In the Scheme of Things, Where Do P&P Variations Fall? + a Giveaway

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Gianna Thomas

This is a revisit to a subject that is an interesting one, and it also gives me another opportunity to do a Giveaway. 🙂

I had originally planned to do the next chapter of EBBD, but I’m still dealing with the fallout from COVID in November, AND when I went to get a post ready, my house lost all power (including my computer) for most of the day due to a tree down the block. In addition to that, we have a huge storm about to hit with 60 MPH winds, and I will have to shut down my computer any minute now. Next month I’ll have the next chapter ready, and, I hope possibly to have EBBD ready to publish.

At any rate, I hope you enjoy this info and the giveaway of The Four Lords’ Saga Series.

In doing research for this article, I found information on Regency Romance and Regency Historical Romance, and the difference between the two is rather interesting.

Regency romances are actually a subgenre of Romance novels and are set in or near the British Regency (1811-1820) at the end of which time the Prince of Wales (Prinny) became King George IV. Some of the romances can date a little earlier or even up to 1830 when George IV died. Regency Romances are also considered a distinct genre having their own plots and stylistic conventions. 

Traditional Regency Romance is considered a subgenre of Regency Romance by some readers and writers with the other subgenre being Regency Historical Romance. And there are differences between the two.

Traditional Romances are those in the tradition of Georgette Heyer and have the emphasis on the romance plot. Traditional writers are usually up to snuff with the historical details after doing extensive research into understanding and replicating the voice of this genre. An author failing to do so opens the door to harsh critiques from readers.

“Regency romances which may include more social realism, or, conversely, anachronistically modern characterization, might be classed by some as ‘Regency Historical,’ signifying that their general setting is in Regency England, but the plot, characterization, or prose style of the work extends beyond the genre formula of the Regency romances published by Heyer and her successors. Characters may behave according to modern values, rather than Regency values. The sensual Regency Historical Romance has been made popular in recent years by a large number of authors. These novels are much more explicit than the Traditional Regency works and include many more love scenes.” Wikipedia.org

I don’t know about you, but I had a tendency to view Pride and Prejudice variations as a separate category from Regency Romance. Thinking about it, though, the variations are also Regency Romance.

Why? Well, Jane Austen wrote prior to and during the regency of the Prince of Wales. And her books are, for the most part, about young lovers and the trials they undergo. This description also fits the Pride and Prejudice variations, JAFF (Jane Austen Fan Fiction), vagaries and what-ifs. Georgette Heyer wrote in the 20th century about the early 1800’s and was the Traditional Regency Romance writer that others have endeavored to copy. Jane Austen, however, lived during that time period, and her writings are unique to her. With these descriptions in mind, Jane Austen’s writings would be classified as Regency Romance. However, her works definitely are not written with the mention of sex much less the graphic scenes of Regency Historical and could also be classified as Traditional Regency Romance.

Now you know why I am writing Regency Romance other than just Pride and Prejudice variations. And, although I do have a number of P&P plots in mind and sequels to Darcy Chooses and Darcy vs Bingley, I have at least twenty-five Traditional Regency Romance plot possibilities as well.

So, if you love Pride and Prejudice variations, I hope you will also think about my Four Lords’ Saga series. It is about lovers and their trials as well as why persons might make changes for the better in their lives and learn to please the ones they love much like Darcy and Elizabeth. And there should be enough angst and mystery to satisfy the most discriminating of tastes.

I found I love writing and reading Traditional Regency Romance more than any other genre. Being a romantic at heart, how could I resist? I couldn’t. And I’m even thinking about writing some Historical Fiction as well. I’m a sweet+ romance writer meaning there is a little bit of spice to my books because that is life, but I don’t wish to write nor read what I consider R-rated. However, my books do have a bit of a bite to them. My P&P variations do not have that as I try to keep them within what Austen would write. However, my Four Lords’ Saga Series does tackle a couple of tough subjects that I felt I needed to write about because of events in my past. They are only touched on and not written in gory detail. And, if I do write Historical Fiction, it will be because of the events and the people who lived in that time period that I want to be a part of my book.

Please comment below for a chance to win a copy of The Four Lords’ Saga Series. If you live in the Amazon American market, you will receive an ebook. If in another market, you will get a secured PDF copy.

In the meantime, I will enjoy Pride and Prejudice variations and other Traditional Regency Romance and hope you do too.

This giveaway will end at midnight EDST on Tuesday, May 16th, and the winner will be announced on May 21st.

12 responses to “In the Scheme of Things, Where Do P&P Variations Fall? + a Giveaway”

  1. Marsha B Avatar
    Marsha B

    I do hope your doing better after COVID. I’m sorry about all the storms, but think of how the blooms will be after the rain.
    I read some regency books and a lot of P&P variations, but I never really thought of them together in genre.
    Thank you for this eye opener and now I have more books to buy of yours.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      Thank you, Marsha. I have heard up to a year or more of recovery can be experienced by many who have had COVID. Although I’ve always had good health with few illnesses, COVID is a horse of a different color, and the effects seem to linger. As to the storms, this one had more lightning strikes than usual making it quite dangerous. The lightning and the rain are both beneficial for the blooms, however, a little less of each is desired.

      I have thought about writing more Regency romance in connection with mysteries, especially a series along the lines of Sherlock Holmes but with a married couple instead. If I do follow through with this, it would be under the pen name Millicent Jaffey.

      The single Lords’ books are NOT standalone. Each leads into the next book. This was the idea of my former publisher. However, I’m finding that series’ books with cliffhangers may or may not work as well as series books that are standalones. So any that I do in future will each be separate books. I love cliffhangers and still use them at the end of chapters in individual books. I like to keep my readers guessing a little bit 🙂

      Reply
  2. Heather Dreith Avatar
    Heather Dreith

    Thank you for the interesting information on the differences within Regency Romance and where JAFF fits in. I’m looking forward to more of Elizabeth Bennet’s Bad Day and to checking out The Four Lords’ Saga.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      You’re welcome, Heather. I find the subtle differences between each category to be interesting as well.

      As to EBBD, I have the outline of the book in my head. COVID is just giving me enough of a fuzzy brain to keep me from fleshing it out to make more of a novel than a novella. What I have in mind deserves more than just a few pages. Recently I seem to be getting a better hold of things and am setting a goal to have it published by the end of summer or sooner. I have some surprises in it and look forward to seeing how my readers respond to them.

      Reply
  3. Robin G. Avatar
    Robin G.

    I read Regency romance for years before I finally read Jane Austen. In the early to mid-80’s Second Chance at Love would publish one every month, and then Zebra and Signet each published 3-4 a month. I have pretty much shifted to JAFF/Austenesque, but I have begun reading more Regency lately.

    Reply
  4. Gianna Thomas Avatar
    Gianna Thomas

    Whoa! Do I dare ask how many books are in your library, Robin? I bet you have a bunch. I have five large bookcases full and more in boxes of various genres. A fair amount are Science Fiction, horse stories, Do-it-yourself, and several other categories. Since getting started with the P&P’s, I have a virtual library with nearly 3,000 books. Have I read them all? NO! But I do have a lot of them for quick reference for research. In fact I have my own Pemberley Library.

    Fiction that I read is mostly P&P variations. I’ve kind of gotten away from the Regency but only because there are so many new P&P authors and many new P&P books that I’m running a bit to keep up. In the meantime, I hope you keep your enjoyment of the P&P variations. I know I keep being surprised with the twists that authors put on Jane Austen’s original plot.

    Happy reading! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kirstin Odegaard Avatar
    Kirstin Odegaard

    How exciting that you have so many plots running through your head at once. There are so many more books in you just waiting to come out!

    Hope you recover and feel more clear headed soon.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      Thank you for your sweet thoughts, Kirstin. Brain fog is gradually going away and now the body is complaining. Sometimes we just can’t win.

      Since writing this article in 2017 I’ve added about twenty-five more plot/premises. Yes, it’s nice to have a number of plots to work with. The hard part is which one do I choose. Sometimes that is a difficult decision. Most of the plots are for single books, but several of them actually involve series like the ‘Darcy Vs Series’. I can’t complain as I have plenty to choose from. The hard part is sitting down and writing them. 🙂

      Reply
  6. wendym215 Avatar
    wendym215

    Wow I hope your better and recover better from COVID…ALSO this seris is exciting can’t wait to read!!! Best wishes

    Reply
  7. Gianna Thomas Avatar
    Gianna Thomas

    Thank you, Wendy. I’m getting there slowly but surely.

    I hope you enjoy the ‘Four Lords Series’ as well. It does have a little bit of everything. Just imagine: What does it take for four rakes to win the ladies of their hearts? And what would you do if one of those ladies had flattened you with a left-handed hook? Let me know what you think.

    Reply
  8. Glory Avatar
    Glory

    I have learned something new about the differences with “historic” or not. I too think that P&P is its own category. I have added this book to my read list.

    Reply
  9. Gianna Thomas Avatar
    Gianna Thomas

    Thank you, Glory. I hope you enjoy it.

    I did find it a challenge. My four guys were not the worst of mankind but not the nicest either. It took some pretty special ladies to win their hearts and instill a desire in the four lords to change for the better. One special lady even beat her lord at fencing. 🙂

    Reply

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