I’m so happy to have Linda McLaughlin, author of Lady Elinor’s Escape, on my blog today. I must admit I haven’t read many Regencies, but those I have read, I’ve enjoyed. The research, though, prevents me from even thinking about writing one 🙂

Welcome, Linda. Take it away.

The Enduring Appeal of the Regency Era by Linda McLaughlin

The Regency period has been popular with readers for some time now, I’m happy to say, since I also love the period. I was very sorry when the traditional (sweet) Regency romances disappeared from New York publishing about ten years ago, so I was happy to see the genre survive as e-books. Here are some of the reasons I love this period.

1) The Clothing. The high-waisted gowns are both simple and elegant and look relatively comfortable, unlike the tightly corseted styles of the Victorian period. No bustles, no crinolines, and not as many ruffles. The colors are subtle, in part because aniline dyes hadn’t been invented yet, so manufacturers were still limited to natural ingredients. The gentlemen’s suits were elegant without the frills and bright colors of the Georgians, but not as drab as the requisite black suit of the Victorian period. And wigs and powdered hair were thankfully out of style, except for footmen and the legal profession.

When I went on a Regency tour of England some years ago, we all got to dress up in Empire-style gowns and dance at the Bath Assembly Rooms. It was a lovely experience, and reminded me of the Assembly Room scenes in the movie version of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

2) The Architecture. Late Georgian architecture (often called Federal style in the US) is simple yet elegant, owing its inspiration to the classical world of the Greeks and Romans, with attention paid to symmetry and proportion. I find the style both beautiful and soothing, without the clutter and fussiness favored by the Victorians.

3) The manners and witty banter. Many Regency novels fall into the “comedy of manners” category, in the style of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. This makes the books just plain fun to read, and to write.

I enjoyed researching and writing my traditional Regency romance, Lady Elinor’s Escape, though I like all historical periods.

What is your favorite period or setting for romance?

Thanks to Margery for hosting me on her blog today.

Linda McLaughlin

Lady Elinor’s Escape
by Linda McLaughlin
Sweet Regency Romance

Lady Elinor Ashworth always longed for adventure, but when she runs away from her abusive aunt, she finds more than she bargained for. Elinor fears her aunt who is irrational and dangerous, threatening Elinor and anyone she associates with. When she encounters an inquisitive gentleman, she accepts his help, but fearing for his safety, hides her identity by pretending to be a seamstress. She resists his every attempt to draw her out, all the while fighting her attraction to him.
There are too many women in barrister Stephen Chaplin’s life, but he has never been able to turn his back on a damsel in distress. The younger son of a baronet is a rescuer of troubled females, an unusual vocation fueled guilt over his failure to save the woman he loved from her brutal husband. He cannot help falling in love with his secretive seamstress, but to his dismay, the truth of her background reveals Stephen as the ineligible party.

Buy links:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00CHSNEII
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lady-elinors-escape/id645217449
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ladyelinor039sescape-1169382-160.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lady-elinors-escape-linda-mclaughlin/1100559263
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/lady-elinor-s-escape
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/312406

Here’s a little about me:

Linda McLaughlin grew up with a love of history fostered by her paternal grandmother and an incurable case of wanderlust inherited from her father. She has traveled extensively within the United States and has visited Mexico, Canada, & Australia. A lifelong dream came true with a trip to England where she was able to combine sightseeing and theater with research for her novels. A native of Pittsburgh, she now lives in Southern California with her husband.

Her first book was Worth The Risk by Lyn O’Farrell. Now Linda writes historical and Regency romance. She loves transporting her readers into the past where her characters learn that, in the journey of life, love is the sweetest reward.

Linda’s American historical, Rogue’s Hostage, is part of the Romance Super Bundle: ten full-length novels by ten authors for one low price, available at most e-book retailers.

Find me online at:
Website: http://www.lindamclaughlin.com/
Blog: http://flightsafancy.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.mclaughlin.1806
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/lindamclaughlin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LyndiLamont

Thanks so much for visiting, Linda. Please come back any time.