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.’
Purchase Links
Rachelle, thank you for inviting me to be part of your fabulous blog! I have really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachelle, I love finding new authors to check out.
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