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Thank you for inviting me to your Parlour today, Susana. I’m delighted to share a bit about my debut release with you. One of the many reasons I like to write historical romance set during the Regency is that the social rules provide a perfect framework within which to tell a story. And of course, we have Jane Austen’s wonderful stories to serve as an authentic guide to the period.
One area that is not quite so clear is date when the waltz was introduced to Regency society. Though Just a Kiss takes place early in the Regency period, I wanted to have my characters waltzing. The other dances of the time, such as the quadrille and country dances, didn’t lend themselves to private conversations and close proximity like the waltz. Could my characters have danced the waltz in 1811? Perhaps.
The waltz became fashionable in Vienna in the 1780s, and according to Nancy Mayer, the Regency Researcher, Byron said the waltz came to England in 1811. In an article entitled The History of the Waltz from JaneAusten.co.uk, it is said that, “While the English Country Dance is most associated with Jane Austen’s novels, many will be surprised to discover that by the early 1800′s the waltz had also made it’s [sic] way across the channel and was being danced by the more progressive of the Beau Monde.” All Things Austen states that that waltz arrived in England in “…about 1812 , but bits and pieces of the dance had been trickling in for years and adopted as figures in other dances, while the music for waltzes was often played, not as an accompaniment to the waltz but as the background to country dancing.” Certainly the waltz had not been performed at Almack’s by 1811, but I believe it is possible, and even probable that it was danced at private parties. Which is lucky for my hero and heroine, because they waltz several times during the story.
Resources:
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/the-history-of-the-waltz/
http://www.regencyresearcher.com/pages/dance1.html
Olsen, Kirsten. All Things Austen: An Encyclopedia of Austen’s World, Volume I. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2005.
About Just a Kiss
Charlotte Lightwood has one season to find a husband or she’ll be forced to marry her guardian’s loathsome cousin. With no title or dowry, she doesn’t have much hope of making a good match. Sebastian Wilkinson, the Earl of Marley, has been the most eligible bachelor on the marriage mart for more years than he cares to count and is very aware of his duty to marry a woman who will add to the wealth and stature of his title. Sebastian makes Charlotte an offer she can’t refuse: he will pretend to court her to help her attract more suitors in exchange for her advice about which ladies he should pursue. As they work together, their mutual attraction grows. When they realize they just might be perfect for one another, they must decide whether to bow to the dictates of society or follow their hearts.
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About the Author
Ally lives in Texas and is convinced her house is shrinking, possibly because she shares it with three kids, five dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and several reptiles. Oh, and her husband. She likes to curse in Russian and spends most of her time letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She writes historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia.
She loves to hear from readers and you can find her on her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter, though she makes no claims of using any of them properly.
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I think you’re absolutely in bounds using the waltz before 1812. Wellington’s officers would have come across it prior to 1812, and even during the Peace of Amiens, some Brits would have caught a glimpse of the occasional Continental waltz. The landler predated the waltz, and as Germanicized as the English court was in the late 1700s, this dance would have been known in England (think Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer…), and made the waltz a fairly easily addition to the dancing repertoire. Congratulations on the debut, and best of luck!
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Thank you for stopping by to weigh in, Grace, and also for your well wishes.
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After Treasuring Theresa was published, someone told me that the waltz didn’t come to London until 1816. I felt guilty because my characters were dancing it at a ball in London in 1810, even though it wasn’t the upper echelons of society. So I told Ally I’m grateful that her post on my blog has relieved my mind! To be honest, I can’t be questioning everything I write or I’d be too intimidated to do it. All I can do is TRY to be as accurate as possible…all the while learning more as I go along.
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Coming by to cheer you on! Sounds like a wonderful story Ally!
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Thanks for stopping by, Piper! I appreciate your support.
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Love your cover, and since I’m writing in what is technically the Regency period (i.e. very early!) it’s nice to know I can use the waltz, for all the reasons you mention! Although, I must say, as glorious as that red dress is, I would think it would be difficult to waltz in!
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Thanks for coming by, Beppie! I think you’re right about the dress. 😉
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Congrats on your debut Ally! Best of luck to you! I’m still working on mine, lol! I too love the Regency period and I can’t wait to devour your interpretation.
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Thank you, Lynda! I hope you enjoy Just a Kiss, and I look forward to reading your debut release!
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The books sounds interesting and thanks for the giveaway
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Thank you, Louisa! Best of luck in the giveaway!
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I agree with Grace, but not at Almacks. Tweeted and share.
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Thanks for stopping by, Ella! And for the tweets and shares! 🙂
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Looking forward to reading your novel and learning more about you!
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Thanks for coming by, Juanita! I hope you enjoy the book!
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I’d love to read this book! Thank you for the opportunity to win some swag and gift card. Must success to you Ally.
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Thanks for the well wishes, Eileen! Best of luck in the giveaway!
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I always wanted to be taken waltzing! Alas, the knees and feet are gone.Maybe they waltz in Heaven!
I wish you great success!
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Thanks for the well wishes, Tonette. I’m certain they waltz in heaven. 🙂
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Congratulations on your book, Ally. And I adore that red dress, I’d love to take to the dance floor in that!
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Thanks, Tea! I would love to have that dress, too. Well, in a size that fits.
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I love the sound of this and the cover is gorgeous
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Thank you! I hope you have a chance to read it!
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