WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: If you've ever read a Regency romance and thought, "This is fun, but it would be even better if it were gay and in space," the Sci-Regency series is for you! Yes, that's right, the delightfully ludicrous premise of this series is that there is a gay Regency society in space.
The planet's name is Regelence, the social structure is based on the historical Earth Regency period, and nobles have children via an artificial reproduction technology that ensures their children are both male and gay. What makes the novels great is that this is the background for some really fun Regency romances, complete with shenanigans, hasty marriages, and really hot sex scenes. I recommend reading the novels in order, as there is an overarching plot involving the Intergalactic Navy that is interesting and ongoing without overshadowing the romances. There are five books:
My Fair Captain - Intergalactic Navy captain Nathaniel Hawkins uses his knowledge of Regency society - he was raised on Englor, a Regency planet where heterosexual relationships are the norm - to go undercover on Regelence to investigate stolen weapons. Prince Aiden Townsend cares about nothing so much as his art - until he meets Nate.
The Englor Affair - Prince Payton Townsend goes undercover on Englor as an admiral's aide to further investigate the ongoing plot. Colonel Simon Hollister, heir to the throne of Englor, encounters Payton on base. Neither one of them have any idea who the other is when they engage in a series of passionate encounters.
My Regelence Rake - Sebastian Hastings is the captain of the Royal Guard - and a notorious rake. Prince Colton Townsend has finally decided to give up on Sebastian ever loving him and focus on his racehorses. But when Sebastian insists on going everywhere with Colton for his protection and rumors start, they can no longer stay away from each other.
Diplomatic Relations - Dalton Fairfax is notorious for his unruly antics. Blaise Thompson is focused on doing his duty and behaving perfectly to ensure his family's continued good name. When Dalton takes up the job of being Blaise's bodyguard to avoid his parents, sparks fly and Dalton and Blaise find themselves having to learn from each other's approaches to life.
My Highland Laird - Bannon Thompson's latest indiscretion means his father has shipped him offplanet. Laird Ciaran MacKay's only concern is protecting his clan from the offworlders who killed his father. When Bannon and his valet Louisa are the only survivors of a shuttle crash on Skye, Bannon and Ciaran have to learn to trust each other and work together to save both Ciaran's planet and Bannon's.
The additional four key characters who don't have their own books:
King Steven and King-Consort Raleigh of Regelence - Rulers of Regelence and parents of five rambunctious children, Steven and Raleigh are firm protectors of their planet, loving parents who want their children to be happy, and a married couple who are still hot for each other after all these years.
Rexley Townsend - Crown Prince of Regelence, Rexley's nickname amongst the staff is Lord Responsible, but there are hints that he does know how to take breaks from his responsibilities and enjoy life. He also has a ward, Muffin, who he found as an abandoned baby.
Jeremy Hawkins - Better known as Trouble, Jeremy is Nate's adopted son. Trouble grew up on space stations and then Nate's ship the Lady Anna, and he's not so convinced about this whole Regency society thing. But he has a connection to Regelence he didn't know about - and a connection to Rexley that he doesn't want to break.
Look, if all of this sounds ridiculous, it is. But it's the kind of ridiculous that is absolutely delightful. I read the first book over a decade ago, and I've loved this universe ever since. If you have any interest in Regency romances, I highly recommend the series.
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?: The author's website includes purchase links for each of the novels at a variety of vendors. Worldcat shows holdings for the first four books at a small number of libraries which may or may not have check-out options at this time (My Fair Captain, The Englor Affair, My Regelence Rake, Diplomatic Relations). If you're in California the first four books are available digitally via enki. Your library may offer access to one or more of the books in other digital collections.
Sci-Regency Series
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: If you've ever read a Regency romance and thought, "This is fun, but it would be even better if it were gay and in space," the Sci-Regency series is for you! Yes, that's right, the delightfully ludicrous premise of this series is that there is a gay Regency society in space.
The planet's name is Regelence, the social structure is based on the historical Earth Regency period, and nobles have children via an artificial reproduction technology that ensures their children are both male and gay. What makes the novels great is that this is the background for some really fun Regency romances, complete with shenanigans, hasty marriages, and really hot sex scenes. I recommend reading the novels in order, as there is an overarching plot involving the Intergalactic Navy that is interesting and ongoing without overshadowing the romances. There are five books:
My Fair Captain - Intergalactic Navy captain Nathaniel Hawkins uses his knowledge of Regency society - he was raised on Englor, a Regency planet where heterosexual relationships are the norm - to go undercover on Regelence to investigate stolen weapons. Prince Aiden Townsend cares about nothing so much as his art - until he meets Nate.
The Englor Affair - Prince Payton Townsend goes undercover on Englor as an admiral's aide to further investigate the ongoing plot. Colonel Simon Hollister, heir to the throne of Englor, encounters Payton on base. Neither one of them have any idea who the other is when they engage in a series of passionate encounters.
My Regelence Rake - Sebastian Hastings is the captain of the Royal Guard - and a notorious rake. Prince Colton Townsend has finally decided to give up on Sebastian ever loving him and focus on his racehorses. But when Sebastian insists on going everywhere with Colton for his protection and rumors start, they can no longer stay away from each other.
Diplomatic Relations - Dalton Fairfax is notorious for his unruly antics. Blaise Thompson is focused on doing his duty and behaving perfectly to ensure his family's continued good name. When Dalton takes up the job of being Blaise's bodyguard to avoid his parents, sparks fly and Dalton and Blaise find themselves having to learn from each other's approaches to life.
My Highland Laird - Bannon Thompson's latest indiscretion means his father has shipped him offplanet. Laird Ciaran MacKay's only concern is protecting his clan from the offworlders who killed his father. When Bannon and his valet Louisa are the only survivors of a shuttle crash on Skye, Bannon and Ciaran have to learn to trust each other and work together to save both Ciaran's planet and Bannon's.
The additional four key characters who don't have their own books:
King Steven and King-Consort Raleigh of Regelence - Rulers of Regelence and parents of five rambunctious children, Steven and Raleigh are firm protectors of their planet, loving parents who want their children to be happy, and a married couple who are still hot for each other after all these years.
Rexley Townsend - Crown Prince of Regelence, Rexley's nickname amongst the staff is Lord Responsible, but there are hints that he does know how to take breaks from his responsibilities and enjoy life. He also has a ward, Muffin, who he found as an abandoned baby.
Jeremy Hawkins - Better known as Trouble, Jeremy is Nate's adopted son. Trouble grew up on space stations and then Nate's ship the Lady Anna, and he's not so convinced about this whole Regency society thing. But he has a connection to Regelence he didn't know about - and a connection to Rexley that he doesn't want to break.
Look, if all of this sounds ridiculous, it is. But it's the kind of ridiculous that is absolutely delightful. I read the first book over a decade ago, and I've loved this universe ever since. If you have any interest in Regency romances, I highly recommend the series.
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?: The author's website includes purchase links for each of the novels at a variety of vendors. Worldcat shows holdings for the first four books at a small number of libraries which may or may not have check-out options at this time (My Fair Captain, The Englor Affair, My Regelence Rake, Diplomatic Relations). If you're in California the first four books are available digitally via enki. Your library may offer access to one or more of the books in other digital collections.