Romance readers and writers are drawn to
specific historic places and periods, including the American Civil War and the
Scottish struggle for independence. One of the most popular—if not the
most popular—is the English Regency.
It was short—formally, the Regency
lasted from 1811 to 1820, when King George III became so ill that his son ruled
in his stead as Prince Regent. Why is this brief span so dear to readers’
hearts? The reasons expressed here are solely my own.
--Reason #1 is Jane Austen
(1775-1817). This beloved author set the tone for the romance genre with her
unforgettable characters in Pride and Prejudice, and other novels.
--Reason #2 was the change in
fashion. Under Beau Brummell’s influence, male fashions transitioned from the
ornate to beautifully tailored, darkly masculine clothing, with trousers replacing
knee breeches. Women’s fashions became freer and lighter, as style leaders
abandoned brocades and panniers for Grecian simplicity. Their bodies remained
free for only a few years until the starchier Victorian era.
--Reason #3—Ideas were also becoming
more modern. The common folk of America and France had won their revolutions.
In 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women,
with the then-stunning premise that women were equal to men.
--Reason #4—The Regency was packed
with fascinating people. In addition to Austen, Napoleon and Brummell, there
were poets Lord Byron (described as “mad, bad and dangerous to know”), Percy
Bysshe Shelley, and his young wife, Mary Shelley, whose 1918 novel, Frankenstein,
launched the science fiction genre.
--Reason #5. The Regency romance is, to me, a
fresh take on the Cinderella theme. My Regencies, from Lady in Disguise
to A Lady of Letters, play on the theme of the disadvantaged young woman
who seizes the initiative and wins the rich, handsome hero, as well as the
respect of others.
With Lee’s help, I’ll be
giving away two ebook copies of Lady in Disguise (or you can choose one
of my other Regencies). Question: Do you read Regencies? Why? Do you
prefer the traditional kind, or the sexier variation?
***Jacqueline's winners are Connie and Erin! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing info!***
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8 comments:
I love reading books set during the Regency period. I'm a traditionalist. For me it's all the rules of etiquette and courting that fascinates.
I love Regencies so much, they number about 80% of my ginormous TBR shelves. I enjoy the romance of the era along with the clothes best.
You are a new-to-me author. I enjoyed meeting you today and reading about your books too.
I like both styles of Regency.. I love the fact that things were starting to really change, but I love the romance of the beautiful clothing, etc.
I love, love, love the traditional Regency novels! I literally cut my teeth on them and am so happy when I can read one of them. I don’t want to come across as a prude, however, the sexier ones don’t appeal to me as much as the traditional ones. When reading a romance novel, it’s always nice to leave a bit to the imagination! Thanks for letting me add my opinion. :-)
I love regency but I think I like the more modern, sexy versions :) Thanks for the fun post!
Regencys were among my early reads and,
when I need a break from all the other
genres that I read, I head back to them.
I do read both traditional and modern!
I enjoy both types of Regencies. I like the settings and the changing times of the period.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Will winners for Jacqueline's giveaway be chosen soon?
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