I’ve written several Regency romances. I adore Georgette
Heyer and love the Regency era so it was natural for me to try writing a few
romances set then myself.
But it’s a lot of work, checking all the facts, and making
sure characters don’t act like twenty-first century people. Women had basically
no rights back then, so life was very different. But none-the-less women
managed to make their dreams come true. They just used different methods from
how we might do things today.
A well-born woman couldn’t just leave home, get a job in an
industry that interested her, rent an apartment, and live alone. None of those
steps was possible. She had to be chaperoned 24/7, preferably by an older male
family member, although a younger brother or an older married female would do
for social events. She couldn’t rent property, or open a bank account, or work
in most areas. Governessing or being a companion was about the limit of the
options open to her. This means plots need to be built around the conventions
of the day.
Every time I finish writing a Regency story I say, “It’s too
much work. Never again.” And yet…
The “Virgins No More” series came about when the story of
the Arnott family just kept getting longer and longer, as more family members
wanted their own HEA.
Book 1: “The Vicar’s Virgin” Blurb:
The Reverend Mr. Ridley needs a wife so he focuses his
attentions on Georgina Arnott, a sensible, intelligent, yet attractive woman.
On their wedding night he’s relieved to discover she enjoys
the pleasures of the bed, and, after a slow start, their evenings are full of
passion and joy for both of them.
Unfortunately, when she takes an interest in his parish, it
seems to involve filling his house with noisy people tramping muddy boots
through the hallways, and filling his kitchen with dirty children.
He loves his wife. But can this marriage work?
Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-vicars-virgin-by-berengaria-brown/
Book 2: “Almost a Virgin” Blurb:
Theodora has loved John Smith ever since she was a little
girl. But he’s very wealthy and she is only a vicar’s daughter and sister.
John had been waiting for Theodora to grow up. When he
kisses Theodora in the garden at the ball, lust roars through him and he takes
her there in the garden, fully dressed, only a few yards away from a hundred
people. She’s warm and more than willing in his arms, and it’s not until the
deed is done that he realizes he’s just dishonored his best friend’s sister.
Theodora doesn’t regret what she’s done. She enjoyed it and
wants more of him. Even though he’s only marrying her because he dishonored
her, she doesn’t care. She’ll make him so happy in bed and in his home he’ll
stay with her even though he may never love her.
Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/almost-a-virgin-by-berengaria-brown/
Book 3: “A Promising Virgin” Blurb:
Zethan, Earl of Mitcham, decides that the stunningly
beautiful Miss Sapphira Arnott will make him the perfect wife. It’s only when
she declines his oh-so-flattering offer, that he realizes how rude and arrogant
he’d been, and how much he loves her. The only solution is to woo her properly.
Meanwhile Simeon Arnott is in love with Miss Anne Smith. But
she’s incredibly rich and he’s a mere Baronet. Fortunately her brother and she
herself accept his proposal and they have an extremely successful wedding
night. Their ball, however, was almost less than successful thanks to the
“help” of the three youngest Arnotts and their plans to go one better than a
recent much-talked-about society event.
Will Sapphira trust Zethan? And
what other disasters will the children get involved in?
Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/a-promising-virgin-by-berengaria-brown/
The Vicar's Virgin- STORY EXCERPT--
The
Reverend Mr. Barnabas Ridley stepped down from his carriage, nodded his thanks
to his groom, settled his top hat on his shiny black hair, and said, “Now
David. Make sure you’re back here to meet me in exactly half an hour. My mother
may have browbeaten me into making this morning call, but not even for her will
I stay one second past the proper half hour.”
The
elderly retainer’s eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter but his voice was
suitably respectful. “Of course, sir. Half an hour it is, sir.”
Barnabas
climbed the steps to the front door of the smart town house, touched his hat
again to reassure himself all was at it should be, then raised his hand to
knock.
The butler
had evidently seen or heard his approach for the door opened before he could
grasp the knocker and he was ushered into the hallway.
“The
Dowager Lady Arnott is expecting you sir,” the butler said, tenderly laying
Barnabas’s gloves, cane and hat on the hall table, before helping him out of
his greatcoat.
Barnabas
followed him toward the door of the morning room, mentally noting that in at
least one aspect his mama had been correct. Old Mrs. Arnott did seem to require
use of the courtesy title she no longer held. Well, it would be a small price
to pay to flatter the old biddy if she agreed to take Theodora to some Ton parties along with her two
grand-daughters. And as for his mama’s plan that he marry the eldest
grand-daughter, Georgina, that would depend on whether or not she was an
appropriate wife for a man of the cloth.
The butler
opened the door and announced sonorously, “The Rev—”
A
thunderous crash split the air, followed by a moment of total silence, then
hysterical screaming. Barnabas swung around facing the hallway, looking right
and left for whatever danger approached.
A young
woman jumped up from her chair by the fire and hurried out into the hallway
which was becoming crowded as people arrived from every direction. A housekeeper,
several maids and footmen all talking at once, a young man dressed in the
height of fashion, a stunningly beautiful young blonde woman, a small girl, and
two boys hotly pursued by a fat cook waving a carving knife.
The boys
ran to the front door which the little girl had just opened, and disappeared
down the steps, the cook still running after them.
Barnabas
wasn’t sure what he’d just seen, but could only assume this was not an
auspicious time for a morning visit. Silently he picked up his greatcoat, gloves
and cane, slapped his hat on his head, and departed.
Berengaria Brown Bio:
Berengaria is a multi-published author of erotic romance:
contemporary, paranormal (ghosts, vampires, fairies and werewolves) and
Regency-set historical. She loves to read all different kinds of romance so
that is what she writes: one man/one woman; two women; two men; two men/one
woman; three men, two women/one man…. Whatever the characters need for their
very hot happily-ever-after, Berengaria makes sure they get it.
You can find her on the web at:
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Thank you for having me here today, Clare.
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