Aug 10, 2020
Elizabeth Essex is the award-winning author of critically acclaimed historical romance, including Reckless Brides and her new Highland Brides series. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and Seal of Excellence Award, and RWA’s prestigious RITA Award. The Reckless Brides Series has also made Top-Ten lists from Romantic Times, The Romance Reviews and Affaire de Coeur Magazine, and Desert Isle Keeper status at All About Romance. Her fifth book, A BREATH OF SCANDAL, was awarded Best Historical in the Reader’s Crown 2013.
When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden, walking her beloved dogs, Ghillie and Brogue, or simply messing about with boats, Elizabeth can be always be found with her laptop, making up stories about heroes and heroines who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn’t always so. Long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics and Art History, and then earned her MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing lush, lyrical historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure.
Elizabeth lives in Texas with her husband, the indispensable Mr. Essex, and her active and exuberant family in an old house filled to the brim with books.
Show notes:
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Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Elizabeth Essex
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Discussed in this episode:
Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The Poetry of Robert Frost: The Collected Poems, Complete and Unabridged
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
From Cabin Boys to Captains: 250 Years of Women at Sea by Jo Stanley
Most Secret and Confidential: Intelligence in the Age of Nelson by Steven E. Maffeo
Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny (Loose Ends Book 1) by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
After the Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
Mad About the Marquess by Elizabeth Essex
Almost a Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
A Scandal to Remember by Elizabeth Essex
The Lady Sherlock Series by Sherry Thomas
Book 1: A Study in Scarlet Women
Book 2: A Conspiracy in Belgravia
The Veronica Speedwell Series by Deanna Raybourn
Book 2: A Perilous Undertaking
Book 4: A Dangerous Collaboration
Andrea Penrose: The Lady Arianna Hadley Mysteries (6 Book Series) and the Wrexford and Sloane Regency Mysteries (4 Book Series)
During our conversation, we talked about a Jane Austen time travel book, but couldn’t remember the title. Elizabeth suggested it might be The Austen Project: A Novel, by Kathleen A. Flynn. When I went to research it, I found the one that I read: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, by Laurie Viera Rigler. But in case you were not aware of this, bookworms, Jane Austen time travel is a whole genre unto itself. I had no idea. But every month I send out a curated book list, and this month I’ll dive into this previously undiscovered category of books.
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Patrons also get to hear an exclusive clip, where we discussed the following:
Remarkable Creatures: A Novel by Tracy Chevalier (this is the book I read about Mary Anning)
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare (a Romance novel suggested by Elizabeth; has a character based on Mary Anning.)
We did not discuss the following books, but Mary Anning is such a fascinating person that I’d like to point you to the wealth of books about her, including the following:
Fossil Hunter by Shelley Emling
Jurassic Mary: Mary Anning and the Primeval Monsters by Patricia Pierce
And, there are even more options in kids/Middle Grade books, in case you are interested in sharing Mary’s story with a young person in your life.
Stone Girl Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning of Lyme Regis by Laurence Anhold and Sheila Moxley (G.r K – 3)
The Fossil Girl by Catherine Brighton (Gr. K-3)
Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon by Jeannine Atkins (Gr. K-5)
Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter by Sally M. Walker (Gr. 2-3)
History VIPs: Mary Anning by Kay Barnham (Gr. 4-6)
The Dragon in the Cliff: A Novel based on the Life of Mary Anning by Sheila Cole (Gr. 4-6)
Mary Anning’s Curiosity by Monica Kulling and Melissa Castrillon (Recommended for grades 4-7)
Curious Bones: Mary Anning and the Birth of Paleontology by Thomas W. Goodhue (Gr. 5-6)