Since beginning blogging about four years ago, I have often mentioned that my family does not hold my love of Jane Austen, Regency England, or period pieces. Even so, 2022 seems to be the year that they have decided to make an attempt.
Actually, my daughter began by watching Bridgerton with me last year, finally broke down and watched the 2005 Pride and Prejudice (though she didn’t tell me until a month or more afterward), and took the first two books of my Defying Propriety Series back to school with her in January (and read all of the first and most of the second). She and one of her friends even watched the second season of Bridgerton before coming home, and then she watched all but the first two episodes again with me. According to my husband, it’s a cult and she’s the newest initiate.
That said, when the paperback copies of Son of an Earl arrived the beginning of January, he decided he might be able to read this one. I, of course, insisted he read the first book first, and offered to read it to him. (I thought it was a very Regency suggestion.) . . . We have been starting chapter four since sometime in February. (*sigh*)
My daughter is home for four short weeks before she leaves for the Berkshires where she will be a camp counselor for two months. Last week she asked if I would watch the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries with her since she knows it is my favorite. I jumped on it, and we watched the first two episodes right then. . . . Still waiting to watch the rest. (How can you not watch it all in one sitting?)
Needless to say, I have finally come to the realization that they have simply been throwing me bones. Like any easily distracted dog, I prance about grinning from ear to ear because they are finally beginning to appreciate some of my favorite things. Then I slowly drift back down to earth as I realize they really aren’t loving it like I am. But all is well! My adopted goddaughter (my best friend’s daughter) is also home from college. She does share my love of Austen, England, and period pieces, and she is home for the whole summer. Should I require someone to gush to, she is only a phone call and a couple miles away.
Now, as a quick update, the third book in the Defying Propriety Series is scheduled to go to the editor the end of July, so we are looking at a late August/early September release date. (I apologize for the delay as I intended to release these within a few months of each other, but my muse deserted me for about three months. 🙁 ) The cover is mostly done, and I can’t wait to share it, but I have to. Hope to have more to tell you next month.
Here’s hoping that you have someone to share all your favorite things with, and that you are somewhere safe, comfortable, and well. Happy reading!
I wish my family enjoyed period drama. My daughter expressed interest in watching Bridgerton but I feel she’s too young so maybe in a few years.
Alas, I didn’t have any friends or family to share my Darcy and Elizabeth obsession with until I found like minded people on these sites! Luckily I’m quite happy to watch the 1995 and 2005 versions by myself as often as possible. As for my JAFF collection? I absolutely love them and read some many, many times.
I seriously doubt if I will ever be able to get any of my relatives to watch anything related to Pride and Prejudice.
OMG! LOL! I have a few friends that are fans, even my mom who loves the movies etc. is not interested in reading the books. It is only when I start comparing life in regency to life today, then they kinda go ‘oh?, well that interesting’ and usually starts another conversation. All of us Janenites need to stick to together… Don’t worry, we got your back!
Yeah, my little Regency comparisons usually get me strange looks and a quick change of subject, too. Although, my daughter has asked Regency questions, but that is normally to either distract her from something (dental surgery) or me (asking questions she doesn’t want to answer). lol
This is too funny! I feel your pain, as my family is the same way! Fortunately, I have gotten my husband to watch the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film. He even sat through Emma and Sense and Sensibility….while he played solitaire on his laptop. I can’t say he enjoyed them, but he tolerates my need for them pretty well. But I was happy to read that I am not alone!
Wow! You are lucky! I have no expectation of my husband ever sitting beside me and watching my shows – without talking. He will do it, but he talks the entire time and I end up either pausing them or having to rewatch them later without him so I just don’t turn them on when he is there. lol
I can’t win a lot in my family over. My Mom liked it to a degree so I made small progress!lol It’s nice your family at least tried. Looking forward to the new book!
My parents passed before I published, but my older sister has all my books. In fact, if I don’t go home within a reasonable amount of time after a release, she just buys it online. lol
We do what we can. 😉
Oh, what fun. Your family was so nice to throw you a bone. At least you had that. Perhaps, P&P will grow on them. Then you have your adopted goddaughter who appreciates P&P, England, etc. I’m looking forward to the launch of this next book in the series. Blessings.
I think I’m slowly winning my daughter over, but my husband is a hopeless case. He did tell me he has watched parts of the 1995 P&P when it was on late at night – that translates as he watched it to put himself back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. lol
I hear ya. PBS aired the Firth/Ehle version in 2008 and I was hooked! My mom, on the other hand, asked, “What’s with the grumpy guy?” I had a better response from a stranger who was apparently reading my Kindle over my shoulder in the airplane seat behind me. She at least asked what I was reading when she saw Darcy’s name and I explained JAFF and the variations. If it weren’t for sites like this one, I really wouldn’t have anyone to share it with!
Same here, Linda! If only one good thing has come out of the pandemic, it’s how much I was able to immerse myself in the JAFF world. Online forums and web events have really helped me escape the craziness all around.
Ooh, that reminds me, there should be a new post to a story I’m reading on one of the online forums. lol
I completely agree – JAFF is an amazing way to escape for a while.
I do have my next door neighbor, a retired librarian who LOVES Colin Firth, so I am not completely alone. It is just my immediate family that leaves me hanging, although my daughter did reassure me last night that we will finish watching the 1995 P&P before she leaves.