Top Regency Romance Authors

If you love Historical Fiction look no further than this Top Regency Romance Authors List!
The best Clean Regency Romance Authors to find a plethora of books

I’m a book addict. Honestly, sometimes I joke that I have worked at home all to pay for my book addiction. While only partly true, I do love a great reading fest. My favorites are Regency Romance and Dystopian Novels. I can’t get enough.

That’s why I’m sharing my favorite Regency Romance Authors list with you! Don’t worry, we also have the Best Dystopian Novels list for those who enjoy that genre as well!

This article originally published Nov 3, 2016. It has been updated with even MORE amazing Clean Regency Romance Authors to check out! 

Best Clean Regency Romance Authors

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Really this article is mostly for me so I can keep track of my favorite authors without having to sift through my kindle paperwhite every few days to remember all my favorites. And so I can stalk these authors on Amazon for new novels getting released.

But also I wanted a great resource for all my friends, family and for all of you, who keep asking for new author recommendations.

I mean, a list of books is great. But really it’s the AUTHORS you want to stalk. That way you have a much larger option for reading, instead of just a few short titles. Keeping track of the best authors means you always have new books to discover as they release new stories!

So what is Regency Romance you may ask? The best way I know how to explain it is CLEAN, Proper Romance books. I’m talking Pride and Prejudice style. To fit my personal list of recommended authors they have to follow 3 fold:

• All settings during the period of the British Regency (1811–1820) or early 19th century. Though not all the books have to take place in Britain.
• Feature a great deal of intelligent, fast-paced dialogue between the protagonists
• CLEAN! I love Romance, but it has to be CLEAN romance. No smut. No Vulgarity. Sure there will be some hand holding, an embrace now and then, and a little kissing usually toward the end. But not much more than that. That is the fun of the Regency Romance, the butterflies in the stomach as the characters are struggling through the maddening trials of finding love and their place in society. Finding their strength and who they want to be.

After discussing with my sister-in-law about the creation of this list, she mentioned that now there will be families everywhere with missing moms. So I should probably add a disclaimer. 😉

DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for unwashed laundry, hungry families, and dirty dishes in the sink. Please Read Responsibly.

With that said, here are my favorite Regency Romance Authors in no particular order.

Sarah M. Eden – Sarah M. Eden is the first Regency Romance Author I discovered and all this is her fault! No seriously, I was down and sick and my neighbor let me borrow her books from Sarah M. Eden. That is when I discovered a liking for the Regency Romance Novels. And I’ve been hooked ever since.

Sarah’s stories are full of adventure, mystery, leading by faith, developing a strong character independent of others. While they aren’t necessarily in any “series” where it is easy to read in order, it is easiest if you do read these in order of publication date. As many of the novels overlap in the character mentions. But if you happen to not be able to read in order it’s not as crucial. But it will make much more sense if you do.

So I’ll make it extra easy for you (and really easy on myself when I want to go back and re-read the novels again for the 4th time). I’ve put them in order for you here:

• Seeking Persephone
• Courting Miss Lancaster.
• The Kiss of a Stranger
• Friends and Foes
• Drops of Gold
• As You Are

Then there are stand-alone novels you can read in any order, but I preferred to read them in this order:

• Glimmer of Hope
• An Unlikely Match
• For Elise

Lastly, she has a Longing for Home series that does need to be read in order.

Melanie Dickerson – If you like fairy tales you will absolutely love Melanie Dickerson stories! I have everything she has written and pre-ordered her newest books set to release! I can’t get enough!

Melanie takes time old fairy tale classics and transforms them into a story that could actually happen. Set in the correct time period, many are based in Germany and some in England. Then weaves a beautiful story around her characters with all that you love from fairy tales – minus the magic!

You can’t always tell which “Fairy Tale” you are reading about until the middle or even the end and then it clicks and you get excited because you are reading about Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast,  Cinderella, or even Rapunzel!

You will want to start at the beginning with The Healer’s Apprentice and follow the Fairy Tale Romance Collection in order, as each book builds on the characters from the previous books.

There is always mystery and adventure and even danger for the characters that keep you involved all the way through.

Jennifer Moore – after working my way through Sarah M. Eden’s novels I felt this overwhelming desire for MORE. Get it? More/Moore ?? Forgive my corny puns.

My same neighbor offered to lend me Jennifer Moore‘s first novel and I’ve been hopelessly addicted to regency romance ever since. It was an eye-opening that more than one author can create the genre I love to read.

Jennifer’s stories are unique as we begin in the Carribean islands instead of Britain. But the adventure and character development are classic for Regency Romance. I recommend reading Becoming Lady Lockwood first.

Julianne Donaldson – Julianne is one of my favorites when it comes to Regency Romance. I have read her novels numerous times each. It never fails to entertain. They are classic just like Pride and Prejudice.

Honestly, every time I read her novels I feel like it’s Jane Austin writing, but with modern English so it’s easier to understand! The stories are well designed and full of butterflies and gut-wrenching moments when you just can’t believe the characters, you just want to reach in and slap them for not seeing what you see! But not in a bad way! I don’t know how she does it! It endears me to them even more!

She only has 3 novels at present. And really all you need to worry about is reading Edenbrooke before you read Heir to Edenbrook. But otherwise, you can read Blackmoore whenever you wish. But don’t bother borrowing these from the library. Everyone I know says they are good enough to read many times over, so just save yourself the trouble and just buy them right away.

Annette K. Larsen – oh I can’t tell you enough how much I love Annette K. Larsen‘s Books! Just Ella started it all. It was similar to Melanie Dickerson, a classic tale of Cinderella but in reverse! And I couldn’t put them down! Her stories are based on a Royal Family and their daughters. And each book is the adventurous and sometimes dangerous story of each daughter in turn as they discover their voice, their relationship in the family and personal strengths.

I can’t wait until she releases her next book! But you will need to read these in order! Many of them are free to read with Kindle Unlimited.

Carrie Turansky – Carrie offers modern and historical fiction novels. I’ve so far only read her historical fiction. But I truly enjoyed it.

It began with The Governess at Highland Hall. It has a similar feel to Jane Eyre yet still very much its own story. It takes place in more modern Regency era. Each book afterward moves through the story of another character that you meet in the book previous.

Sarah E. Ladd – Sarah is one of those few authors where no matter what she rights you know you will love it! I have read everything she has published and already pre-ordered her next book due out in 2017! Her characters are all very well defined with strong female leads. Her characters also have a very strong faith-based strength that leads them through the adventures that await.

You’ll want to begin with the Whispers on the Moors collection.

Rebecca Connolly – Rebecca writes modern and Regency Era novels. But I’m more partial to her Regency Era novels.

Her writing shares both the lead male and lead female perspectives and you are taken on a journey of adventure and growth with BOTh characters. It was very easy to get caught up in her stories and I never wanted them to end! I highly recommend beginning with An Arrangements of Sorts and continuing through that series.

Michele Paige Holmes – Michele offers a variety of stories. Not just regency based era stories. But I truly love her Regency Romance novels. I started with Saving Grace and it was easy to continue through the series.

Michele showcases the common struggle of women in the era of having no means of their own and being solely reliant on others. Yet, the characters are able to discover a depth to themselves they didn’t realize before. There is also a lot of growth and learning that her characters experience that is quite relatable in personal trials.

Kristi Ann Hunter – Kristi has a long-standing story based on a handful of characters based in the Regency Era of England. Her stories offer witty dialogue and strong character development.

She has 1 novella that prequels the main Hawthorne House Series.

The Recommended order would be:

• A Lady of Esteem
• A Noble Masquerade
• An Elegant Facade
• An Uncommon Courtship
• An Inconvenient Beauty

Elizabeth Johns – Elizabeth’s books have been on my watchlist for over a year. And I finally got around to cracking them open. And Boy oh Boy! I was missing some fun reading!

Her characters are well developed and her stories host a witty dialogue that makes for such an enjoyable read I couldn’t put the books down. Her characters often face very real and deep challenges that they must overcome to find peace in their lives.

Well, that is until I ran out of books to read! Oh dear! I need more Elizabeth Johns Books!

She has 2 series and a prequel novel and a few novellas. And all continue to tell the story of the characters you meet and enjoy the very first book. While you don’t technically have to read them all in order, it does make it very convenient so you don’t find any spoilers before you read the earlier books.

Recommended Order to read:

Loring-Abbott Series (4 Book Series)

• Surrender the Past
• Seasons of Change
• Seeking Redemption
• Shadows of Doubt
• Second Dance: An Encore Novella

Series of Elements (3 Book Series) – Continues on telling the story of side characters from the Loring-Abbot Series.

• Through the Fire
• Melting the Ice
• With the Wind

Descendants (currently 2 books published) – Continues telling the story of side characters from Loring-Abbot and Series of Elements series.

• Out of the Darkness
• After the Rain

Novella Stand alone – You can read anytime

• First Impressions

Dawn Crandall – Dawn offers historical romance based in the USA during the same time period. The Everstone Chronicles Series begins with The Hesitant Heiress. A woman aiming at being independent who must comply with her grandmother’s wishes of marrying within the year to inherit a massive fortune. And the adventure that accompanies as she tries to unravel the mystery behind her mother’s death.

The Chronicles continue through various characters you meet in each book. And each one as captivating as the last. But you definitely want to start with the first book!

Josi S. Kilpack – Josi is one of the newer Authors I have discovered, so I’ve only managed to devour a few of her novels. But she truly earned her spot on our list! I was drawn into the story quickly and didn’t want to put it down.

She has a modern Culinary Mysteries series that many friends keep recommending to me. I just haven’t dived in yet. But I truly enjoyed her Regency Romance novels! I started with Forever and Forever and moved to A Lady’s Favor and my family was hard pressed to pull me away from my kindle while I was reading her novels.

Elizabeth Camden – Elizabeth offers brilliant historical romance stories. They offer just enough history to bring the story to life, while at the same time including adventure, struggles, and obviously romance.

Her writing is easy to be drawn into and leaves you wanting to read more! I highly suggest starting with Against the Tides. Although you can begin with any of her books.

Maggie Brendan – Maggie is a newer author I stumbled upon. She offers a western approach to her clean romance stories. So while settled more in a western atmosphere, they still offer the same style of adventure and clean romance you love about Regency Romance.

While I’m still working my way through her books, you can easily start with any of the single or series and be pulled in!

Julie Klassen.  Julie is actually my most risque author on this list. She deals with the common issue of the era of women who have the “ultimate reputation tarnished“. Many of them face being with a child outside of Wedlock. Others just the act but no child. But the results are the same in that time period- ruin for the woman.

She shares the struggles they face, the shame, the trials. And yet still the women overcome insurmountable odds through faith and coming to rely on God. They are able to overcome a weakness from their past and still find happiness. She is a little more descriptive in her romance details. But still quite clean. Especially compared to our modern romance television programming. Though I would caution these may not be for the younger teen audiences, as the topics are more geared toward grown readers.

You can start with any of her books, no need to read them in order.

Karen Witemeyer – You already know that Karen Witemeyer is one of Deborah’s favorite Authors. Actually, Deborah introduced me to her books and I’ve been hooked ever since! They take place in the USA. But still in the same general era. So it’s fun to have a new setting with a different set of “rules” since the Wild American country society rules were so different from England.

Some of her books you can just pick up and start. But she does have a few series where you’d need to start from book #1. I’d recommend starting with Short-Straw Bride (the Archer Brother’s Series Book 1). It’s where I got hooked and definitely, a fun read!

Roseanna M. White – the newest author on my list. I ran into her books on Amazon by mere chance as I was searching for similar Regency Romance Books. There was a great deal on the “Ladies of the Manor” series, so I figured why not! And I was not disappointed.

Roseanna offers well-written stories of women discovering themselves and their own strengths. And she also pairs it well with the lead male character learning a bit or two in the story as well. Plus a dash of danger/mystery and adventure!

I highly recommend starting with the Ladies of the Manor Series – book 1 being The Lost Heiress.

Jane Austen – obviously she is the Royalty of the best Regency Romance authors. She set the bar and standard. Any of her books are a classic hit!

Georgette Heyer – she is also one of the classics that created the genre. Pick up any of her books, you just can’t go wrong!

I am always attached to my Kindle Paperwhite and Amazon looking for more great Regency Romance authors to add to my favorites list. As I discover new great authors I will continue to update this list.

Who are your favorite Regency Romance Authors?

Have you read any of our favorite Regency Romance Authors? What did you think?