Everyone welcome avid Austenesque reader, Candy! I can’t remember how Candy and I met online, but I know we’ve been online friends for over 3 years now. She is one of my dear blogging buds and a super kind and lovely friend!
You: Tell us about yourself
Hi! I’m Candy and I live in Southern California. You might know my from my blog, So little time… I have five kids, three of which are adults. Of the two I still have at home, one goes to school and the other I homeschool.
Your Induction:
- When and how did you discover the Austenesque/JAFF genre? I was in a bookstore about 7 years ago, when I noticed a copy of The Darcys and The Bingleys by Marsha Altman. I was amazed that someone had written a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Of course, I bought it, and after that I was out to find more!
Your Habits:
- Around what percentage of your total reads a year are Austenesque novels? The past few years about 50% of my reads are Austenesque. Although this year it’s been less.
- What is your favorite time of day to read? I mostly read at night, but occasionally I get to read in the afternoon and I love that.
- What is your favorite place to read? On the futon upstairs or the reclining chair near the front
window.
- What do you like to listen to when you read if anything? No, I like it perfectly quiet, which is hard to do in my house, and one reason I read at night when it’s quiet.
- What do you like to drink or eat when you read if anything? Hot tea or kombucha.
- Do you read more than one book at a time ever? No, I never read more than one book at a time, except for school or devotions.
- Do you ever read the ending of a book first? NO! No spoilers for me.
- Do you ever reread? I used to re-read all the time. Now I have so many books to read I never seem to find the time.
Your Collection:
- Collectively around how many Austenesque works do you own? About 227. Thank goodness for goodreads!
- Where do you store your Austenesque collection? A bookshelf near my reading spot and on my kindle.
- What format are most of your Austenesque books in – paperback, ebook, or audiobook? I counted 148 in paperback.
- How many Austenesque books are currently in your TBR at this moment? Out of the 227 books, I have about 81 unread.
Your Faves: I cannot name a favorite! There are far too many that I love! But I can name my favorite Darcy, Matthew Macfadyen.
Your Desert Island 5: You are about to be stranded on a desert island for unspecified amount of time you must select what you will bring
- Five Austenesque Books Oh, only five…hmm…
- Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise
- From Lambton to Longbourn by Abigail Reynolds
- Rainy Days by Lory Lilian
- a nice long one like, Fate and Consequences by Linda Wells
- a modern one like My BFF by Ruth Phillips Oakland
- I know you only said five, but there is one I’ve wanted to reread for a while now and I’d like to grab that one too! No More Tears by L.E. Smith. Thanks!
Would You Rather?:
- Live in Bath or live in London? I think Bath. I’m not much of a big city girl.
- Be besties with Eleanor Tilney or Georgiana Darcy? Georgiana Darcy
- Dance every set at a ball or go horseback riding through the countryside with friends? Dancing!
- Marry Edmund Bertram or Edward Ferrars? Hmmm, neither I think.
You Right Now:
- What Austenesque novel(s) are you currently reading at the moment? I’m about to start Holidays with Jane by Jennifer Becton, Melissa Buell, Rebecca Fleming, Cecilia Gray, Jessica Grey, and Kimberly Truesdale
- What Austenesque novels are on your wish-list? Austensibly Ordinary by Alyssa Goodnight, Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay and The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su, to name a few.
- What type of Austenesque novels do you like best? I love Pride and Prejudice variations the best. I love the chase! I love seeing Elizabeth and Darcy in different situations, but ultimately always ending up together.
- Where can we find you?
So Little Time… Twitter Facebook Goodreads
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Because Candy has a kind and generous heart, she would like to hold a $15 Amazon gift card giveaway for one lucky reader to win!
To enter this giveaway, leave a question, a comment, or some love for Candy below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide!! Thank you, Candy!
- This giveaway ends November 19th!
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Want to see some more Ardent Austenesqe Admirers? CLICK HERE!
I always like to see which novels one would take to a deserted island. I agree with the ones you have listed, but I have not read No More Tears. I would definitely purchase it with your generous gift. It is always so reassuring that I am not the only JAFF reader. Thank you for the interview.
Hi Eva! Unfortunately, No More Tears is not in print anymore, but you can still read it online. I believe Meredith has linked it up to Smith’s website. Thanks!
Hey, Meredith let me know this conversation was happening. You can still buy No More Tears through CreateSpace. There is a link below. I’ve actually done a little more editing with my MIL (she’s freak’n amazing as a proofreader!) and plan to revise it to fix those little errors and then put it up on Amazon and on Kindle. To this point, I’ve never made a penny on my books, either pricing them at cost or donating the proceeds to charity. Having a son studying to be a band director will likely mean I will change my model slightly, but only if it means No More Tears would still be available for free online somewhere.
Linnea, yesterday Monica P. tweeted me the link to your site with your stories. I have long been a fan, but didn’t know of your earlier works. I am at chapter 20 and the epilogue right now. It is truly a wonderful story and aptly titled. Please let us know via Facebook or my email at jdawnking at gmail dot com when it is available on Amazon. Thanks so much. And, thank you too Candy for mentioning it.
I’m very happy to hear you will be putting your work up for sale on amazon! 🙂 Will definitely keep my I out for it! 😉 That’s awesome that your son is studying to be a band director! WOot for Music Education Majors! We need more!
I, too, have never read this book and am having a problem with Amazon’s Wish List page so will have to look it up with the link.
I’m always surprised when I read this ardent austenesque admirer articles! Since I’m a young girl I imagine all of you like young and beautiful woman…Candy, you have five kids! I’m so impressed that you can follow your hobby, have a blog and a family too! I think I can’t be so strong as you! I admire you and the other austenesque mother as well!
Hi Loren! Well, I am young at heart! My kids keep me young, although I think I like going to Disneyland more than they do! 😉 It’s not easy getting everything I want to do done, but I try! This year has been more difficult with having one kid in school. I’m spending more time in the car than I like. I think I need to start buying audiobooks! 🙂
Candy, for some reason I imagined that you would have a whole wall filled with bookcases with books spilling out of the shelves, a table with a tea set and a wine bottle (and glasses), and a candy dish over-filled with Belgium chocolates. Where do I get these mental pictures?
Thank you so much for giving us a peek into your reading nook and your selections. I really enjoy reading the reviews on your blog and have picked up some very good non-JAFF reads from your recommendations. It’s got to be hard to find the time to blog with a plate that’s so full, but I appreciate that you follow through.
Awesome choice for an interview, Meredith.
Hi Joy! You’re only seeing one of my bookcases, which is two-thirds filled with Austenesque books! Well, two if you count that little one in the corner. 😉 Your mental picture isn’t to far off! Lol! I do like tea, wine and chocolates. A lot. I have tea and chocolate everyday, and occasionally red wine.
Thanks for stopping by, here and on my blog too! It’s also been fun doing some online classes with you!
Thanks for opening this window into your life! I love the skull poster in the first image; Día de los Muertos imagery a big have of mine. I’m always amazed at the depth and breadth of JAFF these days; haven’t read any of your desert-island books yet. Time to get cracking . . .
Hi Abigail! You’re welcome! I love my poster too! I love how colorful the sugar skulls are. Oh, yes, you should read the books I have on my desert-island list. Most of them are from when I first started reading JAFF, before I had my kindle, and you had to wait until the next book came out! I would reread these over and over. Now, there are so many JAFF books out there, I can’t keep up.
Hello Candy! It is a pleasure to meet you and hear what started you on the road to all things Jane! I have read Marsha Altman’s series up to “The Ballad of Gregorie Darcy”. I have the rest of her series on my wishlist. Have you read all of hers yet? I will have to check out your blog as well. Where you find the time to blog and read and raise a family is commendable! Thank you so much for your generosity too!
Hi Carole! It’s a pleasure to meet you too! You know, I haven’t read anymore of Marsha Altman’s books! Crazy! I have the next two in her “The Darcys and the Bingleys” series, but haven’t got around to reading them. Like I said above, I can’t keep up! And books on my TBR piles get moved about and get lost in the shuffle. Plus, my reading time is limited! 🙂
Jealous of the bookshelf collection you have there Candy. And love the sugar skull painting. I was in Oaxaca Mexico last dia de los muertos for a school practicum and loved all the colors and catrinas everywhere. I’ve gone to kindle format for a lot of my books so save space but there are over 100 stories on my TBA list between online only and published ones, so I’m looking forward to the semester being over and getting back to D&E! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Colleen! A while back, I tried to stick to buying mostly Kindle books, but I started to miss my paperbacks. Plus, if a Kindle book cost about the same as a paperback…forget it. I have to buy the paperback. Ooh, me too! Can’t wait for Christmas break, Spring Break, Summer Break…ALL the breaks! Lol!
Hi Candy! I love your sugar skull art, too. What does kombucha taste like? I was going to buy some juice that had that in it but I’d never had it before, so decided not to.
I always love seeing people’s Desert Island 5. Ehat a tough decision! No More Tears is definitely among my most re-read JAFFs. Read it bunches of times and I still tear up at the same places every time!
Hey Monica! Kombucha is a fermented drink that has like an effervescent vinegar-wine-ish taste to it. I don’t know… LOL! But, I like it. Plus, it’s good for you. I have friends who make it, but I buy it bottled. One less thing to do! 😉
Oh, yes, the desert-island 5 is definitely hard! I would want to grab a duffle bag full and would probably drown trying to get all my books to the island. haha! I remember that you like “No More Tears” too! 🙂
Thank you, Meredith, for hosting me on your blog today! It’s been fun! I’ve enjoyed meeting new people too!
I don’t remember how we met either, except for visiting your lovely blog and maybe on facebook. I remember thinking your blog was the best, and if mine could be half as good as yours I’d be happy. (Still, hoping for that actually! LOL! 😉 ) I’m so happy we became friends!!
Thank you, Candy, for wanting to visit!!! I’m so happy to share your post with everyone. 🙂 I’m thrilled we became friends and I love visiting your blog, it is such friendly and welcoming place!! I love checking out your reviews and W..W..W..s!
Fun to be invited into your reading area and learn more about you as an Austenesque book lover, Candy. Marsha’s book was one of my first Austenesque grabs too. I went a bit crazy when Sourcebooks released all those sequels and variations. Your cozy reading area is adorable. I’m not familiar with a couple of the books you mentioned so I’ll have to check them out.
Hi Sophia Rose! My reading area, in no way, compares to you reading area and your BEAUTIFUL wall bookcase!! Now, that’s something I would love to have! Thanks for stopping by!
You have a lot more Austen fiction than I but I’m working on my collection. I too would prefer Bath but I think London visits would be nice.
Hi Robyn! I’ve been working on my collection for a while now! 🙂 I agree, I would love to visit London, but live in a smaller town. Thanks for stopping by!
I would love to get my hands on your bookshelves Candy ! I think I have an impressive collection of paperbacks and ebooks, but I don’t have them all, so it would be fun to read from someone else’s bookshelf selection 🙂 Thank you for your generosity for the giveaway !
Hi Nicole! I don’t have them all either! LOL! There’s always room for more, right? (not according to my husband!) You’re welcome! Good luck!
Candy, Monica P., or Meredith. I looked on Amazon for “No More Tears”. Not there. Is it on one of the forums? You have me curious.
I think I first read it on dwiggie.com but it’s also available on Linnea’s website, along with her other stories.
http://www.desertmusings.net/les/
I found it on Createspace! https://www.createspace.com/3382956
And Candy, I had no idea who the author was until I went to her blog! I didn’t recognize the author name! But she is in our facebook group!
Oh! Awesome! Thanks, Meredith! Yes, I knew Linnea was in our group. I met her in Phoenix a few years ago when I went to meet Kara Louise and Mary Simonsen for lunch. It was really funny, I didn’t realize she was an author also. When I figured it out, and asked about her book, I realized I had already read her story online! Amazing! I bought a paperback from her, and of course had her sign it! So fun! I love meeting fellow Janeites!
Joy, you can also read the story on Linnea’s website. I think the title is linked to it.
I still have a photo of all of us from lunch that in front of the D’Arcy pub!
Hi Linnea! Me too! That was such fun! I wish we could do it again some time, unfortunately, I moved to California!
I’m so glad your going to put “No More Tears” on Amazon. Yay!
Good job as always, Meredith! Loved your interview, Candy, and it was great to see your reading space and books! I will be looking for ‘No More Tears’. You have piqued my interest.
Thanks for sharing. It is always nice to learn more about fellow Janites and bloggers.
Thanks, Janet! Meredith has a fantastic blog here, and she always has the best ideas!
I’m always happy to introduce readers to excellent JAFF, and “No More Tears” is a good one! =D
Thanks for stopping by, Janet! I’m so glad you enjoyed Candy’s post! I’m so glad she introduced us to No More Tears too! Since I don’t read works online this was completely under my radar! 🙂
Hi Candy! I don’t know how you find time to read with all that you do at home! I can only imagine how much you must enjoy curling up with a good book. I’m with you about not marrying either Bertram or Ferrars. Too wishy-washy. I have to admit that I’ve always been curious about Col. Fitzwilliam.
I have too Mary…except I don’t have the fortune to tempt him…LOL
Hi Mary! I know, and this yea’rs been a little harder with my daughter going to high school. It’s getting up early that’s the biggest problem!! LOL! I’m not an early riser, and most of my reading time is at night. So for now, no reading late into the night. So sad.
Oh, I would take Col. Fitzwilliam! Fortune or no!! 🙂
Wow, you deserted island reads are all new to me. Thanks so much- I can’t wait to dive into those gems! (and I’m also a big fan of P&P retellings…thank goodness there are a lot of them)
Hi Beth! I have so many favorites, it was hard to pick just five. I think it depends on my mood at the moment. The ones I did pick are some of my original faves. These were the ones I reread the most, because that’s all I had, and I had more time to reread books. Darcy’s Voyage I have in the original title, Pemberley’s Promise, but I wanted to list it the way it is now. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 🙂
Yes, I have the original title and often will just re-read my favorite scenes, i.e., when Elizabeth arrives at Netherfield to nurse Jane and did not expect to meet Darcy there. Or “Mr. Right” scene with Jane exposing Lizzy’s love for him.
Sheila, Ooh, I love that part, too! Oh, if I only had more time!! I would reread it right now! lol 🙂
I just may as my bedtime story….LOL…no, really!
I just searched Goodreads and Amazon for No More Tears by L.E. Smith. and was about to ask where to find it but I see others have already anticipated me! 🙂 Big hi to Candy, I’ve been following you on GR and FB for a while now and really enjoy your reviews. These Ardent Admirer blogs are fun!
Hi Brenda! Thank you! I agree, these Ardent Admirer posts are fun! I love seeing everyones collections and reading space. Maybe, finding a book that’s new to you! That’s always a bonus!
I love the pictures everyone sends in of their reading spaces too! 🙂
Love reading how you got started on reading Austen novels. There’s a few books that I’m not familiar with and look forward to adding them to my TBR list.
Hi Dung! Thanks! I’m happy I could help you find books to add to your TBR list! 🙂
Hi, Candy. It’s nice to know a fellow Austenesque reader and blogger. Thanks for showing us a peek into your bookcase filled with fabulous JAFF books. I recognised some of those novels. 🙂
Hi Sylvia! I enjoy your blog too! Thank you for always mentioning JAFF giveaways of fellow bloggers on your site! I appreciate it!
I’m sure many of the books on my bookcase are familiar to you! 😉
Nice to meet you Candy!! Wouldn’t it be fabulous if we could just turn life off for a few hours and just read? That’s my fantasy anyway. LOL Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Stephanie! Nice to meet you, too! I would love to turn life off for a few hours and just read! That would be awesome! 🙂
Hi Candy! What a lovely interview! 🙂 Thank you for sharing something about you with us! I have been following your blog for some years and I love it! Since it’s on your wishlist, I’ll tell you to read “Dear Mr. Knightley” as soon as you can. I found it was wonderful! 😉 Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Hi Maria! Thanks for the kind words! Oh, I DO need to get “Dear Mr. Knightley” I’m sure I would like it. From what I’ve read about it, it seems like it is similar to “Daddy Long Legs” and I loved that story! <3
Hi Candy! glad to have to know you!. You´re an inspiring woman because having 5 kids you find time (so little? LOL) to write your blog and read the lots of novels you have in your very neat bookshelf!! WOW!. Bravo 🙂
I have a friend who went these summer holidays to Southern California and she enjoyed a lot. She told me that people of California are gentle and very lucky to have the Pacific Ocean so near because they can witness the beauty of dawns and twilights!. For a person, like me, who lives in Madrid (in the very centre of Spain) the ocean or the sea is not a privilege LOL!.
Thanks for sharing your opinions and, in my case, don´t put me for your generous giveaway because I don´t buy in Amazon, I´m still the classic one who likes to buy books in the bookshop and enjoys touching the covers! LOL
Hi Teresa! You got it! That’s why I titled my blog “So little time…”! But you have to realize, three of my kids are grown and out of the house, so I don’t have five little kids running around the house. That would be exhausting!! Lol! Homeschooling takes up some time though.
Madrid! Wow! I love that we can become acquainted from such a far distance, and have a mutual friend… Jane Austen.
How lovely that you still shop at bookstores! I love to touch the covers too, but I have to be honest bookstores overwhelm me.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
I don’t spoil books either! Thanks for the chance!
Hi Michelle! The only time I might look ahead is if I’m not liking the story and want to see if it’s going to get better…to see if it’s worth my time!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Ahhh, Candy! I know Darcy’s Voyage would be in good company with you and the other books on the desert island. 🙂
Hi Kara! Thanks! Right now I would love to be lost on a desert island! Just me and Mr. Darcy. 🙂 (It’s been one of those days that you just don’t get anything done and you can’t seem to focus on anything. Frustrating.)
Hi, Candy. It’s so nice to learn more about you. I found 2 books I need to check out: BFF & No More Tears. I enjoy reading the posts on your blog. Thank you for the generous give away.
Hi Deborah! Thanks! I enjoyed your Ardent Admirer post too! It’s wonderful to find a new story! I’m so glad I could help! 🙂
I forgot to mention that I love your neat bookshelves.
I really enjoyed reading this, Candy and Meredith! Love the book shelves in your reading area, too!
So glad to hear that, Cassandra! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Hi Cassandra! Thank you! 🙂
I so enjoyed getting to know you better, Candy. And I love when I get to take a peek at someone else’s bookshelf. Pride and Prejudice variations are my favorite too, but unlike you, I always have about four books going at one time!!:) Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kelli! Oh! I don’t know how you do it! I can only focus on one book at a time! I’m not very good at multi-tasking either! :/ Lol!
Always lovely getting to know other fellow Janeites, yet a few more titles I have not heard of thanks! Reading the comments its been lovely to have ‘No More Tears’ brought to my attention. Wow five kids I am in awe 🙂
Hi Tamara! Yes, I enjoy meeting fellow Janeites also! I hope you get a chance to read “No More Tears”! I think you would like it. I love having a big family! I especially love it when we are all together! 🙂
No More Tears is one of my absolute favorite Austenesque lit! It has enough genuine growth in all of the characters and it was such a moving and emotional experience for me to read… Very lovely work. And I loved the rest of your book choices, Candy! You’ve got great taste 😉
Hi Sienna! Yay! I’m so glad you love “No More Tears” too! I really need to reread it soon!
Thank You! It’s so nice to meet you! 🙂
So nice meeting you. I admire your energy. I have not followed your blog but it seems I will have to start that. I printed off Meredith’s blogs she follows list long ago but just seem to be so busy even though I am retired. You are ahead of me with JAFF books but I have gone a long way this year to catching up and posting reviews of all those on Amazon. These interviews make me sooooo wish we all lived closer so we could visit and share not only books but a glass of wine a cuppa tea or some dark chocolate! I have never been to California but the state often makes the news, especially with nature’s events, but also with all the big names out there. And homeschooling – WOW – I would have not had the patience with my own children that I had with others when I did teach. Thanks for sharing…now off to find that book.
Hi Sheila! Nice to meet you too! Oh, it would be so nice to get together, and have a glass of wine and talk books! Lovely really! Homeschooling is awesome! I love the relaxed atmosphere of it. I have not taught high school grades though. It’s doable, but I’ve not wanted that responsibility. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Sorry I am so late to the party. *drops a most proper curtsy* Candy, I love your top 5 books to take on a desert island. Most would be on my list too! I wish Ruth Phillips Oakland would write another book! My BFF is one of my faves too.
I have never tried kombucha, but I do have a friend back in GA who started making and selling her own.
Loved your answers. Thanks so much for sharing more about yourself. 🙂
Hi Jakki! You’re always welcome – late or not!! 🙂 It’s hard to pick a top 5, isn’t it! I have way too many favorites! I’m sure I’m not the only one. 😉
I’ve thought about making kombucha, but honestly I don’t need another thing to do! Lol! Thanks for stopping by!
I love to look at people’s bookcases. I have The Darcys and The Bingleys, too, and one of her other books. Wow! You have lots of Austen books. I have more than I thought I did. I have at least 49, but that doesn’t include four non-fiction books or the mysteries by Carrie Bebris and Stephanie Barron. I keep track of them by index card and list them by author, like an old library card catalog system.
I do read more than one book at a time and I look at the ending (but I also read mysteries so sometimes I can’t stand not knowing who the murderer is). I love Amazon gift cards.
Hi Candy, sorry that I’m so very late with my comment. It’s so nice to “meet” you. Knowing more about you and other Austen Admirers makes reading all the comments even more interesting. Best Wishes!
Thank you, Meredith, for this wonderful series!!