Ellen and Mimi Dodge have never been close, but their mother’s dying wish sends them on a walking tour of Hampshire, England, that follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen. Their mother also left them something else: a diary that belonged to Jane’s sister Cassandra. These pages shed light on the secrets that nearly tore the Austen sisters apart and inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time. They also bring Jane to life in a way that no one has ever seen before: through the eyes of her sister. As the Dodge sisters embark on their walking tour, they too are drawn together in ways they never expected. They also discover that Cassandra’s diary holds secrets, and someone doesn’t want Ellen and Mimi to discover the truth. As they stumble on their way toward love, the women learn how Jane and Cassandra Austen inspired the original Marianne and Elinor Dashwood and come to realize that despite their very different personalities, they are a vital part of each other’s happy endings.
About The Author:
Beth Patillo — I am a born and bred Texan, but I haven’t lived in Texas since my college days at Trinity University in San Antonio. Oh, San Antonio, how I love your delicious Mexican food and rich culture.
Where was I? Oh, yes. After college, I moved to Nashville where I earned a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University and met my wonderful husband. Our careers took us to Jackson, Tennessee, and then to Kansas City, Missouri, where my son was born. I started my first novel while in KC but didn’t sell a book until after we moved back to Nashville and had a second child, my darling daughter.
Now, I wear a lot of hats — mom, wife, writer, daughter, friend — just like so many other women. I’m lucky that I love being all of these things. The challenge is keeping up with all the demands!
I’ve had the opportunity to write historical romance, chick lit, mystery, and women’s fiction. All my books do have two things in common — heroines and humor! I love a strong female character and lots of laughter.
My Impressions:
The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is the third book from Beth Pattillo billed as a modern day novel of Jane Austen. All three books are stand alones, although The Formidables, a secret society charged with protecting Jane Austen’s privacy make an appearance in all three books. This novel draws from Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, both for the two main characters Mimi and Ellen and for the plot involving Cassandra Austen’s lost diary.
Mimi and Ellen Dodge find themselves on a walking tour of Austen’s Hampshire following the death of their mother. Charged with finding a resting place for their mother’s ashes, the two sisters are drawn into old roles from childhood. Mimi is the romantic flirt and Ellen is the sensible one. Their mother has also given them an Austen heirloom to dispose of as well — Cassandra Austen’s diary.
Loosely following the plot of Sense and Sensibility, The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is more about finding yourself than finding Mr. Right. There is a good bit of mystery surrounding the diary, which at one point is stolen. This book is a satisfying read for Austen enthusiasts and a good chick lit book for those not familiar with Austen’s novels.
Recommended.
(I received an ARC of The Dashwood Sisters Tell All from the Christian Review of Books in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I’ve not read any of Patillo’s books yet, but every time I see a review of one I want to. I’m putting this one on my list.
I am giving this one away on my blog next week. Sign up, you just might win it!