Month: May 2026

Review – The Hypocrite (2026 version)

May 21, 2026

Rachel

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Review – The Hypocrite (2026 version)

Posted in Book Blogger

The Hypocrite

by Shana Granderson, A Lady

NOTE: This version of The Hypocrite is only available as part of The Collins Effect.

Genres: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Pages: 346
Get from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★☆☆

What would happen if Miss Elizabeth Bennet took Darcy to task over the hypocrisy that she sees in some of his behaviour after his horrendous proposal and her reading the letter in Hunsford. What if the Bennets were not penniless and unconnected? For the purposes of this story great wealth is assumed, the source of the wealth is explained in the book. Will Darcy choose to acknowledge the rectitude of Miss Elizabeth’s reproofs or will he reject them in pride and conceit?

Does he have the fortitude to change and how will knowing the Bennets affect those around him? Bingley in this variation is closer to his irresolute character that we see in canon. That is the only similarity that your will see in him my dear reader. There are villains but they are not the focus of the story.

You will find all of your favourite characters from canon with a few new ones added in to broaden the tale. I trust that you will enjoy my effort.

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Review – The Collins Effect

May 14, 2026

Rachel

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Review – The Collins Effect

Posted in Book Blogger

The Collins Effect

by Shana Granderson, a Lady

Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Pages: 485
Get from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★⯪☆

Some events in this tale are close to canon, but most deviate significantly. This one begins by examining the history of some families, the Bennets and Collins included. It delves into what made the characters who they are and the things in their lives which drive them to act the way that they do.

The Bingleys do lease Netherfield Park and Darcy comes with them. Collins invites himself to Longbourn as in Jane Austen’s masterpiece, but that is where the similarities end.

Among others, the story answers the following questions:

What kind of parents are Thomas and Fanny Bennet?
How do the Bennet offspring behave?
Is Darcy his usual insulting, arrogant self?
Is Bingley the same easily led man?
What are Lady Catherine’s and Wickham’s roles?
Do Biggs and Johns make an appearance, and if so how?
What is the Collins effect?

Please join me as we look at the tale we all adore from a new perspective.

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Would I Buy Them Again? Take 2

May 8, 2026

Rachel

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Would I Buy Them Again? Take 2

Posted in Fountain Pens, and Non-Fountain Pens

I first did this post almost exactly four years ago — the timing is just a coincidence — and decided to give it another go. The idea behind this post is pretty straightforward: if the below pens were first announced/released today, would I buy them? Suspend disbelief for the duration of this post. Imagine that none of these pens have existed in this world before today. And I’ll tell you if I would buy them.

Instead of Jim choosing the pens this time, I used a random number generator. Every pen in my Airtable database has a unique number based on its purchase order. I’ve also included the year I purchased or received each pen, just for funsies.

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Review – A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder

May 7, 2026

Rachel

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Review – A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder

Posted in Book Blogger

A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder

by Dianne Freeman

Series: Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #1
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Release Date: June 26, 2018
Pages: 281
Get from: Library | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Rating: ★★★★☆

In this exciting historical mystery debut set in Victorian England, a wealthy young widow encounters the pleasures—and scandalous pitfalls—of a London social season . . .

Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York—for her first London season.

But no sooner has Frances begun her new life than the Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband’s death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she’s also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie’s demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.

While busy with social engagements on Lily’s behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever-chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth. A killer is in their midst and Frances must unmask the villain before Lily’s season—and their lives—come to a most unseemly end . . .

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My Paper System: Coming Full Circle

May 1, 2026

Rachel

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My Paper System: Coming Full Circle

Posted in Paper

Two and a half years ago, I abandoned my one-notebook system and have been struggling to perfect my paper system ever since. While I’ve had success with my work and blog binders, figuring out my personal planning continues to evade me.

I can’t say I regret moving away from a single notebook. I enjoy the freedom I have with binders, and it’s been helpful to have my work stuff isolated. But I will freely admit to some serious annoyance with how much trouble I’ve had working out my personal planning.

I eventually managed to accomplish all of my plans from my last paper system post. My work binder is perfectly set up now. My blog binder is functioning well. The cat binder is a great resource for me and our vets. The health binder is useful. My digital tracker is working well as a temporary data holder. The book binder? It’s a reading journal (notebook) now. A decorated reading journal. And the personal binder? Well, it’s a notebook now, too, and it’s been a mess and a half.

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