Throwback Thursday with Penny Hampson

Throwback Thursday with 
Penny Hampson

A Gentleman’s Promise: A Regency Romance (Gentlemen Book 1)

Published 11th March 2021 

For this week’s Throwback Thursday at Yarde Book Promotions, we are delighted to welcome back Penny Hampson as she reflects on one of the books that marked an important milestone in her writing journey.

A Gentleman’s Promise, the first novel in Penny’s Gentlemen series, was published on 11th March 2021 and introduced readers to a world of Regency romance, honour and emotional restraint, set against the elegance and social conventions of the period. As the opening book in the series, it laid the foundations for characters, themes and storytelling that would continue to develop throughout the novels that followed.

In this interview, Penny looks back on the experience of writing and publishing A Gentleman’s Promise, reflects on what the book represents to her today, and shares how her writing and career have evolved since its publication.

Join us as we revisit the novel that began the Gentlemen series and explore the journey behind the story.

Mary Anne: Looking back to 2021, what first inspired you to write A Gentleman’s Promise and begin the Gentlemen series?

Penny Hampson: I’ve always been a fan of Regency fiction, especially the novels of Georgette Heyer who I discovered in my teens (in fact, Heyer is credited with inventing the genre of Regency romance). These stories offered an escape from my 21st century problems, with their tales of beautiful houses, fabulous dresses, elopements, masquerades, courtship, and romances.

Anyway, as retirement loomed and knowing that I’d have time on my hands, I decided to write my own Regency stories; ones that that included all the elements I seek in a good book ––history, mystery, and of course, romance. I also wanted my stories to focus, not on the aristocracy, but the wealthier classes; in the fictional Regency world there are far too many dukes. And so, with A Gentleman’s Promise, the Gentleman Series was born.

Mary Anne: When you were writing this book, what were your biggest hopes or fears about putting your work out into the world?

Penny Hampson: My main hope was that at least some readers would enjoy my story and appreciate the amount of work that had gone into it. As a historian, I know a fair bit about the Regency period, but to write a believable story set in the past you have got to know every detail of the period you are writing about. What food did my characters eat? What did they wear? How long does it take to travel a certain distance on horseback or in a carriage? These were just some of the subjects I needed to research. It was only when I actually started writing that I realised that despite my qualifications, my knowledge in some areas of Regency life was sadly lacking. 

My biggest fears were that I’d get things wrong and I’d bore my readers. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to have happened.

Mary Anne: Which character from A Gentleman’s Promise taught you the most about yourself as a writer?

Penny Hampson: There isn’t one character that I would single out. Every character was important to me, not just the main protagonists, Richard and Emma, but also the secondary characters. It was crucial to get inside their heads and work out what they were thinking and what they would say. One thing I would add, is that characters sometimes take on a life of their own; my villain turned into someone I cared about, so much so that I didn’t kill him off but gave him a future in subsequent books. 

Mary Anne: What part of writing A Gentleman’s Promise surprised you the most — creatively or professionally?

Penny Hampson: I think I was most surprised by the sheer amount of research required to ensure all the period details were correct. Of course, not all my research made it into the finished story, too much history would be boring. Stuff that didn’t make it into the story made it onto my blog. There are lots of articles there for readers who want to delve a little deeper into early 19th century life. 

Mary Anne: Since publishing this book, how do you feel your writing has changed or matured?

Penny Hampson: Writing stories set in the Regency has got a little bit easier; I’ve now got a solid background of research that I can use without having to resort to looking things up all the time. I’m learning all the time about how to convey moods and settings without having to spell everything out.

Mary Anne: What achievement since 2021 are you most proud of in your writing career so far?

Penny Hampson: I’m really proud that my Gentleman Series has been enjoyed by so many readers; readers who have taken the trouble to contact me or who have written reviews on Amazon. It’s a real thrill knowing that something I’ve created brings joy to somebody else. I’ve also given talks about my books and my writing career; having had no previous experience of public speaking this was quite daunting for me at first, so I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to acquire skills in this area. Writing is such a solitary profession that it is great to meet and chat with people who share the same interests.

Mary Anne: If you were rewriting A Gentleman’s Promise today, is there anything you would approach differently?

Penny Hampson: I think it might be interesting to write it from my ‘villain’s’ point of view! I think if readers knew about his backstory, they might be more sympathetic and understand why he took the actions he did. 

Mary Anne: How has reader feedback over the years influenced the way you write now?

Penny Hampson: Readers have told me that they enjoy the mixture of adventure and romance, so I definitely create dangerous situations for my characters to cope with while they are falling in love. Readers also mention that they enjoy meeting characters who have appeared in previous books, so as the series has progressed some characters will appear in more than one story. 

Mary Anne: What are you currently working on, and how does it reflect the writer you’ve become since this first book?

Penny Hampson: At the moment I’m working on a Regency short story which is due to be published in an anthology in late 2026. I’ve written a few short stories (not all Regencies or romances) and I enjoy the challenge of creating a satisfying tale in far fewer words than a full length novel. I’m also about to publish my second contemporary novel, A Plethora of Phantoms. The first in my Spirited Encounters Series was The Unquiet Spirit. I’m sure you can guess that both these books have a ghostly element. This was my sneaky way of bringing some history into a contemporary story, because where do ghosts come from but the past? Like all my other books, these can be read as standalones. 

Mary Anne: Finally, what advice would you give your 2021 author self on the day A Gentleman’s Promise was published?

Penny Hampson:  I would advise my 2021 self that the publication of A Gentleman’s Promise wasn’t the end but only the beginning of creating a Regency world where readers can enjoy romance, mystery, and even some history. And that there is nothing quite like meeting enthusiastic readers who have enjoyed my books and want me to write more. 

Mary Anne: Thank you, Penny, for taking part in this interview and for sharing your reflections on A Gentleman’s Promise. It has been a pleasure revisiting the beginnings of the Gentlemen series with you.

Publication Date: 11th March 2021

Publisher: PP&M Publishing

Print Length: 322 Pages

Genre: Regency Romance

A docile wife is what he wants. A husband is the last thing she needs. Can a quest for a killer teach them that they are both wrong?

Emma Smythe and her brother arrive at Easterby Hall to discover that a handsome stranger has laid claim to their ancestral home and the family title. Have her relatives been murdered, and is her brother next? Determined to find the answers, she has no option but to trust the gentleman who insists that he will help. But danger appears in many guises, and for a woman intent on remaining single, her intriguing protector may prove the biggest threat of all.

The attempts on Richard Lacey’s life begin when he inherits a title and a rundown estate. A coincidence? He’s not so sure. Problems multiply with the unexpected arrival of Jamie and Emma Smythe. Long thought dead, they too are potential targets. Richard thinks he wants a docile, obedient wife, but will the task of keeping headstrong Emma safe from danger change his mind?

Embroiled in a sinister mystery, can Richard and Emma work together to catch a killer? And will this dangerous quest teach them that what they both wish to avoid is exactly what they need?

Filled with intrigue, unexpected twists, and faultless period detail, this slow-burn romance is a must-read for lovers of classic Regency fiction.

 

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A Gentleman’s Promise

HERE

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Penny Hampson

Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now three novels in the series, with the fourth, An Adventurer’s Contract, due to be released by the end of 2024. 

Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).

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Penny’s books are all available on Amazon: viewauthor.at/Pennysbooks