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Shelley Munro | Why Write A Gothic Historical Romance?
September 30, 2010
My parents introduced me to books and reading at a young age. As kids, my
brother, sister and I knew our nursery rhymes off by heart and loved our parents
reading to us. As we grew older, our love for books continued and we branched
out, reading by ourselves. I distinctly remember receiving a copy of Enid Blyton’s FIVE ON A TREASURE
ISLAND, book one in the Famous Five series, in my Christmas stocking. This was my
introduction to mysteries. I devoured this book, reading it many times, along
with the other Famous Five adventures. I was hooked, graduating to Nancy Drew
and Hardy Boy mysteries, along with anything else that contained mystery and
suspense. During my teenage years, on a beach holiday, I ran out of books to read.
Disaster! In desperation, and to keep the peace, my mother gave me one of her
Mills & Boon romances. They were pretty tame in those days and the hero and
heroine were lucky to actually kiss during the course of the book. I enjoyed the
book and read several more during the course of our holiday. Back at school again, my friends and I discovered Victoria Holt. (Wikipedia) A combination of mystery and suspense and danger
along with romance, her books were everything I liked in a story. Gothic
romances—I devoured these too. I still remember reading SHADOW OF THE LYNX, set in
convict Australia. (It was both scary and compelling.) Gothic romances have always been popular. It seems I’m not the only one who
likes the combination of danger and romance. According to Wikipedia
the first gothic romance ever published was THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO by
English author Horace Walpole. It came out in 1764. Gothic romances contain villains, madmen or women, tyrants, ghosts, monks,
innocent heroines, dark and dangerous heroes, secrets, curses, haunted houses
and castles in isolated areas. They can also contain paranormal elements such as
werewolves, vampires, demons and other monsters. Gothic Romance Writers, a chapter of Romance Writers of America, has a good list of
motivations for a Gothic hero. They include the hero killing someone in his
past, people who are close to him dying in mysterious circumstances or perhaps
his first wife died unexpectedly. Do check out the list because it will
definitely put you in a gothic mood. When I started writing historical romances, it seemed natural for me to take all
the elements I loved reading about and put them in my story. THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS was
born. Here’s the blurb for THE
SPURNED VISCOUNTESS. She must marry him. Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind’s only chance at an
ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn’t expect love,
only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the
wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to
dissuade her. He wants nothing to do with her. Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse
his family has arranged for him to marry, not when he’s plotting to avenge the
murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not
even to sire an heir. Dark secrets will bind them. Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she
is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying
visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close, and tempted into passionate kisses,
Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife… THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS
is available from Carina Press. Have you read a gothic romance before? Do you have any gothic titles you’d
like to recommend? Do you enjoy a mystery element in your historicals? Do you
like a paranormal element in your historicals? CONTEST: Answer one or all of the questions above and go into a draw to win a
download of THE SPURNED
VISCOUNTESS, a Georgian historical romance with gothic tones, by Shelley
Munro. Shelley Munro lives in New Zealand and enjoys both writing and reading
historical romance. She’s always on the lookout for a good gothic historical and
when she can’t find any, she writes her own. Plans are underway for her next….
You can visit Shelley and learn more about her books at http://www.shelleymunro.com
Comments
47 comments posted.
Re: Shelley Munro | Why Write A Gothic Historical Romance?
Hi Shelley! I read all of Victoria Holt's books! I remember when I first discovered them in the library, I think it was around my senior year in HS, and I went from library to library and read all, keeping a check list to make sure I didn't miss any! That was my first intro to Gothic Romances! The other authors I remember were Phyllis Whitney (I checked off hers too!) A recent author I read was Jennifer St. Giles (hers was a couple years ago) and Eve Silver too! Its hard to find much now of them and thrilled to know you have one out!
(Cathie Morton 6:23am September 30, 2010)
I sent too fast! Also, I thought in some ways, Amanda Quick's that I read had a strong mystery in hers that reminded me of gothics! It was THE PAID COMPANION. I don't read much outside of romance but I do read historical mystery series (I read maybe 3 authors so far, Deanna Rayborn, Robin Pagie, Victoria Thompson) So recommend Victoria Thompson's. Hers are set in Turn of Century NYC. So I do love the mystery within historical romances! And then too the Paranormal historical romances. I always looking for those! I had read Kathryn Smith's Brotherhood of Blood series and wow, they were great. They too gave me that 'gothic' feeling reading them. So I love this theme obviously! and lots to recommend. I'm looking forward to hearing more recommendations. I'll have to plan to re-read some Victoria Holt. Its been VERY LONG!
(Cathie Morton 6:28am September 30, 2010)
I love mysteries that are historical. I discovered Victoria Holt in high school and read all I could find.
(Pam Howell 8:54am September 30, 2010)
I love paranormal, mystery and historical and fantasy. I however do not like a sad ending!
(Barbara Hanson 10:20am September 30, 2010)
I love the tortured heros in Gothic romances!
(Liz Fichera 10:27am September 30, 2010)
I haven't read much gothic books. However, I'm willing to give your book a try!
(Robin Greene 12:20pm September 30, 2010)
I love mysteries and paranormal and romance and sci-fi and...
I guessthat, like you, I enjoy reading. MANY years ago I was upstairs vacuuming
my bedroom. My mother came up to see what was going on. She said that I was cleaning the same spot over and over - with a book in my hand ! Also, anyone who got my name in a Christmas gift exchange knew what to get me - abook!
(Karin Tillotson 12:59pm September 30, 2010)
why a historical romance? because of the accents, sword and beautiful dress's not to mention with the past you invision a certain elegance (atleast i do) thanks
(April Strength 1:19pm September 30, 2010)
I really enjoy a bit of mystery and/or paranormal to a historical. I love trying to figure things out... add magic into the mix and I am sure there will be some interesting things going on in between the pages!
(Colleen Conklin 1:20pm September 30, 2010)
Our parents reading to us as children is a treasure valuable beyond words.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 1:28pm September 30, 2010)
I began with Jane Austen, the romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy set the tone for the rest of my life! I read anywhere and usually anytime (much to my bosses complaints)!! Gothic, Historical, Paranormal anything that invites me into a world of romance!! Can't wait to read yours!!
(Sheila Schwartz 1:31pm September 30, 2010)
I have gothic romance before. I would recommend The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn and the Draycott series by Christina Skye. A old ancient castle, a haunted house with a dark legacy and things that go bumped in the night, what's better setting for a gothic tales. I love have both a good mystery and paranormal elements in my historical. It makes the story more interesting.
(Kai Wong 1:35pm September 30, 2010)
It sounds wonderful!
(Pamela Stewart 1:52pm September 30, 2010)
I am a new fan of gothic romance I started out as a Si-Fi fan and moved on to romance as i got older and now I read all I can get my hands on.
(Vickie Hightower 2:27pm September 30, 2010)
Gothic historical romance is one of my favorite genres! My favorite is Catherine Coulter's The Countess. I think it was one of her first books ever! I've love win a copy of yours, Shelley!
I do like a little mystery in my historicals and the only paranormal elements that I truly enjoy are "ghost" stories.
(Molly Wilsbacher 2:40pm September 30, 2010)
Hi,
I love mystery in my historicals. I love paranormal in my historicals too. I haven't read a gothic romance in ages!!!!
You have now whetted my apetite!!! Hehe!!!
Valerie
in Germany
[email protected]
(Valerie Bongards 2:43pm September 30, 2010)
Cathie - it sounds as if we have lot of favorite authors in common. A lot of people have mentioned Eve Silver to me. I've just jotted a note to remind myself to check out her books.
(Shelley Munro 3:05pm September 30, 2010)
Pam - I devoured Victoria Holt's books once I discovered them. My girlfriends did too and we had lots of fun comparing notes.
(Shelley Munro 3:06pm September 30, 2010)
Barbara - sad endings make me cranky. I promise you that The Spurned Viscountess has a happy ending!
(Shelley Munro 3:07pm September 30, 2010)
Hi, Liz. Thanks for stopping by!
(Shelley Munro 3:08pm September 30, 2010)
Hi Robin - if you like romance and historicals you can't go wrong ;)
(Shelley Munro 3:08pm September 30, 2010)
Ah, Karin. Sisters at heart. That's the sort of thing I'd do. These days I vacuum with my iPod and have either music or an audio book playing. Gotta love modern technology. :)
(Shelley Munro 3:10pm September 30, 2010)
April - I agree. Our dress is so casual these days, and most of us don't dress up very often. The clothes were beautiful. I'd love to visit the Victoria & Albert museum again to see their collection. Quite a few garments from the 18th century have survived and are on display.
(Shelley Munro 3:12pm September 30, 2010)
Colleen - it sounds as you enjoy genre mixing. I think it's the best invention ever. I'm certainly enjoying the steampunk mixes, which contain mystery, history, fantasy and lots of other things.
(Shelley Munro 3:13pm September 30, 2010)
Marjorie - I totally agree. Both of my parents were big readers and they certainly passed it on to my brother, sister and I.
(Shelley Munro 3:14pm September 30, 2010)
Sheila - I read whenever I can cram it into my schedule. That's one of my complaints about being an author - I love writing, I really do, but it cuts into my reading time.
(Shelley Munro 3:15pm September 30, 2010)
Kai - Oh, I loved the Draycott series with the ghosts and the modern mysteries. They're fun stories. My sister enjoys that series too.
(Shelley Munro 3:16pm September 30, 2010)
Thank you, Pamela!
(Shelley Munro 3:17pm September 30, 2010)
Vickie - I'll read almost any genre of romance. I like sci-fi very much too - in fact I have a sci-fi romance release tomorrow at Ellora's Cave. I tend to go in phazes though, and when I do have time I've been reading mainly historicals.
(Shelley Munro 3:19pm September 30, 2010)
Molly -the paranormal element in mine is very slight in that my heroine has the sight. I like ghost stories too. I haven't seen as many around recently. Maybe I should add a ghost to my next book?
(Shelley Munro 3:21pm September 30, 2010)
Thanks, Valerie. :)
(Shelley Munro 3:22pm September 30, 2010)
I enjoy the a dash or paranormanl with my historicals. Just write me a good story and I'm there....
(Maude Allen 3:44pm September 30, 2010)
Maude - I agree. As a reader all I want is a good story that will take me away from my troubles.
(Shelley Munro 4:24pm September 30, 2010)
I also devoured all of Victoria Holt's books---and many other gothic romances. I like the romance/mystery combo but can't seem to get into the paranormal scene.
(Sue Farrell 6:36pm September 30, 2010)
Congrats on the new release, Shelley. I love Eve Silver's gothic romances, especially "Dark Desires" and "His Wicked Sins."
(Jane Cheung 6:51pm September 30, 2010)
Sue - I have to admit that on the whole I prefer my paranormal reads to have a contemporary feel. That said, I've read some good ones. Have you read Naomi Novik historical dragons? They're very good reads.
(Shelley Munro 8:06pm September 30, 2010)
Thanks, Jane.
(Shelley Munro 8:07pm September 30, 2010)
I still re-read my collection of Barbara Michaels. I really like her contemporary gothics, probably more than the historical ones.
Shelley, your post started me thinking about the old-fashioned covers on historical gothics. Remember the sweeping gowns that any normal fleeing heroine would trip over? the long hair, the wide eyes and ohno expression? I have a sneaking fondness for those covers, but I love the one Carina Press gave The Spurned Viscountess.
(Jenny Schwartz 9:08pm September 30, 2010)
Yes, Jenny! They're always looking over their shoulders as if someone is chasing them. I can still remember the covers of Victoria Holt's books. They always had the heroine on them.
(Shelley Munro 9:16pm September 30, 2010)
Well, Shelley, I can honestly say that I've never read any Gothic mystery books before, because I didn't know they existed!! From what you've described, I would say that all of the elements fit together beautifully. I can understand how the mystery and romance can fit in, and I think I know how the paranormal can fit in as well. I suppose that I'll just have to get one of your books and give it a good read to find out. Your blog sounds like my childhood in many ways, so I'm sure I'll love your books!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:53pm September 30, 2010)
Thanks, Peggy. I hope you enjoy The Spurned Viscountess.
(Shelley Munro 12:20pm October 1, 2010)
I've always loved Gothic Romances. Victoria Holt has always been a favorite. I have a box of old gothics I picked up at book sales and yard sales. Every once in a while, when the mood strikes, I'll pull one out and read it.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:58pm October 1, 2010)
Ah, yes, a good Gothic Mystery is what started me on my reading journey. Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart drew me in & Lynn Kurland & Janet Chapman with their time travel have kept me going. Like old friends I've kept them to reread when I've needed "comfort reads" whenever I've been down with an illness. The Spurned Viscountess appears to be one that I'd read over & over again,too.
(Jean Merriott 6:23pm October 1, 2010)
Shelly do try Eve Silver, you'd be thrilled with hers. All this chat on Gothic Romances is so having me excited to find more to read! Congrats on yours and more to come!
(Cathie Morton 7:40pm October 1, 2010)
Patricia - I wonder if they'll rerelease them now that more books are coming out in digital format. I wouldn't mind reading some of the stories again.
(Shelley Munro 7:52pm October 2, 2010)
Jean - comfort reads are wonderful, aren't they?
(Shelley Munro 7:53pm October 2, 2010)
Cathie - I will, and thanks very much. :)
(Shelley Munro 7:54pm October 2, 2010)
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