{ The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay - TLC Book Tour }

 

About The Austen Escape

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 7, 2017)

Love Jane Austen? Then you’ll adore The Austen Escape.

Falling into the past will change their futures forever.
Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues – particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.

But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by the other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.

Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings play out, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

 

About Katherine Reay

Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries—who provide constant inspiration both for writing and for life. She is the author of three previous novels, and her debut, Dear Mr. Knightley, was a 2014 Christy Award Finalist, winner of the 2014 INSPY Award for Best Debut, and winner of two Carol Awards for Best Debut and Best Contemporary. Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, runner, and tae kwon do black belt. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine and her family recently moved back to Chicago. Visit her on line at katherinereay.com.

Connect with Katherine

Website | Facebook | Twitter

My Thoughts:

This was such a fun book to read. It kind of reminded me of the movie Lost in Austen, which was also about someone being caught in Austen times.  So I'll just say it right now, if you love Jane Austen and are a self proclaimed Austenite, you will really enjoy this one.

The story follows Mary who is a hard working engineer and is desperately trying to get her newest project off the ground.  Unfortunately it doesn't seem like it's getting the reaction she expected.

While stressed through all this, her friend Isabel asks her to go with her to England on a two week Jane Austen themed vacation.  It takes a bit of convincing but Mary finally agrees, and oh my goodness, does it get good from there.

Imagine if you will, waking up one morning and your friend believes she is in Jane Austen's Bath.  What ensues from there is a full immersion into all things Jane Austen, mixed with modern times and Mary having to do a little sleuthing to figure out what exactly is happening with her friend.  She'll get more than she bargained for though as she finds out quite a few juicy details that will make her past cross paths with Isabel's.

I wish I could say more, but I think that if I do, I will completely ruin it for anyone who is wanting to read it.

Truly though, if you love Austen in any way, shape or form, you need to pick up a copy of this book.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/27/2017 }

Good morning, and happy Monday :)

Here we are, after Thanksgiving and looking at the last few days of November. How insane is that?

I have a busy day ahead, as always, but I must say that I am on the ball this year with Christmas.  Usually I wait until December to bring out the decorations and some last year and the one before, I didn't even get to really do any decorating, until the week before Christmas, which was kind of a waste to be honest.

So, this year I'm starting early and really trying to go all out and bring back our wonderful Christmas celebrations.

Anyway, I will be putting up the Village today and doing our fireplace etc., and I'll show you all later in another post.  For now though, let's get going with our HHM :)

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
Just had my second cup of coffee with Coconut Creamer, and a bowl of oatmeal to which I added a teaspoon of Hazelnut Chocolate Spread. 

Right now I am::::
On the couch, getting this post up and mentally thinking about what I need to do today. 

The weather outside::::
It is currently 50 degrees and quite a pretty day.  I love crisp mornings with a little bit of a breeze and that's exactly what we have :)   

Looking around the house::::
Christmas has started appearing, and there are a few decorations here and there.  I also have a few Christmas boxes out for me to go through today.  The house itself is pretty clean so I don't have to worry about doing too much cleaning this morning. 

On today's to do list::::
Laundry.....Mine and hubby's laundry is done and just needs putting away.  I have the kid's laundry to tackle today.   
Cleaning.....Empty dishwasher, refill again.  Sweep and mop kitchen floor. 
Homeschooling.....Had Thanksgiving Break last week, but today it's back at it.  Nick has a Sign Language video he has to record and then a few portfolios for Math, Computer Tech and Physical Science.  
Cooking....I don't think hubby will be home for lunch today, so I'm probably going to have a very simple lunch of either a sandwich or maybe even cup a soup.  Dinner will be Shepherds Pie. 

Currently reading::::
I finished The Austen Escape and was supposed to get my review up last week and it completely flew my mind with the Thanksgiving stuff that was going on.  I'll be putting it up this morning.  I'm still reading Soulful Simplicity for a review and need to go check my bookshelf for the next book review that is coming up, so that I can start on that one.

On the TV today::::
Last night's Outlander
General Hospital.
I finished Alias Grace and also finished Poldark. 
I did however start Lockup: State Prisons on Netflix and have binge watched that this weekend.

On the menu this week::::
Have meals planned until Friday, that is when I'm going grocery shopping.  I'll be working on the new Menu Plan some time today.

Monday - Shepherds Pie 
Tuesday - Roast Chicken Drumsticks, Buttered Rice, Salad
Wednesday - Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles
Thursday - Not sure, I have Chicken Tenderloins so will figure something out to make with those.  I was going to make General Tso's Chicken but I have no eggs left.
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday -

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Pick up my crochet hook again and crack on with my stuff.  I have a blanket I want to finish for my sister in law, also want to continue with my Liliana blanket and my Mandala Madness, so quite busy. 


New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::
The Tofu Turkey was a big hit with my brother in law, he loved it.  Here is the recipe I used, it's actually for a Vegan Tofu Turkey. 


Looking forward to this week::::
Getting more Christmas decorations up, also cracking on with more Christmas gift shopping. 

Favorite photo from the camera::::
The beginning of our Christmas decorating. 

 

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses::::

{ Preparing for Thanksgiving }

Well it's here, without a doubt one of my favorite times of the year.

The food, the family, the atmosphere, the insane amounts of cooking and preparation that goes into it.

When we were an Active Duty family, it was just the 4 of us, and so I would wait until the actual day and then get into the kitchen early morning and prepare everything for us.  It didn't matter if I was in scruffy clothes, if food wasn't ready at a certain time, if something didn't go to plan and so on.  It was just us and we honestly didn't care, because Thanksgiving was just a day of indulging in some really yummy treats, relaxing, watching TV, napping and then enjoying leftovers for days.


Then my family moved to the States, and we now had someone to celebrate the holidays with, so it changed a little but not too much, we all lived together and so our Thanksgiving celebrations were just an extension of our previous ones.

But after moving to Texas, and closer to all of Curt's family, the holidays took on a life of their own.  Our get togethers went from 4 people, to 8 people (with my brother's family), to over 20 at times.

This year it's about 12 of us and so, I've had to make changes.  Namely in the sense that preparing for the meal, takes a few days.

I was actually looking over my to do list for today and wanted to run away.  No joke!!!!

I figured I would write this post, and jot down my to do list in here, just to keep as a memory for future years, because it's always fun to look back and see what we were doing, isn't it?

I'm also going to snap all sorts of pictures as I go about my day, and tonight I'll do another post recapping my day and what I've done.  It will probably be loaded with pictures, or so I hope, lest I forget while in my humdrum of chores.......but I doubt I will :)

I hope you're all getting ready for the big day, and I hope your to do lists are not as long as mine, though to be fair, I kinda hope they are so I won't feel so lonely LOL

So here's what's on the menu, followed by my to do list :)
Fried Turkey
Ham
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole - DONE
Sweet Potato Casserole - DONE
Salad
Potato Salad
Cranberry Sauce
Stuffing
Deviled Eggs
Roasted Vegetables
Tofu Turkey (for our Vegetarian)
Pecan Pie Bars
Chocolate Pecan Pie with Rum - DONE
Honey Pecan Pie - DONE
Pumpkin Pie
Truvia Apple Pie
Jello Dessert - DONE
Cherry Salad - DONE

And now for my To Do list, for today, I'm not including tomorrow's.

Kitchen 
Empty dishwasher, refill
Wash turkey fryer
Clean turkey and start brining
Make pecan bars and the pecan pies
Make dinner rolls
Make Jello Dessert
Make Cherry Salad
Make Tofu Turkey
Make Green Bean Casserole
Make Sweet Potato Casserole

Dining Room
Move table and insert leaves
Set up serving tables
Make centerpieces
Carpet clean

Living Room
Vacuum
Dust
Tidy

Bathroom
Clean toilet
Wipe sinks
Sweep and mop
Wash bath mats

Room where family will be sleeping
Change bed linens
Carpet clean
Dust
 
I really do hope I have the energy to get everything done.  I'm giving myself until 9am to have my coffee and breakfast and relax a bit, then it's full steam ahead.  Lord give me energy :)

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/20/2017 }

Good morning everyone and Happy Monday :)

It is almost 9am and I am still in my pj's, on the couch, snuggling with Marley and trying to stay warm.  I am freezing, I'm tired (as always) and I'm dragging my feet, which is not a good thing, considering it IS Thanksgiving week.  I have a lot going on, have another full house for Thanksgiving, some family arriving Wednesday and yeah, just trying to get everything done and taken care of in the next 3 days.

But yeah, I'm going to go ahead and get this post up so that I can start my day. It's time to start ticking things off the list.

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
Coffee with Vanilla Creamer and toast, which I ended up giving to Marley because it got slightly burned (think one of the kids turned the knob a bit higher than usual), and I do NOT like dark toast.  I'm going to finish this post, and then I'll make myself some Cream of Wheat, which I'm actually craving.

Right now I am::::
Typing up this post, thinking that I do not want to get up off this couch or get dressed. 

The weather outside::::
Currently 30 degrees but the real feel is 27.  It's going to be in the 60s the rest of the week and then 75 on Thanksgiving Day.....like WHY? 

Looking around the house::::
It's not too bad, but Marley has all his toys laying around so I need to pick those up and start getting the house clean and organized for Thursday. 

On today's to do list::::
Laundry.....All laundry was done this weekend, so nothing to do, aside than putting it away which I loathe doing. 
Cleaning.....Empty dishwasher, refill again.  Clean kitchen.  Clean and tidy living rooms.  Wash all the glass panels in my doors and wash windows. 
Homeschooling.....We're on Thanksgiving Break but Nick has a bit of catching up to do, so I'm going to have him work on some things, while I'm busy. 
Cooking....Hubby is coming home for lunch, and I'm not sure what he wants to have, but I picked up a pouch of some Tikka Masala Chickpea Curry for myself, when I went grocery shopping, and I'm really craving that.  Dinner will be Breaded Pork Chops with Mash and some roasted corn. 

Currently reading::::
The Austen Escape and Soulful Simplicity.

On the TV today::::
Last night's Outlander
General Hospital.
Binge watched Alias Grace on Netflix and loved it
Been binge watching Poldark on Amazon.  I had seen Season 1 when it first came out, but none of the other seasons, just didn't have time.  So I started it again from Season 1 and am watching it all through. 

On the menu this week::::


Monday - Breaded Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Corn. 
Tuesday - Crockpot Smoked Sausage and Hashbrowns
Wednesday - Slow Cooked French Dip Sandwiches, Potato wedges
Thursday - Thanksgiving - Fried Turkey, Ham, Mashed potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Stuffing, Deviled Eggs, Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Gravy, Homemade Dinner Rolls, Pecan Pie Bars, Pecan Pies, Pumpkin Pie, Jello No Sugar Dessert (my father in law is diabetic), Truvia Apple Pie (again so my father in law can eat it), Cherry Salad and Tofu Turkey (my brother in law is Vegetarian) 
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - General Tso's Chicken, Rice
Sunday - Potato and Onion Soup, Sandwiches

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Continue watching Poldark and maybe crack on with some crochet.  I actually made a wool shawl/poncho kinda thing for a my niece for her birthday, and she loved it.  I need to get some more yarn and make a few more for Christmas gifts. 

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::
It will be my first time attempting to make a small Turkey out of Tofu for my brother in law.  We will see how that turns out hahaha


Looking forward to this week::::
Celebrating Thanksgiving with my family, really excited to sit around the table and enjoy delicious food, laughs and good company.

Favorite photo from the camera::::
Love my handsome boy, he has brought so much love into my heart and has helped me heal tremendously from losing my baby girl Lola. 
 

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses::::

{ Crazy busy day }

I used to look forward to weekends because I knew that I would be sitting around, doing nothing but either catching up on tv shows or spending time with family.

The past few weekends have been nothing like that for me, actually the more I think about it, the minute we moved to Texas, my life became a flurry of activity.  I won't say I completely dislike it, after all, I don't much care to sit around doing nothing.  Even when I've been on the go for hours and sit down for a bit, I get this immense guilt feeling, like I shouldn't be allowed to sit and I need to be up doing something else.

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, or if this is a mom thing, but good gravy, for once it would be nice to sit and do literally nothing without feeling bad about it.

Last weekend I was busy and by the time I blinked, I was getting into bed and setting my alarm for Monday morning.  Nope, not the kind of weekends I enjoy LOL

Today was again, what has become a pretty typical Saturday for me.  Wake up early, enjoy my coffee, and then it's go go go.

 First thing this morning, grocery shopping.  I don't like going on Saturdays because of how busy it gets, and with Thanksgiving looming around the corner, it was pretty insane.

I did manage to get everything I needed, went over budget (typical for the holidays), and wasn't able to record a grocery haul.  I am starting to think that grocery hauls and weekly meals will be more on a *if I have time and can manage to film, so not on a set schedule* kinda thing.  I'm by no means getting rid of them, just not going to worry about it because I do them for fun :)

I came back home, hubby helped me get everything brought inside and then I put it all away.  By far the most boring and annoying part of the whole grocery shopping process, am I right?

Once that was done, we had to go back out.  My niece is turning 21 tomorrow, and I needed to get one more little thing to add to her birthday gifts.  Also stopped at Walmart and picked up milk and eggs, which are cheaper than the commissary, at the moment.

Back home again, and then it was full on house cleaning and washing laundry, then making dinner.  By the time I sat down at 5pm, I was so tired and so achy.  My feet were killing me from being on the go since early morning, my lower back was aching and my neck was still sore from a few days ago I really need to invest in a good neck pillow, because the two I have right now are not working.  One is too soft, one is too hard and I'm constantly in pain with these. 

I told the family to go ahead and eat without me as I wasn't too hungry just yet, and went for a nice long soak in a hot tub with Epsom Salts.  It worked miracles and I feel so much better.

It's now not even 8pm yet, and I am in bed getting ready to watch Ghost Adventures and then some more Poldark.  I feel like a very old lady, but you know sometimes we have to stop and listen to our bodies and if it's demanding bed and rest, that's what I'm going to do.

Tomorrow we have a lunch and then cake at my brother's house for my niece's birthday.  I'm going to take my camera because I would love to get some good pictures, and if I get any good ones, I'll be sure to share with you all.

Right, I'm going to turn this laptop off and get that much needed rest.  Have a beautiful blessed night, friends :)