For today’s Thursday give away, we have an advance copy of Bee Ridgway’s debut novel, The River of No Return
Here’s the official blurb:
In Bee Ridgway’s wonderfully imaginative debut novel, a man and a woman travel through time in a quest to bring down a secret society that controls the past and, thus, the future.
“You are now a member of the Guild. There is no return.” Two hundred years after he was about to die on a Napoleonic battlefield, Nick Falcott, soldier and aristocrat, wakes up in a hospital bed in modern London. The Guild, an entity that controls time travel, showers him with life’s advantages. But Nick yearns for home and for one brown-eyed girl, lost now down the centuries. Then the Guild asks him to break its own rule. It needs Nick to go back to 1815 to fight the Guild’s enemies and to find something called the Talisman.
In 1815, Julia Percy mourns the death of her beloved grandfather, an earl who could play with time. On his deathbed he whispers in her ear: “Pretend!” Pretend what? When Nick returns home as if from the dead, older than he should be and battle scarred, Julia begins to suspect that her very life depends upon the secrets Grandfather never told her. Soon enough Julia and Nick are caught up in an adventure that stretches up and down the river of time. As their knowledge of the Guild and their feelings for each other grow, the fate of the future itself is hanging in the balance.
I am not even sure how to begin to describe this novel. I can only steal a term from Sarah of Smart Bitches and say that this book is, indeed, awesomesauce. Both the modern and the historical element are incredibly well done, and the Regency we see through the eyes of a marquess who returns to his own world after ten years in the future is by no means the standard Regency-land of your average novel. It’s a much more realistic and grittier version of that world. It’s far more than just cravats, Almack’s, and Prinny.
So, for an advance copy of Bee Ridgway’s The River of No Return
What’s your favorite Regency-set novel?
The winner will be announced on Sunday.
The River of No Return
Pride and Prejudice
Persuasion by Jane Austen and The masque of the black tulip by Lauren Willig!!!!
Pride and prejudice!
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
I love Julia Quinn’s work. I’m not sure I could pick just one. Plus the Pink Carnation novels… And anything involving the spy wars between France and Britain…
Simply Love by Mary Balogh is a newer find and I’m also partial to Frederica by Georgette Heyer. However, my all time favorite is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
For this I have to go to the Queen of the Regency… Venetia by Georgette Heyer is one of my all-time faves
An Infamous Army ny Georgette Heyer. A phenomenal description of the Battle of Waterloo, and a great story
Definitely Pride and Prejudice!
Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
A little book about a black tulip.
Pride and Prejudice!!!
THESE OLD SHADES AND THE DEVIL’S CUB by Georgette Heyer. I never did find the third book, AN INFAMOUS ARMY. These two are part of The Alastair Trilogy.
Could you ask a little tougher question, Lauren?
Goodness, it’s so hard to choose. Since most everyone is going with the classics, I’ll say Austen’s Emma. I just love that one.
I really liked Shades of Milk and Honey and its sequel by Mary Robinette Kowal, and any Pink book!
Posting for Ruth, who had difficulty posting: another vote for P&P.
Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught!
Other than Austen, anything Heyer. She’s the queen of Regency!
The Slightly series by Mary Balogh. Wulf, Freyja, and Aidan are my favorites.
i love the Carnation series (of course) and with Laura’s recommendation got hooked recently on Andrea Penrose series.
I adore the Bronte sisters, and Austin.
Yeesh. I can never pick one favorite anything, except husband and son! Lauren’s books, Sebastian St Cyr books, Captain Gabriel Lacey books, Tracy Grant’s regency books, I’m sure there are others. I tend to lean toward heroes who are war veterans, maybe because I have 2 in my family.
Would be the Pink Carnation, expect the last time I saw you speak you noted that it really “Regency” since the there wasn’t a Regent yet. So my favorite of all time would have to be Emma.
I think I have to say Persuasion by Jane Austen, but I like your novels, Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austen mysteries, and for younger readers,
Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot: Being the Correspondence of Two Young Ladies of Quality Regarding Various Magical Scandals in London and the Country by Caroline Stevermer and Patricia C. Wrede (ha, that was a mouthful).
Well, not a particularly creative answer, but I’d have to go with Pride and Prejudice. Also, your Garden Intrigue, if that fits into the category of Regency.
Persuasion!
There just are so many books that I read that take place in the regency period that it is impossible to pick just one. So. I’ll pick my all-time favourites : Jane Austen’s books, each and every one of them, of course…
)
(and your books too, of course!
Mary Jo Putney’s Shattered Rainbows. It’s a Waterloo novel in the spirit of An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer. Both are great reads.
Don’t have a favorite
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Pink Carnation Series love them all!!!
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
Mansfield Park
Georgette Heyer or Patricia Veryan.
and Lauren Willig
Besides the good old P&P – The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins is an all time fav! It’s maybe just edging on the later period, but it’s SOO good for anyone who likes murder, mystery, a superb villin and an epic love story.
Devil’s Cub will always be a favorite. Mary is the ur-heroine – plucky and resourceful but full of endearing self-doubt!
” The Spymaster’s Lady” by Joanna Bourne – I was just so surprised when I read this, it felt so different from anything I’d read before.
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer, the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn, and of course your books!!!
One! The Unknown Ajax, Frederica (almost anything by Georgette Heyer!) Definitely Sorcery and Cecilia… One! No can do, sorry. :-/
I agree with just about everyone.. there are clearly too many to choose from. But if I had to choose one, I would have to go with Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Pretty much anything set in the Regency period, but I do enjoy Emma. She’s a fellow busybody.
Pride and Prejudice is just assumed. Venetia by Georgette Heyer. An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn. Aaaaaand Mischief of the Mistletoe by one of my all time favourite authors…I wonder who that is
Georgette Heyer’s Arabella is probably my favorite non-Austin.
I am partial to Persuasion
thank you for the opportunity to win
Pride and Prejudice!!!
The Scarlet Pimpernel is my favorite, but I’m really enjoying the continuing adventures of the Pink Carnation!
You want me to pick one! just one!??! Oh very well then.. Persuasion!
The regency novel that started it all for me: Pride and Prejudice. The year: 1995. My sister wanted me to record (on VHS) the BBC version of P &P with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. From that moment i was lost!
Sense and Sensibility.
I love the Pink Carnation series and the Sebastian St. Cyr series as well as the obvious Austin.
Gosh so hard to choose! I’ll be predictable and pick an Austen and a Heyer – Emma by Jane Austen and Arabella by Georgette Heyer.
Pride and Prejudice <3
Wow this harder than I thought. If I HAVE to choose, i’ll pick the Pink Carnation series and Emma. Love Emma’s matchmaking skills!
Persuasion, by Jane Austen. Because what’s not to love about second chances?
If I have to pick something other than a Pink book, then I would have to say Sylvester by Georgette Heyer. A little romance & oh so funny!
The Pink books and Persuasion (my favorite Jane book) are at the top of the list, but I also LOVE Stephanie Barron’s Austen mysteries and Wilkie Collins!!
Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh!
Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I still vividly remember the first time i read it.
Pride and Prejudice, I guess, since it’s great; it started a wonderful sub-genre; and there are too many Regency-set novels to choose from, so one may as well go back to the queen of all of them!
Pride and Prejudice, hands down. After that, the Pink Carnation series — love all of them, but my definite favorite is Masque of the Black Tulip.
Jane Austen’s Emma….my portal into the incomparable realm of romance literature.
Crimson Rose, Secrets of a Lady, the entire Poldark series (sort of fits? It’s Napoleanic in any case…) and anything Austen.
I’ll add another vote for Pride and Prejudice!
Vienna Waltz by Tracy Grant!
I DO love Pride and Prejudice, but I think I’m going to go with Sense & Sensibility!
Another vote for Sylvester by Georgette Heyer!
Pride and Prejudice, your books and Friday’s
Child by Georgette Heyer…find that book so charming and fun.
Georgette Heyer’s The Grand Sophy–great fun!
Lauren, I really love your Pink series!
The River of No Return looks SO GOOD. Thanks for doing it as a giveaway!
I have a lot of favorites, but Persuasion is probably my favorite favorite.
I have to attest that although I have been a Janeite for a long time, it took me quite awhile to sink my teeth into Pride and Prejudice. Afterwhich, I think my footing on the Regency era was firmly set!
I must confess also, that the Pink Carnation had me at “hallo!” as eagerly as “Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy!” I am not sure if Jane Eyre is considered Regency, but I am betwixt knowing which of the three to pick… so I saw simply go with “Pride and Prejudice” as its both timeless and emmesely enjoyable… whether read or watched! 
Thank you for offering such a wicked sweet giveaway! I am always wondering if there is a time travel book out there that will capture my curiosity and this one,… ooh boy! Did it ever!
Persuasion is my cup of tea!!
I love love love Venetia by Georgette Heyer. It’s simply one of the best books EVER
The Pink Books!!!
Other than the Pink books? I really love the Sebastisn St. Cyr books and if we’re going classic, then P&P of course!!
Persuasion is an all time favorite.
Too many to chose! I am reading Andrea Penrose’s Sweet Revenge and really loving it. (It’s a regency mystery!)
I love all of Joan Wolfs Regency set novels with a favorite being “The American Duchess.” Also, “Vienna waltz” by Teresa Grant.
Persuasion!
you can’t forget Stephanie Laurens Cynster series and Bastion club series, Mary Baloghs Slightly series, Julia Quinns Bridgerton series, Lisa Kleypas Hathaways series ( on another note don’t miss the wallflower series but its set at a later date)Johanna Lidseys Mallory family series, you also can’t forget Julie Harwood and Judith McNaught, I can’t pick just one….
Oh my goodness that is such a difficult question. The list is too long to just pick one! Austen was my intorduction to Regency based romance and I will forever love her books, but I am goig to have to go with the first Regency Romance written by a contemporary author – Patricia Cabot’s An Improper Proposal. (I also have to mention Gaelyn Foley’s Knight series – they are just too good to not gice a quick shout out too.)
* give
Pride & Prejudice! This book sounds great, so I will definitely have to check it out!
Did you just ask “If a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound?” Talk about a question that is almost impossible for me to answer! Jeez!! If put at gunpoint I guess I would go with “The Gamble” by Joan Wolf or Blood Lily by yourself. Although, does it count as regency if it is in India? I guess so…