Austen-Related Actors with April Birthdays

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

With the April version of Austen Actors, I thought we might need to play “Six Degrees of Separation” because of the numerous connections. Many in this month’s display, for example, have been in movies with Colin Firth: Anna Chancellor, Renée Zellweger, Emma Thompson, and Susannah Harker. With Ms. Harker, both she and her mother portrayed the part of “Jane Bennet.” Susannah played the role in 1995, and her mother, Polly Adams, in 1967, while her father was Colonel Brandon in 1971’s Sense and Sensibility. One of our oldest film versions – the 1938 TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice – gives us Andrew Osborn’s Mr. Darcy. From Pride and Prejudice 1995, we have Anna Chancellor and Susannah Harker; from Lost in Austen, we find Tom Riley and Michelle Duncan. Both Michelle and James McAvoy were in Atonement, with Keira Knightley, who was in Pride and Prejudice 2005 with Rosamund Pike, who recently starred with Sally Hawkins in Made in Dagenham. Emma Thompson worked with Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant in Love Actually, along with Keira and Colin; and, of course, she is married to the dashing “Mr. Willoughby,” Greg Wise. Etc., etc., etc.

So, sit back and enjoy this month’s look at some of our favorite Austen-related actors.

http://pf.kizoa.com/sflite.swf?did=1634917&k=P113103172&hk=1

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Upstairs, Downstairs – DVR Alert

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

Masterpiece Theatre will present Upstairs, Downstairs starting tonight at 9 P.M. For the full story on the series, check out this article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/119468579.html

 

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Hardcover of Darcy’s Passions

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

The hardcover version of my first novel, Darcy’s Passions, has been released. This is the information from the Barnes and Noble website.
Overview – Darcy’s Passions
Product Details
Pub. Date: November 2010
Publisher: MJF Books
Format: Hardcover , 386pp
Sales Rank: 209,298
ISBN-13: 9781606710265
ISBN: 1606710265
Edition Description: Special Value
Synopsis
Revisit this most classic of love stories, in which a strong-willed, intelligent young woman rejects a haughy suitor, only to come to recognize his worth and regret her ill-informed choice. But this time, experience what is missing from the heroine’s story: the thoughts and inner workings of the dashing and elusive hero.
Darcy’s Passions presents the real Fitzwilliam Darcy in his own words, from the time he first lays eyes on Elizabeth Bennet…through the many misunderstandings that define their relationship…to their wedding vows and first trials as newlyweds. Finally, readers can examine the reasoning behind his actions and unearth the true roots of his pride, all from Darcy’s own point of view. Experience the couple’s mutual disdain and attraction, their tumultuous courtship, the early days of their marriage—indeed, all of their troubles and triumphs—through Darcy’s eyes, in the familiar settings, with the wise insights and clever dialogue familiar to readers of Jane Austen’s original work.
Whether you’re an Austen fan who has always wanted to know what makes Darcy tick, or a book love who lives for the “happily ever after” ending, Darcy’s Passions will surely amuse, charm, and satisfy.

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What is a Cloutie Dumpling?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

I enjoyed an afternoon of tea yesterday with some friends, one of whom served what she termed to be a traditional Cloutie Dumpling from Scotland. Now, I live in the South. When we say “dumpling,” we usually mean a doughy bread cooked in a broth. Chicken and dumplings is quite popular. However, the Cloutie Dumpling is more of the nature of fruit cake.
Here is the recipe:
125 g/4 oz. of suet (finely chopped)
1 tsp baking powder
200 g/ 4 oz. of currants and sultanas
1 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
1 tsp ginger
250 g/ 8 oz of self-rising flour
75 g/ 3 oz brown sugar
1 tbsp golden syrup (maple syrup)
1 cup milk
1 tsp nutmeg
125 g/ 4 oz breadcrumbs
1 grated apple

Half fill a pot with water and bring it to a full boil.
Take a large piece of cheesecloth and scald it with boiling water.
Then dust the cloth with flour.
In a large bowl, first beat the eggs. Then mix in the syrup and about 1/4 of the milk. Gradually add in the dry ingredients and fruit – mixing well each time.
Place the mixture on the cheesecloth and secure. Allow enough room for the mixture to swell/rise.
Place an inverted plate on the bottom of the pan and put the pudding on it.
Boil for 3-4 hours.
Be careful not to let the water to drop below half the depth of the pudding.
Dip in cold water, remove the cloth and dry the pudding off in a medium oven.
Sprinkle with sugar and serve with cream or custard.

 

In the Cairngorms National Park (Skye of Curr, Dulnain Bridge, Inverness-shire), one can find The Original Cloutie Dumpling Restaurant. It is a great place. I, especially, enjoy the purple and white heather gardens and antique shop. Check out their website:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.heathercentre.com/images/Dumplingindex.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.heathercentre.com/&usg=__1WBf19OaFnfG1AJXqSP6q1pNt-g=&h=150&w=150&sz=31&hl=en&start=11&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=QbGC8UbBilsO2M:&tbnh=96&tbnw=96&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dclootie%2Bdumpling%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnse&ei=GyOfTaP4AoGatgfuyez_Ag

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How About a Kate Middleton Doll?

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

Would you like your own Kate Middleton doll? Here is what the press says of this new must-have item:
“If you’re a girl who still dreams of one day growing up and marrying a prince, this could be the next best thing.
Launching today at toy shop Hamleys , is the limited edition ‘Princess Catherine Engagement Doll’ by Arklu, fashioned to resemble Kate Middleton, right down to her blow-dry, blue Issa dress and big Hollywood smile. The Kate Middleton doll takes to the streets of London today.
Seven British fashion and design leaders who together form the rather regal sounding ‘Champions of British Style™’, have dressed and accessorised the doll, which, to their credit, bears a greater resemblance to Middleton than the Royal Mint’s commemorative £5 coin (on which our heroine looks more like Victoria Beckham’s sister, Louise Adams).”

For more information on the doll, see http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/belinda-white/TMG8434851/Introducing-Princess-Catherine-doll-Kate-Middletons-stylish-mini-me.html.

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A New Novel

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

Fellow Indian Trail, NC, author, S.L. Schmitz, has released her first novel today. Congratulations…

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
“1983. A Razorblade Boy, lead singer with an obscure industrial band. A Dead Girl, a wandering, bruised waif living on the edge of madness. One’s the voice of youth – the other, the mother of the next Savior of the human race. But there’s a problem – the Dead Girl was only meant to produce the Savior, not fall in love with the Razorblade Boy. That means trouble for All-God – catastrophic trouble, with cosmic repercussions. The Dead Girl, All-God’s most beloved and most damaged of all his creations, becomes a beacon of assault for all those beings of Light and unLight, and her fall into spiritual decline threatens to unleash forces beyond even the comprehension of the most enlightened human. The Angels of the Apocalypse are standing in the wings, just waiting for the trigger…. the Razorblade Boy or the Savior – which is it to be?”

About the Author
S.L. Schmitz lives in Indian Trail, NC with her husband and son. There is an ever-changing menagerie of cats who graciously allow the family to share the house with them. In addition to reading and writing, she enjoys scrapbooking, drinking martinis, and making snarky comments about a variety of topics. Feel free to email her at thedeadgirl25@yahoo.com. Also, visit the website www.thedeadgirl.com for updates on new novels and publications.

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Three Musketeers Movie Trailer

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

This one is in 3D and nothing like what you remember of the Dumas classic. Of course, it has Matthew Macfadyen in it, as well as Orlando Bloom.

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RITA Award Finalists

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

The Romance Writers of America have announced their contenders for the coveted RITA Award. Below are the finalists:

2011 RITA Finalists for Best First Book
Enemy Within by Marcella Burnard 
Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley 
I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan 
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 
Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner 
The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells 
A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer 
Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts 
When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer

2011 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance
Breaking the Sheikh’s Rules in the Summer Sheikhs anthology by Abby Green 
Christmas Magic on the Mountain by Melissa McClone 
Christmas with Her Boss by Marion Lennox 
Dare She Date the Dreamy Doc? by Sarah Morgan 
Red-Hot Renegade by Kelly Hunter 
An Unexpected Father by Lisa Ruff 
Welcome Home, Cowboy by Karen Templeton 
Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon by Kate Hewitt 

2011 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure
The Baby’s Guardian by Delores Fossen 
Case File: Canyon Creek, Wyoming by Paula Graves 
To Catch a Killer by Kimberly Van Meter 
A Cop in Her Stocking by Ann Voss Peterson 
Meltdown by Gail Barrett 
The Moon That Night by Helen Brenna 
Perfect Partners? by C.J. Carmichael 
Renegade Angel by Kendra Leigh Castle 

2011 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Single Title Romance
And One Last Thing by Molly Harper 
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts 
Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl 
Not That Kind of Girl by Susan Donovan 
Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson 
One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy 
Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis 
Still the One by Robin Wells 

2011 RITA Finalists for Historical Romance
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee 
The Forbidden Rose by Joanne Bourne 
His at Night by Sherry Thomas 
A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James 
Last Night’s Scandal by Loretta Chase 
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl 
One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick 
Open Country by Kaki Warner 

2011 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance
A Convenient Wife by Anna Schmidt
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Finding Her Way Home by Linda Goodnight 
In Harm’s Way by Irene Hannon 
Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist 
Shades of Morning by Marlo M. Schalesky
The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight 
Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang 
Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander 

2011 RITA Finalists for Novel With Strong Romantic Elements
Blood Vines by Erica Spindler 
The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn 
Killbox by Ann Aguirre 
On Folly Beach by Karen White 
The Search by Nora Roberts 
Stormwalker by Allyson James 
Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts 
Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas 

2011 RITA Finalists for Paranormal Romance
Enemy Within by Marcella Burnard 
A Highlander’s Homecoming by Melissa Mayhue 
Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra 
Marked by the Moon by Lori Handeland 
Rebel by Zoe Archer 
Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver 
Unchained: the Dark Forgotten by Sharon Ashwood 
Water Bound by Christine Feehan 

2011 RITA Finalists for Regency Historical Romance
His Christmas Pleasure by Cathy Maxwell 
The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig 
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean 
Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter 
To Surrender to a Rogue by Cara Elliott 
Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare 
When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer 
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice 

2011 RITA Finalists for Romance Novella
“Blame It on the Blizard” by Jennifer Greene in Baby, It’s Cold Outside 
“A Dundee Christmas” by Brenda Novak in That Christmas Feeling 
“Friendly Fire” by Jill Shalvis in Born on the 4th of July 
“Love Me to Death” by Maggie Shayne in Heart of Darkness 
“Mistletoe Magic” by Sandra Hyatt in Under the Millionaire’s Mistletoe
“Mountain Rose” by Cheryl St. John in To Be a Mother )
“Shifting Sea” by Virginia Kantra in Burning Up 
“The Wrong Brother” by Maureen Child in Under the Millionaire’s Mistletoe 

2011 RITA Finalists for Romantic Suspense
The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks 
Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden 
Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire 
Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb 
Kill Me Again by Maggie Shayne 
Love Me to Death by Allison Brennan 
Silent Scream by Karen Rose 
Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon 

2011 RITA Finalists for Young Adult Romance
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder 
The Clearing by Heather Davis 
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare 
I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan 
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 
Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles 
The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells 

So, how many of these have your read? What is your favorite genre to read?

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Confessions of a Period Drama Addict

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

Confessions of a Period Drama Junkie

My name is Regina, and I am a
Period Drama addict!

I admit it: I prefer Period Dramas to all other film genres. Give me men who take pride in their appearances and women who do not, literally, allow it to “all hang out.”
I find as I peruse the many pieces offered each hour and each day on my “fine HD” television, that I can find nothing worth watching. I screen through the many channels (something which used to drive me crazy with my ex-husband, but that is an entirely different post), and I ultimately end up watching a period drama. I go through my cable listing, and then I take a turn with BBC America, Starz, The Movie Channel, Showtime, Sundance, Chiller, Flix, Encore, etc. Today, I watched Great Expectations, Emma, 1918, and Daisy Miller – all of which I have seen multiple times. In addition, I own some 50+ DVDs that could be considered Period Dramas.

I know from where this obsession came. Blame it on my narrow childhood. Not only did we listen to the same music as our parents, but we also actually watched television together. We swooned over the same heroes as our mothers and admired the same “manly men” as our fathers. I grew up on dramas such as Shogun and The Thornbirds – on movies such as Von Ryan’s Express and Little Women. Be it of a British or Old World nature or the latest Western, that was the milk of existence.

Therefore, take a stroll with me down memory lane. I have combined the covers of some of my favorite period dramas in the slideshow below. (There are no Jane Austen covers in this montage.) Tell me which ones were your favorites and maybe add the names of some others to the list by leaving a comment. I will check in regularly to see what you think.

 

http://pf.kizoa.com/sflite.swf?did=1533944&k=P143187481&hk=1

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Elizabeth Taylor – Dead at Age 79

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

Television is reporting the death of Elizabeth Taylor from congestive heart failure at age 79. Immediately, I thought of her many film roles. Do you have a favorite Elizabeth Taylor movie? In my classroom, I regularly used “The Taming of the Shrew,” in which she portrayed Katharina to Richard Burton’s Petruchio. However, I can remember many others, which I loved. Taylor was stunning as Leslie Benedict in “Giant,” playing a woman loved by both Rock Hudson and James Dean. She was also brilliant as Martha in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” as Maggie Pollitt in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” as Susanna Drake in “Raintree Country,” and as Gloria Wandrous in “Butterfield 8.”

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