Welcome, dear guests! You've arrived at a rather lovely soirée in honor of Talk like Jane Austen Day. Talk like Jane Austen Day is an annual event, marking the anniversary of the first printing of Sense and Sensibility (1811), Austen's first published novel.
In honor of the day, we've assembled a delightful collection of interesting features on all things Jane Austen and her times. Feel free to stop in at any blog below to enjoy something interesting, and to leave your calling card (link to your blog) in the comments section of any blog, if you've particularly enjoyed your visit.
Just browse below for a delightful Austen-related tidbit offered to you by the co-hosts of A Rather Lovely Soirée for Talk like Jane Austen Day. Here is Random Magic Tour's Austen-related treat for you - a free-to-play online game featuring Jane Austen characters, providing you with an hour or so of pleasant diversion.
Game description (via Legacy Games): Join the original social networker, Jane Austen, and her beloved characters, in this free-to-play Facebook game set in Regency England. Explore scenes from Jane Austen's novels to find clues and hidden objects, entertain your guests and potential suitors, and decorate your manor in any way you please.
Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat! The first blog hop was a Bookie Brunch special event for Halloween, and it was a lot of fun, so we're just continuing the tradition. On each blog stop from now through Halloween, a blogger or vlogger will have a handpicked Halloween treat to share with you - it might be a video clip, or a feature about great spooky films, a playlist of great, creepy songs, a recipe for treats, or a gallery of witches. It might be anything! But it's sure to be something fun, so feel free to drop by each day from October 23-31, to pick up some cute treats to put you in the Halloween mood. All the treats will be added into the linky at the end of this post, so feel free to browse. Just click on any of badges at the end of the post, to find a new treat! There'll be some fun new things to enjoy every day, all week (Oct. 23-31).
The treat: Dim the lights and turn up the speakers as you enjoy a theatrical reading of that spookiest of creepy tales, Dracula. Notes (via Librivox): Bram Stoker did not invent the vampire story, but he popularized it with his classic 1897 novel. In form, Dracula is an epistolary novel, told through a series of journal entries, letters, newspaper articles, and telegrams. It begins with lawyer Jonathan Harker's perilous journey to Castle Dracula in Transylvania, and chronicles the vampire's invasion of England, where he preys upon the lovely Lucy Westenra. Summary by Elizabeth Klett, artwork shown above courtesy of TheCount68. Technical details: 18:02:32, MP3 format, free download, streamable. Alternate audio book version is available here. CLICK TO START About Bookie Brunch: Bookie Brunch was a weekly book discussion founded by Sasha Soren, the author of Random Magic. Browse archive
Hi! Thanks for stopping by for Random Magic Tour's treat for A Fanciful Twist's Halloween party. For this stop, we're sharing a classic movie treat. So, dim the lights and pull out some popcorn, and treat yourself to a romantic, scary movie - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Shown above: Preview the trailer for this film
About (Via IMDB): When Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man he just created, the monster escapes and later swears bitter revenge on his creator.
Shown above: Mary Shelley, circa 1840. Artist was Richard Rothwell.
The novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, was written by novelist Mary Shelley. The first edition of her novel was published anonymously in London, England, in 1818, and the story of Frankenstein and his pitiable creature have since been adapted into dozens of movie versions.
As a Halloween treat, we present the 1994 film version of this Gothic classic, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, courtesy of broadcaster Crackle.This film is recommended for mature audiences only. Running time: 2:03:12, rated R, age verification will be requested before streaming begins.
Crackle's summary of the film: In the most famous horror story of all time, young Victor Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh, who also directed) leaves Geneva for the university, leaving behind his adopted sister Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), with whom he is wildly in love.
Inspired by the sinister Professor Waldman (John Cleese), Victor becomes obsessed and reclusive as he experiments with the possibilities of man-made creation. But one night, as his creature (Robert De Niro) struggles to life, Victor realizes too late the full horror of what he has done, and vainly tries to destroy his abominable creation.
Believing the creature has perished of cholera, Victor returns home and makes plans for his marriage. Alone, despised and driven by a rage born of emotional agony, the creature sets off to find his maker, and so begins the nightmare that will engulf Victor Frankenstein and all those he loves. In this suspenseful horror tale, film legend Robert DeNiro brings a frightening realism to his portrayal of the tragic creature created, then abandoned, by Victor Frankenstein.
Shown above: Oscar Wilde action figure, part of cute prize bundle listed above. Feel free to click above to browse and enter if this tickles your fancy, and have fun...
Hi! Thanks for dropping by to enter to win the nice prize bundle for Video Week: Random Magic (Oct. 21-31, 2012). Update: This offer has now expired. The winner has been drawn and will be contacted. Thanks to all for playing and visiting this fun tour!
WHAT'S THE DEAL?
There are 11 vloggers on this tour. In honor of Halloween, each vlogger will share their personal answer to a specific question, somewhere in their vlog(s).
The question: If you were invited to attend a masquerade disguised as one of the characters in Random Magic, which character would you choose to go as - and why?
Just watch the tour vlogs, comment on the vlog, then collect each vlogger's character pick.
HOW TO PLAY
1. Watch any video from this tour. Listen for the vlogger's answer to the Random Magic masquerade question, somewhere in their video.
2. Leave a comment below his/her video.
3. Then just click over from their video page to enter their character pick into the Rafflecopter (box shown below).
Note: There are approximately 11 answers to find, spread across the vlogs on this tour. You don't have to enter more than once, but the more times you enter, the more likely you are to win. You can enter up to one overheard answer per day.
If we reach at least 200 valid entries, there'll be a double treat for the winner (details on this listed with the prize info a little further down on this page.) The Video Week: Random Magic prize bundle offer is international, and good through November 21, 2012, midnight EST. Good luck to all!
What do I get if I win?: Everything! There won't be multiple prize packs, one winner takes all. If you'd like to know what the prize bundle is before you enter, feel free to browse below for details about all the cute items the winner will be receiving.
How do I do this?: There are 11 vloggers on the tour. Just visit their tour vlog and keep a lookout for their Random Magic masquerade answer, which they'll share with you. Comment on their vlog, then come here to enter their personal character pick. Collect a few different answers and you might be the one who'll be receiving this nice prize bundle for book lovers.
How do I use Rafflecopter? What info do I need? Is it a hassle?: Nope, Rafflecopter is really easy to use. Someone has helpfully uploaded a quick walk-through about entering using Rafflecopter, and you're welcome to check that out below:
It's easy to enter all of your info into the Rafflecopter, you'll just need your name or nickname and an email address where you can be contacted, if you win. To protect the individuals who are playing the game fair and square, we will verify each entry before the final draw is made. Invalid entries will be deleted.
The contest is open to *all, international, and the offer is good through November 21, 2012, midnight, EST. Good luck to all! Update: Contest has ended.
*Ineligible: Bloggers found to have 'no indies' review policy in effect at their blogs.
Prize bundle for Video Week: Random Magic
First edition copy of Random Magic, by Sasha Soren
About: When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes.
Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan.
Such as it is.
Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Strüths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse, to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.
Shown above: Best Bits! This video features a more in-depth look at the book, and includes dramatic readings, comedy skits, an online game, and other delightful things.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland plushie - Mad Hatter or White Rabbit
About: Alice thought she'd found just the place she was looking for, but ended up wanting something a bit less...mad. This charming White Rabbit plushie stands approximately seven inches tall and features the tardy bunny with his trademark uniform from the royal court of the Queen of Hearts. - Manufacturer description
About: The Mad Hatter, the endearingly insane character from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, is shown here wearing his signature suit and hat. This cute plushie is ready to cuddle you in retro style. - Manufacturer description
Details: Winner's pick of one of the two adorable plushies shown above - you can choose either the Mad Hatter or the White Rabbit, based on characters from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Random Magic actually features the character of Alice - in fact, the reason for the entire madcap adventure is because absent-minded Professor Random accidentally misplaces Alice during an otherwise quiet and completely uneventful afternoon tea party. Doll dimensions: 3 x 4 x 7 inches (7.60 x 10.16 x 17.78 centimeters). We'll be offering a chance to win the matching Alice plushie in an upcoming Video Week: Random Magic tour in December 2012.
BONUS TREAT: If we reach 200+ valid entries for the Rafflecopter on this tour, the winner won't have to pick between taking home either the Mad Hatter or the White Rabbit - he or she will receive both dolls!
Tiny deck of tarot cards
About: One of the more arcane cameo appearances in Random Magic is a woman whom Winnie and Henry meet in the Garden of the Muses; she's actually the living embodiment of a tarot card representing hidden knowledge.
This teeny tarot deck, billed as the world's smallest tarot deck by manufacturer US Games, fits into the palm of your hand, and would be a fun diversion to take along anywhere you like - it comes with a little booklet explaining how to read tarot. Each card is barely the size of a U.S. quarter or a postage stamp, but the illustrations are lovely and each wee card is a tiny work of art. Card size: 1.7 x 1.2 inches (4.31 x 3.04 centimeters). Image credit: Product image via retailer Melken Essence; they stock the same tiny deck pictured above; details may be found here.
Just for fun! Oscar Wilde action figure
About: Oscar Wilde was a playwright, poet, the author of several short stories and one novel. Oscar, though a brilliantly gifted writer, was even more famous for his scathing wit, clever quips and outlandish style, becoming one of the greatest ‘celebrities’ of the late Victorian era.
Wouldn't it be nice to meet your favorite writers at one big literary party? In Random Magic, that’s exactly what happens! Callie, the First Muse, is friends with every writer ever born, and so it’s not unusual at all for her to throw a bash attended by, say, Mark Twain or Edgar Allan Poe.
In fact, you’ll meet both writers at one of Callie’s parties - along with their fellow party guests, Charles Baudelaire, Lord Byron, Noël Coward, H.P. Lovecraft and Dorothy Parker.
Oscar puts in a cameo appearance in Random Magic, also as a guest at a celestial bash thrown by Callie, the firstborn of the Nine Muses. Win this adorable action figure of the dandiest dandy of them all - you'll smile every time you see his little debonair self sitting on your bookshelf.
Video Week: 'Random Magic' (Oct. 21-31, 2012) - You are cordially invited to join us for an entertaining week of cool reviews and creative features from vloggers around the world. We're featuring the book Random Magic, by Sasha Soren.
Schedule for Video Week: Random Magic: Oct. 21-31, 2012
Instrumental soundtrack is 'Follow the River Way.' (c) 2012, svb. All rights reserved. Vlogger: vvb
About 'Random Magic': When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes.
Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is.
Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Strüths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.
Feel free to browse some prior reviews of this book:
Welcome, dear guests! You've arrived at a rather lovely soirée in honor of Talk like Jane Austen Day. Talk like Jane Austen Day is an annual event, marking the anniversary of the first printing of Sense and Sensibility (1811), Austen's first published novel. In honor of the day, we've assembled a delightful collection of interesting features on all things Jane Austen and her times. Feel free to stop in at any blog below to enjoy something interesting, and to leave your calling card (link to your blog) in the comments section of any blog, if you've particularly enjoyed your visit. Just browse below for a delightful Austen-related tidbit offered to you by the co-hosts of A Rather Lovely Soirée for Talk like Jane Austen Day.
Commentary: Simple, comfortable, and colorful book nook, taking advantage of an enclosed courtyard. Here are some other snapshots of colorful spaces set up by the same designer (Mae Brunken), from the same pictorial - they'd also make charming book nooks.
Location: Not specified Photographer: Not specified Designer: Mae Brunken
