Wednesday, March 27, 2013

#AuthorInterview Jane Godman #HistoricalRomance



1.   Who is Jane Godman?
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 romances 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 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:

2.   Tell us about your current release.
My current release is ‘The Rebel’s Promise’ which is my debut novel. It was published by Front Porch Romance in February 2013.
It’s a love story based around the true events of 1745, when Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army attempted to reclaim the British crown. It was a turbulent time and the rebels got as far as Derby before they turned back across the Scottish border.
Rosie Delacourt is an English girl from a well-to-do family, whose quiet life is turned upside down when she rescues an injured Jacobite. Rosie has never met anyone quite like Jack before. He’s handsome, dashing, charming and, even though he is at death’s door when the story begins, he flirts outrageously with her!
It’s inevitable that they will fall in love, but Jack is wanted for treason and King George’s troops come looking for him. The lovers share one bittersweet night together before he leaves.
Jack promises to return - “Rosie, my heart, my dearest love. I swear that, once I have secured the king’s pardon, I will come back for you and make you my wife.” – but Rosie doesn’t know if she will ever see him again.
Momentous events are shaping across the border and Bonnie Prince Charlie is defeated in battle. The rebels are in disarray and the prince himself goes into hiding. Back in Derbyshire, Rosie has her own problems. She is being blackmailed by Sir Clive Sheridan, a man who lusts after her body and her fortune. When the news comes that Jack has been killed at Culloden, she faces a stark choice: marry Clive or she, and her young brother, will go to the gallows as traitors.
Jack, meanwhile, has secured a pardon, and he returns to fulfil his promise. When he hears that Rosie is to marry the very man who betrayed him, he is devastated. But Rosie cannot tell him the truth. To do so would mean certain death for both of them.
It seems the only feelings which remain between them now are bitterness and anger. However, when danger throws them together again, Jack and Rosie are reminded of tenderness they once shared.

Excerpt (in which Rosie is disguised as a boy):
She made a movement to cover herself and Jack caught hold of her hands, forestalling her. “Don’t,” he murmured softly, pulling her to her feet and drawing her close, his hands sliding beneath the hem of her shirt and cradling the soft curves of her buttocks. “Since the brandy was not effective … let me warm you up instead.”
Mrs Cooper chose that very moment to burst into the room carrying a spare nightshirt for ‘Master Delacourt’. Seeing that young gentleman in a passionate embrace with his older cousin, whose hands – she later told Mr Cooper, once the vapours had ceased – were actually cupping and stroking the cheeks of the youth’s bare backside, she let out a squeak of horror. Covering her eyes with her hands, she ran from the room.
Rosie, very improperly, went off into a peal of laughter and Jack, with a thunderstruck expression, decided the best course of action would be for them both to turn in for the night.

The Rebel’s Promise book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK4w-ci2bU4

‘The Corsair’s Revenge’ is set about six years after the end of ‘The Rebel’s Promise’. It’s not quite a sequel but there are some familiar faces in it. Fans of Jack and Rosie, and those who want to know what happened to Bella and Perry, will enjoy it!
The story begins when Blythe Cavendish is on her way to her wedding. She never arrives. Instead she is kidnapped by a notorious brigand known as Le Corsaire and taken aboard his ship. The story is played out from the wild Cornish coast to the elegant salons of Paris and into the slums of London’s St Giles.
As in ‘The Rebel’s Promise’, there is adventure alongside the main romantic plot, a great supporting cast of characters … and an unexpected twist at the end!  

4.   Has someone been instrumental in inspiring you as a writer?
I get my love of historical romances from my Mum. We still share a love of the same books. I was ten when I read ‘Murder Most Royal’ by Jean Plaidy and I was instantly hooked on British and European history.
At the age of twelve, I discovered a tattered Georgette Heyer (she remains my favourite author and the greatest influence on my writing to this day) novel on my mum’s bookshelf. I devoured it in a day and I was spellbound. It was ‘These Old Shades’, which is set in the mid-1700s. As much as I love Regency novels, I find myself drawn to the earlier Georgian era. I think it’s because the characters have more opportunities to misbehave. It was a scandalous time (think Les Liaisons Dangereuses) and I love the fashions! Give me a hero in a cloak and a powdered wig …
I am captivated by the way great writers of historical romance use dialogue to skilfully set the scene. I also love it when the historical setting is so real it becomes another character, transporting you effortlessly back in time.
I was fourteen when I wrote my first book. I lived in South Africa and my best friend and I had just discovered ‘The Wolf and the Dove’ by Kathleen E Woodiwiss. We spent every evening writing our own Norman hero/Saxon heroine novels. I still have a copy of that book! It was hand written in felt tip pen ...

5.   Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?
I do use a pen name. It’s simply my middle name – Jane – and my maiden name – Godman. I wish I could make that sound more mysterious! I’ll have to work on a back story for Jane Godman … maybe give her a shady past?

6.   Describe what it’s like to be an author in three words.
Exciting, addictive and enthralling!

7.    If you could fly anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most want to go?
Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind, book number three is starting to simmer. It will be set during the Austrian War of Succession and I’d love to go on a research trip to Vienna and Budapest and immerse myself in the history and culture of those two fabulous cities.
I would also love to spend some time researching the House of Hanover (who became the English royal family when George I came to the throne) so I would definitely pass through Germany along the way!    

8.   What future projects would you love to be involved in?
With ‘The Rebel’s Promise’, I wanted to create a magical world in which the reader feels part so I’ve loved getting comments that tell me I’ve succeeded. Readers have said that it’s like a historical soap opera (or Downton Abbey set a few centuries earlier).
There has even been some on-line debate about who would play the main characters in a film or mini-series. I’m quite liking the suggestion of Rob James-Collier as the foppish Sir Peregrine Pomeroy! 
It be wonderful to see the story brought to life on the screen … but I’m not sitting around idly waiting for the BBC drama department to call!

5 Star Reviews for ‘The Rebel’s Promise’
‘The Rebels’ Promise by Jane Godman is an English/ Scottish romance novel with all the adventure and intrigue you would expect from 1745 England. It is a well written and exciting book that I found hard to put down.
The storyline was well developed and easy to follow. I really enjoyed all the subtle twist and turns in the plot. The story was very believable and it was easy to imagine life in the aristocratic world of 18th century London.
Not only was the story a romance novel with all the expected “mushy” stuff, but the action and intrigue makes it a book for all readers. It will keep you glued to the book and wanting more.
Jane Godman did an excellent job of developing the characters. The lead characters were easy to identify with and very real to life. I also liked how she continued to develop the supporting characters in the story and build to their critical role in the climax of the story.
I really enjoyed The Rebel’s Promise by Jane Godman and I highly recommend it to all readers.’

‘I enjoyed every minute of this book. It was romantic, sad and funny by turns. The hero and heroine are great characters, who you just like from the start. I like the way you feel the instant attraction between them, even though he is unconscious! The villain is evil and you just want him to get his come uppance. One of the best things about this book is the supporting cast of characters. They all add to the story and they are all really great characters in their own right (even the dog). The setting is atmospheric, and it just feels like you are there with them back in the 1700s mostly because the dialogue is cleverly done. The writing style made me feel like it was a movie and I would love to see this book made into a mini-series. It would be great to see a sequel!’
‘Thoroughly enjoyable. Had to read in one sitting. Not only the main characters but the supporting ones are well done.’

‘Loved this book. Had me laughing and crying and a sweet love story.’
‘Sweet, funny and charming. Loved the story and the characters, like reading a soap opera or an episode of Downton Abbey.’

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2 comments:

  1. Rachelle, thank you for inviting me to be part of your fabulous blog! I have really enjoyed it!

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  2. Thanks Rachelle, I love finding new authors to check out.

    ReplyDelete