So, to bring Jane Austen alive again, in our minds only, I bring you some of her delicious quotes.
What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.“
Based on these quotes alone, I do believe I would have enjoyed know Jane Austen.
Which author would you have liked to spend time with? Answer in the comments, please.
Originally posted 2015-05-25 23:20:23.
…Back from an absence of about four months (that pesky tax job). Since I enjoy Camy’s posts on older regency books so much, I am bringing you info about a book, and its author, and telling you about her extensive and delicious back-list of regency reading fun (over 90 titles). If the author Marion Chesney is not familiar to you — get thee to a bookstore — or library in this case — since she isn’t (boo-hoo) writing regencies anymore.
No, she now only writes fabulously popular cozy mysteries now and you may know her as M.C. Beaton. However, her regencies are GREAT, and with some digging, are still available to the avid fan. She’s got some of her backlist out as e-books lately, too.
Chesney’s debut (writing under her own name) book, which I happen to own, is “The Poor Relation.” Heroine and former debutante Amaryllis Duvane’s fortunes have sunk low and she is reduced to the status of serving her wealthier relatives. Her past love, the Marquess of Merechester, shows up to court one of these wicked stepsister types, and the drama begins.
I’ll happily admit to being a huge fan of Chesney, in all her genres. But the chance to read one of her first efforts makes me admire her career trajectory even more. As one familiarizes oneself with her work, it’s clear that as she gained publishing popularity and confidence, more and more of Chesney’s delicious humor comes out on the page. I can only hope to instigate half as many snickers for my own readers…someday…when I make my debut!
If you’ve ever enjoyed Chesney’s regencies, please add a comment.
Susan Karsten
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Originally posted 2015-04-30 09:56:35.
Regency Reflections is entering it’s fourth year! We’ve had such an incredible time blogging about history, new books, our favorite classics, and the blessings God has given us. We couldn’t be happier to have you along for the journey.
If you’re new to Regency Reflections (or just want to revisit some great reads) here are the links to some free short stories we’ve published in the last three years.
A Suitable Match – a serial story written by 7 Regency romance authors. The contests are no longer open, but the story is still great!
Saving Miss Caulfield by Kristi Ann Hunter
Love Everlasting by Laurie Alice Eakes
A Pressing Engagement by Vanessa Riley
A Proper Prodigal by Susan Karsten
Matchmaking Pudding by Laurie Alice Eakes
We hope you’re looking forward to another year of celebrating inspirational Regencies as much as we are!
Happy reading!
Originally posted 2015-02-02 09:33:11.
Age he “left home”: 18
Favorite vacation spot: Brighton
Age at ascension to the Regency: 49
Age at ascension to the throne: 57
Number of concurrent marriages: 2 (Maria Fitzherbert, Caroline of Brunswick)
hated: flat roofs
Took unjust credit for: British victory in Spain, and the overthrow of Napoleon
Was firmly convinced that: he fought in the Battle of Waterloo
Favorite authors: Jane Austen, Sir Walter Scott
Famous book dedicated to him: Emma, by Austen
Waist measurement: 50″ (1824)
Health problems: gout, arteriosclerosis, dropsy, and possibly porphyria
Information about George the 4th (the Prince Regent) is accessible and understandable. I recommend a brief study of his life to better frame your Regency knowledge.
Who’s your favorite historical figure of the Regency?
Originally posted 2014-12-08 01:00:00.
To this day, at the beauty shop, I am asked if I am okay with hairspray. Yes, yes, yes — I want that hairdo to last as long as possible. But I know the question is a holdover from the days when natural reigned.
What does this have to do with the Regency Period? In that day, styles moved away from the previous heavy macquillage which included white lead, pasted-on beauty marks, and powdered hair and wigs. The less contrived and more-freeing fashions of our beloved Regency Period, called for a simpler look as far as cosmetics as well.
The simpler Regency make-up’s similarities to the make-up of the 60s-70s is amazing! Think of their colored lip salves (like our lip gloss), a touch of rouge (like our blusher), eyelash tints (like our mascara), and home made beauty aids were popular in both periods as well. Innocence was the look they were going for, and in our 20th century day, we were going for natural.
The move away from heavy facial cosmetics lead to an upsurge in perfumes, lotions, creams, oils, salves, and cures. Freckle creams were big, because those little spots were a major no-no.
So, when you are reading Regency fiction and you are picturing your heroine, your imaginary face should more than likely be without any noticeable make-up — the bare minimum.
Do you remember the period of the 60s-70s? What were your favorite cosmetics? Did you usually go without?
Thanks for reading! from Susan Karsten
“The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural.” {Calvin Klein}
Originally posted 2014-11-06 09:04:11.
When the topic of Christmas and other holidays in regency genre books came up, I merely opened the hutch of my escritoire (regency for desk) and pulled out four collections (see below)
These are not CBA (inspirational) fiction, but rather ABA (general market, not inspirational, and probably a little racy).
I hope our inspy Regency genre grows to the point where collections like the above will be highly sought-after and we will have a chance to have a chance for our faith-filled novella to be published in such a collection.
What do you like best about Christmas-set fiction?
Please give an answer in a comment.
Susan Karsten
Originally posted 2014-10-20 01:00:00.
Hi, Regency fans! I got into reading regency fiction when my children were young. I needed something enjoyable, light, and clean to have on hand whenever I had a few spare minutes to read.
One day, at my library, I stumbled across a book from the House for the Season series, by Marion Chesney — the rest is history — regency era history. She’s still my favorite regency fiction author, and I only wish she still wrote in the genre. Following is a list of her prolific output (Enjoy!):
PS: This is not Christian fiction, but is pretty clean.
Would love to hear from other Chesney fans in the comments. Fondly, Susan
Originally posted 2014-09-11 01:00:00.
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A committee of high-born ladies, known as patronesses, further added to the exclusivity factor. They controlled access to tickets and, therefore, who could enter the prized environs.
Though it cost money to get in, money alone didn’t guarantee entry, nor did birth status. Other factors considered were: wit, beauty, careful dressing, being a good dancer, or simply having good taste might tip the scales in your favor.
The despotic patronesses held weekly meetings to select attendees. Once “in”, there were still strict rules which had to be followed, or you risked being turned away. You must arrive on time, properly dressed.
Six or seven patronesses ran Almack’s. Lady Jersey, daughter and wife of earls, was a chatterbox heiress, strictly maintained the cachet of the club. Lady Sefton, married to an earl, considered more amiable, was a renowned society hostess in her own right. Lady Cowper, know for her with, tact and affability, was known to smooth over quarrels. Formidable Lady Castlereagh, Icy Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, ruthless Countess Lieven, and spiteful Princess Esterhazy round out the committee.
It almost makes one not want to even try to gain entrance. Do you think you’d have made the cut? (fantasy here!)
Originally posted 2014-08-07 10:00:00.
Special interest groups fought against gaslight, fearing the loss of the whale-oil trade. The inflammatory Bill of 1816 (supportive of gas lighting) would also ruin the navy, the ropemakers, sailmakers, etc. etc. according to its opponents.
Yet gaslight did more for prevention of crime “than the days of Alfred the Great”. Lighting at night brought safety, but also enhanced the reputation of London as the City of Sin. “London Lights” was a slang term referring to the regency age’s gilded immorality.
Nightlife entertainments in London were hideously vulgar, and respectable citizens did not take their families out after dark to public venues. My source says the “flaring gaslight” was appropriate to the rough and tumble array of available diversions.
Information is from: Life in Regency England, by R. J. White, publ. 1963
What do you picture for lighting when you are reading or writing regency fiction? Please leave a comment.
Originally posted 2014-07-17 10:00:00.