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Regency England

The short Regency period is a romantic time of innocence and discovery. The rug had been pulled out from under the gentry. They were forced to endure life in a way their parents never dreamed, and in turn, it forced them to turn their focus inward toward their relationships and their homes.

The King, George III, was allegedly mad. In fact, he had porphyria.

A pleasure-loving, hedonistic, egocentric, reserved, but oh so regal, George, Prince of Wales, became regent.

He earned the disdain of society - but he was their king regent - and he was the dictate of society. He lived as if nothing mattered but the elegance of his homes, the excellence of his food, and his current pleasure and entertainment. On top of that, he was extremely dignified and reserved toward others. The ton followed his example. It became unfashionable to be overtly religious or emotional.

Luckily, the Regency period only lasted from 1811 - 1820.

He set the tone for the ton, who , influenced their tenants and servants. The feeling of family and home was destroyed by the war. The feeling of prosperity was destroyed by the self absorbed prince.

During the turbulent Napoleonic years, an overbearing upper class attitude of “anything goes"and England was still “merry old England." While this freedom possibly gave rise to the industrial revolution, it did little for the lives of the English.

That is why many regencies have an air of 'waiting' or 'living in limbo.' The heroines are not looking for sex, they want to find the meaning of life, a purpose for their existence.

Women had more freedom than they had previously. They were allowed to, carefully, step out and take charge. Of course, the skill of managing your husband was still instilled into a woman from childhood. And, women were taught to manage their homes and servents, but they were permitted to dream, attempt business, and even make purchases without their husbands signature or presence.

Snow & Romance

We had weeks of rain, then suddenly snow. There is now 1 foot of snow out there. It is really good for writing.

The fire is roaring, the Christmas tree is up and ready to be decorated, snow covers the maple outside my window in a bride's veil, the world is covered in a white cloth, and I can curl up on the couch with a warm blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and my laptop.

What a wonderful day to write the scene where Robert Campbell and Janelle fall in love.

I have been having fun talking about 'what makes a man sexy' with some of my readers. I love getting private messages, and I always answer within a couple of days, so feel free to let me know what you think. Reply to this blog with comments, or private message me at www.myspace.com/historical_Romance.

A Rouge to the Rescue

Here is the first installment of a short story I am writing.

Duchess and The Wastrel

Lady Ann stepped lightly out of the carriage. She barely touched the coachman’s hand as she alighted and waited for him to collect her wraps and purse. She looked down at the atrocity she wore in distain. Her mother could not have added another puff, tuck, or embroidery without fear the dress would have tear in two.

Ann still had not forgiven her mother for choosing a tight, over padded rouleaux. It not only formed a perfect bell-shape from her skirts, it bound her legs forcing her to mince steps as she tried to navigate the steps.

Anne left the coach and climbed the steps, hoping to give her maiden aunt a fit of hysteria at the thought of her making her first entrance into the ton’s social scene unescorted. Anne stepped lightly and stopped on the last step, repenting her rebellion, and turning to wait for her aunt’s carriage to pull to the step.

She wished it were possible for her to enjoy the night’s beauty. Torches lit the gardens, and made the entrance as bright as day. She could clearly see the bored expressions on the face of the neat row of servants who lined the entrance. She pitied their duty to stand here until the last guest arrived.

Her gaze traveled over the grounds, trying to imagine if her prison would resemble this one. At least there was not long to wait. Her father had bragged just a week hence that he would not finance a fortnight into the ton’s social season before Ann found a suitable match and was decently married.

She fixed her gloves and adjusted her fan, fidgeting as she realized that she stood, exposed to the gaping eyes of servants and guests alike. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of the spectacle she made. The gossip would be ripe by the time she entered the ballroom, everyone wondering who the overstuffed peacock was, and how much she was worth.

Yes, that would be all that mattered. Not her name. Not her likes or dislikes. All these vultures cared for was her title and rank. Beyond that, she did not exist. She was not here to enjoy herself, but to be put onto the auction block, like one of her father’s fine stallions, to be sold to the highest bidder.

“Are you lost?”

Every nerve in her body turned cold. Anne spun toward the direction of the silk, smooth male voice. Her mouth opened, and shut. She tried to answer again, but found she couldn’t utter a word. The gentleman leaned close, an amused grin on his otherwise taunt face.

“No, sir.” Anne managed to gasp out as her fan flew to her face out of habit. His eyes narrowed at the movement and he withdrew a step. “Excuse me, I wait for my aunt.”

“Ah, so you are properly escorted and chaperoned.” His head tilted in a slight, almost unperceivable bow, and he turned.

Anne’s heart pounded against her chest as she watched him stride away. He was tall and lean, more muscular than the pompous, pasty faced men who hung onto her father’s good graces. She could not imagine this man catering to any man’s favor. She smiled at the impertinence of his behavior. She never imagined that men like him were apart of London’s social season. Maybe she would enjoy a few months of bliss before her father packed her off to the home of some weak man with a portentous title and more money than needed to run the country.

She folded her fan and bit her lip trying to stop the smile that played on her lips. His scent hung in the air, more outdoorsy than the pipe smoke that remained after her father left a room, and more – masculine. There was something about him that reminded her of hunting and action. She liked it.

Cerridwen Press Author's

I just found this Author's Blog for Cerridwen Press. While the authors are not just the Trad Regency authors, there is some great reading there. I went for a peak and stayed for a couple of hours.

New Publisher

There is a new publisher bringing out Traditional Regencies Cerridwen Press. I am looking forward to their new releases in 2007. I love the fact that more publishers are bringing out the Traditional Regencies.

The new Regencies are good stories, but they do lack some of the allure of the originals. I have joined their email club and am going to buy their first release.

What is the Lure of the Traditional Regency Romance

Have you ever wondered what the lure of the traditional regency romance is? Think about it. There is no sex or even a suspenseful plot. There is nothing that defines other types of romance.

There is nothing but the innocence of first love and a true romance built on honor, respect, and friendship.

I think one of my favorite types of regencies are the ones where married people throw away their preconceived ideas of society and nobility, and learn to become friends with their spouse. In my mind, there is nothing more heroic than a man who is strong and loving.

The bible said that women should submit and men should dominate. I read a commentary on this recently. The man who wrote it said that we have the wrong idea, based on our post-war society.

The bible verse actually means that a woman should gently and kindly help her husband succeed, and in return he will die for her. However, this commentator went on to say that the word 'die' meant to 'die to self, pride, vanity, self-satisfaction -' for the love of his wife.

I think that is what I find in Traditional Regency Romances that I don't find anywhere else. Men who have wealth, position, and strength, but are willing to give it all up for something they cannot buy - the love of a good woman.