I’m very pleased to welcome paranormal and historical romance author Jerri Hines to the blog. Today, Jerri is appearing under one of her historical pen names–Colleen Connally, and she’s here to tell us about her Secret Lives Gothic romance series.
“The murdered do haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always — take any form — drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!” EMILY BRONTE, Wuthering Heights
I grew up reading romance, mostly gothic. I would spend hours lost in the pages of another time and place. Heathcliff wandering the moors with the wind briskly blowing in Wuthering Heights…Harriett wondering if her husband, Bevil, whom she has loved since a child was trying to kill her in Menfreya in the Morning …Jane Eyre discovering her love, Mr. Rochester has a wife…insane no less. Gothic romance lured me into its world—the dark, brooding hero, the innocent young heroine and haunting mystery.
The classic gothic romances, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, seem ageless. I suggested Wuthering Heights to one of my daughter’s friend who loves to read. The next time I saw her, I asked her if she enjoyed it. She made a little face and explained she couldn’t get into the story. She thought the words were stilted! Be still my beating heart. She couldn’t possibly have thought my Wuthering Heights was bland! More than likely, Wuthering Heights wasn’t like the books she reads now a days. One of her favorite books—50 shades of Grey.
So has the romance gone out of Romance Novels? No…romance has only evolved. Romance will never go out of style.
Romances are read to confirm that love really exists. For a moment in time, a reader finds love between the pages of a novel. Reading a romance is an escape from the reality of the world around us. It also reminds us why we fell in love and the feeling love gives us. When we pick up a romance, we don’t have to flip to the end of the book to know that everything will end happily.
Historical Romances have evolved as well. Historical romances transport us to a different time and place away from the confines of the reality of our everyday life. Most of us have a Cinderella complex and dream of our Prince Charming and happy ever after. History allows different scenarios than what we women experience today. Marriages of convenience, arranged marriages, and women trapped due to circumstances fascinate us. In these stories oppressed women search for the love of their life, finding it in the arms of their prince, undoubtedly rich and handsome…their happily ever after!
Secret Lives is a historical romance series of standalone books connected by the fact the heroine at one point in her life has to have led a secret life. My latest, Seductive Lies, holds forbidden love, intrigue, and mystery, but it is also a tad different. Seductive Lies is my first truly gothic romance. Haunted visions…curses…ghosts…
Take a moment for your day and enjoy this story of forbidden love. Seductive Lies—only love can heal a heart betrayed!
“Love is the emblem of eternity; it confounds all notion of time; effaces all memory of a beginning, all fear of an end.” Madame de Stael, French-Swiss novelist.
Great post, Jerri! Readers, Jerri is giving away one of her Colleen Connally books today. Just tell us about the Gothic romances–book or movie–that you love for a chance to win!
Jane Eyre 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Love Jane Eyre, although I was a big fan of Victoria Holt’s gothics growing up, too.
I think my favorite gothic romance depends on the mood I’m in some days its Jane Eyre. Other days like today, I would say On the Night of the Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt.
I read Jane Eyre when I was 13. I too loved the mystery and the “exotic” dialog and phrases. Remember this line from Edward to Jane?
“It feels as though I had a string, tied here under my left rib where my heart is, tightly knotted to you.”
Then and there I fell in love.
I enjoyed your post Jerri. Best luck. 🙂
Sigh…so romantic!
Rose, I love that line…I’m so glad you reminded me.
I feel like I’m copying, but I also have to say Jane Eyre.
Jane Eyre is truly the perfect gothic romance…brooding hero with a dark secret.
This might be stretching the true definition of gothic romance, but my number one choice is “Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux. Phantom (Erik)said to Christine, “You are crying! You are afraid of me! And yet I am not really wicked. Love me and you shall see! All I wanted was to be loved for myself.”
“Floating, falling, sweet intoxication. Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation. Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music of the night.”
Of course this is from a song from Phantom of the Opera, but what a great show! I would think you could classify Phantom of the Opera as a gothic romance.
don’t have a fav
You don’t have to have a favorite to enjoy a good book! My problem is that I love so many gothic romances that it’s hard to choose.
Jane Eyre & Wuthering Heights are both great favorites. I love the books, but I’ve seen some TV & movie adaptations that have been very good.
That’s funny you said that…I love the movies as well. I even have my favorite version of both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. My favorite movie version of Jane Eyre is with Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles.
Love your post, Jerri! I grew up on Gothic type novels – especially any by Victoria Holt and Jane Eyre and Rebecca are my two favourite books.
Rosemary, I loved Victoria Holt growing up. Mistress of Mellyn and Bride of Pendorric are still two of my favorite romances.
I’m so glad you mentioned Rebecca. Rebecca…I have a confession…I have author envy— Daphne du Maurier. I love the suspense in Rebecca and the fact that the heroine’s name is never revealed. The first time I read it I didn’t even notice that no one called her by her first name. Classic!
Spectacular book, Jerri, and thanks so much for joining us!
What a great post, Jerri. I too grew up on Gothic novels, and devoured Jane Eyre, Rebecca and Wuthering Heights as a teenager. I also loved Northanger Abbey, which pokes gentle fun at the Gothic novels of Jane Austen’s time. Enjoyed reading your post – thanks!
It’s a great post, isn’t it, Helena!
Wuthering Heights for me.
Great post, Jerri. But I’m so sad for your friend who thinks 50 Shades is better than Wuthering Heights.
The young lady definitely needs to expand her reading tastes!
Another fan of Daphne du Maurier here…
She’s fabulous, Cate!
Jerri, your book sounds fantastic! I love Gothics, and Victoria Holt was my hero for many years. I read all her books when as a teenager and loved each of them. I plan to write a series of modern Gothics (first one started)… I do wish they’d make more of a come back!
Good luck, Gemma – I loved Victoria Holt, too!
I haven’t read a lot of gothic romances, but I always did love Rebecca. 🙂
Great book – always loved the movie with Laurence Olivier, too!
Another new-to-me author- 2 in one day!!!! I haven’t read any gothics in years, but always Victoria Holt.
Glad you stopped by, Sheila!
Oh my goodness! I too grew up and “cut my teeth” reading Gothic romance. I am absolutely thrilled to find that you are an author who has chosen to literally fulfill that Gothic love for readers like me. Wow! You rock! I am going in search of your novels. I’m a reviewer for the blog, bookworm2bookworm and would love to promote you there! Thank you so much for writing my favorite plots and genre!
I losed Sweet Madness by Heather Snow – the hero was convinced he was mad – so much so he voluntarily committed himself to an insane asylum. His first encounter with the heroine in the novel was him drugged up and swinging naked from a chandelier and crashing into her! Can you imagine?!? And the story only got more exciting from there!
loved* typo
Thank you for your post, Jerri/Colleen and Vanessa. I love old gothic romances! How I hope the genre is in for a revival!
As with other types of fiction, I don’t have any favorite authors or titles, just favorite themes. In gothics I dig women in lots of peril. Plus strange if not bizarre events, situations, secondary characters, and settings. And love fraught with danger, a hero the heroine can’t help loving but can’t trust. And probably shouldn’t!
Many of today’s romances take place in a world in which everything makes sense. Gothic romances, at least the ones I like, take place in a world in which nothing makes sense.
In the midst of it is a vulnerable heroine who must not only find the meaning of this world, but survive its many dangers. And end up with the ultimate reward: true love.
Good luck with your new and upcoming releases!
I have been re-reading Victoria Holt, my favorite author for a time decades ago when I was a teenager. It’s easy to see what I liked about Holt’s books — the mystery, the chance at love, a big cool house that was a character in and of itself (same with Du Maurier). I was a Dark Shadows fan, too. There were fairly easy answers, too, and that was a comfort and actually nothing like what I found later in life.
Wonderful post. I read many gothic romances which transported me to another realm and era. All of the novels, and especially Cashelmara by Susan Howatch were captivating.
I so enjoyed this fascinating post which appeals to me greatly. When I read All of Daphne Du Maurier’s novels, especially Rebecca and Frenchman’s Creek I found them memorable and very riveting.
Love gothic romances and have for probably 30+ years. One of the best part about indie authors and the internet is that I can find so many great books from authors I never would have met otherwise.
The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart caught my interest when I was much younger and then I began reading many of the famous authors, Daphne Du Maurier, who was my favorite and cast a spell upon me.
When I was younger I loved Victoria Holt and read all her books. I read all different types of books now but Gothic books are still one of my favorites.
I started out reading the newer gothics – some of my favorites were Phylis Whitney, Dorothy Eden, Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart.
I loved Sweet Madness by Heather Snow too.
Is Sherlock Holmes considered Gothic? I enjoy all the variations of those – just saw an old half hour series from the 40’s(?) I had never seen before.