Hello dear readers, today Austenesque Reviews is paid a visit from a lovely author who may be new to some of you – Laura Chapman, who just 
published a Persuasion-inspired modern-day adaptation, titled The Marrying Type. I hope you enjoy learning more about Laura, her love for Jane Austen, and her new novel, The Marrying Type!
As a Jane Austen enthusiast (and now the author of The Marrying Type, a contemporary re-imagining of Persuasion) I like to sneak Jane tokens into my life and home. It’s a subtle, or in some cases obvious, reminder of an author who has greatly influenced me as a reader and writer.
Plus I just love her, so why wouldn’t I want to have mementos of her around?
If I invited you over for a proper glass of tea, or a not-quite-so-proper bottle of wine, the first place you’d see Jane is in my home office.
The clock on the wall not only helps me keep track of my productivity, it sweetly says, “Tell me not that I’m too late.” More than a clever pun, it’s a line from Captain Wentworth’s letter in Persuasion, which may be one of the most swoon-worthy passages in literature. I found it a few years ago on CafePress, and I am happy to report that it keeps excellent time.
It pairs particularly well with another reminder of the good captain’s great letter. Check out my favorite coffee mug.
Nevermind my shifty eyes and note the words on the mug. With the “You pierce my soul” written plainly across it, this mug offers me inspiration and a much-needed caffeine boost when I wake up early to write.
There’s an Austen overload in my writing nook. Another CafePress find from years past, this pillow represents my original Jane Austen love, Pride and Prejudice.
It has a lovely illustration of Elizabeth and Darcy under a tree with yet another brilliantly romantic Austen line, this one from the proudest gentleman of them all: “If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.” ~ Mr. Darcy
It’s a good thing I have that pillow. In case I ever faint from the poetry of those words, at least I’ll have a comfortable place to fall.
On the wall in the nook, I have this lovely framed image.
This artwork creates a lovely image of a woman waiting on both sides of a ship–perhaps one from seven years before and one after–created out of the first several chapters of Persuasion. My little sister gave this to me as a gift to celebrate the publication of my first novel, Hard Hats and Doormats, and as a bit of encouragement to keep working on The Marrying Type. It is maybe one of the best gifts I have ever received.
Just behind the loveseat, I have a row of hand-painted planters. With five in total, two have quotes from the sisters Bronte (who we won’t talk about now, because today is about Jane) and the other three feature some of my favorite lines from Austen heroes.
The first is another Mr. Darcy quote: “In vain I have struggled, it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I love and admire you.”
The second is more of the Captain Wentworth letter (I stand by my decision to feature this letter so prominently in my hearth and home, because it’s basically everything, right?): “You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I’m too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever.”
Thump. Excuse me while I use that hand P&P pillow and loveseat as my own personal swooning couch.
For the last Austen planter in my home, I have a quote from another one of my favorite heroes, Mr. Knightley from Emma. His is a short, simple, but no less poignant quote: “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
Oh, be still my heart.
While all of these possessions are lovely reminders of my love for Jane Austen, perhaps the two most important homages come in the form of these fur balls.
Meet my cats Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. This photo was taken a few months after my sister and I adopted them in 2007. Of course we named them for two characters in one of our favorite stories. Bing and Jane (who has a lot more fur nowadays) are actually brother and sister from the same litter. Bing was the only orange tabby, and was by far the most charming and agreeable of the bunch. (That could be my bias talking, but I stand by the statement.) As for Jane, not only was she the daintiest of the kittens, she was by far the most beautiful. And though very sweet to those she loves, our Jane can be a bit standoffish.
If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you’ll have a chance to see more of the adventures of my Bing and Jane, who I hope live up to their namesakes.
About the Book
Always the wedding planner, never a bride, Elliot Lynch is famous for orchestrating the splashiest weddings in Charleston, South Carolina. When her father’s sloppy management practices leave them on the brink of bankruptcy, Elliot will do whatever it takes to save the family business. When asked to appear on “The Marrying Type,” a reality TV show about the people behind the scenes as couples exchange I dos, she says yes to the invasion of privacy (and the hefty paycheck that comes with it).
With a camera crew capturing every detail of her life, Elliot faces her most challenging contract yet: planning a wedding where her ex is involved in every part of the process. Add in a lazy assistant, liquor-loving bridesmaid, and rival planner encroaching on her turf, and Elliot’s wedding season goes from high-end to high-stress.
Forced to confront her past, Elliot must live out her troubled present on national TV if she has any hope of saving her future.
Connect with Laura
Website ❧ Blog ❧ Facebook ❧ Goodreads ❧ Twitter ❧ Instagram
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Thank you so much to Meredith for allowing me to stop by Austenesque Reviews today. To celebrate the recent release of The Marrying Type, I will be giving away a paperback copy of Persuasion along with some stationary so you can write your own Wentworth-style letter, or at least a short note to a friend.
To enter this giveaway leave a comment, question, or some love for Laura below!
- This giveaway is open U.S. and Canada. Thank you, Laura!
- This giveaway ends March 30th
I really enjoyed reading this blogpost! I love seeing other people’s collections of
Austenilia!! Since Persuadion is my favorite Jane Austen novel, I can’t wait
to read this contemporary version of the
story. (And thank you for the giveaway.)
Thank you! I hope you enjoy reading it.
Hi there Laura! I’m not eligible to enter the competition, but I just wanted to comment with my admiration for your Austen-y stuff! I really need to get some of that stuff myself. My favourite of Austen’s works is Pride & Prejudice, but Persuasion is second and I agree with you that you can never have too many quotes of that letter… sigh! All the best with your book 🙂
Thanks so much, Ceri! Good luck on expanding your Austen collection!
Hello! I loved reading about your Austen collection! How very fun. Loved the quotes you have on the flower pots. Those are some of my favorite as well. I will look for your books.
All the best,
Becky
Thanks, Becky!
Your collection is delightful and lovely. What treasures. P & P is my favorite. Your quotes are the best ever. Many thanks and best wishes.
Thank you! The definitely make my home complete.
What a lovely post – I feel my spirits elevated on this brisk day!
Thanks, Martha!
I love that clock. So whimsical! Cute kitties!
I would love to read this story. Going on the wish list!
Thank you, thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
Loved The Marrying Type!
I’m so glad. Thank you!
Hi, Laura! I really enjoyed seeing all of your Jane-inspired collection! It was also great to read about your book, especially since I am partial to Persuasion.
Thank you! It’s always a joy to find fellow Persuasion fans!
Laura! Laura! Laura! Anyone who has a special fainting pillow and a personal swooning couch has to be a kindred spirit. What a joy to get to know you a bit. I’m off to get a copy of your book. It sounds as delightful as you do.
Aw thank you! I hope you enjoy TMT. I definitely love my little Austen nook at home.
I just love all of Jane Austen’s books and I would be overflowed with joy just to own one of her book! ~LaKita
Thanks for entering!
I also enjoyed your post, Austen collection, and the quotes. Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite with Persuasion being a very close second.
They’re so good! Thanks for reading.
I have little Jane Austen gems all around my house. They give me comfort and joy. Your book sounds great. I look forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. What’s your favorite Austen gem at home?
Jane Austen Heaven! *heart eyes*
That’s a great way of putting it!
Like Ceri, I’m not eligible to enter the giveaway, either, but just wanted to say how much I covet your collection of Austen related goodies, Laura. I want….no, actually I NEED one of those clocks! None of my immediate family or friends who live near enough to visit would “get” it but I would smile and probably swoon every time I looked at it. That would mean that I also NEED the cushion and couch! Plus a mug from which to drink a reviving cup of tea or several. You’re so right, that letter can never be quoted too much.
There aren’t nearly enough Persuasion-related JAFF works around so I’ll be nipping off to the Kindle store shortly to investigate this one.
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it.
I found most of the Austen swag on Cafe Press. Here’s a link to the clock: http://www.cafepress.com/+too_late_wall_clock,3093206 If I had to pick a favorite piece in my Austen collection (aside from the kittens) this would be the one!
Like Anji, i “need” that clock and am having a conversation in my head as to justifications for buying it as the place I would hang it has a perfectly good clock already…but love the quote.
I did just the same when I saw the clock, Sheila! I have a perfectly good clock, but surely my life would be improved if I had one with a Persuasion quote?!
Well, that made me laugh…kindred spirits!
oh, I soooo need to read this, PLEASE!!!!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
Love how you have items all around your home with Jane Austen’s famous lines… You mentioned that P&P was your first love. What inspired you to write a modern-day Persuasion? Would you consider writing one about P&P?
After finishing the first draft of my first novel, I was looking for a new project, and I started outlining a story about two former loves reconnecting through a wedding. Around this time, I read Persuasion and it immediately clicked that I could combine the two stories. Though I hadn’t intended to do more Austen reimaginings, I’ll admit I’ve been toying with a few ideas on how I could. We’ll see! Thanks for reading!
Sounds like a fun book with a great cast of characters.
Thanks so much!
I loved this post and the quotes are some of my favorites. You gave me a wonderful idea of what to do with some of my flowerpots for planting. Line them up on the steps with those quotes….if I can paint the words as nicely…possibly using a stencil if I can find the time. I love your pillow and mug too.
Yay! I’m always glad to inspire. 🙂 I tried using a stencil on my first go at these flowerpots, but I kept smearing. I’m so messy.
This book is going on my Wish List. I just have too many books “opened”/partially read on kindle to justify buying any others at this time but it sounds delightful. Love all your memorabilia…especially love the cats. My husband is allergic or I would have both a cat and a dog.
I can definitely appreciate that problem, too. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words!