jacki delecki
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Past and Present Easter Customs
During the Regency era, the Easter season was a time for celebration, much like it is nowadays. Here are three customs that were observed back then and are still popular today.
New Clothing – Roman tradition launched this custom to greet springtime and Easter with something new to wear. During the Regency period, white or pale gowns and bright bonnets were a change from the somber tone of Lent.
Colored Eggs – Eggs are a symbol of fertility and many cultures give eggs as gifts during springtime. Dying eggs was a common custom during the Regency period. In addition, decorated eggs, such as those created by Faberge, also became popular.
Celebratory Feasts – After observing Lent, the Easter meal was a time to savor a wealth of savory foods. Lamb and ham were customary, as were hot cross buns.
What is your favorite Easter tradition?
Source: Jane Austen’s Easter
Nine Ways to Support Indie Authors
Most readers don’t care if a book is traditionally published (i.e. Harlequin, Simon & Schuster) or self-published by an indie author. Many times, you can’t even tell the difference. What some readers don’t know is that being a self-published author means that author does everything – production, distribution, marketing plus writing. It’s a lot of work to bring a book to market, which is why I am so grateful for each and every reader who picks up one of my books.
If you’d like to show your support for self-published authors (including me!), here are nine easy things you can do.
- Buy the book.
- Review the book.
- Request the book from your library.
- Tell a friend about the book.
- Talk about the book on social media.
- Buy the book as a gift for someone else.
- Buy your books at local indie-owned bookstores.
- Connect with your favorite indie authors online.
- Let the author know you enjoy their books.
Thanks so much for everything you do as a reader. You might not know it, but sometimes these acts of kindness are what keep authors writing!
Regency Era Pregnancy Fashion
As a Regency romantic suspense author, I often write characters and scenarios that parallel modern life. Things like transportation and meals and holidays. I must then translate that familiar event into a historical context.
With all eyes on the Duchess of Sussex who is due to deliver her first child sometime this month, I’ve been fascinated by what it would have been like to be pregnant during the Regency Era, especially when it came to fashion.
A quick Google search revealed this interesting tidbits:
Society didn’t force women to hide their pregnancies during the Regency era, and the high-waisted fashion of the time was “baby-bump” friendly so women were able to were the same gowns for some time. (Source: Retro Maternity Style)
The average number of children for women during the Regency period was eight. When “in the family way,” they continued with regular social interactions until the birth of the child. (Source: A Life of Perpetual Pregnancy for Regency Women)
Some of the Georgian and Regency period styles were easily adaptable to pregnancy and nursing, which became increasingly popular in the upper classes. (Source: Maternity Fashions in Regency England)
Love Regency romance? Look for the release of A Holiday Code for Love, coming to ebook in May.
Superpower Dogs ~ The Movie
Many of my romantic suspense novels feature dogs, including military canines. When you’re an animal lover like I am, you can’t say or do or get enough of these amazing four-legged friends. Clearly I’m not the only person who feels this way because there’s a new movie out this month spotlighting the amazing talents and abilities of dogs. Appropriately enough, it’s called SUPERPOWER DOGS.
Here are a few fun facts about the production of the movie and an introduction to the stars.
- More than 500 people in five countries worked on this film for 2.5 years.
- The American Humane Association monitored filming to ensure the animals’ wellness.
- Special doggie-vision cameras were used to provide the audience with a dog’s eye view.
Read more production notes here.
Halo – His superpower is Search & Rescue
Henry – His superpower is Avalanche Rescue
Reef – His superpower is Water Rescue
Ricochet – Her superpower is Emotional Support (Read this blog I wrote in 2017 about Ricochet! She’s amazing!)
Tony & Tipper – Their superpower is Endangered Species Protection
SUPERPOWER DOGS is now showing in IMAX and Giant Screen Theaters. For more information, visit superpowerdogs.com.
A Special Touch ~ Excerpt from 'An Inner Fire'
Grayce’s morning passed quickly—a few minor behavior problems, adjustment to a new relationship, and hairballs.
Hollie appeared at her door. “Your new client’s here.” With her pierced eyebrow arched in contempt, Hollie emphasized new like it was infected.
Grayce nodded, trying to decipher Hollie’s odd behavior. Always loving with the animals, Hollie kept a safe, cool distance from two-legged clients. Hollie didn’t look cool.
Grayce scanned her schedule. “Mr. Davis with Mitzi, a standard poodle.”
Hollie returned with the new client. Grayce stared. She blinked twice. Mr. Davis was Lieutenant Davis. Bewildered to see the fire investigator in her office after last night’s nightmare, she blurted, “Has there been another fire?”
“No, I’m a patient. I mean my dog’s a patient.”
Grayce rechecked her patient list. “Mitzi?”
His face flushed when she used Mitzi’s name. Had she gotten the name wrong? She seldom did. The black poodle’s ears perked at the mention of her name.
“Yes, Mitzi.” His face remained red as he led his dog into the room. Grayce focused on the haughty poodle, limping protectively next to her owner. There was something about the spunky dog she couldn’t grasp.
Grayce couldn’t envision the lieutenant comfortable in the overstuffed chintz treatment chair. She gestured to the chair across from her desk. “Please be seated. How can I help you…and Mitzi?”
“Mitzi was injured at the fireground,” he said.
Grayce bent on one knee, not touching the stressed dog. “Mitzi, what an amazing protector.”
She never knew where the words came from when she spoke to animals, but she knew they came from a deep part of her. She offered the words while observing the effect of her voice. Mitzi outwardly appeared calm but her eyes remained alert, watchful.
Grayce gently touched Mitzi’s head, needing to comfort, connect with the injured dog. Showers of blue sparks danced in her peripheral vision like those from an overloaded circuit. The charge flowing from the dog to her hand topped any ampere scale. Lightheaded from the power surge, Grayce forced herself upright and stepped toward the old pine table that served as her desk.
Looking across the table, she saw Davis’ concern.
“I’m fine, just got up too quickly.” She knew he didn’t buy it, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
Read more contemporary romantic suspense: An Inner Fire
