http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:47:07 -0800 MyBB http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-37.html Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:28:02 -0800 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-37.html
Anyhow, the story is about a young woman who is rescued from the lowest neighborhood in London by a marquess, and you can guess the rest. In fact, it was quite predictable in every sense. At least, it was for me - so I will not say more as it will give everything away.]]>
Anyhow, the story is about a young woman who is rescued from the lowest neighborhood in London by a marquess, and you can guess the rest. In fact, it was quite predictable in every sense. At least, it was for me - so I will not say more as it will give everything away.]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-36.html Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:13:52 -0800 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-36.html http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-35.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:48:58 -0800 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-35.html
I'm a longtime reader of historical fiction (Gothic romance, swashbucklers, Edwardian novels, period mysteries etc.) but new to the Regency genre. I don't know what took me so long to get here!

I find the period fascinating, and I love stories "of manners", especially light romance with a touch of comedy or intrigue thrown in.

I'm humbly asking readers on this forum to recommend some favorites to me. What should I start with? I would like to order a few Georgette Heyer books, but which ones? Decisions, decisions . . .

Thanks for any replies forthcoming!

Penfeather]]>
I'm a longtime reader of historical fiction (Gothic romance, swashbucklers, Edwardian novels, period mysteries etc.) but new to the Regency genre. I don't know what took me so long to get here!

I find the period fascinating, and I love stories "of manners", especially light romance with a touch of comedy or intrigue thrown in.

I'm humbly asking readers on this forum to recommend some favorites to me. What should I start with? I would like to order a few Georgette Heyer books, but which ones? Decisions, decisions . . .

Thanks for any replies forthcoming!

Penfeather]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-34.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:28:11 -0800 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-34.html
I'm a newcomer to the Regency genre, having been a longtime reader of Gothic Romance and historical fiction in general.

My introduction to the Regency genre was through the books of Jeffery Farnol, but I am now eager to read Georgette Heyer's books. I also adore Jane Austen.

I love the Regency period and its trappings; I also enjoy comedies/light romances of manners that really immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the time.

I'm hoping to make new friends here and share thoughts with like-minded readers!]]>
I'm a newcomer to the Regency genre, having been a longtime reader of Gothic Romance and historical fiction in general.

My introduction to the Regency genre was through the books of Jeffery Farnol, but I am now eager to read Georgette Heyer's books. I also adore Jane Austen.

I love the Regency period and its trappings; I also enjoy comedies/light romances of manners that really immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the time.

I'm hoping to make new friends here and share thoughts with like-minded readers!]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-33.html Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:42:37 -0800 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-33.html I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and wish everyone a Happy Holiday. My name is Jacqueline Marten. A former in-law once said of me; "If Jackie were invited to Buckingham Palace and she ran into a maid, she would find her more interesting, and forget she was supposed to meet the Queen." Though not his intention, I found that to be a high compliment.

I sold my first story sold when I was 22 to a publication called the "Radio Mirror". And have been writing professionally ever since. I wrote for a radio soap, confessions magazines and have had 18 historical, gothic and modern romance novels published. They’ve even been translated into British, German, Chinese, and Russian translations. God knows what else! A woman should never reveal her age, but at this point, why be modest?! I think I am one of the oldest Charter and Life Members of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA).

I love hot tea, reading, writing and research. I’ve just begun understanding and using the internet and I’m venturing out to make some new friends and share in the romance.

I look forward to participating in this community.
All My Best,
Jacqueline]]> I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and wish everyone a Happy Holiday. My name is Jacqueline Marten. A former in-law once said of me; "If Jackie were invited to Buckingham Palace and she ran into a maid, she would find her more interesting, and forget she was supposed to meet the Queen." Though not his intention, I found that to be a high compliment.

I sold my first story sold when I was 22 to a publication called the "Radio Mirror". And have been writing professionally ever since. I wrote for a radio soap, confessions magazines and have had 18 historical, gothic and modern romance novels published. They’ve even been translated into British, German, Chinese, and Russian translations. God knows what else! A woman should never reveal her age, but at this point, why be modest?! I think I am one of the oldest Charter and Life Members of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA).

I love hot tea, reading, writing and research. I’ve just begun understanding and using the internet and I’m venturing out to make some new friends and share in the romance.

I look forward to participating in this community.
All My Best,
Jacqueline]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-32.html Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:56:57 -0800 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-32.html Jefferey Farnol
Samson Low
Artist: uncredited]]> Jefferey Farnol
Samson Low
Artist: uncredited]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-31.html Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:54:32 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-31.html
My recreational reading is primarily Regencies, and I want to enjoy the interplay between the characters. I prefer it when those interactions take place in pleasant surroundings, like balls, balloon ascensions, or an evening at the theatre. I do not mind a bit of spying thrown into the mix, as, done well, that can add a bit of spice without darkening the overall tone of the novel. I am not at all interested in reading about characters suffering in the horrendous battle conditions of that time. Neither Jane Austen nor Georgette Heyer had to resort to such brutal scenes to craft their thoroughly engaging and delightful novels.

I was just wondering if I am alone in this opinion, or if there are others who prefer their Regencies to be free of blood and gore?

Regards,

Kat]]>
My recreational reading is primarily Regencies, and I want to enjoy the interplay between the characters. I prefer it when those interactions take place in pleasant surroundings, like balls, balloon ascensions, or an evening at the theatre. I do not mind a bit of spying thrown into the mix, as, done well, that can add a bit of spice without darkening the overall tone of the novel. I am not at all interested in reading about characters suffering in the horrendous battle conditions of that time. Neither Jane Austen nor Georgette Heyer had to resort to such brutal scenes to craft their thoroughly engaging and delightful novels.

I was just wondering if I am alone in this opinion, or if there are others who prefer their Regencies to be free of blood and gore?

Regards,

Kat]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-30.html Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:25:09 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-30.html
Clemency meets a stranger after he falls off a horse. However, she does not get a chance to learn his name. When her mother arranges for her to marry the Marquess of Storrington, who is desperate enough to marry a cit to save his inheritance, she is misinformed about his identity. As a result, she runs away to her cousin Anne, only to find that she is now next door to the Marquess. Assuming a new identity, she comes to know the Marquess and his family and regrets her deception. However, as with all these romances, there is a happy ending.]]>
Clemency meets a stranger after he falls off a horse. However, she does not get a chance to learn his name. When her mother arranges for her to marry the Marquess of Storrington, who is desperate enough to marry a cit to save his inheritance, she is misinformed about his identity. As a result, she runs away to her cousin Anne, only to find that she is now next door to the Marquess. Assuming a new identity, she comes to know the Marquess and his family and regrets her deception. However, as with all these romances, there is a happy ending.]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-29.html Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:35:43 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-29.html
I do like Aiken as an author and have enjoyed several of her gothic romances. However, the style she used in Lady Catherine's Necklace seemed more appropriate for a diary than a regency. I found it rather irritating that the beginning of several chapters summarised what happened in the interval since the last chapter ended - maybe it was to shorten the story, but it didn't make for good reading. To me, it was disjointed. Especially when characters start having a conversation regarding an event that the reader is unaware of, then the author goes on to explain what happened. As an example, a minor character is ill and is not expected to live. The next chapter takes place several days after his funeral and delves into how and why he died. It just jumps from one conversation to the next, it seems.

I understand that Austen left some unfinished manuscript. I believe the Watsons was one of them and that it was completed by another author. I wonder if Joan Aiken was that author. I had read another incomplete Austen work that was completed by someone else but cannot remember the name. I'll have to research it.]]>
I do like Aiken as an author and have enjoyed several of her gothic romances. However, the style she used in Lady Catherine's Necklace seemed more appropriate for a diary than a regency. I found it rather irritating that the beginning of several chapters summarised what happened in the interval since the last chapter ended - maybe it was to shorten the story, but it didn't make for good reading. To me, it was disjointed. Especially when characters start having a conversation regarding an event that the reader is unaware of, then the author goes on to explain what happened. As an example, a minor character is ill and is not expected to live. The next chapter takes place several days after his funeral and delves into how and why he died. It just jumps from one conversation to the next, it seems.

I understand that Austen left some unfinished manuscript. I believe the Watsons was one of them and that it was completed by another author. I wonder if Joan Aiken was that author. I had read another incomplete Austen work that was completed by someone else but cannot remember the name. I'll have to research it.]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-28.html Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:18:54 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-28.html http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-27.html Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:11:50 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-27.html http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-25.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:17:55 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-25.html http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-24.html Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:26:51 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-24.html blog. Here's the first entitled 'The Prince Regent and his deadly sins'

http://www.blog.regencyromanceforum.com/...adly-sins/]]> blog. Here's the first entitled 'The Prince Regent and his deadly sins'

http://www.blog.regencyromanceforum.com/...adly-sins/]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-23.html Tue, 26 May 2009 01:57:24 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-23.html http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-22.html Sun, 24 May 2009 01:58:58 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-22.html
But, this was a very enjoyable and quick read - you can finish it in a sitting. There's nothing overly complicated about it, despite all the main characters playing at charades and adopting aliases.

The gist of the story is that a swindler, who has made a fortune, is now being targeted by his victims. The victims, all unknown to each other at the beginning, pursue their interests at cross-purposes to each other and wreaking havoc in each other's plans.

Highly recommended for amusing entertainment. However, I will point out there were some minor historical inaccuracies - most can be glossed over, but one in particular stood out because it reminded me of modern speech, rather than Regency speech.]]>
But, this was a very enjoyable and quick read - you can finish it in a sitting. There's nothing overly complicated about it, despite all the main characters playing at charades and adopting aliases.

The gist of the story is that a swindler, who has made a fortune, is now being targeted by his victims. The victims, all unknown to each other at the beginning, pursue their interests at cross-purposes to each other and wreaking havoc in each other's plans.

Highly recommended for amusing entertainment. However, I will point out there were some minor historical inaccuracies - most can be glossed over, but one in particular stood out because it reminded me of modern speech, rather than Regency speech.]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-21.html Tue, 12 May 2009 05:41:37 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-21.html http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-18.html Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:34:17 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-18.html http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-17.html Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:58:43 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-17.html
First of all, Francesca Shaw is actually the pseudonym used by two different authors - both English librarians. It is unclear whether they write together or separately, using the same pseudonym. Ms. Cree is an American.

"The Rebellious Bride": Miss Sophia Haydon attempts to assist Lord Hal Wyatt in bringing home his young sister, Elizabeth, who has run off with an ineligible suitor. Things would have gone smoothly had they not met with an accident, which forced them to be in each's company for far longer than they had expected. Of course, Hal is willing to marry Sophia to save her reputation, but she refuses because she believes her reputation was beyond salvation after her own escapades when she was younger.

"The Duke's Mistress": Lady Isabelle Milborne was used by her late husband to exact revenge on Justin Everard and his father, the Duke of Westmore. However, after the deaths of Lord Milborne and the Duke of Westmore, Justin returns from the Napoleonic Wars to take revenge against Lady Milborne, whom he blames for the deaths of his parents. As revenge, he requires her to be his mistress for the season.

My impressions: For those who love Austen and Heyer's styles, I would not recommend either one. This is because I believe that neither would have liked their heroines to be obsessed with sex or to participate in it so willingly, regardless of their marital status. Granted, Sophia did not sleep with Hal before she married him, there were moments when he nearly took advantage of her. Neither Austen nor Heyer would have allowed their heroes to behave so ungentlemanly. "The Rebellious Bride" would have been one of those sweet Regencies that a first-time reader might enjoy; however, the idea of a reluctant bride searching for love and not just honour has really been played to death for me. In Regency times, ladies would have felt they had no choice and would have gladly entered in such marriages of convenience if necessary - especially if they loved their heroes. I think it's time that someone makes our heroine a little stronger and decide to marry for convenience and go out to convince our hero that he needs her. "The Duke's Mistress" could almost pass for a Gothic romance with the evil aunt who likes to meddle. It would need some tweaking to do that, though. This story does have the sex, so those who are sensitive about this might want to avoid it. However, I'm glad to see that it was not entirely obsessed with it. It was worked into the plot and was necessary to achieve its aims, but some may argue that in keeping with the traditional Regency style, the plot should have been altered. My personal opinion is that this plot would have worked better for a Gothic.]]>
First of all, Francesca Shaw is actually the pseudonym used by two different authors - both English librarians. It is unclear whether they write together or separately, using the same pseudonym. Ms. Cree is an American.

"The Rebellious Bride": Miss Sophia Haydon attempts to assist Lord Hal Wyatt in bringing home his young sister, Elizabeth, who has run off with an ineligible suitor. Things would have gone smoothly had they not met with an accident, which forced them to be in each's company for far longer than they had expected. Of course, Hal is willing to marry Sophia to save her reputation, but she refuses because she believes her reputation was beyond salvation after her own escapades when she was younger.

"The Duke's Mistress": Lady Isabelle Milborne was used by her late husband to exact revenge on Justin Everard and his father, the Duke of Westmore. However, after the deaths of Lord Milborne and the Duke of Westmore, Justin returns from the Napoleonic Wars to take revenge against Lady Milborne, whom he blames for the deaths of his parents. As revenge, he requires her to be his mistress for the season.

My impressions: For those who love Austen and Heyer's styles, I would not recommend either one. This is because I believe that neither would have liked their heroines to be obsessed with sex or to participate in it so willingly, regardless of their marital status. Granted, Sophia did not sleep with Hal before she married him, there were moments when he nearly took advantage of her. Neither Austen nor Heyer would have allowed their heroes to behave so ungentlemanly. "The Rebellious Bride" would have been one of those sweet Regencies that a first-time reader might enjoy; however, the idea of a reluctant bride searching for love and not just honour has really been played to death for me. In Regency times, ladies would have felt they had no choice and would have gladly entered in such marriages of convenience if necessary - especially if they loved their heroes. I think it's time that someone makes our heroine a little stronger and decide to marry for convenience and go out to convince our hero that he needs her. "The Duke's Mistress" could almost pass for a Gothic romance with the evil aunt who likes to meddle. It would need some tweaking to do that, though. This story does have the sex, so those who are sensitive about this might want to avoid it. However, I'm glad to see that it was not entirely obsessed with it. It was worked into the plot and was necessary to achieve its aims, but some may argue that in keeping with the traditional Regency style, the plot should have been altered. My personal opinion is that this plot would have worked better for a Gothic.]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-16.html Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:51:29 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-16.html
I believe I have only read one other Mary Balogh novel. It seems that both have several scenes of explicit sex and they are so central to the story. In fact, it seems to occupy the minds of the hero and heroine exceedingly (in both books). In this one, it seems it might have occupied the author's mind as well, for another character, who happens to be the hero's cousin, becomes his niece for a while, before reverting back to being his cousin.

Not that I have anything against sex in these books, but I prefer the sweeter ones - more in line with Georgette Heyer. What I have noticed about the sex scenes in these novels are that they do not involve "innocents". This is not the case for some other writers. To be consistent with the Regency era's polite rules, "innocents" should remain "innocents" - though we know some broke the rules and many of them were ostracised for it.

I enjoyed the book, apart from the distractions above. Our hero, Nathaniel Gascoigne, and heroine, Sophia Armitage, were both likable and sympathetic characters. However, I liked Lavinia Bergland and Eden, Lord Pelham, the hero and heroine of the secondary romance much more.

Synopsis: Nathaniel brings his sister, Georgina, and cousin, Lavinia, to London for their first season. He is joined by his friends, named "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" during their war days. They meet up with Sophie, the widow of one of their fellow officers and their very good friend. Unbeknownst to them, Sophie is being blackmailed by another former, but inferior, officer. It takes Lavinia to put the guys onto the right track.]]>
I believe I have only read one other Mary Balogh novel. It seems that both have several scenes of explicit sex and they are so central to the story. In fact, it seems to occupy the minds of the hero and heroine exceedingly (in both books). In this one, it seems it might have occupied the author's mind as well, for another character, who happens to be the hero's cousin, becomes his niece for a while, before reverting back to being his cousin.

Not that I have anything against sex in these books, but I prefer the sweeter ones - more in line with Georgette Heyer. What I have noticed about the sex scenes in these novels are that they do not involve "innocents". This is not the case for some other writers. To be consistent with the Regency era's polite rules, "innocents" should remain "innocents" - though we know some broke the rules and many of them were ostracised for it.

I enjoyed the book, apart from the distractions above. Our hero, Nathaniel Gascoigne, and heroine, Sophia Armitage, were both likable and sympathetic characters. However, I liked Lavinia Bergland and Eden, Lord Pelham, the hero and heroine of the secondary romance much more.

Synopsis: Nathaniel brings his sister, Georgina, and cousin, Lavinia, to London for their first season. He is joined by his friends, named "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" during their war days. They meet up with Sophie, the widow of one of their fellow officers and their very good friend. Unbeknownst to them, Sophie is being blackmailed by another former, but inferior, officer. It takes Lavinia to put the guys onto the right track.]]> http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-15.html Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:14:09 -0700 http://www.regencyromanceforum.com/thread-15.html