Thursday, November 14, 2019

Falling for Mr. Thornton...Tales of North & South

This has been such a highly anticipated day for twelve authors and several others of us. The anthology, Falling for Mr. Thornton: Tales of North & South was planned to launch today, November 14th! Guess what! Today is also the day that the miniseries, North & South with Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe first aired on BBC One in 2004. Isn't that neat! I think so! What a perfect day to release the anthology!

To get this launch party started, I will post the blurb for the book first; then we will hear from Trudy Brasure and Nicole Clarkston. They will tell us how the anthology came into being. Next on the queue, the authors will be introduced and each will share how they first discovered John Thornton and Margaret Hale. Have you discovered them yet? If so, in the comments, tell us how you discovered them. I will, if you will! :) 

Thanks for stopping by today. Let's have a great time and show these ladies and all their hard work some love!

Book Blurb:

Amidst the turbulent backdrop of a manufacturing town in the grips of the Industrial Revolution, Elizabeth Gaskell penned the timeless passion of Mr. Thornton and Margaret Hale. A mixing of contemporary and Victorian, this short story anthology by twelve beloved authors considers familiar scenes from new points of view or re-imagined entirely. Capturing all the poignancy, heartbreak, and romance of the original tale, Falling for Mr. Thornton is a collection you will treasure again and again.


Stories by: Trudy Brasure * Nicole Clarkston * Julia Daniels * Rose Fairbanks * Don Jacobson * Evy Journey * Nancy Klein * M. Liza Marte * Elaine Owen * Damaris Osborne * Melanie Stanford ** Foreword by Mimi Matthews **


Trudy and Nicole, I'm turning this over to you! 

Q: How did this project all start?

Trudy Brasure: The initial motive was a bit personal. It had been over five years since my last N&S variation was published and I really wanted to publish something before another year had passed. My current work in progress has been long in coming, so I decided that if I started a short story collection with other authors, I could reach my goal of publishing within a year.

But besides all that, it's one of my great joys to spread and encourage the love North and South in any way. I was particularly eager to entice some Austen writers to join my venture! I knew there were a few of them who were Thornton fans as well. And since I already knew most of the other North and South authors out there, I was fairly confident there would be interest in creating a North and South anthology.

Not wanting to do this all on my own, I asked Nicole if she would be my partner in this project. Nicole has the unique distinction of being the only author to have successfully straddled both the Austen and Gaskell domains—she has published multiple novels in each world.  And I needed someone who had current experience in the ever-changing publishing scene. 

 Q: So what was your response to Trudy’s idea, Nicole?

Nicole Clarkston: I didn’t have to think about it for even a second. I loved the idea! How could I not? I had been toying with the notion of doing a North and South story collection, but the idea was bigger than I wanted to tackle on my own. 

Teaming up with Trudy was a dream! Hers were the first North and South variations I found when I first fell in love with John Thornton, and she has been a dear friend for a few years now. We have had so many fun chats about our favorite top-hat-wearing gentleman! She is truly knowledgeable about the era and the Victorian authors, and she knows these characters like they are her best friends. 

I will be honest: some readers and authors are hesitant to give North and South variations a try. I believe part of that is because it is a more sombre original work, being set in an industrial Victorian city rather than a cheerful countryside of a (slightly) more carefree era. However, that only highlights how rich and admirable the story and the characters truly are. In order to draw out the depth and feeling of the story, an author needs to understand the very Victorian challenges, attitudes, morals, and faith that these characters must wrestle with. Every author in this collection has invested a lot of time and heart to earnestly search out the nuggets of inspiration and breathe life into the characters.

Trudy Brasure: Yes, and we wanted to let each author's unique perspective and talents showcase the varied aspects of Gaskell's story. We had a very open guideline for contributing. We wanted a variety of tales: from Victorian to modern, time mix-ups, humorous and intently serious.

I knew I wanted to ask all the previously published N&S authors if they would like to contribute a story for the project. And I knew a couple of Austen writers who I thought would love to try a short story as their first dabble in Milton. It wasn't hard to find enthusiastic authors, was it, Nicole?

Nicole Clarkston: No, the problem was actually that some had to bow out due to scheduling 
conflicts after joyfully embracing the idea. Everyone we talked to was excited about the project and it was truly a delight to see it come together. Most of us didn’t know each other well, but everyone was such a pleasure to work with! These are some remarkable authors and human beings, and the early stage of writing and taking over plot lines was a blast. 

When the stories started rolling in, we knew we had a special collection. Each author truly went for the heart of the story, and each in their own unique style. The blending of voices and imaginations beautifully captures just why North and South resonates with so many readers: because it is a story that transcends circumstances and styles and speaks to the root of human relationships. 

Speaking of what is so special about North and South, we asked each of our authors how they first discovered John Thornton and Margaret Hale. 



Nancy Klein I read "North and South" in graduate school in 1985. It was part of my Victorian Novel class and loved it. Fast forward to 2005 and I'm strolling around Best Buys on Christmas Eve, looking for a DVD to play on the player my brother and sister are buying for me in another part of the store. Bingo--there's "North and South." I watched it in one sitting on December 26, and there was no going back after that. The music, the smouldering, the scene at the train station--wait, that didn't happen in the book. Who cares? I'm in love.

Nicole Clarkston I was already in love with "Pride and Prejudice" and I was looking for something I could love just as much. I happened to turn on the miniseries during a home renovation project, when I needed something to keep me awake while I worked through the night. My expectations were not very high. However, by the time The Kiss happened, I was a drooling, wide-eyed, sleep-deprived John Thornton devotee. I drove all the way across Portland the next day after calling all the local book retailers to see who had it on the shelf (because 2 day shipping was way too long to wait). I loved the book even more! After three years had gone by with no sign of my obsession abating, I decided I had to put pen to paper, and here we are.

Kate Forrester A confession, my love of North and South came from the BBC adaptation staring Danielle Denby Ash and Richard Armitage and not Mrs Gaskells novel, my love of that came later. Christmas 2007 my daughter received North and South as a gift. We didn’t watch it until the new year - the first Sunday in January to be precise. From the opening scene I was hooked. I loved the train, and Margaret’s reflection. I adored the minor characters Mr Hale, Bessie Higgins, Nicholas Higgins, the fabulous Fanny Thornton, and the indomitable Hannah Thornton. Then there was John Thornton, Master of Marlborough Mill – the man who didn’t know how to dabble but had a foolish passion for a woman who didn’t look back but who did eventually come home with him after the most romantic kiss ever seen in a BBC Sunday drama. Richard Armitage’s portrayal of Thornton was perfection. Sunday lunch was forgotten as we binged watched all four episodes – the first of many viewings.

Rose Fairbanks I fell in love with North and South after watching the BBC production with Richard Armitage. I was so good back then and only watched one episode a night even though I was watching on Netflix. By episode two, Mr. Thornton was haunting my dreams. I watched several more times back to back and it reignited my love for Victorian literature. I finally realized it was based on a book and decided to read it. I actually didn’t think the book could be even better than the production (I mean, that kiss!), but I was so pleasantly surprised.

Damaris Osborne My husband was on deployment abroad, and my daughter and I sat down to watch another Sunday evening BBC four parter from 19thC literature. Austen was exhausted, Dickens was getting dreary. North & South sounded potentially a bit ’trouble at t’mill’ grim, but the quality of the production both in front of and behind the camera made it a ‘we must see next episode’ from the first. However, it was the ‘look back at me’ scene that left me speechless. Good looking chaps in their thirties are not rare on screen, but one who could draw one into the anguish of a soul through eyes alone was amazing. By the end (despite shouting at the screen that anyone canoodling on a station platform would have caused public outrage) I was eager to see how much of the tale was dramatic television licence and how much was the brilliance of Gaskell. It turned out that the book was different, but had its own glittering high points, and showed just how underrated Mrs Gaskell has been for far too long. My parody is of the television series, since parodying Mrs Gaskell would be an insult.

Don Jacobson The honest truth is that I went backwards into "North and South" after reading Nicole Clarkston's variations. Up to the point, I had been exclusively reading Pride and Prejudice variations. When Nicole asked me to beta-read "Northern Rain" (we had been sharing each other's work for a year by that point) I was hooked. Then I resolved to go back and read the original source story. WOW again. Buried inside of the traditional romance was a potent social commentary about rising by the dint of one's talents while also being held back by those who rose before you were able to escape your station.

Elaine Owen I got into North and South around 2015, after seeing so many people who were usually calm and sensible completely gush about something that happened on a train platform! I finally gave into curiosity and watched the movie, and just that fast, I was one of those people whimpering over a solitary yellow rose. Then I read the book and fell in love once more.

Evy Journey I actually didn’t know about Gaskell’s novel until I saw the miniseries which I found surfing Netflix for something to watch. Like many viewers, I loved it. When that happens I very often read the book it’s based on. As it also sometimes happens when a book or film touches me, I continue the story in my mind.

Trudy Brasure I stumbled upon the BBC’s adaptation of North and South in October 2009 when my friend and I searched for something to watch on Netflix. I didn’t know it then, but it was a pivotal event for me. I’d never heard of Elizabeth Gaskell before. Richard’s performance of the lonely and misunderstood John Thornton was utterly riveting. I don’t think I’d ever seen a romantic hero as vulnerable as Thornton was during that profoundly moving scene with his mother the night before he proposed. I immediately searched for information on Richard Armitage and Gaskell’s story afterward and found a community of fans at C19 that encouraged and nourished my fascination with North and South. I ordered the book and flew through it—it’s now one of my prized possessions, with all my markings over the years on its pages. Consumed with re-imagining that painful good-bye scene from the mini-series, I began writing the opening scenes of A Heart for Milton early in 2010.

Melanie Stanford My mom has always loved classic literature and the movies and mini-series that go along with it. One day when I was visiting, she begged me to watch one of her favourites- Cranford. I enjoyed the movie and decided that next time I visited, I'd watch another Gaskell with her. My choice- Wives & Daughters, because the third movie in the boxed set, North & South, looked blah to me. I wanted to watch a movie about families and flirtations, not one about a mill owner during the industrial revolution. Well. I did eventually give North & South a try and WOW. After just one watch, North & South became one of my all-time favourite movies and Richard Armitage a beloved actor. It didn't take long (or too many re-watches) for me to read the book and then write my own modern retelling. Two years later and I still love North & South and I'm so happy I got this chance to dive into the world Gaskell created and write another retelling. 

M. Liza Marte In all honesty, I found Elizabeth Gaskell and her story, North & South by way of John Jakes. I was a huge fan of the TV mini-series, North and South based on John Jakes novels. When I heard there was a BBC adaptation I thought, “How can they remake a British version of the Civil War story?” It made no sense to me. A friend, who was a great admirer of the lead actor in the BBC version told me it was a different story, with many similarities to “Pride & Prejudice,” my favorite book. With that inducement I watched and fell in love with the story, the characters, Milton, everything!



Blog Tour Schedule:
14/11/2019 More Agreeably Engaged; Blog Tour Launch & Giveaway
19/11/2019 My Jane Austen Book Club ; Author Interview & Giveaway
21/11/2019 From Pemberley to Milton; Review & Giveaway
25/11/2019 So Little Time…; Guest Post & Giveaway
05/12/2019 My Vices and Weaknesses; Review & Giveaway
10/12/2019 Diary of an Eccentric; Guest Post & Giveaway
16/12/2019 Babblings of a Bookworm; Review & Giveaway
20/12/2019 Austenesque Reviews; Guest Post & Giveaway

Buy Link:


It is so exciting to have this many authors together and writing about John Thornton and Margaret Hale. I've been anxious to have this in my hands and read it anytime I have a few minutes. I will be able to get my North & South fix and enjoy a story or two. I know I will be reading Falling for Mr. Thornton over and over. 
For those of you that love Pride & Prejudice with Darcy and Elizabeth, I hope you will give this anthology about the beloved characters of North & South a chance. You may just fall in love with them too. Who knows, you may then move on to the original book by Elizabeth Gaskell. You may even want to watch the miniseries with Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe, if you have not already done so. 

Congratulations to each of the twelve authors. You have an awesome anthology that will introduce new readers to the wonderful world of Milton, John Thornton, Margaret Hale, and even Nicholas Higgins! 

If you would like to read the full blurb for each of the twelve stories and see what type of story it is, please click here. It will pull up a pdf document for you to read. It also includes the author bio and contact information for each author. 

Thank you, Rita Deodato, for organizing the blog tour and allowing me to launch it!

Giveaway:
Take a look at all those books above which are the main giveaway for this blog tour. That is amazing! Good luck to everyone!

The authors will offer one big prize to one reader following the entire blog tour. This prize will contain 13 different ebooks, once copy of Falling For Mr. Thornton and one other ebook from each author.
Additionally, the authors would also like to offer 2 bookmarks of Falling for Mr. Thornton at each blog. Both giveaways are international. 

Leave a comment below to be entered for the bookmarks. Use the Rafflecopter to enter the grand prize of thirteen eBooks. Good luck to all of you.

Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

61 comments:

  1. I love finding out how people fell in love with North and South! I hope "Falling for Mr. Thornton" keeps the N&S flame burning in many hearts. Thanks for this blog launch post, Janet. And even more thanks for the inviting cover

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    1. I do, too. It is always interesting to read or hear the different things that brought people to North & South. You are welcome!

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  2. This was an exciting project which forced me out of my comfort zone. Look forward to engaging (in an Agreeable sort of way) with everyone!

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    1. I am glad you were forced out of your comfort zone, Don! That's all the better for us readers!

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  3. Thank you for hosting today, Janet! This was an exciting project. It's always a thrill to work with authors you respect and admire, and irresistible to spend a bit more time with John Thornton. <3

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    1. It was thrilled to be hosting, today! Thank you for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to spending more time with John Thornton myself! Thanks to each of you, I can do just that!

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  4. I think its time to re-read the book

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    1. I think that sounds like a good idea, Vesper. I may soon be doing the same thing.

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  5. I have always loved the Victorian era (sorry Regency, you are a second love); the shift of thinking and a forward realization of the changes that are coming to England as a country and to the monarchy. I have not read anything yet, neither have I watched the movie, but after reading this blog and the authors personal revelations about N&S, I should definitely read this book and watch the movie. Thank you so much for this opportunity of winning a great anthology produced by great authors, each and everyone.

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, Crista! I hope you get to read N&S and watch the movie soon. I believe you will love it. Good luck in the giveaway too!

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  6. Thanks for this it has been fabulous to be a part of the project. Like Trudy it has been a while since I wrote about John Thornton I suppose the thing about North and South is that you have the grit and realism of the Victorian times - its no surprise that Dickens was a support of Gaskell, All combined with the romance like you find in Austin

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    1. There is something about the realism of the times, the classes, and the romance that sets N&S apart. Gaskell allowed her characters to grow and learn, like Jane Austen, and that is always appealing.

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  7. Congratulations and best wishes to all of you on this joint effort. With such talented writers, it is sure to be a success!

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  8. Hi all,

    May I take this opportunity to congratulate each and everybody involved in this wonderful collection of stories.

    I was immensely proud to have been sent a copy of the book and heartily enjoyed each story,each author’s homage to John and Margaret.

    I stumbled upon N&S a few years ago after watching the dvd. So eager was I to read the very words that inspired such a wonderful story, that I drove into the city and visited two bookstores before I spied a copy of Gaskell’s story. Treating myself to it,I read and savoured each word,checking the notes at the back to make sure I knew the specific details clothed in her words.

    Janet,heartiest congrats on creating such a beautiful cover for this book. You captured the spirit of N&S.....I’m sure John and Margaret would be proud!!

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    1. Hi Mary! It is great to have you visit and share your insights. Thank you for that and for your kind words about the cover. You always know how to make me smile! I hope that John and Margaret would be proud!

      I said I would share how I discovered N&S and I will in a comment below. Thanks for telling us how you did!

      It's wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed each story.

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  9. A few years ago I bought the dvd of North & South for my Mum and I to watch over Christmas and WOW! Richard Armitage as John Thornton had me hooked ��. I have since watched it many times!
    I am a devoted fan of Darcy and Elizabeth and well written stories about the two of them are mostly all I read but I acquired the three N&S variations by Nicole and eventually I read them and wow! again. I loved them, even the completely angsty one and as Nicole knows, I’m not an angst lover.
    So, i have added this to my list for my next shopping spree! (As tempting as the generous giveaway is, I no longer attempt to enter on Rafflecopter.)
    Good luck with this book! ��

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    1. Glynis, thank you for sharing how you discovered N&S. I bet you and your mum enjoyed that time or watching the movie. I must agree, WOW, is right! I'm so glad that you dropped by and visited today. You're still entered in the bookmark giveaway.

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  10. Janet this is such a magnificent post! I could not imagine a better launch post then one where all authors share with us how they came to love this beautiful story.
    I have realised that I am not the only one who stumbled across the BBC adaptation before the book, and I cannot but find curious how a tv show could have such an impact in literature. Usually literature influences, or generates tv shows, but in this case, a tv show was the trigger for so many wonderful books to be written.
    This North and South Anthology is everything I've been waiting for this year, and I cannot wait to start reading (I know...shame on me, but I'll only start today).
    I only want to congratulate you on the beautiful cover! You are a very talented artist and we are very lucky to have you working on this genre :)

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    1. Thank you, Rita. You are such a dear person and a delight to work with. I'm thrilled that you like the cover and the post.

      I enjoyed reading how the authors came to love N&S too. That is always so fascinating. It was great hearing from you too. I will tell of my own discovery in the comments too. It is amazing how that miniseries had such a profound effect but it did.

      Thank you, Rita, for putting together the blog tour.

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  11. Since several of you have told of your discovery of N&S, I will tell of mine as promised.

    I had been doing some work with J. Dawn King, and she mentioned the miniseries and Richard Armitage. Here and now, I will admit to this sad fact. At the time, I had never heard of him. Yes, I know, horrible to own that truth. What had I been missing? A lot! I ordered the dvd, and immediately watched it when it arrived, and I watched it again, and again. I practically wore out the end of the dvd. (if that is possible) I went back and watched "That Kiss" over and over. (how many of you have done the same?) Oh my! What a kiss that was. I don't think I have ever seen one quite that breath-taking before! I loved Richard Armitage as John Thornton and Daniela Denby-Ashe as Margaret Hale. Nicholas Higgins was magnificently portrayed by Brendan Coyle. The whole series was superb. Then I wanted to read the book. I wanted to know how similar it might or might not be to the movie. It was awesome and the subtle hints left us by Elizabeth Gaskell made me love the book as much as the movie. She wrote each character with such insight and feeling. I was already in love with P&P and Darcy and Elizabeth. Now I had N&S and Thornton and Margaret. Two loves that needed more reading time. Then I discovered Trudy Brasure, Nicole Clarkston, and others. That was wonderful and fed my obsession. My devotion kept me hunting for more. I was hooked, and I've never regretted it!

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  12. I first discovered Margaret and Mr. Thornton with the BBC miniseries. The miniseries is one of my favorite movies and I watch it at least once a year.

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    1. Awww, same here. It is also one of my favorites and I believe I am due a rewatch. Good luck in the giveaway.

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  13. Yay! Glad to see it out on tour. Debbie Brown has mentioned this one and I was so excited for it to come out. I love N&S and the few variations that I've read over the years. What a powerhouse group of writers, too. Congrats all around and fun reading the interview to see how it all came about.

    Is that your cover, Janet? It's so lovely.

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    1. Hi Sophia Rose! I'm happy to see this on tour as well. It is quite a powerhouse of authors. It's great to see others excited about this anthology. Good luck in the giveaway.

      Yes, I did the cover, Sophia. Thank you!:)

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  14. Congratulations on the release of such a big project.

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    1. It had to be a daunting project! We readers get the benefit! :)

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  15. Sounds really awesome, cool tour.!

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  16. Sounds wonderful. I must give credit to Nicole Clarkston for introducing me to John Thornton a few years ago. She then directed me to the miniseries and now I love John almost as much as she does...and I agree, the kiss scene is droolworthy.

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    1. That's neat that Nicole introduced you to John Thornton. I remember how excited I was when I found her book, No Such Thing as Luck. I had been hunting for any N&S variations that I could find. I found hers and we've been great friends ever since. Not only to get more Thornton, but I got a good friend too. That was the best! Droolworthy is a perfect description of that kiss scene. It was so tender and passionate!

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  17. I'm definitely looking forward to reading this!

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    1. Great to hear it, Jennie. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  18. This was such a highly anticipated publication as I kept seeing little hints about it on all the authors above that I follow on Facebook. Well, it didn't disappoint. I was so honored to receive an ARC of the collection, and it is wonderful, just so wonderful.

    I really loved reading about how it came into existence, and the responses of each of the author regarding their own discovery of N&S. Thank you all so much for this amazing collection of stories. I know I'll be rereading them again and again.

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    1. Well, I don't know why I'm unknown above, ha, technology. Here's my discovering N&S story.

      Back in 2004 when N&S premiered I was in a difficult work situation, and don't hate me, we started watching but I bailed out it looked too violent and depressing. I WAS hooked on period drama though, and liked the other productions of Gaskell's works, Cranford and Wives and Daughters. It was after I watched The Hobbit with my husband when he told me what other things Richard Armitage had been in (his encyclopedic memory sometimes is annoying, other times it's helpful) and he told me he was in The Vicar of Dibley. What??! He did an IMDB search and rattled off the things he had been in and obviously came to North and South. I kind of remembered it but those days of 2004 were a blur, and I wanted them to remain that. In the meantime my love of Austen variations had been sparked and I was so into that....along with Drum Roll....Georgette Heyer. Richard Armitage narrated a handful (not nearly enough!!) audio books of Heyer's. Sigh. When I had exhausted that supply, and also Nicole's supply of Pride & Prejudice variation I discovered HER N&S variations. I then went back and watched N&S on Netflix. And finally read the book.

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    2. The movie does have some violence early on. I was glad to see that part was not in the book. I've read, maybe from Trudy's blog, that it was used partially to set the stage and understanding for Margaret's dislike of John in the beginning. That would be more easily understood in today's society than the class difference. Thank you for sharing your road to N&S. I'm sorry to hear about such a difficult work situation, but happy it is in the past. I wish Richard Armitage had narrated more of Georgette Heyer's books too. I could listen to his voice anytime. When he's narrating an awesome story, it's all the better. The main point here, we are all glad you found your way to N&S. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us. If you could just leave your name or however you usually comment, you will be entered in the bookmark giveaway. I think I may know who you are, but not positive.

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  19. Congratulations on the release. I predict a huge success! What a wonderful project. I have had my eye out for N&S variations since watching Richard Armitage! Looking forward to diving into all these stories!

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    1. I hope your prediction is true! Thanks Becky, for commenting. I think Richard Armitage's excellent portrayal of John Thornton has brought many people to N&S. He truly fleshed out the character.

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  20. I'm so excited for this release!! The first time I watched North and South I was on a historical tv drama spree. I didn't know the plot, never read the book but I had read good reviews about it. Needless to say, I was soon hooked and I still rewatch it almost every year. Congratulations to each author for their work!

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    1. That's neat that you still rewatch it almost every year. I feel you are not alone in that. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the giveaway.

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  21. I've loved being a part of this anthology and seeing all the Thornton love. Thanks for a great post and the beautiful cover, Janet!

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  22. Wonderful interview to start the blog tour! I was honored to be given an ARC of this anthology and just loved it. I actually fell in love with Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Wives and Daughters' first after seeing that BBC production and went on to read the book. It wasn't until Rita Deodato's blog that I came to know of the 'North and South' variations and her love of Elizabeth Gaskell that gave me the impetus to read it. I remember loving the adaptation but didn't know there were variations out there. I am a bit obsessed with Jane Austen that my focus was more tunnel vision than I realized! Congratulations to all involved and Janet, I love the cover!!

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    1. Hi Carole! Wasn't it a great start to the blog tour! I loved reading all the ways these authors discovered N&S. Good for Rita for bringing it to your attention as well! I was digging for variations to feed my addiction once I discovered they were out there. I'm thrilled you love the cover, thank you! :)

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  23. Congratulations to all the authors on this anthology! What a great assembly of writers! I’m sure this book will persuade even more readers to fall in love with N&S if they haven’t already. Pretty cover, Janet.

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    1. Thank you, Jan! Wouldn't it be nice if more readers fell in love with N&S? We can hope. The book will help, I'm sure. It is a great assembly of writers. I'm glad you dropped in.

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  24. I've never been a big fan of the original (sorry, blaspheming here), but I loved the mini series. It was my gateway to Richard Armitage, in a way. But reading variations of the story really is up my street, especially now that I read that so many of the authors share my weakness for the actor who potrayed the Northern mill owner so convincingly. Can't wait to read the collection. Congrats to all involved!

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    1. Thanks for sharing with us, and we are glad to hear you loved the miniseries! Hope you enjoy this collection of variations. Good luck.

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  25. Looking forward to this New book!!! WOW a great group of authors.

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    1. Isn't it a great group of authors! I hope you get to read it soon. Maybe you will be the winner of all the eBooks! What a prize that will be!

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  26. Isn't it wonderful that John Thornton is getting his own anthology? We all swooned over The Darcy Monologues a couple of years ago and now we can do the same for our other hero. I won't say second best because how can he be second best to anyone, even Fitzwilliam Darcy?

    Thanks to Trudy and Nicole for sharing how this anthology came about. I love their wrtiting and even after having read all of the N&S-inspired fiction they've written, my favourite scene is still what I call "the kitchen scene" from Nicole's Northern Rain. Simply delicious! Thanks also to all of the authors for letting us know how they found Mrs. Gaskell, North and South, and Mr. Thornton.

    I came across Elizabeth Gaskell's works after devouring Jane Austen's from around the age of 11 or 12. I'd tried Dickens but have never developed a liking for his writing and I think it was my English Lit. teacher who suggested Cranford. One thing led to another and I eventually discovered and fell in love with John Thornton in the same way as I'd done with the gentleman from Derbyshire. I didn't see the dramatisation until about three years ago! Somehow, I missed it when it was originally broadcast. I have a feeling that I saw it in the TV schedules and thought it was a re-run of Patrick Swayze as Orry Main. Then, after hearing so much about the 2005 version, I noticed that it eas being broadcast in its entirety one Sunday and set my DVD recorder to record it all. Guess what? It cut off the beginning of the first episode and the end of the last one, just as things were beginning to 'get interesting' at the railway station! Of course, I ordered the DVD straight away and had to wait those agonising few days to finally watch The. Best. Screen. Kiss. Ever! I know that's not how it was written by Mrs. Gaskell but when I re-read that final chapter now, especially those intriguing words "after some time of delicious silence" you can guess what I'm imagining took place in that room in London.

    Richard Armitage has such an amazing talent, and his voice! Well, many of us would probably happily listen to him read the phone book. Infirst came across him when he played Guy of Guisburn in the TV series Robin Hood with Jonas Armstrong as the eponymous hero. Richard Armitage in black leather (his character's preferred apparel) - what's not to like? Then, in The Hobbit films, having read the book many times, I never thought I'd find Thorin Oakenshield sexy!

    Many thanks for the generous giveaway and congrats to everyone involved in this project. Janet, once again you've produced some wonderful cover art.

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    1. Hi Anji, I loved reading your thoughts and learning how you came across Elizabeth Gaskell's works. Oh yes, you nailed it when you said The. Best. Screen. Kiss. Ever! I could't have said it better myself. I still love to watch the movie and I always rewind and watch that kiss at least one more time! I had to laugh at your comment about a sexy dwarf, but then, he was Richard Armitage. lol Fitzwilliam Darcy and John Thornton...yes those are two wonderful heroes. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us.

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  27. This was a wonderful post, Janet. Thank you! To all the wonderful comments above I would just like to add that this was my first experience contributing to an anthology, and it has been a pleasure! It's been fun to get to interact with some of the other authors and now I'm reading their contributions and realizing what a talented group they are!!! What a pleasure to be included in such a group! I know all your readers will love this collection.

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, Elaine. The comments and reception of the anthology has been wonderful. The anthology is deserving of every one. It is a great group and I am happy you are part of it!

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  28. I very much look forward to read this antology! N&S deserves more recognition!

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    1. You are correct about that. It definitely deserves more recognition. I hope this anthology will help bring more people to N&S.

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  29. It's no surprise to me that most people came to N&S through the mini-series. It really is one of the best movie adaptations from a book that I've ever seen. Thanks everyone for stopping by and enjoy our stories!

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    1. It was not a surprise to me either, Melanie. I agree 100% with your assessment. Thanks for stopping by and for writing such lovely stories.

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  30. I love the BBC adaptation 😊

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