April 21, 2013

Virgins No More!



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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