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Saturday, June 18, 2022


Much Ado

About the Book

Book: Much Ado About Persuasion

Author: Barbara Cornthwaite

Genre: Historical/Jane Austen Retelling

Release date: May 3, 2022

Muchado-663x1024Some duel with swords, others with ships. In love, however, they duel with hearts.

When Sir Walter Elliot, secret admirer of the Navy, invites officers to visit his estate, what could be more natural than for his two daughters to find themselves in love?

Elizabeth Elliot’s legendary, bitter pride clashes with Admiral Baldwin’s stubborn conceit until any hope of a match seems impossible. They say love conquers all, but does it?

All looks hopeful for Anne Elliot and the dashing Captain Wentworth, but when a cousin steps in and sets evil plans into motion, is their love enough to withstand the storm, or is it best to let the captain sail that ship… alone?

Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing meets Jane Austen’s Persuasion in this story about trust, disappointment, and disguises.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Barbara-c-600x400Barbara Cornthwaite lives in the middle of Ireland with her husband and children. She taught college English before “retiring” to do something she loves far more; her days are now filled with homeschooling, trying to keep the house tidy (a losing battle), and trying to stay warm in the damp Irish climate (also a losing battle). She is surrounded by medieval castles, picturesque flocks of sheep, and ancient stone monuments. These things are unappreciated by her six children, who are more impressed by traffic jams, skyscrapers, and hot weather.

 

More from Barbara

I discovered Jane Austen in college when I was required to read Pride and Prejudice. This was in the dark ages before the famous adaptations, and I knew nothing about the storyline. In fact, I expected it to be depressing, probably because the title sounded similar to War and Peace. It was a delightful surprise to be charmed by the novel, and I went on to read all Austen’s other books on my own. Each of them have a special place in my heart. I love Emma so much that I wrote a two-book parallel novel for it (the George Knightley, Esquireseries). I also have novellas based on Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma in the A Very Austen anthologies. This book, however, is the first thing I’ve written based on Persuasion.

Shakespeare I met in high school, and furthered my acquaintance with him in college. Much Ado About Nothing is, I think, my favorite of his plays (although there are several close contenders for the top spot). His grasp of character is unmatched, and his language, even after five hundred years, is striking.

Mixing the stories of these two authors has been great fun, and redeeming a couple of characters who didn’t learn anything from their mistakes in the original stories gives my version a spiritual twist. I hope you enjoy it!

MY REVIEW 

I may be one of the few readers who are not familiar with Jane Austen and her books. Oh I have heard of them but never taken the time to actually give one a try. I felt like I would be at a disadvantage reading this story but the author welcomes readers with an ease into the world where many are fascinated by everything related to this part of well known stories. 

It was entertaining to see how an author meshed two stories together and accomplish a journey with characters that I came to like. I kept thinking how prim and proper everyone seemed yet  they each shared struggles along the way. I laughed when one of the women declared she would never marry. She did enjoy bantering with one particular man who for me made the story a bit more enticing.

I loved the historical feel of the story with undertones of guilt, redemption and happiness all put together in a delightful story. After reading this book, I have given myself a challenge. I will be reading books that are based on this story and know that I will find an admiration for this time  period and the  characters which I want to follow. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 17

Texas Book-aholic, June 18

Miriam Jacob, June 18

A Reader’s Brain, June 19

Britt Reads Fiction, June 20

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 20

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 21

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 22

For Him and My Family, June 22

Inklings and notions, June 23

deb’s Book Review, June 24

Of Blades and Thorns, June 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 25

Connie’s History Classroom, June 26

Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen, June 26

She Lives To Read, June 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28

Sylvan Musings, June 28

Labor Not in Vain, June 29

Back Porch Reads, June 30

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barbara is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1eff5/much-ado-about-persuasion-celebration-tour-giveaway


6 comments:

  1. Much Ado About Persuasion sounds like an excellent Jane Austen retelling for me to read, thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Texas Book-aholic, for sharing your review! Have a marvelous weekend!

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  2. Deana, aside from two scenes (one at the beginning where everyone is running down the hill at the news of the prince coming (might want to fast forward that) and one when the prince's brother is trying to show Claudio something at night (I'd forward that, too), the Kenneth Branaugh version of Much Ado about Nothing is a lot of fun and shows Shakespeare's story much easier than it is to read the play and how it was intended to be consumed (acted out rather than read). Otherwise, you might like to read the version from Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb.

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  3. Thank you for sharing your review of Much Ado About Persuasion, this sounds like a great story and I am looking forward to reading it

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  4. Thanks for sharing your review, the book sounds very good

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  5. I think this will be a fun and enjoyable read.

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  6. I love the cover. It's very unique

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