Category Archives: medieval

Celebrating the ReRelease of Vampire Darcy’s Desire with a New Title and Updated Story, Mixing Austen with Vampiric Legends

On August 26, I will celebrate the rerelease of my vampiric version of Pride and Prejudice, Vampire Darcy’s Desire under a new title, Midnight at Pemberley. I wrote the original book in 2010. Ulysses Press has repurchased the rights to … Continue reading

Posted in British history, dueling, estates, George Wickham, Georgian Era, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, historical fiction, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, medieval, mystery, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, romance, Scotland, suspense, Ulysses Press, vampires, Victorian era, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Mary Reynolds, One of the First Recorded Incidents of Multiple Personalities

Mary Reynolds (1785–1854) was a 19th-century Pennsylvania woman considered the first, and perhaps most famous, American case of multiple personality disorder (now Dissociative Identity Disorder). Beginning in 1811, she experienced profound, alternating shifts between a melancholy, quiet personality and a … Continue reading

Posted in American History, book release, books, British history, Dragonblade Publishers, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, medieval, mystery, publishing, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, science, series, suspense, terminology, word origins, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Reynolds, One of the First Recorded Incidents of Multiple Personalities

Septs of Clans Duncan, Cunningham and Graham + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

Unlike many Regency romances, this series from Dragonblade Publishing features three prominent Scottish clans: Duncan, Cunningham, and Graham. From The Tartans of the Clans and Septs of Scotland: With the Arms of Chiefs we have the following defintition: “A Highland … Continue reading

Posted in book release, books, British history, customs and tradiitons, Dragonblade Publishers, eBooks, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heraldry, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Inheritance, legacy, Living in the Regency, medieval, mystery, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Scotland, suspense, tradtions, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Septs of Clans Duncan, Cunningham and Graham + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

Sith, Trows, and Other Enchanted Folks from Scotland + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

In this last book of my Lyon’s Den series, both the hero and the heroine are from Scotland. 27% of my DNA is directly from Central Scotland. My 9th Great-Grandfather on my father’s side was the 7th Chieftain of the … Continue reading

Posted in book release, books, British history, Dragonblade Publishers, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, gothic and paranormal, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, legends, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, medieval, paranormal, publishing, Regency era, research, romance, Scotland, spooky tales, tradtions, vampires, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Sith, Trows, and Other Enchanted Folks from Scotland + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon on the Inside” from Dragonblade Publishing, Arriving 24 June 2026

The Quem Quaeritis Trope, the Roots of Liturgical Drama

 The first Easter or Quem Quaeritis trope had its beginnings in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Gall, Switzerland. (The script of this first trope and an accompanying translation can be found below.) The Easter trope became the model for similar … Continue reading

Posted in acting, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, drama, medieval | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Quem Quaeritis Trope, the Roots of Liturgical Drama

All Hallow’s Eve During the Regency

For this piece, I pulled together bits of information on All Hallow’s Eve from a variety of sources, all of which are cited within the post. I hope you enjoy learning of some of Halloween’s traditions.  All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween … Continue reading

Posted in British history, history, holidays, Ireland, Jane Austen, legends, legends and myths, medieval, Northanger Abbey, real life tales, religion, Scotland, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on All Hallow’s Eve During the Regency

March 25, Lady Day – What are the Quarter Days in UK?

In the Western liturgical year, Lady Day is the traditional name in some English-speaking countries of the Feast of the Annunciation, which is celebrated on 25 March, and commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, Church of England, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, holidays, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, medieval, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on March 25, Lady Day – What are the Quarter Days in UK?

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

“Deck the Hall” with Music and History

I recently attended the local Christmas Parade for our rural community. You can keep your Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, for there is nothing better than watching young children scrambling for candy thrown by the various floats. Young, shining face, full … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, history, medieval, music, Scotland, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Very “Real” Estate: Vicars’ Close, Wells, Somerset, England

The oldest purely residential street in England is known as Vicars’ Close, which is located in Wells, Somerset, England, and dates from the mid 14th Century.  Planned by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, at one time it was 42 separate houses, … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, British history, buildings and structures, customs and tradiitons, England, Great Britain, history, medieval, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment