Category Archives: research

Trompe L’oeil & Grisaille in Historic Houses + an Excerpt from “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman” and a Giveaway!

To write “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman,” I had to learn the “technical” architectural terms for many architectural effects I enjoy viewing in historic houses and buildings. Two such terms are “trompe L’oeil,” and the other is “grisaille.” Trompe-l’œil (French for … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art, book excerpts, book release, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, tradtions, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 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

Mystery and Suspense Month: The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery on Sale Until November 5

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF MR. DARCY was originally published on February 18, 2013. It is a cozy mystery set in Dorset, and it is a real thriller. There are witches and resurrectionists and a mass murderer, oh my!!! I hope … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, Dorset, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends, mystery, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, research, suspense, Vagary, witchcraft acts, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mystery and Suspense Month: The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery on Sale Until November 5

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 (and a bit of Paranormal): “Vampire Darcy’s Desire” 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. In late 2009, at the height of the Twilight mania, Ulysses Press (my traditional … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, gothic and paranormal, historical fiction, history, legends and myths, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, writing | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Honours of the Table, a Book by the Reverend John Trusler, Describing Proper Behavior at the Dinner Table, Part 2

Title Names Created / Published Headings Notes The Honours of the Table, or Rules for Behavior During Meals (Library of Congress site) This is how the RareTome website listing describes the book as . . . A delightful work, by … Continue reading

Posted in books, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Honours of the Table, a Book by the Reverend John Trusler, Describing Proper Behavior at the Dinner Table, Part 2

Mystery and Suspense Month: Lady Chandler’s Sister: Book 3 of the Twins’ Trilogy on Sale Until November 5

ALL BOOKS FEATURED THIS MONTH ARE ON SALE IN eBOOK FORMAT FOR $1.39. GRAB THEM WHILE THE PRICE IS RIGHT. THE SALE ENDS ON 5 NOVEMBER 2023. Today, I bring you Lady Chandler’s Sister, the third book in the Twins’ … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, eBooks, excerpt, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, marriage, marriage licenses, political stance, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, romance, Scotland, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Reverend John Trusler, a Man for All Times or Cunning Con Man, Part 1

In researching something on another piece on William Blake, I came across a letter from Blake to Reverend John Trusler, who I will address in a moment. Yet, for those not familiar with William Blake (remember I spent many years … Continue reading

Posted in books, British history, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, reading, real life tales, Regency era, research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Reverend John Trusler, a Man for All Times or Cunning Con Man, Part 1

Wellington’s “Waterloo Dispatch” ~ Part 2

After my post on Friday regarding Wellington’s “Waterloo Dispatch,” I received several email regarding the contents of the dispatch. First, permit me to share it with you (from Wikisource), and then I will make a few comments on the news … Continue reading

Posted in British history, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, military, real life tales, Regency era, research, war, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Wellington’s “Waterloo Dispatch” ~ Part 2