Anna Harrington | Top 5 Reasons Why Regency Romances are Sexier Than You Think

I’ve heard several readers of modern romances say that they
don’t like to read historicals because they’re just not as hot and steamy as modern romances.
Not true! In fact, Regency era romances are brimming with opportunities for sizzle, if you
know where to look.

1. No underwear = quick trysts. That’s right. People during
   this time period did not wear knickers, and a man who claimed to wear “small clothes” would
   be laughed at for being effeminate. There was simply no need for underwear when a woman
   wore multiple layers that went all the way down to her ankles and when men’s shirts had
   enough fabric to keep anything from being seen once it was tucked into their pantaloons or
   breeches. No underwear also made it much easier for women to use chamber pots…and much
   easier for both sexes for intimate encounters, when they don’t have to remove their clothes
   (considering how long it took to get dressed during this time, this is a huge bonus). While
   “drawers” for women emerged around this time, very few women actually wore them, and they
   were still open in the crotch.
2. Carriage sex. With small compartments, pitch black
   darkness inside at night, and upholstered bench seats, the enclosed carriage was the make-
   out van of its day. (Insert your own private joke here about well-sprung carriages.) Windows
   with curtains could ensure privacy, although no one would have been able to see in while a
   carriage was driving down the dark back streets of a very foggy London at night. Ah, if only
   they’d been able to invent the drive-in!
3. Theatre sex. Carriages weren’t the only private spaces in
   public where intimate encounters could occur. If a man was wealthy enough to rent his own
   theatre box for the season, he had opportunity for clandestine affairs right in there in the
   middle of a crowded theatre, because behind the front sitting area was a private room that
   couldn’t be seen by the rest of the audience. Perfect for a late dinner, a card game with
   chums, or sex with a widow or bored wife. On second thought…with the private theatre boxes
   available, who needed a drive-in for their carriage?
4. Larger than life heroes. Oh, these aren’t just your average
   romance heroes. These are alpha men on steroids. Forget being the Regency era equivalent of
   the business tycoons, politicians, and playboys that headline in so many modern romances—
   these men are so much more than that. They’re all of it combined! They’re wealthy
   “millionaires” with the political and social power of their titles—dukes, marquesses, and earls
   simply flood Regency era romances—and admired for their rakish behavior. But beneath that
   imperial surface always lurks a vulnerability…if only the right woman can reveal it.
5. Rules, rules, rules! I know what you’re thinking: “How can
   rules be sexy?” Oh, but they are! Because rules are meant to be broken. A modern romance
   couple can be intimate just about anytime and anywhere they want (within reason). Want to go
   to her house for the night? Okay. Want to get frisky in the elevator or car? Okay. But Regency
   era couples don’t have it so easy. There are chaperones to protect the woman’s innocence,
   rules about never being alone in the same room, special introductions that have to be made
   before they can even chat—they cannot even dance together twice at the same ball! But when
   they find ways around these rules and manage to snag a few moments alone, the embrace is
   all the sweeter—and hotter—for it.

I hope you’ve enjoyed just a few glimpses into the sexy world of Regency era romances. So the next time you read a historical romance, you can be on the
lookout for opportunities for sexy encounters…if you just know where to look. Happy reading!

HOW THE EARL ENTICES by Anna Harrington

Capturing the Carlisles Book 4

WHEN OLD DECEPTIONS …

Ross Carlisle, Earl of Spalding, has dedicated his life to
serving his country. When he discovers secrets that could endanger England, he’s forced into
an impossible situation—commit treason and race to London to clear his name before the
crown turns against him. He’s prepared to abandon everything he possesses in order to
protect England, including his life…until he crosses paths with a woman who’s keeping her
own secrets.

LEAD TO NEW DESIRES

Ten years ago, Grace Alden fled London in order to protect
her son, only to come face-to-face with that past when Ross collapses on her doorstep.
They strike a deal—she’ll help him travel to London if he helps her reclaim her son’s
inheritance. But as old deceptions turn into new desires, will they be willing to sacrifice
everything they hold dear in order to protect the people they love?

Romance Historical [NYLA, On Sale: September 11, 2018, e-Book, ISBN: 9789781641978 / eISBN: 9781641970396]

About Anna Harrington

I fell in love with historical romances—and all those dashing Regency heroes!—while living in London, where I studied literature and theatre. I love to travel, fly airplanes, and hike, and when I’m not busy writing, I can usually be found in my garden, tending to my roses. I love to hear from readers and can be reached at [email protected] or follow me on all my social media. And be sure to sign up for my newsletter to be the first to receive exciting news, enter contests, access exclusive content, and more!

The Secret Life of Scoundrels | Capturing the Carlisles

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Giveaway: Signed paperback copy of AS THE DEVIL DARES (ebook if the winner is international)