Is there anyone like the great Georgette Heyer?

[ComradeJing]

i do enjoy romance books especially regency ones but I can't seem to find any that don't include improbable sex, historical inaccuracies and general nonsense. GH is my kind of writer for regency. Can anyone suggest something or someone similar?

Failing that any good romance books to recommend?

(ignores the fact that I post mostly on the feminism section)

Oh and modern romance can have as much sex as you like :D

I don't read many other authors in this genre, but I love Georgette Heyer, - she's brilliant.

I suppose Jane Austen is the ultimate regency romance novelist

I was going to suggest Anya Seton, Mary Stewart, or Victoria Holt, - not specifically regency, but some good stories in historical settings IIRC.

A quick google produced this I clicked on 'favourite plots' - there's loads of suggestions, - a lot I've never heard of, but might give you some ideas

Try Lois McMaster Bujold - it is sci fi but she quotes heyer as an influence, and certainly Shards of Honour, Komarr and A Civil Campaign are all very definately romances. And, in places, very funny!

Elizabeth Peters is also good fun

You can't beat GH; suspect she will never be equalled due to the unusual combination of academic rigour and endless warmth and humour. Sigh. Am currently re-reading again....

I read all Georgette Heyer years ago There are a lot of historical ones and range from quite serious Regency detective stories such as Cousin Kate to more light hearted fare. She did research her books well so the historical details and language of the day are correct and in context. The books are very enjoyable and I think still in print. Regency Buck, The Devils Cub and An infamous army are all linked by families and events. Sprig Muslin, The Foundling, Venetia {my personal favourite) There are too many titles to mention here but do ask at the library or bookshops.

Marion Chesney is another author and there are lots more I can't think of off hand I'll try to think of a few more and come back.

Yes Venetia.anyon I've read the books at least twice over the years and still dip in now and again.

I really must read some Georgette Heyer!

I keep hearing amazing things about her on MN but first heard of her after my DD was born because we named her.....Arabella.

Which GH would be a good one to start with?

LOVE Georgette Heyer - just such good stories and some of them are so funny (support characters in Friday's Child had me crying with laughter). I started with Regency Buck (due to a MN thread about best GH heroes!). Also love These Old Shades and sequel Devil's Cub.

A good modern writer would be Eloisa James (who has written lots of Regency but I love her Duchess series) - I've just read a Kiss at Midnight which is a retelling of the Cinderella story but still quite funny and manages to have a nice, feisty heroine.

Eloisa James or Julia Quinn are Regency Lite but a good read.

I've read and re-read so many Georgette Heyer novels (often refer to them as "flu" books - a sort of literary comfort blanket). I liked the dashing heroes when I was younger but now prefer the slightly less predictable ones (only slightly less, mind you ) like Cotillion or A Civil Contract.

Please tell, which GH book would be a good one to start with?

Hmm> Possibly Venetia? Or Frederica? Or The Grand Sophy?

I think I'd plump for Venetia...

But then again...
The Nonesuch, Friday's Child, Sprig Muslin, The Corinthian

I hope you enjoy them!

Obviously a huge fan of Heyer...

On a previous thread, someone recommended Jude Morgan as a fairly reasonable regency/Heyer style substitute. I reserved some from the library and I did really like some of them, in particular "A Little Folly" and "An Accomplished Woman". "Indiscretion" wasn't half bad, either.

I think some of the Regency cash ins can be dreadful (Nicola Cornick for example) full of crap sex scenes and dreadful dialogue - my Mum buys them by the shedload and cannot understand why I despair !

I must admit there were a few times when I felt that there was a bit too much name dropping and Regency cant going on to set the tone (Almacks, doing it too brown etc) but once I'd got past that, I did really enjoy quite a few of the Morgan ones.

Also, as far as I can remember, no 'improbable sex' ...

I'd start with Frederica or Sylvester, personally. Venetia is my absolute favourite but doesn't have the range of characters that Sylvester or Frederica have.

If you like a bit of mystery alongside your romance then The Unknown Ajax or The Quiet Gentleman are excellent.

Mind you, every GH fan you ask will give you a different answer so you may find it tricky to make a decision .

Will opt for Frederica I think.

Just love the name!

Thank you all! I'm going to do a bit of a Kindle shop later.

I just hate regency sex scenes where you think, "now come on. Would she honestly ruin herself like that?"

Favourite GH's are Grand Sophy, Frederica and Arabella. Oh and Regency Buck and black sheep.

Most of them are bloody brilliant though!

I LOVE cotillion, and Friday's child. Those are my unbeatables.

Grand Sophy, Venetia, and Frederica are my absolute faves too !

I can second the Jude Morgan recommendation - very cute and funny books with a little bit more sexy banter (tho not more sex) than GH.

grand sophy and sprig muslin are my favourites.

These old shades was my first- love it. Would recommend grand sophy or Fridays child for a starting place.

I've just got my new kindle and am practically eating all the Georgette Heyers up. I haven't read them for years and I love them.
No one can write Regency like her but I'm happy to try others in the same vein.
Loved Venetia and Sylvester and These Old Shades, actually I've not read a bad one.
Will take a look at Jude Morgan I think.