Monthly Archives: September 2016

Holiday Gift Giving and the Release of Mr. Darcy’s Present + Giveaway

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Most people today think of the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as being the original “Christmas presents.” However, we must recall that during the Roman ritual, known as Saturnalia, gifts were exchanged. The pagan rituals demanded that “generosity … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, Georgian England, Great Britain, holidays, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era, Regency romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Robert Southwell, Jesuit Priest and Literary Contemporary of William Shakespeare

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

“Robert Southwell was born around 1561 at Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk, the youngest son and fifth child in a family of eight. The Southwells, a county family that had prospered from the dissolution of the monasteries, formed part of a … Continue reading →

Posted in legacy, poetry | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Best Intentions ~ Celebrating the Release of “Mr. Darcy’s Present” + Excerpt + Giveaway

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

I admit it. I love autumn. Here in North Carolina for the past two summers we have had a string of 90+ degrees days. This year, since May 27, we have had 82 such days. The lowest temperature we have experienced … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, Georgian England, historical fiction, holidays, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, medicine, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, tradtions, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Are You Familiar with These Words and Phrases?

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

I love unusual words and phrases and often make note of them as I read. Today, we have a nice mix.  “As Nice as Ninepence“ means neat, tidy, well-ordered. Phrase Finder tells us that the origin of the phrase may … Continue reading →

Posted in etymology, word origins | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Life Below Stairs: Benevolent Groups Come to the Aid of Domestic Servants

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

There were groups operating in London and throughout England to aid domestic servants. The most important of those were… Established in May 1846, The General Domestic Servants’ Benevolent Institution was located at 32 Sackville Street, Piccadilly. It was under the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Living in the UK, servant life, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Celebrating the Release of “Mr. Darcy’s Present: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Vagary” + Excerpt + Giveaway

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Okay, I know the calendar says September 19, but you cannot tell me you have not already seen Christmas decorations up in some of the big box stores. Years prior, I cursed the stores when they brought out Christmas items … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, books, eBooks, Georgian England, holidays, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Welcome Guest Author, Elf Ahearn, and the Amazon Sale of “A Rogue in Sheep’s Clothing”

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Today, I welcome a fellow Beau Monder, Elf Ahearn to “Every Woman Dreams.” This is her first visit with us, and I hope you will show her the kindness you customarily show me. What can I tell you about Elf’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, book excerpts, book release, customs and tradiitons, excerpt, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Guest Blog, Guest Post, heroines, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, religion, romance, royalty, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Pre-Elizabethan Drama: Liturgical Drama

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

English drama began as  an extension of the liturgy of the same church, which had abolished such displays because of their indecency some four centuries prior. The church made no move to revive an art form they considered to be … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, Anglo-Saxons, drama, medieval | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

R. J. Reynolds’s Tobacco Connection to King Edward VII

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

I live in North Carolina where for many years tobacco was “King.” Tobacco Road was an historic tobacco-producing area of central North Carolina. Among the many who rode the “tobacco wagon” to riches (until the 1980s when the U. S. enacted anti-smoking … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, buildings and structures, business, commerce | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Marriage of Victoria, Princess Royal, to Prussian Prince Frederick William

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Who actually first initiated the idea of a marriage between Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa of Great Britain and Prince Frederick William of Prussia is not as important as the impact of the marriage. Some think Queen Victoria’s uncle, Leopold  I, “nudged” … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Great Britain, history, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments