I cannot recommend the novels of Georgette Heyer strongly enough, for anyone who enjoys the works of Jane Austen particularly. I have never before found an author who displays such an adept hand with language and dialogue. So witty, clever, ironic -- pure enjoyment from the first page to the last. I have read 12 books by this author in the past 6 months and have not yet been disappointed. Among my favorites: Venetia, Devil's Cub, The Corinthian, The Nonesuch, The Talisman Ring. I am dreading the day when I finally realize I have read the last of her books! Anyone else out there a fan?

I haven't read her books - yet - but after reading your review here, the titles you've mentioned will definitely be on my "must read" list, thanks brigadoon!

I haven't read her either, but they sound like stories I would enjoy. Maybe they will serve to occupy some time before Book 8 comes out!!

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm always happy to have a referral for a good story. Gosh, just look what happened when somebody recommended Outlander....

Heyer's writing is not as densely packed as Gabaldon, and the stories are just stories, not sagas. For me, they provide a needed respite from the angst I tend to feel when reading the Outlander books, because I get so tense and wrapped up in the lives of the characters and I literally lose sleep over their troubles, wondering and fearing what may happen. Heyer's books are light and thoroughly enjoyable, and I simply adore her writing. Her books are mostly Regency era "romances" but not at all like the bodice-ripping Harlequins you see at the grocery store. The romance is fervent but never explicit, a la Jane Austen, and the humor and irony are so well incorporated into the stories that I often find myself laughing out loud as I read her books. There is just enough character development to make you care about the people involved, but not so much that you lose sleep over their troubles. Along with the romance, her books often include a bit of mystery and adventure -- but very little of the "contrived misunderstandings" that drive me absolutely bonkers in other romance stories.

And *** GASP*** I almost forgot to mention my first Heyer novel -- and still perhaps my favorite: "Frederica". It's a fabulous story and a terrific introduction into the Heyer world!

I loved GH books when I was younger and read many of them - I agree that they are more Jane Austen than Harlequin - a gentle introduction to the Regency world of "cads and bounders"...

If you like GH you may like :
Julia Quinn
Eloisa James
Liz Carlyle
Mary Balogh
Stephanie Laurens

Sassenach, you listed some of my favorite historical (mostly Regency) authors. I'd like to add a few more:

Jane Feather
Jo Beverley
Elizabeth Thornton
Lisa Kleypas
Candice Hern
Lauren Willig
Nicola Cornick

I follow Julia Quinn on FB, and she mentioned that she was excited to see DG at the book event in Canada right now.
Must say that Harlequin has branched out the last few years. Some of the authors listed above are being published by Harlequin, and their books would not be considered 'bodice rippers'.

The Regency period is very popular -hugely romantic of course, but also the time of great social changes ...there was enormous wealth, but also huge areas of poverty and degradation...

I found this interesting article about Period dramas set during the Regency

I just read Frederica, and I'm definitely a fan! Looking forward to reading more of Heyer's novels and others recommended on this thread.

I read The Corinthian yesterday and it was a such a fun and gentle read after the intense Hunger Game, Fever, and Blood Brothers series I've been reading. I'll have to thread these books in and out of the others. Thanks for the suggestion.

BTW, Lauren Willig did an interview talking about a class that she taught at Yale on Romance Novels and used Georgette Heyer as a part of the course. Here's the site if you want to read about it.

http://www.boxocto.com/2010/12/from-ivy ... -3-qs.html