Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Me: The Lure of Regency Romance

Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Me: The Lure of Regency Romance
by Jacqueline Seewald

I love reading all kinds of romance novels. I enjoy a varied diet. But I consider Regency romance the most delectable and enjoyable, a veritable bonbon of pleasure. I’ve read many hundreds of novels in the genre. In this regard, I am like many other devoted readers. Regency romance has endured for a long time and I believe will continue to be popular.

First, for those who are not familiar with Regency, let’s define it. When we talk about the Regency era, we mean the brief period lasting between 1811-1820 in England. However, for the sake of the novels, the era begins at the tail end of the Georgian period in about 1800. It includes the scope of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, a period of turmoil, social unrest and political revolution.

The novels of Jane Austen have caught the imagination of both readers and writers for centuries. I’ve read each of her novels more than once but love PRIDE AND PREJUDICE best for its wit, charm and integrity.

Georgette Heyer was one of the writers who created her own novels set in the Regency era. These romances have also influenced many readers and writers. Her novels even introduced their own unique vocabulary.

At the time I initially wrote TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS, I was working as a librarian with easy access to a multitude of reference sources. So my research proved both enjoyable and relatively easy. Now the internet offers so much valuable information on the Regency era which makes research more convenient. Here are just a few of the wonderful websites I recently located:
http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/social-customs-and-the-regency-world/
http://www.thenonesuch.com/lexicon.html#Dictionary
http://www.susannaives.com/nancyregencyresearcher/

Some of the characters in my novel are based on real historical people. However, I did place my own spin on the novel. For instance, at one time Regency romances allowed no sex scenes. I prefer to read and write novels that do have sizzle. I also have a paranormal edge to the book.

I created a heroine, Maeve, who is part gypsy and has psychic abilities. Adam, the Marquess of Huntingdon, doesn’t believe in such things. He is a world weary cynic, but he would certainly like to make the mysterious Maeve his mistress. Maeve leads him a merry chase.The novel is a sensual historical romance with elements of mystery, the paranormal, romantic suspense and humor.

Here is what Jayne Ann Krentz had to say about the novel:

Dear Jacqueline:

Thank you for letting me read Tea Leaves and Tarot Cards. I enjoyed it. Following is a quote that you are free to use:

"Jacqueline Seewald's Tea Leaves and Tarot Cards delivers an unusual and intriguing heroine together with fast-paced historical romantic-suspense. Seewald is very much at home in her early 19th century setting."

I wish you the very best with the publication of Tea Leaves and Tarot Cards.

Sincerely,
Jayne Ann Krentz
(Amanda Quick)

This novel is now available at a discount from Barnes and Noble online:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Tea-Leaves-and-Tarot-Cards/Jacqueline-Seewald/e/9781594149146/?itm=1&USRI=tea+leaves+and+tarot+cards

You will also find it listed with Amazon.com, Borders.com, and in the Five Star/Gale catalog:

http://rdsinc.com/servlet/ItemDetailServlet?region=9&imprint=000&titleCode=TP907&cf=p&type=3&id=251513

Since the novel has just been published, I am giving away a free copy to celebrate. For the next week, send your comments here and I will select one poster at random who I will then contact and the announcement will be made.

So drop by. All comments and discussion most welcome!