Regency Ramblings and Regrets

As part of my being (appreciatively!) invited to share a spot in Meredith Esparza’s ‘Austenesque Extravaganza’ (throughout August event), I felt inclined to ramble a little around Jane Austen’s works (and times) and why I love them so. You are also cordially invited to comment here with your own thoughts or feelings about our own…

Lost in… Novel #9.. or somewhere around it…

For some past months, I’ve been trying to work on writing my ninth novel, but I’ve been easily distracted lately… with almost everything else. Yes, my insomnia and some related and other health challenges are a good excuse, but that isn’t really it. Just when I didn’t really think ‘writer’s block’ was ever a problem…

Lark Rise to Candleford DVD (BBC Television Series)

Charmingly entertaining, this series is a wholesome delight to the vintage senses, from darling start to sudden finish. (The only true downside being that this series was just stopped short at essentially a half of season four – for some strange and unanswerable reason, having absolutely nothing to do with and seemingly ignoring the fact…

Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ Miniseries (2009) Review

Always up for a new interpretation of any favorite Jane Austen novel, I was keen to try this version upon knowing of its existence, though, there is always the trepidation of , `Did they get it right?’. For me, as long as the rendition is within the spirit of the morals, mood, story and style…

Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ Audiobook read by Prunella Scales

As with a number of Jane Austen’s key novels, I love to read ‘Emma’ on a fairly regular basis. It is a bright and fun story, full of witty humor, and comes complete with a slight cautionary tale as well. Where she thought herself glowing with strengths, Emma learns her weaknesses, and gains wisdom through…

Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ little paperback Review

Perhaps the mother of all romances, this classic crème de la crème Jane Austen story stands as a model that many modern romances seem formulated upon. Not a pure romance however, Austen offers so much more to her readers in P&P: realistic relationships, interesting characters, comical situations and compelling subplots force readers to think in…

Novel the Eighth Cover

This lovely cover which was recently wonderfully done by my daughter Brina hints of another romantically-inclined vintage-style novel. But does it hint of a mystery? Just a little bit mystery in the midst of some romance, I will admit. The inspiration behind this story of a mysterious musician was one song. It was a favorite…

From Austen to the Brontes to Gaskell and more…

I’m romantically inclined towards most all things relating to Jane Austen, Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, Elizabeth Gaskell and other writers and themes of mainly the eighteen hundreds from England and Europe to North America. I love to celebrate everything wonderful about the lives and times of women of one to two hundred years ago….