Tag: Beau Monde

Regency Turns 80 — Cousin Kate

Silhouettes of a man and woman in Regency dress against a background of the number 80

There are at least a few of Georgette Heyer’s readers who have found her novel, Cousin Kate, something of an anomaly within her oeuvre. In today’s article, best-selling author, Heather Hiestand, explores what makes this novel unique among Heyer’s Regency romances. In fact, do you think this novel qualifies as a romance? And, would you use the same abbreviation to label the heroine as Heather has applied to her?

Whether you have views on Cousin Kate or the Regency genre in general, please feel free to post them in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — The Conqueror

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Georgette Heyer’s second Medieval novel is The Conqueror. However, unlike her first Medieval, Simon the Coldheart, this story is not about a fictional character. It is about a real character from history, William, Duke of Normandy, the only man ever to conquer Britain. Today, romance author, Regan Walker, gives us some insights into this historical novel which is populated with a host of real characters from Medieval European history. Though Regan finds the romance between the main characters sadly lacking, she does share with us that a pair of secondary characters do find true love in this book. Do you prefer historical novels populated only with fictional characters, or do you like a few real historical figures thrown into the mix?

All are welcome to post their views on this novel, or historical romance in general, in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — Black Sheep

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We have a very special treat in store for us today. Romance author, Cara King, has invited along her particular friend to discuss Black Sheep, one of her favorites among Georgette Heyer’s Regencies. Cara and her friend, Bertie, have rather different views on the characters and the setting of this story. They even differ on whether this tale is a romance richly laced with humor or a dismal tragedy. As you read through the transcript of their conversation, you will have to decide which of them best understands Black Sheep.

Dear Readers, please do favor Cara with answers to her questions in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — Frederica

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Frederica is one of a handful of Regencies which Georgette Heyer titled with the heroine’s first name. In today’s article, historical romance novelist, Miranda Neville, gives us some tantalizing glimpses into both the humor and romance of the story, combined as only Heyer could. What is your view with regard to Frederica’s late recognition of her love for Alverstoke? Do you consider it a flaw in the story, or the typical response of a young woman of her time and station in life?

All visitors are welcome to share their opinions on Regency romance, or Frederica in particular, in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — False Colours

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False Colours is almost certainly the first switched twin story set in Regency England, since it was written by Georgette Heyer, the originator of the Regency romance genre. Today, Regency romance author and reader, Alicia Quigley, shares her memories of reading this story for the first time. She also gives us a glimpse of some of the more interesting characters who play a part in this tale of missing relatives, spendthrift parents and outlandish family friends who complicate the budding romance between the hero and the heroine. In addition, Alicia notes the plethora of Regency cultural information which is to be found in this book. Like Alicia, do you learn new details of the Regency when you read the novels of Georgette Heyer?

All are welcome to post their views on this story, or Regency romances in general, in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — Simon the Coldheart

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Over the course of her career, Georgette Heyer wrote only three novels set in medieval times. Simon the Coldheart was the first. In today’s article, romance author, Becca St. John, explains why it is unlikely any romance publisher today would accept this as a new manuscript. But she also shares with us some of the things which attracted her to this story of a strong, determined and honorable man who does seem to have a cold heart. Until he meets an equally "cold" woman who makes the sparks fly between them. Once you have read Becca’s article, will Simon the Coldheart go on your list of must-read Heyers?

All are welcome to share their views on this novel, or the historical romance genre in general, in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — The Nonesuch

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Best-selling Regency author, Kate Pearce, and her mystery-writing alter ego, Catherine Lloyd, have something in common with Georgette Heyer, whose creation of the Regency romance we are celebrating this year. Like Kate/Catherine, Heyer wrote mysteries as well as romance novels. She even wrote some Regencies which incorporated a mystery. In today’s article, Kate shares her views on The Nonesuch, one of Heyer’s Regencies which begin in London, but then sweeps us off to a remote country village, peopled with a host of fascinating characters. It must be noted that the only mystery in The Nonesuch is what Sir Waldo is going to do with the property he inherited, but this novel is one of Heyer’s best-loved Regencies.

Everyone is welcome to share their views on the Regency romance genre, or this novel in particular, in comments to this post.

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Regency Turns 80 — A Civil Contract

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Today, award-winning Regency romance author, Julia Justiss, tells us about her very favorite Georgette Heyer novel, A Civil Contract. This is a very delicate love story, one which a modern reader might not fully appreciate on first reading. But once you are prepared with Julia’s insights into this romance, you should find it just as delightful as she does. So, can a plain, shy young lady find true love with a handsome viscount?

All are welcome to share their thoughts on this story, or Regencies in general, in comments to this post.

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Regency Turns 80 — The Great Roxhythe

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Today, romance author, Andrea K. Stein, enlightens us on what may be Georgette Heyer’s most obscure historical novel, The Great Roxhythe. It is unlikely that many reading this article have ever read this book, for reasons which Andrea will explain. It has been included in Beau Monde’s Regency Turns 80 celebration of Heyer’s work, though sorely it stretches the definition of a romance, as Andrea also explains. Nevertheless, it is one of Heyer’s historical novels, and in the interest of completeness, it deserves our attention.

Whether or not you have read this novel, you are welcome to post your comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — The Unknown Ajax

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Did you know that Georgette Heyer’s Regency novel, The Unknown Ajax has a Shakespearian connection? In today’s article, award-winning Regency romance author, Sheri Cobb South, explains the connection. She also explains why she is particularly fond of this particular story. In addition, she shares her memories as an avid reader of Georgette Heyer in quest of more of her books.

Please feel free to share your views on this book or on Regencies in general in comments to this post.

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Silk to Silicon:   How French Weaving Created Computer Commands

A cross-post from The Regency Redingote:

Truth, as usual, is always stranger than fiction. The machines that wove all those lovely French silks which were so often smuggled into England during the war with Napoleon did indeed provide the key to issuing commands to computers shortly after the Regency. This same method continued in use for several decades, only falling out of favor at the end of the last century.

How holes made patterned silks and talked to computers …

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Happy Birthday, Georgette Heyer!!!

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Georgette Heyer, whom the Beau Monde is celebrating this year as the "founding mother" of the historical romance genre and the Regency romance sub-genre, was born on Saturday, 16 August 1902. That makes today her one hundred-and-thirteenth birthday. We could not let this momentous occasion pass without marking it with a salute to the author who has given us so many entertaining stories as well as paving the way for all of us who love to write historical romance, especially Regencies.

All visitors are welcome to post their own tributes and birthday greetings to Georgette Heyer in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — Venetia

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As Regency romance author, Louisa Cornell, explains in today’s article, at its heart, Venetia, one of Georgette Heyer’s most beloved Regencies, is all about love. True love between two strong, honest people who understand and accept each other for who they are, faults and all. A bad boy hero who, for the first time in his life, will do anything for the woman he has come to love and a strong but caring woman who will not accept his sacrifice at the cost of their mutual happiness. Though it is set in the Regency and was published in 1958, Venetia has all the romance and humor to delight a twenty-first-century reader. And talking about bad boys, how do you think Jasper Damerel stacks up against some of the other heroes Louisa mentions?

All visitors are welcome to share their views on the Regency romance genre in general, or this novel in particular, in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — Sylvester, or The Wicked Uncle

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It turns out that romance author, Barbara Bettis, has been a champion of the work of Georgette Heyer since her college days. Barbara is also a teacher of English and in today’s article, she shares her insights into what makes Heyer’s novels so enjoyable, even in this new century, despite the fact that the Regency genre has changed significantly since Heyer’s books were first published. Whether you are just discovering the work of Georgette Heyer, or if you have enjoyed her books for years, you will better understand the differences between her Regencies and those written in the twenty-first century once you have read Barbara’s article about Sylvester, or The Wicked Uncle.

Visitors are invited to share their views on this romance novel, or the Regency genre in general, in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — April Lady

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Though she frankly admits that April Lady is not her favorite Regency by Georgette Heyer, romance author, Ella Quinn, does still enjoy reading this novel of a recently married couple who have yet to admit their love for one another. As Ella explains, there are other aspects of the story which will enlighten and inform those interested in the Regency period, even if the tale of romance itself is not quite their cup of tea. And yet, how many readers will be able to help but root for this couple whose path to true love is strewn with various obstacles in the shape of silly, dim, oblivious and downright selfish family and friends?

Please share your views on this Regency romance, or the genre in general, in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — The Talisman Ring

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Though it is one of Georgette Heyer’s Georgian novels, The Talisman Ring is an engaging and humorous romp like many of her Regencies. In today’s article, Regency romance author, Judith Laik, shares with us the sudden insights which came to her when she recently re-read this romance which involves smugglers, swash-buckling and two pairs of lovers who take a bit of time to sort out who belongs with who. Do you agree with her take on the pairs of ladies in several of Heyer’s novels?

All comments on the Regency genre and this book are welcome. Please feel free to share your views.

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Shopping on Oxford Street in the Late 18th Century by Regan Walker

If you like history, romance or shopping, you will certainly enjoy today’s article by romance author, Regan Walker. Oxford Street in London is one of the settings in Regan’s new release, To Tame the Wind, which is set at the end of the eighteenth century. Though shopping malls had yet to be developed in the late eighteenth century, Regan shares with us her research on a shopping area which was popular with the upper classes in London at that time.

Just sit back and let Regan take you on a tour of eighteenth-century Oxford Street . . .
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Regency Turns 80 — Sprig Muslin

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Romance reader and author, Lesli Lent, shares with us her views on Sprig Muslin, one of Georgette Heyer’s most amusing, if confusing, Regency romances. Though Lesli has no doubt who the hero of this story is, she does question the roles of the two most prominent female characters. Which one is the heroine? How does one classify the other prominent female? Would such a romance make it to press today? If it did, would you read it?

Have you read Sprig Muslin? Whether you agree or disagree with Lesli, you are welcome to post your views in comments to this article.

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Regency Turns 80 — Bath Tangle

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In today’s article, award-winning Regency romance author, Ann Lethbridge, shares her experiences and views of Georgette Heyer’s Regency Bath Tangle. In particular, Ann has a special, even sympathetic, take on the very alpha male hero of this story. If you have read the book, do you agree with Ann, or do you have a different take on this alpha male hero and how Heyer handled him?

Everyone is welcome to share their own views on this story or Regency romance in general in comments to this post.

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Regency Turns 80 — The Toll-Gate

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Regency romance author, Ella Quinn, today gives us a glimpse of The Toll-Gate, one of Georgette Heyer’s more unique Regencies, in which the story centers on the hero. It is particularly appropriate that The Toll-Gate is discussed this month, as the bicentennial anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo is only days away. The hero of this story has returned to England after serving as an aide-de-camp at Waterloo. He is finding civilian life a bit dull and sets out on what becomes quite the adventure, leading him to romance as well.

What are your views on this story and its characters? Please feel free to share them in comments to this article.

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