Hello dear readers! I’m very happy to welcome author Sarah Price to Austenesque Reviews today! Sarah is here celebrating her new release, Second Chances: An Amish Retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. If you didn’t already know, this is Sarah’s third novel inspired by Jane Austen. Her other two our 
First Impressions: An Amish Tale of Pride and Prejudice and The Matchmaker: An Amish Retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. Thank you, Sarah, for paying Austenesque Reviews a visit and sharing with us why you love to retell Jane Austen’s novels.
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to devour romance novels. My favorite book in the Little House series was The Happy Golden Years, the book when Laura starts courting Almanzo. Oh, I could have read that book a thousand times (instead of the mere hundred that I did!). Later, I progressed onto more advanced books: Gone With the Wind, Thornbirds, Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice.
There is just something about a love story that catches my attention. And my heart.
Let’s face it…Growing up, most of us dreamed about our Prince Charming. We modeled our “ideal” after characters on television, in movies, or in books. In our minds, we morphed our favorite characters and created Mr. Right who would whisk us off our feet and carry us to 
happily ever after.
Unfortunately, Disney does not have sequels to their Cinderella-esque stories.
Oh, to curl up with a romance novel, one that is rich in character development, setting, and dialogue! To watch (in our minds) the development of a relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is truly a treat. To see Emma make her predictable mistakes in matchmaking certainly makes us want to reach into the pages and give her a good shake. And to feel the heartache of Anne and Frederick Wentworth as they struggle with old emotions that never died is bound to bring tears to the readers’ eyes.
When I retell these amazing classics by Jane Austen, it amazes me how the storylines and characters are simply timeless. People love in so many different ways. Regardless of whether the characters are in early 19th century England or current day Lancaster County, the stories do not change.
What does change is the writing. My goal is to make the reader feel as if he or she is there, 
walking alongside my characters and feeling the same emotions that Jane Austen so masterfully evoked through her craft of words. Since my main genre is the Amish community, it can become quite the challenge to stay true to Austen’s storyline while remaining accurate and respectful in the transference of the setting to Amish culture and religion. And challenges, for the writer AND the reader are wonderful fun.
Jane Austen’s romances extend far beyond the pages of a novel; they hold our hearts in a way that movies simply cannot do. Our imagination creates images and develops emotions that are unique to us, as individuals and as readers. Her novels prove that the reach of romance simply cannot be restrained.
Thank you for sharing, Sarah! Jane Austen’s stories are timeless and I can’t wait to see how you tackle the challenges of remaining true to her characters while retelling these stories in such a specific setting.
Connect with Sarah
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today Sarah brings with her ONE ebook copy of Second Chances for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!
To enter this giveaway, leave a question, a comment, or some love for Sarah below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Sarah!
- This giveaway ends June 1st!
I have read dozens of variations of Pride and Prejudice and I now want to read about Persuasion because I absolutely love it. It would be good to start with a story so far from the 19th English story.
Thank you for organising the giveaway!
Jane Austen goes Amish–love it! I thought I was being unique writing a Darcy/Lizzy set during WW1.
Sarah’s series will be on my ‘to read’ list. Thanks!
I really like the idea of an Amish setting.
In some ways, it seems closer to Jane
Austen’s England and that society’s
acceptable code of courtship. I definitely
want to read this. Thank you for the
giveaway!
These Happy Golden Years was also my favorite book in the beloved Little House series!
Persuasion is my favourite together with pride and prejudice. Would love to read ajnamish retelling, as I’ve never done so.
Sarah, my question would be what did start you to write stories set in the amish community?
katrin
I have never read one of Sarah’s books of Jane Austen in Amish Lancaster County. I can understand how the storyline would translate well. Thank you for the giveaway!
Hi! I finished First impressions yesterday, and I really enjoyed it! It was my first book set in the Amish community, and it was interesting to read about the Amish lifestyle. I liked how the author adapted Pride and Prejudice, and how she described Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Mr Bennet (and Bingley is sweet as always…).
Persuasion is my favourite Jane Austen’s novel, so I’d love to read Second chances.
Thank you to Meredith and Sarah for the opportunity!
Ah yes, These Happy Golden Years was a favorite of mine too along with Anne of the Island. I love the settings on these retellings. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
It’s a very interesting setting for sure. How accurately does his portray Amish life? How would an Amish person respond to reading this? I would like to read this variation in some ways but I don’t want to come away with an inaccurate view of the people. Yes it’s fiction but mentally I don’t want to get confused. I hope that comes across the way I meant it.
Thank you for offering this giveaway, Sarah, and for sharing with us why retelling JA novels is important to you. I’m so glad to see more Persuasion adaptations popping up! Anne’s silent yearning and fidelity strike a chord with so many of us.
I have the first book (Fist Impressions) and it was wonderful and I would love to have the rest of the series! ~ LaKita in TN
I’ve never read an Amish novel but I will read one of yours for sure! I love that it’s a Jane Austen retelling!
This book sounds so lovely!
i’ve read your first book and loved it. your editor gave me her copy just so i could read it. love the way you write.
I’m like Loren– I don’t think I’ve ever read an Amish novel, and for some reason I haven’t been attracted to them. But having these with an Austenesque twist? I’m totally game. Thanks for writing these and for the giveaway!
Love me some Sarah Price books!! Finished the Whoopie Pie Sisters series…big love for that! And read the INCREDIBLE Plain Fame Series before that which left me wanting so much more! Would love to try the Jane Austen series. I’m officially a Sarah Groupie! 🙂
I love Sarah’s books!!! Thank you for the opportunity to win one of her great books!!!
I won a copy of Sarah’s “The Matchmaker” & didn’t realize it was part of a series until I saw on the cover that it was book two! So I would love to have a copy of “Second Chances” to add to it 🙂 I really like the idea of an Amish retelling of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” , it would be an interesting twist! Thank you for the chance to win and for the interview.
I have never read Jane Austen books but have seen the movies. After reading your thoughts not only do I want to read your books but the originals also. I do hope I win a free one.
Would love to read this book. Sounds like a great take on Jane Austen and her brilliant writing. Reading the story set in Amish land will be quite interesting and I would be honored to read it. I love your writing style and how your characters come alive with great compassion.
I like a different take on classic novels.
Hi ladies. I am looking forward to reading Sarah’s books, I’ve been meaning to try a book set within an Amish community for so long, and for it to be Austen-inspired is even more enticing. Thanks for the giveaway.
A great giveaway for summer reading. Thank you for a chance to win.
This looks like a fun novel. Would love to win and read! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Austen’s novels transcends time and can be based in so many different time periods. Looking forward to reading your novels and how you incorporate the story line in the Amish community.
“Persuasion” is my favorite of Jane Austen’s books, so when it comes to reading variations, I can’t get enough of ones based upon Anne and Frederick. I look forward to reading this one, and would be so happy to win a copy of it. Thank you for the giveaway!
I love to read all books by Sarah Price
I love Sarah’s books. Thanks for a chance at winning
What a great post! So insightful! I have yet to read one of Sarah Price’s books, but if I can find the same emotions of these words in her stories, I need to get to them immediately!
Having never read any Amish story before, I’m interested to know about the culture. I feel that Jane Austen’s novels can translate to any culture as she is a master at portraying character traits and human behaviour and attitudes doesn’t change much.
I so agree, Meredith. The Happy Golden Years was read so much the pages are falling out of the binding. Thank you so much for the list monthly.
Ooopa. Sorry. Posted front he wrong post. This should have been to the moat recent on new books released in May.
I love all the P&P variations our there. I am looking forward to reading this variation on Persuasion. Thank you for the generous give away.
I haven’t read any of this author’s books, but have read a couple of Amish-based novels.
I haven’t read any of Sarah Price’s books. The premise of retelling Jane Austen’s stories in an Amish setting is intriguing.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Always sending my love for my good friend Sarah. You’re awesome Sarah. Continued success. Blessing and hugs for you.