by It’s a huge pleasure to be here today as part of the spotlight on Harlequin Historicals! And now I have a question for you… Why aren’t there more Edwardian-set historical romances?
I asked a friend this question the other day and she looked at me for a moment and then said: “I think it’s because we know what happens next.”
She wasn’t talking about the HEA ending, of course. She was talking about the First World War, which swept away the structure of Edwardian society and with it a generation of young men, the “lost generation”. Can this really be the reason why so few authors set books in this period?
Historical hindsight can be a wonderful thing but sometimes, as in this case, it may be a problem as well. But I don’t think it has to be. One of my favourite historical heroines is Anne Boleyn. I’m fascinated by her life and will read any number of books about her even though I know her story doesn’t exactly have a happy ending. Marrying King Henry VIII was a risky business but it makes for a great piece of storytelling. And then there’s King Richard III, another of my dream dinner party guests but not exactly a man looking forward to a long and happy life. Strangely the fact that I know what happened to these people in the end doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of their story. Far from it.
My book The Last Rake in London is set in 1908 against the background of Edwardian high society. It’s a fabulous era in which to set a historical romance. The upper classes were extravagantly rich and conspicuous in their consumption but their entire way of life could only be sustained through employing an army of servants. The servant class were the ones who worked their fingers to the bone to keep life ticking over on the huge country house estates. Some women were actively campaigning for the right to vote. Others opposed it.
Developments in science and technology were breathtaking. This gave me the opportunity to make my hero, Jack Kestrel, not only the last of an aristocratic line but also a self-made man with interests in the aviation business. In some ways I was tempting fate here. Jack, being the kind of man he is would be bound to be at the forefront of developments in flying when the First World War begins. Actually I see him as one of the founder members of the Royal Air Force, a flying ace, a total hero. But that’s another story…
So let’s hear it for Edwardian-set romances. As with other historical romance we can let our imagination go wild. We might know what happens next in history but within that we can imagine a story for the characters that is all their own.
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I am moving to London in August, so these historical romances make me happy 🙂
I just realized that I’ve never read an Edwardian romance. Gotta check this book out. Who else writes in this time period?
I’ve been waiting and waiting for a book by Nicola to be released Stateside for a while. So, I’m very thrilled about “Last Rake.” Nicola, I’ve discovered that it really doesn’t matter where a story is set or who is starring in it. It’s the writer who counts. A good writer can take me anywhere and make me believe it. Subsequently, she has me as a life-long fan. I used to be a strictly Regency sort of reader. No way would I go for those painted Georgian heroes or those stiff-rumped Victorian ladies. I’ve been proven wrong again and again. So, I’ll follow you and read your Edwardian. I’ll even read your Edwardian hero’s contemporary relatives.
Hoorah for your venture into this new time period, Nicola! Yes, you absolutely must take your hero into the founding of the Royal Air Force and WWI–or maybe his best friend I loved Elizabeth Lane’s aviation book and want more, more more!
Hi Nicola,
I think it’s a wonderful time period to set a story. The world was changing so it was an exciting time.
Hi Nicola. I’m with Keira, it’s the writer and what she does with her characters, story that counts most, no matter the setting, and I always like your books. I like the Edwardians because of that exciting time of science and technology.
Hi Nicola, Big fan here. I like what you’re doing with this book and cannot wait to read it. What do you do or where do you go to get your ideas for your characters and their stories?
Long time no see, Nicola! (lol!)
I think the First World War comment is spot on. Certainly that’s why I haven’t written a book set in that period.
I think that the Edwardian period is better for women’s fiction, a time when women were discovering themselves and what they could do, rather than romantic fiction, when a man had a high likelihood of meeting his death in the trenches.
I am looking forward to reading this book. I love all your books, and I am sure this will be no exception. I read a great deal of historical romances, and I think the Edwardian period makes an interesting setting for a story even though the war is coming. When I read a story in a particular time period, I tend to immerse myself in only that story and not concern myself with unpleasant historical things that are coming. I absolutely insist on a HEA ending in the stories I read. 🙂
Hi Nicola!
It’s funny, but I was telling some writer friends about your book and one of them made the same remark as your friend! Like the war was a cloud of doom, hanging over the HEA. But there are so many fabulous WWI and WWII adventure/romance movies, I have no problem imagining a good outcome for fictional characters!
Hi everyone and thank you so much for your comments. (Hi Lynne -great to see you today!) Couldn’t get on line to reply before now because my internet connection went down – yep, it realised how keen I was to chat so immediately cut out! Perhaps Edwardian technology was more efficient LOL. I’m so pleased the idea of Edwardian-set book appeals to readers. It was such an interesting venture for me, sort of half-modern, half-historical. I’m on the look out myself for Edwardian-set books now so any recommendations will be very welcome. Interesting that other people have commented on the looming WWI. But I think you are right – we can all imagine an alternative future for the characters and a HEA!
Hi Kimmy! I think the ideas for my characters and stories mainly grow out of my research and my reading. I always seem to come across amazing story ideas. So when I was researching the Edwardian period I found references to clubs like the Moulin Rouge in Paris and thought it would be lots of fun to recreate that sort of atmosphere in a London club. I like writing strong heroines so I knew Sally had to be a businesswoman.
Then I read about the show at the White City and about the London Underground and the cars and became fascinated with all the technological developments and thought it would be great to give Jack, the hero,an interest in aviation – and also give him the kind of car that would be the equivalent of a fabulous sports car these days – with a top speed of 40 mph!
Having done so much research into the Edwardian period, maybe I need to think about writing another book set in the era!
Hi Nicola,
as another fan of your books I agree with many others, it’s the writer that counts, not the settings or the timeperiod. I’ve also been a “Regency reader” and the Edwardian romances are rather unknown to me, it will be great to try something new!
Hi Nicola,
I have often wondered the same thing!
This is a time period that fascinates me and I want to see more of! My grandmother was born during this time and is still alive–she’s celebrating her 100th birthday this July and is holding court for it just like a queen. I love talking with her about what she remembers as a child growing up in Washington DC at that time. I will definately have to get her your book. She loves romances. Does it come in large print???
Kathryn
Hi, Nicola! Add my vote to those who would love to see more early 20th century settings, both in the UK and stateside! So much was happening. And it was a very optimistic period, too.
Looking forward to reading The Last Rake.
Sorry to be so long getting back. PC finally fixed (fingers crossed!) Kathryn, your grandmother sounds amazing! Mine was born in the same year and made it to within a month of her 100th birthday. There is a large print version of the book available in the UK. I’m not sure about the US but if not I can always send a copy.
Thank you to everyone for all your comments!
Best wishes
Nicola