Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Karen Doornebos likes Mr. Darcy, plus a book giveaway


**Giveaway is now closed**

We welcome Karen Doornebos, who is here with us today to talk about her debut novel, "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy," (Berkley, Penguin; released yesterday and reviewed here). Karen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with honors in English Literature and then lived and worked in London as a writer at a management consultant firm. Back in the states, she has had an award winning career as a copywriter for huge name brands, such as Diet Coke and Johnnie Walker. Currently Karen lives outside of Chicago with her husband, son, daughter and a variety of pets.

Karen is here to share with us why, after 200 years, women are still lusting over Mr. Darcy. Thanks to Heidi Richter at Penguin Group, we have two copies of "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy" to give to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.


To learn more about Karen, you can visit her at her blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.


Do you think you would LIKE Mr. Darcy?
By Karen Doornebos


First of all, I want to thank Chick Lit Central for welcoming me here and for hosting a giveaway of my debut novel, "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy." What a fabulous review Gail Allison gave my book!

“Much obliged,” as a lady in the Regency era would say...

Jane Austen died during the Regency, in 1817. But right now she has 405,114 fans (and growing) on Facebook and that doesn’t include the other Jane Austen page with 125,691 LIKES on it (and growing, as well). Not to mention the plethora of pages beginning with her name, including one of the groups I belong to: Austen Authors.

Mr. Darcy has 114,376 facebook fans and he’s not even a real person. As you know, he was a fictional character from "Pride and Prejudice," published almost 200 years ago!

These facebook fans, along with more than 4,000 members of the Jane Austen Society of North America, are having a lot of fun with things like tea parties, ballroom dances, and Austen festivals of all kinds. They enjoy Austen movies, musicals, plays, prequels, sequels and mash-ups with zombies, sea monsters and vampires. There are hundreds of hilarious Austen-related clips on YouTube such as the “Jane Austen Fight Club,” and that video became an instant viral hit. Google “Jane Austen” and you will get 21,800,000 results. She’s on twitter, too. I personally just enjoyed my first twitter party #Austenesque!

Even the shopping is great for Jane Austen fans. Zazzle offers 900+ Austen-related gifts. T-shirts and jewelry with quotes on them aside, one of my personal favorite items comes from The Republic of Pemberley.

Why, after 200 years, are we experiencing Jane-o-mania? I have a few theories, none of them proven. There is of course, Austen’s writing itself, and her characters, all of which have withstood the test of time, including Mr. Darcy himself. Austen wrote about types we can easily recognize in our everyday lives: loveable bad boys, hypochondriacs, back-stabbers, BFFs, liars, charmers, relatable heroines, heroes to die for, and then there’s Mr. Darcy.

He’s handsome, enigmatic, rich, and he changes for the better—just because he falls in love with our heroine. Did I mention he’s rich?

Yes, there will always be Mr. Darcy, but I think Austen appeals today because, during the Regency era, there were these things called rules.

A man had to be properly introduced to you, and he would bow when he met you. He stood up when you walked into a room. Even if he was a scoundrel he would ask you to dance nicely and he wouldn’t break up with you on twitter. He didn’t text other people while drinking tea with you and your mother and he didn’t have 500 female facebook friends.

The fact that life in Regency England had no computer technology is, I think, a large part of Jane Austen’s current appeal. We can escape into one of her novels and escape into a simpler, pastoral era without the constant time suck of smartphones, emails, texts, apps, video clips to watch, and so on.

But was her era really simpler? And would you really like Mr. Darcy anyway? These are questions I’ve posed in my debut novel, "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy."

"Definitely Not Mr. Darcy" tosses a single American mom into a reality show set in Jane Austen’s England, and Chick Lit Central's associate reviewer, Gail Allison, thought it was “loads of fun”.
Gail nailed it, and I fully intended my novel to be fun, and funny, in the spirit of an Austen novel itself. But what I’m finding so cool is that even the readers who don’t know much about Jane Austen are loving the book. They think "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy" is hilarious and, at the same time, thought-provoking and informative. What’s more, many of them are inspired to pick up "Pride and Prejudice," the very book they may have thrown at the wall during high school. Some may be compelled to read any one of Austen’s other five novels, too, and that makes me smile.

So, whether you LIKE Mr. Darcy, or love him, I hope you’ll leave a comment and win a copy of "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy!"



Special thanks to Karen for introducing us to another leading man (if we didn't know him already) and to Heidi for sharing Karen's book with our readers. Thanks also to Amy Bromberg for her help putting this post together...her first as our promotional associate!



How to win "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Do you think you would LIKE Mr. Darcy? Why?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends September 13th at midnight EST.

For another chance to win this book, visit Manic Mommy. (US/Canada only. Ends sometime this weekend.)

47 comments:

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Soooo very true! I was one of those "I have NO clue who Darcy is or what Jane does. I read the book and LOVE it now too. I may be one of those people who picks up the real book and reads it now too! And yes, I'm giving away the book on MaNiC now as well, and you'll have through the weekend to comment and win! Thanks CLC! GREAT REVIEW! GREAT BOOK!

Colleen Turner said...

I don't think I would like Mr. Darcy as I cannot stand a pompous man, even if he does wish to change! Just too uppity for me :).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Facebook follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Karen Doornebos said...

Hello Everyone! Today's a big day for me with TWO giveaways! One here and one on Manic Mommy's blog, hello Manic Mommy!

@ Colleen, the good news is, even if you don't like Mr. Darcy, the book is called DEFINITELY NOT MR. DARCY! He's not really in the book! Thanks so much for your comment, and if you do win the book, I'm sure you'll laugh at some "uppity" characters in it!!!

Unknown said...

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy sounds like an entertaining and enjoyable book!
Thank you for this giveaway! Please enter me.

Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I think I would like Mr. Darcy primarily because he's willing to change for the woman he loves. It's not east for anyone to change the person they are but I think for men it can be especially difficult because it feels a little like you're saying there was something wrong with me but now I'm fixing it.

I also think I'd like Mr. Darcy because even with his arrogance, Mr. Darcy was a man with wonderful manners, class, a good sense of humor and he knew how to treat a woman all attributes I prize in a man!

Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower of this blog!

Aimala127(at)gmail(dot0com

Unknown said...

I follow on your Facebook page, too!

Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

karen Doornebos said...

Amy,

You a modern day Elizabeth Bennet! Very insightful comments about Mr. Darcy. I agree it's especially hard for men to change for the sake of a woman. Come to think of it, it's hard for anyone to change. Like you said, it's admitting defeat somehow. Thanks for commenting!

Ann Macela said...

Hi, Karen,

I don't know if I'd like Mr. D unless he could let down on the pomposity once in a while. A little sly humor would help immensely. Of course, I'm not real big on a class system or "being put in my place," so I'd probably be thrown in gaol for insulting someone high and mighty. But I love reading about those times, so what that makes me, I have no clue.
Don't enter me in the giveaway because I ALREADY have the book!!!!
Good luck to all!

Ann Macela said...

Hi, Karen,

I don't know if I'd like Mr. D unless he could let down on the pomposity once in a while. A little sly humor would help immensely. Of course, I'm not real big on a class system or "being put in my place," so I'd probably be thrown in gaol for insulting someone high and mighty. But I love reading about those times, so what that makes me, I have no clue.
Don't enter me in the giveaway because I ALREADY have the book!!!!
Good luck to all!

Ann Macela said...

I have no idea why that posted twice.

karen Doornebos said...

Thank you, Ann! I had to laugh at your appropriate spelling of "gaol"! It's clear you do like to read about those times!

Hope you enjoy the book...

Literary Chanteuse said...

I know I would like Mr. Darcy. That kind of strong personality is attractive (even though I know he comes off as a little arrogant, okay so maybe more than a little)I just think his friendship or love would be not so easily given but once obtained he would me a true for life. I'm a follower and I love Darcy actually so I'll keep my fingers crossed for this one!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Jeanine said...

I would be totally taken with Mr. Darcy, but at the same time too intimidated to stand up to him. I am one of those who just read "Pride and Prejudice" in anticipation of reading "Definitely not Mr. Darcy." I'm sure I read something by Jane Austin in high school, but for the life of me, don't remember it.

karen Doornebos said...

Margaret,
Yes, Mr. Darcy would be worth the initial investment, shall we say?

Jeanine,
How great that you read P&P in anticipation of my book! Thank you! I encourage you to get P&P 1995 film version from your library!

Marilyn Brant said...

Just wanted to wave to Karen and Melissa!

Karen, I'm looking forward to my copy of the book arriving from Amazon this week ;). As for Mr. Darcy, I think I'd like him very much once the initial meetings were out of the way. He's a man of loyalthy and good character (though his manners at social events could use some improvement, LOL) and he's someone who's capable of loving deeply.

Congrats on the release!

Laura Kay said...

I'd love to read Definitely not Mr. Darcy!!!

I'm honestly not sure if I would like him or not.

I am a GFC follower
I am a Facebook follower
I added Char Cannell Semenchuk the other day :D

Laura Kay
anovelreview@yahoo(.)com

Laura Kay said...

oh and forgot to add I made sure to post on my blog!!

http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html

ChrisFoutris said...

I think that I'd have been terrified by Darcy! Oh, I would have secretly lusted after him, but would have simply dissolved into the floor if I'd overheard what Elizabeth did.
At that age...
Now, I'd challenge him...

karen Doornebos said...

@Chris, it's interesting that you would challenge him, now that you're a little older!

@Marilyn, thanks for ordering my book!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this great giveaway.
sonflower277 at gmail dot com

Kim W. said...

kewalker1972@gmail.com

1) I'm not sure I'd like Mr Darcy. He seems too arrogant for me---he'd probably just make me mad! lol

2) I'm a follower of this blog already

3) I posted on Facebook

4) I belong to CLC on Facebook already

Amy said...

Hi Karen,

Part of me of me would like Mr. Darcy and a larger part would not.

If a man changes for the better, he gets an A++++++ in my book. And it's so refreshing for a man to open the door for a woman, stand up if a woman stands up at a restaurant to use the ladies room, etc.

I would not be able to stand, or be around, Mr. Darcy's arrogance and pompous nature.


amyrbromberg@gmail.com

I am a GFC follower

Amy said...

I belong to CLC facebook group.

I shared this contest on my facebook wall.

Tweet:

http://twitter.com/#!/jam_njellygirl/status/111650676915978241

amyrbromberg@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

I would like to win this book.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

I don't think I would like Mr. Darcy the way he was at the beginning of the book, but I do think I would like him the way he was at the end of the book.

I am a subscriber.

I am a Facebook fan.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Nina said...

I probably wouldn't like Mr.Darcy, but that's more due to my own faults as opposed to his! ;)
nina565(at)aol(dot)com

A.C. Morris said...

Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favorite books and Mr. Darcy is my favorite character. I think I really would like him in real life. He would do anything for the woman he loves and that's romantic to me. He's smart, generous, and loyal to his friends, even to a fault.

audras at gmail dot com

A.C. Morris said...

1. I'm a new follower of your blog!

2. I just joined the Facebook group.

audras at gmail dot com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I don't know if I would have liked Mr. Darcy in the beginning, but I think I would have grown to like him, as Elizabeth did.

Margay1122ATaolDOTcom

Margay Leah Justice said...

I'm an old GFC follower

holdenj said...

That whole test of time thing is so true! Would love to win!
Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I think on first glance, Mr. Darcy would seem like kind of a jerk, don't know if I would like him in the real world.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower! (holdenj)
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Jane said...

I don't think I would like Mr. Darcy because he just seems too shallow.

sk8ersmom57@yahoo.com

Jane

Kat said...

1) That sounds like a really interesting concept for a reality show! I like the freedom of being a "modern" woman but I do long for the chivalry of the era.

2) I don't believe I would like Mr. Darcy because of his arrogance, because I find it such a turn off in modern men.

3) I am follower of the blog through GFC.

4) I am a member of CLC.

5) Posted on FB.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this story :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

i'm a follower :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Jencey

I don't know that I would like Mr. Darcy. I have often felt the way Elizabeth Bennett did in the beginning. I would want a man to appreciate my intellectual mind.

Will share on blog page.

I am a follower.

jenceyg msn com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to readthis one!
I think I'd like him. I do like complicated, confident men :)
stacybooks at yahoo

StereoQueenBee said...

1. Please tell us: Do you think you would LIKE Mr. Darcy? Why?

I have no idea because I don't know much about him... Though from what I gather, probably not...?

2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).

I already follow this blog.

3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.

Facebook - Sabrina-Kate Eryou
Twitter - stereoqueenbee

4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

Am a member.

Charlotte said...

I follow your blog. I am a fb friend of chick lit. I posted your link on my fb page.

c.semenchuk@comcast.net

I love the review for the book and cannot wait to get a chance to read it.

Nancye said...

Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Mr. Darcy was described in the interview as: "He’s handsome, enigmatic, rich, and he changes for the better" -----tell me, who wouldn't?!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/113799065615089664

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I posted on my FB wall

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/nancyecdavis/posts/124013737700186

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net