeting a worthy young man who incites all my passions—a gentlemanlike, pleasant young man who is intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and accomplished, who shares my enthusiasm for literature and music and nature, with whom I can converse on any topic at length with spirit and debate—if he be good-looking, all the better—”

“Where are you to find this paragon of virtue?”

“I have no idea—but I have conjured him in my imagination. He must exist.”

“I fear you expect too much, Jane. No one man can be all these things to you.”

“But he must be! For he is the only man I shall I ever marry. Were I to meet him tomorrow, I should fall instantly and happily in love with him.”

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Reader, if you enjoyed the above scene, you’ll find more than half a dozen specially-chosen excerpts from Jane Austen’s First Love at various stops along the Holiday Blog Tour, and there’s also one on my website featuring the moment when Jane and Edward Taylor first meet. 🙂

 

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If you’d like to know more about Jane Austen’s First Love and my eight other published novels, I’d love it if you’d visit me at syriejames.com, and please connect with me on facebook and Twitter @SyrieJames. In the meantime, I hope you’ll check out JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE. I’m so excited by the many dozens of ★★★★★ reviews it has received. I hope you’ll agree with My Jane Austen Book Club, who says “This book can’t be missing on your Austenesque shelf, and would be a very special gift to readers you want to initiate into Jane Austen’s world.” 🙂

I wish you the happiest of holidays, and I look forward to your comments here and along the blog tour!

Amazon Trade Paperback  |  Amazon Kindle  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Indiebound

74 comments

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    • Kathy Berlin on December 7, 2014 at 12:27 am
    • Reply

    A teen Jane is a great twist on imagining her life. We can never get enough of Jane. The overwhelming interest in her life and literature 200 years later us testimony to that.

    1. Thanks for your comment, Kathy. I agree that we can never get enough of Jane! I hope you enjoy the story of Jane’s romance as a teenager with Edward Taylor, in Jane Austen’s First Love!

    • Deborah on December 7, 2014 at 12:41 am
    • Reply

    I thought it was fun reading what Jane looks for in a worthy young man. It reminded me of the conversation at Netherfield of what made a truly accomplished woman with Cassandra’s remark making me think of Elizabeth’s reply.

    • Wendy Roberts on December 7, 2014 at 12:59 am
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    It is always interesting to read about what life might have been like for Jane.

    1. Thanks for your comment, Wendy, on the Jane Austen’s First Love Holiday Blog Tour. Based on what we know of Jane Austen, I’m sure she would have been vivacious, bright, full of energy and ambition at age fifteen–and full of romantic ideas. It was such fun to imagine her as a teenager, and to bring to life her romance with the unforgettable Edward Taylor. I hope you love the result!

  1. What a lovely excerpt, I wonder if while dancing with powderd hair the powder would stick… Or spread like a cloud 😉

    • Assya on December 7, 2014 at 5:08 am
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    Thank you for this excerpt, I must definitely buy this book !

  2. I enjoyed the sisterly conversation of the younger Jane envious of Cass being ‘out’ and eager for her turn. Fun paragraph of her ideal man too. I think its great to have Syrie tackle the time of Jane as a young girl on the cusp of womanhood.

    Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway opportunity.

    • Maureen on December 7, 2014 at 6:24 am
    • Reply

    I loved reading this selection! It’s fun to imagine what the interactions between Jane and her sister would have been like, and you did a great job of getting into Jane’s head.

    The giveaway items look amazing! Thank you for making this available.

    1. Thanks for your comment, Maureen. I hope you enjoy Jane Austen’s First Love!

    • TMJones on December 7, 2014 at 6:44 am
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    A wonderful snippet. I will be adding this book to my want to read list.

    1. Thank you, TMJones. I hope you receive Jane Austen’s First Love for Christmas! 🙂

    • Lou on December 7, 2014 at 7:30 am
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    Win or lose….I would just like to thank you for your generous Christmas “spirit of giving” . Five lucky people are going to have a wonderful Christmas thanks to you

    1. What a wonderful and sweet thing to say, Lou. Thank you so much for your comment!

      I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, too, and best of luck in the prize drawing.

      In the meantime, I hope you enjoy Jane Austen’s First Love. 🙂

    • Amber Cole on December 7, 2014 at 7:40 am
    • Reply

    I always enjoy reading books about the life of Jane Austen and her views about things.This book definitely seems to be a must-read for any Austenite!! I’ll certainly be reading it sometime in the near future 🙂

    1. Thank you, Amber. I’d love to hear what you think after you’ve read Jane Austen’s First Love. Please leave me a message at http://www.syriejames.com, and/or on facebook!

    • Kimberly V on December 7, 2014 at 7:50 am
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    Wonderful reviews. I’m really enjoying all of the excerpts.

  3. I loved reading the excerpt because I also grew up with one sister, so I could relate to some of their conversation, especially the “which one of us Mother loves most” bit!

    1. Thanks for your comment, Susan. It was such fun to write about the teenaged Jane Austen in “Jane Austen’s First Love”. Having written about Jane’s relationship with Cassandra in my previous novel, “The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen,” it felt very natural for me to step into their minds again, just the younger versions of themselves.

      I hope you enjoy the novel!

    • JerryT` on December 7, 2014 at 8:43 am
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    JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE is getting good reviews on Amazon.

    1. Thanks for commenting, JerryT. I’m thrilled by the reviews Jane Austen’s First Love is getting on Amazon, and from critics and bloggers. I hope you enjoy it!

    • miss bets on December 7, 2014 at 8:52 am
    • Reply

    Fascinating! Made me think of all the sisters in her books–I wonder which one Cassandra is most like and which one is most like the real Jane. Wonderful read! Thank you!

    1. Hi Miss Bets! I like to think that Jane put a little bit of herself into all of her heroines. 🙂

    • T on December 7, 2014 at 9:04 am
    • Reply

    It does make me sad that Cassandra burned Jane’s letters so we will never truly know what she was thinking.
    I appreciate the reearch into what she may have been thinking as she wrote her stories it helps put her characters into the context of her times!

    • V Baird on December 7, 2014 at 9:20 am
    • Reply

    fin!

    • Jennifer on December 7, 2014 at 9:47 am
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    It’s so interesting to see glimpses into what Jane’s life was like. Thanks for sharing your view with us.

    1. Thanks for your comment, Jennifer. I’m glad you enjoyed this excerpt from Jane Austen’s First Love!

    • Hollis on December 7, 2014 at 10:00 am
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    It was indeed perfection to read an extract from your book. It was is Dear Jane was writing it about her own books to come

    1. Thank you so much for your kinds words about this excerpt from Jane Austen’s First Love! That is indeed high praise. I hope you love the novel! 🙂

  4. Thank you all for your wonderful comments. It was such fun to be in Jane’s head when she was a teenager and imagine her excitement about the life ahead of her–as well as her ideal man. I think Edward Taylor measured up very well to fitting that ideal. I hope, when you read Jane Austen’s First Love, you’ll fall in love with Edward just as Jane (and I) did!

    • Eva E on December 7, 2014 at 11:33 am
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    I am so intrigued that Syrie’s research uncovered Edward Taylor. Thank you for the giveaways! The experpt that you shared felt like I was with Jane.

    1. Thanks, Eva. It was such a wonderful experience to research and write Jane Austen’s First Love, and thrilling to discover so much new information about Edward Taylor. I’m pleased the you enjoyed the excerpt. You can learn more about the book at http://www.syriejames.com, and I hope you’ll find me on facebook!

    • JeanMP on December 7, 2014 at 1:35 pm
    • Reply

    It has been so interesting reading about the information that was found regarding what Jane was like when she was young, her hopes and dreams.

  5. Thanks for the sneak peak. I can see the enthusiasm of a young woman ready to be out. There is a little of Lydia in your character of Jane. Wanting to dance and flirt.

    1. That’s interesting, Patty, that you see a little of Lydia in Jane. I said it before but I can’t help repeating it–I truly believe that all authors put little bits and pieces of themselves into all the characters they write. I’m sure there was a bit of the “wild child” in Jane Austen–just look at how snarky she was in some of her letters to Cassandra! 🙂 I hope you enjoy seeing the enthusiastic side of Jane and her young romance in “Jane Austen’s First Love”!

    • Luisa on December 7, 2014 at 2:27 pm
    • Reply

    Love Jane and Cassandra. Their relation is so sweet

    • Pam Hunter on December 7, 2014 at 2:38 pm
    • Reply

    Yay! Another wonderful excerpt! Thank you for sharing so many excerpts from your book, and thank you too for the generous giveaway!

    • schilds on December 7, 2014 at 3:01 pm
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    Do you think that Jane Austen based Mrs. Bennet on her mother?

    1. Thanks for your question! It’s entirely possible. For one thing, Mrs. Austen was a known hypochondriac. Jane must have known someone who was alwaqs complaining about their “poor nerves.” At the least, I think Mrs B was a heightened version of Mrs. Austen.

    • bn100 on December 7, 2014 at 3:55 pm
    • Reply

    Nice excerpt

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    • Lilyane Soltz on December 7, 2014 at 4:07 pm
    • Reply

    Yet another wonderfully intriguing excerpt and a fabulous giveaway – what could be better? Jane – both real and imagined – continues to astound me. She was, simply, extraordinary.

    Thank you for this opportunity and happy holidays to you, Syrie.

    1. Thank you for your comment, Lilyane. It’s so nice to make your acquaintance! I hope you love Jane Austen’s First Love!

    • Caryl Kane on December 7, 2014 at 4:24 pm
    • Reply

    Thank for sharing the fabulous excerpt!

    • anne on December 7, 2014 at 4:41 pm
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    The research and talent to create this wonderful and memorable book is interesting and impressive. Thanks. Wishing you the best of happiness, enjoyment and wonderful holidays.

    1. Thank you Anne for your comment, and your lovely sentiments! I wish you best of holidays as well, and hope you love Jane Austen’s First Love!

    • Carole in Canada on December 7, 2014 at 7:20 pm
    • Reply

    Wonderful excerpt! You have brought Jane to life for me not only in this book but in the ‘Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen’ as well. So looking forward to another magical story of yours!

    1. Thank you, Carole in Canada! I hope you find Jane Austen’s First Love truly magical!

    • Dina on December 7, 2014 at 8:56 pm
    • Reply

    the magic of a first love stays in your heart.

    • Denise Duvall on December 7, 2014 at 11:14 pm
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    Which young girl wouldn’t rather go for a walk in the cold and discuss boys instead of sewing shirts? This book gets better with each excerpt.Thank you for the giveaway.

    1. Thanks, Denise! I’m so glad you loved this excerpt from Jane Austen’s First Love, and hope you enjoy the novel even more!

    • Rosa on December 8, 2014 at 3:32 am
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    Wonderful idea! I have added it to my read list.

    • Maggie Griscom on December 8, 2014 at 7:59 am
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    Was saving this for the airplane and the 4 nights in the hotel, but may have to go ahead and get started. Always can reread it. Thanks for the giveaway.

    1. Hi Maggie! Thanks for commenting. Did you have a chance to read Jane Austen’s First Love? If so, I’d love to hear what you thought, and hope you’ll leave me a comment at http://www.syriejames.com– and/or at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSyrieJames. Hope you had a great vacation, and happy holidays!

    • Madeleine on December 8, 2014 at 12:35 pm
    • Reply

    It’s so nice to know there are others who just can’t get enough of Jane! Thanks for a new excerpt and for the opportunity to win an awesome giveaway.

  6. Thanks for the chance! Those prizes are lovely (Jane Austen’s First Love being the crown jewel of them, of course).

    1. Hi Beth, and thanks for the comment! Just FYI, my novel Jane Austen’s First Love is not included among the prizes in the giveaway, although several of my other novels are, along with a whole bunch of fabulous Austenesque goodies! You can see all five prize packages here: http://www.syriejames.com/JAFLPrizePackages.php

      If you’re intrigued by Jane Austen’s First Love (and I hope you are), please put it on your holiday Wish List, or treat yourself and your friends to a copy! I’d be so thrilled and honored by your support of my book, which is truly a work of my heart. I hope you fall in love with Edward Taylor just as Jane (and I) did!

    • TLeighF on December 8, 2014 at 9:51 pm
    • Reply

    Thank you, Syrie, for the excerpt and beautiful prizes! I loved getting a glimpse of the young Jane Austen and her sister. Thy seemed so real, just like many teenage girls wanting freedom and parties and boys. I am looking forward to visiting the other blogs and to reading the book. Best of luck with the virtual tour!

    1. Hi TLeighF, and thanks so much for your comment. I am so glad you loved this excerpt from Jane Austen’s First Love about the teenaged Jane Austen. I hope you enjoy(ed) the rest of the excerpts and guest posts on the Jane Austen’s First Love Holiday Blog Tour.

      There’s still time to comment at other stops on the tour before the winners are chosen! Details at: http://www.syriejames.com/LatestNewsPage.php.

    • Betty Campbell Madden on December 9, 2014 at 5:34 pm
    • Reply

    What wonderful offerings from a talented, generous author. I hope, I hope I win something, but regardless, thanks for sharing your talent.

    1. Betty! Thank you for commenting and for your kind and lovely words. I do hope you enjoy Jane Austen’s First Love!

      The winners in the Jane Austen’s First Love Holiday Blog Tour haven’t been chosen yet–I hope you’ll leave a comment at one of the other stops and enjoy the diversions. Blog Tour list is at: http://www.syriejames.com/LatestNewsPage.php.

    • Constance on December 9, 2014 at 7:55 pm
    • Reply

    I identify with Cassandra as my beloved sister died at age 45 when I was 44. We had planned on growing old together and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. Seems like times change but people don’t. Lovely to read about the sisters as teens. If only Cassandra hadn’t burned those letters!

    1. Constance, I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how difficult and painful it must be to lose a beloved sister at such a young age. Cassandra experienced the same thing, with Jane dying far too soon at age 41…

      I too wonder what else we might have learned about Jane, if only her other letters still existed.

      Thank you so much for your comment. If you enjoyed reading about Jane and Cassandra as teens, I think you’ll love Jane Austen’s First Love!

    • Lauren K. on December 10, 2014 at 5:32 am
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    Very poignant comment about not “wishing your life away”. I was definitely guilty of this as a teen and my early 20’s. Look forward to reading more of this book!

    • LaGina on December 10, 2014 at 2:59 pm
    • Reply

    Thank you so much for the giveaway. I would love to add these books to my collection. It so hard to find books that grab a persons attention and these do. My daughter has even said that she wants to read them. :~) nrslalee00@yahoo.com

    • elaina on December 12, 2014 at 11:35 am
    • Reply

    Wonderful giveaway and wise and beautiful post which struck a chord within my heart. Wishing you enjoyment, and success. Happy Holidays and best wishes.

    1. Thank you Elaina for your comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed this excerpt from Jane Austen’s First Love. I hope the book brings you equal pleasure, and that you’ll visit me at http://www.syriejames.com.

    • Erika Messer on December 13, 2014 at 12:44 am
    • Reply

    Totally awesome 🙂 I love reading historical fiction about Jane herself, I think it is just amazing! Great job, can’t wait to read the whole thing 🙂

    1. Thanks, Erika! I hope you love the story of the special summer when young Jane Austen fell in love with Edward Taylor! You can read more about Jane Austen’s First Love at http://www.syriejames.com/JaneAustensFirstLoveSummary.php. Wishing you holidays that are merry and bright!

    • Trish on December 13, 2014 at 8:55 pm
    • Reply

    I really liked this excerpt and can’t wait to read the book!

    1. Thank you for commenting, Trish. I hope you love the book! You can learn more about Jane Austen’s First Love and my other novels at http://www.syriejames.com. 🙂

  7. I think I have read the excerpt before, Syrie, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Though I have not read the book yet, I can tell that I would love Jane Austen’s First Love from reading your wonderful prose. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to win those five amazing gift packages.

    • Jessica Flinders on December 15, 2014 at 3:33 pm
    • Reply

    I look forward to this new take on an old favorite!

    • beth on December 16, 2014 at 10:21 am
    • Reply

    I like this excerpt. I always thought the concept of “coming out” in society to be rather interesting.

    • Silvia on December 21, 2014 at 8:50 am
    • Reply

    I really enjoyed this excerpt & so want to read this book!

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