Category Archives: real life tales

From Where Does the Name “Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky” Come?

With the news of the anniversary of the Cutty Sark ship this past week, I thought to renew this post. First a bit on the clipper ship: On 22 November, Cutty Sark celebrates the 146th anniversary of her launch. Originally designed … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Scotland, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

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

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

Drambuie: Scotland’s First Commercially Produced Liqueur

To fully appreciate how Scotland claimed drambuie as its own, one must possess a general knowledge of what is known in Scottish/English history as the Rebellion of ’45. James II of England and Ireland (James VII of Scotland) converted to … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, British history, commerce, Georgian Era, kings and queens, legends and myths, real life tales, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy November Birthdays to Some of Our Favorite Austen-Inspired Actors

              Happy November Birthdays to these actors who held roles in Austen-related films.    November 1 – Toni Colletti, who portrayed Harriet Smith in 1996’s Emma November 1 – Aishwarya Rai, who portrayed Lalita … Continue reading

Posted in acting, Austen actors, film adaptations, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Celebrating the Launch of “The Renegade Wife” with Caroline Warfield + a Giveaway

Today, I welcome one of my author friends, Caroline Warfield. I love Caroline’s “Dangerous” series, and now she is back with a new series that brings the children from the “Dangerous” series to new lands.  One of the things I love … Continue reading

Posted in blog hop, book excerpts, book release, books, British history, buildings and structures, excerpt, giveaway, historical fiction, holidays, publishing, real life tales, romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Colorful (But Lesser Known) Contemporaries of William Shakespeare, Part I

There are a slew of contemporaries of Shakespeare of which many of you never encountered in your English classrooms, whether high school of university. These are some of the more colorful ones.  Barnaby (Barnabe) Barnes was the third son of … Continue reading

Posted in ballads, British history, drama, Elizabethan drama, Great Britain, playwrights, real life tales, religion, romantic verse | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Celebrating the October Birthdays of Some of Our Favorite “Austen” Actors

Happy October Birthday to some of our favorite actors, who took on roles in an Austen-inspired film.    October 1 – Rupert Friend, who portrayed Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice 2005     October 3 – Lena Headey, who … Continue reading

Posted in Austen actors, birthdays, film adaptations, Jane Austen, real life tales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Welcome Guest Author, Elf Ahearn, and the Amazon Sale of “A Rogue in Sheep’s Clothing”

Today, I welcome a fellow Beau Monder, Elf Ahearn to “Every Woman Dreams.” This is her first visit with us, and I hope you will show her the kindness you customarily show me. What can I tell you about Elf’s … Continue reading

Posted in Act of Parliament, book excerpts, book release, customs and tradiitons, excerpt, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Guest Blog, Guest Post, heroines, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, religion, romance, royalty, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Simple Overview of the English Courts During the Regency Period

One of the surprising things upon which many readers of the courtroom scene in The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin commented was the lack of a “defense attorney” for the accused. A prosecutor served the British courts, but the accused … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, titles of aristocracy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Scotland’s Merrick Murder Hole and The Old Grey Man

  This article first appeared on the Dark Jane Austen Book Club Website on March 11, 2013.  The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy Shackled in the dungeon of a macabre castle with no recollection of her past, a young woman finds … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, mystery, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Scotland, spooky tales, Ulysses Press, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Scotland’s Merrick Murder Hole and The Old Grey Man