Hello readers! I am very excited to welcome back Jeanna Ellsworth, author of a newly released Regency romance titled, Inspired by Grace, to Austenesque Reviews today! I am thrilled to have this opportunity to interview Jeanna again; our last interview took place in August 2013 following the release of her first Austenesque novel, Mr. Darcy’s Promise! Now four books later, Jeanna has graciously agreed to return and answer my questions about life, her writing, and her newest release, Inspired by Grace!
Jeanna, I know you just days ago returned from the most fabulous trip to England, so I’m afraid my first question has to be: how incredible was your trip? Besides the wonderful sites and meetings of friends, did you see or learn anything while there that could be inspirational to your writing? 
Oh, heavens! That could be a book by itself! I will try to keep it brief. Some fun things I learned very quickly was that “trash” is called “rubbish”. You should not say “my pants are dirty” because that implies you have dirty underwear. When you need a restroom you need to ask where the “toilets” are and the amount of public restrooms found is about 10% of what it is in the U.S. so make use of them if you see one. I think the best investment 
I made was instead of buying the family entrance at the first estate (Basildon) that I toured, I chose to buy a year membership to all the National Trust estates which meant 4 or more spontaneous stops to see estates that were not on my itinerary. I learned once I saw Bath, I wished I had planned on two full days there. It was so amazing! I did some really fun writing on the way to England on the plane. But most of the new inspiration came from realizing just how much England values history, culture, art, and the performing arts because not only are all the museums in London FREE, but the price of theatre performances are about 20-60$ each for Broadway level productions. I learned that strangers wish you “good morning” 
(pronounced “gooud moooaaahhnin”) as if they have been lifelong neighbors. Some of my favorite moments were reading Pride and Prejudice from my phone in Hyde Park listening to the 2005 soundtrack, seeing Chatsworth (2005 Pemberley)––especially the maze!!, sitting at the charming bed and breakfast as the sun goes down reading Cassandra Grafton’s book that takes place in Bath, the Butterfly garden by the Natural History Museum, Warner Brother’s Harry Potter Studio tour, and Stourhead Gardens (Site of 2005 Hunsford botched proposal scene). But last of all, I learned that I have to start saving immediately for a chance to go back!
Your trip looks fantastic! Good tip about the National Trust estates – will have to remember that! I was so excited when I learned that Inspired by Grace was a traditional Regency romance! I love meeting new characters and found Grace and Gavin to be instantly likable. What inspired your creation of this story and these characters?
No matter how hard I tried to keep Darcy like every other JAFF book or like canon, I always had a hard time making him seem rude or impersonal so my Darcy’s always tended to be a little softer and a little more likable. I don’t think I have a natural tendency towards humor or sarcasm so it was always a challenge to write Elizabeth Bennets that were super witty or impertinent so my Elizabeths tended to be a bit different than canon also. I always enjoyed writing new characters (Serafina, Mrs. Wilkinson, Madeline, etc.) that were never in canon and many people would comment on them in the reviews. One day I was looking 
at my teenage daughter, Paige, and thinking how she could be a strong female lead. She was smart, confident, had been through a lot of hard things, and had some fun quirkiness to her personality that could be perfect idiosyncrasies for a new character. In short, I thought her strengths were awesome, and her weaknesses lovable, so I wrote a plot outline for a new book. Some things are different than my daughter, for example, my daughter never makes up silly swear words, but some of the littlest things inspired me like the fact that Paige twists her ankle all the time! This particular quirk of hers was the opening scene in Inspired by Grace. It was nice to think of a real person as I wrote, which kept the characters consistent. As luck had it, I was able to not only have Paige model for the cover, but was also able to publish it on her 18th birthday! How many moms say they gave her daughter fame for their birthday and wrote a book as a gift!
That is a wonderful gift to give! I love hearing all the ways Paige inspired your creation of Grace! This is your first non-Austenesque novel published, correct? How did it feel to step away from familiar characters and canon and create your own? Having written several stories about Darcy and Elizabeth, did you find it freeing or challenging to write about other characters?
This was my first attempt at an original work. I found creating a good history for the characters was not difficult and really rather fun and yes, freeing. What was challenging was making sure that the reader would fall in love with the characters from the very beginning so that when the conflict came, they did not throw the book down in disgust. I had to make sure the reader was emotionally invested in seeing it to the end. This was what I was most worried about because all the Pride and Prejudice variations I’ve written had Darcy as the main character. Most of my readers were already in love with Darcy before they even purchased the book so to make the reader love him was not a challenge. It was also a bit challenging keeping all the characters straight. The main ones were easy but the secondary characters like Mr. Silence, Mr. Broadbent, Winston, etc. got confusing at times. I kept a running log of who all the characters were and what they were like as I wrote the book so I could keep it straight. I was surprised that by the end I had almost 20 original characters on the list that I was keeping track of.
That is a lot! Good thing you made a list! In all your stories I have always found an important and inspiring message or theme. In Mr. Darcy’s Promise
it is patience and keeping promises, in To Refine Like Silver it is learning to rely on God, what would you say is the important message you would like readers to take away from Inspired by Grace?
I do like my metaphors. I would say that everyone needs a little more grace and a little more inspiration in life, no matter what stage in life they are in. Grace, as a noun or a verb, is one of the finest qualities we can aim for. I hoped to have people introspect into their own lives to see if they handle things with grace or if they offer grace to others. Grace is a complicated topic but can be simple if we really ponder that in short, it is simply a gift we receive or give. I actually went to a two day women’s conference on the topic of grace which inspired this particular message. I have pages of notes that I took but only used a fraction of what I learned.
I bet many people will be reflecting on grace as they read your novel. 🙂 Four books in two years?!? You are incredibly hardworking and dedicated, Jeanna! Dare I ask what your upcoming writing plans are? Any more JAFF or Regency romance novels in your future?
Yes and yes. I am one chapter away from finishing the final book in the Hope Series. The three books in the series are Hope for Mr. Darcy, Hope for Fitzwilliam, and Hope for Georgiana. These will be edited all at the same time and the first one, Hope for Mr. Darcy, will be published June 1st 2016. I was hoping for earlier but editing takes a long time. The next book, Hope for Fitzwilliam, which is the story of Colonel Fitzwilliam and the widowed Charlotte Collins’ love story, will be published a few months later so you do not have to wait too long for the next book in the series. A few months after that I will publish Hope for Georgiana, which is, of course, Georgiana finding her love match. Like the Facebook page for the series for the latest on publication for these books. Like I said, these books are ready to go but I haven’t had more than a month off without a writing project for over 3 years! So I have to admit that my next writing project has already been outlined. For those of you who have read, or will read, Inspired by Grace, there is a secondary character, Mr. Silence, Gavins best friend, that is too easy to love. I’m pretty proud that so many people fall in love with him and so I have chosen to write his love story. It will have Grace and Gavin in it as secondary characters so the story goes on! It will be a while before publication though. Like my author’s facebook page for latest updates and teasers about these books.
Oh! Brilliant! I am most excited about seeing Mr. Silence’s story and seeing more of Gavin and Grace! 🙂 How about we switch it up with some Quick Fire Questions:
- Besides Jane Austen’s novels, what is one of your favorite novels that takes place during the Regency Era? Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly. Really any of Carla Kelly’s regency romances are fabulous. I also enjoy Julie Klassen, Sarah Eden, and Georgette Heyer
- Who is one of your favorite characters from a traditional Regency romance? Charlotte Lamb, Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen
- What do you love most about writing in the Regency Era? This is a quick fire? I’ll try to be brief! There were so many rules and stipulations on what was allowed or not allowed in order to maintain ones reputation that to actually communicate ones attraction or affection one had to manipulate the system. A single look or a touch between two ungloved hands meant so much more than a modern make out session. I loved how you could talk in circles and misunderstandings occurred because you were not allowed to actually declare oneself. So each bit of body language or moment where they were alone ends up feeling like a stolen moment and is exaggerated. I love that a blush could communicate embarrassment, desire, anger, frustration, fear, regret, and of course, love.
- Would you ever willingly travel back in time to live in the Regency Era? Go back in time? Yes. Live? No. I like my electricity and warm showers too much. Not to mention the horrible thought of dealing with feminine hygiene.
- What is your favorite definition of grace? It is used sometimes to indicate that there is an added little something special that goes above and beyond the usual. For example: “Not only was Meredith generous enough to host me on Austenesque Reviews, but she had the grace to ask fabulous questions that really help the reader fall in love with my book.”
- What is the most beautiful site you saw while in England? It is a tie. The
building of Chatsworth was jaw dropping and a half mile ahead of any of the other estates in its magnificence. But the gardens of Stourhead had such a romantic feel. It is the site of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice Hunsford rainy proposal.
- If you could live permanently in England for the rest of your life, where would you choose to settle? Resounding YES! I would live there! I just said this very thing about 30 minutes ago! I fell in love with Bath (pronounced Baaaaath) and Derbyshire (which apparently is pronounced Daarbishir not Derrrrbeeshiiire) but anywhere in the country is where I would choose to live.
Thank you, Jeanna, for coming to visit Austenesque Reviews! It was such a pleasure to learn more about your trip to England and your lovely new release Inspired By Grace!
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Connect with Jeanna
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today, Jeanna Ellsworth brings with her ONE copy of her new book, Inspired By Grace for me to give away to ONE lucky winner! (Paperback for US, Ebook for International) 
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Jeanna!
I’ll be posting my review of Inspired by Grace on Friday, July 10th. If you want to double your entries for this giveaway come back Friday and comment on my review!
- This giveaway is open worldwide (with some shipping restrictions). Thank you, Jeanna!
- This giveaway ends July 15th!
Hi Jeanna, loved reading your interview with Meredith. I live in the UK so found what you thought of the UK v funny regarding “rubbish” and not “trash” etc. I too love Baaaaaath (as we Brits say!!) and Derbyshire. I have just returned from a week’s holiday in the Derbyshire Dales. I visited Sudbury Hall where the inside scenes of the 1995 Pemberley were filmed. If you ever do return to the UK, you must visit Lyme Park in Cheshire and Calke Abbey in Derbyshire they are fabulous locations. Lyme Park is my all time favourite. I too, would love to time travel back to Regency times but just for a visit, could not live there permanently as I like my home comforts too much. I look forward to reading your new book and look forward to the Hope series as well.
I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip to England. You do seem to have packed a lot into your time here but I agree there is so much to see. I loved Bath when I went – it is the most beautiful place and I have visited Chatsworth a number of times as it is not far from where I live – absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for the chance of a giveaway, I usually only read P&P variations and follow ons so it would be interesting to read this.
Yes there were several “Moments”, you know the kind that makes you pause and appreciate all you are currently experiencing. But there were several moments when I knew that this moment, right here, made all the 60 hr work weeks worth it! I learned so much and feel like it helped my writing a lot! England offers great inspiration. I think even though you usually only read variations, these characters are easy to love!
Beautiful cover! That is so exciting to have your daughter on it 🙂 I want to go visit across the pond so badly. I already told my husband one day he has to take me on a Jane Austen vacation haha. Sounds like you had a great time! I am looking forward to reading your new book!
I will definitely go back! It was fantastic and life changing. When I saw Jane Austen’s actual writing table I started weeping. Tears flowed so freely. Suddenly she was real to me and I felt such a kinship with her. It was amazing. When I came out my kids asked, “are you really crying?” and they kind of made fun of me….but my fellow authors and Janeintes that were there all understood. I had just saw and walked in Jane’s shoes.
Oh that’s so sweet, Jeanna! I have often seen Jane’s writing desk in photos and have envisioned seeing it in reality. It kind of chokes me up thinking about your reaction too. 😉 Oh yes, I think my son would be embarrassed, but my hubby would just offer me a handkerchief. He always carries and extra one,…for me. I am so glad you got to go to England Jeanna, and we will all benefit from your trip, I am sure, as your writing will reveal the inspiration. Exciting.
That is such an awesome experience Jeanna!
This was a wonderful interview. I am so glad that you had a memorable trip to England. The story of the cover was particularly interesting. I have enjoyed your books and look forward to reading Inspired by Grace. Thank you for the giveaway.
Meredith does such a great job with her questions doesn’t she? She is amazing. Every once in a while I meet people who do not realize the influence they have in the world around them. Meredith is one of them and I hope to meet her someday. I am glad you liked my other books! I really do think that if people have enjoyed my other books and writing style that they will fall in love with Gavin and Grace just as much as Darcy and Elizabeth. At least I did! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you for such lovely and kind words, Jeanna! I’m greatly honored! I so hope we can meet someday! 🙂
What a lovely story about your daughter and your latest book! I would love to read
it. Congratulations on its publication and
happy you had such a wonderful trip to
England.
Thanks Susan! I would go back in a heartbeat for sure! Someone asked if I would live there and I immediately said “YES!” The only think I did not like was driving a stick shift with my left hand on the wrong side of the road. They also do not have very good street signs so I was grateful for my sat nav (GPS) that got me where I wanted to go without problems. I am very excited with publishing my first independent novel and am pleased with how it is doing. I hope you get a chance to read it!
I’m very happy to see a new Jeanna Ellsworth book available. It sounds great, I loved ‘To Refine Like Silver,’ I was the very lucky winner of Jeanna’s giveaway of that book last Fall, just beautiful. And I LOVED ‘Pride and Persistence. Jenna is a gifted writer and no one visiting Austenesque Reviews should hesitate to go read her now! I’m so excited about the trilogy coming out next year. I agree with Shannon, beautiful cover…..AND I too want to go visit across the pond!!!!
Loved the interview, Meredith. Keep it up Mrs. Bingley 🙂
I’m so glad to know a winner enjoyed the gift! Maybe you will be lucky twice! Such sweet words of praise, thank you. I love hearing from my readers and I would have to say that it is the most rewarding part of writing! Knowing that you touched someone or entertained them is so exciting. I appreciate your recommendation. I can’t wait to share the trilogy too.
Glad to hear you give Jeanna’s books your endorsement, Michelle! So happy to have you visit my blog! 🙂
I can’t wait to put my hands on this book as soon as I can.
Hee Hee~ well then don’t! 🙂
I hope you do get a chance to read it. It was one of the funner ones to write. It was challenging to create the right amount of angst and not let the romance occur too early in the book but I’m afraid when I wrote the book about two best friends who know each other so well, it doesn’t take long to come to an understanding. In fact, I believe it is just a week!
I just need to get my budget to cooperate to the cause… 🙂
I read Mr. Darcy’s Promise and really enjoyed it. I must admit though that I did not know you had since written more books. I guess it gives me more great books to add and read. 🙂
Danielle C
Well there is even a second edition of Mr. Darcy’s Promise wihout all the typos. I changed editors and think the one I have is fantastic! The story line did not change but it reads better. Check out my other books too! They are Pride and Persistence, and To Refine Like Silver, and of course, Inspired by Grace. Perhaps on a rainy day you can hole up and fall in love with Darcy all over again or perhaps fall in Gavin!
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of you books. I could ell, by the pictures you posted, what a wonderful time you had. I have added a few of the places from your list to the list I am making for a future visit to England. I am looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for the generous give away.
It is so nice to hear that people love my books. It is so refreshing to know that not only are people buying them but are reading them, AND loving them! Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the giveaway! ANd yes, England was “bloody brilliant!”
I’ve heard of your books, and would love to read this one!
Weird! I don’t think I’ll ever get over how strange it sounds to think that people have heard of me or my books. I know I try to tell everyone about a good book I read any chance I get because teh book and author deserves to have good publicity. I even have a “recommended reads” page on my website on http://www.heyladypublications.com that I started keeping about 2 years ago. Basically any clean entertaining book I’ve read made the list. I wish I had kept the list since I first found JAFF but I have not. The Regency Romance and Historical Romance is an ever expanding list. Feel free to email me suggestions if you ever find one that I should add.
I really enjoyed this interview. Like so many others who have already commented, I too want to make a trip to the UK someday, so I appreciate your insights! I need to check out your book recommendations. I recently read Julie Klassen’s The Secret of Pembrooke Park, and loved all the P & P references. I look forward to reading Inspired by Grace, as well as your trilogy that is coming out. Thanks for the giveaway!
I loved Secrets of Pembrook Park! I’m currently listening to the Dancing Master by Klassen and can’t decide if I like Julia or not. She started out kind of like a Lydia Bennet but she is growing on me.
I can’t wait for you to read Inspired by Grace. I just retread the trilogy right before I finished the third one and got really excited to share it!
I loved following you and your girls thru your trip to London…y’all seem like my kind of people. !!! I’m so excited about your new book!!! Thanks for all you do!!
Ha ha! Do you know how many people told me they stalked me during my trip? They would get so disappointed when I didn’t have wifi to download pictures! Glad you think you’d like us! We were pretty silly! The regency ball was one of the highlights I forgot to mention. What a blast!
Congrats on the new release, Jeanna and thanks for the lovely post, ladies! Please don’t enter me in the giveaway, Meredith, I already have a signed copy of this beautiful book.
I loved the interview and the gorgeous photos and I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time in England! Wish you and Meredith would come back soon 😀
Thanks Joana! I loved it so much! Meeting awesome people I just knew online was such a treat! You were just as amazing as you seem! I will definitely be going back! But you need to consider coming here! Free room and board….. Just saying. Lol
Yes! I’m missing England something awful!
Congratulations on your new book! I am such a big fan of Jeanna’s other books and I cannot wait to read this one!!:)
Wow! Thank you so much! It makes me so giggly inside to hear people are fans! It is sureal to think strangers enjoy them. I’m still sort of of the mindset that only my friends and family read my books! I hope the novelty never wears off. It still feels weird to call myself an author and I finished writing my 7th novel last week! You would think I’d believe it by now. Thanks again! Good luck!
I hope your daughters realize how lucky they are that you took them on this fantastic trip. I am sure the memories will last a lifetime. I have read all your books but only have the kindle editions so would love to win a paperback copy. Love the photos…your family is beautiful!
Every once in a while I’m shocked when I see my daughters walk out of the bathroom. I think, rather haughtily, “I made them!” Lol seriously, not sure how I was blessed with such beautiful daughters. I think I’m partial. And they do recognize how lucky they are to have gone to England! They said thank you soooo much!
Wonderful interview. I am enjoying your blog tour. What a beautiful family. Thank you for the giveaway and congratulations.
Meredith is so kind to host me! This will be one of the only interviews I do for this book and she couldn’t have asked more perfect questions! I’m so grateful to have her let me guest blog. Stay tuned! More blogs to come!
I’m honored to host you, Jeanna! And I’m really glad you didn’t find my questions too hard or boring!
I just got back from England too! And yes, Chatsworth was pretty spectacular. Even got a picture of myself with the statue of Darcy (in the gift shop) and a photo of the library. I’ve always pictured a large library at Pemberley, but not quite THAT big!
How fantastic Ginger!! I can only imagine how awesome it must feel to see these sites up close and personal! 😉
I agree that seeing Chatsworth was like really grasping just how rich Darcy was! The library was so beautiful! So many times I write scenes in a library, and I never describe it as beautiful as the one at Chatsworth! There are no words! I audibly gasped when I saw the library! I could practically see Fitzwilliam Darcy pouring himself a bit of port while Colonel Fitzwilliam tried to weasel out the truth of his feelings for Elizabeth….frequently refilling his glass for him of course! It was breathtaking!
Entertaining interview! I’ve enjoyed her books and would love to enter the giveaway.
I am so glad you have like my books! I hope you win! If not, you know how to find it! Hee Hee
I enjoyed To Refine Like Silver and I’m sure I will enjoy this story as soon as I’m able to get it. I loved the picture and the Regency dresses, and your advice for visiting the great estates in England is great.
Good luck with this book!
Wonderful! It makes me curious to hear which books people have read and which ones have they enjoyed. Inspired by Grace was such fun to write. I will definitely continue the saga. I even have a name for the next book already! Want to know???????
“Buying the Duke’s Silence”
What a wonderful interview!! I loved reading it, and I loved those pictures! Jeanna, your trip to England sounds marvelous! 🙂 I, too, would love to live in Bath, by the way. The only thing I’m not too fond of is the bad weather! I’m Italian, so having to deal with the rain almost every day is a huge negative! 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway. I’m international.
Maria — it may surprise you to hear that we’ve had very little rain for the last five weeks here in the south of England 😉
Really!? That’s great news! I can still hope to move there someday! 😉
Bath really was spectacular! And in all the entire two weeks I spent there with my daughters, I only pulled out the umbrella once for 10 minutes! I must have brought the sun with me! I had been working 60 hour work weeks for all of the Spring to earn the money for the trip and that meant that I spent very little time outdoors since the only “spare” time I had was getting this book published and finishing writing my 7th book (Which I’m happy to report is finished.) Nevertheless, I got my first sunburn of the season in London of all places!
Loved reading about your latest, Jeanna, and I’m glad you had such a good time in this corner of the world. Hope to meet you again here soon.
Thank you! It was wonderful meeting you and all the other authors! I met some new friends there and was able to rub shoulders with some great ones. I will definitely be going back!
Ladies, that was a great interview! Love the picture of you and your girls in Regency attire. Thank you for sharing your trip. What a great present for your daughter’s 18th birthday! Looking forward to visiting England one day and hit all the historical places, especially where they filmed P&P.
Jeanna, the reason you state for writing Regency inspired novels are the exact reason I love reading them. So much more meaning in those little actions. I agree with you about time traveling back to Regency time to visit but not live. I love my electricity, showers, and personal hygiene too much.
Ha ha! I do not thing we are alone in loving our electricity, internet, showers and feminine hygiene products! I just spent 4 days up in a cabin in the mountains of Colorado without internet. It was nice but I have spent the last 10 hours trying to catch up! It was a horrible idea to do the blog tour during my vacation!
Splendid interview with Jeanna! I enjoyed learning about her and her books. Thank you. 🙂