By Sharon Bryant
The Regency Period in the United Kingdom occurred during the early 19th century. Architecture, technology and the arts flourished under the patronage of the wealthy, including the Prince Regent himself. The upper classes enjoyed power and privilege whilst the poorest people lived in squalor. The Napoleonic Wars took place during this period. The mini-renaissance enjoyed by the upper classes together with the strong stratification of society provide endless inspiration to romance novelists and readers alike. Not surprisingly, Regency romance is the most popular historical sub-genre. I hope you enjoy reading these novels as much as I have.
The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick
The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman to pose as his fiancée for a few weeks while he is in London on business. A practical man who doesn’t wish to be bothered by the fortune-seeking mothers of the ton, he knows a paid companion will provide the perfect solution to his problems. A simple business arrangement with a woman who can act convincingly. Unfortunately, such a lady is proving impossible to find. Eleanora Lodge needs a job quickly if she is to avoid becoming destitute. Independent and feisty, she has trouble finding work, until the earl offers her the role and convinces her to accept. Eleanora quickly suspects her fake fiancé of hiding secrets. Her new job is fast becoming far more dangerous than she first thought.
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
Minerva Highwood doesn’t expect to marry. Plain and bookish, she is easily flustered in the company of handsome men. Minerva knows she has made a momentous archaeological discovery. She must travel to Edinburgh immediately to present her findings to her peers. If she can persuade Lord Payne to take her, she will also be removing this dissolute rake from the company of her beloved sister. She doesn’t mind being ruined. No man wants her in any case. If Lord Payne won’t take her, she’ll go alone. Lord Payne admires her courage and resourcefulness, but has no desire to ruin an innocent. Nor can he allow her to travel unaccompanied. The journey this unlikely couple take is a real page-turner filled with dry humour, plot twists and romance.
Marry in Scandal by Anne Gracie
Shy Lily Rutherford has a secret. Bullied for it as a child, she doesn’t recognise her considerable character strengths. Lily becomes the victim of an opportunistic crime resulting in great societal pressure on her to marry Edward Galbraith, a well-known rake. Edward also has a secret – a terrible event in his past has ripped most of the hope and happiness from his life. He will offer Lily his name, but can never offer her his heart. Lily’s joy de vivre and caring nature make her a woman the reader would love to have as a friend. Readers also ache for Edward who tries to look after her, and would offer Lily more than simple caring, if only he could.
Do you read regency romance novels? Which one is your favourite?
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Thanks for mentioning my book, Sharyn. Obviously I am a big Regency romance fan. :) I think the range of things that were happening during the Regency — war, Napoleon, industrial advances, the growth of the British Empire and more — make for a wide variety of approaches and possible settings, though people still love those balls and stately homes. :) As for picking a favourite, I never can, but my auto-buy Regency authors include Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, and Lisa Kleypas — not to mention the author who really established the Regency period as a romance subgenre — the only historical subgenre that's associated with humour — Georgette Heyer,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping by, Anne. I love Mary Balogh's and Mary Jo Putney's novels. Georgette Heyer is also one of my favourite authors. I must try Lisa Kleypas' novels.
DeleteI *love* Regency romances! A marvellous period of history, so interesting! Love the manners and the frocks and glittery balls, too, so lovely. I really enjoy Anne Gracie, my first go-to author from this time. Also the authors she's mentioned above, such fabulous authors, and I have to confess I also adore anything Amanda Quick writes. Thanks for reminding me how great this time is, Sharon.
ReplyDeleteHi Malvina,
DeleteIt's a fabulous period to read about, isn't it. Like you, I'm a big fan of Anne Gracie's work.
And of course...I left off the marvellous Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer! How remiss of me, the two most beloved authors in the genre!
ReplyDeleteThey are both fantastic authors.
DeleteI don't read alot of regency but whenever I do read one I tend to LOVE it so really I should read more! My favourite would have to be Stephanie Laurens Lester family series :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jayne. Another series to add to my TBR pile.
DeleteHi Sharon! Like Jayne, I don't read a lot of Regency but I really did enjoy Anne Gracie's Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Bride series.
ReplyDeleteHi Marilyn, isn't it a fabulous series. I especially enjoyed "The Winter Bride", but they are all great reads with fascinating, engaging female leads.
DeleteThanks for a great article, Sharon. I've read all the books you've mentioned and many more titles from those authors. My favourite Anne Gracie series began with THE PERFECT RAKE. It was my introduction to Anne's writing and therefore will always be close to my heart. So many fabulous regency romance authors to add to those ladies in your article - Celeste Bradley, Anna Campbell, Ella Quinn, Janna MacGregor, Lorraine Heath, Julia Quinn, Sophie Nash, Sabrina Jeffreies ... I shouldn't have started what I can't finish because there really are too many fabulous regency romance authors to name.
ReplyDeleteI have an entire four shelves two books deep in my book cabinet just packed with regency romances. I don't think I've ever read one that I haven't kept. Such section in my bookshelf devoted to Regency romances, Yes, they are a favourite genre.
I just read through the article again. Let's not forget our own very talented Breathless in the Bush Regency Author, Cassandra Samuels. Brilliant wit and fabulous turn of phrase in Cassandra's stories.
DeleteThanks Alyssa. I agree with you. There are so many fantastic regency romance authors. I thoroughly enjoy reading this genre.
ReplyDelete