Join me in welcoming my friend Grace Elliot on her blog tour for her latest release, The Ringmaster’s Daughter. My latest release, The Ringmaster’s Daughter, is set in a Georgian pleasure garden. This was a place of entertainment where, then as now, the public flocked to see the unusual and curious. From exotic animals to deformed people, the extraordinary could draw a crowd – so let us look at the 18th century’s biggest attractions. Firstly, … Continue reading →
What did Jane Austen’s ladies do all day? Were they ladies of leisure or full time working women? Period dramas have left many of us with the notion that ladies of the landed gentry in the Regency era had little to do but dress in lovely gowns, embroider and gossip. Reality could not be farther from this image. In general, both master and mistress of the manor did a great deal of work around the estate, … Continue reading →
Though there is a lot of debate, castles are generally considered to be the private fortified resident of a lord or noble. (Palaces are not fortified) Castles did not serve as a public defense. They originated in Europe in the 9th and 10th century. Castles served not only as military structures, but as centers of administration and symbols of the nobility’s power. Since their first function was defense, castles often exploited natural defenses like hilltops … Continue reading →
During the Regency era social class played a huge role in all aspects of life. The nuances of social class and what makes a gentleman a gentleman remains a perennial source of confusion for Austenesque and Regency readers. How these men provided a livelihood for themselves and their families proves even more bewildering as some gentlemen had a profession, others did not, some were wealthy and some could find themselves in very dire straits. Social … Continue reading →
I’ve been a little scarce recently and thought it was about time to give you all an update. First, thank you for all the encouragement and support you’ve given me and my family during this challenging time with my mother. I’ve been off the radar for the last six weeks because of my mother’s health crisis and related family issues. She is still in the hospital and may be for several more weeks. There are … Continue reading →
