Half Agony, Half Hope...
A new book release!
Hello friends!
There is so much Jane Austen goodness happening this week!
First, those of us in the US can now watch Miss Austen. Do you plan on seeing it? I’m going to be watching an episode each week as it drops and then be discussing it with my friends Marigold and Mindy on the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation YouTube channel. Head on over and subscribe so you don’t miss the conversation.
And, for those of you like me who love to read more of Jane Austen’s characters, I have an exciting new release to share with you.
Half Agony, Half Hope is the first in the Jane Austen’s Men series being release by author Joy Michelle Austin. It’s available in Kindle Unlimited, E-Book, and Paperback.
A father’s love is unbreakable. But sometimes, it takes a brother in all but blood to break the chains.
Some nightmares don’t end when you wake. And some prayers take years to be answered.
Taut with suspense and rich with emotion, Half Agony, Half Hope is a dark yet redemptive Christian romantic thriller about unimaginable trauma, resilient love, and the kind of faith that endures even in silence.
At its core is a father’s unshakable love, a friendship that refuses to let go, and a flicker of hope that keeps burning—no matter how long it’s been buried. When evil hides in plain sight and survival comes at a steep cost, it will take more than strength to rise again. It will take grace.
Loosely drawn from a chilling true story and inspired by Jane Austen’s fiercely determined Captain Wentworth, Half Agony, Half Hope is a suspenseful, soul-stirring journey through terror, healing, and the long, hard fight to reclaim what should never have been stolen.
Who should read this?
This book is perfect for readers who love:
❤️Jane Austen retellings with depth and emotional stakes
❤️Christian suspense grounded in real trauma and healing • Father-daughter stories that will break your heart and patch it back together
❤️The emotional impact of Redeeming Love, The Shack, or Charles Martin novels
❤️Stories that blend true crime inspiration, faith, and romance in raw but hopeful ways
About the series
Jane Austen’s Men is a deeply emotional, cinematic series spotlighting modern men inspired by Austen’s beloved heroes. Each novel explores brokenness, masculinity, healing, and hope through the lens of dark romance and redemptive Christian fiction. Every book is a standalone, yet interconnected by themes of grace, brotherhood, and enduring love.
Inspired by her passion for Jane Austen and true crime—and her own journey through PTSD following a traumatic attempted assault in university—Joy Michelle Austin writes stories that give voice to pain while testifying to the healing power of faith, love, and light.
NOTE - If you’re expecting a light-hearted and romantic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, this book is not it.
It is, however, a story about overcoming abuse and trauma with courage, hope, and faith. The author treats the subject matter with gravity and honesty. Difficult to read but also inspiring as Rick finds his way to healing and a true family. - review from Melanie Stanford
Follow Joy’s writing and blogging on her website The Joyous Living.
Suggest tea pairings while reading Persuasion or Half Agony, Half Hope. ☕🫖
Enjoy 20% Off Orders $30+ | Use Code MAY25
Let’s start with one I drink almost weekly, this Earl Grey is part of Harney & Sons distinguished line of historical English blends, which were created for the Historic Royal Palaces of England. A blend of fine black teas, rich in natural Bergamot.
This tea feels perfect to pair with a strong personality like Captain Wentworth.
From H & S - We created Special English Breakfast, a strong blend of black teas from India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, in association with the St. George’s Society of New York. Founded in 1770, the Society provides vital support to people in need across New York’s five boroughs and serves as one of America’s oldest charities. A portion of the proceeds from each purchase of this tea supports their charitable endeavors, including protecting seniors at risk of homelessness, enabling low-income students to complete their college education, and helping families affected by pediatric cancer.
Half Agony, Half Hope seems destined to be paired with this blend. 100 years ago, two Canadian scientists, Frederic Banting and Charles Best, discovered insulin and later sold their patent for $1 as their "gift to the world." Insulin regulates our blood sugar levels, but the price of insulin has skyrocketed for those who rely on the medication to stay alive. To honor their discovery, this naturally flavored black tea tastes sweet but has no sweetener. 50% of the proceeds will go to T1International.
I would love to know what teas have you been loving lately and what books have you been reading…
The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊 You can support this space for only $5 a month. For every membership upgraded, I donate a historical fiction or romance book to a local women’s shelter.
Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a tea and keep writing! ☕
You asked, so...
I just finished The Armour of Contempt, by Dan Abnett, the tenth novel in the Gaunt's Ghosts Warhammer 40,000 series.
It is a very serious story, about how war changes men and women, and has won high praise for its portrayal of the abject terror of combat.
Also about trust, betrayal, and the so-called 'greater good'.
I am going to read the recommended book.
But I still don't know what the Jane Austen universe is? Could you please give me a range of dates?
I also think that your plan to do an aftershow is awesome. I remember how much "talking Dead' helped me with 'Walking Dead' and its' family of shows.
If I watch the show, which is likely, your aftershow will probably be invaluable in helpling me to understand what even the basics of this universe are.