Category: Regency

Popularity of the Arranged Marriage

Historical romance novels often feature wonderful tropes. The Arranged Marriage is one of my favorites, where characters are forced into a marriage for political or social reasons, leading to unexpected love.

There’s something about women being forced into marriage in times past that I find equally horrifying, angering, and fascinating.

It makes one wonder what we would do if we had so little autonomy that another person could direct our lives in such an egregious way.

One of the reasons I like this trope in historical romance is that the story arc can go in so many different directions. The heroine can begin hating her husband and gradually fall in love with him. She can try to escape the marriage by running away, aided by her true love. Some other noble hero can swoop in and spoil the marriage plan by rescuing her.

The heroine can try somehow to invalidate the marriage or foil her parent’s plot by making her fiancé withdraw from the contract, as was done in the latest season of Bridgerton. Cressida’s move to discredit herself was brilliant.

I recently read a fun historical romance in which friends of the prospective bride and groom foiled two different prospective marriages. That was a very unusual take on this very popular trope, and a lot of fun.
Of course, I had to try my hand at this. So, in my second novel, Marry Me, Duke, I decided that the arranged marriage would be orchestrated by the heroine, Ginny, rather than an authority figure. She arranges her own marriage in order to escape from a life of forced caregiving.
And, of course, there is resistance, and problems arise. A love between the couple grows, and there is a happily ever after. Marry Me, Duke is now on Kindle Unlimited; if you like this trope, you should check it out.

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What makes a relationship romantic?

Trust: Trust is the foundation of a romantic relationship. It’s essential to feel secure and confident in your partner’s commitment, loyalty, and reliability.
I recently finished a Cara Devlin novel, ‘Nature of the Crime’, and one of my favorite scenes came near the end, where the main male character rescues the female main character. Even though it wasn’t expressed, I had such a strong sense that she wholeheartedly put her trust in him. He would find a way to help her, and she was not surprised when he did. This is a point in most romance novels that I find hopelessly romantic.

What makes a relationship romantic?

Respect: Mutual respect is key to a romantic relationship. Each partner should value and appreciate the other’s opinions, boundaries, and individuality.
My favorite historical novels are those where the main male character goes against societal norms in that he actually respects the main female character. If he admires and supports her, all the better. Yes, this is atypical for the time periods that I read and write in, but this is a trait that makes you absolutely fall in love with the hero.

What makes a relationship romantic?

Affection: Expressing affection through gestures, words, or physical touch helps maintain the romantic connection. Small acts of kindness and affectionate behaviors contribute to a loving atmosphere.
Affection is expressed in so many beautiful ways in historical novels. The casual brush against a woman’s hand, tucking wayward curl behind her ear, and gifts of flowers are very common in these novels and are fraught with meaning.

What makes a relationship romantic?

Shared Goals and Values: A romantic relationship flourishes when both partners have common goals, values, and aspirations. I love it when the two main characters are working together for a common cause. I love mysteries, and I’m a sucker for a good historical mystery where the female main character pairs up with a detective, and they work together, and sometimes against each other, to solve a crime, unravel a mystery, or save someone.

What makes a relationship romantic?

Quality Time: Spending meaningful time together strengthens the romantic bond. Whether it’s through shared activities or simple moments of togetherness, quality time fosters a deep connection.
Time spent together helps to build the romantic momentum in a novel. In historical romance, this is most easily done when the characters are thrown together during a house party. They have a legitimate reason to be around each other 24/7. During these scenes, the bonds can be formed at a very good pace, and the characters can easily be thrust into semi-intimate contact.

In my second novel, Marry Me, Duke, my main characters have a forced proximity that allows them to get to know each other well and go through their emotions while still maintaining proximity. In my first novel, A Misalliance with Love, the main characters spend much of their time away from each other, thinking about one another. Because of this, the emotional bond, perhaps, isn’t as strong. The novel ends with the promise of this bond and the chance to forge a connection.

What makes a relationship romantic?

Surprises and Thoughtfulness: Thoughtful gestures and surprises demonstrate that partners are attentive to each other’s needs and desires. It could be as simple as a heartfelt note, a surprise date, or a small gift.
This is such a sign of a true romantic, and it’s a pity that we don’t see more of it in historical romances. There’s plenty of flower giving but a few real surprises. I love it when the main male character knows that the main female character needs something or wants something very badly and makes sure that she has it, even if the gift is given anonymously. The best example of this is in ‘Sense and Sensibility’ when Marianne Dashwood receives the piano without knowing that it was sent by Colonel Brandon. That was very romantic.

The love of the historical romance

My love for Regency romance novels – and writing them – is a tribute to the genre’s ability to provide an engaging blend of history, romance, and escapism. The elegance of the historical era, be it Regency, Victorian, or any other, coupled with strong characters and timeless love stories, creates an experience that I continue to find enchanting and enduring.

Check out ‘A Misalliance with Love’ and ‘Marry Me, Duke’ where you can enter the enchanting world of the Victorian debutant. https://amzn.to/3RVBJLD

On Valentine’s Day, Marry Me, Duke will be released to Kindle Unlimited!

Happy Reading!

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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

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Escapism at its Finest

In this world filled with unmentionable and unacceptable activities, historical romance serves as a true escape. Sigh. That has always been so. During the Great Depression, didn’t the world have Shirley Temple and Charlie Chaplin to take people’s minds off of the tragedy of life?

Historical romance books and films full of idyllic countryside estates, grand ballrooms, and intricate period costumes transport us to a bygone era. It’s a welcome retreat from the complexities of the present, allowing us to lose ourselves in the romance and elegance of another time. As a teenager,

I was an avid reader of Harlequins—needing this other world escape. My mind has been trained to build romantic characters and worlds and now, I am happy to share these stories with those who, like me, just yearn for a love story.

Check out ‘A Misalliance with Love’ and ‘Marry Me, Duke’ where love is just within reach. https://amzn.to/3RVBJLD

Image generated using AI – Midjourney.