Monthly Archives: October 2026

Origin of the Phrase “Ins and Outs” + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

The phrase “ins and outs” dates back to the mid-17th century. It originally alluded to the twisting and turning paths of a winding road, before evolving to describe politicians who are either holding office (in) or out of power. [Dictionary.com] … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, British history, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, language choices, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, word choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did Men’s Trousers in the Regency Era Have a Waistband? + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

I know this is probably a crazy idea for a post, but before I wrote the scene I needed to know if men’s trousers in the Regency era had a waistband. So here goes… Yes, men’s trousers in 1813 did … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, book release, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, hero, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research, word choices, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Traitor Tuesday ~ Celebrating 250 Years of the United States as a Separate Nation: Francis Lightfoot Lee, Part of Virginia’s Lee Family Dynasty and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Francis Lightfoot Lee was a 41 years old planation owner when he signed the Declaration of Independence. Though married, we do not know of any children. He was 62 years of age when he passed on 11 January 1797. Francis … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, Georgian England, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cattails, Great Reedmace, Bulrush – What are the Differences? + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

In the story, Darcy’s men find a body floating in a lake on Pemberley estate. The men must determine WHO the man is? What happened to him? When it happened? Where? How? and Why? When I was writing the scene, … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, books, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, science, suspense, word choices, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chemicals Used for Fertilizers in the Regency + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

On Monday, we had a brief discussion on the use of the four-crop rotation in England, a movement that changed England forever and brought it greater success around the world. During the Regency era (roughly 1811–1820), “chemical” or artificial fertilizers … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, British history, commerce, customs and tradiitons, Georgian Era, Great Britain, hero, heroines, historical fiction, Industrial Revolution, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research, science, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Four-Crop Rotation System, a Major Step Forward for the Regency Era + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

One of the major plot points in “Lady Christiana and the Colonel” is Mr. Darcy’s use of a Four-Crop Rotation of his fields. I have used this point in previous Austen variations, having Darcy learning the system from his Scottish … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, books, British history, commerce, finance, food, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, Industrial Revolution, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, real life tales, Regency romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Traitor Tuesday ~ Celebrating 250 Years of the United States as a Separate Nation: Francis Hopkinson, Designer of the U. S. Flag and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

    Francis Hopkinson was a 38 years old lawyer and sometimes musician when he signed the Declaration of Independence. He was the father of 5 and died at the age of 53.  Francis Hopkinson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, Declaration of Independence | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Proving Oneself the New Heir

I had a recent question from a reader/writer about how after the death of the current peer was one made the new peer. Was it immediate? Is there a process or some sort of hearing. What must he prove to … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, family, Georgian Era, history, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, peerage, primogenture, research, terminology, tradtions, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thomas Jefferson’s Influence on “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman”

Thomas Jefferson is best known for writing the Declaration of Independence, but what other “credits” might we attribute to him? He was also a scientist, an inventor, an architect, and even a philosopher. “The papers of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), diplomat, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, architecture, book excerpts, books, buildings and structures, eBooks, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Thomas Jefferson’s Influence on “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman”

Winning and Losing at Cards in Jane Austen’s England + an Excerpt from “The Jewel Thief and the Earl”

I recently received a question from a reader regarding the playing of cards at balls and at what was known as “gaming hells.” Here is the question: I know many books mention card playing going on in designated rooms at … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Winning and Losing at Cards in Jane Austen’s England + an Excerpt from “The Jewel Thief and the Earl”