Category Archives: Uncategorized

July 4, 1776 – Meet the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Posted on July 6, 2020 by

Today, I am catching up on some writing time, but I thought some of you might wish a second chance to explore my pieces on the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. It took me a little over a year … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, American History, Declaration of Independence, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

John Alden and Celebrating the Release of “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” + Giveaway

Posted on June 26, 2020 by

My story, “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst,” is part of the Regency anthology, Secrets and Soirees, being released 1 July 2020. It is heavily influenced by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Courtship of Miles Standish.” Many of the characters names, for … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, book excerpts, book release, Dreamstone Publishing, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, reading, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, romance, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Market for Quackery in Medicine During Late Georgian Era

Posted on June 24, 2020 by

Previously, I have spoken of anxiety treatments for Mrs. Bennet’s nerves. You may find the article HERE.  Recently, I have been exploring a book called Decency and Disorder: The Age of Cant 1789-1837. It is by Ben Wilson. Amazon describes … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

June 20 ~ West Virginia Day ~ “Country Roads Take Me Home…”

Posted on June 19, 2020 by

West Virginia Day – June 20 June 20 celebrates the birth of my home state. West Virginia was founded in 1863. I just returned from WV on Sunday. I love driving the mountain roads, but I’m sure many others do … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, West Virginia | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

How Was It to Shop in Market Towns and Villages of Early 1800s England?

Posted on June 12, 2020 by

Obviously, there would not be street vendors, but rather peddlers, who would travel from village to village, selling their ware. “A peddler, in British English pedlar, also known as a canvasser, cheapjack, monger, higler or solicitor (with negative connotations since the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Misuse of Words Driving Me Crazy!

Posted on June 10, 2020 by

Of late, the news media has been driving me a bit batty with the various reporters misusing words either in their oral reporting or the blips crossing our screens. Do you, too, have a pet peeve when it comes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, word choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

The Thames River Police Are Founded

Posted on April 29, 2020 by

When I was writing The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery LOTS of research was required, especially information about the policing practices in Regency Era London. One of my discoveries was the River Thames Police…. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

School Terms During the Regency Era

Posted on April 10, 2020 by

Many schools, universities and law courts had Easter terms.  The fact that Easter was a moveable feast meant that one could not always tie the terms to the calendar nor have them be the same length every year. All schools … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Living in the UK, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , ,

Life Below Stairs – The Expense of Keeping Servants

Posted on March 13, 2020 by

The landed aristocrats were VERY slow to give up the expenses of an extensive household staff. We saw that “plot” being used in the final season of Downton Abbey. It is said that the sixth Duke of Portland employed some … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Napoleonic Wars, Regency era, servant life, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life Below Stairs: Rising with the Sun in Victorian England, Part II

Posted on February 28, 2020 by

Recently, we had a look at breakfast chores for servants in a Victorian household. See it HERE. Today, we carry on with other duties.  About a half hour after the household staff consumed their meager meal, the family was summoned … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, servant life, Seven Years' War, Uncategorized, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments