Category: Announcements


Mar
2025

Catching up with Regency Reflections Authors

categories: Announcements, Author Interview, New Release, Writing

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been sharing our inspirational Regency world with you for an entire year now. And what a year it’s been! We’ve seen so many wonderful books published, several of our blog authors have been preparing their debut novels for release, and many tidbits of history have been uncovered.

We’ve got some great fun starting next week for our one-year anniversary, but today we wanted to let you know what’s going on in the lives of some of your favorite Regency Reflections authors.

Laurie Alice Eakes

laurie and nick and water
Laurie Alice and her dog, Nick, at the beach.

Laurie Alice has been a very busy woman! She recently celebrated the release of her twelfth full length novel called Choices of the Heart. It is set in Appalachia in 1842, but still has a Regency connection. The heroine’s father, who was an English nobleman’s son, came to America in 1809, fell in love, and stayed.

Other things that have happened for Laurie Alice this year include the release of her third Regency, A Flight of Fancy, which won the Clash of the Titles contest. She also celebrated the re-release of Family Guardian, her first Regency, in paperback and Kindle versions. Family Guardian won the National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007.

And she’s not stopping any time soon! The third book in The Daughters of Bainbridge House series will release later this year. She also sold three more Regencies to Zondervan. The first one will release in 2014.

You can also find Laurie Alice at her personal webpage (www.LaurieAliceEakes.com) and on twitter (@LaurieAEakes).

Susan Karsten

SusanAndSister
Susan (in red sweater) with her sister-in-law on New Year’s Eve.

Susan has been busy getting her personal blog up and running. At graciouswoman.wordpress.com you’ll find a range of topics having to do with Susan’s interests. Lately, she’s been working on an estate sale (a side business she has). If that pique’s your interest, she’d blogged about it. 😉 Not yet published, she continues to improve her writing, getting an excellent average score for her latest work-in-progress, A Refuge for Rosanna, in the ACFW First Impressions contest.

Vanessa Riley

MadelineProtectPreparations for Vanessa’s debut release have kept her busy this year. In addition to posting on Regency Reflections, Vanessa keeps up the website ChristianRegency.com – a great source for Inspirational Regency books and history.

Her debut book, Madeline’s Protector, is just around the corner. Keep reading Regency Reflections after the anniversary party so you don’t miss her big launch party and give-a-way in April.

 

Kristi Ann Hunter

Kristi and her husband at the M&M conference for the Maggies announcements.
Kristi and her husband at the M&M conference for the Maggies announcements.

This past year has been amazing for Kristi. Currently unpublished, Kristi has spent the year learning from her fabulous writer friends – including the lovely ladies of Regency Reflections – and improving her craft. She semi-finaled in ACFW’s Genesis competition for unpublished authors and came in third in the Georgia Romance Writers Maggies competition in the Inspirational romance category.

Recently, she’s been working on revamping her website and blog. Currently the blog is at AmeliasDrawingRoom.blogspot.com. Within the next couple of weeks it will be moving to the brand new www.KristiAnnHunter.com. Technical issues kept the site from being up and running at the time of this post. You can also find Kristi on Facebook.

Ruth Axtell

mmcomingsoonIf you love reading Ruth Axtell books (who doesn’t?) get excited. Ruth’s been busy preparing for her newest release which will be launching right here at Regency Reflections in March.

Ruth writes historicals outside of the Regency period as well. Her historical romance set in Maine, Her Good Name, released last year.

You can find out more about Ruth by visiting her webpage, RuthAxtell.com, or her blog.

 

Kristy L. Cambron

Cambron Pics 210As if having a third child weren’t enough to keep a woman busy, Kristy has been pushing on with her writing and blogging career. Though currently unpublished, she and her agent, Joyce Hart, are working hard to change that. Winning the FCRW Beacon award in the Inspirational category last year and expanding her writing into other areas of history are just part of her efforts.

She’s also moved into a new position as a Learning Consultant for a Fortune 100 Company. Working with emergent leaders has brought her the privilege of being invited back as a three-time Participant Leader Guide at the Disney Leadership Institute, Perfect Service Experience program at Walt Disney World, Orlando.

Want to read more from Kristy right now? Check out her blog, Paris-Mom.blogspot.com.

 

Naomi Rawlings

Naomi is excited to have contracted for two sequels to Sanctuary for a Lady. The first novel is set during the French Revolution and the second during the Napoleonic Wars.  You can check out more of what Naomi has going on by visiting her website, NaomiRawlings.com or her blog, MakingHomeWorkBlog.blogspot.com.

Coming in 2013 to Regency Reflections

Now that you’ve caught up with your favorite bloggers, here’s a look at what’s ahead this year right here at Regency Reflections.

MatchCover

Starting Monday, February 4

Our one-year anniversary party! You will not want to miss the fun. We’ve put together a serial story, but you will get to choose the end! We’ll have a scavenger hunt to keep you intrigued as you read with a wonderful prize pack to give away to one lucky reader.

Book releases galore

If you love Inspirational Regencies, clear your bookshelf because this year we have a lot of amazing new releases to feature on the blog. Look for releases from Ruth Axtell in March, Sarah Ladd and Vanessa Riley with their debut releases in April, and Laurie Alice in October. And those are just a few of the books from our own authors! Look for special guests and give-a-ways throughout the year.

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Celebration

Pride and Prejudice turned 200 years old this year. We couldn’t possibly ignore that! Be sure to stick around the blog, because we’ll be celebrating this much loved story in August. We’ll look at the movies, the book itself, and the impact Jane Austen and her story have on life today. You won’t want to miss it.

Whew! It’s hard to believe all of that has happened in the past year. We have loved building this blog and bringing it to life while getting to know some of you through comments and discussions. This blog would be nothing without our fabulous readers.

So you tell us… what would you like to see on Regency Reflections this year?

 

Originally posted 2013-02-01 10:00:00.


Feb
2025

Top 12 Posts of 2012

categories: A Day in the Life, Announcements, Author Interview, Book Reviews, Uncategorized

Here at Regency Reflections, we have a dynamic team that works hard to provide our followers great insight and heart about all things regency.

Below are our top 12 posts for 2012. Take a moment and enjoy. We look forward to bringing you more great content in 2013.

Real Life Romance–And How to Keep it Alive 1
My Carriage Awaits… Maybe 2
A Review of “Jane Austen Knits” 3
A Flight of Fancy: a Regency Novel by Laurie Alice Eakes 4
Mr. Darcy, An Alpha Male in Love 5
Mourning in the Regency Period 6
What Happened to the Traditional Regency? 7
Interview and a Give-A-Way with Author Jamie Carie 8
Get to Know Our Own Laurie Alice Eakes (And win that gift basket!) 9
How to Have an American Duke 10
“Passion for Regency Fashion – The Pelisse” Susan Karsten 11
Wedding Hotspots in Regency England 12

Originally posted 2013-01-07 10:00:00.

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Feb
2025

A Look Ahead to 2013

categories: Announcements, New Year's

Kristi here, with an exciting look at the coming year.

As the weather blows cold and snow dumps over a lot of the United States, things are heating up at Regency Reflections. If you’re just now stumbling across our little corner of cyberspace, take a moment and bookmark us or subscribe via email because there are some amazing things planned for 2013.

Fireworks over the bridge
New Years in Australia, via WikiCommons

In February we’ll be celebrating our first birthday and we have some serious fun in the works. As a blog for readers of inspirational Regencies, we wanted to give you something to, well, read. We’re also putting together a unique and eclectic give-a-way that you won’t want to miss.

Stack of booksMore than half of our authors have book releases this year as well as many of our Regency writing friends of the blog. This year is going to provide a plethora of choices for the inspirational Regency reader. We’re especially excited for the debut releases of Vanessa and Sarah!

Other things to look forward to this year are a series of guest bloggers ready to share their experiences and knowledge, fun give-a-ways, and increased opportunities to interact with some of your favorite authors and other readers.

What are you looking forward to this year? What would you like to see more of on Regency Reflections?

Originally posted 2013-01-02 10:00:00.

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Feb
2025

The Chimney Sweep ~ Guest Post by Louise M. Gouge

categories: Announcements, Christmas, History, Recommended Reading, Regency Romance

Louise M. GougeRegency Reflection is happy to welcome Louise M. Gouge to the blog today. Be sure to check out Louise’s new book, A Suitable Wife after reading the article below. 

Thanks for stopping by, Louise!

Christmas Tree and Fireplace

Nothing can cheer up a wintery night more than a fire in an old-fashioned fireplace, especially at Christmas time. Although today most of us have other methods of heating our homes, we enjoy the nostalgia generated by a cozy blaze so much that we put up with all the work that goes into maintaining our hearth.

In Regency times, of course, people had no choice but to warm their homes with a wood or coal fire. Wealthy people had the advantage of having servants to keep the home fires burning. But when it came time to clean the chimney, a specialist was called in: the chimney sweep.

Chimney Sweep Boy With Tools

 

Armed with their circular brushes and metal scrapers, these men removed all of the caked on soot and ash that could cause a larger fire and perhaps even burn down the entire house. In order to remove the flammable matter from the smaller upper reaches of the chimney, the master sweeps would buy small boys (from desperately impoverished parents) and force them up inside the cold flue to scrape away the dangerous substances. No child labor laws protected these little “climbing boys,” and countless numbers of them suffered stunted growth, lung disease, sterility as adults, and early death from breathing in the soot.

A Chimney Sweep and his climbing boyToday we are shocked and saddened to hear of any form of child abuse, and efforts are made to save children in similar dangers. Even during the Regency era, many godly reformers sought to make changes in social inequities. But it was not until 1864 that Lord Shaftesbury succeeded in eliminating the use of “climbing-boys” through the Act for the Regulation of Chimney Sweepers, which established a penalty of £10.00 for offenders. That was a hefty sum in those days.

When I learn such an interesting historical fact, I like to incorporate it into my stories so that my readers can get a realistic picture of the past along with the romance. Although I didn’t plan this particular scenario to link the first two books in my Ladies in Waiting series, it turned out that in the first book, A Proper Companion, my hero’s titled brother had a severe bout of pneumonia and almost died. Then Lord Greystone became the hero of A Suitable Wife, so it was natural for him to have great empathy for anyone with breathing problems. When he encounters two little brothers. . .but that would give away too much of the story. Let’s just say that Lord Greystone’s efforts would have made Lord Shaftsbury proud.

A Suitable Wife Book CoverHere’s the story: It’s an impossible attraction. Lady Beatrice Gregory has beauty, brains—and a wastrel brother. With her family fortune squandered, her only chance of a Season is as a lowly companion. London’s glittering balls and parties are bittersweet when Beatrice has no hope of a match. Still, helping Lord Greystone with his charitable work brings her genuine pleasure…perhaps more that she dares to admit. Even when every marriageable miss in London is paraded before him, the only woman to capture Lord Greystone’s attention is the one he shouldn’t pursue. Attaching himself to a ruined family would jeopardize his ambitions. Yet Lady Beatrice may be the only wife to suit his lord’s heart.

Originally posted 2012-12-14 10:00:00.


Feb
2025

A Flight of Fancy Quiz and Contest Results

categories: Announcements, Contests, Uncategorized

We enjoyed hosting our Regency quiz last week to celebrate the release of A Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes. I’ve got a gift basket winner picked and ready to announce, but first, lets review the answers to those five pesky quiz questions!

1. A Flight of Fancy is set in 1812. During what years did the Regency take place?

A: 1790-1820

B: 1800-1830

C: 1811-1830

D: 1811-1820

D is the correct answer. Parliament approved the Regency that year and it lasted until the Prince of Wales, the Regent, became king in 1820. Briefly, in 1811, the king rallied, but not for long enough to revoke the Regency.

Often books are labeled as Regencies any time from the French Revolution until the end of George IV’s reign in 1830. This is partly because of Napoleon’s influence over much of this time period, and partly because no one knows what else to call it. It is Georgian. The Regency is a subcategory of Georgian England, which began in 1714 with George I becoming the first Hanover on the throne.

(The Hanovers are still on the throne, but they changed their name from the German to the English Windsor during World War I.)

2. How did aeronauts steer a balloon?

A: They used sails.

B: They used paddles.

C: They used wind currents.

D: They used the balloon itself.

I was please to see how many got this right, which means you all are knowledgeable about nineteenth century ballooning. C is, of course, the answer to both. Balloonists’ only way to steer a balloon is through wind currents, raising and lowering the elevation of the balloon through more or less hot air, until the wind is going the right way. This is inefficient and not always successful.

3. Which of the following was not used to make hydrogen for the balloon.

A: Fire

B: Acid

C: Wax

D: Iron

Wax was used to coat the canvas tubing from the beaker of acid to the balloon to keep the hydrogen from leaking out.

4. In A Flight of Fancy, Cassandra Bainbridge is the oldest unmarried daughter of a baron. How should she be addressed?

A: Lady Cassandra

B: Lady Bainbridge

C: Miss Cassandra

D: Miss Bainbridge

Forms of address in England were and are some of the most complex details in writing an English-set historical. The answer is D—Miss Bainbridge.

As the daughter of a baron, she is not entitled to the “Lady” form of address. She is a lady because of her birth, but not a Lady, as her birth is not quite high enough. She would have to be the daughter of an earl, marquess, or duke to be addressed as Lady Cassandra. No single lady was addressed Lady Surname unless she held a title in her own right, which was extremely rare.

As the eldest unmarried daughter, she is Miss Bainbridge. Kudos to the reference from Jane Austen. In the third book, Miss Honore will become Miss Bainbridge.

5. Geoffrey Giles, Earl of Whittaker, is the hero in A Flight of Fancy. How should he be addressed?

A: Lord Geoffrey

B: Lord Giles

C: Lord Earl

D: Lord Whittaker

This one was easy. Yes, Lord Whittaker. Men of the peerage were addressed by their title. Believe me, though, I have read these other choices in books, along with calling an earl Sir Title or Sir firstname, as though titles were interchangeable. They were not.

And the gift basket winner is . . .

Jan Bolton!

Congratulations to Jan, who answered correctly on last Wednesday’s post about how Cassandra would have been addressed as the eldest unmarried daughter of a baron.

From the bloggers here at Regency Reflections, we want to offer everyone who participated in our A Flight of Fancy week and Regency quiz a heartfelt thank you. We hope you enjoyed the things we featured during our A Flight of Fancy week as much as we enjoyed interacting with every one of you.

Originally posted 2012-10-15 10:00:00.


Feb
2025

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!

categories: Announcements, Uncategorized

We are so very excited to announce that Laurie Alice Eakes, a Regency Reflections blogger, has signed a three-book contract with Zondervan for a Regency series!

Laurie Alice’s new series is currently titled Strangers at Bonython and follows the romantic adventures of three cousins that are all after the same prize.  Mark your calendars! This series is tentatively scheduled to release in the spring of 2014.

It is no surprise that Laurie Alice has won the National Readers Choice Award for Regency. If you have ever read one of her novels, then you already know of her amazing ability to immerse readers into the Regency world and charm them with vivid characters and exciting plots.

Recently I asked Laurie Alice if there was a particular Bible verse that encouraged her throughout her writing career, and she told me that her “career verse” is 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (NIV)

“This verse is my career verse for three reasons,” said Laurie Alice. “First of all, I want to encourage readers who are already believers to be strong and to grow in their faith despite life’s trials. Next, I wish to encourage seekers that the love, forgiveness, and truth of the Lord is real and worth the sacrifice of self. Last, but not least, I wish to encourage others to follow their dreams and let the Lord guide them. I never thought I would sell one book, let alone seventeen.”

Laurie Alice’s dedication to the inspirational Regency genre is not only evident in her writing, but in her willingness to help other writers grow and develop their craft as well.

“Laurie Alice has been a great help and encouragement to me, both personally and professionally,” said Naomi Rawlings, a fellow historical inspirational romance author and Regency Reflections blogger. “She’s always full of historical information and able to point you to the sources you’re looking for, and she has such an amazing willingness to help teach other writers. I praise the Lord for the encouragement she’s been, and I’m so thrilled to see her able to publish another series of Regency novels.”

If you can’t wait until Spring 2014 for a good dose of Laurie Alice’s regency stories, you are in luck … her next Regency,  Flight of Fancy, releases in October. Want to read one of her books right now?  Then be sure to check out  A Necessary Deception.

Join us as we celebrate with Laurie Alice!!

 

Originally posted 2012-09-14 01:00:00.


Dec
2024

Regency Reflections Welcomes You!

categories: Announcements

Welcome to Regency Reflections: The Inspirational Regency Reader’s Companion. Whether you are a long time fan or just discovering this wonderful time period, we hope to be a valuable resource for you. Here you will be able to reach out to your favorite authors, learn more about the history of the Regency, and connect with other readers.
Engraving of Vauxhall Garden, 1810

On Mondays you can sit back with a cup of tea and learn a little tidbit of history.  Ever wondered why the period is called the Regency? Maybe you would like to find out a little bit more about how people went visiting or what dances they did. You never know what you might learn!

Wednesdays are when we like to share a little bit of ourselves with you. You’ll learn about what’s going on in our lives and be able to share in the conversation yourself. We’ll also interview your favorite authors whenever they have new books coming out so you’ll always know when Regency titles are going to be hitting the shelves near you.

Fridays we want to take you on a journey of faith. We’ll post short devotionals or lessons God has been teaching us. Strengthen your faith by walking with us.

Periodically, we’ll also be telling you about some of our favorite other Regency related media, such as websites, movies, or classic regency novels that have inspired us to write.

Take a moment and look around. You can vote in polls about currently available books or troll around the links section and visit your favorite author’s cyber home. Move on over to our home site, www.inspirationalregency.com, and look up the answer to some historical question you’ve always had.

We are excited to start this project and are so glad you’ve decided to join us! If you want to know more about who we are and who will be sharing with you over the next month, go to the blog editors page. You’ll find the link under the Regency church picture above.

Is there something you would like to see us cover? Maybe you have a burning question for one of our authors? Just want to tell us how excited you are about the blog? Leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

In Christ,

Kristi Ann Hunter

Blog Coordinator, Regency Reflections

Originally posted 2012-02-01 07:30:00.


Oct
2024

A Heart’s Rebellion Wrap Up

categories: Announcements, Awards, Uncategorized

A Heart's RebellionThanks to everyone for stopping by our release celebration for A Heart’s Rebellion by Ruth Axtell. We have winners! And answers! And more information about the next book we’re promoting during our Spring Release Extravaganza!

The two winners of A Heart’s Rebellion are Collette C. and Kay M! Congratulations to both of you ladies.

If you’re wondering about the answers to our questions the answer to our first week’s question is:

1. In regency times, being the firstborn male was everything in terms of inheritance. What career avenues were open for younger sons?

Answer: Church and Military

2. What is a famous botanical garden in London, which existed in regency times (which is where Lancelot takes Jessamine)?

Answer: Kew GardensNaomi Rawlings The Soldier's Secret

Thanks to everyone who stopped by so far during our Spring Release Extravaganza, and remember to stop by tomorrow, when you’ll learn about The Soldier’s Secrets by Naomi Rawlings plus have a chance to win more prizes.

Originally posted 2015-12-06 18:06:08.