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Heather Lynn’s Holiday Blog

Published December 3, 2010 | By Heather Lynn Rigaud
Hello again my Austen-friends. It’s been awhile for me, and I’m happy to be able to blog with you again. Actually, that’s a lie. A have to admit I dread blogging. It’s almost a medical condition.  I go through these stages when I’m writing blog entries that are kind of like the stages of grief. 
  • First there’s the optimistic planning stage: I‘m going to write a fabulous blog post. Something that’s heartwarming and deep, yet light and witty! It will be glorious! I’ll be the next Garrison Keillor and I’ll be invited on Oprah, and … and… and then I try and write something and we hit stage two- 
  • OH GOD!!! I can write anything at all!!! I’m a fraud! My editor is going to fire me and demand her money back and every high school english teacher I ever had is going to deny me!!! Whahhhhh.
  • From there, I’m able to bounce back a bit, mostly by lowering my expectations: It doesn’t have to be genius- It just has to be vaguely legible. Come’on, I can do something. Anything. Right?
  • After that I get a little bolder, and maybe a little resentful. I don’t have to write just anything. I’m a good writer! I’ve got mad skills. I’m going to write my best blog entry yet! 

And so the cycle continues until I realize I’m out of time and Sharon’s going to come after me. What can I say? Other than I’m looking for recommendations for a good therapist.

But I am happy to wish you all a happy Holiday season. We’re doing Holidays all this month, and since many other writers can do a much better job of talking about ‘Christmas & Jane Austen’ I decided to write about what I enjoy during the Holidays. 
My favorite part of the Holidays is baking. At my house ‘Cookie Day’ is almost as big as the day we open presents. I make trays of baked goodies to give to our friends and co-workers with twelve different types of cookies on them. I’ve tried over the years to drop the number down, but every time I say “What if we didn’t make the — this year?” someone cries out that it’s their favorite and back on the list it goes. 
Christmas Squid and Zepplins. 

I start by making the dough’s that need to chill early in the day, followed by the easy bar cookies that get baked in a pan. Then we get to the rolling and shaping part of the day. Gradually the piles of finished, cooling cookies gets higher and higher. At some point, the Christmas carols that I have playing on the radio get changed to Cthulhu carols as things start to get weird. By evening time, I’m pretty wiped out, so my husband and sons take over the heavily decorated sugar and gingerbread cookies. While I’m suggesting they make gingerbread men and christmas trees, my menfolk are happily making Christmas squid, Holiday Zepplins, and gingerbread Ninjas. Really, Christmas squid. (Those cookies go on the bottom of the gift platters) 
We usually have friends come by to help with the baking, and to get the first crack at the eating, and at the appropriate time some pizza will arrive so we don’t all die from sugar-shock. And that’s it. It’s weird, it’s irreverent, but it’s my favorite part of the Holiday season. 
I do wish you all the happiest of seasons, with lots of light, laughter and love. And I promise my next blog post will be more ‘Austen-y’.
Posted in Austen Authors

Christmas Day at New College, Oxford

Published December 3, 2010 | By Mary Simonsen
New College, Oxford
by Mary Simonsen
Tastes change, and this record of James Woodforde’s dinner at New College, Oxford proves it. However, there is one thing that we do have in common with the 18th century college senior: People eat an awful lot during the Christmas holidays. But I must say, even with the cornucopia of food available in 2010, Mr. Woodforde could really put away the groceries.
Christmas Day at New College, Oxford, 1773
By James Woodforde??
Howard Grace Cup
Tudor Era

??

We had for dinner two fine cods boiled, with fried soles round them, and oyster sauce, a fine sirloin of beef roasted, some pease soup and an orange pudding, for the first course; for the second we had a lease of wild ducks roasted, a fore-quarter of lamb, and salad, and mince pies. We had a grace cup* before the second course brought by the butler to the steward of the Hall who was Mr. Adams, a senior Fellow, who got out of his place and came to my chair and then drank to me out of it, wishing me a merry Christmas. I then took it of him and drank, wishing him the same, and then it went round, three standing up all the time. From the high table, the grace cup goes to the bachelors and scholars.
After the second course, there was a fine plum cake brought to the senior table as is usual on this day, which also goes to the bachelors after. After grace is said, there is another grace cup to drink omnibus Wickhamisis [to all Wickhamists] which is drunk as the first, only the steward of the hall does not attend the second grace cup.
The Hall
We dined at three o’clock and were an hour and a half at it. We all went into the senior common room, where the Warden came to us and sat with us till prayers. The wine drunk by the senior fellows, [the] domus pays for. Prayers this evening did not begin till six o’clock, at which I attended as did the Warden. I supped etc. in the Chequer. We had rabbits for supper roasted as is usual on this day. The Sub-Warden has one to himself; the bursars each one apiece; the senior fellows half a one each. The junior fellows a rabbit between three. N.B. Put on this day a new coat and waistcoat for the first time.

*Grace Cup – Grace cups were passed ’round when a traditional grace (a prayer of thanksgiving) was said to give thanks for the food eaten. Robert Burton, in his Anatomy of Melancholy (1621 – love the title) described their use as “a corollary to conclude the feast and continue their mirth. A grace cup came in to cheer their hearts and they drank healths to one another again and again.” (Wikipedia)

Bolded print: According to Oxford graduate, Lynn Shepherd, a Wickhamist is someone who went to Winchester College, a school for boys aged 13-18, that was founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, together with New College in the University of Oxford. “There’s a long established link between Winchester and New College, with many boys going from one to the other. It’s still a strong link even now.” LS

“Domus (Latin for “home”) refers to the college itself picking up the bill for the drink. Likewise, I think the Chequer is the name of one of the local Oxford inns.” LS

Happy Holidays! Seasons Greetings!

Posted in History, Holidays

November Giveaway Winners

Published December 3, 2010 | By Regina Jeffers

by Regina Jeffers

We are pleased to announce our November Giveaway Winners. Please contact Regina Jeffers, Contest Coordinator, at contests@austenauthors.com with your name and mailing address.

The Classic Poems of Robert Burns (hardcover) and a five-pound online gift voucher from the Jane Austen Centre – donated by J. Marie Croft goes to Luthien84.

The Other Mr. Darcy – donated by Sourcebooks goes to Amy Z.
Pride and Prejudice (2005) DVD – donated by Regina Jeffers goes to Margay.
An According to Jane t-shirt – donated by Marilyn Brant goes to Candy.
An “I ‘Heart’ Darcy” keychain – donated by Victoria Connelly goes to Chelsea B.
Special Giveaways go to . . .
A choice of Susan Kaye’s books from Susan’s November 12 blog goes to Becky C. (Choose between None But You (or) For You Alone.)
A signed copy of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge – donated by J. Marie Croft from her November 2 blog goes to SuzeJA. 
The person with the most correct answers on the November Quiz on Northanger Abbey receives a beautiful copy of Effusions of Fancy, as well as Effusions Greeting Cards – donated by Jane Odiwe – those go to merry816.
The December contest information was posted yesterday. We have made some exciting changes to our monthly giveaways, and as this is the Season for giving, find out how you two can be a Austen Author winner!!!
Posted in Austen Authors, Giveaways/Contests

Sharon Wishing a Merry Christmas

Published December 2, 2010 | By Sharon Lathan

by Sharon Lathan

ONLY 23 SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Alrighty, now that we have that over with let’s talk about Christmas in the Regency! Well first let’s talk about the holiday season here on Austen Authors. Not sure how it happened but my blog date ended up falling on the day we are launching our Month of Christmas Fun. OK, I know how it happened: I do the scheduling! So here I am to ring in the season of Santa Claus, mistletoe, presents, and tinsel on a tree. We will do our collective best to festively get into the spirit with holiday themed blogs, quizzes, essays, and more. Embracing both the past and the present, the Austen Authors will be sharing our love of Christmas with you all month long. Does that sound like fun or what?

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I grew up where it snowed enough to make angel forms, where my dad was able to chop down a fresh tree, where the stockings really were hung by the chimney with care, and where we strolled door to door singing carols. These memories of traditions that seem to have been largely forgotten inspired me to create richly detailed Christmases for the Darcys. Writing a saga has many advantages, one being the joy of passing several holidays with Darcy, Lizzy, and the others.

However, as with everything I write I not only have to travel back in time some 200 years, I also have to think like a Brit! The historical part is far easier for this American Girl let me tell you. What in blazes are wassail and Christmas pudding? Boxing Day? Twelfth Night? You mean there really were 12 days of Christmas? I just thought that was an annoying song! I knew there weren’t decorated trees or Santa Claus, but what about other greenery or Father Christmas? Lots to figure out and I have an abundance of websites bookmarked to prove how extensively I searched. I also have what I think is a delightful several chapters in my first novel – Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy – that recounts my vision of the newlyweds first Christmas together at Pemberley.

Time passed, both with me and in my saga, and suddenly it was the Darcys’ second Christmas together! Now they had a newborn son and even more friends and family coming to visit – Mrs. Bennet at Pemberley! – So it was time to hit the books, er- internet, once again. The foundation was laid for the traditions I had given the Darcys (heirloom decorations, mistletoe ornaments, church service, packages to the tenants, certain romantic interludes, etc.) so the challenge was to make it unique, special, and grander. This I think I accomplished. You can decide for yourself when you read my fourth novel in the Darcy Saga series, also my latest release, In The Arms of Mr. Darcy. The book starts with the Bennets arriving at Pemberley and carries through on the celebration to an eventful Twelfth Night masque. Just ask Caroline Bingley!

You would think my streak of Christmas writing would then be put on hiatus for a while, wouldn’t you? Well, right in the midst of this I receive a call from my editor Deb Werksman asking me to – Are you ready for this? – write a Christmas themed novella! I Know!!! How lucky am I? This girl who loves Christmas!

It was truly a dream come true. In my novella, “A Darcy Christmas” that is one third of A Darcy Christmas, I decided to delve even deeper into English Christmas. I saw a chance to look into the future of the Darcys and the future of Christmas celebrating. If enough time passed they could have a Christmas tree! And so they do. “A Darcy Christmas” was originally titled “Christmases at Pemberley” because I take the reader on a journey of 23 years touching on separate holiday celebrations spent at Pemberley via a series of vignettes. As with everything in my Saga it is the story of love and family with the theme being life lived as abundantly and happily as possible. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect Christmas reading experience?

In the spirit of generosity and giving I have a bunch of excerpts to share from the Christmases I cover in my novels. Click the “read more” below to enjoy some holiday cheer, Darcy style. There are many more excerpts at my website, including several more from A Darcy Christmas. Sharon Lathan’s Darcy Saga   While there be sure to pop over to my Portrait Gallery where I have an entire album dedicated to Christmas images.

Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, Holidays

December Giveaways

Published December 2, 2010 | By Regina Jeffers


The fun and the excitement continue in December with more great prizes and ways to win. For those who comment on the blogs any time during the month of December, there are 7 prizes available. Every comment counts as another entry, so visit Austen Authors often. In addition to the monthly giveaways, check out the other ways to win!!!

Note! Changes in the Monthly Quiz – We have have decided to abandon the monthly quiz and create our own unique Fortnight Quiz, meaning that visitors to AuAu site will have two chances per month to win. The questions for the Fortnight Quizzes will come from the author posts on this website, or they will be from common knowledge (i.e., facts one might research).
December Fortnight Quiz #1 shall run from December 2-17, 2010. Answers must be received at contests@austenauthors.com by midnight (EST) on December 17. The winner with the most correct responses, win receive a Regency-styled Christmas Bonnet donated by Carrie Flores, Director of JASNA Central Valley CA Region. In case of a tie, a winner will be chosen by Random.org.

December Fortnight Quiz #2 shall run from December 18-30, 2010. Answers must be received by midnight (EST) on December 30 at contests@austenauthors.com. Win a Pride and Prejudice Board Game, donated by Skylar Burris, and a batch of homemade truffles from our own Carolyn Eberhart.
Changes in our Monthly Author Secrets. From now on the Secrets will be taken from previous Author blogs in the month prior, making it much easier to guess the answer IF you read our blogs! Each person who signs on and actually attempts the secrets receives two extra chances to win the monthly drawings. That is correct! If you just comment, you will receive one chance to win. If you attempt the secrets, even if you fail miserably, you will receive three chances to win. The person with the most correct responses will receive FIVE extra chances to win, and, of course, bragging rights for the month. THAT IS 6 CHANCES TO WIN! Author Secrets is scheduled for December 17. Answers must be received by midnight (EST) on December 21. The winner will be announced on December 22, along with the answers. (Visitors may leave their responses in the usual comment section, or they may send them to the “contest” address above.)

On December 16 (in celebration of Jane Austen’s birthday), we will feature Baby Pictures from your favorite Austen Authors. Sign on and make your guess as to which “adorable child” is which author, and you can win an autographed copy of A Darcy Christmas, donated by Sharon Lathan.
In addition to these great prizes, our monthly giveaways are available simply by commenting on the daily blogs and extras found on this site. 
This month, we feature the following:
Pemberley Ranch – signed by the author  
 Jack Caldwell

Pemberley Manor – signed by the author Kathryn L. Nelson

The Plight of the Darcy Brothers – signed by the author Marsha Altman

A Darcy Christmas – signed by one of the authors, Sharon Lathan

Pride and Prejudice Paper Dolls – donated by Kara Louise

Jane Austen Greeting Cards – donated by Jane Odiwe

Cassandra and Jane (by Jill Pitkeathley) - 
donated by J. Marie Croft
Caution: If you have a familiar/common first name, please use some sort of identifying initial to help us determine which visitor is which when we choose our winners.
BE AWARE OF THE CONTEST RULES STATED ON THIS WEBSITE. IN CASE OF A TIE, A WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG.

November Contest Giveaway Winners will be announced tomorrow, December 3.
Posted in Austen Authors, Giveaways/Contests

Jack Caldwell celebrates the launch of Pemberley Ranch

Published December 1, 2010 | By Jack Caldwell

What a journey it has been. Ten years ago, I discovered something called Jane Austen Fan Fiction. A few years after that, I tried my hand at it. Now today, I celebrate the official release of my first published novel, Pemberley Ranch.

Not bad for a business major, huh?

Before I get into the book, there are a lot of people I have to thank. First, as always, is my inspiration and cheerleader, my dear wife Barbara. She is the first and leader of an outstanding group of ladies who have helped me through this odyssey. They are the Beta Babes. They have changed from book-to-book, and for Pemberley Ranch they are Barbara, Debbie Styne, Ellen Pickels, and Mary Anne Mushatt. Without their generous help, editing, and support, this book would have been a mess. I have to thank Deb Werksman and Sourcebooks for taking a chance with a guy writing historical romance. Abigail Reynolds has been a friend, guide, and an invaluable source of inspiration and information. The JAFF community has been incredible in welcoming a “rake” and cheering me on. There are far too many to thank—I love you all—but I have to make special mention of Linnea Eileen Smith, June Williams, Shelby Campbell, Sarah Hunt, Bonnie Carasso, Amy Robertson, Stacy Kosmatka, and Nicole Newchurch. Last and certainly not least are Sharon Lathan and the rest of my fellow Austen Authors gang.

Pemberley Ranch is not the first time Pride and Prejudice has been re-imagined for another time period. It is not the first western treatment of Austen’s masterpiece or the first written by a man. It is not even the first book I wrote. But Pemberley Ranch is unique because of the story I wanted to tell. I used Austen’s immortal characters to talk about one of the great achievements in American history—how we all came together after a civil war that ruined half the country, displaced millions, and killed over six hundred thousand soldiers.

This is not an easy thing to do, and most nations never recover from such an event. That the United States did, and compared to others in the history of the world, relatively quickly, is a testament to the exceptionalism of this grand experiment in democracy.

I do not sugar-coat the history of segregation and the fight for civil rights. I do not say we do not have issues in this nation. But so does every other country in the world, including those who hypocritically look down on us. We must remember—hundreds of thousands shed their blood to make other men free. That is something to be proud of.

Remember—it takes a real man to write historical romance, so let me tell you a story.
Posted in Austen Authors

Excerpt from Pemberley Ranch

Published December 1, 2010 | By Jack Caldwell

by Jack Caldwell

At my website, Ramblings of a Cajun in Exile, I posted an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Pemberley Ranch. You can go there to read it. But as a special treat, I will post an excerpt below from the prologue.

We begin just after the end of the Civil War, and the soldiers are making their way back home…

***

Jackson, Mississippi—1865

It was the end of the line, and Darcy and Bingley climbed off the train in the early evening with scores of other veterans of the late war. All about the Jackson station was damage and disarray, evidence of the five-year cataclysm from which the country was now trying to recover. The two needed a place for the night but were not surprised to learn from the station master that all the available rooms were taken. Once again, they had to face a night on the cold, hard earth, and they began their search for a spot, relatively safe from thieves, when they came upon a campfire.

“Hello!” Bingley cried to the lone figure next to the flame. “May we share your fire for a while?”

The man looked up from under the broad brim of his hat, which sported a silver hat band. He wore the uniform of a major of Rebel cavalry, a Sharpe carbine rifle close to his hand. The light from the fire was reflected in his dark eyes. “Come on in, Georgia, you and your companion, an’ set a spell.”

Bingley and Darcy sat on the opposite side of the fire, and the doctor continued to speak. “Thank you kindly, sir. But how did you know I’m from Georgia?”

The stranger chuckled. “I’ve an ear for accents. Am I right?”

Bingley confirmed he was, introduced himself and Darcy, and named a small town in Georgia as his hometown.

“My name’s Fitzwilliam,” said the major. “What brings you this far west, Dr. Bingley?”

Bingley stared at the flames. “There wasn’t much left for me back at my family’s plantation, Netherfield.”

“I take it your place was visited by Sherman and his horde?” Bingley confirmed that his family home had fallen victim to Sherman’s March to the Sea. “And you, Mr. Darcy, where do you hail from?”

“Rosings—a little town west of Fort Worth.”

Fitzwilliam grinned. “Always a pleasure to meet a fellow Texican. I’m from Nacogdoches, myself.”

Darcy narrowed his eyes. “Nacogdoches? You’re wearing the uniform of the Virginia Cavalry, sir.”

“You’ve a sharp eye, Mr. Darcy. No, I didn’t steal these clothes, though I did help myself to this here carbine from a Yankee trooper who had no further use for it. Help yourself to some coffee, an’ I’ll tell you my tale.”

The two helped themselves to the pot. The steaming black concoction had more acorns and leaves in it than coffee, but at least it was hot.

“I was orphaned at a young age an’ was raised by relations on a cotton farm near Nacogdoches. My uncle had some connections in the army from the Mexican War, so I got a commission to attend the Virginia Military Institute. I was there when the war broke out an’ followed Stonewall Jackson to take on the foe. Ridin’ suited me better than walkin’, so I hooked up with Jeb Stuart. Rode with him from Manassas to Gettysburg to Yellow Tavern.” He lifted his mug. “Here’s to you, ole Jeb, may you rest in peace.”

Darcy and Bingley had a bit of food and offered to share it with Fitzwilliam. As they ate, they told stories of their war experiences. Fitzwilliam did most of the talking, as Darcy and Bingley were particularly quiet about their time as prisoners of war.

Finally, Fitzwilliam asked, “So, what are your plans, Dr. Bingley?”

Bingley swallowed a spoonful of beans. “Call me Charles, Fitz. Goin’ west with Will, here. He tells me there’s need for a doctor in Rosings, so I’m goin’ to give it a try. What about you? Headin’ back to Nacogdoches?”

“Nah. Never did take to farming, to the grief of my uncle. I got an itch to ride the range, punchin’ cattle an’ such. I’m headin’ west—goin’ to sign on with a cattle ranch.”

Darcy eyed him. “Ever rode cattle, Fitz?”

“Not yet,” he grinned. “You offering me a job, Darcy?”

“That’s up to my daddy, but you can come along.”

“Thank you kindly, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy grinned for the first time. “Good that you know your place, Fitz. Pour me some more of that black stuff you’re passing off as coffee.”

“Hell with that,” Fitz returned as he pulled a small bottle from a saddlebag and tossed it to Darcy. “Take a snort o’ this.”

“Holding out on us, Fitz?” asked Darcy as he took a swig. A moment later he coughed down the rotgut whiskey, to Fitz’s and Bingley’s laughter.

“Had to have a reason to celebrate. I’ve a feeling we’re goin’ to have interestin’ times, Darcy.”

***

Meryton—1868

After church on Sunday, Thomas Bennet looked on his family as they ate the midday dinner: Jane, at twenty, his surviving eldest and in the full bloom of her beauty; Elizabeth, his darling Beth, eighteen and as free-spirited as ever; Mary, almost seventeen and as serious as Beth was playful; Kathy, thirteen and on the cusp of womanhood; and Lily, the baby, a very pretty and precocious twelve and her mother’s delight. For a moment the memory of his only son, Samuel—five years in a grave in Maryland—flashed before his mind. Samuel was a hole in his soul that would never heal.

His eyes fell upon his cohort for the past quarter-century, his wife, Fanny. He loved her dearly, but he was not blind to her shortcomings. Never an intelligent or introspective person, she had been a gay and kind companion during the majority of their life together, but Fanny had changed since the loss of Samuel. She was now prone to fits of anxiety and, therefore, less of a guiding light to the three youngest than she had been to Samuel, Jane, and Beth in their youth. The children had been given free rein to indulge in their more unfortunate tendencies: Mary was unsociable, Kathy was as emotional as her mother, and Lily was terribly spoiled. Bennet was loath to admit that he bore some responsibility for this sad state of affairs; he had found young children uninteresting and had given his attention only to his eldest.

Samuel, oh Samuel!, he thought again. The loss of his heir would cost his family more than they knew.

Bennet cleared his throat. “My dears, I have an announcement to make.” The Bennet women turned their attention to him. Bennet inwardly grimaced in anticipation of the uproar to come. “For quite a while we’ve lived in comfort. Working the land with my brothers has adequately provided for us for these many years.”

“Adequately provided?” cried his wife. “It’s all right for you to say so, Thomas, if you believe having five unmarried daughters with no dowry to speak of ‘adequate,’ or even enough money to have but one store-bought dress each, but I don’t believe it is so!”

“Indeed, my dear. And now with the return of my nephews from the war and their growing families … Forgive me, Fanny.”

Mrs. Bennet wiped the tear from her eye. “Please, Thomas, say no more about that, or I will think of our poor, lost Samuel again.” She could say no more as she wept, and Kathy joined in. Jane and Beth consoled the others, Mary sighed in disapproval, and Lily looked bored.

Bennet held his tongue until his wife was tolerably composed. “My dear, now that our nephews are having families of their own, the Bennet Farm will not produce enough for all of us. Therefore, I have spoken to my brothers, and they have agreed to buy me out.”

“Buy us out! But, Thomas, what shall we do?”

Jane spoke up. “Are you buying another farm, Father?”

“Yes, I am—a place of our very own.”

“Will we have to leave home?” Kathy gasped.

“Yes, we will—”

Fanny cut him off. “Oh, who cares about this old house; we inherited it from Grandmother Bennet! A house of our own! How delightful! Is it near the river, dear? I hope it is near the river.”

Bennet glanced down at his plate. “It is near a river, Fanny.”

Beth frowned. “But, Father, how much did our uncles pay? Land near the river is so very dear. They surely couldn’t pay that much.”

“They paid enough, Beth. We will have a new farm near a river, but it will not be here.”

“Not here!” Mrs. Bennet looked at her daughters. “But where? Is it nearby?”

“No, dear.”

That got Mary’s attention. “We will have to change churches?”

“I am afraid so, child.”

“I know!” Mrs. Bennet claimed. “You always knew I favored the next county. So lovely, and I have family there… ”

“Pooh! I don’t care for them!” cried Lily. “Last time we visited, the boys pulled my hair!”

“That was three years ago,” said Jane gently. “Surely they will be kinder now.”

Bennet raised his voice. “Please, enough of this! We are not moving to the next county.” The women all stared at him. “I have found a wonderful place where we can grow vegetables and corn almost year-round and still have room for cattle.”

“Year-round! Thomas, you tease me. One cannot grow vegetables in Ohio in winter!”
“One can in Rosings.”

“Rosings! I never heard of such a place. Where in Ohio is this paradise?”

Bennet took a breath. “It is not in Ohio; it is in Texas.”

Bennet was surprised. The room was quiet much longer than he anticipated. But the explosion that followed was all he expected.

***

“Texas!” Beth cried again for the countless time. “How can Father make us all go to Texas?”

Jane sighed as she brushed Beth’s hair, their nightly routine before bed. “He’s doing the best he can. The farm he described is large enough to take care of all our needs. We’ll have farmhands to help. It sounds delightful.”

Beth was not appeased. “If Samuel were here, he would talk Father out of this!”

“Beth, if Samuel were here, we might be buying out our uncles. But he is not. We must try to persevere. Father needs our support, not our censure.”

Beth bit her lip as she recalled her mother’s unkind exclamations at table. “You’re right. Father is trying to care for us. But… oh, Jane! Texas! I can’t believe it. I hate it!”

“It is very far away from here—that’s true.”

“It’s not Texas that I’m talking about, but the Texans! I haven’t forgotten that they turned their backs on the Union and most disgracefully took up arms against us, all to preserve their vile practice of slavery!”

“Beth, we are taught to forgive. Perhaps they have seen the wickedness of their ways and have repented.”

“Perhaps,” Beth said, but to herself, she thought, You may forgive them, Jane, for you are good. But I will never forget that if not for them, Samuel would still be alive. I will never forgive them. Never.

***

Pemberley Ranch is now available from your favorite bookstore or online.
Posted in Austen Authors

Jane Austen and Hannukah – in short, Nope.

Published December 1, 2010 | By Marsha Altman

What is Hannukah?

Hannukah is a minor Jewish festival (as opposed to holidays, which are of massive spiritual importance) celebrating the military victory of the Maccabee forces against the oppressive reign of King Antiochus IV and the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BCE. For hundreds of years it was a controversial holiday because of a political dispute between the rabbis and the Hasmonean dynasty founded by the Maccabees. It only has a passing mention in the Mishnah (a 2nd-century AD/CE Jewish code of law) and isn’t spoken of at length until the Gemara, the 8th-century commentary on the Mishnah.
The well-known story of Hannukah is that when the Maccabees came to relight the menorah in the Temple, they only had enough oil to burn for one night, but it burned for eight nights until they could more oil. While this miracle was probably tacked on by the rabbis centuries later to give the popular festival some religious significance, lighting a menorah (or, properly, a hannukiah) and adding a candle each night for eight nights is the main way the festival has been celebrated for the last two thousand years. There is an additional significance to the candles, because Hannukah always occurs when the days start getting longer again and there is more light than there previously was.
Traditionally children were given gold coins on Hannukah. In recent years this has changed to presents because it falls so close to Christmas and Jewish kids are envious of their Christian schoolmates. It also gets worked up a lot in the media, but let me emphasize that this is not a holiday for us, it is a really minor festival.
When is Hannukah? It keeps moving around!
Hannukah is always on the 25th of Kislev. Like most civilizations, the Jewish calendar is a lunar one, not a solar one like the Gregorian calendar, so the months shift forward slightly each year and then are reset by adding an extra month (which follows the month of Adar, and is called Adar II, possibly the least creative thing we have ever done as a people). Because this year has an extra month, next year Hannukah will be very late in December, then start creeping forward again. The earliest it can get is late November.
Is there a proper spelling of Hannukah?
No, there is no official English spelling of the Hebrew world. Spell it however you like. The ‘C’ is often added to help pronunciation for the Hebrew letter het, which has a guttural sound to it, unlike the Hebrew letter hey, which is like a normal H.
Let’s get back on track here. How was Hannukah celebrated in the Regency period?

Pretty much the way it’s celebrated now, with lighting candles and eating things that are fried in oil, except without all the merchandising.
Did Jane Austen celebrate Hannukah?

No.
Did Jane Austen know about Hannukah?
Probably not. Most bible-reading Christians know of Jewish holidays that appear in the bible, such as Succos (the Feast of Tabernacles) and Shavous (Pentacoust, though I honestly have no idea why you call it that). Hannukah does not appear in the bible. The two books discussing the historical events surrounding the festival (not the celebration of it) – Maccabees 1 and 2 – were left out of the Hebrew bible/Old Testament for reasons that were probably clear at the time. There were Christian scholars who studied the books omitted from the bible, so books on the topic certainly existed, but may not have been very popular in circulating libraries.
Jane also didn’t spend a lot of time in London, where most Jews in England lived, nor do her surviving letters make mention of any Jewish acquaintances.
Then what relevancy does Hannukah have to this blog?
I volunteered to mention it. It’s from December 1st to December 9th this year, so you can now be a cool, informed person who does not go up to their Jewish co-worker and say “Happy Hannukah!” on December 24th. That bugs us.
Posted in Austen Authors, Holidays, Jane Austen

A New Start by Susan Adriani

Published November 30, 2010 | By Susan Adriani

by Susan Adriani

A few of you may have noticed my disappearance for the past several months; some of you may not have given me more than a passing thought. After all, there are so many other wonderful authors here to enjoy! Please know, however, that despite my absence, everyone at Austen Authors was never far from my mind.

For the sake of my family’s privacy, I can offer you no other explanation than to say that my family has suffered a terrible tragedy, one I would not wish on my worst enemy. In the aftermath of this tragedy, we were faced with so many obstacles and challenges—and still are—that it has been extremely difficult to honor many of my commitments. My attention, therefore, has been focused not on Mr. Darcy and the Bennets, but upon my own family.

I’m not prepared to post anything witty, thought-provoking, or particularly insightful today, and for that I hope you can forgive me. Instead, I’ve decided to share with you a short story I wrote a few months prior, with the hope that it will entertain those of you who have not yet read it.

So, without further adieu, please accept “Starting Anew on Button Hill” as a meager offering for abandoning the Austen ship for such a lengthy amount of time. And Sharon, I hope you’ll forgive me for the length of my post today, especially since you and Abigail—and all of the lovely authors here at AuAu—have been so incredibly understanding, compassionate, and supportive during this difficult time.

Hugs,
Susan
Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors

November 30 – Saint Andrew’s Day

Published November 30, 2010 | By Regina Jeffers


Who was Saint Andrew ? Despite what many may think, St. Andrew, who is the patron saint of Scotland, did not live and work in that country. In fact, his legendary connections to Scotland appeared centuries after his death.

Andrew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, was a fisherman by trade. After Jesus’s crucifixion, Andrew carried on Jesus’s work. He brought the gospel to parts of Asia Minor, specifically to Syria. Roman soldiers ended Andrew’s life. According to the traditions of the time, the soldiers crucified Andrew on a diagonal cross. Later, his “relics” were taken to Constantinople. Reportedly, those relics were moved to Italy in the later part of the fourth century. During that time, Saint Regulus managed to bring some of Saint Andrew’s bones to Fife, in Scotland. We are unsure of these facts because the bones no longer exist. They were reportedly lost during the Reformation, but a plaque in the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral marks where the bones once were kept.
Outside of Scotland, Saint Andrew’s Day is of little significance. However, it is a special day for Scots worldwide. 
Why is Saint Andrew the patron saint of Scotland? In the ninth century AD, control of the area around Lothian led to a conflict between the Picts and the Scots and the Northumbrians. Near Athelstaneford in East Lothian, Angus McFergus, the leader of the Picts, had a dream in which St. Andrew promised him a victory. In the midst of the battle the following day, Angus supposedly saw an X-shaped cross in the sky above him. The sight gave the Picts the inspiration they needed to win the confrontation. The white cross against a blue background became part of the saltire, the Scottish national flag. 
Posted in Austen Authors, History
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