JA Book Giveaway and Screencap Website

First of all, the lovely Miss Laurie is hosting a giveaway of various Jane Austen-themed books, so do go check that out!

And when I have one announcement to make I often think of another I've been meaning to do... you all should also check out this website, it has period drama screencaps and links to other ones, all in one place. :)  Some of the links to Grande-Caps site won't work but that's because said site is undergoing a change of domain right now and the person who runs Period Drama Screencap Source will correct the links as soon as she can. 

The Most Exciting Giveaway I've Seen

My dear followers, I have a very thrilling piece of news for you all. This is not your ordinary giveaway... this is the most exciting one I've seen. (Of course I am not biased...)

A perfectly delightful new book called Only a Novel has just been listed on Amazon. The genre happens to be my favorite--Historical Fiction, set in the 1800s, with a lot of Jane Austen references. (I cannot imagine how thrilled I would be to randomly stumble across this book. It is everything I look for in historical fiction.) And as it happens, the author is hosting a giveaway to launch her new novel. And furthermore, this author happens to be my own dearest Amy. 

I am indeed ecstatically, exuberantly, extraordinarily excited (I do like my 'e' words, it would seem) about this, and though I am fond of typing-all-in-caps and putting tons of exclamation points in e-mails and such, it is not my general habit while writing blog posts... so you'll just have to take my word for it.

My dearling friend is an Authoress.

This is amazing.

I am incredibly proud of her.

Wow.

Anyways. I shall proceed.

This book, everybody, is well and cleverly written (if you've read anything Miss Dashwood has written, you should already have guessed that); has interesting, realistic, and endearing characters; is on many occasions laugh-out-loud hilarious; has a fun story-line; and is, in short, purely delightful. How do I know all this? Why, I have it on good authority. Very good authority. That is, my own.

Yes, everyone, I have read it. Well, not the book itself, in its actual paperback form.  That, at this point, would be impossible. But I had the very great honor of reading the original manuscript, as it were, and offering a few suggestions along with a, shall we say, generous amount of silliness. Now, I forbid you to feel insanely jealous (and I certainly am not gloating), because the book is now available to you as well; you can always purchase it. (Don't look at me like that. I am not advertising, I am simply pointing out a fact.) If you don't win the giveaway, of course.

Which I very strongly encourage you to go enter, forthwith and posthaste. Today. This moment. :D 

If you like Historical Fiction and/or Jane Austen... this should be your cup of tea. And since I assume all my followers like Jane Austen... well... *motions to link*


"Oh! it is only a novel!" replies the young lady; while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. — "It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda"; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.‎
~Passage from Northanger Abbey, dubbed "Jane Austen's Defense of the Novel."

Announcing and Requesting Your Opinion

I wanted to make you, my readers, aware of this lovely blog, in case you have not yet seen it! 

If you are interested in sewing or collecting doll dresses, you will want to take a look at The Well-Dressed Doll, which sells historical dresses for American Girl (18-inch) dolls. 

There is a delightful assortment of dresses from different eras... here are some of my favorites:

"Lavender and Lace" Titanic-era dress

Pink Floral Edwardian Dress

"Rosebud" Regency Dress

Colonial Gown

Now for a little bit about the seamstress, in her own words...

"My name is Jessica, and I love sewing! I have been sewing since I was a little girl, so I have a lot of experience, especially sewing doll clothes for the American Girl dolls. All my doll dresses are beautifully sewn and finished to perfection.

I  love period style clothing, especially the Jane Austen/Regency and Edwardian era.

I think you will find that the doll dresses on my blog are very special, and perfect for the adult collector and children's play alike."

Lastly, I have a question for you all. Would you be interested in a giveaway from this website? Jessica is considering having a giveaway with her Romantic era dress, which I would be hosting. What do you think? It would be a lot of fun, but I want to know first whether there is sufficient interest. ;-) I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts in a comment, and also please vote on the poll on the sidebar!

A Charles Dickens giveaway at Old-Fashioned Charm

Miss Laurie is hosting another lovely giveaway in honor of Charles Dickens's birthday! There are three prizes in all: a Charles Dickens devotional, and two of the novels. I encourage you to take a look!!

Giveaway WINNERS!

Winners for Old-fashioned Fiddle and Guitar Christmas music:

1st place (complete album):

Miss Laurie!! I will email the songs to you as soon as I can. 

2nd place (2/3 album):

Abby!! Please choose 12 songs from the list below and I will email them to you!

3rd place (1/3 album):

Anne-girl! Go ahead and choose 6 songs from the list below and I will email them to you, too!

Here is the list of songs: (and don't forget you can listen to 6 samples on the CD's main page)

Joy to the World

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

I Saw Three Ships

The First Noel

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Silent Night

Good King Wenceslas

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

Deck the Halls

Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming

Jingle Bells

Away in a Manger

O Holy Night

Good Christian Men Rejoice

In the Bleak Midwinter

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella

Here We Come a Wassailing

THANKS everyone who entered, and congratulations winners!

Remember, the CD is still available to purchase! It makes great Christmas presents! ;-)

LAST CHANCE to enter giveaway!!!

Giveaway for Old-fashioned Fiddle and Guitar Christmas music ends on December 10th! If you haven't already entered, it's very easy to do so! Click on the picture above to go to the post.

If you comment before I check on December 11th (and it won't be very early) your entry/entries will count.

Also, if you have entered, you can still get 5 more entries by posting about the giveaway! No need for extravagance. ;-) Short posts are fine.

I'm looking forward to this! Thanks to everyone who's participating!