Author Archives: Maria Grace

The Shocking Lyrics of Lavender’s Blue

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Sometimes you run into some really interesting bits when you fall down the research rabbit hole. Not infrequently, the delicious little tidbits don’t fit the story you’re trying to write, but they deserve to be shared nonetheless. Here’s the latest offering. So, picture the scene: I was just minding my own business, looking for a song my character might sing during a particularly emotional scene. (Sorry guys, no more spoilers than that, but you’ll know … Continue reading →

Reasons # 38: Why writing takes so long

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#38 Cat Naps     People ask all the time, how long does it take to write a book. I always reply it depends on a great deal of things like how much research needs to be done, how active the muse is, what’s going on with the family and the cats… Always the cats. Ever notice how it seems cats are always napping. Seriously all the time, every day. At least until the invisible goblins … Continue reading →

Taxed, smuggled and adulterated: Tea in Britain

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“Polly put the kettle on, we’ll all have tea.”~Charles Dickens (1812-1870) Barnaby Rudge   Since its popular introduction by Catherine of Braganza, in 1662, tea in Britain was an expensive commodity It was so expensive it was usually kept under lock and key, protected from pilfering by the servants. Both the cupboards and the tea caddies were locked and the key kept by the mistress of the household. Two primary types of tea were available, green and … Continue reading →

High Tea at Windsor Lakes

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A proper high tea is the perfect way to welcome the start of spring. This weekend I was invited to speak at the Lake Windsor Springtime High Tea, in honor of their late founder, Susan Boswell. The pleasure was all the greater knowing the event supported the Alzheimer’s association and the Windsor Lakes library. What an absolutely gorgeous event and one of the most gracious audiences I’ve ever been privileged to speak to! Just look at … Continue reading →

Hardwicke Marriage Act in Jane Austen’s World

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The Hardwicke Marriage Act laid out the path to the altar for regency couples Engagements in the regency era were generally brief, often only a few weeks long. Why the hurry? Since premarital sex was common and the birth of illegitimate children problematic for inheritance, parents preferred to see couples married sooner rather than later. Reading the banns or acquiring a license and having the marriage performed required a minimum of fifteen days to accomplish. If there was property or fortune involved, … Continue reading →