Until recently, there's been little available for the lover of Christian Regency fiction. But that's changed. Authors like Linore Rose Burkard are bringing Regency back!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linore Rose Burkard creates Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul. Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during the era of Regency England (circa 1800 - 1830). Fans of classic romances, such as Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility, will enjoy meeting Ariana Forsythe, a feisty heroine who finds her heart and beliefs tested by high-society London.
Ms. Burkard's novels include Before the Seasons Ends and The House in Grosvenor Square. Her stories blend Christian faith and romance with well-researched details from the Regency period. Her books and monthly newsletter captivate readers with little-known facts, exciting stories, and historical insights. Experience a romantic age, where timeless lessons still apply to modern life. And, enjoy romance that reminds us happy endings are possible for everyone.
Publisher's Weekly affirms, "Ms. Burkard's command of period detail is impressive, evident in material details, but also in dialogue. Her novels even help non-Regencyphiles learn the difference between ladies' pelisses and spencers...On the whole, it's a tasty confection."
Ms. Burkard began writing when she couldn't find a Regency romance with an inspirational twist. "There were Christian books that approached the genre," she says, "But, they fell short of being a genuine Regency. I knew that many women like me want stories that are historically authentic and offer glimpses of God's involvement in our lives. So, I finally gave up looking and decided to write one myself."
Ms. Burkard was raised in New York, where she graduated magna cum laude from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. She lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio. Her hobbies include working on four new Regency novels, family movie nights, swimming, and gardening.
ABOUT THE BOOK - The House in Grosvenor Square
England, 1813: As Ariana Forsythe plans her wedding, she must adjust to the realization that she will soon become the wife of an extremely wealthy man. She wonders if it's wrong to rejoice that her future husband is rich. But, she promises herself to use her new position to do what she can to aid the numerous street waifs she sees all too often in London. During a tour of her future home-the house in Grosvenor Square-Ariana impulsively makes plans to redecorate (just a little) according to her tastes . But when Philip arrives home later, he is informed that an expensive silver candlestick and a miniature portrait of George III have gone missing. Moreover, each time Ariana visits the house, another item disappears.
When Ariana suffers an abduction attempt by two villains, and other mysterious goings-on are unexplained, Mr. Mornay must unravel the mystery of who is after her, and why. He knows he has to prevent any harm from befalling his future bride, even if it means he must keep her under lock and key in his own house!
Romance, suspense, and a deft touch of humor are part of the wonderful story of Philip Mornay and Ariana Forsythe's march to the altar. Fans of Linore's first book, Before the Season Ends, will love this delightful addition to the Regency Inspirational Series, as will all readers of historical romance.
JEN'S THOUGHTS
The House in Grosvenor Square is a charming tale full of mistaken identities, miscommunication, intrigue, and of course, the rich opulence of the day.
It's a pleasure to rejoin Ariana Forsythe and Phillip Mornay (the main character from Burkard's debut novel, Before the Season Ends). As Ariana and Phillip prepare for their upcoming marriage, they are beset by all manner of trouble. A housekeeper who tries to turn the staff against Ariana, a friend who feels more than friendship, and a kidnapper who keeps abducting the wrong woman are just some of the obstacles they must face. It's a story of deep emotions laced with a great dash of Austen-esque humor.
Not only does Burkard write a story worthy of the time, but she writes in the same style. Her use of Regency vernacular and spelling, as well as phrasing and customs, all lend to the authenticity of the book. As soon as you get between the covers of this novel, you'll feel like you've traveled back to another time and place.
One caveat: I would highly recommend that you read Before the Season Ends first. Not only will you appreciate the story more, but it will help clear up who the many players are. You won't regret it!
READER EXTRAS
Get Free Resources from Linore!
Linore offers all kinds of interesting articles and resources for English Regency fans, such as a behind-the-scenes look at "The Regency Debutante", "Lizzie Bennet's wardrobe," and "The Rise of the Silhoutte."
READ AN EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER ONE
Excerpt PDF from "The House in Grosvenor Square"
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Regency Fans Will Love THE HOUSE IN GROSVENOR SQUARE
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Dreaming With Linore Rose Burkard & WIN HER BOOK!
I dreamt I was in this gated area and everyone there was dressed completely in white, as was I. There was no one speaking through their mouths, yet I was aware of communication going on all around me. For some reason, speech wasn't necessary. It was as if I could hear thoughts. And everything that was spoken was LOVE. It was a beautiful, utterly soothing atmosphere.
Suddenly, an electric excitement overtook everyone, and I understood that Jesus was coming our way! I was just as eager and excited as everyone else, and when I saw him, my heart longed for Him like a little child wanting its mother. I was incredibly overcome by my love and NEED for my Saviour. As he approached, his hands looked enormous--I was actually thinking how strange it was that the Lord's hands could be so BIG! And then he looked over at me, and it was my turn to rush at him with great joy. He took my hand in his, and I was aware that, for all the hugeness in those hands, he was able to hold mine as if his were a normal size. I clung to the Lord, reveling in His presence and love. Then, he asked me a very startling question:
"Linore, what are you going to do with your life?"
Yikes! I had no answer. So I didn't try to answer, I just puzzled over it. An unknown amount of time passed, not long. And he asked me again. "Linore, what are you going to do with your life?"
Oh, no! I still didn't know what to tell Him. That was a question I still hadn't answered for myself! Others were also still around us.
Then, Jesus had to leave, though I didn't understand why or where he had to go. I knew he would pass out of those gates, and that none of us could go with Him. I panicked.
"Lord!" I shouted. "Don't go!" He stopped and looked at me. But he turned to go, again.
"Lord!" I shouted . "Don't leave me!" I felt again like a little preschooler who needed her mother desperately. I didn't want Him to go! He stopped and again looked very knowingly at me, but turned to go, and this time drew nearer to the gate, before I shouted, loud, "Lord! Don't go!" Jesus turned and looked at me very patiently.
"Linore, what are you going to do with your life--for Me?"
What? Why was he asking me that? I had no answer! Suddenly, I had a "light-bulb" idea--I thought I had hit upon the "right" answer. It was the same feeling I got when I was in college and suddenly realized what answer a professor wanted. So I said, "I know! I'm going to glorify YOU, Lord!"
He wasn't fooled. (I should have known, huh?)
He looked at me, and this next thing still bothers me. He said, "Linore, Linore," and continued to speak, but I couldn't hear him. It was like a loud sort of static had begun and was hiding his voice. To this day, (and this dream happened about twenty years ago) I still don't know what else Jesus was saying to me. I think someday it will be revealed. But it wasn't praise, I can tell you that!
There are many things I don't understand about that "dream." I do believe that it was a special gift. Jesus spoke to me. He loved me. He cares about what I do with my life. Best of all, He has a plan and WANTS me to do something special for him! These are my conclusions.
Perhaps, not surprisingly, my life verse is: "He that saves his life will lose it but he that loses his life for my sake will save it, even unto eternal life."
I don't know why I received such a special occurrence--one I will never forget. But I love that it happened, and it is a reminder to me that Jesus wanted me to get with HIS plan. At this point, I have concluded that my two special callings are to mother my children for his kingdom, and to write books to His glory.
What am I going to do with my life for You, Lord? Mother the children you've given me so that they will see my faith is a living hope. And write my books as though I am writing for the best reason in the world--to glorify You, Lord. To tell others about You.
For it is the best reason in the world.
Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linore Rose Burkard is the creator of “Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul.” Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during Regency England (circa 1800 – 1830). Fans of classic romances, such as Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility, will enjoy meeting Ariana Forsythe, a feisty heroine who finds her heart and beliefs tested by high-society London. Ms. Burkard now lives in Ohio with her husband and five children. She homeschooled her children for ten years, and still has a heart for homeschooling families. An avid fan of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, Linore delights in bringing the Regency alive for Christian readers with light-hearted adventure, faith and romance. 
ABOUT THE BOOK
England, 1813
Romantic woes at home send Ariana Forsythe to her Aunt Bentley’s town house in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Under her aunt’s watchful eye, Ariana is soon steeped in high society—and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London’s current darling rogue
Then, unexpectedly, rumour of a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her faith and her future are at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent’s attention.
Will Ariana’s faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it is Ariana’s heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to a man who cannot share her faith, how can it ever turn out right?
WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Before the Season Ends just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on December 16th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) NOTE: To make things really interesting, there need to be at least 10 comments from unique individuals to make the contest a go. Good luck!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Author Linore Rose Burkard - Interview & Giveaway
THE BIO
Linore Rose Burkard lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio. She homeschooled her children for ten years. Raised in New York, she graduated magna cum laude from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature.
Ms. Burkard wrote Before the Season Ends because she could not find an Inspirational Regency Romance on the bookshelves of any store. "There are Christian books that approached the genre," she says, "but they fell short of being a genuine Regency. I finally gave up looking and wrote what I was looking for myself." She has begun four other works of fiction in the category, and also enjoys writing articles, reading, parenting, family movie nights, swimming and gardening.
THE INTERVIEW
What inspired you to write Before the Season Ends?
I wanted to read a Regency romance that was Inspirational. Period. I waited for years for someone else to write it, and then I realized that if it was ever going to happen, it was going to be my job! So I did it. I combined the Regency, which I love, with an Inspirational message. I wanted to show the experience of faith for the adventure that it is. Fun and faith are not contradictory terms!
This book is considered “Christian Fiction.” What is the difference between Christian fiction and other fiction?
Christian fiction begins with a Christian world view. Not every character has to share that world view, and usually many don't; but the author has to have it, and it has to come through.
Before the Season Ends is Regency romance. Please explain to the reading audience what that means.
The Regency in England (1811-1820, politically), was the period when the prince of Wales became regent in place of his father, George III (who was believed to be insane. He wasn't, but that's for a different interview!) Jane Austen and Lord Byron are Regency figures; Beau Brummell, Princess Caroline; Napoleon and Wellington; lots of great historical characters! Austen, in my opinion, started the genre with her novels.
As well as being set in that time period a Regency has many earmarks that are unique to the genre and which must be evident in the story. In general, though, a reader can expect that a Regency will be fun and clean, as far as the romance goes. Georgette Heyer's Regency books did much to popularize the genre, and even more, define it. In other words, Regencies are known for being fun, even to the point of wacky fun, and yet still romantic and memorable.
Why do you believe Regency romance novels are so popular?
People know they are not picking up “War and Peace” when they go to read one. The Regency is enormous fun; the hypocrisy of the social order and its values is just a springboard for all kinds of settings and situations that romance writers can use in really enjoyable ways to create good stories. At the same time, there's a great deal of improbability in many Regencies which is (in my opinion) a problem of the publishing houses. Editors want to see a handful of formula plots and that's it. So the Regency genre as a whole has suffered. But they're still popular because the era is incredibly interesting, the romance is cleaner (which reminds me, too many modern editors don't realize that we readers LIKE to use our imaginations, thank you). And the stories center mostly around the upper classes, people who get to live the way we all WISH we could. So that is fun, too.
How did you come up with the characters? Are they modeled after people you know?
My characters are amalgamations of anyone and everyone I know! Of course, there's a great deal of ME in some of them, I don't think any author can completely avoid putting themselves into at least some (if not all) of the characters. But I couldn't say this or that character was modeled after so and so, except for perhaps one of them. 
In a concrete sense? I think when Ariana feels like she's in a strange city and quite alone it must have come from my experience. I lived alone for five years while I worked full-time and put myself through college, and at times I felt very, very isolated. But I did also discover that God answers prayers—sometimes in really strange, unexpected ways!--and Ariana discovers that, too.
Some people say they’ve read “Before the Season Ends” more than once. What do you believe inspires them to read it again, especially when they know the plot?
Again, I think it's that sense of pure enjoyment. I read it myself many times—despite having the book up to my ears during editing!--and I guess I know the plot better than anyone! (laughs) But I still enjoy the story. Readers have told me they laughed out loud when reading it, (and some have said they cried) but I think it's the sense of reality, that this could have really happened, combined with the safety net of the fun factor that brings people back more than once. Also perhaps the way the characters change so much from who they were at the beginning of the book, and who they are by the end. It happens kind of seamlessly, naturally, and yet little by little, like real life. There's a charm in that. Another way of looking at it is to say it's a “comfort” book. One of those books you can just curl up with for a while and feel better from reading. You know you'll enjoy it and it won't bring you down.
So, what's ahead? What are you planning on doing, next?
My first plan was to do The Debutante Series which would have featured entirely new characters in each book. Many, many readers told me they like a series that continues the story, though, so instead of the Debutantes, I'm doing The Regency Light Chronicles (Before the Season Ends is the first book in the Chronicles, even though the name, Regency Light Chronicles doesn't appear on the cover of this first edition). I have four or five more books to do in this series, and then I'll probably get to The Debutante Series, because I've already started a number of them.
In the meantime, I'm also developing a series of presentations, each which will be about 45 minutes long, on the Regency. There's this fabulous little tea house in my town, really elegant and pretty, and I envision having mother/daughter teas, or history buff teas there. I'm having a Regency costume made, and once it's fitted to my satisfaction, I'll be ready to begin the presentations. They're going to be a LOT of fun!
I also have a new monthly eZine, Upon My Word! Facts, Fashion and Figures of the Regency which, for the time being, is free for anyone who signs up. (You can sign up at my website, www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com. People who subscribe now also receive a free download immediately.) The eZine is excellent for newbies (to the Regency) but even seasoned fans of the period enjoy it.
Thank you, Linore, and continued blessings on your writing journey!
WIN THE BOOK
You can win a copy of Before the Season Ends here. Just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll combine the responses of my Blogger and ShoutLife blogs to pick a winner at random on March21st. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) ShoutLifers will be contacted via ShoutMail. Good luck!
