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!