Category Archives: American History

John Spilsbury and the First Jigsaw Puzzle

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 Okay, over Christmas I gave and received several jigsaw puzzles. I do puzzles on my Kindle Fire every evening. The presents I gave were those personalized puzzles where a person receives a puzzle of his or her hometown or community … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, family, Great Britain, toys and games, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 Do you know “bromide”? A bromide is a phrase or platitude or cliché whose excessive use suggests insincerity or a lack of originality in the speaker. The term “bromide” derives from the antiquated use of bromide salts in medicine as mild tranquilizers and … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, history | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

William “520 Percent” Miller, Inspiration for “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

In my latest release, Mr. Darcy’s Bargain, Elizabeth pleads with Darcy to save the citizens of Meryton from a scam being perpetrated upon them by Mr. Wickham. But how did I come up with the idea of this scam as … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Anglo-Normans, Austen Authors, Barbara Kyle, book excerpts, book release, books, British currency, British history, British Navy, business, Chaucer, commerce, contemporary romance, eBooks, George Wickham, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency romance, romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Call for Philip Morris!!!

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, I did a post on the R. J. Reynolds tobacco company and Camel® cigarettes. One of my friends, who smoked Philip Morris for years, asked what I knew of the Philip Morris company beyond the advertising of “Call for … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, business, commerce, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 Beginnings of Betty Crocker, America’s First Lady of Food

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

The Washburn Crosby Company (later renamed General Mills) entered their finest flours into the 1880’s First Millers International Exhibition in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fortunately, their flours took the gold, silver and bronze medals. Soon after, Washburn Crosby Company changed its name to Gold Medal … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, commerce, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Release of “The Road to Understanding” with an Excerpt and a Giveaway

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Back in 1984, I went into labor 5 weeks early in the middle of my Theatre/Acting class. That early delivery was the joy of my life, especially as I had lost two previous children. Over the April 16-17 weekend, I … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Appalachia, book excerpts, book release, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Congratulations to the Winner of Heidi Sprouse’s “Whispers of Liberty”

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Congratulations to kwithey, who will receive a signed copy of Heidi Sprouse’s time slip novel, Whispers of Liberty. Heidi will contact the winner directly for her mailing address. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!

Posted in American History, giveaway, Guest Blog, Guest Post, historical fiction, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Congratulations to the Winner of Heidi Sprouse’s “Whispers of Liberty”

The Day the Music Died: 3 February 1959

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

This post is designed to have a look back at events that marked our world in popular culture and in literature. This one is on “ The Day the Music Died.” Do you recall the event that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, … Continue reading →

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Excerpt from “The Great Road to Understanding: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary”

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

I am currently writing three novels at the same time. Two are set in the Regency period, but one is a sequel to my next Regency title, while the other is a Pride and Prejudice Vagary. I’ll share excerpts from … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments