Category Archives: Jane Austen

“We All Love to Instruct”: Lessons in “Amiability” in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Is it not odd that Austen chose originally to name her novel First Impressions, when it is not “first impressions,” which bring Elizabeth Bennet “enlightenment”? Initially, Elizabeth finds everyone, but Mr. Darcy, as “amiable.” To prove my point about the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Film Adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” (1995) ~ Part II

                “Persuasion is a 1995 period drama film directed by Roger Michell and baed on Jane Austen’s 1817 novel of the same name. In her theatrical film debut, the British actress Amanda Root … Continue reading

Posted in Austen actors, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, family, film, film adaptations, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, Persuasion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

The Film Adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” (1995) ~ Part I

Director: Roger Michell; Screenplay: Nick Dear  Although I have seen the other version of Austen’s   “Persuasion,” this one is my favorite. It certainly is not the   pretty heritage film common to the genre. The scenes are   grittier and more life … Continue reading

Posted in British history, film, film adaptations, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Persuasion, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

29 January 1820, the End of the Regency Period

This week in history marks the end of what was called the Regency Period, the era which we relish as being best reflected by Jane Austen’s stories. King George III died on 29 January 1820, and his son, Prince George … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

St. Agnes Eve, a Plot Point in “A Dance with Mr. Darcy” + Excerpt

A major turning point in my latest Austen-inspired vagary, A Dance with Mr. Darcy, comes when Lydia convinces Elizabeth to join in the St  Agnes Eve festivities.  But who was St Agnes? And why would we still celebrate her? Meredith Ringel … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, research, Scotland, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

“Affection” in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

When writing my Regency-based novels, I sometimes find it difficult to express the emotions felt by my characters, while keeping in mind the “restraint” those of the era practiced. Previously, I took a look at how often and in what … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Personal Salute to My Mother on What Would Have Been Her Birthday, along with a Look at Mothers, in general, from Jane Austen’s Stories

Today, would have been my mother’s birthday, but, sadly, I lost her in 2002. It is odd when I think of her. She was a “mighty” force, even though she was but 5’1″ tall and only weighed 97 pounds when … Continue reading

Posted in birthdays, book excerpts, family, heroines, Jane Austen, real life tales, war | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

And the Winners Are …

Amanda Kai is pleased to announce the winners from her recent blog post on this site. Thank you again, Regina, for hosting me on your blog!  Here are the winners from the Miss Bingley and the Baron giveaway. Prizes are … Continue reading

Posted in Always Austen, contest, giveaway, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Regency era, Regency romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Robert Adam and Sir William Chambers, Two Major Architects of the Georgian Era and Their Influence on “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman” + a Giveaway

Adelphi is a district in the City of Westminster. The Adelphi Buildings, a block of 24 unified neoclassical terrace houses, between The Strand and the River Thames in the parish of St Martin in the Fields, was named “Adelphi,” for … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, book excerpts, book release, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency personalities, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

It is Here! “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary” is Available Today! + a Giveaway

Back in 2017, when I wrote Pride and Prejudice and a Shakespearean Scholar, an idea occurred to me, but I kept pushing it to the side, thinking I could not manage it. You see, in P&P&SS, Mr. Bennet is a … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, book excerpts, book release, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, excerpt, film adaptations, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments