I often wonder just
what interests us about the Regency period in Great Britain. (Well, mainly
England, I guess.) I'm sure the clothes
played a part. Dampened muslins, elaborate hair-styles, pretty reticules. Elegant
Gentleman in coats so tight, that three valet's had to help him dress.
Perfectly tied cravats. So different from all the phases today's fashion goes
through. All these things happened, and make a great picture in my mind.
However, over and
above all this though, for me, is the intrigue. The messages of the fan, so
clever and so romantic. Added to the whispered about, but never spoken out loud,
assignations and dalliances, flirtations and scandals, and it's almost like
they all happened, soley to entertain us today.
When I decided to
write my first Regency Novella, I wondered whether I could do the era justice.
Who knows if I have? Some people will hopefully say yes, others no. It's all
subjective. But oh, I had so much fun researching for it. the more I read, the
more I realized just how inventive our ancestors were. From birth control (abstinence,
coitus interruptus, lemon juice, sponges,) to dildo's (carved jade) and how to
evade a chaperone (so many methods including adding a soporific to a drink), I
giggled and groaned as I read. Even at a ball, there would be dancing the
waltz, (as close as many woman got to a man) considered 'fast', and lots of nooks
and crannies for a light (and not so light) flirtation.
It didn't take me
long to realize I was hooked; I had to incorporate some of these ideas into a romance.
I knew I wouldn't, couldn't write a conventional love story. True enough I
didn't. Wallflowers Don't Wilt was about a F/F/M ménage.
Several books
later, my next Regency, La Bella Isabella, released Friday 28th November
by Breathless Press is I hope still that little bit different. This is the
first book in my Ladies Of London series, and again it's not about a
conventional young lady. None of them are. (Book 2 —The Best man's Bridesmaid,
and 3—The Perfect Gift, are released in November and December respectively).
They follow Amanda,
Caroline, and Judith as they are determined they will settle for nothing less
than what they want.
Here's the blurb
for Amanda's story, La Bella Isabella…
When Amanda finds out whom her parents
have chosen for her to marry, it puts her into despair. The one man occupying
her dreams is to be hers in name only. Determined to enjoy life before it's all
too late, La Bella Isabella and Her Dancing Girls is formed.
The beautiful girl he keeps meeting by
accident intrigues Harry. There is something familiar about her...he just
cannot place.
A private
performance by La Bella Isabella provides a little knowledge, but is a little
knowledge a dangerous thing?
You'll need to read
the book to find out.
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