Category Archives: Uncategorized

Life Below Stairs – Part I – Compensations and Obligations

Posted on January 3, 2020 by

I have been asked by a slew of new writers and a few seasoned writers to repeat this series on Life Below Stairs. Here is part I. Enjoy!  With the popularity of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey, the populace has … Continue reading →

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Celebrating the Birth of Jane Austen: 16 December 1775 – What I Learned from Jane Austen

Posted on December 16, 2019 by

(This post was originally published on December 16, 2010. However, I could not permit Austen’s birthday to pass without notice.) It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen remains an inspiration to throngs of readers more than two centuries … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 95 Comments

Annulments, Divorces, Criminal Conversation in the Regency + Release of “The Heartless Earl” + a Giveaway

Posted on October 18, 2019 by

  First, permit me to say that in the Regency period, divorces were few. They were expensive. The Church of England opposed divorce as vehemently as did the Roman Catholic church. The Church of England only permitted a “legal separation,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, American History, British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

What Does a Renown French Astronomer Have to Do with the Release of “Mr. Darcy’s Bet?” + a Giveaway

Posted on September 25, 2019 by

Charles Messier was born in Badonviller on 26 June 1730 in the Lorraine region of France. He was the tenth of twelve children. Six of his siblings died young. Messier’s interest in astronomy was fired by, first, the Great Comet … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Birthdays and Jane Austen

Posted on September 16, 2019 by

  Tomorrow, I turn the ripe old age of 72. I am a VIRGO. Some of you know what that means. Some of you are about to learn.  Horoscope.com tells us these Virgo Facts Symbol:   The Virgin Element:   Earth Polarity:   … Continue reading →

Posted in film adaptations, Jane Austen, real life tales, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A Fight for Inheritance: James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe and “Lady Chandler’s Sister”

Posted on September 9, 2019 by

One of the minor characters in my 2019release, Lady Chandler’s Sister, was inspired by James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe, whose tale I came across when doing research on a piece on primogeniture and inheritance laws. At the time, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Opal Books, book release, books, British history, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Inheritance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

The First Labor Day Celebration

Posted on September 2, 2019 by

New York City saw the celebration of the first Labor Day on 5 September 1882. The celebration marking the event was designed by the Central Labor Union.    According to the Department of Labor, “While most sources, even the Department of … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, holidays, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment