Though ostensibly in London for her debut, Miss Deirdre Wheaton is far more interested in meeting celebrated poets than eligible bachelors. In fact, her deepest, most secret desire is to have her own poetry published someday . . . until she meets the Marquis of Wrotham. Once Cupid’s arrow strikes, Deirdre can think of nothing … Continue reading
I am so excited to unveil the soon to be launched RegRom.com! I am migrating the blog to a more robust platform that will allow me to better organize reviews, history, and other postings to make it user friendly…and a lot of fun. I would love to hear your feedback over the next several … Continue reading
Hetty’s desperate gamble to avoid an odious match lands her all at sea. Can an overbearing ship’s physician really be the hero she needs to escape her treacherous family? Marriage to a cruel dandy is not how Hetty Avebury envisions spending the rest of her life. Determined to raise funds to escape the match she … Continue reading
Likely, my voracious reading pals, you have already devoured the books off the top fifty funny Reg Roms and are craving more! At least, I know I have and am itching for some comedy coupled with my Regency romance…Haven’t read these yet, but they are part of a list I am compiling for myself to … Continue reading
If you asked a person on the street the meaning of swell, they might mention a puffed up injury or as an expression like “Gee, that’s swell!” But Reg Rom readers would recognize an alternative definition, referring to a Pink of the Pink. The meaning “wealthy, elegant person” is first recorded 1786; hence the adj. … Continue reading
He lost a wager . . . but won a treasure. Due to a lost wager, the Duke of Ravenham is obliged to bring a pretty little nobody from the country into fashion among the high-sticklers of London Society. Ravenham would never refuse a debt of honor, no matter how unorthodox, so he overlooks Miss … Continue reading
I stumbled upon this amazing time suck: http://savivi.deviantart.com/#/d1oj4iz where a clever, clever girl has designed a Regency Hero dress up interactive where you can design your own Regency Hunk! Dress him up as a scarred, quizzing glass having red coat or make him a gentleman in inexpressibles with a voluminous greatcoat to match his flowing hair! I know … Continue reading
A Regency take on Beauty and the Beast (yes, the hero is tauntingly referred to as Lord Beast and while the heroine is not beautiful, she is seen as “magical” by men) is about a long unloved hero, tormented by his near deafness and a down on her luck parson’s daughter who is desperate, starving … Continue reading
I am going to deviate from the norm of Reg Rom for a minute or two. The Sherlock craze has been overwhelming, stoking my long held love of the Victorian “consulting detective.” From the steampunk pugilist vision of the new films starring the incomparable Robert Downey Jr, to the latest tv show set to launch … Continue reading
I have furniture on the brain. DH and I are redeco-ing our living room after a kitchen remodel, and I have been scouring craigslist and vintage shops for the perfect pieces to during our living/family room in to the perfect lounging and entertainment destination. Most of our furniture has been hand-me-downs, furniture we have hung … Continue reading
“In fiction as well as in reality the dramatic element nearly always was supplied by the Bow Street Runner, popularly supposed to be a miracle of detective skill though indeed at the beginning of the century the establishment at Bow Street for the detection of crime was of a character that would have made a … Continue reading
The Marquess of Blackbourne is convinced that when he finally locates the Countess of Willowvale, she will be the crass and manipulative harridan her late husband had described. Unknown to the countess, Blackbourne is guardian to her young son, and he intends to see that the boy is raised as befits his station, even if … Continue reading
Oh the novel. We might guess at its pulp status from the very lips of Jane, herself, speaking about her heroine in Northanger Abbey: “Yes, novels; – for I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom, so common with novel writers, of degrading by their contemptuous censure the very performances, to the number of … Continue reading
Don’t you hate it when media gives the modern age credit for all the black eyes on humanity?! As if violence, crime, and other social ills were proprietary to contemporary culture. On one of my many year abroad late night tramps across the Midland country side, one of our favorite haunts was Kenilworth Castle. What … Continue reading
“Hell is a city much like London — A Populous and smoky city” -Shelley At the later part of the 18th century, as the beginning stages of the industrial revolution began to change the face of country and city life, the increasing use of hydrocarbon fuels including coal, oil and natural gas resulted in one … Continue reading
Not being able to resist such a title and promise of gothic romance satire, I found a freebie copy of Thomas Love Peacock’s Nightmare Abbey to download. Originally published in 1818, Peacock was a notable satirist and member of the Shelley set. Nightmare Abbey takes direct aim at many of his friends, making light of … Continue reading
Part of Kasey Michaels “Regency Classics: Alphabet Series” I dove into The Tenacious Miss Tamerlane ready for a funny romp. This gem of a novel did not disappoint. With laugh out loud funny banter, some very eccentric supporting characters, and a quiz of a heroine (Miss Tansy Tamerlane) you will love this book from start … Continue reading
A lovely cover for a lovely, funny little Regency. As author Teresa Thomas Bohannon tells us in the afterforward, it is the book of her heart that she toiled over for 30 years. Featuring a feisty redhead heroine who is the darling of the Ton and a duke’s daughter, and a new to the Ton … Continue reading
“Notwithstanding the writer of this article most anxiously wishes his KEY should fit well and that every person who is in possession of it should be able with the utmost ease to unlock the door that affords a peep into the movements of the Sporting World yet rather than attempt to gammon any of his … Continue reading
I have been noticing a lot of searches popping up for readers on the hunt for funny Regencies. As I also enjoy a good chortle or lol while reading, I was happy to pull together a lengthy list of my favorite funny Regency romance novels. I have separated the list into 30 clean romances and 20 mature … Continue reading
Twitter followers will know that I occasionally tweet about relevant publishing related news I think is particularly interesting to readers and writers within the historical romance world. Since my readership is split between readers and writers, too, I think the occasional post on big industry headlines is worthwhile. While perusing the Wall Street Journal for other … Continue reading
“For one person to look directly at another and not acknowledge the other’s bow is such a breach of civility that only an unforgivable misdemeanor can warrant the rebuke. Nor without the gravest cause may a lady “cut” a gentleman. But there are no circumstances under which a gentleman may “cut” any woman who, even … Continue reading
” Undoubtedly Lord Frederick was the first gentleman cricketer of his day for although he could not equal David Harris in bowling surpass Tom Walker in batting or Hammond in wicket keeping he united in his own person all those three great points in the game to such a considerable degree as to be pronounced the … Continue reading
When Rena’s father dies she is alone in the world, forced out of the vicarage that has been her home, with nowhere to go and no money. She seeks help at the large wooden cross standing in the nearby grounds of The Grange. And there in the earth she finds three golden coins, which she … Continue reading
An infirmed lady resusitating in Bath in Georgian or Regency England would likely own a sedan chair, perfect for carrying her above the dirty streets to the Pump Room to take the waters. The sedan chair in England was made popular in the 17th century. In London, by 1634 sedan chairs could be hired and … Continue reading
I just saw the COOLEST show on the Science channel. Mudlarking on the Thames. Metal detecting during low tides, digging in the muck and mud in London and coming up with treasures from hundreds of years ago. Apparently the British Museum has stores and stores of finds from mudlarks, including medieval toys (toy cannons that … Continue reading
Young Lady Georgiana Montford is heartbroken and infuriated when she discovers her lifelong betrothed, Robert Balfour, in the arms of another woman. Severing their friendship, she vows to choose her own husband, a man who’ll share her thirst for adventure. Yet, despite her attempts to forget him, Robert’s place in her heart proves more unwavering … Continue reading
“Tom came to London in the year 1803, when his brother Jem was at the zenith of his fame, having beaten every man with whom he had fought, and attained the position of undisputed Champion of England. Although Tom’s ring career was not so brilliant as his elder brother’s , it had a less … Continue reading
The mark of one’s consequence in Regency England could be said to measured by the number of a household’s servants. Jane Austen’s novels often make references to servants as a matter of status: Mrs Bennet explained quite sharply to him that they were very well able to afford a good cook and that her daughters … Continue reading
Lady Caitlin Southall can not believe that her home, her mothers home which is being held in a trust for her, was lost in a card game. She becomes even more frustrated when she learns the most notorious rake and her neighbor, Harlow Telford, Duke of Dangerfield is the one that won her home and … Continue reading
We all love to lament about the Weatherman. Although I have only lived in a few other countries, its not hard for me to imagine this is a universal trend. To be fair, even with the “inexact science” of meterology, it does afford probabilities which help us plan our lives. It also has an impact … Continue reading
Frederica is the self-appointed guardian of her three younger siblings. Their true guardian, her brother Harry, is still at college and a bit too busy kicking up larks to be managing the nursery. Frederica comes to London, three siblings in tow, to launch her beautiful sister into the marriage mart. Because they have no available … Continue reading
Jacqueline Diamond is launching new covers for her Regencies, designed by my dear friend and graphic designer Kelly at customgraphics.etsy.com. I am so pleased, as the covers are beautiful and really represent this wonderful collection of clean, traditional Regencies! The Forgetful Lady is a delightful and sometimes emotional tale of a young lady who, bent … Continue reading
We all know that during the Regency era, persona non gratis included Old Boney, the wicked Lord Byron, and assorted other historical figures. Yet, there are also a list of other, lesser known historical figures that sometimes get painted in less than favorable lights. Recently, I have read several books which present Mrs. Drummond Burrell … Continue reading
Checking in to my twitter feed, I noticed two wonderful posts in honor of today’s holiday and connections to the Regency World. http://impulsivehearts.wordpress.com/ Impulsive Hearts compiled a wonderful round up of posts about Valentine’s Day in the Regency era. History buffs will love the assortment of facts and opinions on love’s most popular holiday. Two Nerdy … Continue reading
I started reading Affinity by Sarah Waters, in conjunction with some lighter fare (including Heyerwood) which features Millbank Prison as a main location/character of the novel. Originally constructed as the National Penitentiary, which was to include a holding facility for soon to be transported (to Australia) criminals, Millbank was opened in 1816 in Pimlico. Students … Continue reading
After a re-read of the most delightful The Grand Sophy (Georgette Heyer) and its habit of making my mind drift towards the icky thought of cousins marrying, I decided to do a little research on consanguinity to see what were the home truths about it in the Regency era. Here is a sciency definition of … Continue reading
Did you know that fustian is actually a thick cotton and flax (linen) woven fabric? I actually pride myself in knowing quite a bit about textiles, but I had never heard the word. Pronounced something like fust-chien, the word is also synomous with bombast (which also can mean cotton wool blend or pompous, inflated speech or writing) and … Continue reading
Man, the tin can is pretty amazing. Not only can you tie it with some string and make a phone call, or use it for a variety of upcycled home decor/storage uses, but it also does a pretty fine job of keeping the pantry stocked and stacked. In 1810 British merchant and inventor Peter Durand … Continue reading
Free is so great when you are a book-phile. A quick press on my Nook download it button, and I was transported into Sabrina Jeffries short novella The French Maid. Actually, more like a short story. I think it took me about twenty minutes to read. So it was perfect for a very sleepy evening … Continue reading
Gifts for the Ones You Love: This Continent Called Love, Quotations from Nobel Prize Winners by David Pratt. $0.99 from Smashwords.com 500 quotations on love in all its forms from Nobel Laureates. Combining love with wisdom, it will delight readers of all ages. Perfect for speeches at weddings and anniversaries. Send it to sweethearts, mothers, … Continue reading
Eloisa James is by far one of my favorite contemporary historical romance authors. She has a consistently funny and entertaining style and memorable characters. She also is a master at crafting the hero, with a unique insight into the male mind. Winning the Wallflower, a novella, was a short and sweet read. I burned through … Continue reading
During a lull in fighting at Waterloo in 1815, British solidiers found the bodies of two women. “I saw one of them,” wrote Captain Henry Ross-Lewin of the 32nd Regiment of Foot. “She was dressed in a nankeen jacket and trousers, and had been killed by a ball which had passed through her head.” Other … Continue reading
Is there such thing as an Austen purist? If so, I think I might be one. I get a lot of “Jane-Fiction” sent to me to review. It seems the shelves of romantic fiction are packed with takes and spin offs on Jane Austen’s books and characters. And generally, they aren’t for me. Just like … Continue reading
The kitchen garden was a common thing for many households in England with a bit o’ land, particularly after the medieval era made them popular for physic uses. By the Regency era, the use of herbs and spices for their culinary properties would have been common practice, particularly as Imperialist expansion saw the import and … Continue reading
Just a nice update for everyone re: my review post of a Lady in Disguise. After reaching out to Jacqueline on twitter, she gave me the opportunity for some off line conversation about my strong hist-ro book cover opinions, and why I took umbrage with hers. After discussing some of the difficulties with resources available for … Continue reading
So my favorite used bookstore must have scored from a library, because a trip this week landed me a cache of Georgette Heyer books. The first I picked up to read was The Nonesuch, as I remember another reader saying it was her fave. What a wonderful (as expected) read! Full of fantastic, interesting characters … Continue reading
After a several month search for Georgette Heyer novels, my book buddy, Mom, finally came through with Cousin Kate. Heyer’s foray into the romantic gothic novel is every bit as delicious as Arabella, with a sweet and feisty heroine who becomes embroiled in a very wicked situation! Impoverished and forced to work, she must find … Continue reading
Could there ever be anything more perfect than Arabella? Heyer picks up where Austen leaves off, presenting a charming and perfectly engaging story of a country miss (the eldest daughter of a vicar) who tells a little fib when faced with the snobbery of the Nonpareil. Our hero, Mr. Beaumaris, is really just a Corinthian … Continue reading
There is a reason that Georgette Heyer is renowned as a more contemporary Jane Austen. Writing in the 1920s until the 70s, her books created the Regency England romance genre. Many of the current historical romance novelist of today emulate Heyer’s plots, style, and general whimsy for the genre (See Eloisa James). And for an … Continue reading
Regency Reader 