Continuing my series on servants during the Regency/Georgian eras, here is essay #2. If you missed the first blog, read it now since it gives an introduction that helps explain all the servants and the hierarchy. Servants at a Country Estate: An Overview & the Steward Today I will continue...
One of my greatest joys in writing The Darcy Saga novels is uncovering tidbits of history. As much as possible, I try to weave the facts into the story in a fun and informative way. For some readers, this is too much like a history lesson! I wish I could...
Several years ago I wrote a series on servants, both inside and outside, at a grand country estate. Recently on Austen Authors I dusted the series off, did a ton of fresh research, and rewrote everything for a ten-part blog series. I’ve decided to cross-post here on my blog, and...
With 8 full-length novels and one novella written in The Darcy Saga thus far — and more on the way — I suppose it is obvious that my brand of plotting and telling a story is unique. There are several reasons for choosing this style, but one of the main...
One of my greatest joys in writing The Darcy Saga novels is uncovering tidbits of history. As much as possible, I try to weave the facts into the story in a fun and informative way. For some readers, this is too much like a history lesson! I wish I could...
At last, the final post covering the ton of photos during my tour of the “Dressing Downton” exhibition at Cheekwood Mansion in Nashville a few weeks ago. It was a phenomenal experience. The previous posts explain a bit more about the exhibit (links below) and have a bunch of photos...
For today I have the fourth post covering the wealth of photos I snagged when visiting the “Dressing Downton” exhibition at Cheekwood Mansion in Nashville a few weeks ago. It was a phenomenal experience. The prior three posts explain a bit more about the exhibit (links below) so without further...
Whether one has ever been in a fancy ballroom as an observer or participant, or tuned in for an episode of Dancing With the Stars, most have at least an idea of how a waltz is performed. Readers of Jane Austen and Regency romance surely have read hints of the...
Here is the third blog post of images from the outstanding exhibit of select costumes from the BBC TV series Downton Abbey®. I thought I would take a moment to encourage everyone to watch the show if you haven’t already. The costumes, obviously, are fantastic and almost enough of a reason to...
Time for more images from my awesome experience at the “Dressing Downton” exhibit at Cheekwood Mansion in Nashville. Here are the links to all the blogs on “Dressing Downton” — “Dressing Downton” ~ Part One “Dressing Downton” ~ Part Two “Dressing Downton” ~ Part Three “Dressing Downton” ~ Part Four...
Two weeks ago I was in Nashville, Tennessee visiting with my daughter and son-in-law, and as we searched for entertainment in the metropolis, I stumbled across an exhibition I could not miss: Dressing Downton. Although admittedly not an obsessive fan, I did watch Downton Abbey® and along with the excellent story,...
For Celebration Day #4 I am highlighting a celebration written in Darcy & Elizabeth: Hope of the Future: Mr. Darcy’s Birthday Party! One of the scenes during the engagement period which I had previously written into the novels of the Darcy Saga was the twenty-ninth birthday of Mr. Darcy. Written...
In writing my Darcy Saga, and specifically my soon-to-be released Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future, bedroom wear has frequently contributed to the plot. Go figure! Long ago I researched, and am content with my conclusions and how I’ve chosen to describe the pretty underthings and nightgowns worn by...
Blogging this month will be inspired by a fact of some sort that I uncovered while writing Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future. Today, from a chapter where poor Mr. Darcy attempts to shop for Elizabeth. Lost amongst the vastness of Harding and Howell, he is assisted by three...
My upcoming novel, Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future, is the second volume of the “prequel duo” to my Darcy Saga sequel series to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Since the duo novels, including volume one Darcy and Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship, are set entirely during the betrothal...
