Maggie MacKeever: A Banbury Tale

Next in our author lineup is Maggie MacKeever, who wrote regencies for Fawcett in the late 1970's. A Banbury Tale was published in 1977 and is the story of Mathilda who was a widow and definitely not planning on remarrying! However, she wasn't ready to give up her place as the reigning queen of society!

This cover by Allan Kass shows our couple on a balcony where in the room behind, a ball is taking place. Our couple share an embrace while the dancers in the background complete a measure. My eye is caught by the gentleman in the pink coat--he must be a dandy!

I wonder if the popularity of Barbara Cartland's books during this time helped this genre become popular? Other popular romances of the time were the gothic and these regency stories were definitely different in flavor. Also this was the beginning of the sexier historical romance with Kathleen Woodwiss's The Flame and the Flower being published around 1977, too.