Category: Mary Lydon Simonsen

I’ve Been Everywhere, Man, by Mary Simonsen

I’ve Been Everywhere, Man Crossed the deserts bare, man, I’ve breathed the mountain air, man,  Of travel I’ve had my share, man, I’ve been everywhere!” The above is Johnny’s Cash’s ode to travel. In May and June, I think my husband and I gave Johnny a run for his money when we traveled from Arizona to New York …

Continue reading

Persuasion 200: Mary Insists Anne Come to Uppercross by Mary Simonsen

Now that the lease has been signed and the Crofts are to take possession of Kellynch, plans are being made for the Elliots to decamp for Bath. But what of Anne? On most Sundays, with the Elliot pew comfortably sitting only four, that is, Sir Walter, Elizabeth, Mary Musgrove, and Lady Russell, Anne found herself …

Continue reading

Persuasion 200: The Crofts Discuss the Lease of Kellynch Hall by Mary Simonsen

With Anne deliberately absent from the manor house, Admiral and Mrs. Croft had toured Kellynch Hall with Mr. Shepherd, the leasing agent, and Sir Walter. Afterwards, the Crofts discuss their reaction. For a man who made his living by waging war, Mrs. Croft counted her blessings in that her husband possessed a most amiable disposition. During his …

Continue reading

Persuasion 200: Admiral and Mrs Croft Meet the Estate Agent by Mary Simonsen

Because the Elliots had exceeded the income generated by their estate, it became necessary to retrench. Part of the retrenchment required the leasing of Kellynch Hall. To that end, Sir Walter employed the services of an agent, Mr. Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd scanned the list of applicants under consideration as tenants for Kellynch Hall, most of whom were former …

Continue reading

Persuasion 200: Father and Daughter, a Mutual Admiration Society by Mary Simonsen

Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage. “Do read it again, Elizabeth,” Sir Walter said to his eldest daughter as she cradled her father’s favorite book in her hands.  “John Walter Elliot, born April 6, 1730. Married, June …

Continue reading

Persuasion 200: Charles Musgrove Proposes to Anne Elliot by Mary Simonsen

Initially, Anne held out hope of a relationship with Commander Wentworth, but reality is setting in. Her availability prompts a proposal from her neighbor. When Anne went into the breakfast room, she found her father and sister discussing the contents of a weeks-old newspaper that a family friend had sent on to Kellynch Hall from …

Continue reading

Persuasion 200: Servants Discuss Anne and Frederick’s Break-up by Mary Simonsen

Commander Wentworth is gone, and the secret is out! “And where were you, missy?” Molly asked Nancy as she fiddled with the bed covers in their shared attic bedroom. “Talking to Tom.” Nancy, the fourteen-year-old kitchen maid, explained that while emptying the kitchen slop buckets, the junior footman had shared news about the family. “You …

Continue reading

Release of Dying to Write by Mary Simonsen

Remember that old saying, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry?” And so it is with the launch of Dying to Write, the fourth book in the Patrick Shea mystery series, but one with a Jane Austen twist. From the back jacket: In need of a break from his job at …

Continue reading

Persuasion 200:The Servants Discuss Commander Wentworth by Mary Simonsen

The scene below takes place shortly after Commander Wentworth (he isn’t a captain yet) starts paying particular attention to the middle Elliot daughter.  “My, my, my! He’s a handsome one,” Molly, the kitchen maid said, collapsing into her bed in the attic of Kellynch Hall. “Who’s handsome?” the scullery maid asked as she undressed for …

Continue reading

New Book and Cover Reveal by Mary Simonsen

Some of you may not know that in addition to writing Jane Austen re-imaginings, I also write the Patrick Shea mystery series. For about two years, I have been going back and forth between the two genres, but with my latest novel, I decided to combine the two! Here’s the blurb from the back jacket: …

Continue reading

Load more