WHY I LOVE THE REGENCY
I write sensual, Regency-set historical romances—and I’m not the only one! Take a look at any bestseller list and you’ll see lots of Regency authors like Mary Balogh, Eloisa James, and Stephanie Laurens topping the list. The competition is fierce, and there are so many terrifyingly good historical authors out there, you have to wonder why anyone would be fool enough to attempt to break into their ranks. Fortunately for me, readers love the Regency period, and are loyal and voracious consumers of romances set in this fascinating period.
So what is it, exactly, that we love about the Regency? There are some obvious answers, of course. The glamour, for one. Aristocrats of the time loved to party, and party large. The clothes were elegant, the soirees elaborate, and the conversation devastatingly witty. And when the wealthy weren’t racing from one ball to the next in the city, they were hosting large 
gatherings at their country estates, where they hunted, feasted, gambled, made love, and generally had a great time until the wee hours of the morn. These settings are like gold to the writer, providing all kinds of opportunities for color, drama, and comedy amidst the social whirl of the ton.
The Regency was also populated with fascinating characters like The Prince Regent, Beau Brummell, Harriett Wilson, Byron and Caro Lamb, Lady Jersey and the other aristocratic hostesses who dictated the social rules governing high society. These figures often people the novels of Regency romance, and provide fascinating authenticity to the period we love so much.
But underneath all that opulence and splendour lived another England—one that was violent and dark, and suffered all the evils of poverty and a society on the verge of massive change. For the Regency author, this gothic underworld is a rich source of dramatic conflict. It’s especially interesting to explore the subtleties of class distinctions that make English society so unique. And what better way to do this than by creating a hero and heroine separated from each other by social class and wealth. Those were huge barriers back in the early nineteenth-century, ones we have trouble imagining today, and it’s so much fun—as a writer—to explore those differences.
I came to my love of Regency romance like many readers of the genre—by falling in love with the novels of Jane Austen. So much so, that I went on to study English literature of the Regency period in graduate school. I specialized in the novels of Fanny Burney, and studied the theme of madness in her books. Years later, that theme was still rattling around in my head, and when I started writing my own Regency romance, madhouses and conniving relatives, and dastardly villains soon made their way into my book.
MASTERING THE MARQUESS is the story of a woman intent on saving her little sister from incarceration in an insane asylum. My heroine, Meredith, turns for help to the Marquess of Silverton, a man above her class, and arrogant and powerful to boot. Meredith has always led a sheltered life in the country, but she soon finds herself thrown into the unfamiliar and bewildering world of London’s high society. Add in the madhouse and the villains, along with the social snobs, and you have a romance that combines the glittering elegance of the Regency ton with the dark underworld of the Gothic.
So, dear readers, what do you think? What is it about that Regency that fascinates us so much, and makes it such a great period to read and write about?
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To read Vanessa’s bio and the back cover blurb for MASTERING THE MARQUESS, please see yesterday’s post.
To learn more about Vanessa and her upcoming books, please visit her website.
Vanessa, you’re so right about the plot possibilities of mixing the classes! The upper classes could be so completely clueless about real life, and isn’t it fun having your heroine “teach” the hero those important facts?
One thing I love about the Regency is that in spite of the social gaps, the impossible really did happen sometimes. I love learning about real people who bridged those gaps, and I’m equally happy to read about imaginary ones who do the same. Also, the era’s underworld provides a dark element that makes for excellent stories.
Hi, Donna! Yes, I love it when the supposedly innocent and naive heroine teaches the cynical hero what’s really important in life.
You’re right, Barbara. The impossible did happen to people during the Regency, which is likely one of the reasons we love to read and write about it. As a writer, it provides so much rich source material
Vanessa, I fell in love with the Regency period through the books of Georgette Heyer. The clothes, the hair, the social whirl, the slang – she transports me to another world. She used the underclass in her books mostly as comedic relief. I love reading Regency historicals and yours sounds great!
Vanessa~great to see you here!! It was Austen for me, too, that opened the door to my fascination with the Regency period. Unfortunately, I knew I wouldn’t be able to write it convincingly, much as I loved it :), but I’ve always enjoyed reading historicals set in that time. It’s the possibility for such intriguing subtext hidden under proper manners and social structures that almost always draws me in–so much tension, just beneath the surface! It makes us pay more attention to the smallest of details… Love that!
Cindy~thanks for posting!!
Hi everyone!
Vanessa, thank you for blogging today. Your book sounds great. I must confess, I’m not a fan of Austen (don’t stone me, everyone!). I’ve tried reading 2 or 3 of her novels and I have an English degree, so I should love her. But I can’t get into her voice. HOWEVER, I love the movies based on her books. So, I love the period, too. I just can’t read Austen. I need to watch. 🙂
Cindy
Great post! Your book sounds fantastic, Vanessa! One of the things I love most about Regency romance is the witty repartee. I also love when the hero and heroine are from different social classes. That always provides a lot of nice conflict.
Hi Carol – thanks for stopping by! I adore Georgette Heyer – many moons ago, my sister had an English penpal who sent her all the books. So I had access to them from an early age. Her command of the period is awesome.
Marilyn, I had to get over quite a few nerves before I could write my first historical, so I hear what you’re saying! I think you’ve really put your finger on what makes Regency romances so much fun to read – that intriguing subtext. The stakes were so much higher for women. Provides great potential for conflict.
Hi Cindy! Thanks for having me. Don’t worry – I won’t stone you for not loving JA! Her voice is not for everyone. There were more than a few canonical writers in grad school that I had to force myself to read. I hated Sterne, which was considered heresy by my profs.
I love the repartee, as well, Nicole. That’s one of the reasons I love Heyer so much – her dialogue just sparkles.
Congrats on the upcoming release, Vanessa! It sounds wonderful. Indeed, you’ve pointed out so many highlights of Regency romance it’s impossible to pick just one as a favorite aspect. Although, I guess if I HAVE to I’d have to say it’s the witty dialog and the humor. I’m such a sucker for anything that can make me laugh, or at least snicker. I just love the social strictures that inevitably put our heroes and heroines in awkward, compromising positions and the glorious fun of a few well-placed double entendres.
And Cindy–if you’ve tried Austen and just can’t get into her voice, did you try Northanger Abby? It’s a bit different from her others.
Good luck, Vanessa!
Hi Susan,
I knew a Susan Gee growing up. Every time I see your name, I do a double take, LOL.
No, I’ve never tried Northanger Abby. Might have to. I love the Brontes, though, I must say.
Susan, I love Northanger Abbey. I just re-read it because my next book is set in Bath. It’s such a funny book!
Cindy, I love the Brontes, too. I try to channel a little bit of them in my own work.
The Regency was a singular time in history the like of which has never, and probably will never, be seen again. It’s no small wonder it holds such fascination for so many.
Hi Vanessa,
Thanks for sharing your incite into the Regency time period. Being a contemporary author, I admire those of you who write historical romances because of the research you have to do. I just love a good story. I had to stop by and say hi.
Austen was my first Regency writer whose books I loved, then Georgette Heyer. I think part of it is the Cinderella theme for a lot of the books. Probably one of the best known fairy tales.
Vanessa,
Although, I loved the regency when growing up, and I still do.
I write mystery romance, and I believe there is a class distinction even here in our country today.
Pat, I agree with you – there are so many intriguing aspects to the Regency period. And fascinating characters.
Hi Merrillee! Thanks for stopping by. And I bet you do your share of research, too.
Hi Edie! You’re right – Cinderella is a classic them in both Austen and Heyer. Those old fairy tales really resonate, don’t they?
Thanks for stopping by, Sandy! I agree with you that class distinctions exist in North America, even though they may seem more subtle.
For me, it was also Austen—Pride and Predjudice, of course. Although now that I’m older, Persuasion has become my favorite.
For me, the Regency is sort of like the 60’s only in long skirts, with better manners and, of course, they had a king. You have a period of unending war, incredible social change, all kinds of new ideas, a mad king and the very real possibility that the monarchy could go the way of the French Bourbons. If people are writing romances 100 years from now—and I’m sure they will—the Empire Dress will be replaced by the mini skirt, ‘good girls’ will, soldiers will still be brave and, maybe, we’ll finally get a happy ending.
Mary, I love the idea of the Regency as the 60’s, only in long skirts! And what a concept to think about – the historical romances of the future. Lord, I hope no one ever does the 1980’s. Think of all the bad hair!
I’m not necessarily in love with the Regency time period, or any time period, so much as if it’s a great back cover hook, I’m sold. I’ve got my copy of Mastering the Marquess and look forward to a little bit of ‘me’ time to enjoy the story!
Thanks for stopping by, Stacey! You’re right – it’s got to be a good story, regardless of the period.
Amazon delivered your book today, so at my first free moment I’m diving into it. I must have read some awful Regency stuff when I first was discovering romance as a genre, because I was not impressed. However, I’ve come to absolutely love the period. I hadn’t thought about the contrast, but now it’s been pointed out to me . . . another reason to love the period!
Hi Beppie – thanks for stopping by! There’s such a broad range of Regency writers these days, with real variety in styles and themes. My TBR pile is frighteningly huge.
Hi Vanessa & Cindy! (Hopefully the computer will cooperate today in transmitting a post),
I love a lot of Jane Austen, but Northanger Abbey is my very, utterly LEAST favorite. I don’t get the allure. Where’s the drama? The conflict? The active protagonist? I just don’t get it. But her other books, I do love.
Another big congrats on your debut release!
Kris
Thanks for the great turn-out, everyone. The winner of Vanessa’s MASTERING THE MARQUESS is…drum roll…Susan Gee Heino. Congratulations, Susan! Check your email for a note from me. I need your snail mail address so Vanessa can send you your copy of the book.
Vanessa, thanks so much for being my guest this week!
I don’t have any more guest bloggers scheduled for April, but three are forthcoming in May. Check the Upcoming Guest Bloggers section in my sidebar for names, genres and dates.