Vanessa Kelly | Why I Love Writing Regency Romance

This week saw the release of A GENTLEMAN FOR ALL SEASONS, my new Regency historical anthology co-written with writer pals, Theresa Romain, Kate Noble, and Shana Galen. The four interconnected novellas, each featuring a separate couple, take place over the seasons of one year in a country village and nearby manor house. Brainstorming together was really, really fun. It also gave me a renewed appreciation for the Regency genre, since we spent quite some time working out the thematic and historical elements for our stories.

So, in no particular order, here are five reasons why I love Regency-set historical romance:

1. The settings: We wanted the stories to take place in the country, mostly at a large manor house close to our fictional village. So we invented the Friar’s House, our magnificent if rather crumbling mansion that was once an abbey. Naturally, that meant time drooling over, er, studying pictures of English castles and estates until we came up with the right model for the Gage family’s new home. England has so many stately homes to choose from, and I love doing that kind of research—and imagining which house I’d most like to live in!

2. The tropes: Regency romance has many popular tropes, including friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, and fake engagement, to name a few. I also love enemies to lovers, which is the theme of Kate Noble’s fabulous novella, A MADNESS IN SPRING. The thing with enemies to lovers? There’s TONS of sexual tension. So much fun.

3. The opportunity for redemption: Moral standards were much stricter during the Regency period, something we modern folk tend to forget. You could tumble fast and hard to scandal during the Regency, even if it wasn’t your fault. That was especially the case with women. Shana Galen’s lovely story, THE SUMMER OF WINE AND SCANDAL, explores this theme with an almost-reformed dandy and a young woman with a difficult past. The way this couple redeems each other is really wonderful and oh- so-romantic.

4. Jane Austen: For many of us, Austen is the bedrock of the genre. Her novels also provide much material for inspiration. Theresa Romain’s novella, THOSE AUTUMN NIGHTS, is a nod to PERSUASION, Austen’s most poignant story. Theresa’s hero and heroine are reunited after a falling out and difficult years apart. Their story is romantic and totally sigh-worthy, and a reminder of why readers love this genre.

5. Holidays: A GENTLEMAN FOR ALL SEASONS takes place against the backdrop of festivals and holiday celebrations. My novella, THE SEASON FOR LOVING, is set during the Christmas season. Christmas during the Regency was quite different from the Victorian celebrations that form the basis of our modern holiday. But those Regency folk knew how to have fun, and that was especially so during the Twelve Days of Christmas. I loved researching various Christmas traditions and incorporating them into my story, both as background color and as plot device. Because, really, who doesn’t like a good party?

Giveaway

What are your favorite things about Regency romance? Just tell us for a chance to win a backlist book from each of the anthology authors!

About Vanessa Kelly

Vanessa Kelly was born and raised in New Jersey, but eventually migrated north to Canada. She holds a Master’s Degree from Rutgers University, and went on to attend the Ph.D. program in English Literature at the University of Toronto. Alas, she didn’t finish her degree, but she did spend many happy hours studying the works of 18th and 19th century British authors and writing about the madness of King George III. Vanessa now writes Regency-set historical romance for Kensington Zebra and contemporary romance with her husband under the pen name of VK Sykes.

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About A GENTLEMAN FOR ALL SEASONS

The tiny village of Hemshawe is the sort of place where nothing ever happens…until a handsome ex-soldier and his matchmaking sister let the imposing manor house at the edge of town. The friendly Londoners shake up the staid people of Hemshawe, and villagers see each other in a new and oh- so-appealing light.

Suddenly long-sparring enemies become lovers, a town festival heralds a new start for a fallen woman and a dandy, and a man who has given up on love gets a second chance with the woman he never forgot. And the matchmaker herself? She won’t rest until she finds her own happily- ever-after…

A MADNESS IN SPRING in Spring by Kate Noble

Adam Sturridge has made Belinda Leonard’s blood boil since childhood, and the feeling is mutual. But when a would-be matchmaker arrives in the village of Hemshawe, she’d determined to erase the thin line between love and hate. Now, Belinda and Adam are faced with falling for someone they’ve always considered an enemy — can they overcome old prejudices and discover how to rub each other the right way?

THE SUMMER OF WINE AND SCANDAL by Shana Galen

When viscount’s son and dandy Peregrine Lochley is temporarily exiled from London to the country for his misdeeds, the last thing he expects is to encounter an intriguing woman. But Caroline Martin has a secret to hide, and it just might be too scandalous for even this debauched rogue.

THOSE AUTUMN NIGHTS by Theresa Romain

Ten years ago, wealthy Eliza Greenleaf broke lowly soldier Bertram Gage’s heart—but the last decade brought changes in fortune to them both. Now that he’s made his mark on the world, a twist of fate brings the Greenleaf family under his power. Will this war-hardened officer triumph over his former lover…or will Bertie and Eliza give love a second chance?

THE SEASON FOR LOVING by Vanessa Kelly

Miss Georgie Gage, matchmaker extraordinaire, is resigned to life as a spinster—almost. When notoriously aloof bachelor Fergus Haddon arrives from Scotland to spend Christmas with the Gage family, Georgie thinks she’s finally found her own perfect match—if, that is, she can get the handsome Highlander to agree!