Interview with Linore Rose Burkard
Before the Season Ends
What about the regency period first caught your attention that made you want to write about it?
I fell in love, so to speak, with the Regency from reading Austen and Georgette Heyer. I’ve only read (I’m almost embarrassed to admit) about five or six of Heyer’s many regencies–I still have a lot of them waiting. But I knew I wanted to be able to entertain like her, and do it with a Christian perspective. It was something that hadn’t
been done yet, at the time. I totally wanted to be able to express some spiritual truths that God had taught me in a fun package like a regency, while being true to the era, to my characters, and to my readers. I researched and read and read and read, and all of that reading just fascinated me more with the period.
I was appreciative of the glossary at the back of the book. Was that your idea or Harvest House’s to include it?
It was my idea, but my editor was equally “for” it. I had put a glossary on my website, but readers find it much easier to look at the back of the book to find out the meaning of a word rather than have to get online. We’re going to put another glossary in the sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square. Not just for new readers, but because there’s some new regency words and slang I got to put in the book, that weren’t in the first.
With which Jane Austen character do you most identify?
Hmm, interesting question. Probably Emma for being well-meaning but blowing it!
What are some of your favorite research books for the regency period?
Even though it’s more Victorian than Regency, Daniel Poole’s “What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew,” is very interesting. Not detailed enough, but it’s a great overview. I also like biographies of George IV (the Regent), the letters of Jane Austen, and memoirs from the period. Looking up old periodicals is priceless, too. Another book, The Regency Underworld, came in handy for a lot of the information I put inside The House in Grosvenor Square. So far there is no one book that really covers everything in a way a writer can use. So you just pick up bits and pieces, and more bits and pieces from different sources.
What words of encouragement would you like to offer others wishing to write in a subgenre that isn’t currently popular with Christian Publishers?
I’m not an editor working for a publisher, or an agent, so I can only tell you what I think will work. Write an excellent book, an irresistible book—it doesn’t have to be popular to get contracted. It just has to be very, very, good. If you can get a few key people to believe in your work, the work itself will convince everyone else.
Thank you for having me today, Diana! Remember, if you get a minimum of ten unique commenters, you can pick a winner for a free copy of Before the Season Ends!
Thanks so much Linore! Remember post a comment and leave an email for me to contact you if you are the winner of this fabulous book! You must post a comment before Jan. 4–12:01 central standard time.
here’s my review of Before the Season Ends.
Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard is a delightful read. Burkard does indeed fill the gap left by Jane Austen. This Christian regency read takes you to England, 1813. Ariana Forsythe has the fortunate chance to come out into society because of a rich childless aunt. Arinna hasn’t been raised like most of the young girls having their season. Gossip make her uncomfortable as does putting yourself as more important than others.
Arianna Forysythe is someone you would desire as a best friend. You root for her throughout the book. She has several misadventures, which throws her into the path of Mr. Monray.
Mr. Monray is the new Mr. Darcy! He is of course most desirable and uncatchable by any of the girls having their season; he has even managed to escape others in previous season. Then Ariana falls into his world and everything begins to tilt for him.
This book had many moments of well-written humor.
The faith aspect of this book is well done as well. Ariana’s faith is real and her actions are consistent with that faith.
I’m looking forward to the next regency by Burkard.
Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this great book!
I am looking forward to reading it! Everyone has given it such high reviews!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com
I have already read the book, but wanted to say that it was a nice change from the typical historical romance and the characters were delightful.
Diana,
Sorry — that last comment from “Amy” was actually from me, Julie Lessman.
gsus at charter dot net
Hey Diana and Linore — great interview and intriguing book. Please throw my hat in the ring for the giveaway.
Hugs,
Julie
Very nice interview, makes me want to read the book! The only slip I noted was that one of the questions (beginning “What words of enthusiasm…”) was not in italics. Otherwise, very nice! I love the idea of a Regency with a glossery.
I love reading the review and especially love that the author took the time to post! This looks like a great read.
Thanks so much!
I think I’d love to read a regency with humor in it.
Good for Linore!
Angie
sounds interesting.
viehland at hotmail dot com
Diana and Linore,
Enjoyed the interview. I didn’t know there were any Christian Regencies.
Hey,Diana! I love your blog, and want to thank you for having me and my book here. Thanks to all the commenters, too. As for Bert's comment about two conflicting costume styles for “Pride and Prejudice” movies. I know exactly which movies he's referring to. Bert, the 1940's version of P&P with Greer Garson and Olivier is wonderful, but the costuming isn't correct. The style in that movie would have beenn perfect for the mid 1830's. Jane Austen's story actually takes place in the very early 1800's, so the costuming for the 1995 P&P (Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth) is the one to watch for the right styles. I love both versions. Word is that the producers of the Garson-Olivier version didn't care for the Empire style, so they chose to go with a later fashion. For more about regency clothing, see an article on my website. Click on “reader resources” and check out and download what's there. Enjoy! (go to http://www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com)
Look forward to sending one commenter a free copy of the book, by the way!
I always enjoy and appreciate reading the reviews on your site. It is exciting to get a bit of “inside information” about specific books. The interviews certainly broaden my horizons which is always a good thing. I will most definitely be looking for this book.
cathye
Thanks, Diana, for the great interview & for all of your personal “bits & pieces.” The writing process is so interesting & I love to hear what inspires people to tell the stories that are in their hearts. Don't our little angels look, well, like little angels—that's the way Grandma must have thought of us when we were little. (yeah, right!) LOL And why didn't you mention you were feeling sad at Christmas! I would have given you a shoulder to cry on & maybe a small bottle of wine for good measure! LOL
Happy New Year from your favorite cousin (self-imposed title!)& where is that buddy-story book about the two of us going off to Paris for fun & mayhem? 🙂
Nancy
Researching historicals is always a challenge because you need to get such incredible detail, not just in what people wore but more important in how they thought, what their mores were, what they really did rather than what they said they did. hard enough with a modern novel, harder with a historical. For instance, I have seen two versions of “Pride and Prejudice” as movies, with totally different and somewhat conflicting styles of women’s clothing. I don’t know enough about that period to know which, if either, is correct. However, the errors in Medieval epics, an era that I do know about, are often hilarious.
All the best.
Great interview! I used to be an avid read of Regency romance. This might tempt me to pick one up again!
Thanks for posting this, Diana. I love to hear how different authors work.
Thanks so much for the interesting interview and book review. Jerilyn
anonymous is Joanne
Sounds like it has an air of intrigue. Reminds me of a canadian story that I have loved so much “Anne of Green Gables” you can’ thelp but fall in love with the character. This book reminds me of the same.
Sounds like a terrific book. Regencies have such a wide-ranging appeal. And I love the idea of including a glossary.
Sounds like one for my TBR pile!
Thank you for a wonderful interview and review of the book. I can’t wait to read it!
Kim
Thank you for the interview with Linore. Before I started reading and writing for the Christian market, I loved reading books of this era. Now to be able to find a book like this with a Christian worldview is very exciting. I can’t wait to read it.
deb cleveland
debcleveland.com