Syrie James
Personal Information
Description
Syrie Ann Astrahan was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, to Joann (Schwartz) and Morton Astrahan. Her name is pronounced "seer-ee" and was inspired by a character in a radio show that her mother listened to as a little girl. Her father was a leader in computer science, working as a research engineer in Northwestern University's Microwave Lab and then for IBM. Her brother is Melvin Alan Astrahan. She moved west at age one because her father didn't like shoveling snow. She has lived most of her life in San Jose, California, if you don't count the two years, when she was seven years old, she lived in Paris and had visited more than two dozen countries by age eight, which instilled in her a lifelong love of traveling. When Syrie was in the sixth grade, her grandparents gave her an old typewriter and she started to wrote her first manuscript, that never finished. Syrie was Valedictorian of her class at Pioneer High School, San Jose, California. She graduated cum laude from U.C. Davis with a B.A. in English and Communications. Syrie and her husband, Bill James, were college sweethearts. Their sons are Ryan and Jeff; Ryan James is also a screenwriter. Syrie spent many years as a screenwriter and enjoys writing both novels and screenplays. Syrie writes practically every weekday from 10 - 6. She wrote the The Harrison Duet bewetten 1986 and 1987 as Syrie A. Astrahan. She has sold nineteen screenplays and teleplays to Tri-Star Pictures, Fox Family Films, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX TV and the Lifetime Network. She is now writing novels. Her first work of historical fiction, "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen," was sold at auction after a two-day bidding war between three major publishing houses; it became a best-seller and was named Best First Novel of 2008 by the Library Journal. Now, she continued writing as Syrie James. She is a member of the WGA, RWA, and a life member of JASNA (the Jane Austen Society of North America). Syrie lives with her family in Los Angeles, California. Her favorite authors include Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. She also enjoys reading in a variety of other genres, including historical fiction, paranormal fiction, women's fiction, biography, memoir, romance, mystery, and the classics. When she's not reading, exercising, researching, writing, or updating her website, she designed and maintains it, Syrie's preferred activity is to spend time with her husband and family. Her other favorite pursuits include movies, theater, great food, playing games with family and friends, Scrabble, photography, sewing, and the out of doors. Like Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, Syrie is very fond of the countryside, and loves taking long walks.
Books
Dracula my love
"Bestselling author Syrie James has crafted her most powerful tale yet in this amazingly written retelling of Dracula from Mina Harker's perspective. Perfect for anyone who loves vampires--and there are millions of readers out there who do--this novel deftly unveils Mina's story, a woman falling into into a forbidden, dangerous love and whose powerful emotions are subdued by the restrictions of her time"--Provided by publisher.
Forbidden
Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace ... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity. Fleeing pursuit, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love. But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed. Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare take the ride--Dust jacket flap. After stumbling into a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing, Rom realizes the human race has been drained of emotions and embarks on a journey to bring back love. The plot contains violence and gore. The coauthor is Tosca Lee. Book #1
Runaway heiress
"Brainy and college-educated, American heiress Alexandra Atherton will do anything to avoid marriage to the English peer her mother has chosen for her--even abandon the life of privilege she's always known. But as her escape goes horribly wrong, Alexandra must invent a new identity to gain the help of a handsome stranger. Thomas Carlyle, the Earl of Longford, sweeps in and out of London disguised as a humble artist, earning just enough to keep his ancestral Cornwall estate afloat. When Alexandra crashes into his life, she awakens feelings and desires that he vows will stay buried. Despite himself, he needs this beautiful newcomer, for his sisters have run off another governess. Alexandra is surprised to find she thrives in her new position at Longford's home. But as she grows closer to Thomas and his sisters, and her relationship with the emotionally guarded earl unleashes their hidden passions, the truth Alexandra's been forced to hide may end up coming between her and the only man she's ever loved."--
Jane Austen's First love
"INSPIRED BY ACTUAL EVENTS Fifteen-year-old Jane Austen dreams of three things: doing something useful, writing something worthy, and falling madly in love. When she visits her brother in Kent to celebrate his engagement, she meets wealthy, devilishly handsome Edward Taylor-a fascinating young man who is truly worthy of her affections. Jane knows a match between her and Edward is unlikely, but every moment she spends with him makes her heart race-and he seems to return her interest. Much to her displeasure, however, there is another seeking his attention Unsure of her budding relationship, Jane seeks distraction by attempting to correct the pairings of three other prospective couples. But when her matchmaking aspirations do not all turn out as anticipated, Jane discovers the danger of relying on first impressions. The human heart cannot be easily deciphered, nor can it be directed or managed. And if others must be left to their own devices in matters of love and matrimony, can Jane even hope to satisfy her own heart?"--
Poteri͡annye memuary Dzheĭn Ostin
What if, hidden in an old attic chest, Jane Austen's memoirs were discovered after hundreds of years? What if those pages revealed the untold story of a life-changing love affair? Jane Austen has given up her writing when, on a fateful trip to Lyme, she meets the well-read and charming Mr. Ashford, a man who is her equal in intellect and temperament. Inspired by the people and places around her, and encouraged by his faith in her, Jane begins revising Sense and sensibility, a book she began years earlier, hoping to be published at last.