A Study Of The Jane Austen Byrne And Rice Portraits Presented By Bestselling Author Donna Fletcher Crow During Her Talk For The Jane Austen Society Annual Meeting

    WILMINGTON, NC, November 17, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Award-winning, bestselling author Donna Fletcher Crow recently presented a talk titled "Jane Austen In London With The Dashwoods" for the Jane Austen Society of North America Annual General Meeting held In Victoria, British Columbia. A dedicated Janeite, Crow took things to the next level by delivering her presentation in the persona of Jane Austen, wearing a replica of a Jane Austen outfit.

As Crow stated in a recent blog post, "All Jane Austen devoted fans want to know more about her and what she looked like. Little wonder then, that there has been so much interest—and controversy—created by newly emerged portraits declared to be authentically Austen."

"Like all avid Janeites, I had been interested over the years in newly-discovered portraits declared by some to be of Jane Austen. I had never considered taking a position in the on-going debates, however, until my granddaughter and I found ourselves 'living' two of the most prominent representations.

"The experience of portraying the portraits was much like getting inside a character I'm developing for a novel, whether an historic or fictional person. It's all based on meticulous research and careful observation of the smallest details until, slowly, one comes to realize you know what that person thinks, what they would do or say.

"It was the same for me with the Byrne and Rice portraits I experienced in preparing for my presentation for the Jane Austen Society of North America conference in Victoria, BC. Hours spent scrutinizing every detail of the portraits and every known description of Austen led me to a firm position and to feeling like I know the beloved author better. I hope my conclusions can help readers to a better understanding of her wonderful books."

The full blog post, including some background research and some great images that Janeites will find of compelling interest, can be found at https://donnafletchercrow.com/p/476/Jane-Austen-Portraits-Reenacted-and-Reevaluated-

Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 50 books, mostly novels of British history. She has taken a number of high-level industry awards for her work. Many of her books have been bestsellers in their categories, including 'A Most Inconvenient Death', which achieved #1 bestseller status in Christian Suspense. 'The Fields of Bannockburn', the epic from which The Celtic Cross Series, Part I: Scotland, The Struggle for a Nation is based, was listed as Fiction Bestseller by Christian Book Distributors and 'The Banks of the Boyne', the epic from which The Celtic Cross Series, Part II: Ireland, The Pursuit of Peace is based, hit #3 Best-Selling Fiction.

'Glastonbury' is her best-known book, which received the prestigious First Place, Historical Novel, award from the National Federation of Press Women. Readers and reviewers have raved about 'Glastonbury', calling it "The best of its kind," "richly fascinating," "beautifully researched," "gloriously evocative," and "panoramic." One Amazon reader said, "WHAT a work! Every reader can be enveloped in the sheer scope and quality, every historian be constantly nodding at the precise detail and accuracy, and every Christian can rejoice in the fullness of scripture. For me it is simply beyond descriptive praise. I would urge all who value truth to treat themselves to a feast."

The recently completed 10-volume Celtic Cross series covers the history of Scotland and Ireland. The leading historic figures of the day interact with fictional characters to bring the stirring events alive. Each epoch is tied to the series with the on-going events in the lives of modern young people as old wars and current conflicts keep them striving to find answers that provide hope for the future. The series is comprised of 10 novels.

The Elizabeth & Richard Mysteries is a literary suspense series using literary figures as background: Rudyard Kipling in 'The Flame Ignites', Dorothy L Sayers in 'The Shadow of Reality', Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Eve's Nightmare', and Jane Austen in both 'A Jane Austen Encounter' and 'A Most Singular Venture'. Watch for 'A Prodigious Sum of Corpses: Seeking Sanditon at Jane Austen's Seashore', which will take readers to all of Austen's favorite seashore resorts. Accounts of Crow's visits to these sites are available on her blog under the heading "Jane Austen Seashore Tour."

The Monastery Murders Series features atmospheric contemporary crimes with their roots buried deep in the middle ages. Books in the series include 'A Very Private Grave', 'A Darkly Hidden Truth', 'An Unholy Communion', 'A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary', 'An All-Consuming Fire' and the newly-released 'Against All Fierce Hostility.'

The Daughters of Courage, 'Kathryn', 'Elizabeth' and 'Stephanie' is a pioneer family saga based on the stories of Crow's own family and other Idaho pioneers in the Kuna, Nampa and Boise area. A short story on her blog entitled "A Nostalgic Fourth of July" is based on a scene from 'Kathryn: Days of Loss and Hope'.

Where There is Love is a 6-book series of the enduring legacy of love and faith all based on historic people and events. The titles are: 'Where Love Begins', 'Where Love Illumines', 'Where Love Triumphs', 'Where Love Restores', 'Where Love Shines', and 'Where Love Calls'.

The Lord Danvers Victorian true-crime series is an Amazon bestseller in the British Detectives category. Books in the series include 'A Lethal Spectre', 'A Most Inconvenient Death', 'Grave Matters', 'To Dust You Shall Return' and 'A Tincture of Murder'. Donna provides a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder' for those who sign up for her newsletter. More information is available at her website.

Donna Fletcher Crow's awards include:

Where Love Begins, Best Historical Romance, Pinnacle Awards 2019
A Lethal Spectre, Best Mystery, Pinnacle Awards, 2019
Glastonbury, First Place, Historical Fiction, National Federation of Press Women Award of Merit
The Banks of the Boyne, Silver Angel; First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
The Fields of Bannockburn, First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
Professional Achievement Award, Northwest Nazarene College
Juvenile Books Award of Merit, Idaho Press Women
Top Idaho Author
Pacesetter Award, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference
Outstanding Historical Fiction, Idaho Press Women, National Federation of Press Women,
Idaho Writer of the Year
Best Inspirational Novel, Finalist Romance Writers of America
Writer of the Year, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference

Donna is available for media interviews and can be reached by email at [email protected]. All of her books are available at online book retailers. More information, including a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder', is available at her website at https://www.donnafletchercrow.com.

About Donna Fletcher Crow:

Donna and her husband live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 adult children and 15 grandchildren living on 3 continents. Donna is a former English literature teacher and lifelong Anglophile. Idahoans with long memories will remember her as a former Queen of the Snake River Stampede, Miss Rodeo Idaho and runner-up for Miss Rodeo America. She is an enthusiastic gardener.

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