Category Archives: legends

Mystery and Suspense Month: The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery on Sale Until November 5

When writing any mystery, the author cannot just have a murderer and a victim. He/She must also have suspects, red herrings (false clues), motives, and deception. There must be a balance between the suspense and the story’s pace must be … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, mystery, Pride and Prejudice, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mystery and Suspense Month: I Shot the Sheriff: A Tragic Characters in Classic Literature Novel on Sale Until November 5

ALL BOOKS FEATURED THIS MONTH ARE ON SALE IN THE eBOOK VERSION FOR $1.39. GRAB THEM WHILE THE PRICE IS RIGHT. THE SALE ENDS SUNDAY,  5 NOVEMBER, 2023. One of the issues I encountered in creating my tale for The … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, legends, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Happy 13th Book Birthday to “The Phantom of Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery”

On July 1, 2010, Ulysses Press released The Phantom of Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery. It was the first of my cozy mysteries, and it remains a favorite. In 2019, I received the rights to all my Ulysses Press titles back from the company. I have periodically been rereleasing them with new covers and to new readers.

I would love to share something of the historical tidbit that is the key to solving the mystery, but, what fun would that be for all those who love a good mystery and think themselves capable of spotting the clues early on. Moreover, as I skipped kindergarten (and a few other grades), I never learned to share properly. LOL! The whole “solving the mystery thing” revolves around one key clue all the characters miss. Hopefully, you will you be wiser than they are. Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, British history, excerpt, George Wickham, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, marriage, mystery, paranormal, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, royalty, spooky tales, suspense, tall tales, Ulysses Press, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Men of Harlech (Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech), a Welsh Military March

 “Men of Harlech” (Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech) is a traditional military march and is said to chronicle the seven-year long siege of Harlech Castle in the 1460s. The incident is considered the longest known siege in British history. The garrison was commanded … Continue reading

Posted in ballads, British history, film, legends, military, music, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Craigievar Castle, the Inspiration for Walt Disney’s Trademark Castle and a Ghostly Experience

  Are you still looking for the ghosts and goblins of Halloween? Permit me to introduce you to Craigievar Castle in Scotland, where you might hear ‘Red’ Sir John tell of ancient feuds between the clans and the murder of … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, history, legends, medieval, paranormal, real life tales, Scotland, spooky tales, suspense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“To See a Fine Lady on a White Horse”

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,To see a fine lady upon a white horse;Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,And she shall have music wherever she goes. [I. Opie and P. Opie. The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes. Oxford: … Continue reading

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A Closer Look at “One Minute Past Christmas” by George T. Arnold and Regina Jeffers

I came to this story late in the aspect that the nucleus of it was written by my former journalism professor. When I read it, I liked it, but I had the feeling that something was missing. Even so, I … Continue reading

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Uffington Castle, Dragon Hill, and Wayland’s Smithy

To go along with my post on Friday on the preservation efforts of the White Horse, I thought I might mention other sites along the way in the Berkshire Downs. First and foremost, one must address the road that traverses … Continue reading

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Gretna Green: Secret Engagements, Elopements and the World’s Most Famous Anvil, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

(This post originally appeared on the Austen Authors’ blog on December 1, 2017. Enjoy!)                   After many years in my “to visit” list, I finally had the chance to make it to … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Gretna Green, Guest Post, history, Jane Austen, legends, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, Pride and Prejudice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Gretna Green: Secret Engagements, Elopements and the World’s Most Famous Anvil, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

Hanging a Monkey as a French Spy During the Napoleonic Wars

What do you know of the Hartlepool Monkey and the “Monkey Hangers”? I certainly knew nothing of the tale until I stumbled across it. Legend says that a shipwrecked monkey was hanged as a French spy during the Napoleonic Wars … Continue reading

Posted in ballads, British history, Georgian England, history, legends, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments