TO WIN HER HAND

If you’re looking to cool off during the torrid Texas summer, you might want to stock up on Regency romance novels. According to Wikipedia, the most traditional Regency romances “feature a great deal of fast-paced dialogue… and very little explicit sex or discussion of sex.” Regency novels are generally set during the period from 1811 to 1820 when George, Prince of Wales, governed Britain as Regent because of his father George the III’s madness. (Visit Regency Town House at rth.org)

Jen Geigle Johnson, a resident of Southlake, has published a number of Regency romances. Her latest is “To Win Her Hand.” Main characters have been completely unlucky in love. The Lord Charles Featherstone and Lady Emmeline Loveluck are both known in business as “matchmakers.” He advises gentlemen and she advises ladies how to choose, interest and woo a member of the opposite sex. Both are forced into labor because of financial need, which comes as pretty refreshing in this genre. While they work and socialize with the mega-rich, neither of them qualifies for that group.

One of the attractions of a well-turned romance rests in certain obstacles that stand in the way of the intended couple. These tropes create tension while at the same time provide a cozy and familiar atmosphere where we know all will eventually turn out right. Johnson uses a number of these tropes, including the character who has been burned and plans to never love again. As Lady Loveluck says, “I’ll never marry again. I’ll never trust another man enough for him to have power over me.”

Another familiar trope includes an accident, which enables the couple to share a night away from the prying eyes and gossiping tongues of their social circle.

As you can already see, Lady Loveluck does not function as a timid and silent woman of her time. She knows what she wants and she leads her life independently. She even joins a club of widows whose goals and experiences are similar to her own.

Lady Loveluck revealing her financial woes to Lord Featherstone seems a bit out of character for a woman so bent on taking care of herself. And there seems to be little evidence for her feeling Lord Featherstone is not trustworthy. But, dear reader, know that a satisfying resolution clears up all the challenges.

A MAN TO TEACH MEN HOW TO WIN A WOMAN'S HAND. A WOMAN WHO CANNOT BE WON.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jen Geigle Johnson discovered her love for uncovering fascinating pieces of history while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. Now an award-winning author and mother of six, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be—full of adventure. She is a member of the RWA, the SCBWI, and Storymakers. She is also the chair of the Lonestar.Ink writing conference. Her first book, The Nobleman’s Daughter was published November 2017. And her second, Scarlet in May 2018. Her books are available on Amazon.

PHOTOGRAPHY ....... Alycia Savage, Savage Studio

PICTURED ......................................... GIST & HAYES

RESTORATIVE / COSMETIC DENTISTRY (on right)

Dr. Greg Gist, DDS and (left) Dr. Carter Hayes, DDS

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