Celebrate ‘A Jane Austen Christmas’!

Regeny Christmas 15I am so excited to announce that ‘A Jane Austen Christmas’ is now available at Amazon kindle.  The paperback should be available very soon as well.

Last year I did a lot of research on Regency era Christmas traditions for ‘Twelfth Night at Longbourn’ and posted a series of articles on Regency Life: Christmas Traditions. I enjoyed writing those, especially since there were a lot of traditions I learned that did not actually make it into the book. Apparently I am not the only one who enjoys looking at Christmas traditions, though. I have been asked to write and present my research several times over the course of the year. So I decided to go ahead and write it up formally–after all what else is a writer to do? Of course there is new material and all new chapters added–I can’t leave well enough alone!

 

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Kitty’s Kissing BoughGGP 4_2013_final_small

Sunrise stole into her room and teased her awake. She tried to hide under the counterpane, but it stole through the cover, tormenting, until she opened her eyes and surrendered. Botheration! She must remember to close the curtains at night. Perhaps if she closed them now—

She stole to the window and peeked out. Street sweepers already attacked the streets with their brooms. Carts loaded with goods trundled past. Doubtless the staff was already busy as they would have been at Longbourn. No use returning to bed. A fall-front day dress that required no assistance from a maid and a simple bun in her hair would do for the day. She crept downstairs.

It was Christmas Eve. At home, she and her sisters—no wait, no one would be there to go out to cut evergreen and holly boughs for decorating the house. She stopped and sank down to the stair step, face in her hands. All those things she used to do with her sisters were over, and she might now be alone, forever.

The scent of cut boughs tickled the edges of her imagination, so real she might reach forth and stroke the needles.

“Oh, Miss!”

She gasped and jumped up. A young maid stood two steps below, her eyes very wide. “I am sorry Miss—a delivery just come for you downstairs.”

Kitty followed her into the foyer. A pile of evergreen boughs, a bunch of holly branches and a clump of mistletoe lay against the wall. The housekeeper appeared and handed her a card.

She opened it. We will miss gathering greens with you this year. When you arrive, we can collect more if you like. But for now, these will have to do.~Lizzy

Kitty forced back the lump in her throat. Her sisters, the older ones at least, were all that was good and kind and thoughtful. Even if she did not marry, there would still be those who cared about her.

“Are you pleased?” Miss Darcy peeked over the housekeeper’s shoulder.

“Pleased and very surprised.” Kitty knelt beside the evergreens and pressed her face into the needles.

The fragrance embraced her. She could almost hear the happy echoes of Christmas Eve at Longbourn.

Miss Darcy clapped softly. “I am so happy. It was dreadful difficult to keep the secret.”

“Secret?”

“Yes, Mrs. Darcy made the arrangements as soon as she invited you to come.” Mrs. Hartwell stepped around Miss Darcy.

“Just this morning, I was pining for the times we would go out in my father’s woods to cut these.”

“The woods at Pemberley have evergreen and holly aplenty and hellebore, too.”

“Oh, I love Christmas roses.”

“We shall have to look for some when we get there.” Miss Darcy clapped softly.

“Shall we hang these?” Mrs. Hartwell lifted a branch.

Miss Darcy gathered several small branches. “Oh yes, let us do. Though first we must save some for a kissing bough.”

“A what?” Mrs. Hartwell frowned.

“A kissing bough. Have you ever made one, Miss Bennet?”

“Mama insisted we fashion one each year. I often caught my father stealing kisses from her below it. My sisters and I would take turns keeping watch and counting how many berries he plucked himself.”

“I never thought of a husband stealing kisses from his wife. What a novel idea. I wonder if my brother—”

“That is not a proper thought for a young lady to consider.” Mrs. Hartwell’s tone sliced the air between them.

Kitty flinched. Catherine would not have told that story. Would she ever learn?

Miss Darcy sighed. “Is a kissing bough equally improper?”

“Since it is just us ladies here, and we are to depart in a few days, I find little harm in it.”

Kitty bounced on her toes. “What fun!”

Kitty and Miss Darcy selected the best of the greens and mistletoe while Mrs. Hartwell dashed upstairs for ribbon. They met in the morning room, where the housekeeper waited with two wire hoops saved from kissing boughs from years gone by.

“You hold these together,” Kitty placed the hoops in Miss Darcy’s hands, “whilst we tie them.”

It took them several tries and much laughter before the wire frames were secured into a sphere. They giggled and argued in the way of good-natured sisters as they trimmed and fastened boughs around the form.

“Apples! We must have some apples!” Miss Darcy disappeared for a moment and returned with a small bowl of bright fruit.

Fluffy bows attached the apples around the sphere and a cluster of mistletoe to the bottom.

“How beautiful!” Miss Darcy called for a footman to help them hang it near the parlor door.

Mrs. Hartwell stepped back and cocked her head to and fro. “I must say, that is much more attractive than I expected.”

“She is not easy to please, is she?” Kitty tittered.

Miss Darcy stared up and twirled underneath the mistletoe. “No, she is not.”

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38 comments

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    • EvelynTost on November 18, 2014 at 12:31 am
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    So wonderful to have more info on regency life, I already have an ebook copy of “Twelfth Night at Longbourn”, which I Have enjoyed, but I certainly am interested in your new book, too. Thank you so much for sharing so much with us!

  1. I also have a copy of Twelfth Night at Longbourn. The new book sounds good.

    • HelenJC on November 18, 2014 at 4:50 am
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    I might have to have a look at Twelfth Night at Longbourn based on the excerpt there. Looking forward to reading the new book.

    • Deborah on November 18, 2014 at 4:51 am
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    I am thus far immensely enjoying learning how the holidays were celebrated in Regency England. I have always loved history….pre 1900…& although my college major was elementary ed. I chose to minor in history. As I already have both as ebooks, please do not enter me in the drawing. 🙂

    • Eileen on November 18, 2014 at 5:02 am
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    When I was young, we had a book about Swedish Christmas traditions (that is where one set of grandparents were from) that only came out when we would decorate the house on my birthday. It was one of my favorite books., and our family followed many of the traditions. Then, I got married and my traditions changed–not that I miss the lutefisk! And I enjoyed my first visit by the mummers (arranged by my in-laws the first year I visited for Christmas.) I love learning of Christmas traditions and look forward to reading your book–perhaps it could be my new birthday book. 🙂

    By the way…loved reading (and rereading) Twelfth Night at Longbourn. I’m sure it will be coming out for another read during the holiday season. 🙂

    • Anji on November 18, 2014 at 5:41 am
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    I have Twelfth Night at Longbourn both as ebook and audiobook so please don’t enter me for that one. I really enjoyed listening to the audio – it whiled away a good number of boring commuting hours hours earlier this year.

    Would love a copy of your new book, though, Maria. Your foray into non-fiction sounds fascinating.

    Our main Christmas tradition has arisen since our son was born, nearly 22 years ago. We always put our tree up on his birthday, November 30th, and put the lights on it. Then the other decorations go up over the next few days. My husband started this the day our son was born. After he left us in the hospital after a very late night (son was born at 12:14am), and a few hours sleep, he got the tree and lights out (we have a lovely artificial tree as we can’t have a real one in our house for various reasons) so that they were ready for us when we came home.

    • Linda Clark on November 18, 2014 at 5:55 am
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    What a wonderful early morning surprise. I awoke early this morning much as Kitty did and made my way to the computer to read the overnight emails and there you were with this snippet of your Regency Christmas traditions with some of my favorite people, the Bennets and the Darcys. I have not read either of these two books of yours (though I’ve read several others) but I am anxious to now. Thank you, Maria, for the glimpse you’ve offered into a Regency Christmas.

    • Maggie Griscom on November 18, 2014 at 6:23 am
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    I have Twelfth Night at Longbourn and enjoyed all the Christmas traditions in it. Christmas traditions tend to change once the children leave the house and move away. We celabrate all of ours only about once evey 5 years now. Maybe I will find some “new” traditions for those Christmases for all the years when it is just two. Thanks for a lovely excerpt…I enjoy reading them to keep the books fresh in my mind.

    • Wendy Roberts on November 18, 2014 at 8:46 am
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    A wonderful little excerpt. Thank you for sharing it.

  2. It’s always so much fun to read about different Christmas traditions throughout history and around the world. “Regency Life: Christmas Traditions” is definitely on my wish list!

    • Stephanie L on November 18, 2014 at 9:09 am
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    I think I need to go back and re-read this series soon. Love the excerpt! Traditions and history of all kinds are so fascinating to me, I must have all things Jane and Christmas is my favorite time of year so this new book is the trifecta! Congrats ma’am!!

  3. I have Twelfth Night at Longbourn too so I dearly wish I could win A Jane Austen Christmas. Thanks for taking the time to compile all research tidbits on Christmas traditions and put all or most of them in a book. And congratulations on the release of your book, Maria.

    • Hollis on November 18, 2014 at 11:27 am
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    I also have Twelfth Night at Longbourn and enjoyed reading it and like the others will have to go back and read it again. we have forgone a tree, since mischievous cats climb it, so I have a Christmas Tree wall hanging that I made that we use. Today is my 36th wedding anniversary..

    • Allison Krzastek on November 18, 2014 at 11:59 am
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    I loved Twelfth Night at Longbourn. I’m looking forward to reading A Jane Austen Christmas and would love to win a copy!

    • Susan K. on November 18, 2014 at 12:57 pm
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    Thank you for the excerpt; Twelfth Night at Longbourn is definitely going on my wish list! I would love to read about the Regency Christmas traditions as well….Regency Christmas novels are my favorite.

    • Kathy Ehlenbach on November 18, 2014 at 4:23 pm
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    I love the excerpt! I have never seen a kissing bough in real life, though when we were kids, my parents had plastic mistletoe they hung everywhere. 🙂 I would love to have both of the books…they both sound very interesting! Thanks! 🙂

    • Carole in Canada on November 18, 2014 at 5:09 pm
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    “Twelfth Night at Longbourn” is one of my favourite books! I love how Kitty grows and finds her HEA. Christmas is my favourite time of year and the day I was born. I love reading how it was celebrated during Regency times and then during Queen Victoria’s reign. Thank you for putting this into a book! Not to take away from this wonderful launch, but will we be seeing anymore of Lydia’s time spent at Mrs. Drummond’s School?

    • Stephanie Mudd Carrico on November 18, 2014 at 6:19 pm
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    Would love a copy of your new book…I enjoyed Twelfth Night at Longbourn very much..
    Congratulations on the new release..Christmas is my favourite time of year.
    Would love to spend it in the Regency era.

    • Kimberly on November 18, 2014 at 6:23 pm
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    I have not read Twelfth Night at Longbourn but will add it to my ever-growing “to read” list. I loved the excerpt you posted above!

    • Laura on November 18, 2014 at 6:56 pm
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    This was a wonderful selection to read. I enjoyed the description of making the kissing bough. I have not read Twelfth Night yet, but I am looking forward to. Thanks!

    • Angela on November 18, 2014 at 7:28 pm
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    Captivated by the excerpt! I will definitely need to be adding Twelfth Night to my Jane inspired collection! Meanwhile, pick me pick me for the giveaway!

  4. Sigh. I got my Austen fix for the night.

  5. How lovely! Makes me want to make a kissing bough of our own this year, in the hopes my husband steals some kisses!

    • Mary on November 18, 2014 at 11:55 pm
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    I would like to learn about Regency Christmas celebrations and see how many we carry on today in one way or another. I haven’t read either of these books, I’ve enjoyed others of yours. We have birthdays on the 26, 27, and 28th of December. A busy few days!

    • Kathy Wallace on November 19, 2014 at 4:14 am
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    Enchanting story.

    • Sarah B on November 19, 2014 at 11:33 am
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    I love reading about traditions of old, especially when they are in the world of Jane Austen.
    Thank you for the story, it brings me back to the days when Christmas magical. Thank you!

  6. Advent and Christmastide traditions are very important to me as an Anglican, even though I live in Southern California which seems to be the opposite of an English Christmas with lights hanging from palm trees and fake snow in store windows. I am delighted by your book, and I do hope to win one as finances don’t allow me to have a book alllowance any longer.

    Here is a post frommy blog on Chistmastide: http://meditativemeanderings.blogspot.com/2011/12/glory-of-christmastide.html

    Enjoy!!

    And thank you for writing such a lovely book–my fingers are literally itching to have it in hand…or at least onm my Kindle. 😉

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

  7. As Christmas is my favorite holiday, I am very excited about this book! And the cover is so pretty.

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

    • Patricia Finnegan on November 22, 2014 at 1:18 pm
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    Congratulations on your new book!

  8. Eager to read both (many moons ago I had voted on the cover design of ‘Twelfth Night at Longbourn’ )

    • Evie Cotton on November 24, 2014 at 9:11 am
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    Maria, I am so excited about these books! I can wait to eat them up!

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on November 24, 2014 at 9:14 am
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    Looking forward to the new books. Jen Red

    • Joana Starnes on November 24, 2014 at 9:28 am
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    Thanks for putting together everything we might wish to know about Regency Christmas traditions. I’m sure it’ll be a delightful read and a book to cherish. I love the cover of ‘A Jane Austen Christmas’ and I can’t wait to add it to my bookshelf. Thanks for the generous giveaway. I already have the ‘Given Good Principles’ box set, so please don’t enter me in the giveaway for ‘The Twelfth Night at Longbourn’, but I would love the chance to win a copy of your lovely Christmas book! Congrats on the gorgeous new release.

    • Gayle Mills on November 24, 2014 at 9:11 pm
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    You find such interesting information on Regency life. I’m so glad to see you compiling it. I look forward to reading your new book.

    Congratulations!

    • junewilliams7 on November 24, 2014 at 10:44 pm
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    Glad that Kitty had Georgiana there for support. That Mrs Hartwell was like a Scrooge figure!

    • Donna on November 25, 2014 at 5:47 am
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    I don’t remember ever seeing this book. I will have to add it to my reading list.

    • Regina Silvia on November 25, 2014 at 8:59 am
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    Read your Twelfth Night at Longbourne last Christmas and refer to some of the traditions it includes while teaching Twelfth Night to my Brit Lit class. Can only imagine the gems I could pass on by reading your latest! Thank you so much for adding to our understanding of Regency Christmas traditions!

    • Dung Vu on November 29, 2014 at 9:15 pm
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    Lovely excerpt! I love reading about Christmas traditions especially during the Regency period! It sounds like such a festive time of year!

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