Turn the Page Tuesday and a Giveaway

This is a sticky post and will remain at the top until Friday April 10th when the drawing will take place. For recent posts, please scroll down.
Adrienne over at Some of a Kind is hosting Turn the Page...Tuesday, a book review/recommendation on the first Tuesday of the month. I found this at Paula's blog and since I often write book reviews, I thought I'd take part.


I read this book last fall and have been meaning to do a review of it. I enjoy Nancy Moser's books about women of history. The first book I read of hers was Mozart's Sister. When I saw Just Jane on sale at the local pharmacy, I just had to have it.

The name Jane Austen is well known in the literary world. Jane's life has always been the subject of curiosity for those who love her works. Now, author, Nancy Moser, brings Jane alive in her book, Just Jane.

Just Jane is narrated in the first person by Jane herself. Moser had brought Jane to life to tell her story as it has never been told before. The book begins with Jane almost engaged to an Irishman, Tom Lefoy. She has a work in progress titled First Impressions. The world will come to know it as Pride and Prejudice.

Jane spends her time writing, playing the piano, and visiting friends and family throughout their section of England. Other prospects do come along for Jane, but the possibility of marriage is either disrupted or refused. Jane is presented as being strong, stubborn and immature as well as loving, passionate, and rooted. She experiences loss, change in status, and defining moments in her adult life. As Jane ages, her focus shifts from finding a husband to finding a way to publish her books. In this way, her identity slowly develops.

Her narration is journal-like, reflective and descriptive. The story moves along through the letters that Jane writes and receives telling her news and gossip. Even the worst tragedies do not linger with her nor effect her in the long run until the death of her father comes. Then, Jane’s now widowed mother must be supported with help from Jane’s brothers to sustain a modest lifestyle for she and her two spinster daughters, forcing Jane to see that her stubborn refusal to marry has made her a burden in life.

As a writer, Jane does everything a writer is not supposed to do. She writes only when in an ideal mood. She takes rejection personally, and she dwells on the opinions of her readers. However, in managing her writing career her own way, she finds the modest success, personal fulfillment, and financial aid needed to fulfill her purpose in life.

Author Nancy Moser has done her research, using actual letters received and sent by Jane Austen. The book is well written, well researched and one that I throughly enjoyed reading.

Since I am nearing my 600th post, I am going to give my copy of this book to one lucky person. Just leave a comment and your name will be entered into a draw to win. The deadline for the drawing will be Friday April 10th at 8pm EST. I will announce the winner that evening or on Saturday. Be sure to tell others about the giveaway so they can drop by and enter. ~Blessings, Mary~