Lost in Austen... sorta.

I have been enjoying the Austen dramatisations that they've been showing as light relief to the football on ITV3 - well... enjoying more some than others... 

I just don't really "get" the film version of Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly, much prefer the BBC one... maybe it is like Dr Who - everyone has their favourite from their formative years!

And I much preferred the recent version of Emma the BBC did, thought Johnny Lee Miller was a wonderful Mr Knightley...

But ITV's adaptation of Persuasion had a great Captain Wentworth in the form of Rupert Penry-Jones:

 
  
Anyway, this has all been a nice accompaniment to my current guilty pleasure.

Regency-set historical fiction... erm, including some good old romance!

Definitely a guilty pleasure yet soooo many books to try and to choose from. My library list has been well-stocked and I have been in there almost every other day picking up something new and returning a little stack of finished books.

This weekend I've read:

Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh - have never read any of her books, but enjoyed this one although I hate starting in the middle of a series rather than at the beginning. But I shall definitely be adding her to my author list and following the series.

And then last night I read (very quickly and skimming in the end...)

The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens, second book in the Black Cobra Quartet and it was very "meh" for me. Just a bit OTT and far-fetched in plot (well even far-fetched for this genre) and I just didn't warm to the characters at all. I hope the other books in the series are better as I have the first one on my reserve list at the library. Plus she seems to be a very popular author for this genre, but I much prefer what I have read of Lisa Kleypas and Mary Balogh so far. I've read another of Stephanie Laurens' books from the Cynster series and just hope the other books in that series are better too...

And now I am reading:

Amanda Quick's novel set in Victorian times and includes some paranormal talents... I find Jayne Anne Krentz a bit hit and miss in the books I've read. They are nice enough reads but never terribly exciting... So will see if her historical fiction style is any different. :o)

Comments

[Tree]

ooh there is nothing to beat Colin Firth as Mr Darcy - yum! The Burning Lamp sounds tempting - is it good?

[Sandie]

Hi there. Just stumbled across your blog.
I shall have to take a look around while I'm here.

Yes there is no other Mr Darcy like Colin - he is just gorgeous!!!!!

I loved Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow - I have watched both of these films over and over again.

If you get a chance to watch North & South series it's worth it. It's set way back when - not sure when. It's about a gentleman who runs a cotton factory. A nice young girl moves into town and ..........the rest .........well you shall just have to tune in.

Nothing like a good old romance.

Luv Sandie

[Handmade by Natty]

Not yet got far enough into Burning Lamp... but will let you know when I finish. :o)

Sandie, North & South has been watched (a few times) and Richard Armitage definitely admired! :o) LOL I really wish they would repeat Daniel Deronda some time, I vaguely remember watching it when it was originally aired but could do with a refresh - especially with all the now well-known faces that appeared in it...

[Jools]

I can second watching North & South mainly because it has Richard Armitage in it!!! (Sir Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood).

Definitely agree with Colin Firth as the best Darcy, haven't seen the Emma with Johnny Lee Miller so will have to watch out for it.

I generally really like Stephanie Laurens but more her earlier stuff, like the Cynster novels. She seems to have lost it a bit on her later novels, not much substance.

[Carole]

Okaaay. I'm missing out here. I love the books - obviously, but I haven't bothered watching the tv stuff.

But, someone mentioned Richard Armitage???
North and South was it?

/Makes a mental note to look out for this...

[Handmade by Natty]

Yes Carole, Noth and South = 2-part BBC dramatisation of Gaskell's novel, he plays a very phwoar Northern Mill-owner who isn't as stern or heartless as he first appears... I really wish they'd cast him in more costume dramas... {sigh}

[Gini]

Well isn't the world full of extraordinary coincidences!
I have just googled images of Mr Whippy ice cream and your blog came up 3rd from a post of yours in 2006.
I wanted to add a picture of a Mr Whippy to my crafting post that just happens to include mention of Amanda Quick's book Reckless and earlier today I was on the Bananafrog Blog and on the art backburner I have a half finished picture based on Pride and Prejudice!!
What are the chances of that happening eh?
If you say you also live in Shropshire you'll be able to blow me down with a feather!
We seem to have very similar tastes in hobbies.
I can vouch for the Slightly series by Mary Belogh, very good.
I also loved the Bridgerton series by super talented Julia Quinn that starts with The Duke and I.
And also the wonderful Loretta Chase series called the Carsington Series and starts with Miss Wonderful.
I don't think Romance reading is a guilty anything, anymore than crafting is a guilty pleasure or fishing or football or...

Have you found the wonderful blogs that are
smartbitchestrashybooks.com and dearauthor.com ?

Happy creating!
Gini
xx