An Anniversary…

A few weeks ago I wrote about the story world of author Georgette Heyer, and an upcoming post I was working on. My article about Regency Buck, the first Regency romance, published in 1935, went live yesterday on the Beau Monde Blog.

The Beau Monde is a chapter of Romance Writers of America devoted to the Regency romance subgenre. There are members who are experts in the politics, law, food, entertainment, furnishings  and society of the Regency era. Honestly, it can get a little annoying when members argue about sidesaddles or streetlights! Yet often, mention of some obscure fact sparks a story idea.

If you have time, please link through and take a look at my post on Regency Buck, and if you have thoughts or comments or want to argue with my conclusions, please share!

A Funeral…

Arthur Valerian Wellesley, the 8th Duke of Wellington died last week at the age of 99, six months before the 200th anniversary of the first Duke of Wellington’s victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

The 8th Duke of Wellington in 2006

Born in 1915 while World War I was raging, the 8th Duke had an eventful life, entering the British Army in World War II, and making a career of that until his retirement in 1968.

While his father was living, his honorary title was no mere “Baron” or “Viscount”; he was the Marquess of Douro. Upon his father’s death in 1972 he became not just the Duke of Wellington, but also the Prince of Waterloo of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Duque da Vitoria, Marquês de Torres Vedras, and Count of Vimeiro of the Kingdom of Portugal, and the Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo of the Kingdom of Spain.

Extraordinary! All of these foreign titles flow from the accomplishments of that nineteenth century aristocrat who led British and allied troops so ably in the Peninsular wars and at the Battle of Waterloo.

The 8th Duke’s father was a third son and a diplomat before entering the military service in World War II. Clearly, Arthur came from a long military tradition, and in fact may have never become the 8th Duke had his cousin Henry, the 6h Duke, not been killed in a commando raid in Italy during World War II. Arthur Wellesley is succeeded by his son, Charles, who has made his career in business.

It is sad that the 8th Duke will miss out on the festivities in Belgium this summer, but perhaps he is discussing the battle now with his illustrious ancestor.

And an Invitation…

On Monday, January 12th, 2015, I’ll be reading at Lady Jane’s Salon OC from my Regency novella, Rosalyn’s Ring. I’m excited because I’ll be sharing the stage as it were with a New York Times bestselling author, Tessa Dare, who has a new book out. If you’re in the Anaheim area, come and join us, if not for me, then for Tessa!

Images: The Beau Monde, Wikimedia, LadyJanesSalonOC.com