Category Archives: reading

The Origin of “Humpty Dumpty” + the Release of “Amending the Shades of Pemberley” + a Giveaway

The most common version is Humpty Dumpty is a representation of King Richard III of England, who was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The “egg” shape refers to King Richard supposedly being a “humpback,” as is portrayed in Shakespeare’s play. “Shakespeare called Richard III a ‘hunchback’, which means that he was hunching forward while walking. Richard III’s skeleton actually shows a sideways displacement of the spine, a heavy scoliosis, which made the king walk obliquely. So there is a certain match between the two: something unusual about the body.” (British Council) The “wall” falling is the loss of his reign as king. The king’s horses and men are the army who failed to defeat their enemy Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, music, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

A Young Lady’s “Come Out” in Regency Society

Recently, I received this question from an author/reader: Can you tell me if a young lady could have her debut ball at age 17 or 18, instead of the age 16 we customary read in Regency romance? Would a death … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, family, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Young Lady’s “Come Out” in Regency Society

Happy 14th Book Birthday to “Darcy’s Passions,” the Book Which Made Me a “Fiction Author”

During the 2007-2008 school year, I complained to my Advanced Placement Language class about a particular novel I had been reading for “pleasure,” what we would now call Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF), a genre just building in popularity for … Continue reading →

Posted in Always Austen, Austen Authors, book excerpts, book release, books, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Jane Austen, marriage, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, Ulysses Press, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Twelfth Night Sale on Regency Romance and Suspense, December 26, 2022, to January 5, 2023

All of the stories listed below will be on sale, starting today through January 5, 2023. Fill up your eReaders!!!! All books will be $0.99. These books are historical romantic suspense and Regencies, as well as two contemporary tales. Moreover, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, contemporary, contemporary romance, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, marriage, publishing, reading, reading habits, Regency era, research, romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Twelfth Night Sale on Regency Romance and Suspense, December 26, 2022, to January 5, 2023

Happy 6th Book Birthday to “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

Mr. Darcy’s Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary came to life from a bit of research I was doing at the time for another book. I came across an interesting character who I thought would make the “perfect Wickham” in … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Austen Authors, book excerpts, books, British history, commerce, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, Pride and Prejudice, reading, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Happy 6th Book Birthday to “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

In a time when we bemoan the loss of Borders, Waldenbooks, and fear the demise of Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million, it is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for those who entered “The Dome … Continue reading →

Posted in books, British history, buildings and structures, business, England, Georgian England, history, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on James Lackington: The Man Who Revolutionized Book Stores

Jane Austen and the East India Company – a Guest Post from Elaine Owen

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors on June 21, 2019. Enjoy!  If you missed it, you can read part one HERE.  In 1752 a young English woman traveled from the land of her birth to the continent of India … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, history, Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, marriage, marriage customs, political stance, reading, real life tales, Regency era, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brook, New Forest, Hampshire + the Release of “The Jewel Thief and the Earl” + a Giveaway

Today, I am celebrating the release of my Regency novella, The Jewel Thief and the Earl. If you missed this tale in last summer’s Regency Anthology, now is the time to claim it. You can find it HERE on Amazon … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, eBooks, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, publishing, reading, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Brook, New Forest, Hampshire + the Release of “The Jewel Thief and the Earl” + a Giveaway

Author’s “Voice” ~ What is It?

Writers often hear another author warn them about losing their “voice.” But what exactly is “voice”? In reality, there are so many theories on this question that I could be here for years debating them all. I am of the … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, literature, publishing, reading, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Obsession with Money and Society in Austen’s Novels

 Austen’s novels speak loudly with society’s obsession with money and connections. Money and status was obtained through marriage. What we soon come to accept as a reader of Jane Austen’s novels is that her heroines marry for love (and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, estates, family, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Jane Austen, literature, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, reading, reading habits, Regency personalities, Regency romance, romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments