Publication Date: September 20, 2014 | Madison Street Publishing | Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction/Regency/Romance
READ AN EXCERPT.
From the author of the widely acclaimed The Widow's Redeemer, comes a new Regency romance from Philippa Jane Keyworth. Six years after being jilted without a word of explanation, Julia Rotherham finds Lucius Wolversley standing before her once again–unexpected, unannounced, unwelcome. With her heart still hurting and, more importantly, her pride, Julia must chaperone her younger sister, fend off fortune hunters, orchestrate a fake engagement, and halt an elopement–all whilst keeping the man who jilted her at arm’s length. But what Julia doesn’t know is that this time, the Earl has no intention of disappearing, and this time, he has more than an explanation to offer…
I’m not
quite sure there was one thing. All I know is that I had this idea for an
angry, impetuous heroine who was annoyed at someone who had jilted her. I had
the ballroom scene, which is at the beginning of the book, in my head and I
just had to write it as, quite frankly, I felt indignant on Julia’s behalf!
Then as the
first scene was written down I just carried on until it was like I was bowling
along in Hyde Park on a high perch phaeton!
Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m afraid
you’ll have to ask my readers that one. A lot of authors talk about having your
own voice, and finding it when you first start writing. I’m not quite sure I’ve
found mine yet. I’m not quite sure I know what that means. All I know is that I
love writing, and when I write my characters and edit them until they feel real,
I get thoroughly excited and start feeling all their feelings as the story
progresses. It’s rather delightful!
How did you come up with the title?
Haha! The
truth? Well, when it comes to titles I usually have a working title which I
think is simply splendid. This time I didn’t. It was called, quite
unremarkably, Miss Rotherham, a title
which my publisher thought wasn’t quite the ticket.
So I did
what I did with my last book (although last time I had a better working title
to start off with!) and I thought about the key elements of the book and wrote
out different variations on those themes. I usually come up with dozens of them
and then narrow them down. This time my publisher helped and I think it may
have been their brains that eventually came up with The Unexpected Earl. It all sounds very unromantic doesn’t it?
Well, I think it is romantic, because the title perfectly encapsulates the
book. Earl Wolversley comes crashing into Julia’s life six years after he
jilted her. It is all rather dramatic. It is all rather unexpected.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I think I
just want them to really enjoy it. Perhaps there is a small part of me that
wants to let people, who are like me and my heroine, a little quick-tempered
but with good intentions, know that they can still do good not just get
themselves into trouble! And of course, that there are dashing heroes to love
us!
What books have influenced your life most?
Oh, Jane Eyre has to be the first one I
mention. It is such a powerful love story, I really felt the ache Rochester had
for Jane, and I loved the way that it didn’t have intimate scenes in it,
because it simply didn’t need them. Charlotte Bronte is masterful in her
portrayal of their love.
Then there’s
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
Rivers is a Christian and this book is an adaptation of the biblical book of
Hosea set in the American West. Don’t let that throw you off; it’s a beautiful
love story between a prostitute and a farmer that will have you hooked.
And then
there are so many others—Georgette Heyer’s Devil’s
Cub, and fantasies like Alison Croggon’s The Gift, Enid Blyton’s Famous
Five, Brian Jacques’s Redwall
series. I have quite an eclectic taste!
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Most definitely
M. M. Bennetts. She is the author of two very beautifully written books May 1812 and Of Honest Fame which I highly recommend. She was a good friend of
mine and passed away only recently. I miss her very much. She shaped my view of
historical fiction and history itself. She constantly challenged me in my
writing and was so helpful and encouraging. She proofed my manuscript for my
first novel The Widow’s Redeemer and
upon getting halfway through it she sent it back to me along with a book of
Oxford Grammar that she heartily recommended I read. Only a good friend would
do that.
What book are you reading now?
A Tale of Two Cities. I will be honest, it’s taking me
some time, since I’m a notoriously slow
reader. I like to mix reading modern books with classics as it’s good for one
and it also means that I can mix quick reads with more in-depth ones.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Well, if
truth be told, Veronica Roth has very much grasped my interest. I don’t know if
she’d be considered new, probably not, but I am so bad at keeping up with
things, one of the by-products of having your nose shoved between the pages of
a book or manuscript!
She writes
young adult fiction and I’ve recently read Divergence
while on holiday which had me absolutely hooked. Her writing is really good and
her storyline so interesting. I’d recommend reading it (I got the last two
books for my birthday and am looking forward to reading them), but make sure
you have several days free!
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Oh, don’t
ask me that! I make a point of not looking too closely at my stories when they’re
published. I figure, I wrote to the best of my ability and I just hope everyone
likes it. I wouldn't want to worry myself over things I can’t change. ;-)
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
When I was
younger and read fantasies like Narnia and Redwall, and series like Animal Ark,
I just got inspired to create my own world. As I’ve gotten older, it’s changed
to more to feeling I want to read something, not being able to find it, and
then deciding I’ll just write what I’m in the mood for!
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Editing.
It’s hard work and takes lots of time. Then again, even though it’s hard, I do
find it enjoyable. It’s like that when you’re passionate about something—it can
be a hard slog but if you’re passionate, you love it.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Ah, I can’t
pick! Maybe Georgette Heyer. She wrote Regency romances and, in fact, her Devil’s Cub which I mentioned above made
me think I could write my own. I just love the word sparring in her novels. She
has intelligent, witty characters that fight with their words. She’s quite
simply always amusing.
Other than
her I like Alison Croggon’s amazing ability to create a fantastical world, and
I love Jane Austen’s storylines, and the way M. M. Bennetts could write
sentences that melted in your mouth. I love it all!
Who designed the covers?
Ah, that was
Masha Shubin. She designed the covers for both of my books. She has done a
lovely job of creating covers that both display elements of the story and fit
well with the period.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Definitely
receiving my first edits from my publisher. It’s not that they were mean, or
unneeded— believe me, they were definitely needed. But it always hits me when I
receive my first round of edits that I have a lot of work ahead of me
and—shock, horror!—my manuscript isn’t perfect!
It’s a great
humbling moment, usually involving a few tears, and then after some nice words
from the husband, I climb back on the horse and away I go with my best friend “Microsoft
Word Track-changes”!
Julia Rotherham thought she would never see Lucius Wolversley again after he jilted her years before. However their paths cross again at her sister's coming out ball. As much as she hates Lucius for the hurt he caused her, she also still loves him despite of everything in the past. In spite of her affection, she knows that she can't trust him. Besides she still doesn't know what made him run for the hills all those years ago.
Lucius Wolversley is an earl but he is quite reserved and not anything like a true earl in that time period should be. He doesn't enjoy parties, he can't stand socializing and he makes it clear that he isn't a playboy at all. Quite by accident he runs into Julia at her sister ball, he doesn't even realize it is the Rotherham's house until he steps out of the coach to enter. This is the last thing he wants to be attending. However, he decides to make the best of it and enters hoping to gage Julia's anger of years in the past.
This was a great historical fiction read. The language was perfect for the time period and the characters were well developed and likable. I just loved the wit and banter that is portrayed between Jules and the Earl. They are not your typical love birds at all. In fact, there isn't a real love story in this story. I thought this was so refreshing. A historical novel that isn't about love but instead is about family, relationships, honesty and up-ringing.
The Unexpected Earl takes awhile to get going. You really need to hang in there though, because the beginning explains a lot about each character and what brings them to where they are today. Then the story can really begin.
Jules is strong but not in a frustrating way. She is ahead of her time in a lot of ways. She doesn't believe that woman should be seen but not heard. This brings some laughter within the book because she tends to tell others how it is even if it sometimes is not her place. I loved that fact that the author took this chance for the female protagonist and felt it worked really well.
Lucius is mysterious, confusing and aloof. He is a man who doesn't believe in fixing his carnal urges with harlots. He drinks at the local club but won't participate in the nightly games like his friends do. He has a certain air about him that makes him a favorite from the beginning. Even though I knew he left Jules, I still found myself drawn to the dark, and handsome gentleman.
Over all this historical fiction novel was a perfect read. I was compelled to finish and the novel was not long by any means. I suggest you give this author your time and patience because her characters and writing style will quickly win you over.
GIVEAWAY:
Win one eBook, Kindle for US residents or PDF for international residents.
About the Author
Philippa Jane Keyworth, known to her friends as Pip, has been writing since she was twelve in every notebook she could find. Originally trained as a horse-riding instructor, Philippa went on to become a copywriter before beginning a degree in History. A born again Christian, Philippa lives in the south of England with her handsome husband.
Philippa has always written stories and believes that, since it is one of her loves and passions, she always will. In her early writing career, she dabbled in a variety of genres, but it was the encouragement of a friend to watch a film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that began her love affair with the British Regency. Since then, she has watched every Regency film and TV series she could get her hands on and become well acquainted with Georgette Heyer’s novels which gave her the inspiration to write her own.
Both as a reader and a writer, Philippa believes it is important to escape into a world you yourself would want to live in. This is why she writes stories that will draw you into the characters’ joys and heartaches in a world apart from our own. Her debut novel, The Widow’s Redeemer (Madison Street Publishing, 2012), is a traditional Regency romance bringing to life the romance between a young widow with an indomitable spirit and a wealthy viscount with an unsavory reputation. The novel has been received well by readers and reviewers who have praised the heartfelt story and admirable characters. Her second novel, The Unexpected Earl (Madison Street Publishing, 2014), explores another romance in the Regency era when an impetuous young woman has her life turned upside down by the reappearance of the earl who jilted her six years ago.
So, what are you waiting for? Get swept away into another time with characters you will learn to love, and experience the British Regency like never before.
For more information please visit Philippa Jane Keyworth's website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Also by Philippa Jane Keyworth
The Widow's RedeemerThe Unexpected Earl Blog Tour Schedule
Saturday, September 20 Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past Monday, September 22 Review at Austenprose Review at To Read or Not to Read Review at WTF Are You Reading? Tuesday, September 23 Review at Bibliophilia, Please Spotlight & Excerpt at Romantic Historical Reviews Wednesday, September 24 Review & Interview at Bookish Thursday, September 25 Review at "Good Friends, Good Books and a Sleepy Conscience: This is the Ideal Life." Friday, September 26 Review & Interview at Back Porchervations Spotlight at Princess of Eboli Sunday, September 28 Review at Book Nerd Monday, September 29 Review at Mel's Shelves Review at Based on a True Story Review at Queen of All She Reads Tuesday, September 30 Review at A Library of My Own
No comments:
Post a Comment