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Author: Rachel

Pen Porn: Shibui North Pocket Fox

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with the best pen porn. πŸ˜‰

For the first time, I’ve been privileged to receive a pen for review. However, rest assured that this post, and all views that I express, are my own. Ruth of Shibui North reached out to offer me a pen in exchange for a pen porn post. Once I got over my shock, and confirmed all pertinent details, I chose the Pocket Fox Asa No Ha in Cherry Black.

Shibui North Pocket Fox Asa No Ha Cherry Black

Even More Indie Makers

Posted in Fountain Pens

It’s time again to feature new-to-me indie pen makers. Every so often, I post an update to my original Indie Pen Makers post. So far, I’ve posted an update and an addendum. These update posts are meant to let new-to-me pen makers have their time in the spotlight, and allow you to know who is “new.”

Since the pen-making world is constantly changing, I’ve decided to create a permanent reference page of makers I know of. Every time I post about indie makers, I’ll update that page, adding new makers, and removing any who have left the field. This means I’ll no longer update past indie maker posts.

Keep in mind, I have not purchased a pen from most of these makers, so consider this an informational list, not an endorsement.

Pen Porn: Nahvalur Nautilus Brilliant Bunny

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with the best pen porn. πŸ˜‰

In late January, I saw a post about Nahvalur’s Lunar New Year special edition. After having been told there would ne be resin versions of the Nautilus with porthole ink windows, the Lunar New Year special edition surprised me.

However, despite the beauty of the pen, I made myself wait until February to buy it. After all, I’d already bought too many pens. The universe was clearly looking out for me β€” or rewarding me for good behavior β€” as, during the self-enforced wait, I came across a post for the Enigma Stationery-exclusive Brilliant Bunny limited edition of 50 pens.

Nahvalur Nautilus Brilliant Bunny

BWIPS 2023

Posted in Fountain Pens

Last weekend was Baltimore Washington International Pen Show (BWIPS) weekend. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, or if you know me, then you know BWIPS is my favorite pen show. This year, however, was significantly different than previous years for me and Jim.

We attended this year’s BWIPS without any responsibilities. We didn’t volunteer, and we didn’t commit to teach any classes. It was nice, from that perspective, to attend a show like “normal” people. We didn’t have to worry about schedules or anything.

Review – Entailed To Heirs Female

Posted in Book Blogger

Entailed To Heirs Female

by Victoria Lynn

Genres: Regency Romance
Release Date: June 21, 2022
Pages: 335
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†

In this low angst, a sweet retelling of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet is not just idle, he is actively cruel. And Mrs. Bennet, while still uneducated, must do whatever she can to protect her daughters from their father.

Mr. Darcy’s epiphany comes much earlier than in canon and it changes his relationships not only with the Bennets but with his sister, his cousin Anne, and Bingley.

When the Bennet matriarch moves to an estate outside of Bath with her daughters, Bingley follows and so do both Darcy siblings.

Pen Porn: Gravitas Pens Universe

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with the best pen porn. πŸ˜‰

If you saw my 2023 wish list post, then you know I’ve wanted one of the Gravitas Pens Universe pens for a while. I had to give the initial release a miss because of Athena’s illness, but I was determined to get one from the next release, and I did.

Gravitas Universe Full Size

Review – Something New to Observe

Posted in Book Blogger

Something New to Observe

by Kimbelle Pease

Genres: Regency Romance
Release Date: September 30, 2021
Pages: 368
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating:Β β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†

One warning, two cautions, and a note:

WARNING: In deference to a truth universally acknowledged that men do not behave the same when no women are present as they do in mixed company, this vagary does have occasional uses of profanity. The men in my life would consider it amusing but naΓ―ve to afford the same semantics of conversation for wholly different circumstances such as these, or they would should one of them choose to read it.

This vagary proposes an alternate telling of the original Pride and Prejudice and considers what may have happened should the characters have been afforded a slightly altered set of circumstances. What if Mr. Darcy had accepted quite early that he was falling in love with Elizabeth? What if Elizabeth was the least stubborn of her sisters? What if Mrs. Bennet was allowed to settle in mind and spirit? What if Mr. Bennet exerted himself on behalf of his daughters? What if Mr. Collins was in some way welcomed as the next owner of the estate? Those are only some of the twists within this tale, and while not canon, I hope I gave your favorite character a moment unto themselves that will make you smile.

CAUTION: I want to specifically state that this vagary is not for all Pride and Prejudice genre readers. If one reads to find fault in what is not canon, I’ve been most forthcoming about the fact that it is a vagary, so you should already be on your guard and perhaps pass it by. For those of you who are strict authoress-guidelines conscious, I will argue that in all time periods people spoke with the use of contractions. To that end, I was true to life rather than follow her pointed non-use of them. Outside conversation, however, you will not find them, and I hope that soothes any feathers which may be ruffled at such a bold defiance.

CAUTION: My editor also requested that I issue a point of clarification on her behalf. I confess that as an author em-dashes drive me nanabas, so in conflict with her excellent advice, I did not include many of them where she said they should be. Despise me for it if you must, but no novel, story, prose, or verse ever hinged on one’s use. The lacking or use of a comma, however, has cost millions. I promise that for those, I let her fully guide me.

NOTE: My personal pleasure in writing this book was the intent to make any who read it find themselves staying up at night; not because ODCs are near death, have been forced to do that which they despise, or are off chasing Lydia again, but because I believe I am not the only one of us who dearly loves to laugh.

Pen Porn: Analog Notes Precious Petals

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with the best pen porn. πŸ˜‰

This particular pen was a commission from Analog Notes. After getting my pen with Chrysanthemum petals last year, it occurred to me that this, finally, was an excellent use for some dried petals I had saved.

Analog Notes Precious Petals

Athena: 67 Days In

Posted in Cat

This post is an overview of Athena’s second month of treatment. If you haven’t already, I suggest reading my posts on her first week of treatment and her first month of treatment. If you want to dive deep into her story, check out her tag page.

Like the previous posts, this one is in a journal-esque format. I intend to only touch on major/important events and updates, rather than what happens each day as I did in the first week post.

I Wish I’d Known This Before FIP Treatment

Posted in Cat

When Athena was diagnosed with FIP, Jim and I had no information about what to do or expect. With research, we’ve learned a lot, but there are things I wish I’d known before starting her treatment, both to spare her some trouble and to better prepare myself.

Please note: At the time of writing, I do not have any experience with the oral (pill) form of treatment. It looks like we’ll be starting oral treatment soon, so I may have some “lessons learned” a bit further on.

Pen Porn: Benu Talisman True Unicorn

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with the best pen porn. πŸ˜‰

Those of you who have been here for a while know I like the Benu Talisman model. So, when Azizah of Gourmet Pens told me she would have an exclusive Talisman, I was sold before I even saw the pen. When I saw it, I was at “shut up and take my money” levels of interest. The delightfully ostentatious True Unicorn is a smorgasbord of color and sparkle β€” and not for the faint of heart or those who delight in minimalism.

Benu Talisman True Unicorn

Review – Elizabeth Bennet, Heiress to Rosings Park

Posted in Book Blogger

Elizabeth Bennet, Heiress to Rosings Park: A Pride and Prejudice Caprice

by JP Christy

Genres: Historical Fiction
Release Date: October 18, 2022
Pages: 385
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

Feeling estranged from her parents because they reject the future she wants for herself, Elizabeth Bennet visits her friend, Charlotte Collins, at the estate of Rosings Park, hoping it will be a refuge. However, when an unexpected death occurs at the estate, Elizabeth steps up to assist in the ensuing crisis. Very soon, she is embraced as a friend by the estate’s owners, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter, Anne.

When Fitzwilliam Darcy visits Rosings Park, he is suspicious at first of Elizabeth’s unlikely friendship with the de Bourgh ladies, but he soon recognizes Elizabeth’s useful interventions and becomes intrigued by herβ€”the least-romantic woman he has ever known.
A murder throws Rosings Park into turmoil, which results in Elizabeth becoming the mistress of the estate. Then, the forces behind the murder set their sights on her. Can Darcy keep Elizabeth safe and convince her they are fated to be together?

This variation is low on romantic angst, and high on desire and discovery. While there is no explicit sex, there are frank (but never vulgar) discussions between ladies and ladies, and there are conversations of flirtation and curiosity between ladies and gentleman. If you prefer an Elizabeth whose raison d’Γͺtre is marriage to Darcy, you might not enjoy this Elizabeth, who wants Darcy and more.

Pen Porn: 18111 Night Snow

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with the best pen porn. πŸ˜‰

At this point, I don’t even remember when I first saw one of Mr. Nakama’s snowflake pens. I think I already wanted one when I commissioned my Harley Quinn pen, and that was nearly 4 years ago now. Time flies.

18111 Night Snow

Series Review – Take Charge

Posted in Book Blogger

Take Charge Series

by Shana Granderson A Lady
Genres: Regency England, Historical Fiction, Romance

Because there are six books in this series (thus far), I didn’t want to review each one separately. As a whole, the series contains the fun, lighthearted, happily ever after type of stories I love to read.

However, there are a few recurring items I’d like to mention now so I don’t have to repeat myself in each book’s review:

  • The extended families are too perfect. I can only assume this is because they are mostly of Ms. Granderson’s creation β€” either original characters or characters only briefly mentioned in Pride and Prejudice. But, the Fitzwilliam family, as well as extended Bennet and Fitzwilliam relations are all perfectly jolly, down-to-earth, unprejudiced people. Despite their elevated status, the parents only want their children to marry for love and are disappointed in Darcy when he forgets that his parents wanted the same for their children. They are all happy to welcome the Bennets into the extended family, without a question of their suitability, and those who are of an age with the Bennet sisters are happy to extend informality well before it would be considered appropriate given that they aren’t related.
  • Ms. Granderson doesn’t like Mr. Bingley. Most of his interpretations in this series are weak-willed and led astray β€” often to the point of ridiculousness β€” by his sisters. While he didn’t attend a finishing school β€” since those were for women β€” his time at Cambridge, as Darcy’s friend, and among the Ton should have taught him basic social rules. However, in several of the books in the Take Charge series, Mr. Bingley is either ignorant of them, or allows himself to disregard them in order to appease one, or both, of his sisters.
  • The proposals and acceptances feel fake. They are very wordy and seem perfectly thought out, even though the women’s answers, at least, are meant to be offered without much, if any, forethought. Even if I’d scripted my acceptance and practiced it regularly as a young woman, only needing to substitute in my future fiancΓ©’s name, I don’t think I could have delivered such a long, perfectly articulate response to a marriage proposal. I also find the use of complete names β€” including any middle names β€” when proposing and accepting proposals to be odd.

Monthly Pen Purchases: January 2023

Posted in Fountain Pens

As I mentioned in my Pen Resolutions Tag and Reviewing My Purchasing Habits posts, I’m trying to limit myself to 36 pen purchases this year. I think that going through my purchases will help me keep on track. So, expect monthly updates on how I’m doing.

A secondary goal I had for myself was to not buy anything in January. My idea was to put January’s allotment toward March to augment my BWIPS “budget.” And I did great, until the 21st. Somehow, in the last 10 days of the month, I bought four pens.

Series Review – Netherfield’s Duchess

Posted in Book Blogger

Netherfield’s Duchess Duology

by Victoria Lynn

Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Literature and Fiction

Title: Netherfield’s Duchess: Book 1
Release Date: April 10, 2021
Pages: 268
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

Netherfield's Duchess Book 1 Cover

After the death of her spouse, the Dowager Duchess of Felton takes up residence in her property, Netherfield Park. Having met the Bennets on her previous visit to the estate, Lady Fetton decides that taking an interest in Mr. Bennets older daughters will help give her some purpose and distraction from her personal grief. Arriving with her guest, Anne de Bourgh and her godson, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, the Duchess soon fills up her guest rooms with the Bingleys, the Hursts and Mr. Darcy and his ward and younger sibling Georgiana. Her guests, the Bennets and Mr. Collins and the newly arrived militia all combine for matchmaking, madness and matrimony in this Pride and Prejudice variation.

Title: Netherfield’s Duchess: Book 2
Release Date: June 30, 2021
Pages: 254
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

The fast paced conclusion to Netherfield’s Duchess takes our beloved characters from Hertfordshire to Scotland, from Derbyshire to Kent to London as our couples are forced to deal with plotting Lady Catherine and Wickham.

Athena: (Almost) Halfway There

Posted in Cat

Phew! This should be my last Athena-centric post for a little bit. I look forward to some variety in my writing again, despite how proud I am of my recent posts.

This post is an overview of Athena’s first month of treatment. If you haven’t already, I suggest reading my post on her first week of treatment. If you want to dive deep into her story, check out her tag page.

Like the first week post, this one and future monthly updates will be in a journal-esque format. I intend to only touch on major/important events and updates, rather than what happens each day as I did in the first week post.