Why Historical Regency Romantic Suspense?
by Ann Chaney
February 8, 2022
As with most questions, there’s no simple answer to the question why I write Historical Regency Romantic Suspense.
Without a doubt, the first and foremost reason is my love of history. Not just English Regency history but all history. I’m an observer of human nature, a people watcher.
I know many people think of history and groan. We all sat through a history class dreading the moment when the teacher called on us to answer one of those date questions. I mean really, why do you think we had “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.” At least most kids got that one right. Perhaps, that would be a book to write for middle schoolers… prompts for historical events to help students retain the dates. Just a thought!
Back to the topic. Another aspect of my passion for writing is storytelling. Two people have played major roles in my decision to write Regency Romance. Broadcaster Paul Harvey and Regency Romance author Mary Balogh.
I grew up listening to Paul Harvey on the radio with his The Rest of the Story segments. I loved those vignettes with the shocker at the end. Those little stories taught me about life and human frailties and strengths. I treasured each tale of adversity and success. Today, I try to write stories of people who are invisible until that one person sees them and their hearts go zing. I think that’s a song, right?
As for Mary Balogh, she is my inspiration. While other Regency romance authors study the works of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen, I’m obsessed with Mary’s books. She writes about people, some dukes, but she also writes about their families. The lesser sons and daughters who are ignored or possess a secret. We all have secrets, don’t we?
My passion is writing a story where you experience two emotions at a minimum. I want you to be gobsmacked by the big reveal at the end. In my books, it’s normally the identity of the bad guy.
I write love stories. I want you to smile as you read the ending of my books. WE all know, a love story is not a love story unless there’s a happily ever after. Ask Cinderella if you don’t believe me.
My last word on why I write Regency Romantic Suspense is, first and foremost, I’m a reader. I’ve always been a voracious reader. As an eighth grader at Rose Hill Elementary School in North Carolina, I read every book in the school library. When a new shipment of books arrived, I was given first choice. I mean really, I had to have a book so I could write that weekly book report!
The local branch of the county library was down the street from my home, I spent my summer hauling a stack of books home to read. I read every Trixie Belden mystery ever published. In high school, my mother introduced me to Harlequin Romances which I still read to this day. Is it any wonder I write Regency Romantic Suspense series?
That said, I hope you will enjoy my upcoming release, Dangerous Illusions, the last book in the Lords of Whitehall series. My spy lords must dig into their bag of tricks to expose the members of the group of traitors known as The 1804 Society.
As I said in the beginning the answer is not simple. My love for writing, in general, and for Regency Romance, in particular, is grounded in my passion for happy tales of my characters overcoming adversity. I hope you share my passion for reading.
Ann Chaney writes historical romance novels set in Regency England in the early 19th century. A nomad, a volunteer, a dreamer and an obsessive organizer best describe Ann Chaney. In the last 36 years, she and her husband have moved eleven times. Her professional career included serving on active duty in the US Army for seven years and working 30 years in various administrative roles in primarily Human Resources and university administration. Her first book, Dangerous Pursuit won the 2016 Historical Unpublished category Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery & Suspense. In 2019 the book was designated as a finalist for RWA’s 2019 Golden Heart contest.
