A historical romance author gets into the mood

Like most historical authors, I try to do a bunch of research for each of my books: in libraries, online (there’s nothing like Google Books for 200 year old original sources), and the occasional re-viewing of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice for motivation and mood. However, nothing can beat visiting the places themselves, and for a Regency historical writer, that means a trip to England.

I’m from Boston, which is another old town rich with history and a streetplan that makes no sense, but it’s got nothing on London. Here’s Seven Dials, where seven streets intersect at one point (that obelisk in the center) and which was, during the Regency, a notorious slum. Now it’s quite a nice neighborhood, although no less dangerous. That round blue sign with the circling arrows signals a roundabout, which is English for “do not stop for anyone, ever, especially not American tourists who are sure to be looking the wrong way for oncoming traffic.

Just a few blocks away, some Georgian town houses in Bedford Square, like the one I pictured Angelique and Nate sharing in You Only Love Once. Quite nice even after all these years, eh? We stayed in a flat on a similar street, and for those of you thinking you’d hear every word your neighbor uttered, think again. Those lovely brick walls are thick.

Naturally I had to walk by Bow Street, which is where the spymaster of my last three books worked. This building is from the later 19^th century, but it was still in use until just a few years ago.

And of course I had to see the clothes. This beautiful dress is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Many museums allow photography inside, much to my happy surprise. I WANT!

As an extra highlight, we even got out of London and spent a night in Bath, which has to be one of the most beautiful old towns in all the world. After a death-defying drive (note to the rental agency: I’m really sorry about the fingernail marks inside the door handle, but what is WITH your traffic laws? Nobody should drive 50 miles an hour on narrow mountain roads with no shoulder) we made it. I fell in love with Bath at first sight. We visited the Roman Baths, which are just amazing; Sally Lunn’s, for the famous Bath Bun; The Jane Austen Centre, housed just a few doors down the street from Jane’s old address; and the Assembly Rooms. I’ve posted some of the photos on my website, but here’s one of the more unusual sights. Bath was filled with 100 lions, each decorated a different way. Sometime in October, all the lions will be raffled off for charity. We started photographing them before we knew what they were, and then were sorry not to have stayed long enough to find all 100.