Winners - March giveaways

Here are the winners for giveaways that
ended March 27, 2010

Thanks to all contestants!

Winners were selected with the name-out-of-the-hat method,
random.org or hand-picked.

I will email winners for mailing addresses.
Winners, feel free to contact me with your info if you don't get my email
or if you're just too darn excited and want to let me know -- like NOW ;-D
~*~
According to Jane
by Marilyn Brant
Winner: Spav of Fiction Kingdom
~*~
Dawn of the Dreadfuls
by Jane Austen and Steve Hockensmith
Winner 1: Mary Ann of Mary Ann DeBorde Writes
Winner 2: Carol aka BuddyT
~*~
Fridays at Nine
by Marilyn Brant
Winner: Bunny B
My favorite fairy tale ending usually is when the guy gets the girl and everything is happy and dandy. And of course when the baddies get their just desserts :)

Please note: this book will be released October 1, 2010 after which the winner will be sent the book (unless I manage to get a copy sooner)

~*~
Mr Knightley paper doll
Winner: Amanda Leigh of Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick
~*~
Mr Knightley's Diary
by Amanda Grange
Winner: Violet of Mr Bennet's Library
~*~
Wicked Lovely manga
by Melissa Marr
Winner: Lauren

If I encountered a faerie it would probably be in a field at night....
~*~
Wings
by Aprilynne Pike
Winner: Precious of Fragments of Life
~*~
Custom Fairy
created by svb
Winner: Zombie Girrrl of Crackin' Spines & Takin' Names

I'd want a...*risks sounding like broken record*...
could I say zombie themed fairy?
because that'd be awesome!
Do you suppose fairies could turn into zombies?
That would be a pretty cool story!
*said in Movie Anouncer Guy voice* Fairies,
loved by one and all,
welcomed in homes and gardens as omens of good furtune,
*etc.*,
but suddenly they turn on their admirerers!
Swarms of green tinted, black clad, undead fairies
converge on cities and wreak havoc!

~*~

Mieradome by Kate Hegarty
The deadline has been extended to April 11, 2010.
So, enter if you haven't already!
~*~
* most of these giveaways were part of Mr Knightley's Picnic event

Fridays at Nine cover

Fridays at Nine
by Marilyn Brant

Release date: October 1, 2010

Just got this cover and blurb to share from Marilyn.

Here's the blurb from the back cover:

Every woman remembers her firsts: Her first kiss. Her first lover. And her first time contemplating an affair...

Each Friday morning at the Indigo Moon Café, Jennifer, Bridget and Tamara meet to swap stories about marriage, kids and work. But one day, spurred by recent e-mails from her college ex, Jennifer poses questions they've never faced before. What if they all married the wrong man? What if they're living the wrong life? And what would happen if, just once, they gave in to temptation...

Soon each woman is second-guessing the choices she's made--and the ones she can unmake--as she becomes aware of new opportunities around every corner, from attentive colleagues and sexy neighbors to flirtatious past lovers. And as fantasies blur with real life, Jennifer, Bridget and Tamara begin to realize how little they know about each other, their marriages and themselves, and how much there is to gain--and lose--when you step outside the rules.

*** Marilyn Brant Book Giveaway ***

If you haven't already enter the giveaway for this book.

~*~

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Mr Knightley's Diary by Amanda Grange

Mr Knightley's Diary
by Amanda Grange

Published: 2007
Genre: Romance
Paperback: 304 pages
Rating: 4

Description from the amazon:
Relive Jane Austen's Emma- from Mr. Knightley's point of view.

Between managing his estate and visiting his brother in London, Mr. Knightley is both exasperated and amused by his irresistibly beautiful, outrageously mischievous neighbor, Emma Woodhouse, whose misguided attempts at matchmaking are wreaking havoc in the village of Highbury.

But when a handsome newcomer arrives and catches Emma's attention, Mr. Knightley is shocked by his reaction. Amusement gives way to another emotion entirely-for his unreasonable dislike of the handsome newcomer seems suspiciously like jealousy.

My two-bits:
In-a-word: folly

Reading this is like reading the behind-the-scenes tidbits of Emma from a different perspective - a male one.

In this story we follow Mr Knightley on his day-to-day doings with the sparks of his life coming primarily from his encounters with Emma. His gentleness and realization of his love for Emma is a sweet story.

Harriet's romance novels recommended to Robert:


The Romance of the Forest
by Ann Radcliffe
I'm so curious. I want to read this.
Have you?


The Children of the Abbey
by Regina Maria Roche

~*~

*** Jane Austen -related Giveaway ***

If you haven't already the signup to win Mr Knightley's Diary is here and it ends March 27, 2010.

~*~

* image source The Children of the Abbey

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

* part of my Jane Austen challenge

Mr Knightley's Picnic - afterwards 3

... The beast bellowed loudly in pain and charged at Mr. Knightley and Emma.

The beast charging towards them was a wolf, but unlike any other wolf Emma had ever seen. It was easily larger than a man with black fur. Its eyes glowed yellow and were filled with anger, hate, and human intelligence. It locked eyes with Mr. Knightley and seemed to recognize him.

The blade he had thrown had hit the beast on its side and was still embedded in its flesh. Just before the wolf hit the couple, he threw Emma out of the way to safety. She rolled across the floor until she hit her head on a tree stump and came to rest. She felt a little dazed, but was unhurt.

Mr. Knightley, meanwhile was on the floor with the gigantic wolf above him. He was struggling to keep the thing’s jaws away from his face by shoving his forearms against its throat. She frantically looked around for a weapon. She found a fallen tree branch, ran over to the struggling pair, and hit the beast in the side as hard as she possibly could.

The beast wasn’t hurt very much, but it took its attention from Mr. Knightley to Emma. Taking advantage of Emma’s diversion, he produced another silver dagger from his other cuff and stabbed the creature and twisted the blade into its abdomen. As the wolf howled in pain, he scurried out from beneath the beast and ran to Emma just as she was batted away by a new wolf.

This wolf was just as large and had russet fur, with the same eerie yellow eyes. Mr. Knightley produced a pistol from his belt and shot at the new wolf. Without looking to see if the shot had landed, he grabbed Emma from where she had fallen and ran deeper into the woods.

After a few minutes, they sought refuge behind a large tree. He produced a ball of silver from his pocket and took out some matches. He waited until he could hear the wolves carefully tracking them. He lit the fuse on the ball and threw it in the direction of the wolves.

He hugged Emma, covered her ears, and pressed close to the tree so the blast wouldn’t hurt them. “There was an explosion and wails of pain as silver shrapnel erupted and sprayed” the two wolves.*

Mr. Knightley ran to the wounded animals and cut their throats with his last silver dagger to ensure their deaths.

Emma breathed a sigh of relief as she gazed upon the dead beasts. She and Mr. Knightley embraced and started the walk back to the picnic site.

the end

* Taken from page 94 of Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann.

~*~

Emma and Mr Knightley's Encounter
part 1
part 2
part 3 - end

- guest post from Titania86 of Fishmuffins of Doom
Thanks Elizabeth!

- image source werewolf

- part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Emma and Werewolves

Emma and the Werewolves:
Jane Austen's Classic Novel
with Blood-curdling Lycanthropy
by Jane Austen and Adam Rann

Just to note:
this is the book that inspired the guest posts for Emma and Mr Knightley's Encounter created by Titaniat86 of Fishmuffins of Doom.

I will be reviewing it during my Werewolves weekend in April.

Comment below with your email if you'd like an email reminder regarding this event.

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Mr Knightley's Picnic - afterwards 2

... She looked up and screamed in horror.

A body hung above Emma’s head. The dead man’s body was mangled horribly. All of the limbs had been ripped away and claw marks covered the entirety of the torso. The only unmarked spot on the man was his blood splattered face. His face was frozen in a death mask with his blue eyes wide with terror and his mouth open in a grotesque, silent scream. As Emma processed this horrific sight, her stomach lurched as she made the final realization: that the man was hung with no rope, but with the dead man’s own intestine.*

Emma fell to her knees on the mossy ground and vacated the pigeon pie, cucumber sandwiches, and strawberry lemonade she had eaten earlier from her stomach.

Mr. Knightley was horrified as well, but kept his composure. He recognized the man as “Mr. Johnson, a kind man of good measure [who] had set out the night before on the simple errand of fetching an apothecary for his ailing wife” and had never returned.**

Mr. Knightley produced a silver blade from the cuff of his sleeve and looked around to see if the beast was still in the area. Emma realized that this was no ordinary beast, but could not think of what it could be. Mr. Knightley gallantly helped her up, still keeping attention to his surroundings. He heard a twig snap as someone tread on it out of sight, followed by the growl of a large animal. He threw the blade towards the source. The beast bellowed loudly in pain and charged at Mr. Knightley and Emma.

to be continued

* This scene was found on page 34 in Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann and is elaborated upon by the author.

** This passage is found on page 34 in Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann.

~*~

Emma and Mr Knightley's Encounter
part 1
part 2
part 3 - end

- guest post from Titania86 of Fishmuffins of Doom
Thanks Elizabeth!

- image source werewolf

- part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Werewolf Sense-icles

LH of Travails of a Budding Author has compiled some Werewolf Sense-icles.

Just the right thing for Emma and Mr Knightley to peruse.

excerpt:

Werewolf Common Sense 1
Basic werewolf instinct dictates that our furry friends remain close to unsupervised prey.

Given their inability to ensnare through flattery or exceptional dress, the werewolves have adapted their feeding grounds near college campuses. The better to snag unsuspecting drunken college students in the wee hours of the night...

Werewolf Common Sense 2
A werewolf's physique is built for strength and speed. Though werewolves work hard at keeping such uncanny attributes hidden, accidents do happen.

Careful monitoring is necessary when dealing with their feeble human counterparts.

Werewolf Common Sense 3
The average werewolf's lifespan is 32 years.

Consistent dominance struggles is a leading factor for such shortened lives. It is argued that the werewolf's expectancy to die young results in reckless behavior–a self-fulling prophecy, if you will.

read more

~*~

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Mr Knightley's Picnic - afterward

The picnic thus far had been a success. Everyone had eaten their fill of delicious food (especially pigeon pies) and engaged in genial conversation with each other. Even the insufferable Mrs. Elton had been surprisingly pleasant to all. Since it was so close to evening, the partygoers would soon have to go home.

After the animal attacks of the previous weeks, being indoors by sundown was strongly encouraged to ensure safety. No one had actually seen the beast yet, but the mutilated carcasses of their livestock were enough of a warning. Mr. Martin had expected that the creature was huge, judging by the enormity of the claw marks found on the flank of his poor milk cow.

Everyone helped pack up so they could get home as soon as possible. The picnic had gone on a little longer than expected and the sun was already going down. The sunshine and enjoyment of the afternoon made the beast seem worlds away and lifted the gloom that had surrounded them all week.

Emma was packing up her basket when Mr. Knightley came up to her and asked, “Would you walk with me for a short time while everyone else packs up? There’s something I want to tell you.”

Emma studied Mr. Knightley’s countenance and noticed there were dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t been sleeping. He also moved a little stiffly and looked a bit disheveled. Emma, curious about his condition, smiled and replied, “Of course. Just for a short time.”

They walked down a path in the woods and when they could no longer see their friends, they stopped. Mr. Knightley turned to Emma. “I know I don’t seem like myself today and I wanted to confide in you. I just don’t know what to do and I need your advice.”

Emma mentally prepared herself and put an encouraging smile on her face. “Of course. We have all been worried about you. I will do anything I can to help.”

Mr. Knightley was about to say something, but he suddenly stopped when a splash of warm liquid fell on Emma’s forehead and then on her shoulder. She wiped it away with her gloved hand and it came away red, dripping with blood. She looked up and screamed in horror.

to be continued

* This scene was found on page 34 in Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann and is elaborated upon by the author.

** This passage is found on page 34 in Emma and the Werewolves.

~*~

Emma and Mr Knightley's Encounter
part 1
part 2
part 3 - end

- guest post from Titania86 of Fishmuffins of Doom
Thanks Elizabeth!

- image source dark woods

- part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Mr Knightley's Picnic - departure

Would you look at the time?

The carriages are here to transport you back to your own estates.

THANK YOU for your attendance!

It was a pleasure to meet you and I enjoyed your many comments.

Giveaway winners will be announced and notified via email on March 29, 2010.

~*~

Special thanks for guest posts from...

Authors:

Amanda Grange, author of Mr Knightley's Diary
Mr Knightley and the Fairies - read the complete story here

Marilyn Brant, author of According to Jane
A Tale of Two Matchmakers - read the complete story here

Fellow bloggers:

Charlotte and Mr. Illustrator of The Book On The Hill

Titania86 of Fishmuffins of Doom
Emma and Mr Knightley's Encounter - read the complete story here

~*~

OH YES, and a most special thanks to
Jane Austen for giving us Mr Knightley!
and to authors who continue his story!


* image source carriages

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Mansfield Park teaser

Mansfield Park Murder Mystery
virtual dinner party
hosted by Edmund Bertram

special guest appearances by:
Miss Marple
Hercule Poirot
Sherlock Holmes
and Watson (of course)

Everyone welcome
May 20-24, 2010 --> changed to June 24-27, 2010
to coincide with Jane in June

Want to come?

Want me to send you a reminder?

Comment below with your email
and I'll send you an email reminder
and details as the time draws nigh.


* image source Victorian frame

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

~ Mansfield Park schedule ~

Emma mashup

Emma and the Werewolves:
Jane Austen's Classic Novel with Blood-curdling Lycanthropy
by Jane Austen and Adam Rann

Unleashed: November 2009

Description from the amazon:
Beware the howls in the darkness and the light of the full moon. As the ever headstrong Ms. Emma Woodhouse schemes and plots as matchmaker, a dark and deadly terror descends upon Highbury.

A series of bestial murders fills the residents with fear as the ever mysterious Mr. Knightley leads a secret life, unknown to all, combating evils not of this Earth.

Carnage and destruction reign throughout the land, and though the residents of Highbury try to attend to day-to-day matters as civilly as possible, each cannot help but wonder what lurks in the shadows and if it'll be coming for them next.

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Mr Knightley and Emma - oh my

* image source of Emma BBC tv miniserial 2009

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Emma Bollywood

Aisha
aka Jane Austen's Emma

Release date: 2010

Directed by: Rajshree Ojha
Screenplay by: Devika Bhagat

Aisha (Emma) = Sonam Kapoor
Arjun (Mr Knightley) = Abhay Deol

Description from imdb:
Jane Austen's "Emma" comes to New Delhi.

Excerpt from Charmed article:
We've also heard claims that Aisha is going to be India's most fashion-forward movie. "Well, it is a chick-flick. And what do girls love the most? Clothes, shoes, jewellery, make up — we've paid attention to them in the movie," she discloses about the film produced by her father Anil Kapoor. read more

* image source of Emma article

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

A Tale of Two Matchmakers - pt 7

... “Really, Emma. Take more care next time.”

And Sylvia, who was watching this scene clearly from her position on the tree branch, giggled into the shady atmosphere of the woods, unheard.

There went her Match #3.

the end

~*~

A Tale of Two Matchmakers
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7 - end

* guest post from Marilyn Brant, author of According to Jane

* image source woods

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Emma book to watch for

The Intrigue at Highbury:
Or, Emma's Match (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries)
by Carrie Bebris

Release date: March 2, 2010

Description from the amazon:
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are looking forward to a relaxing stay with dear friends when their carriage is hailed by a damsel-in-distress outside of the village of Highbury. Little do the Darcys realize that gypsies roam these woods, or that both their possessions and the woman are about to vanish into the night.

The Darcys seek out the parish magistrate, who is having a difficult evening of his own. Mr. Knightley and his new wife, the former Miss Emma Woodhouse (the heroine of Jane Austen's Emma) are hosting a party to celebrate the marriage of their friends, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Jane Fairfax. During dinner, Mr. Edgar Churchill, uncle and adoptive father of the groom, falls suddenly ill and dies. The cause of death: poison.

When the Darcys and the Knightleys join forces to investigate the crimes, they discover that the robbery and Edgar Churchill's death may be connected. Together they must work to quickly locate the source of the poison and the murderer's motive--before the killer can strike again.

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

A Tale of Two Matchmakers - pt 6

... The fairy girl smiled at her and gave a small curtsy.

“Emma!” Mr. Knightly called, more insistently this time. “Miss Woodhouse, please show yourself!”

Emma rolled her eyes and grinned one last time at Sylvia. “Goodbye,” she told the fairy before racing out of the woods.

Sylvia could hear Emma replying to her Mr. Knightley with an edge of temper, “I am here, sir. There is no need to shout so. You will frighten the forest creatures.”

“What on earth were you doing walking around in the woods by yourself?” he demanded.

“Just taking a refreshing stroll to clear my head of all the dreary conversations,” Emma said. “Really, Mr. Knightley, you can hardly blame me.”

He huffed. “You are forgetting your responsibility here and your position amongst the guests.” He picked a few leaves off her dress and brushed away a twig that had lodged itself onto the top of her bonnet. “Really, Emma. Take more care next time.”

to be continued

~*~

A Tale of Two Matchmakers
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7 - end

* guest post from Marilyn Brant, author of According to Jane

* image source of Mr Knightley

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Emma book re-tellings

Here is an AWESOME list compiled by Austenesque Reviews.
Check out her site for more book re-telling lists of the other Jane Austen novels.

~*~

Epistolary

A Visit to Highbury
(originally published as Mrs. Goddard Mistress of a School in 1993)
by Joan Austen-Leigh © 1995

~*~

Mature Audience

James Fairfax
by Jane Austen and Adam Campan © 2009

~*~

Modern Adaptation

The Importance of Being Emma
by Juliet Archer © 2008

Amanda
Book Five in the Austen Series
by Debra White Smith © 2006

~*~

Retellings/Point-of-view

George Knightley, Esquire: Charity Envieth Not (Volume 1)
by Barbara Cornthwaite © 2009

Lovers' Perjuries: Or, The Clandestine Courtship of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill
by Joan Ellen Delman © 2007

Mr. Knightley's Diary
by Amanda Grange © 2007

Jane Fairfax
by Joan Aiken © 1990
(republished in 1997)

~*~

Sequel

Anna Weston
by Brenda Finn © 2000

Emma in Love
by Emma Tennant © 1997

Later Days at Highbury
by Joan Austen-Leigh © 1996
(epistolary)

Truth and Rumor
by Jane Gillespie © 1995

Aunt Celia
by Jane Gillespie © 1993

Jane Fairfax
by Naomi Royde Smith © 1940
(prequel)

The Journal of Jane Fairfax
by Charlotte Grey © 1983

~*~

Short Story

Donwell Abbey by Katharine Moore © 2008
available online

Emma and Knightley
originally published as Perfect Happiness in 1996
by Rachel Billington © 2008

The Complete Mrs. Elton
The Courtship of Mrs. Elton
In Defense of Mrs. Elton
Mrs. Elton in America
by Diana Birchall © 2004

Poor Emma
a short story found in There Are No Ghosts in the Soviet Union
by Reginald Hill © 1988
(mystery)

*Thanks to Austenesqe Reviews for compiling this list!

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

A Tale of Two Matchmakers - pt 5

“Oh, right. So, who is your second match?”

Sylvia bobbed her head in the direction of Jane Fairfax. “There is a gentleman here today that is perfect for her. A gentleman with whom she has a secret acquaintance.”

“Really?” Emma cried, most intrigued by this odd turn of circumstances. Had the mysterious man, who was secretly in love with Miss Fairfax despite marrying another (or so Emma had been told!), recently come into the area? Emma’s gaze darted around the lawn in hopes of being the first to spot the elusive Mr. Dixon. She detected, however, only the irritating Mr. Elton, the kind but rather old Mr. Weston and the tall (and, perhaps, a little rugged) Mr. Churchill discussing something in the far distance. She dismissed them from her mind and continued searching for the long-lost love of Miss Bates’s mousy niece, sighing heavily when she could not locate anyone at all who looked remotely like an adulterous stranger.

Just as she was about to implore Sylvia to please point her in the correct direction, Emma heard a familiar voice bellowing, “Miss Woodhouse? Emma? Where are you?”

“Oh, such bad luck!” Emma said, her vexation not able to be contained. “It is Mr. Knightley,” she explained to the fairy, “and he shall be his usual scolding and cross self again if I do not rush out at once.” She glanced regretfully at Sylvia. “However, I very much enjoyed meeting you. Sorry to not be able to stay to hear your final match.”

The fairy girl smiled at her and gave a small curtsy.

to be continued

~*~

A Tale of Two Matchmakers
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7 - end


* guest post from Marilyn Brant, author of According to Jane

* image source from the book Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine by Joan Aiken

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

Friday Mornings at Nine

Friday Mornings at Nine
by Marilyn Brant

Release date: October 1, 2010

Description from author:
A modern fairy tale about three women, three marriages and what happens a decade or two after the Happily Ever After.

*** Giveaway ***

Win this book.

Please note: I won't be able to send this book to the winner until it is released in September.

Open to all.

Offer ends: March 27, 2010

To do:

Visit Marilyn's blog and leave her a comment.

Comment below with your email and tell me --> What is your favorite fairy tale ending (doesn't necessarily have to be a happy one)?


~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

* image source is Marilyn's Golden Heart from her website. She is the proud Winner of the 2007 Golden Heart Award for "Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements"

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic

A Tale of Two Matchmakers - pt 4

The little fairy could hardly trump her skill, but it was so adorable that she aspired to similar goals.

Emma waved her hand at a break in the hedges where Sylvia could see the Box Hill picnickers at play. “Make a match for me,” she requested. “Who in this crowd just there—” She pointed. “Who would make a good couple?”

The fairy easily flew to a branch on a nearby tree to garner a better view. She stared with her tiny bluish eyes most intently at the gathering before blinking three times and smiling at Emma. “I will give you more than you wish. Not one pair, but three. As I have now imagined them perfectly in my mind, the matches are bound to happen.”

Emma grinned. This ought to be delightful! “And your first pairing?”

“Your friend, Miss Harriet Smith. I see her with a tall, rugged gentleman who attends to her every word.” Sylvia glanced around. “I do not see him here at present, but I know him from my prior observations back at Highbury.”

Emma very nearly rolled her eyes. The fairy had to be talking about Mr. Churchill, of course. Although he was not precisely a “rugged” man, nor was he wandering about on the lawn as he had been when last she had seen him, Emma knew that she would meet with success once she set her mind toward bringing him together with her sweet friend.

“Well, that is hardly news,” she told Sylvia. “It is obvious Harriet belongs with a tall gentleman. I know just the one you mean, and I have thought so myself.” She nodded knowingly at the fairy. “Were my former governess here today, I would have told her the same thing.” Emma paused. “I made a rather successful match for her just last year, you know.”

“Yes. Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston,” Sylvia replied. “I remember that one. Quite impressive.”

“Why, thank you.” Emma beamed at the fairy girl. “So, then, am I to understand you have been watching us at home in Highbury for some time?”

“Politics are dreadfully boring, Miss Woodhouse. I seek amusement everywhere I can.”

“Oh, right. So, who is your second match?”

to be continued

~*~

A Tale of Two Matchmakers
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7 - end


* guest post from Marilyn Brant, author of According to Jane

* image source the Westons

* image source victorian frame

* part of Mr Knightley's Picnic