It’s time for the next installment in this series devoted to examining the enduring romantic themes in Jane Austen’s novels, many of which are used over and over again in today’s most popular “rom com” movies and books. So far in this series, I’ve explored popular themes in Jane Austen’s other novels over at Jane… Continue reading The “Meet-Cute” in Northanger Abbey
Author: Rachel Dodge
Girl of the Limberlost
Have you read A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter? This beautiful edition is my first purchase from Haleigh DeRocher’s Sweet Sequels incredible book shop. This is an out of print book that Haleigh revived with her own beautiful cover art! A Girl of the Limberlost (1909) is set in the Limberlost Swamp of Indiana.… Continue reading Girl of the Limberlost
Resting While You Wait
Resting while you wait? Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Waiting makes me want to DO something. I’m a multitasker. Surely, I can wait AND get something done. Right? But what if God’s delays are actually a gift? What if waiting is a kindness? An invitation. What if waiting is for our good? When my… Continue reading Resting While You Wait
Second-Chance Love in Persuasion
As we continue our investigation into Jane Austen’s irresistible romantic themes and plots, we now come to one of my favorite Austen novels, Persuasion. In this series, we’ve looked at “Enemies to Lovers” in Pride and Prejudice, the “Slow Burn” Romance in Emma, and “Best Friends to Lovers” in Mansfield Park. Now we turn our attention to the love story that many… Continue reading Second-Chance Love in Persuasion
Avonlea Hospitality
When is the last time someone invited you to do something? Anne Shirley always had so many scrapes in the kitchen, she could have probably had a funny YouTube channel! But don’t you love that she never stops trying and never stops inviting? Even after the currant wine, the mouse in the plum pudding, and… Continue reading Avonlea Hospitality
Friends-to-Lovers in Mansfield Park
As we continue to analyze Jane Austen’s novels and identify the best romantic tropes used in each one, we’re well on our way to proving that Austen not only used romantic themes ingeniously but also played an important role in developing several key plot devices that are regularly used in modern filmmaking today. Last month,… Continue reading Friends-to-Lovers in Mansfield Park
Something Worth Fighting For
What’s worth fighting for in your life? One of my favorite quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien isn’t actually a quote he wrote. It’s from The Two Towers film from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But it says something so profound, I’ve never forgotten it: There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting… Continue reading Something Worth Fighting For
Stay Awhile
Where do you go to be alone with God? The Lord often asks us to tarry with Him before we go out again. Not because He doesn’t have good plans or purposes for us. Not because He doesn’t have a use for our gifts. But because He loves us. To tarry is to stay, remain,… Continue reading Stay Awhile
Found Motherhood
“My mother’s name was Bertha Shirley.” -Anne Shirley Anne Shirley never knew her mother. Marilla never had the chance to be a mother. Until one day, “Providence” brought them together “by a queer mistake.” I sat across the table from two women this weekend. One had lost her mother. The other had lost her daughter.… Continue reading Found Motherhood
An English Tea Party
With the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla kicking off on Saturday, May 6, those of us who adore England and its rich traditions have much to look forward to! If you’re planning to watch at home, and you want to host your own English Tea Party, here’s everything you need to know! Watch Live… Continue reading An English Tea Party