An emotional Regency reunion story
One passionate night
A seven-year-old secret…
Widowed Lady Eliza Varden must endure one more ball before she can politely return to the country. Only her last dance brings her face-to-face with Nathaniel, the new Marquess of Hale. It’s been years since their steamy encounter, but the spark between them is as alive as ever. Yet Eliza knows it’s not just their mutual attraction that binds them now… But is she ready to risk her independence with the truth?
From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.
My latest, Secretly Bound to the Marquess, was released October 25 and had received some very nice reviews. Here’s a sample:
Gaston (Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish, 2021) puts her own deftly crafted spin on the popular secret-baby trope in her latest cleverly conceived Regency historical, and her insightful way with characterization will win over readers who like their romances served up with a generous measure of historical realism.— John Charles, Booklist
Five Stars! In her latest historical romance, Diane Gaston lets doubts and schemes repeatedly cause heartache for a woman and man who only want to be loved….. SECRETLY BOUND TO THE MARQUESS is packed with believable situations, very interesting characters, and a noteworthy storyline filled with colorful descriptions.— Amelia Richards, Goodreads
Four Stars! Diane Gaston, much to the delight of her readers, knows scandal. Once again, this wicked author has written a tale that kept me glued to the pages, wondering how the main characters would save face. (Reputation means everything in the Ton.) The story was worth losing sleep for. A lovely tale, villains to enjoy hating, a child to lighten moods and give you an occasional smile, and an unending love. What more could you ask for in a romance? And all of it unfolds in such a way that only Diane Gaston can tell. Excellent! — Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews
What the reviews and back cover blurb do not tell is that this completely heterosexual reunion and secret baby romance also gives the reader a glimpse into what it must have been like to be gay during the Regency (even though the crucial gay characters never actually appear in the book). Homosexuality in the Regency was considered a sin and a crime punishable by hanging. Just a rumor of being gay could ruin a man and his family.
I must give credit to Louisa Cornell. It was her 2020 workshop given to the Regency Fiction Writers that inspired and informed the history in this book. I’ve told her her workshop was worthy of a college course!
What do you think? Is touching on the topic of the Gay Regency in a Regency Romance welcome or too much of a risk?
Diane, I applaud you for stepping into these waters, even if your gay characters are not on the actual book pages. I think we authors must be proactive in broadening the view of the Regency world our characters move in, even if we risk offending some readers. That may sometimes have to be done in very small steps, but if we persevere, eventually that more diverse view of the period will become the norm.
Thanks, Gail!
Did your publisher pressure you to do this?
Not at all, Susan! It was my choice completely. I was a little afraid they would not accept the proposal, but they never said a word about using the Gay Regency as a plot point.