Category: Book scenes

Wit and Banter

Regency romance is known for its sharp wit and clever banter. The dialogue between characters is often a highlight, filled with humor, charm, and intellectual sparring. The verbal exchanges between the protagonists add a layer of entertainment that keeps the storytelling engaging and delightful.

I love good dialogue, particularly centered around conflict, but writers who master the art of comedy in their writing deserve all the accolades. I think comedic scenes are difficult to write because there is no universal standard for humor. When I laugh out loud at a scene, I wonder if others are discovering the same humor in it.

In Marry Me, Duke, I wrote scenes that made me laugh while writing them but did that humor translate well.

Why don’t you find out?

Check out ‘Marry Me, Duke’ where a bossy woman fights for the man and the life she wants. https://a.co/d/9lsK0vX

Image generated using AI – Midjourney.

Historical Intrigue

Regency novels and shows are often set against the backdrop of historical events, which add a layer of intrigue and authenticity. From political unrest to major societal changes, these stories give us a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of the time. There can be a captivating blend of history and fiction that enhances the overall narrative.

Some of my favorite tropes include romance during the Napoleonic wars, and most recently, I am enthralled by Victorian Era social changes for women. The Married Woman’s Property Act was a game changer that gave women the right to their own property. This makes a huge difference between Regency and Victorian Romances.

In the books I write, which are Victorian, I plan to continue giving women their own property. I confess I always despised the helplessness of Regency women and how everything was taken from them. They were always at the mercy of the men around them. Though I love the time period, this grates on the nerves. Setting novels in the Victorian era eliminates this default helplessness to a degree and I enjoy reading and writing these novels because of it.

Check out ‘A Misalliance with Love’ and ‘Marry Me, Duke’ – my novels, on Amazon. The women are strong and fight for what they want.

Image generated using AI – Midjourney.

Slow burn in Romance novels

At the core of Regency romance lies a timeless love story. Whether it’s the tension between headstrong heroines and brooding heroes or the delicate dance of courtship, the genre weaves tales of passion and love that resonate across generations. The slow burn of romance builds anticipation, keeping me eagerly turning the pages or glued to the screen.

But I also enjoy how the genre has adapted to modern times, and in a sense, current Historical Romances are far more realistic than classical novels. There is sex – and lots of it – often before marriage. And I do believe that that is more realistic than the old-fashioned view that everyone had the discipline to wait until the vows were said, and no one had uncontrollable urges.

My novels are closed-door (sex is implied and not explicit) simply because I love writing about characters more than action. I love the tension and slow build and then a hint of passion.

In my recent novel, Marry Me, Duke, there is a scene (spoiler alert) where the main character, Ginny, is in a marriage that has not yet been consummated. She is chomping at the bit and her husband Hugh has his reasons for holding back.

She is very attracted to her husband and is baffled by his reticence. In one scene, she gives Hugh a massage, and it leaves her wanting and unsatisfied. I confess I loved writing that scene. I could feel her frustration – and his as well. I think I would have liked the scene much less if it had been explicit, and I hope I left readers wanting more.

Oh, how I love a slow burn.


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A Misalliance with Love

“I know it seems that I’m dithering, but we will have to live separately,” she said, resignation weighing her down. “I will not take a place beside him in society. I will not attend these horrible functions. I will not throw dinner parties for him. We will live apart and will have a marriage in name only.”

Excerpt from A Misalliance with Love.

A Misalliance with Love

“The interior of the House of Lords was designed to impress and awe visitors with its lavish decorations and furnishings. The walls were hung with richly colored tapestries and paintings depicting scenes from British history.
However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his colleagues were more concerned about their own political gains than his well-being.”

Excerpt from A Misalliance with Love.

Image generated by AI using Midjourney.

How to Care for a Duke

I’m giving you a picture from my mood board for How to Care for a Duke.

A Duke with a mysterious illness has many dogs and other animals and a will to live, especially when he falls in love with his bossy caretaker. I’m hopeful this second novel will be out in December.

Meanwhile, check out ‘A Misalliance with Love‘.

Image generated using AI Midjourney.

A Misalliance with Love

“She couldn’t ask Sinclair to stay by her side. Nor could she muster the courage to accompany him to London, where she would have to work hard to be the person he wanted, only to face the pain of rejection once more.
He planned to return to London in the morning. And she would let him go—alone.”

A Misalliance with Love

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Sinclair’s Dilemma – A Misalliance with Love.

“The cool evening air soothed his raging mood as he left the House of Lords. He waved off his carriage and continued to walk towards St. James. The early evening was damp, and he turned up the collar of his topcoat. He had wanted to redeem himself in the eyes of society by working hard and showing himself, to be honest, serious, and reliable.
All of that was ruined now, and he looked like a fool. Like his father! Sinclair felt incensed at the unfairness of it all. He was not responsible for what happened but must do all he could to limit the damage. He must get Rosie to be a real wife, even if he had to go straight to Castle Holme and haul her back to London.”

Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis. “A Misalliance with Love.”

Rosie and Sinclair – A Misalliance with Love

“He offered her his arm, and they descended the terrace steps to the long table where sandwiches and cakes had been set up. A footman handed them their cups, and Rosie tilted forward to survey the delicious food arranged on platters. She selected a cucumber sandwich and munched on it with gusto. He thought that her lack of refinement would not do her any favors, and she did not seem to be conscious of it—or to care.”

Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis. “A Misalliance with Love.”

A Misalliance with Love: Ely Cathedral

“The weather was perfect, with the sun shining bright and a cool breeze blowing. Rosie felt exhilarated as she kept pace with the more experienced riders, and they galloped through the vast expanse of marshy flatlands, the soft ground cushioning their horses’ hooves.

It did not take them long to reach Ely, and they stopped in view of the town to admire the grandeur of the towering cathedral, majestically rising above all else in the distance. ”

Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis. “A Misalliance with Love.”