Jane Odiwe Jane Austen Sequels: The RNA London Chapter Christmas Party!

Friday, December 9, 2011

The RNA London Chapter Christmas Party!

Here are just a few photos of the lovely authors who gathered to meet for the London Chapter, Romantic Novelist's Association Christmas Party last Saturday. I wish I could describe for you the amazing atmosphere these occasions merit - take a group of authors who don't see one another very often - and I think you can imagine the cacophony of sound - a mixture of discussion and much laughter. Of course, this sort of affair wouldn't be the same without the added delights of festive food and drink, and the whole so wonderfully orchestrated by Jean Fullerton and Juliet Archer! From seasoned writers to the very newest on the New Writer's Scheme, a brilliant time was had by all!!!

Anita Chapman

Helen Hollick

Alice Peterson, Pia Fenton

Jean Fullerton, Jenny Haddon, Elizabeth Hawksley, Jenny Barden

Juliet Archer

Talli Roland and Monica Fairview

If you are a budding writer of romance and live in the UK, I can't recommend this association enough. The New Writer's Scheme exists to help those who want to improve their writing, or for those seeking publication. Do have a look at the website for more information. I joined a few years ago, and have never looked back since!

2 comments:

Monica Fairview said...: We certainly look like we were having a good time, don't we. I agree with you about the New Writer's Scheme -- a wonderful opportunity for new writers to get feedback on their novels.

Thanks for recapturing the spirit of the occasion, Jane!; December 9, 2011 12:09 PM
Jane Odiwe said...: Yes, Monica, we do! And the feedback, encouragement and support is a wonderful opportunity for writers-I quite agree!; December 10, 2011 8:31 AM

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With two plots churning, Jane Odiwe has crafted an intriguing and unique continuation of Austen’s classic that will charm and delight Janeites and historical romance readers. As we travel from Hertfordshire to Derbyshire to the Lake District of Cumberland, we enjoy the awe inspiring picturesque scenery and equally jaw dropping characterizations. Be prepared to see romantic icon Mr. Darcy knocked off his pedestal and conceitedly independent Elizabeth Bennet passively submit to her doubts. Is that a bad thing? Only, if you are determined that these characters should not change, grow and evolve beyond the last page of Pride and Prejudice. Austenprose

Jane Odiwe crafted two compelling and absorbing plot-lines in this Pride and Prejudice sequel. One about Elizabeth, Darcy, and Darcy's secret, and the other one about Georgiana, the man she is engaged to, and the man she loves. I was equally engrossed in both stories, and the added tension and drama Ms. Odiwe generated made this novel hard to put down! ...Similar to Ms. Odiwe's previous novel, Willoughby's Return, Mr. Darcy's Secret is a beautiful and well-written continuation that captures the spirit of Jane Austen's original. Even though the story focuses on the Darcy family, there are many appearances by Jane Austen's comical and lovable minor characters. Ms. Odiwe accurately represents all these minor characters and gives a few of them some diverting side-stories. I especially enjoyed witnessing the conversations between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Ms. Odiwe's portrayal of them was flawless! Jane Austen Reviews

Mr. Darcy’s Secret is the first book that I have read by author, Jane Odiwe, and I have to say she has captured the essence of Jane Austen’s writing...filled with remarkable plot twists, and sub-stories, I could not help but to fall in love with this book. Graceful writing fills each page, and I loved the way she has captured the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. If you are looking for a Pride & Prejudice continuation that stays true to the original, then Mr. Darcy’s Secret is the perfect book for you. Royal Reviews

Mr. Darcy has a secret and Elizabeth is torn about wanting to know the truth and pretending that nothing is amiss. This story line captured me from the very first page and kept me turning the pages excited to find out what Darcy was hiding from Lizzy. I felt as if the author had the spirit of Jane Austen residing within her because the language, tempo, flavor, and the actions of the characters so closely resembled Austen's. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of Georgiana's own love story and how it made Darcy really stop and wonder if his pride was something of the past or not. This book felt very cohesive and put me right into the spirit of Pemberley and what "may" have happened after Darcy and Elizabeth married. This book will make any Austen fan happy and I feel that it takes the variations of P&P to a new level. Life in the Thumb

Mr. Darcy’s Secret was a pleasure to read because Odiwe breathes new life into Austen’s characters without altering their personalities too much. Elizabeth and Darcy, like all couples, encounter some bumps in the marital journey, and the way they deal with such strife seems true to who they are. Darcy was a changed man in Pride and Prejudice, and Odiwe makes his alteration feel authentic with some slip ups here and there. Mr. Darcy’s Secret is one of the most seamless Austen sequels I’ve ever read. Odiwe’s love for all-things-Austen shines through. A must-read if you love the Austen variations as much as I do. Diary of an Eccentric

I love Jane Odiwe’s style of writing. Her writing has a lively wit that makes the scenes come alive. Odiwe writes the beloved characters of Pride and Prejudice in the same style as Jane Austen. I had many times throughout the novel that I laughed at something Mrs. Bennet, Lydia Wickham, Caroline Bingley, etc. said or did that was so in character and so clever of Odiwe’s writing. Overall, Mr. Darcy’s Secret was a witty novel with an intriguing premise and great love story that kept me reading too long into the night. I recommend it for all lovers of Pride and Prejudice. Laura's Reviews

When Marianne Dashwood weds Colonel Brandon both are aware of the other’s past attachments; Marianne’s grand passion for the charming but ruthless John Willoughby and Brandon’s tragic amour for his lost love Eliza. Three years on Marianne is living contentedly with her husband and child at Delaford Park, although Marianne's passionate, impulsive and sometimes jealous behaviour is an impediment to her true happiness. News that John Willoughby and his wife have returned to the West Country brings back painful memories for Marianne and with the demise of Mrs. Smith of Allenham Court comes the possibility of Mr. Willoughby and his wife returning to live near Barton and the surrounding area of Devon and Dorset, a circumstance which triggers a set of increasingly challenging, yet often amusing perplexities for all concerned.
At eighteen going on nineteen, I thought it was time to give Margaret a heroine's role. Her story is intertwined with that of Marianne's who encourages Margaret to follow her heart. I have so enjoyed writing this book, weaving together the stories of two heroines against the backdrops of Delaford in autumn, London and Lyme in the winter, re-visiting the scenes and characters from Sense and Sensibility that I love so much.

Austenesque Reviews
“Willoughby's Return” was appropriately romantic, emotional, and passionate. I commend Jane Odiwe for capturing the essence and excellence of “Sense and Sensibility” and continuing the story in a knowledgeable and sympathetic manner. It is obvious that Ms. Odiwe loves and cares greatly for her characters (even the difficult ones), and I feel that Jane Austen loved her characters the same way. I greatly enjoyed this sequel for “Sense and Sensibility” and look forward to more works from Jane Odiwe.

Austenprose
This is Odiwe’s second Austen sequel, and like Lydia Bennet’s Story she has chosen a character in Marianne Brandon that is ruled by impulse and emotion making for surprise and tension – all good elements to an engaging story that she delivers with confidence and aplomb. Developing younger sister Margaret Dashwood brought youth, vivacity and a bit of rebellion against social dictums to the story. Her romance with Henry Lawrence was an excellent choice as she shared the narrative equally with Marianne and balanced the story. Odiwe’s research and passion for the Regency era shine, especially in her descriptions of the country fair and fashions. It is rewarding to see her develop her own style evocative of Austen but totally modern in its sensibility.

Jane Austen Today
Like Jane Austen, Jane Odiwe is spare in her descriptions of the characters, but unlike Jane A., she is free with her depiction of an age long gone, of market days and vegetable stalls and flowers in a meadow. An artist as well as a writer, Jane O.'s details of scenery and village life are vivid...Jane O's plot has its twists and turns, the suspense coming from the characters' actions, which comes to a satisfying conclusion only after several misunderstandings are cleared up...Readers who love Jane Austen sequels will find this charming book a more than satisfying read. I give it three out of three Regency fans.

Psychotic State
Willoughby’s Return works so well because, as she did with Lydia Bennet’s Story, Ms. Odiwe stayed faithful to the characters Jane Austen originally created and by doing so, Willoughby’s Return reads virtually as a Sense and Sensibility sequel written by Austen herself. I could not wish for a more fluid, yet entertaining, story, nor a more satisfying ending. I raced through the book as I was anxious to find out what would happen, while at the same time dreading for the story to end because I was enjoying myself so much. In my opinion, Ms. Odiwe surpassed herself with this effort and I enjoyed it even more so than I did Lydia Bennet’s Story.

Lydia Bennet's Story: A sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

The arrival of a whole regiment of militia is enough to set any young girl’s heart racing, but for Miss Lydia Bennet, the soldiers are the embodiment of all her dreams. She is determined to be an officer’s wife and married before any of her sisters!

Lydia’s dream of following the regiment to the fashionable resort of Brighton comes true; she is soon the darling of all the officers and tempted not only by a handsome royal dragoon, but drawn to the irresistible charms of one already well known to her. But the road to matrimony is fraught with difficulties and even when she is convinced that she has met the man of her dreams, she quickly discovers that her hero is not the man she believes him to be. Before long his reputation has her running back to Hertfordshire to be reunited with Bennets, Bingleys and Darcys, meeting once again for a grand ball at Netherfield Park. Will Lydia manage to resolve her problems to find happiness or will the shocking truth about her husband cause the greatest scandal of all?
From Hertfordshire to Brighton, Newcastle and Bath, we follow Lydia's adventures to a Regency world beyond Pride and Prejudice.