Lucky 13!
Ever since my daughter was
born on October 13th, I’ve considered thirteen to be a lucky number,
and 2013 has certainly lived up to that belief. It’s been a great year for me
as an author!
In February, my first book,
‘The Rebel’s Promise’ was published by Front Porch Romance. This was followed
in June by ‘The Corsair’s Revenge’ and in December by ‘An Improper Lady’. These
three books are historical romances set during the Georgian era. They are the
Powder and Patch Series and there are characters who appear in all three.
While these exciting things
were happening with Front Porch Romance, I was also writing a Gothic novel with
all of the traditional elements of dark secrets, brooding characters and an
atmospheric setting. I didn’t know, when I started the book, that HarlequinE
were looking for ‘new gothics’ for their Shivers line. When I read an interview
with Malle Vallik, Director of Editorial Digital Initiatives at Harlequin,
saying ‘send us your gothics!’ I did just that. Then I sat back to wait the 14
weeks it suggests in the guidelines. Imagine my surprise when, just a week
later, I got ‘the call’ from Malle telling me how much the team at HarlequinE
loved my book!
Now, I’m eagerly awaiting
the launch of my first HarlequinE Shivers book ‘Legacy of Darkness’ which will
be published in a four book digital box set on 6th January 2014. My fellow authors, Barbara J. Hancock, Dawn
Brown and Jenna Ryan have written awesome Shivers books as part of this launch.
I’m delighted to be part of such a talented line up. ‘Four beguiling stories,
one great price!’ is our tag-line and our Amazon blurb reads:
‘Lose yourself in four
eerie, atmospheric tales of romance…and revenge. In a decaying mansion, a
ghostly presence refuses to relinquish the artist she's long haunted to a new
lover and muse. In an ancient Cornish castle, an innocent woman may be
sacrificed to a family's legacy of madness. On the fringes of a Welsh estate, a
vengeful figure targets the long-lost daughter of a cursed clan. In the
Louisiana bayou, a serial killer hunts the one woman who can bring his demonic
crimes to light. If you love Gothics by Victoria Holt, Daphne du Maurier and
Barbara Michaels, and enjoy dark romance, then delve into the new Shivers Collection.
Mood, mystery … romance that makes you shiver. Look for more titles coming in
April 2014.’
So what does 2014 hold in
store for Jane Godman? Well, the sequel to ‘Legacy of Darkness’ (‘Echoes of
Darkness’) will be part of the April 2014 Shivers box set and I am working on
Book Three in the series right now. I also have a stand alone Shivers title,
Valley of Nightmares, which is currently scheduled for publication in October
2014 and I have several ideas for gothics, and a few other lines, in mind.
Enough to make 2014 another busy year!
I’m often asked the
question ‘what is the difference between a gothic romance and a paranormal
romance?’. Gothics may have elements of the supernatural, horror or unexplained
such as ghosts or reincarnation, but they are not paranormal romances.
Generally, in a gothic, the main protagonist is human. In a Jane Godman
Shivers, you can expect:
1.
A
dark, gloomy and atmospheric setting.
2.
A
feisty heroine who pushes the boundaries.
3.
A
hero you fall in love with …
4.
And
a villain you fall in love with (for different reasons)
5.
Dark
secrets, the past comes back to haunt the present.
6.
High
levels of sensuality, the shivers don’t come just from the unexplained!
I’d love to hear what you
think of our HarlequinE Shivers box set!
Legacy of Darkness
1837 Cornwall, England
Orphaned, penniless and
reduced to the role of lady’s companion, Lucy Alleyne is relieved when a
distant relation spirits her away to Castle Athal. But gratitude soon gives way
to fear—and unlooked-for pleasure.
The ancient Cornish castle
is a dark monument to family, fortune and infamy. Within its walls, the Jago
family keeps its wards close…and its secrets closer. As soon as Lucy arrives at
her new home, she is drawn to Tynan, Earl of Athal. Although the young lord is
handsome and caring, he is tortured by mental illness, like his father before
him. They share a meeting of souls which is completely opposite to her very
physical response to Tynan's uncle, Uther: a commanding, seductive presence
whose leonine power radiates from his every word and gesture.
These two Jago men have
innocent Lucy enthralled: mind, soul and body. But if she remains within the
poisonous castle keep, with its history of ill-starred passion and madness, a
mere broken heart will seem a mercy.
The Powder and Patch
Collection
In December 1745, Jacobite
troops, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, march on Derby intent on seizing the
throne. Rosie Delacourt’s quiet existence is thrown into turmoil when she
rescues a rebel lord from certain death. A passionate attachment blossoms but
there is a price on Jack’s head and he must flee the country. Before he leaves,
he makes Rosie a promise that he will return and claim her as his bride.
Rosie believes that Jack
has been killed in battle at Culloden. She is threatened with ruin and forced
into a distasteful betrothal with her ruthless neighbour, Sir Clive Sheridan.
When Jack returns, he is unable to hide the anguish he feels at her betrayal
... and Rosie dare not risk both their lives by telling him the truth. They
inhabit the same privileged world of balls, routs and parties, but it seems the
only feelings which remain between Jack and Rosie now are bitterness and anger.
When danger throws them together again, however, they are reminded of the
tenderness they once shared.
Caro Trelawn has no idea
why she has been kidnapped on the way to her wedding.
She is taken prisoner
aboard a pirate galleon by the notorious brigand known as Le Corsaire, a man
who seems strangely familiar.
When Laurent Bergeron,
Comte de St Valier, succumbs to a vengeful impulse and abducts Caro, he does
not bargain on the impact his feisty captive has on him. From the minute they
set eyes on each other, their relationship is volatile and fiery. Try as he
might to keep his distance, Laurent cannot resist the passion that sizzles
between them. So how will he react when Caro succeeds in escaping from him?
Caro’s journey takes her
from the wild Cornish coast to the elegant salons of Paris and ends, with a
shocking denouement, in the slums of London’s St Giles. In The Corsair’s Revenge, we meet some
familiar faces from Jane Godman’s first novel, The Rebel’s Promise.
Lady Isabella Cavendish is
the most beautiful, and the most scandalous, woman in England. The powdered,
scented fops who frequent London’s ballrooms are definitely not Bella’s style …
but there is something different about Sir Peregrine Pomeroy. There is a
sizzling attraction between them, but Perry seems oddly reluctant to consummate
their mutual passion.
He finally confesses that
he is in love with Bella, and that nothing less than marriage will do for him.
But there are dark secrets
in Bella’s past and she is not prepared to bring dishonour to Perry’s proud
name. She tells him she is happy to be his mistress, but she will not marry
him.
The impasse continues until
they are snowbound at a Christmas house party. Perry challenges Bella to a game
of billiards. He insists on a forfeit. If he wins Bella will become his
mistress. If Bella wins, she must agree to marry him.
Purchase Links
Jane Godman Author Bio
I am an avid reader of
historical romances, and have always enjoyed writing (I still have a copy of
the medieval novel I wrote, in felt tip pen, aged 14!).
My Powder and Patch
romances, published by Front Porch Romance, are set in the Georgian era - from
the wild passion of the Jacobite rebellion to the charm and formality of the
Regency - with heroes and heroines you fall instantly in love with, fascinating
and amusing supporting characters and luscious settings.
I also love the darker side
of the romance novel and I write Gothic mystery/romance books for HarlequinE as
part of their ‘Shivers’ line.
I live in England and love
to travel to European cities which are steeped in history and romance. Venice,
Dubrovnik and Vienna are amongst my favourites. I am a teacher, married to a
lovely man, mum to two grown up children and slave to a spoilt-brat cat.
I love to hear from readers
and can be contacted at:
Thank you for inviting me onto your blog and for a great post.
ReplyDeleteJane Godman