Michelle Kaderly WelshMelanie Dickerson’s The Regency Spies of London series transports readers back to London, England, circa 1811-1815. Fans of Jane Austen’s books and those curious about this time in history will want to check these out. Finding honorable gentlemen for husbands, a society expectation, incorporates an element of romance in these novels, but the heroines have social and criminal injustices to fight and overcome which keep readers engaged.
A Spy’s Devotion
In the first novel, A Spy’s Devotion, Mr. and Mrs. Wilhern raise their orphaned niece Julia and keep her as a companion for their daughter Phoebe; however, their goals for the young woman are less than honorable. When Mr. Wilhern badgers Julia to marry Hugh Edgerton, she seeks to escape. Julia prefers a lonely life as a governess to marrying the likes of a man she doesn’t love or trust, yet her uncle continues to press, especially when it seems that Nicholas Langdon, Phoebe’s love interest, prefers the company of Julia. Langdon, who investigates a group plotting to assassinate a general, seeks Julia’s help in spying on her uncle, a suspect. Life gets complicated for Julia. She just might give her life to save her country and to save Langdon, a man she loves but cannot marry.
A Viscount’s Proposal
In A Viscount’s Proposal, Julia’s friend, Leorah, can’t stand her brother’s friend Lord Edward Withinghall. She sees him as a controlling man who wants to keep women from enjoying freedom to pursue interests and voice opinions. But when he rescues her from a riding accident and she tries to help him after a carriage accident, their reputations get tarnished for being alone after dark in an overturned carriage. The injustice infuriates Leorah, who refuses to marry Edward, who attempts to do the honorable thing, though he has concerns about this wild, head-strong woman. When it becomes apparent that the carriage accident was a murder attempt, Leorah finds herself trying to save the very man she once despised. Who is tying to kill Lord Withinghall and why?
A Dangerous Engagement
In A Dangerous Engagement, Felicity is one of 13 children, so she has no inheritance thus the constant snubs at the balls begin to wear on her confidence. Will no one marry her for love? Her aunt, Lady Blackstone, invites her to spend a month at her house because she has a perfect husband for her. While she would rather not go, her mother insists it would be good for her. She makes some hasty decisions she regrets and finds that Lady Blackstone is using her to cover up her illegal activities to overthrow the government and assassinate the royal family and other dignitaries. Trapped and remorseful, Felicity decides to help collect information needed to prosecute Lady Blackstone. When things go wrong for the spy, Felicity musters her courage to finish the job alone. She walks a dangerous line. Will she be able to escape with her innocent, spinster, chaperone, Aunt Appleby before they are caught and murdered for being loyal to the king? And what happened to the handsome spy, Phillip?
Surprise Endings
These are fun stories, but there is some repetition of descriptions about how handsome the men are with their neckcloths, which seems overdone at times. In fact, I think the men’s clothing gets described more than the women’s which is unusual. Still, scenes get intense, and how the stories will end is kept a surprise to the finale, so readers’ interest remains intact.
I recommend these clean, YA novels. Teens will appreciate the exciting drama and the tender glimpses of romance.
Do you enjoy regency or other historical novels? Share a favorite with us!
Julane Fisher
Kristen Gwen
Elise Haroldson
Nice post, Michelle. I laughed when you said, “These are fun stories, but there is some repetition of descriptions about how handsome the men are with their neckcloths, which seems overdone at times,” which touches on my beef with Dickerson. I adore regency novels, but I find her novels more 21st century American whose stories happen to take place in other historical eras. Great imagination, clean fun for young readers, but maybe not for those who are picky about the tone that comes from well-researched historical milieu.
Julie Klassen is a contemporary Regency writer I stumbled upon recently. I’ve enjoyed her attention to detail, even quoting academic sources at the beginning of her chapters to give the reader a basis for believing the story could have taken place.
Thanks for pointing that out, Misha. I appreciate Cathy Gohlke and Tamera Alexander novels for the care they take in their historical research, so I understand your point. (Those aren’t Regency authors.) The novels that I discussed this week concentrate on telling an entertaining story, but aren’t in-depth with the historical setting as other historical novels are. Instead, she uses the Seasons for the upper class daughters to seek a titled husband as the impetus. Thanks for sharing this. I will have to check out Julie Klassen’s stories.
I loved reading A Spy’s Devotion. I enjoyed Julia Gray’s stubborn attitude and of course her name which is so close to my own.
Yes, it’s fun to read a story with a character with your name. I don’t think I have found a novel with a Michelle yet. If you hear of one, you’ll have to let me know! 🙂 I’m glad she was stubborn. She was in a difficult position with untrusty guardians! 🙂