Sophia Rose's Blog - Posts Tagged "interview"

Howdy all! Happy Fall!
Just got in after watching some afternoon high school band practice. There isn’t anything like Elvis Presley’s Burning Love played by the kiddoes! Ha, got you humming, didn’t I?

Brr! It was crisp and breezy and I forgot my fleece blanket. Good thing I snagged a jug of cider at the local apple farm stand on the way home yesterday. Heated spiced cider with a smidge of cloves and allspice along with cinnamon sticks for stirring and a sack of donuts for dipping. House smells great and I can’t wait for a mug of cider and a plate of dipping donuts.

But that isn’t the best part. I have a guest stopping by today for a chat. All the way from the Carolinas, no less. This is a busy time for her so I was happy to catch her between big family events like a vacation and welcoming a grandbaby into the world. Better than the best of five-star reads.

Debbie is a devourer of books and a friendly member on GoodReads and further into the Jane Austen lovers community. She is a supporter of authors and readers alike through her on-line presence and insightful reviews. I love it when she shares her thoughts on what she reads and puts out her most recent reads so I can pick through and find some goodies amongst them.

And I do believe that’s the doorbell…
Greetings, Debbie!

So lovely to meet you, Sophia! *HUG* It’s perfect that our virtual visit was scheduled this month, because I do miss the fall foliage. It’s so beautiful here! And it’s an honor to sit with you on your plush, comfy sofa. I always love reading your interviews. It’s sure different to be on this end of the process! Ah, yes, come soak up the fall while you're here. Ha! It's fun to put people in the hot seat, um, hot sofa.

How are things down in your neck of the woods?

Woods?

I live in a beach town – Myrtle BEACH, baby! Even though the Carolinas ARE known for its fir trees, I live only 10 minutes from the shore and my house mostly has palmetto trees around it. Not a very woodland-type environment.

Did you have a good time on your vacation? See any wild life or have any surprise adventures?

As for our vacation, there’s nothing to report because we cancelled it at the specific request of our son, who surprised us by wanting us at the hospital when his wife went into labor. We knew his mother-in-law would be around and had expected the new parents would prefer not to get inundated with family for a week or two… you know, attempting to be the cool, understanding in-laws even though we were chomping at the bit to see our first grandchild. Obviously, we were VERY happy to change our plans. They’re in North Charleston, and the hospital is only about an hour and a half south of us.

It was very exciting sharing the experience with Evan, even from the waiting room. And our new grandson, Samuel, is adorable, of course. I love watching Evan interact with him. Verra nice! Vacations come and go, right? Grandbabies being born, chance of a lifetime!


Debbie with little Samuel


Are you busy with any autumn activities?

Oh, yes. Extremely busy. Walking along the beach, or even better, sitting on the beach listening to the waves and reading my kindle. In addition, my husband Kurt and I get out on the golf course whenever we can. There’s a fall golf league for couples that we joined. You know, the usual autumn stuff!

This is Debbie being busy on the beach. Just kidding, Debbie! Do you think she's reading JAFF/Austenesque on that e-reader?

But seriously, we’re retired, and we just moved from Eastern Pennsylvania in 2013 to the warmer climate down here. It was total serendipity when our son and daughter-in-law moved so close by just last year. Of course, we’re also busy as new grandparents, and we scoot down to North Charleston whenever we can.

I’ll bet you noted all those leaves in my yard. That’s for tomorrow- me, my trusty rake, and my audio book. Haha! I think you’re not allowed to burn them anymore, with all the air pollution concerns. Pity. That was always a favorite feature of autumn when I was growing up on Long Island, NY. Love the smell of burning leaves!

Speaking of audio books, are you a fan of audios? If so, do you have a favorite narrator or favorite audio book?

You know, I’m really not. I think they’re great in some situations, but the only time I listened to one all the way through was about 20 years ago. It was on cassette, narrated by David Ogden Stiers. I don’t even remember the title, just that it was a novel set in Rome during the Roman Empire. I was driving from Eastern PA to CT by myself, and I knew it would help pass the time and keep me awake and alert better than anything else.
I tried an audio book again recently-- one of Georgette Heyer’s. I just couldn’t get into it. The narrator was very good, but it was so much slower than reading it silently myself and I honestly couldn’t keep the characters straight.
I must need to see the names in print for them to register in my head properly. Sort of like the difference between being introduced to someone in person and then forgetting the name 2 minutes later unless he/she is wearing a name tag! I get that. I do alright for some audios, but others with many characters or lots of details get me confused. And I thought audios were slow, too, until I realized I could increase the speed setting and now I listen to them at 1.5 times the regular and that works much better.

Now that was audios, but in general, when did book love begin for you?

Oh, golly! When DIDN’T I love books? It feels like I was born reading. I have a strong memory (one of those odd moments embedded in my brain for no particular reason) of being a second grader in the schoolyard during our after-lunch recreation time. I was walking backwards reading a Nancy Drew book Nancy Drew, sigh....I so wanted to be her as a kid. while a friend was walking forward facing me and talking to me. (Awfully rude of me, wasn’t it?)

Has there been a particular book that has been read and re-read and loved to pieces by you?

Aside from Pride and Prejudice (I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read that), my other reading obsession is with all the Harry Potter books. I’ve read them multiple times, too. It’s so impressive how J.K. Rowling blends adolescent coming-of-age with mystery and paranormal. Somehow, she makes it all work so well as a series as well as within each individual book. I could have bet money on knowing your answer to that question. I knew you adored Pride & Prejudice and devour so many wonderful sequels, variations, and mash-ups for it.

But what made you love it? And has your love for it evolved or changed at all? Personally, I’ve grown more aware of the background social customs and those quirky secondary characters when at first it was Darcy and Lizzy that captured my early attention.

The first time I read Pride & Prejudice I had to immediately RE-read it. I mean, as I started it, I first thought it was going to focus on Jane and Bingley. After a little bit, I was saying to myself, “I know Jane is supposed to be the heroine, but her sister Elizabeth seems a lot more interesting!” Of course, eventually I figured out Elizabeth was the heroine. But it seemed like Wickham was going to be her love interest. Then, when Darcy proposed, I was absolutely, totally shocked. Never for a moment suspected that would happen.
And then Darcy’s LETTER!! OMG! It just blew me away to realize how wrong Elizabeth and I had been about everything. And I could go on (and on and on and on…), but it was just the most surprising book I’d ever read with the most satisfying ending ever.
When I was done, I had to start it over again to read more closely now that I knew where it was going.
And, yes, my love for it has evolved because, the more I examine it, the more I appreciate what a truly brilliant and ground-breaking book it is. The use of limited third person, the structure, the economy of writing, the humor, all the letter-writing (and letter-reading!), the dialogue, the well-defined characters, and, yes, the clever misdirection leading to the surprises—Genius! Pure genius!

Let me pause for a bit and bring in the goodies.
I have heated spiced cider and donuts or, you know, I can sneak my husband’s secret stash of Chips Ahoy from on top of the fridge with a glass of milk. I leave him to think he’s still a bit of a mystery to me after all these years.
Oh, thank you! You’re such a wonderful hostess! How kind of you to share your donuts. I’d feel guilty stealing your hubby’s Chips Ahoy, though. Put ‘em back, Missy!

Hey! I’ve got an idea! I grabbed some apples at that apple farm. Howz ‘bout we cut them up, mix in some cinnamon and brown sugar, throw them in a pan and bake them? That’s another fall favorite of mine: baked apples. Now you're talking, sister!

YUM! I appreciate the offer for the spiced cider, which does smell heavenly. As it happens, though, I brought a thermos full of steamy hot chocolate, which is my personal go-to drink when it’s nippy out as it is today. If you would care for some, there’s plenty for you, too, and that’s something else we can dip the donuts into! Don't mind if I do. Thanks! Hot Chocolate is my favorite cold weather drink.

Is your hubby a secret stasher or maybe he’s the Sherlock who finds your stashes?

I’ve usually been way too sneaky for my Sherlock hubby to find my secret stash, although I don’t keep one around the way I used to. About 12 years ago, I was really overweight, started having back problems, and realized I was likely to develop serious health issues if I didn’t get my binge eating under control.
Fortunately, around the same time my church started a healthy lifestyle support group that included nutrition education, encouraging food journaling and sensible exercise along with weekly meetings, relevant Bible study and prayer partners. It was really, really hard work but very rewarding. In about a year, I lost 60 pounds and I’ve kept most of it off ever since.
My weight does fluctuate, but now I take advantage of www.myfitnesspal.com to get myself back on track when my scale goes up beyond a certain point. Way to go, Debbie! Your commitment and hard work made it happen. Thanks for sharing this personal victory.

Changing the subject a little, I understand that you and your husband share a special and rewarding career in music.
By the way, I had a chance to go over to your website and click through your demos and his (click on his picture if you want to listen to his demos).
You guys are sensational.


Debbie and Kurt performing as part of Rubaiyat band

Can you share a bit about BrownSound Music and your own personal career in music?

Thank you so much! I can’t talk about my own music career without including my husband. Kurt is a tremendous electric guitarist, as talented as the majority of well-known rock guitarists, and more versatile than most of them, too. (I must mention that he is also the sound engineer for every song on the web links.)
I have been so blessed to have worked with him throughout my professional singing career starting with our marriage in 1977.

When he and I first met in college at a mixer, my school activities in high school and college had been in choral groups and musical theater, so I was comfortable singing in front of an audience.
However, music wasn’t my field of study. If I could go back in time, I’d major in it and study music theory. I still don’t know chords, though I can read sheet music from the couple of years of piano lessons I took in elementary school. But I never ever expected to sing professionally and certainly not in a rock band. I didn’t even listen to much rock and roll.
Kurt still jokes that he brought me over to the “dark side” by turning me into a rock and roll singer. It was something we could do together that we both enjoyed.




Debbie & Kurt in Alter Ego band

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, we were performing together in cover bands (meaning we “covered” popular music), playing gigs 2 to 6 nights every week. That was our only source of income, and we even bought our first house as full-time musicians.


Rubaiyat band


In 1985, we decided to settle down and start a family, so we got out of the music business. When our son was older, around 2003, we began another band together, performing only on weekends.

Within only the past few years, I also went back to singing serious choral music. I got to perform in a chorus with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra (in PA) in 2012, including doing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Now I’m doing concerts with the Long Bay Symphony here in Myrtle Beach as part of the Carolina Master Chorale. Last season we performed Brahm’s Ein Deutches Requiem, and we’re working on Pirates of Penzance later this season. As one who loves classical music, I’m soaking it all up and enjoying every second.

Kurt and I made our debut as a duo, BrownSound Music, about 7 years ago when I started feeling like I was a bit too long in the tooth to keep singing rock in bars.
He plays acoustic guitar and I play keyboards (badly, but it’s adequate!). We also have a drum machine and special digital units linking our microphones to his guitar that allow us to harmonize with ourselves- the two of us can sound like as many as six voices if we so choose!
Our repertoire is pretty diverse: everything on the light side from Joni Mitchell and Billie Holliday to quasi-rock arrangements of Janis Joplin and old Jefferson Airplane.
We had modest success with the duo in PA, but it takes time to establish a following in a new area and we haven’t marketed ourselves too aggressively since we moved to Myrtle Beach.

Now Kurt and I are each doing other things musically, although we perform as BrownSound Music whenever those opportunities arise. There’s no one I’d rather make music with!

BrownSound Music: http://www.brownsoundmusic.com/index....

Carolina Master Chorale: http://www.carolinamasterchorale.com/

Here’s a link to a bunch of us in the Carolina Master Chorale singing the National Anthem on 8/20/2016 at the local minor league ballpark (I’m on the right end):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSg_w...

Any special music gigs for you, recently?

This Sunday, September 25, the Carolina Master Chorale is performing music by Debussy, Strauss and Borodin with the Long Bay Symphony. I always love when we get to sing with the full orchestra! (Our choral rehearsals are with piano accompaniment.)

Can you tell us about your new DooWop singing opportunity?

As for my new doo- wop project, again, I have to credit Kurt. He came across an ad placed by a group of four older men in an established singing group, called Forever Doo Wop, looking for a female singer who could handle both lead and harmonies. Knowing this would be a perfect fit for me, my dear husband encouraged me to audition, and I got the job!
It’s all music from the 50’s and 60’s. We’re accompanied by karaoke instrumental recordings and add all the vocal parts ourselves.
The guys are originally from the New York/New Jersey area, and they each grew up, very literally, singing doo-wop on street corners and in the subways. We have a great blend of singing voices and each of us gets opportunities to sing lead with the others backing. I’m reviving some Motown tunes (such as Respect and Dancin’ in the Street) that I loved singing in bands 30 years ago.
The group has a faithful and enthusiastic group of followers, most of whom are in our older age bracket. I’m still cramming to learn all the music.


Debbie singing with her new Doo Wop group

I am a music lover and if I’m not listening to books while doing my chores and errands, I’m listening to music. Frequently, I’ll even find myself distracted by a song when I’m reading because something about the story calls it to mind.

You know, with all the music I work on, I prefer quiet when I’m not actively learning songs. No radio, iPod or CDs… just blessed silence and my kindle or computer, thank you very much.
And Kurt is the same about not listening to music without his guitar in hand, only he’s a TV-watching junkie. Sports and cop shows for him.


GoodReads pals Debbie and Sheila had the opportunity to get together though they live miles apart. Books can bring people together and make friends out of strangers.


Sofa Starters
Red or Yellow? Red. I go for the bold!
Pie or cake? Ha! I LURVE cheesecake, which is more like a pie than a cake IMO. I do love apple pie, too. (Couldn’t you tell from the baked apples?) Ergo, pie!
Hawaii or Scotland? Scotland. My husband and I both have a hankering to see the land where golf was born. (Isn’t THAT just too stereotypical of an old married couple married almost 40 years?!)
Mary Bennet or Margaret Dashwood? Gotta be Margaret Dashwood. Mary gets kinda annoying, doncha think?
Stuck in traffic or cornered by a solicitor? Actually, I’m mostly patient in traffic, especially since I’m retired and rarely have to rush to get anywhere, so that’s an easy choice. On the other hand, I get incredibly uncomfortable with solicitors, whether they want me to buy something or to donate money, and I avoid them as much as possible.
Math or History? Hmmm. This is harder. History, I guess. I don’t really like either, but at least I UNDERSTAND history!!
Cowboys or Cops? Definitely cops. I have tremendous admiration for them and the difficult job they do. Although I do love horses. *snapping fingers* I know! A mounted policeman would be perfect. A cowboy cop! Yep, that’s the ticket!

Debbie, thanks so much for stopping by. You're a hoot in person. :) I had a good visit and I wish you a safe trip back home.
Oh, this has been delightful, Sophia! Thank you again for inviting me. You’ve made me feel welcome and comfortable- from the setting and the exchange of favored fall treats to the nice softball questions you lobbed in my direction. *BIG HUG* Keep up the great blogging!

*consults list then looks down at the vendor’s stall* Farm fresh goodness locally grown. Love it! It is a wonderful thing to finally have our own weekly farmer’s market right in town though it won’t be open for much longer.
I’ve been on a roll dragging my Sofa Chat guests around to some of my favorite Hang-Outs for our chats so I thought that I’d keep it up. Besides, now I have an extra set of arms to carry one of my sacks of vegetables. Haha! Just kidding. I’d never abuse my guests that way. *silence*
Okay maybe I would, but I’d make sure they didn’t have a bad back first. Haha!

attrition to The Grower's Daughter blog b/c I forgot to get a picture from our local Farmer's Market

I do hope my latest guest doesn’t have trouble finding me in the crowd. Do you think this bright orange Detroit Tiger’s shirt will be easy to spot? Hope so! I bought a special sweet for my guest today, maple fudge, in honor of the fact that she is visiting from Canada.

Suzan is a fun surprise. I read one of her books and was impressed by her creative mind. I enjoy our encounters on-line through GoodReads here, Facebook, and of course around the blogosphere. She’s engaging and insightful with her blog posts at the Meryton Press blog. She shares her helpful ideas. I know I learned plenty from her on the book release campaign last year as a couple of the co-authors for Then Comes Winter.

“Howdy Suzan! So glad you could visit today. It’s a little nippy and clouded over, but aren’t the colors great on this lovely Autumn day? What’s it like back home in British Columbia this time of year?

In Victoria, our summers are sunny but not super-hot, but the warmish weather continues into October. Our winters are mild with a few days of moderate rain a week, but we can have some huge windstorms. The roses disappear in December and the crocuses bloom in January.

Although, now that I think on it, you’re on the move to Mexico, right? What part of Mexico are you settling in? And how is the move going?

We’ll head to Mexico in mid-November when their rainy season is over. We have a tiny little Spanish colonial house in the Centro Historico area of Mazatlán.
Last year we stayed three months and this year it’ll be longer. We bring our cats. The cost of living is very low and the people are warm, friendly, and hard working. It sounds rather cozy and nice.

You have many exciting things going on at the moment.
I saw that you are starting a new series of blog posts at Meryton Press about the writing craft. What are some of the topics you plan to write on?

The series is about my own problems in writing, so I can use humour to help others learn how to be better writers. I plan to write on Regency language, deep Point of View, over-used words and alternatives for them, a few common punctuation problems, and the word pairs that have caused me difficulty. I definitely would benefit from those posts.

Meryton Press blog link: http://merytonpress.com/reader-knows-...



I understand you have a big book release, too. Congrats on Letter fom Ramsgate! What’s the 411 on it (or maybe Canadians reference a different set of digits to dial Information)? Can you share something cool and behinds the scenes about it?

411 is correct! The basic premise is that Elizabeth Bennet goes to Ramsgate with her Aunt Gardiner to stay with a friend of her aunt’s from the Lambton area, Lady Edwina. Lady Edwina introduces them to her friend Georgiana Darcy, who becomes close friends with Elizabeth. Georgiana tells Elizabeth all about her wonderful brother and his “best friend” Mr. Wickham. Dastardly things happen before the story heads to the start of Pride and Prejudice canon, then there’s a monster misunderstanding that causes the story to veer off canon. That results in six chapters of angst before Darcy and Elizabeth’s “Happily Ever After!” Oho! Dastardly deeds! Can't wait to read about that.


I had a good time being a part of the winter short story anthology, Then Comes Winter, with you and seeing your stop for our awesome Road Trip adventure. You chose to write a modern Pride & Prejudice retelling for this one. Now I’m curious after reading your modern and your Regency retellings…

How do the two compare? Do you prefer writing historical or modern?

I prefer to write Regency romances because I love the clothing, the balls, and the politics of the era, the challenge of the stricter society rules, the social hierarchy, and so forth. Parallels with Jane Austen canon plot points are more difficult with a modern story, and my modern in Then Comes Winter only paid a brief nod to Pride and Prejudice as a result. Once I have a good plot in my head, I find modern far easier to write, though. It’s hard to switch between them because of the cadence of the language and the contractions!

JASNA 2015 Author Signing. Doesn't Suzan look great as a Regency lady?

Now, let’s switch things up and talk about Suzan the reader. If you were browsing at the library, what shelves would you gravitate toward? Do you have any authors on insta-buy?

Most of my reading is Jane Austen Fan Fiction and Regency Romance. I like novels where tasteful passion is incorporated into the novel to move the plot forward. Tessa Dare, Grace Burrowes, Sarah MacLean, and Julie Anne Long are some favourite Regency Romance authors. Mature novels have become rare in JAFF lately, but I liked the early Abigail Reynolds books. She’s still a go-to author, as are Karen M. Cox, Leslie Diamond, and Jan Hahn. I’ve added some newer names like Caitlin Williams and Melanie Stanford, and I’m a huge fan of the unpublished work of Amy George and Amy d’Orazio, as well as several others at A Happy Assembly and the Meryton Reading Room.

Outside of those genres, in literary fiction I love the work of Canadian poet and author Michael Ondaatje.

I read your bio and noticed you had a different, refreshing take on reviewing books. As a reviewer, what elements are you looking for in a story? And do you write up your reviews in a certain format?

Every review is unique, just as every book is unique, but I always include certain elements, like how well it accomplished some basic aspects that make a novel good: plot, flow, characterization, POV, editing, anachronisms, conflict, and so on.
If a novel is fantastic, I make sure to mention its flaws, and if it’s terrible, its strengths.
I adore a novel with a fresh premise or scenes that are memorable. A book that’s good but not memorable pales next to one that’s got flaws but sticks with you. I like that you show both strengths and flaws. So helpful for the potential reader and, really, the author, too.

Before I forget, I got you something special here at one of the stalls. That lady makes and sells all sorts of fudge. I got you some of her maple fudge shaped like leaves in honor of you being Canadian. Hope you like fudge. ;)

I usually would prefer chocolate, but maple is great. The better maple trees for fudge are in eastern Canada and northeastern US, so you make locally what we import in my city! The tourists don’t know any better, though! But I understand that Michigan is known for its fudge. It is indeed. Fudge was one of the best discoveries I had when moving here from California. :)


Sofa Starters:
Koala Bear or Otter? That’s a tough one. I had an Aussie pen pal in high school and cherished a rabbit fur Koala she gave me until it burst its seams some 30 years later. There are river otters in the area where I walk in the mornings in Victoria, and I have some funny stories!
Super strength or Invisibility? Invisibility. Fly on the wall!
Orange or Yellow? Orange!
Sir Thomas Bertram or Sir John Middleton? Ew.
Chinese or Italian food? Italian. I make a mean sausage linguine and amazing classic Tiramisu.
Winter or Summer Olympics? Don’t get me going on my rant about the waste of tax dollars on elitism in sport!

I am tickled pink that you were able to walk the farmer’s market with me today, Suzan (and help me haul around my purchases). Did you pick out anything you could take home with you?

Pistachios! Another Michigan specialty!
I remember this picture. It is Suzan posing with Then Comes Winter for our Road Trip several months ago. Love the fall color and just how I'd imagine her dressing for our farmer's market excursion.


Thanks so much for the visit and again, congrats on the release of Letter from Ramsgate.

If Suzan isn’t hanging out here on GoodReads, you can find her at:
@SuzanLauder
www.facebook.com/SuzanLauder/
www.SuzanLauder.MerytonPress.com

It’s Animal Adoption Day at our city’s shelter. I’m curious about one sweet little kitty girl because the webpage says she doesn’t like other animals. This reminds me of a certain curmudgeonly guy who used to let us humans share his home before he died. And she’s got tiger fur just like my old Simon so I’ve decided to drag my latest Sofa Chat visitor along with me to Shelter day.

This is Smitten, the shelter baby I want to see

Unfortunately, we have to walk down to the river, across the covered bridge, through the park to the old WWII Tank Assembly building that now houses the animal shelter. That’s not rude, right? People like to be invited over only to be dragged back outside in the crisp fall air for a long walk. I’ll ply him with a hot coffee, tea or cocoa and some treats that were donated by some of the city’s best bakers for the occasion. Promise! Haha!

So bet you’re wondering who my victim- erm, guest will be today. All the way from Boston and a fellow book lover, I do believe I first encountered Kirk here on GoodReads. Full of wit and zeal, his thoughts on books have been fun to read. I’ve enjoyed expanding our acquaintance into Facebook where it’s a highlight of my day to view the art and music and natural beauty Kirk posts.

And, here is my guest. Right on time.
Howdy, Kirk! Glad you could visit today and isn’t that splendid? You’re already dressed for outside because we’re going to take our chat on the road today. Hope you don’t mind a little walk with some adorable animals at the end of it.

I love walking in the fall. Thanks for having me on a mobile Sofa Chat!!! And thanks for the kind words
about FB posts!

I understand you enjoy being out of doors through cycling. Do you have a favorite fall cycling path?

Anytime of the year I love Concord’s Strawberry Hill Road...I get a thrill...riding down Strawberry Hill...Eastham’s National Seashore bike/walk path from Salt Pond Visitor Center to Coast Guard Beach...and riding from, to, and near Rockport’s Halibut State Park.
Okay, you just made me nearly lose it with your thrills on Strawberry Hill bit of wit. Maybe you need to Debbie (from one of my earlier chats) for some Doo Wop.

I’ll bet the area around Boston is just gorgeous this time of the year. What are some of your favorite activities for fall?

So hard to say one single thing ‘must be done’ to appreciate Boston!!! But….Faneuil Hall might be a good choice to start. The Hub of the Hub. For book lovers, the Boston Public Library and the Boston Athenaeum are ‘must be done’. Yep, good call! I’m a library fan.

Is there an activity or place that just ‘must be done’ to appreciate Boston and its environs?

Walking in dead leaves (Team Marianne!!!!!) is one of my favorite fall activities. Pumpkin everything...Apple everything too...Fall cycling can be great too...
We have fall color tours and they can be partnered with the ‘Mystery’ train so one can be part of an interactive murder mystery play while getting off at a few stops to walk around and appreciate the glories of nature.
And that reminds me of one of my favorite scenes in Jane Austen’s Persuasion where Anne Elliot extols on the fall. But Team Marianne works just as well!

Now, you have a partiality for Jane Austen’s works, too. Are any of her novels your absolute favorite?

Lol, it’s cliché but it’s P&P by a very small margin over S&S, Persuasion, Emma and then a little gap to NA and a little further back is MP(sorry! Your favorite, I believe).
My second favorite, but my skin is thick so you’re safe from any book rivalry ire.

What do you love about them?

Perhaps it’s the twin love stories….Jane Bennet is my 2nd favorite and Elizabeth Bennet is my 3rd favorite Austen heroine. Lol...while Mr Darcy isn’t my favorite Austen hero (ducks!....Mr. Knightley far and away #1)….I respect him and his personal journey to becoming a better person...which more than I can say about the 2 Austen males last on my list. And I enjoy rooting for good guy Bingley to get a clue about Jane (and Rosamund Pike is my favorite Jane Austen actress...followed very closely by Felicity Jones).
I, too, would put Knightley over Darcy on my list. But look at that, love seeing sweet Jane Bennet getting a shout out.

How did you first find Jane Austen’s works and grow to love it?

I joke about being part of the Austen Class of ‘95. I highly enjoyed the films first(P&P ‘95...one of my cousins played snippets at family holiday gatherings, S&S ‘95 (saw three times in the theater) and Emma ’96 (although now Emma ‘09 is my favorite Austen adaption). Then read all of the big six. Then, went on to what limited JAFF I could find in my library network. For example, “The 3rd Sister” about Margaret Dashwood and one about the 1st year of the Darcy marriage.

Do you have any favorite Austenesque/JAFF books to recommend?


The Man who loved Pride and Prejudice by Abigail Reynolds. Set mostly in Cape Cod!!!

Jane Fairfax by Joan Aiken.

The Family Fortune by Laurie Horowitz...Persuasion set in Boston!

Mary Jane Hathaway’s “Jane Austen takes the South” series...especially with the Civil War echoes. I wasn’t aware of one of the battles she mentions in the Persuasion version. Then, the battle came up in a book that the Civil War book club was reading. What a fun coincidence about the battle showing up like that in two separate mentions.

Any that you haven’t read, but you are oh so curious to try?

The soon to be three part Jane Austen marriage series by Collins Hemingway. I love JAFF books about “the author” and minor characters too. Has anyone taken JAFF to Africa or South America? (I know there’s a non-fiction South America book that I enjoyed, “All Roads Lead to Austen” by Amy Elizabeth Smith). The poles???(Austen in a very very cold climate!).
Not that I know of. I know Austenesque and JAFF has made it as far as India and Egypt and Australia, but haven’t seen any in Africa or the South Pole. But you know, I could definitely see an African village retelling. I’m sure they have their Miss Bates, Mrs. Jennings, and Miss Bingleys as much as the next place.

I understand that you enjoy Civil War history. Ha, you fooled me. I would have thought a Bostonian would love Colonial and Revolutionary War History the best. I visited once a few years back in January for a quick pass through on my way to a conference in Maine, but had to see the Old North Church, Bunker Hill, and Old Ironsides (yep, it was a tad brisk, but worth it). I love Old North!!!! As I’m writing this, I’m a hop, skip, and jump away from it. Oneth by Longfellow’s poem….
So how did you come to enjoy the Civil War era and what do you like best about it?

Ms Blazer assigned me Rutherford B Hayes in the third grade President’s unit. Hayes was wounded multiple times in the Civil War. About the same time, one of my Dad’s friends had a big “Timelife” Civil War book with great battle maps. I was fascinated. I think that the Civil War was the last war when one individual person could make a difference in battle…not just the overall commanders...Hayes while a minor league Colonel most of the war(he wanted to be remembered as a “good Colonel”)...he was a hero at a few minor battles. And my other big Civil War hero is Maine’s Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain...Gettysburg… 2nd day...Little Round Top...‘Nuff said.
Me too! Me too! But erhmm, sorry to interrupt.
In both cases...they were nearly 40, had growing families and were on the move in their chosen professions (law, academia) They didn’t have to go fight but they went not knowing anything really about war...and both performed so very well.
Your comment at the Revolutionary War certainly had me thinking...for me...being so very parochial….The high point of the Revolution for me was fight at Old North Bridge in Concord!! I grew up 13 miles by bike from the Bridge! (sorry Lexington, I don’t count you!). After Concord….my interest in the Revolution kinda fades. Whereas, the Civil War has so many avenues to explore...many big questions to argue about and that (sadly!) are relevant today ...although I avoid the gory stuff as much as I can.

Any favorite books on the Civil War? I’ve read both Shaaras and Shelby Foote so I’m always on the spy for more to like.
My Civil War book club is reading the “The Killer Angels” this month!!! Loved the movie and it was my introduction to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.-

Favorite books about Civil War…..
Lincoln and His Admirals by Craig L Symonds (I love Lincoln’s cracky Sec of Navy Gideon Wells...kinda reminds me of John Knightley! Sadly...I’d like to be more like George Knightley but actually more like cracky John Knightley)…. anything by James B McPherson.
Another book….”The Cause of All Nations: An International History of the American Civil War” by Don Doyle.


It’s amazing what stats can tell one and GoodReads helps with stats by allowing for members to create dedicated shelves. Since we were just chatting about Kirk’s reading habits, Wanna know what his shelves show about his reading habits in regard to America’s Revolutionary War, Civil War, and Austenesque reading that we discussed? How about it Kirk, what do the numbers say?

Since 2012 (with some from prior years too):

91 Civil War books
19 Revolutionary War books

Lol....and Jane Austen books.....222!

And for comparison, here’s mine:
14 Civil War books
9 Revolutionary War books
Aaaand 278 Jane Austen books.


Back to Austen. Sorry for the whiplash, there. I understand you are part of a reading group (book club!) called Austen in Boston. Would you share a bit about that?


Austen in Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club was started by someone else in Spring ‘09. They met three or four times and then stopped meeting. I joined in Jan ‘10...I suggested we read a book and the prior organizer left! I and another person co-lead it for the 1st year and then she didn’t want to organize any more (she wanted us to read all of Dickens...YIKES!!! No, no, no!!!!). AiB meets once a month in public spaces/outdoors. All books are allowed...except for the three very twisted English Sisters!!!!

I (and too infrequently others) post 3 items a day on Facebook. Once a week I post a recap of the posts on Austen in Boston website: https://janeausteninboston.wordpress...., FB, and Twitter too.

I’ve never participated in a book club or reading group so I’m curious. What’s it like being involved in a real life reading group?

One of the benefits of “book clubbing” is that my reading list has been expanded (I have a very very narrow range of things I like...sadly true in music and art too). Several books that I would never read...were chosen and some I really enjoyed much more that I thought I would. Naturally, the flip side is that there are some books I try to get through because they are being discussed but would have abandoned very early in the reading.

In both Austen groups I’m in (AiB and the JASNA MA reading group), I’ve been involved for six plus years. So, you get to know other’s likes and dislikes fairly well. AiB, as organizer, I can keep us on topic at least most of the time. JASNA MA….not so much, which can be frustrating at times. Most of us get along well too...but there are a few exceptions. AiB meets outdoors when the weather allows! For “Gone with the Wind” (I didn’t actually want to read it but….), we met on a spooky Boston harbor island (Georges Island...home of Civil War prison Fort Warren).

And here we are at the shelter. How is your cat buddy back home doing? Any fun anecdotes to relate?

Handsome Wilbur P Force poses well for the camera

Wilbur P Force is a ton of fun. He got a clean bill of health recently!!! Time for more photos! I walk with him in the building hallways...where occasionally he runs into other Apartments (he has an open door policy)!!!!

They have complimentary Kuerig variety pods to do up a cup if you would like something to warm you up. Oh, and those glazed oatmeal raisin cookies are to die for, but pretty much all the goodies laid out are a safe bet. I’ll just be looking over this little lady here who is giving me the evil eye which in cat language could mean anything as you well know.

Ah, healthy oatmeal raisin cookies! Lol, I prefer slightly sweeter cookies...especially cookies with chocolate something although I’m slightly allergic to chocolate.
You’ve come to the right place, enjoy the spread of goodies they have.

Sofa Starters:
Africa or Asia? Africa….I wonder if anyone has set Jane Austen’s stories in Africa?
Splinter or blister? OUCH!!!! Having had problems with both….no comment! Interesting...in Persuasion it is key for Anne Elliot that Mrs. Croft is unable to walk with Admiral Croft do to a nightmarishly large blister.
Colonel Fitzwilliam or Admiral Croft? I love love love Admiral Croft...2nd favorite male Austen character (only behind Mr. Knightley)....between giving up the “wheel” driving….the not telling the Musgrove sisters apart...the mirror comment. And sadly I have gout like Adm Croft(and Mr. Allen and Jane’s brother Edward).
Mexican or Italian? I’m half Italian!
Mozart or Tchaikovsky? Ralph Vaughan Williams #1 especially his The Lark Ascending. I listened to it on the way driving from Somerset (friend’s house) to CHAWTON!!! Took the train to Box Hill on a later trip and only after found out that the poet who wrote the poem Lark Ascending, George Meredith, resided on Box Hill. RVW lived in his middle years in Dorking and grow up about 6 miles from Box Hill!
RVW is followed by Sibelius and then Beethoven. I don’t care much for the two listed (me not answering the question)...but at least Peter T has the 1812 Overture.
Green or Yellow? Yellow! I was actually wearing yellow just before I came to visit you….for fallen cyclists and for safer streets. I also love Yellow in July for the leader of the Tour de France. Orange is my favorite color. I sometimes type “favourite colour”!
Soccer or Baseball? Baseball is my favorite major sport. GO SOX! I like Soccer and have recently been watching the English Premier League. It was great to get on the Leicester City bandwagon last Nov. after my girlfriend went there for a conference. And there’s the whole Richard the Third angle to Leicester. And I love Alex Morgan and have read her books.
Star Trek or Harry Potter? I hate Star Trek having been called “Capt Kirk” growing up. I got into Harry Potter 3yrs ago (GF recommendation!) and I love love love Ginny Weasley. Channeled her recently when some kids were yelling and screaming outside in the wee years…..”Shut it” I yelled!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Kirk.
Thanks for all you do, Sophia!!!

If Kirk isn’t hanging out here on GoodReads, you can find him at:
Austen in Boston (AiB) FB(three somewhat dull posts a day) and Twitter(mostly retweets from around the Austen world and beyond) @AusteninBoston
Mr Mason and Fans FB (mostly daily pictures of Yorkshire), @MrMasonFBAbbey(live tweeting Poldark and Mercy Street) on twitter
Lol, I’m personally also on Twitter (much more random) @irktown00

Yep! I’m one of those. I shop the post-Halloween candy sales and I am not ashamed to admit it. It would be a cold, cruel world without candy in it.
And I need this to support my NaNoWriMo challenge efforts.
Oh, and I wanted to have a nice full candy dish for when my latest Sofa Chat guests arrives.
Yeah, yeah, that’s it, I bought all this candy for my guest. Definitely. Really.
Never mind. You’re a tough crowd. Haha!

But back to that guest, oh yes, I am excited to have a lovely reunion with Miss Debbie. You see, Debbie is the first GoodReads pal ever that I have met in Real Life.
We were real life strangers until just this summer when Debbie and her family were on a road trip vacation that brought them through my neck of the woods here in Southeast Michigan. Books really do bring people together.
It was a fantastic experience to converse and discover that she is just as wonderful in person as she is here on GoodReads and Facebook.
Debbie is an ardent book lover and shares many similar reading tastes not to mention we both talk ‘school’ since we shared that vocation, too. I can’t wait for our chat visitors to learn what a snazzy gal she is so without further ado…

Howdy, Debbie! Welcome back to Michigan!
What do you think of all the blazing orange, yellow, and red and the crisp frosted air now after all that sun, heat, and humidity earlier this year?

Hey Sophia! I am glad we could get together again. I so enjoyed our first visit. I love the beautiful colors the leaves turn, especially the reds, but I much prefer the heat of summer. When it gets cold I’d like to do that thing the bears do…..hibernate.

Ha, I know your stomping grounds, New York, can put our weather to shame. How is fall in New York?

Fall in New York is beautiful. It was unusually warm and nearly reached 80 degrees during mid-October, but now it is colder than I like.

Any favorite fun activities?
My favorite fall activities are apple picking and taking walks with my husband.
Very nice! And you can do both of those at the same time. ;-)

Have you ever gone to Sleepy Hollow to hunt down the Headless Horseman? Erm, okay, strike that last question- sometimes my rampaging imagination gets the better of me. Unless you want to answer it, that is.


Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow, NY
Doesn't he look properly spooky?


It is funny you mention Sleepy Hollow as that is where I work. The bridge in the famed story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, is no longer there, but the Old Dutch Church is in The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and every October they have a parade during which the honored guest is the Headless Horseman.








The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, New York

What are some neat places and things to do if I come traipsing along to New York?

New York City has great museums, restaurants, and theatre. My favorite museums are the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. When we go to a Broadway show or concert there are 2 places we love to eat: Carmine’s and Tony’s DiNapoli. The New York Public Library, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Intrepid are also nearby. If you like modern art the Guggenheim is also near.



The New York City Public Library
Anyone else drooling with envy and wanna go there?


I love upstate New York…. West Point is another great place and Niagara Falls. if you like to hike we have a slew of state parks, one of which I imagine Darcy riding to me around the corner on the trails.


Watkins Glen State Park, NY

As for my favorite New York State Park, it has to be Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. At one point the view makes you feel as if you have walked into the Elven realm of Rivendell, from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

Other wonderful places to go to in the Finger Lakes region are the Corning Museum of Glass as well as the Seneca Wine Trail, and if you love birds there is the Cornell Lab or Ornithology and Montezuma Wildlife Refuge are great places to visit.



Corning Museum of Glass- a piece from 1812
Couldn't you just see this at Pemberley?


I know, you’ve actually been to the Hudson Valley because we talked about you recognizing scenes from Mary Simonsen’s lovely book (which I hope to read this month), Darcy on the Hudson.

It was pretty neat to see familiar places in that book. As a matter of fact Sleepy Hollow and West Point are in the Hudson Valley.

Speaking of books, you have a fun book related side job that I truly hope grows which allows you to work with the authors during pre-release time. Would you like to share more about that?

Well, my book related side job started about 2 years ago when a JAFF ebook I purchased had no content.
After contacting Barnes and Noble with no results I contacted the author who resolved the problem. I thanked her and shortly after I began checking her NOOK and Kindle content.

After a while, I began proof reading for her. Now I proofread, cold read, and BETA read for a number of authors. I have done research for one author, as well. Since I love to read I really enjoy doing this.
The most challenging book I proofread was a compilation called Pride and Prejudice: Behind the Scenes. It’s about 700 pages, 150 chapters. It took about 10 weeks to complete.


Whew yeah, that's definitely a hefty one!

I love hearing how it all came about from a small seed of a beginning. So much promise for more here with your talents.

Since we share the same love for Jane Austen and the stories based on her life and books, I’ve of course grilled you on how you came to love Austen’s works. Do share that with everyone since they need to hear how swoonworthy your husband is for his part in it all.

I had never even heard of Jane Austen until May of 2011 when my hubby read Pride and Prejudice and told me I would love it. He found the 2005 movie and forced me to sit down and watch it (yes. He had to make me watch it) and I fell in love with the story. I then read Pride and Prejudice in 2 days and watched the 1995 version, but the 2005 is my favorite and Matthew MacFadyen will forever be Fitzwilliam Darcy in my eyes, after all, hubby looks more like Matthew than he does Colin Firth. As for Matthew MacFadyen being my favorite Darcy, I think that is apropos since my hubby’s favorite Elizabeth is Keira Knightly. And from here, the rest is history, as they say.

Yep, that reasoning for favorite actors playing the roles makes perfect sense for me. If I were to toss in comparisons, my darling would be Bingley (1995) because he has a look of Crispin Bonham-Carter going on, but his personality is definitely a Henry Tilney.

What is your favorite Jane Austen novel? And what was your first JAFF/Austenesque to your recollection?


My favorite is Pride and Prejudice very closely followed by Persuasion. I love Darcy, but, the letter in Persuasion is the most swoonworthy I have ever read. As for my fist JAFF recollection….I believe that would be Abigail Reynolds’ By Force of Instinct. I loved that there were variations and I looked for more and found continuations as well. I became totally hooked.


And if you’re not reaching for an Austen or Austen-related book, what are some of your other reading favs?

I love legends, especially King Arthur and Robin Hood. I researched and found the original basis for both King Arthur and Robin Hood.
History and science come next. The Middle Ages and Egypt. Love learning how the Egyptians prepared their dead for mummification.
As for science I enjoy astronomy and anything living. I read about raptors and other wildlife and follow many nest and wildlife cameras. I know. I deviated a bit.

Deviate away, LOL! That’s what books do- open us to new things. But yay for the legends, love those two. And Egypt, sigh…I will watch or read anything if it has to do with Egyptology. Erm, incidentally, I’m a huginormous Elizabeth Peters’ fan as a result.

As a teacher of the kiddies, this means that you have a few secret weapons up your sleeve. I know this about teachers because I was once upon a time a preschool teacher and a school children’s librarian. One secret weapon is fun and quirky children’s books for the telling to a young eager audience. What is your favorite children’s book or children’s author/illustrator?


I have 2 favorite stories for young children. One is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. My kids love it because Alexander has everything go wrong. The other is Miss Nelson is Missing.

As for my absolute favorite author, that is Dr. Seuss. The kids love the stories and many teach lessons.

And what was your favorite picture book as a kid?

I cannot remember my favorite picture books, but my favorite stories with beautiful drawings were the Billy and Blaze series by C.W, Anderson about a boy and his pony.



I can’t let you off without talking about birds. You must know this. I have to ask how that quirky birdie unrequited love affair is going that you told me about while out here in August. Did she finally accept his wooing?

That’s right. You know my love for birds. The answer to that is still no. My son’s green finch pair, Flip (female) and Sunny (male) have spent six years in the same cage and Flip still wants nothing to do with Sunny.

And have you gone on any recent bird watches or seen any nifty birds lately?


Osprey

I went on my first bird walk this August at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I saw so many different kinds of birds on their guided bird walk. I saw my first Merlin, Kestrels, and King Fishers among at least 30 other varieties.


Junior Eagle, 4-5 months

At the Wildlife Refuge I saw my first Bald Eagles and Osprey in the wild. That was so amazing.

As I mentioned above I watch nest cameras. My favorite is the Southwest Florida with Harriett and M15. They should be laying eggs soon….
There had been a lot of drama on that nest last year….a fight over the female , an injured baby, a missing youngster who was attacked by a great horned owl…..

Oh, and now your love of the medieval stories makes even more sense- you probably adore it when they reference falconry in the books. :)

And see, now I’ve learned something. I had no idea one could keep track of birds in live time through nest cameras.

Link to an Eagle Cam in SW Florida: http://dickpritchettrealestate.com/ea...

I wonder if I can tempt you with a special treat from my candy dish. I also have some home-made zucchini bread and honey butter with a cup of hot Russian Spice tea if you’d like. Can’t send you back into the brisk air without warming your insides first, right?

The zucchini bread with honey butter is delicious and the Russian Spice tea hits the spot. Yummy.

Sofa Starters:
Cave Exploration or Snorkeling?
Cave exploring, as long as I have a good flashlight and extra batteries with a long rope around me so I don’t get lost and can find my way out
Pink or Turquoise? Pink
Iceland or New Zealand?
Now that is a tough one. Both are unique. Iceland for its geothermal system and volcanic landscape. New Zealand for its warmth and wildlife. So, my answer is both.
Elinor Dashwood or Anne Elliot?
Anne Elliot because I love Captain Wentworth’s love letter.
Pizza Delivery or Chinese Takeout?
Another tough one, but pizza wins out by a smidge.
Art or Music? Music
Ironing or Window Cleaning?
Ironing. I can’t flip the windows as they are too stiff and to climb a ladder would not work as I am terrified of height.

It has been a joy to see you again, Debbie. Thanks so much for stopping by. One of these days I will have to return the visit so I can see your New York.

Yes, you must and enjoy my Pride and Prejudice themed guest room.
Oh, good golly, you make me want to head out for guest room privileges right now. That would be a fun room to stay in.






If Debbie isn’t spending time here on GoodReads, here’s where you can find her:
Facebook…Debbie Fortin
Twitter…@Skamper25Fortin
Google+…Deborah Fortin

Now what did I do with my grandmother’s recipe for Pistachio Pie? I just had it. Argh! Every year, I swear it, every year, I will put it where I won’t lose it. I could have sworn I tucked it into my old recipe keeper, but nooooo, not here. Oh wait! It stuck to the back of my Thanksgiving Fruit Salad recipe. Oops, little cranberry sticky stuff will do that. Whew, crisis averted! *looks around sheepishly to make sure nobody witnessed the crazy lady wailing and gnashing teeth over the recipe box*

Oh, but I need to clear all this list writing and recipes out of the way because I have a guest coming today. Engaging and fun-loving, (oh if you only knew… okay those who visit Mr. Darcy’s library know what I mean.) Sheila is coming all the way from Pennsylvania to visit and chat with me.
And my little corner of Michigan is not playing nice today for her visit with all that blustery wind and rain.

Sheila is a fellow book lover and what’s more she adores Jane Austen and Austenesque stories. We first met here on GoodReads in the Austenesque Lovers Group. I’ve come to appreciate her thoughts on books and seeing her whole-hearted support of authors and bloggers through her well-thought reviews, comments, and book discussions in the group.
But shh, enough talking about her, here she is.

Howdy, Sheila!
Oh, quick! Get in here out of that weather. I’ve got the fireplace going and a candy cane hot cocoa ready to go on the stove to warm your insides.

How are things back home in Pennsylvania? Getting reading for Thanksgiving?

First, let me say, “Thank you” for inviting me into your drawing room. I have visited the state of Washington many times over the past 7 years as my daughter, Nicole, lived there with her husband, Anthony, until August of this year when they moved in with us in order to find housing and jobs on the east coast. They got married over the water in Hatley Castle, Victoria, in 2011.

As for Thanksgiving, my other daughter, Heather, has again invited the family to her home in Wayne, PA and we all bring something to help out. This year there will be a separate “kids’ table” as some of her children and nieces and nephews are old enough to sit alone and feed themselves. I always take pies (pecan, pumpkin and apple) and sometimes my homemade Finnish Viipiri Twist bread, which has been a family favorite for special meals for a long time.



Sheila has graciously provided the recipe for her Viipiri Twist Bread. If you need a larger font, message me or Sheila for the recipe

I know you’re a grandmother and enjoy getting the grandkids for babysitting opportunities. Do you have any special grandma things you do for the holidays with them/for them?

I like to read to my grandchildren and I have a special memory that reinforces that practice. I used to babysit 2 grandchildren an hour and a half away in NJ regularly. One day Mae (1 year old granddaughter) was told to go and get a book to read and who does she bring it to? “Moi”….letting us know that she is aware of who reads to her the most. My grandchildren live too far away (an hour for one family and 1.5 hours for the other and it is all busy Interstate highways) so I only see them for special days but as they are getting older I am hoping soon to have them overnight and thus we can bake cookies and visit holidays exhibits locally.


Crayola Crayon Factory of Eaton, PA Can I crash that grandma/granchild date, Sheila?

There is a zoo and the Crayola Factory nearby, which I have been waiting to take them to visit. The oldest grandchild, Jackson, only turned 4 in August so you can see he is only getting to the age to go out without his parents. I did take him to the Turtle Back Zoo http://turtlebackzoo.com/ in NJ alone last Spring.

Do you do reading aloud with them? If so, what’s a favorite children’s book you read together?

I saved not only toys, i.e., Fisher/Price, Legos, Brio wooden railroads and Little Tyke, etc. but also hundreds of books. I was a Kindergarten teacher at a Lutheran School in Emmaus, PA for two years so collected more books while teaching. And during my education courses at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA in my late 40’s I was introduced to many new-to-me authors. One of my favorites is Mem Fox from Australia. I wrote to her (She and I was the same age.) and she wrote back 3 times, saying that was the limit for “fan correspondence”. If you and/or your readers have not read her books, please treat yourselves. This time of year (Halloween in the USA) her book, Guess What?, is a special seasonal treat. Pay attention to the graffiti in the “walls” of the pages.

There are so many wonderful children’s authors out there. I used to read the Newbury Award and the Caldecott winners every year while teaching so as to keep up with the best so that is a good place to search for titles on the Internet PLUS our library prints lists of recommendations for age levels if parents are looking for such. Even when my children were middle school age (12, 13, & 14) I remember their enjoyment while I read An Indian in the Cupboard (A movie was made from this book.) when I learned of its existence in my Elementary Education courses.

My oldest then took the sequel books out of the library to read them. I and my son enjoyed Hatchet and others by Gary Paulsen and I got him the rest of that series. (The author began writing for his sons as they had no interest in other books.)


With retirement, that has given more time for hobbies. What are some of your hobbies (besides reading of course)?

I have always been a reader but with retirement I not only have more time for reading but I have now made a promise to myself to write reviews of the stories I read. And, I have now narrowed my interests mainly to JAFF books, although I am reading the last of the 8 Outlander books and want to then start the long series of Poldark books.
I go to Bible Study weekly. I take my 95-year-old father-in-law (who lives near us) to his podiatrist appointments. I also do some activities with the Women’s group and with the Seniors’ group at my church. I correspond with my sister and my brother, who don’t live nearby. We do get together once a year for Christmas Dinner at the Greenfield Inn in Lancaster PA and I have lunch with my sister there once a year in the summer. I do some walking but not enough. I keep in touch with several past co-workers from the Children, Youth and Families and the Office of Developmental Programs (both under the Human Services Division in our county) and have lunch with those friends occasionally.


US Nat'l Women's Soccer League Seattle Reign and Chicago Red Stars photo


One person and I used to travel to Women’s Professional Soccer regularly until the local teams disbanded and even traveled to Cincinnati Ohio one year to watch the USA play Germany. I also have a hobby of making Polish Star ornaments. I learned to do this while a Girl Scout leader. http://www.instructables.com/id/Polis... The star has 96 points all of which are hand rolled. I usually do this while watching TV.

I follow a lot of Marvel comic heroes on TV, i.e., Arrow, The Flash, S.H.I.E.L.D. but, of course, also follow Masterpiece Theater and some series on STARZ and HBO. I don’t watch any daytime TV but have one or two shows each night I like to watch. I do like to bake but don’t do as much now that my children have grown. And I love keeping in touch (mostly through e-mails) with authors and others readers in this community. I have now met Claudine in NYC three times and met Debbie B. locally once while she was visiting friends with her husband here in PA. Ironically, I have made several friends who commented on my reviews on Amazon and we talked back and forth and then I referred them to Goodreads for a wider audience and more information about JAFF.
I love seeing that you're making the most of retirement and engaging with so many life opportunities.

Have you always been a reader? What are some of your all-time favorite books?

I have always been a reader. My interests have changed over the years. While in Junior High School our one summer reading assignment was Jane Eyre and I reread that about 8 times. While in High School our one English teacher was “big” on Thomas Hardy and Shakespeare. During college, at Ursinus College, the little time I had for outside reading was spent with James Bond, among others. Then in my 20’s a coworker lent me a historical romance novel. I forget the author but have very fond memories of certain authors, i.e., Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (Her Shanna is #1 on my list.) who is credited on the Internet as being the first author to take us into the bedroom. bookcover:Shanna|896621] Judith McNaught is another favorite author from those days (Too many great books to pick one). But I also read and shared with my children the love of Terry Brooks’ books and can recommend his The Shannara Chronicles which have been made into a TV series.

I love mystery novels and watch or read Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, and all those British TV series, i.e., Inspector Morse. I have read most of John Grisham’s and many of Nicholas Sparks but don’t like the endings of the latter’s books so don’t read him anymore. Love seeing your reading journey from the past until now.

You adore Jane Austen, Austenesque, and Jane Austen Fan-Fiction (JAFF), this I know. Ha! How and when did you first encounter Jane Austen’s novels?

I didn’t learn of her books until….drum roll….the 1995 P&P movie hit PBS on TV. Big surprise, right? Then I had to read the book. I didn’t learn of JASNA until I read that a local chapter had attended the play form of P&P at DeSales College near us and then made inquires to the newspaper as to how to contact them.

What was your first JAFF story and how did you discover it?

I think, but can’t swear to it, that I found the first of Pamela Aiden’s trilogy (2003) Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman on Amazon.
You know how that site makes recommendations to you based on your browsing history and I was probably looking at Jane Austen’s books there. It wasn’t long after that when I found Abigail Reynolds.
I found Meredith’s blog as I keep reading her book reviews on Amazon and clicked on the link to her blog under one review. That opened up the JAFF world to me as she introduced authors, readers and books on her Austenesque Reviews Blog. Yes, love all those and Meredith's blog is great.

I consider you quite the connoisseur, Sheila, so I’d like to shamelessly beg for some recommendations. What are a few JAFF books that you feel haven’t gotten enough notice, but that you think are quite amazing?

That is a very tough question. I have expanded those I now find enjoyable from what I read maybe 2 or so years ago. I used to stick to Regency era and, those who know me also will realize that I also concentrate on P&P variations. BUT Anji convinced me to read modern take-offs and told me to read The Muse, Boots and Backpacks and Lucky 13.
I now have also accepted paranormal books onto my list after Mary Lydon Simonsen persuaded me that her Mr. Darcy’s Bite (werewolf) was more a romance than throats being ripped out.
I love all of Cat Gardiner’s books.

You ask about overlooked books: I think that there are many unpublished ones that readers would enjoy. Debbie B., I and others have reviewed many of those on Goodreads and one author was convinced to publish…her book used to entitled Bruises and was published as Side by Side: Apart – lovely book but get out your tissues. There is another unpublished author who is to be releasing a book soon and I am waiting but won’t name names in case something doesn’t pan out.
Some which had not gotten notice in the past are Laura Hile and a newer one along the same line, Cass Grix. Both are Freaky Friday type of books.
I have read 240 books this year so you and others could just go to my reviews and look for 4 or 5 star reviews. Yep, see, I knew you'd be good for several good recommendations and I will definitely spy out what's on your 'read' shelves.

Shifting gears here, I’m curious about your little corner of Pennsylvania. Do you have any Jane Austen or Regency events? Or have you traveled to a Jane Austen event?

I attended the New York City Annual General Meeting in fall of 2012 plus a number of events in Philadelphia and some closer to home with speakers, luncheons or dinners and the play I mentioned. I also was a member of a JASNA reading group in our area but it fell apart as lives got busy or people moved. I went to see the Sense and Sensibility Play at the Bedlam theater in NYC with Claudine (of the JustJane1813 blog) and also watched the Amazon prescreening of Love and Friendship with her in NYC and just this past Sunday we had the pleasure of sitting in on a Q&A with Whit Stillman, the writer and director of said movie.

Okay, and what about other fun activities and sites would you suggest if I came for a visit to your area of Pennsylvania?

Well, you must know that Pennsylvania is the State of Independence and if you have not visited Valley Forge, the Betsy Ross House and/or Independence Hall then do so but there is also the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Rocky Balboa climbed its stairs.) and we are within an hour or an hour and a half of NYC and Hershey, Pennsylvania so the list of cultural and sports events are endless.

BUT we live next to Bethlehem PA and it is a national attraction with its fame as The Christmas City http://www.christmascity.org/ . Now it also has top rated musical acts at http://www.steelstacks.org/ plus in August we have a Musikfest http://www.musikfest.org/ with many musical groups and ethnic foods to taste. It was formed to imitate an October Fest atmosphere and is very popular. The shows are mostly nationally recognized groups but we also have some polka bands and local Irish step dancers in their colorful costumes. In September we have a Celtic Fest with their bagpipes and men in kilts vying against each other in the most beautiful legs contest. Moravian Church has a “Putz” program with hand carved figurines passed down over the centuries to tell the Christmas story http://www.centralmoravianchurch.org/... and we have two BIG sports attractions with The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League who play at the PP& L Center which also hosts musical and other acts year round and with baseball, The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs who are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Oh wow, sounds like I could spend days of wonder there.


And here is the Pumpkin Muffin recipe Sheila mentions. Let me know if you need a larger print and/or wish for the Great Pumpkin cookie recipe, too

Now, last question, might I tempt you with a slice of pumpkin bread? What’s your favorite fall snack?


Caramel and nut covered apples on a stick….but I also have recipes for pumpkin muffins and pumpkin cookies that my past co-workers and my family love. I always look for pumpkin flavored coffee, breads and baked goods in the fall.
AND from my husband’s ethnic background (Wendish = Hungarian/Austrian) there is a type of cookie called a Kiffle. My favorite bakery where I obtain those is just ending their pumpkin/cream cheese variety for this year. My siblings look for me to gift them with several dozen of those at Christmas, although by then the flavors are different. They are a lot of hard work and although I learned how to make them with my husband’s Tica (aunt) I buy them from a local nationally famous bakery. http://www.kifflekitchen.com/

Sofa Starters:
Snoopy or Scooby Doo? Snoopy – Although I have watched Scoopy Doo on TV, I have followed Snoopy/Charlie Brown comics from my childhood in the comic section of the newspaper plus watched all his holiday movies on TV…even The Great Pumpkin Patch.
Stuck in traffic or grocery store line? Probably the latter as I love to watch people and there is such a variety as you may turn your head and observe many people, even babies and toddlers, waiting in line and then there are all those gossip rags on which you can read how Angelina is mistreating Brad…LOL
Elinor Dashwood or Fanny Price? I have to say Elinor here. Although Fanny is an observer of a small group of people both in her uncle’s house and when she visited back home, her experiences seem more limited in scope. Elinor grew up in one location where her family probably had many more visitors due to their standing in society. Then even with her reduced circumstances she and her family were invited to Sir John Middleton’s house and then to London with Mrs. Jennings so there they mixed in society (for better or worse) and Elinor had in her abilities a much broader range of topics to discuss or observations to make about society. Both women had high moral standards but one was more exposed to general society.
Apple or Pumpkin? Apple – I make an apple pie which one of the girls on my old caseload described as “slammin’”! More apples and a very thin crust and not too much sugar.
Egypt or Greece? Greece: the seat of civilization with all its artwork, ancient buildings, sites of historic value, etc. just seems to have more of interest for me.
Parakeet or Gerbil? I own two parakeets and have owned many over the years: one of which I taught to talk: “Hello, Baby, want a kiss?”, “What’s up, Boss?”, “Cool down, Frank, Frank.”, “I love Sheb” (couldn’t pronounce “Sheila”) and other phrases.

Thanks so much for dropping by, Sheila. You and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving. And be safe out there going home.

And Happy Thanksgiving to all from me and thank you for this opportunity to sit and chat. You have been a gracious hostess to share time with me. Signing off, Sheila

If Sheila’s not hanging out on Goodreads, you can find her at: I share my e-mail address through personal messages on Goodreads but I am not on Facebook although I was on the latter in the past. I am on Twitter (However I don’t pay much attention to that) and have a number of boards on Pinterest. My book reviews are posted both on Goodreads and on Amazon.

Claudine and yours truly, October 30, 2016

There! I have lugged out of the loft storage the last of the outdoor Christmas lights. And yes, somehow during a year of sitting undisturbed they have managed to leave their neat coils around the paper towel rolls (great idea, mom), get tangled, and turn ornery about doing their jobs and twinkling. Sigh…

Coming home to pretty holiday lights in the evening is worth it even if I don’t compete with my neighbors for that coveted award our small city gives out for the home holiday decoration contest (my brother in law, who lives on the other side of town swears its rigged- he’s competitive, nuff said).

But wow, look at the time! Make haste! Make haste! I must snag my skates (which I also dragged down out of the loft) and zip down to Fountain Park and meet my latest sofa chat guest at the Warming Building for a cup of cocoa and a coze while watching the ice-skating fun on our frozen fountain ‘pond’. Maybe she’ll let me entice her out on the ice or maybe she’ll smugly skate circles around my pitiful rusty attempts to stay on my feet (I skate once a decade these days, haha).

My guest is a book lover, lover of Jane Austen, and other shared favs that I hope to get to know so much better through our chat. She has sent me the most wonderful book recommendations and particularly a goodly list of holiday reads. Her encouragement and contributions to our shared GoodReads group, Austenesque Lovers, makes her the most delightful Good Reads Pal.

Howdy, Patricia!
Brrr, right? Come on in out of the cold. I see you found the skating rink and warming shed just fine. They have coffee or hot cocoa at the counter if you would like and I saved us a table here by the window.

Are you a winter lover? What’s winter like in your neck of the woods?

I love the first snow of the season, but after that I dislike the cold. I like the beginning of the winter, with the Holiday preparations (Christmas movies, songs, decorations, etc.) more than winter season when it is really cold (Brrrrrr)! We usually get at least one big snowfall a year that forces people to stay home and we have to shovel our way out! Personally, I am more of a spring lover. I love it when we have warmer weather and the days are longer. I confess that seeing the new plant growth and warmer weather is a big plus for spring.

Are you the type who hibernates in front of the TV with the hockey game on or with a good book or is this your busy time when you’re rarely home?

I will be busy until the beginning of January. Once it gets really cold, however, I am more of the kind to curl up with a good book but instead of a hockey game on TV, I usually have a period drama movie on with my dogs curled up beside me. Oh hey, that totally works for me. I adore period drama and need to catch up on Poldark.


Ahhh, isn't Tricia's dog a sweetie?





Do you have any fun don’t miss holiday or winter activities in your area?

If I had to choose one, the “don’t miss holiday activity” I always do is to go to Byers’ Choice in Chalfont, Pennsylvania to see a one man show of “A Christmas Carol” performed by Gerald Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens! He narrates and takes on the personalities of all the characters, just the same way that Charles Dickens performed it! It is absolutely amazing! Whoa boy! Yes, I had no idea there was this option of enjoying the Christmas classic. Sounds like a blast.
There are other things we do as a family, too. We try to go into NYC some time in December to see the Christmas tree and maybe take in a Broadway show. We also take a day and make my grandparents’ special Christmas cookies. On Christmas Eve we go to a midnight service that ends with everyone holding lit candles while singing, just like from Jane Austen’s time! A candlelight service does strike the right ambience.

Any first-time ever experiences (food, music, activity, show)?

I went to 54 Below, a club in NYC, for the first time in September and loved it! This particular show was performances by Broadway actors who portray Disney Prince’s and they performed all different types of songs. I cannot wait to go back again.





Now, if I remember right, you have a theater job that is in full swing at the moment. I love attending plays and the world of theater so I was thrilled to know you work in one. Would you tell us any fun work stories?


When they had “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” there last year, I found out that I knew two members of the chorus from the high school shows we were in together. It was also during this same show that I talked to, and had a picture taken with, Alan Menken! *Whistles appreciatively*


Tricia With Alan Menken of Disney movie song fame


What play is showing at the moment?
Right now, “The Bodyguard” is having it’s US premiere at Papermill Playhouse! It is an exciting time for everyone!

What was your favorite play to see? Favorite to work?

When it comes to a favorite show to work and to see, there are so many and they both intermingle together!
I especially love working the kids shows and autism friendly performances at the theater. I love seeing a child’s first experience at a theatre…the way their eyes show their excitement. The theater also has special performances that make them accessible to people with disabilities such as the deaf and blind. I try to make sure I work these shows since I enjoy working with people who need accommodations. I also am a subscriber to the open captioned performances for the deaf and hard of hearing. This is what first drew me to the Papermill Playhouse as a place to work. I cannot believe it has been ten years that I have been working here! I would say the highlights would be West Side Story, 1776, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables, Ever After, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. That makes my heart warm to know that there is a place for people of all abilities can go and enjoy a play- and work, too.
Love Thoroughly Modern Millie!!!

LINK: Paper Mill Playhouse
http://www.papermill.org/


Now I want to know about your favorite Broadway experience- show, the theater, if you went to dinner with it.



Anastasia play poster



My love of theatre is so big, that it seems when I am not working a show, I am going into the City to see shows on Broadway. I am so excited for the upcoming musical Anastasia. I saw it twice when it had its world premiere in Hartford, Connecticut. All the members of the cast are so nice!

My Papermill family and I saw “A Bronx Tale” a few weeks ago on Broadway, after it had it’s world premiere at our theater. After the show, we talked to some of the actors who had been at the Papermill – they were so glad that we came to see them!



Trish's Papermill family attending A Bronx Tale



A few weeks ago I waited in the cancellation line for “Hamilton” with my mom from noon until 6:45 one day to get the ticket, which my mom purchased for me as an early Christmas present. The seat was in the center orchestra, Row G. The experience was amazing and I recommend this to everyone to try to see if they are given the opportunity. I had been hesitant about seeing it as it is so different from what I usually like, but I totally enjoyed every minute of the show! I waited at the stage door after the performance to see Christopher Jackson, one of the last original cast members. He was leaving the show (he’s currently on the CBS TV show “Bull”). He didn’t come out that night but I was able to go back another night and saw him afterwards – he couldn’t believe that I did that! It was the best backstage door experience I ever had!


Tricia and Christopher Jackson, actor from Hamilton An American Musical in a stage door Meet and Greet!


My college roommate of two years was a drama major and she instilled in me a love of theater. She must have dragged me to every small town community theater and city theater within a fifty mile radius, and I was able to see the behind the scenes side because she worked as a stage hand as well as acting. I also got the opportunity to promote and cover the theater seasons for two different community theaters when I worked for a small circulation paper. Coincidentally, it was my college drama major roommate who made me fall in love with small town community theater.

What book that you’ve read would you love to see put on the stage?

I read a lot and often think about how a story would be performed on stage or adapted for the movies. I think that North and South, Little Women, and the Hesitant Heiress would make good stage productions.

Speaking of books, and we definitely are- can two book lovers get together and not speak of books? Haha! What are you reading at the moment?

At the moment I am reading The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James, Pride & Prejudice group read on Justjane1813, and The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen. I also am in the middle of reading Victoria by Daisy Goodwin, which I hope to finish by the time the Victoria miniseries airs in January. You can never ask me what “book” I’m reading as I usually am in the middle of quite a few at any given time! Yeah, that's me, too. Never just one in the hopper.


Have you read any good holiday or winter setting stories yet? I know I still have two holiday Austenesque books you recommended that I plan to read in December.

I just finished Christmas with Miss Austen by Laura Briggs. I hope to read more Holiday books as the month goes on, like Regina Jeffer’s Mr. Darcy’s Present.


Always curious about this...How did you come by your love of Jane Austen’s books and Austenesque/JAFF?

I remember being home sick from school when I was in 1st or 2nd grade and my Grandma, whose name was Emma by the way, had the TV on. Unknown to me at the time, it was the Colin Firth’s Pride and Prejudice. I was dozing on and off for the whole movie and saw bits and pieces of it. I remember loving the dances and costumes, and seeing the first proposal scene. I am hearing impaired and was not wearing my hearing aids at the time, so I did not hear what was going on and all I recalled reading at the beginning of the movie was the word Jane in the opening credits. I slept through the ending and I just had to find out what happened. A few years later when I asked my teacher, she thought it was probably Jane Eyre. I recall reading it and being so disappointed and not recalling anything from what I remembered from the movie.

I knew the story had to be a “classic” and started to read as many as I could, hoping that I would eventually find it. Finally, one day when I was in middle school, I was at Barnes and Noble and saw the first DVD release and recognized Colin Firth on the cover! (who would not recognize him? ;) )

I tried reading the book, but it was hard to get into her writing style. I eventually got the DVD and used it as a “guide” to help me read the book. I loved it and brought the rest of her books soon after! Once I got better with reading her style of writing, I was able to read them. I could not get enough of them and bought the movie versions of them too.

When I graduated high school, my mom took me to England as a graduation present and I got “Me and Mr. Darcy” by Alexandra Potter at the airport. On our trip we asked at our hotel about Jane Austen related sites for a side trip and they told us about Chawton House.
Here is where I found out about JASNA. I saw a brochure about the Jane Austen Society UK. I thought out loud how I wished they had one in the US and they handed me a different brochure about JASNA!
I became an annual member for a couple of years before I received the lifetime membership as a gift.

That same summer, I also began reading According to Jane by Marilyn Brant and from that time on, I have been reading Jane Austen books and variations constantly! My personal library consists of hundreds of books by Jane, about Jane, variations of her novels, time period of Jane, etc. etc. etc. :)

It might surprise some people, but I had a really low reading level compared to my classmates, at the time I saw Pride and Prejudice all those years ago. It was by trying to find the name and book version of the movie that was a key factor in why my reading level began to soar and why I am such an avid reader. Jane Austen, and her works, impacted my life in a way that makes me so grateful to her. You have a peach of a story, Tricia.

What type/types of Austenesque story really gets you excited to read it?

I love variations/what ifs stories. When I am not reading a Pride and Prejudice inspired book, I like anything Persuasion and Emma related. It doesn’t matter to me if the book is set in different time periods or settings, but I am not one for the paranormal types of books, though I do like a good ghost story!


Tricia visiting Bath with author and illustrator Jane Odiwe

When we were in England in 2013, we went to Bath and spent the day with Jane Odiwe, an author who lives there some of the time. She gave us a tour of Bath and pointed out different places that she used in her books. It was like we were actually living it and it is an experience that I will always remember!


What has been your favorite TV/movie adaption of Jane Austen’s books or an Austenesque story?

Do you want the short list or long list? Lol. Becoming Jane is one of my favorites! I’ve watched it soo many times that I lost count! It was the first movie I saw in a movie theatre that was Jane Austen related. I know it is not historically accurate, but I love the music and the dances, and the costumes are gorgeous! I am also a huge fan of Anne Hathaway and I love James McAvoy’s portrayal of his character.

Other Jane Austen related movies that I liked are, the 1983 version of Mansfield Park – in my opinion, it is more faithful to the book than any of the others.
The 2009 adaptation of Emma with Jonny Lee Miller and Romola Garai. I love everything about this adaptation.
When we were in England in 2013, we also visited Loseley Park which was Donwell Abbey in this version of the movie.
The 1995 version of Persuasion is another favorite. Out of all of the adaptations I have seen for Persuasion, this is my favorite. Our visit in 2013 to Bath made it seem all so real that I fell in love with the city even more. We even saw a performance of it in Bath by a traveling group from the United States!
And of course, the 1995 Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice! This is my favorite for SO many reasons. It has a special place in my heart since it was the movie that got me into Jane Austen and was one of the things that got me into reading. I have seen it a lot and just appreciate everything about it.


It’s getting down toward the end of the year which makes me want to look back and reflect even as I gear up for a New Year start. What were some of the best books you read this year?

There are a lot of good books that I read this year! I devoured The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor. I think I finished that in two days and I highly recommend it, especially for those who like Titanic. Edenbrooke by Julienne Donaldson is another one. She wrote a novella from the hero’s perspective and I wish she had expanded upon that. I think that The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen is one of the best books that she has written.

I also found two series of books that I think were excellent. The Everstone Chronicles by Dawn Crandall and Amanda Carmack’s Elizabethan Murder Mysteries.

As for Jane Austen related books, I would have to say it is the Subsequent Proposal by Joana Starnes and our group’s read on George Knightley Esquire series by Barbara Cornwaite and Bluebells in the Mourning by Karalynne Mackrory.

Do you have any books you planned to read this year, but didn’t and are determined to get read next year?

I was hoping to finish North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I love the TV miniseries and was hoping to read it. I also have sequels to North and South that I had found but wanted to read the classic first. I keep getting sidetracked with other books and life. I also was hoping to read Julia Quinn’s book Because of Miss Bridgerton and Mercy’s Embrace series. I put that series on hold for 2018. I thought it would be nice to read Persuasion related books during the 200th anniversary year of Persuasion.
That TBR Pile never goes away. Haha! So true!

So, now that I’ve got you nice and toasty warm, do you want to go outside and skate?

I would love to go outside and watch people skate. Unfortunately I have a balance problem and have never been able to skate. Yep, that might interfere with skating. Next time I'll drag you out to the sledding hill. Haha!

Sofa Starters
Ocean or Forest?
That is tough. Can I say both? I like being surrounded by nature when I am out in the forest, but I find that the ocean is very calming for me. I have a hearing loss, and the waves are one of the few things I can hear without my hearing aids.
Gold or Silver?
I like both for different reasons. I love the color gold, but when it comes to wearing jewelry I like to wear silver.
Drama or Comedy?
I would say I am more romance than anything else, but if I had to choose, it would be drama. I like mysteries like Sherlock Holmes and other dramas like the Hunger Games
Board Game or Jigsaw Puzzle?
Though it has been a while since I have done either of them, I would have to say Board Games, especially Checkers and Clue.
Charles Bingley or Edward Ferrars?
Charles Bingley. I like his personality better, how positive and outgoing he is. I also feel he is very honest.
Waffles or Omelette?
Waffles, especially my grandma’s recipe for them!
Laundry or Pulling Weeds?
Laundry - though I like being outside in nature, I don’t like gardening – too many bugs!

Great to have you visit for a chat, Patricia! Thanks so much for being game to my antics.



If Patricia isn’t hanging out here on GoodReads, you can find her at: Twitter LOSTfan2011

February really came fast for me. I've been slacking off on my resolutions a little hard at work trying to fulfill many of my January resolutions and discovered something.
If I want a new, better habit to form, I can't get all drastic about it. I've learned to taper into big changes. Like, let's take eating right. I can do this and do it well if I can also have moments of eating entirely wrong (yep, still had some Christmas chocolate calling my name and whew boy, stressed is Rootbeer spelled forward).

But seriously, I've made strides in the right direction and I'm content because I've made progress and actually still have my list of goals in sight and on my mind. I've hit more goals than not and I'll take that as a win.

Speaking of working on goals, one of my goals was connecting more with folks here on GoodReads in a positive way. One of those ways is my Sofa Chats.




I want to continue on with these so if you don't mind chatting with me here on the blog in the form of a series of casual interview questions, drop me a comment or send me a message to sign up or inquire further.

And another of my goals was reading challenges. I tried the COYER (Clean Off Your E-Reader) Challenge (clever name by the by) for the first time last summer and did the winter challenge and I really made a dent in my older TBR pile books. There is the challenge of course, but also a fun and lively Facebook Group with daily activities that are optional, but oh so encouraging and fun. The three bloggers, Stormi, Berls, and Michelle, who host this challenge do an abso-fab job. So I am giving them a shout out, but also plugging it shamelessly to you all to join. :)

February really is a LOVEly month for me in that I get to celebrate my folks' anniversary, several family birthdays, and it was also the month years ago that I went on a blind date and later married the charmer who is still a charmer (he enables my reading and writing habits).

As I stand here prepping dinner with a new style of chicken and rice one-pan recipe I’ve been playing with involving my recently picked hot peppers and onions (more cumin and garlic, yep, too bland…. Ouchiwawa, juices from the pepper got into a cut on my finger…) and attempt to listen to Lady Susan on my phone with the volume turned up as loud as it will go (oh for sound cancelling headphones), the city guys are working on the sidewalk across the street by breaking up the old concrete first.
Man, there is a cacophony going on between jackhammer, earthmover, and trucks.
How will I ever conduct a chat with my latest guest? Is it polite to offer a visitor to your home earplugs and use semaphore flags to communicate? Haha! Good thing she has already visited once before and her first impression has already been made.

I’m tickled to death to welcome back author Karen Cox for a Sofa Chat in honor of her latest release, I Could Write a Book, an other-era modern Emma retelling.
See, guys, I Could Write a Book was an ongoing future release project when I last chatted with Karen and she got me all jazzed to read it with her hints and descriptions. Now, it’s here! I want to warble on like Miss Bates, but I guess I should finish up this food and welcome Karen to the chaos.

Hey, Karen! *shouts to the lovely lady at the front door* Come on in and let me close out the noise if I can. Sorry about all that. *quieter now with the door closed*
I work with preschoolers, a little noise won’t bother me! (Unless I’m writing, of course :) )

How have you been?
Great! Thrilled, excited, swamped, overwhelmed, nervous…you know, everything an author is when she has a new book coming out!

Four book releases this year, right? A short story for The Darcy Monologues antho (I, Darcy), a novella (The Journey Home), a novel (I Could Write a Book), and now another short story for the Dangerous to Know anthology. Whew, way to go, Karen!
Uh-huh…I think I went a little bit crazy this year- lol

How are you holding up through all that? Any great tips you can pass along now about keeping up with such a writing/release schedule?

I didn’t plan it this way. Both The Journey Home and I Could Write a Book were projects I started some years ago and hadn’t finished. I stopped working on them to put together Undeceived and the “Northanger Revisited short story” in the Sun-kissed anthology. Undeceived, a 1980s Cold War spy novel based on Pride and Prejudice, was pretty intense, research-wise. It took a lot of time, and there wasn’t a lot left over for the other half-finished stories, but I never forgot about them. It’s just been in the last year or so that I’ve had the time and energy to revisit those projects. The Journey Home novella was an experiment of sorts. I didn’t expect people to respond to it the way they have. It’s been a wonderful surprise. Thank you, readers!
If I had to give advice on schedule, I’d say keep the end goal in sight, and then think to the end of the week. Don’t get mired down in the tasks to do in between, or you’ll go crazy. Make lists but don’t obsess over them. Use Scrivener. Keep plugging away. In the end, though, remember to do what works for you. The end in sight... now that is a helpful hint. Lists! My favorite thing. No prob, there!

I was just telling the folks that I was all a twitter over your latest release of I Could Write a Book because we discussed it a tad during your last Sofa Chat visit. What made you decided on an Emma retelling? And why the ‘70’s?
Oh man, now I’m wondering what I said last time! Heh, heh, heh, okay you didn't say anything shocking- just messin' with you.
I’ve always loved Emma, both as a novel and as a character. A lot of readers don’t care for her, but I think she’s marvelous. And the whole novel is brilliant: the unreliable point of view, the dialog, the double-speak of characters like Frank Churchill—it’s just genius—the novel that reads like it’s about nothing, until all of a sudden the whole fabric of Emma’s life unravels.

The title of the 1995 Emma adaptation “Clueless” really sums up the whole novel in one word—it’s the story of how Emma gets a clue. What I love about Austen’s Emma is once she sees her mistakes, she faces them, accepts them, and deals with the fallout. I made it my writing mission for others to see in Emma what I saw in her: strength, independence, vulnerability, and empathy. She loves her friends and family; she just wants them to do what she wants. Who can’t relate to that? Okay, I've not always been an Emma fan, but yes, you are selling her well here....

As for the 70s, it was a time of change in the US culture, of shifting social mores, all against the backdrop of political turmoil from the Vietnam War, and from Watergate.
Austen’s Emma takes its story into an English village, and keeps the big, bad happenings of the outside world off stage, for the most part, but you can see how those changes are infiltrating little Highbury—the Coles aren’t respecting the class boundaries, yet Emma has befriended a girl who is “below” her, all while dissing the man who wants to marry poor Harriet because he is “as much above her notice as below it.” (21st Century reader says “Whaaat?”)
Small, Southern towns in the 70s were a lot like Austen’s Highbury, so they were made for this tale—made for it, I tell you! Preach it, sister!

Oh, before we get much further, may I offer you some bread bowl spinach dip or I have some queso cheese and tortilla chips?
I’m a spinach dip and bread bowl fan, especially if it’s warm. Yep, it was bubbling nicely before I turned off the warming pot so easy does it.

Got a favorite dip?
Smoked gouda dip from the Kroger deli, next county over. I can’t resist it! Oh yeah!

So, the 70’s eh? I remember being stuffed into polyester, scratchy knee-high socks, pretending to be one of Charlie’s Angels, and thinking the roller rink playing Queen and BeeGees was where it was at. What are your memories of the 70’s?

I was born in 1965, so I remember quite a lot: Watergate, avocado green and harvest gold appliances, the US bicentennial, Star Wars, Dorothy Hamill haircuts, gas shortages, Jimmy Carter, John Denver, Watergate hearings on TV, etc., etc. I lived in western New York State from 1970 -1977, and then we moved to Kentucky when I was in sixth grade—a horrific experience to move in middle school, let me tell you. So, take the 70s changes, and add in the culture shock of moving from North to South, and my social growth was stunted for a year trying to figure it all out!

Aside from Emma or Mr. Knightley, who ended up being your favorite character to write for the story?

Miss Bates—she is hilarious! And if you read Austen’s Emma closely, you’ll see how Miss Bates lets the cat out of the bag, or turns a plot point. True that! Mr. Woodhouse was another favorite to write, and surprisingly, Frank Churchill. o_0 Frank? Um alright.... In fact, Frank (his name is Weston in my story) was probably my favorite secondary character. I’ll bet he has an interesting back story.

What scene(s) from Jane Austen’s Emma did you know from the beginning just had to be included in your retelling?

The ball, where Knightley asks Emma, “whom are you going to dance with?” So much happens at that ball; there would be no way to leave it out. A close second would be the set-down at Box Hill. The ball, le sigh...

When translating Austen’s story into a modern era, what elements were difficult because of the nearly 200 years of historical change?

By far the most difficult task—as with resetting any of Austen’s novels—was writing the heroine’s life experiences so they would be relevant in a 20th Century adaptation.
Women’s roles in society have changed so much (thank goodness, for the most part), and an author must take a little artistic license in order to show how a “modern woman” might find herself in an analogous position to Emma’s.
Like I did in Find Wonder in All Things, I used Emma’s own personality and family dynamics to guide her into a place of sheltered privilege that, hopefully, mirrors Austen’s Emma.
To be honest, no matter how an author tries to bridge that 200 years, there will be readers who say “That’s not believable now. A woman wouldn’t be restricted like that now.” I’m just not sure I agree.
People always have constraints—well, let’s call them challenges—based on the time and place they were born, how they were raised, and their own personalities. What matters in life is what people do with those challenges. Austen’s heroines always learn something about themselves, see their mistakes, and THEN they get the happy ending. (Except for maybe Fanny, not sure about her. Or Lady Susan- ha) I think that “hero’s journey” is why Austen’s stories endure, and why we can still learn from them. ha ha, yeah that HEA for those gals is up for debate.

Another real difficulty was the Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax scenario. A secret engagement isn’t going to be scandalous in the 1970s, so what would make sense? What would they have to hide? And why would the folks in Highbury care? I had to really wrap my head around that puzzle for a while, but I think I came up with a pretty nifty solution!

Which ones seemed to translate easily for you?
Emma is perhaps the easiest Austen novel to translate to modern-day stories, because Emma herself is so atypical for her time. She’s financially independent, an unmarried woman who runs her own life—we can relate to that quite readily. The gentlemanly charm of Mr. Knightley slips into any time frame. And the bond between Mrs. Weston and Miss Woodhouse translated easily too. *nods*

And, now that you’ve got I Could Write A Book into the wild, what is something fun and relaxing you have planned for the fall?

I’m taking a weekend trip with a girlfriend to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters house and go to the spa. I’m going to spend some time on my house (it REALLY needs some work!) And I’m going to catch up on my reading. I haven’t had nearly enough time for reading lately. Swell ideas, there!


Sofa Starters:
Red or Yellow? Yellow (sunny, golden yellow is my favorite color ever!)
Ice-Cream or Frozen Custard? Ice Cream-something with caramel in it
Washing the car or washing windows? Washing the car – lots of opportunities to play with the water hose
Miss Bates or Mrs. Bennet? Miss Bates – hands down
Skiing or hiking? Hiking. Have never been on snow skis, and have never been able to get up on water skis. I’ll just walk, thanks…like Elizabeth Bennet.
Jungle or Desert? Hmm…there are snakes both places. I hate snakes! Desert, I think? No mosquitos?
Regency ball or Sixties Sock Hop? Regency Ball – for the attire, and the fun formality of it.

Well, I should let Karen head on back south where I’m sure she has a lot going on as usual. Thanks so much for stopping by and I do apologize once again for the racket out there. We’ll all love the smoother sidewalks, I’m sure.

Oh say… before you head out, would you take a taste and give your opinion on this chicken and rice dish?
Mmm-spicy! Pass the ice water! And hand me another helping.

When Karen’s not hanging around GoodReads, you can find her at:
Website: www.karenmcox.com
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/karenmcox
Visit with Karen on several of the usual social media haunts such as Facebook, (karenmcox1932), Twitter (@karenmcox1932), Pinterest (karenmc1932), Instagram (karenmcox1932), and Tumblr (karenmcox).

If you would like bits of authorly goodness in your inbox once a month (updates, sales, book recommendations, etc.) go here to get Karen’s News & Muse Letter.

Thanks so much for the chat, Sophia! I always have a great time here! You betcha! Return guests are always a treat. So glad you could come today.

Drop by and visit the other stops on Karen's I Could Write a Book Blog Tour:


Laughing with Lizzie ~ September 6 ~ Launch Post & Giveaway

So little time… ~ September 7 ~ Book Excerpt & Giveaway

Book Lover in Florida ~ September 8 ~ Guest Post & Giveaway

~ Austenesque Reviews ~ September 15 ~ Book Review & Giveaway ~

My Love for Jane Austen ~ September 16 ~ Guest Post & Giveaway

Granny Loves to Read ~ September 17 ~ Book Review & Giveaway

My Jane Austen Book Club ~ September 18 ~ Guest Post & Giveaway

Just Jane 1813 ~ September 19 ~ Video Interview with Karen M Cox & Giveaway

Sophia’s Sofa Chat ~ September 21 ~ An Interview with Karen M Cox on Goodreads

Babblings of a Bookworm ~ September 22 ~ Book Review & Giveaway

Silver Petticoat Review ~ September 23 ~ Guest Post & Giveaway

From Pemberley to Milton ~ September 25 ~ Book Excerpt & Giveaway

Margie’s Must Reads ~ September 27 ~ Book Review & Giveaway

Obsessed with Mr Darcy ~ September 28 ~ Book Review

My Vices and Weaknesses ~ September 30 ~ Book Review & Giveaway

Diary of an Eccentric ~ October 2 ~ Book Review & Giveaway

More Agreeably Engaged ~ October 4 ~ Book Excerpt & Giveaway