"The Sun Also Shines for me" giveaway!

Available till end of June

Two copies of our book are up for grabs on Goodreads.
We appreciate everyone signing up and hope that the two winners will post their reviews on Goodreads and perhaps on their own blog sites if they have one.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Sun Also Shines for me

by Noe

Giveaway ends June 30, 2015.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

At this time, our book has a 4.4  rating on Amazon
and a 4.71  rating on Goodreads.

We're pretty sure you'll love it!

Goodreads review: The Story Girl

Another review by Noe:

The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 1 of 5 stars 

This book is a story of a simpler, innocent time for youngsters. Published in 1911, it is about several cousins and friends in their pre- and early teens who are spending a year together on the family farm on Prince Edward Island. Being written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, I anticipated reading a beautiful heartwarming tale, but instead I was sadly disappointed.

I don’t know why the book was titled “The Story Girl” since the cousin who is referred to in this way, Sara Stanley, is no more prominent in the story than any of the other children. One would think with such a title the pages would be filled with interesting yarns told by the story girl, but that is not the case. She does relate some stories, but neither she nor any of her stories are the driving force of the book.

Despite Montgomery's tremendous ability to make simple things sound wonderful and to create memorable people, she falls flat here. There were glimpses of her talent—for instance, the way she describes a rainy day: “The rain was weeping on the roof as if it were shedding the tears of old sorrows.” Who else besides Montgomery could put down such amazing lines? But the problem is, she only rarely does so in this book.

Religion makes up a great deal of what the children do and talk about, such as prayer, reading the Bible, going to Church, choosing a religion, and Judgement Day. In one part of the book, the kids were facing the possible death of one of their friends, and this expression I found particularly moving: “... his skepticism falling away from him like a discarded garment in this valley of the shadow, which sifts out hearts and tries souls, until we all, grown-up or children, realize our weakness, and, finding that our own puny strength is as a reed shaken in the wind, creep back humbly to the God we have vainly dreamed we could do without.”

Very much like the teachings of Christendom were, witchcraft and mythology are also among the main themes of the children’s conversations. All this religion is not presented in a preaching sort of way, but neither is it entertaining, like the old favorite TV show, Art Linkletter’s ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’ was.

In other words, “The Story Girl” might be likened to watching family videos of someone else’s kids—there is a rare highlight of pleasure, but most often you are yawning, waiting for it to end.

Too bad, Noe really wanted to like this book.
L.M. Montgomery is the author of his favorite book, Anne of Green Gables.

Note: Goodreads rating is as follows:
 did not like it
 it was okay
 liked it
 really liked it
 it was amazing

A ton of things Jane Austen did not say

Okay, not a ton, but…

We haven’t read a lot of Jane Austen Fan Fiction (or variations) since we also write those kinds of stories. I guess we just want to model ourselves after Miss Austen herself and would never want to somehow copy another writer’s line of thinking or that sort of thing. But I am interested in what others may have happening to our favorite characters, so I have read a few.

I noticed right away that some of the writers of this genre use words that stand out in my mind as not belonging, that I could not remember being in Jane Austen’s stories. One is “the ton” … what is that, exactly? Well, it is not this: “informal use: … a large number or amount;” but instead, according to one regency glossary, it is this:

Ton - (pronounced 'tone') High society; the elite; generally the wealthiest and those of rank, with royalty at the top; in today's terms, the 'in' crowd, such as Hollywood stars. To be "good ton" was paramount, and opened most any door in fashionable society. Occasionally, those without either fortune or pedigree could become a member of the 'ton' ...

That sounded like a good term for that day, but did Jane Austen use it? Another word often used is “missive” … and here’s what that is: “a written message addressed to a person or organization.” So instead of using the word letter, this word sounds more formal, like something you might think those people of the ton would use - and maybe some people "without either fortune or pedigree" would too, so they could sound like they had fortune! But did Jane Austen use this word?

    
  

I decided to look just these two up in all of JA’s works to see if I was simply not remembering her using them. Using Amazon Kindle’s handy little search feature, I found not one instance where she used either of those words. It was kind of funny, because for “ton” such words as these popped up: Meryton, Brighton, Lambton, etc, and even astonishment, tongue, monotonous, atonement and simpleton! And for “missive” there was submissive and submissively, but neither of those is used in Pride and Prejudice - I suppose pride doesn’t go with being submissive!

Some JAFF authors also use phrases such as “five and ten” to mean fifteen, but I was certain Jane Austen said Georgiana Darcy was ‘but fifteen years old’ when Wickham tried to get her to elope with him, and that fifteen was Lydia Bennet’s age as well. I’m sure using that kind of terminology didn’t start until after a person reached twenty years of age, when it was proper to say “one and twenty” and so on, because again, I used that search feature and didn’t find one time where “one and ten” - “two and ten” - “three and ten” … you get the idea … was ever used by Jane Austen.

So why do some JAFF authors choose such words or phrases? I think it may be that they’re looking in ‘Regency era’ dictionaries and not checking to see if Jane Austen herself ever used them … but of course, if they were paying close attention to her writings, they would know that, wouldn’t they? As a consequence, instead of sounding like Jane, to me their stories sound more like Georgette Heyer or others who write about that period. That's the beauty of her works: although Jane Austen wrote 200 years ago, it sounds fresh, as if she was writing today. 

  

Anyway, the point is she didn’t use those words and if we’re going to call ourselves “Jane Austen fan fiction” writers, we should try to write like she did. Perhaps one JAFF author started it and others are just copying her instead of Miss Austen. I really couldn’t say, I just think it would be so much better if they would model themselves after her style, since after all, they are taking her works and expanding them. Of course, don’t get me started on the liberties some take on utterly changing the characters into horrid mean people or sex-crazed maniacs … that’s a whole 'nother blog ...

Call me proud, or maybe I’m just prejudiced, but I’m happy to say that none of our stories based on Jane Austen’s works uses these terms.

Here's some of what our Amazon reviewers say about us:

On The Sun Also Shines for me

“This is a story that Jane Austen could have written.”

“I think Jane Austen would have approved!”

“I think Jane Austen would have loved this sequel!!”

“Maybe I'm a bit obsessed about P&P and Jane Austen but happily she can still live in her stories and in fan-fictions. After 200 years it's so sweet to read something which actually Miss Austen could have written. Because this book is in an old-fashioned-style. The Autor (Noe and Cindy) took the magic from her into theirs. I really hope more Janites would find these books.” (Germany review)

On Mr Darcy falls in love

“The author was also very true to the original Darcy, not taking liberties with his character. The Darcy in this book is the same person, we are just able to understand him.”

“Unlike some P&P books, he did not turn Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett into different people. And though I have nothing against sex scenes, but between these two and before marriage just does not make sense. Jane Austen would not approve, but she would approve of ... this book."

“Jane Austen would love it herself!” (Germany review)

On Mr Darcy and the Space-time Continuum

“It was Douglas Adams meets Jane Austen. Just what you would imagine but wackier.” a review by another JAFF writer - we really appreciate her comment.
"Short, charmingly unusual."

To read more about Regency time, check these references:

Regency Period Glossary -- note that neither ton nor missive are in this glossary

When is the Regency Era? -- this is a great explanation of things

Write Like Jane Austen

Thank you for reading what noeandcindy.write !

This article was written by CINDY

https://www.amazon.com/author/noeandcindy.write

Get your free Amazon Kindle apps

Our new short story is out!

You're gonna love this one ...

The Conversation 

with Elizabeth Darcy and Emma Knightley

This is a short story that's sure to delight Jane Austen readers, combining two of her favorite female characters and their beloved husbands. It is available on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Scribd, Kobo, and just about anywhere you ask for it.

Included in our short story is a brief excerpt from our novel, The Sun Also Shines for me. We're happy about the reviews we've had on this novel, with comments like these on Amazon:

♥♥♥♥♥  Wonderful story with engaging characters.

ByL.D. Clementson March 4, 2015

Format: Paperback

Verified Purchase

This is a story that Jane Austen could have written ... with some angst, yet overall goodwill among all. I really hope that I haven't read the last of these characters ... I would miss them.

♥♥♥♥♥  The Sun Also Shines for me

ByMCBon February 16, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book, the presentationn of characters and their personalities was excellent. I think Jane Austen would have approved!

♥♥♥♥♥   Amazing!

Bytrubriton December 15, 2014

Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase

I have always loved books about the lesser characters in P&P, and this one captivated me from the beginning. Kudos to Mary for trying to find herself, and to Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy for leaving her to do it. The new character, Alice, was an inspiration. I loved the friendship developments between her, Mary, and Georgiana. Fascinated by the library as well.

♥♥♥♥♥   Different but very enjoyable read ...

ByAn ardent Austen Fan "Austen Fan"on January 9, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Verified Purchase

I love P&P variation books about "minor" characters. This one is no exception. Mary Bennet, being so different than her sisters, and Georgiana Darcy, together, are a "force to be reckoned with." I'm not great about going into details when doing a review ... suffice to say I LOVED this book and definitely recomment it to others.  

We appreciate the comments from all of you!

If you'd like to keep up with us, be sure to follow Noe's Amazon author page. There's even a "Follow this author" button you can click so Amazon will let you know. And follow us on Instagram: @noes_expressions

Thank you for reading what noeandcindy.write !

https://www.amazon.com/author/noeandcindy.write

Goodreads review: Shirley Link and the Safe Case

Thought we'd start something new here, just to see how we like it. Goodreads is a great place to connect with readers who have similar interests to yours; we've been there awhile. 

This is the latest book Noe has read, Cindy will add her's now and then too.

Shirley Link & The Safe Case by Ben Zackheim
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 

This is a fun short story for elementary school aged kids, and though it is for children, the way the crime was done was very imaginitive - worthy of Holmes or Poirot. If you have children and would like for them to read something that isn't about witches or vampires but still with a bit of adventure, check this one out.

Note: Goodreads rating is as follows:
 did not like it
 it was okay
 liked it
 really liked it
 it was amazing

Thank you for reading what noeandcindy.write !

https://www.amazon.com/author/noeandcindy.write

Get your free Amazon Kindle apps

Working on a new short story

Busy, busy

Noe has been really busy writing, I'm the one who is behind! I took a detour on taxes and book work, my fault. 

You'll love this cute little short story he's done with Elizabeth Darcy and Emma Knightley as the main characters. It's even shorter than Mr Darcy and the Space-time Continuum but we've got a plan with these short stories ... it's in the works.

He's also completed another novel; that's in the editing stage too ... I need to get busy ...

Thank you for reading what noeandcindy.write !

https://www.amazon.com/author/noeandcindy.write

Get your free Amazon Kindle apps

Review from Germany

Lovely comments!

Thank you so much for the review, Miss Janine.
It's reviews like this that keep us writing ~
cindy

Janine Zachariae rated a book 5 of 5 stars ★★★★★ Mr Darcy falls in Love by Noe (Goodreads Author) read in April, 2015 Before I start with my review I just wanted to thank the author for creating such a lovely book.  "You have bewitched me body and soul" is one of the sentence you'll never forget from Pride and Prejudice. And Jane Austen just bewitched me. It's that's easy. The first time I read P&P it was like a sweet fairytale in England. The story is well known: Elizabeth Bennet met Mr Darcy at a ball and both didn't like each other at the beginning.  "First impressions" were made specially because of what Wickham told Lizzy about Fitzwilliam Darcy.  But at Rosings Darcy finally made a proposal to Lizzy but she dumped him and told everything she hated about him ... Anyway. Let me come back to "Mr Darcy falls in love." Have you ever wonder how Charles Bingley and Mr Darcy became friends? Have you ever wonder what happened after the ball at first? You will get all the answers and much more. Darcys part of the story.  I really got in love with Darcy, again. In some other books Fitzwilliam never became the chance. You get the imagine that he was just stubborn and mean. But not in this one. Darcys character was so lovely described that you just can fall in love with him. It was a wonderful read.  Jane Austen would love it herself!  I love the friendship between Bingley and Darcy. Charles was so cute even he had a broken heart. I could write much more about it but you should make your own opinion of it.  So, thank you Noe and Cindy for writing such a wonderful book. I know it's lots of work in it and I know that it wasn't easy to write a book like this. To take one of the sweetest lovestories ever and make it new must be difficult. But at the end you can feel the love for Jane Austen in it. I really enjoyed it. Normally I'm skeptical about books like this. But after reading "Mr Darcy and the Time Space Continuum" it was time to read this. ~~~~~~~~~~