Reading Regency

 These past twelve days I have been travelling. I had two long layovers and used the opportunity to finish Georgette Heyer's The Quiet Gentleman and dive into Charity Girl. I brought my old paperback copies with me,

Regency novels were my first dive into romance. Regency romances are a subgenre of historical romance novels set during the period of the British Regency (1811–1820) or early 19th century. Most of them  take place in London or the surrounding countryside. A few dive into the Napoleonic War.

There are lots of other genres under historical. Becky Lower has a lovely series  - The Cotillion Ball series set in the 1850's in New York.

But Regency was my first love and Georgette Heyer is still my go to read for wonderful Regency settings. I learned cant phrases, fashion, and society mores from Georgette and I love her humor.

Sex in a Heyer is limited to kissing. I don't miss the sex. It seems appropriate for what she writes. Georgette Heyer doesn't limit herself to Regency. She has some books set in earlier periods. These Old Shades is set in the 1700's and it's next on my "to reread" list. It's one of my all time favorites. (Ack! Just saw the new cover on Goodreads. Totally inappropriate!)

If you haven't read Heyer and would like to, many of her novels are free in PDF form. All libraries carry her and her books are available on Amazon. I think all of them are on my Keeper Shelves, But I decided I needed to have at least one on my iPad. I chose one of my favorites - The Grand Sophy

Modern Regency writers do have sex in their novels. There is at least one carnal encounter leading to true love. I think these novelists feel it necessary to the HEA. And it works. 

My favorite modern Regency author is Julia Quinn. For the past few weeks one of her Bridgerton Novels has been on sale per week because she has a new Bridgerton novel coming out on March 29th. 

I came in in the middle of the binge and got An Offer From A Gentleman and Romancing Mr. Bridgerton which I finished last night. Now mind you, I have these books on my shelf at home. But I am travelling and 1.99 seemed too good an offer to resist. This week When He Was Wicked is the 1.99 item.

Last week was To Sir Phillip With Love, I missed that one, but dearest reader, I happen to have a paperback copy to give away. Julia Quinn was a featured speaker at last year's RWA National conference in New York and I came away with a copy.

So if you are interested in winning, please leave a comment with some way to contact you.  Regency has been around Since Jane Austin. Do you have a favorite Regency novel?

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