Vanessa Kelly | Why I Love Writing Regency Romance
November 14, 2015

A Gentleman for All Seasons
Shana Galen, Kate Noble, Vanessa Kelly, Theresa Romain
AVAILABLE
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November 2015
On Sale: November 10, 2015
ISBN: 0150773951 EAN: 2940150773950 Kindle: B014K3JD32 e-Book
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Also by Shana Galen: A Duke By Any Other Name, February 2025
Beauty and the Thief, August 2022
I Want You to Want Me, March 2022
Bachelors Of Bond Street, October 2019
Also by Kate Noble: The Dare and the Doctor, December 2016
The Lie and the Lady, December 2015
A Gentleman for All Seasons, November 2015
A Grosvenor Square Christmas, October 2015
Also by Vanessa Kelly: Murder in Highbury, November 2024
Add to review list The Highlander's Kilted Bride, September 2023
The Highlander's Holiday Wife, October 2022
The Highlander's Irish Bride, August 2021
Also by Theresa Romain: His Wayward Bride, November 2019
How To Ruin A Duke, June 2019
Lady Notorious, March 2019
Mrs. Brodie's Academy For Exceptional Young Ladies, September 2018
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!
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.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog
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!
Comments
35 comments posted.
Re: Vanessa Kelly | Why I Love Writing Regency Romance
I would love to win! (Joddy Lantigua 9:25am November 11, 2015)
What I like, is that these books are quaint, have a bit of History thrown in, although stretched, and the Romance isn't on the erotic side in most cases. You also get a flavor of another life - across the pond, from another time, and it makes for an enjoyable read. Congratulations on your latest book!! It should do well, and I've already put it on my TBR list!! (Peggy Roberson 9:38am November 11, 2015)
From an atmospheric perspective, I love the "Lady" and "House of" delineations. I also like the fact that the books have a gentility and class about them that is missing from a lot of the more contemporary set novels. (Edward Washington 9:47am November 11, 2015)
I love to read about their life styles and their customs. There is nothing like a good regency romance. Actually it's all I like to read! (Bonnie Capuano 10:45am November 11, 2015)
I love reading about the balls... Imagine seeing how they dressed... the dances... (Colleen Conklin 11:34am November 11, 2015)
I enjoy the little taste of history along with the romance. The customs, style of dress, rules of behavior, and the settings are fascinating. I have visited Great Britain, so I can picture it all as I read. (Cheryl Castings 11:47am November 11, 2015)
I love everything about Regency romances.. from the settings to the balls and dresses... everything (Natasha Persaud 12:07pm November 11, 2015)
The simpler times when men were gentlemen and ladies could count on them. (Debbie Haston 12:39pm November 11, 2015)
I love reading the richness of the history of Europe. I'm Asian so all is so cool to me. As I read, things are pictured in my head like a movie! (Tracey Lee 12:56pm November 11, 2015)
The balls. (Marissa Yip-Young 1:31pm November 11, 2015)
The clothes, the manners and the fact that people actually had to interact with each other. (Angela Daffern 2:26pm November 11, 2015)
the authors actually build a story instead of having the character jump directly into bed. (Angela Parrish 2:55pm November 11, 2015)
I love the settings of the Regency--the grandness of the country houses and the elegance of the clothes---and of course,the romance. (Sue Farrell 3:58pm November 11, 2015)
I love everything about the Regency romances . Their homes ( I picture plantations ), the way they traveled then , the way they dressed , the Balls they had ,I can picture myself dancing in one of the beautiful gowns they wore with a tall , dark and handsome Duke . Love them . (Joan Thrasher 5:15pm November 11, 2015)
I LOVE ROMANCE PERIOD!! I adore Vanessa and I can't wait to read this!!! (Diana Tidlund 7:33pm November 11, 2015)
Well, I love all the things you listed Vanessa! One of my favorite things to read about is the social occasions - the teas, balls, house parties, etc. (Barbara Elness 7:34pm November 11, 2015)
I love the balls, clothes and how people behaved back then. (Molly Laird 8:07pm November 11, 2015)
The setting, clothing, and regarding the wealthy...the balls and house parties. (G. Bisbjerg 11:30pm November 11, 2015)
Thank you. (Micielle Carter 4:54am November 12, 2015)
I love the clothes and manners of that time. (Janie McGaugh 10:39am November 12, 2015)
I enjoy learning about different eras and how bits of history are interwoven into some stories. (Kim C 12:06pm November 12, 2015)
I love history and reading romances...combine them and I've got a winner! Thanks for the post and giveaway. (G S Moch 12:33pm November 12, 2015)
I love romances and like that these add a tad of history and a different lifestyle from the ones that we live now. (Lily Shah 2:26pm November 12, 2015)
Thank you for a great contest. Can't wait to win and read them. (Jeri Dickinson 3:14pm November 12, 2015)
I like the Regency era when men were gentlemen (for the most part, let's hope!). I enjoy the clothing and stories set in London. (Michelle Fidler 4:34pm November 13, 2015)
I love these authors - Regency anthologies are a favorite read for me! (Diane Sallans 8:41pm November 13, 2015)
Love Regency books, so would be thrilled to win.!! (Mj Chesick 11:37pm November 13, 2015)
love to read about in that time period - great escape (Dianne McVetty 7:07am November 14, 2015)
There is nothing more fascinating than reading a Romance suspense novel. I especially love a man in uniform. Thank you for the opportunity to read your novel. (Lorraine Bromley 8:45am November 14, 2015)
I love that time period...it's so romantic and I love a strong heroine! Thanks for this great giveaway!!!! (Bonnie Capuano 10:57am November 14, 2015)
I enjoy the history and the way the couples interact with each other. It's very different from the present. (Anna Speed 11:53am November 14, 2015)
I just love the manners and the time period. (Pam Howell 12:57pm November 14, 2015)
I love the pretty dresses & tight breeches, rules & manners, flowery language. (Sharlene Wegner 7:18pm November 14, 2015)
I always loved historical/regency time books. I love everything about that time, the dresses, the way couples interacted with each other, the romance, the balls they attended and the gowns they wore were beautiful, the suspense/mystery, the homes and traveling they did. I do like the characters to to be strong, especially the women/heroine. Thank you for the chance. I would love to win this book. (Joanne Altieri 10:19pm November 14, 2015)
I love to read about the history of the time era. I took picture of needlework tools on the table in a manor house in England one time as I do needlework and was impressed. (Leona Olson 10:08am November 15, 2015)
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