The Georgian Rebel Series by Jane Godman Excerpt & Interview

Kiss from a Highlander (The Georgian Rebel Series~Book One)

Taming His Rebel Lady (The Georgian Rebel Series~Book Two)

by Jane Godman

About Kiss for a Highlander: A passion that burns away centuries of hate… Stranded in the heart of England after Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hasty retreat, highlander Fraser Lachlan has sworn to stay by his injured friend’s side. But when a kindly English family takes Jack in to be cared for by the governess and healer at their Derbyshire estate, Fraser can only watch helplessly.

It’s just a matter of time before Jack is turned over to the Crown as a traitor, but Fraser’s attempt to rescue his friend is met with the blunt end of a candlestick.

Martha Wantage wears every reason she hates the Scots on her body—in the scars from a violent, fiery attack that killed her family. Now she has not only one unconscious Jacobite rebel at her mercy, but two. And she can’t resist cursing her enemy with the “kiss of hate”.

That kiss unleashes a storm of passion that rages quickly out of control. But with the legacy of Martha’s scars weighing heavy on her mind, and Fraser’s duty calling him to battle at Culloden, it may be too late to explore whether theirs is a desire born of hate…or love.

Warning: Contains a very sexy, masterful highlander and a demure, but defiant, governess who discovers the hard—very hard—way exactly what a Scotsman keeps under his kilt.

Excerpt: A Kiss for a Highlander Half an hour later, Martha hardly recognized the tall, powerfully built man who strode into her kitchen through the open back door. It was only the bandage on his head and his badly cut hair that alerted her to his identity. Somehow, the severely cut breeches, shirt and jerkin Tom had lent him only accentuated the breadth of Fraser’s shoulders and the strong muscles of his thighs. It was plain from his expression, however, that he did not approve of his new attire. He plucked at the cloth of his breeches with distaste. “I look like a cursed lowlander. ’Tis unmanly and a reproach to my heritage for me to appear in public without my sporran, kilt and dirk.” Privately deciding that Fraser had far too much manliness for any garment, Martha disregarded this comment. “Sit here while I cut your hair and shave you,” she said, indicating a seat at the kitchen table. He regarded her with suspicion. “Must I present my throat to you while you’ve a blade in your hand, wee crabbit one?” “Yes, and I do wish you’d stop calling me that. I lived in Northumberland until ten years ago. I know exactly what it means.” “Aye, ill-tempered, unpleasant and all-round disagreeable.” He grinned, a gleam of genuine humour in his eyes. “It suits you just fine.” Ignoring the look she threw at him, he took a seat and, leaning his elbows on the table, made no further comment while she removed his bandages and trimmed his hair into a semblance of order. The red-gold curls clustered close into the nape of his neck and over his ears, and Martha concentrated on her task rather than his proximity. He smelled of masculinity. It was a warm, earthy, musky scent that was out of place in her kitchen. Whenever she moved into the line of his vision, she was conscious of his unwavering stare on her face. “Northumberland was once a part of the kingdom of Scotland,” Fraser said. Martha gritted her teeth and did not respond. “Aye, and is it not true that the Northumbrians are known for their wild and revolutionary ways? Before the stabilising influence of a Scottish king on the English throne, was it not known as the most lawless county in the land?” “At least we know who our enemies are, unlike the highland clansmen who seem determined to annihilate each other,” she said. His jaw tensed at that, and he lapsed into silence so that the only sound for several minutes was the click of Martha’s scissor blades. “How old are you?” he asked. The question was so unexpected that the scissors made a jumpy arc that came perilously close to his ear before Martha got them back under control. “That has nothing to do with you,” she said in her best teacher’s voice. He waited, and eventually she capitulated. After all, what did it matter? “I am six and twenty.” “Past the marriageable age, ’tis true, but not quite at your last prayers. Why is it that you try so hard to appear older?” That was going too far. No-one had ever spoken to her that way before. Ignoring the peculiar lump his words brought to her throat, she attempted to change the subject. “Where are your other clothes?” “Why?” He leaned back slightly, watching her now that she had finished her task. “They will give your identity away. I don’t want them to be discovered.” A savage fire blazed gold in the hazel depths of his eyes. “That’s right. They are my identity. I’ll not let you dispose of the only things I have left of my name, my pride and my honour.” “I was going to offer to wash them and store them safely until you are able to wear them again,” Martha said placidly. “Believe it or not, I do know the significance of the kilt and the tartan to your countrymen.”   Where to Buy: Amazon Samhain Publishing 


About Taming His Rebel Lady: Can the heat of passion burn too bright? In the six months since the Jacobites met defeat at Culloden, the English have ruthlessly routed the remaining rebels. Now Sir Edwin Roxburgh rides to claim Cameron House, his reward for his loyalty to the king. His welcome comes at the point of a sword. It’s only after a fierce fight that Edwin discovers that underneath the banned tartan, the “boy” he’s just wounded is none other than the lady of the house. If the crown thinks Lady Iona Cameron will allow an English soldier to turn her out of her own home, the crown is sadly mistaken. She never thought her desperate attempt to defy authority would send her to a traitor’s death—unless she agrees to marry Roxburgh. Edwin quickly realizes he has his hands full trying to control the fiery, rebellious widow—and trying to control his own desire to fill his arms with her beautiful body. But he has a dark past that makes love not only impossible, but dangerous—especially if Iona manages to slip past his guard. Warning: Contains a rebellious heroine with a secret identity, and a hero with a secret past who’s determined to tame her wild ways. Be warned: his methods are erotically unusual.

  Excerpt: Taming His Rebel Lady He had been fighting for his life for the last ten minutes, yet in spite of this Edwin Roxburgh was still grudgingly able to admire the skill of his opponent. It was rare for him to find someone whose dexterity and determination matched his own. Now, after possibly the fiercest sword fight of his life, Edwin could finally sense his opponent weakening. Unable to see clearly in the darkness, he had assumed that his opponent was only a boy since he was a slender youth, whose head barely reached Edwin’s shoulder. It made this unprovoked attack all the more surprising. Presumably the lad’s motive was robbery. Although they were far from the main highways and a lone rider with no luggage could hardly be expected to yield any great gain. Heaven help me, Edwin thought as he swung his sword in response to a forward thrust. I have been accosted by a robber who is stupid enough not to know that and also seems hell-bent on murdering me. “Have done with this foolishness, lad.” The words came out between panting breaths. “Throw down your weapon. I’ve no wish to kill you.” The response was a desperate lunge. His assailant’s sword point came within a whisper of Edwin’s chest, and he swore furiously. It was time to end this. The situation was not helped by the treacherous terrain on which they fought. Earlier that day, Edwin had led his men through the dramatic valley of Glencoe in daylight. As darkness descended, he had left the soldiers to make camp, while he rode on ahead. The increasingly steeper ground had forced him to dismount, and he had been leading his horse up a craggy ridge of rocks known as the Devil’s Staircase when, from nowhere, a figure had hurled itself upon him from above. Cold steel had been pressed to his throat before he had been able to use the advantage of his superior size to throw his attacker to one side and draw his sword. Instead of running off, as he had expected, the boy had flung his dagger aside, and moonlight had glinted on his narrow sword as he took up a fencer’s stance. Edwin had gained a brief impression of burning hatred and anger before the lad had come at him in a whirl of movement. Now, in a final, determined attempt to bring the encounter to an end before it resulted in either of them losing their lives, Edwin used his greater strength to drive his opponent back against the rocks. As the boy, sensing defeat, thrust wildly, Edwin feinted, and brought his sword arm up and across the boy’s right side. The blade went neatly through the lad’s shirt and sliced across the flesh of his shoulder, piercing deep into his upper arm. It was a classic wound, intended to incapacitate, but not kill, an opponent. The lad’s blade went spinning out of his now-useless right hand, and with a hoarse cry of pain, he pitched face forward into Edwin’s arms. Edwin dropped his sword and reached out instinctively to catch the unconscious form that fell toward him and to prevent his assailant from tumbling off the rocky ridge into oblivion. As he did, his outstretched hand caught the knitted bonnet on the lad’s head. To his horror, as the hat was swept away by his grasping fingers, a mass of soft, fragrant and unmistakably feminine curls tumbled free. Realisation hit him like a punch in the gut. His would-be murderer was not a lad at all. The person he had been fighting, and upon whom he had just inflicted a devastating stab wound, was a woman. Blood, hot and sticky, covered his hands as he swung the unconscious girl up into his arms, carrying her to the edge of the ridge where the moonlight shone brighter. Ripping open the front of her linen shirt, he exposed the ugly wound his blade had made. A quick scan of her body also confirmed that which had, until now, seemed impossible.
Where to Buy: Amazon Samhain Publishing

  Author: Jane Godman writes in a variety of genre. Many of her stories are heavily tinged with the supernatural and elements of horror, with haunted characters tormented by dark secrets. The Jago Legacy Series, her Gothic romances, are love stories with a dash of horror and a creepily ever after. Her dark erotic romantic suspense books, The Cunning Prophet Series feature supernatural elements and a charismatic, obsessive villain. Jane also writes steamy historical romance for Samhain Publishing and is working on a three book series for Harlequin in their Nocturne (paranormal) line. Oh, and let’s not forget the Young Adult horror novella she has coming out later in the year with MuseItUp Publishing!

Interview

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve written for as long as I can remember. As a teenager, I lived in South Africa, and my best friend and I discovered the novels of Kathleen E Woodiwiss when we were thirteen. We used to spend our evenings writing books in the style of ‘The Wolf and the Dove’. I had a big birthday (let’s just say it had a zero at the end) three years ago and my friend gave me an amazing present. She had kept one of the books I wrote when I was fourteen! It’s a medieval romance, written in felt different coloured tip pens.

2. How long does it take you to write a book?

It varies. I write fast, but I also work full time. This year my writing schedule has been full and I’ve probably written a full length (80,000 word) book every three months.   

3. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I have a very busy ‘day job’. But I write in every other available minute and I never really switch off from my writing, so when I’m driving to and from work my mind is on the next scene in a story. As I’m walking around a supermarket, none of the other shoppers would know that I’m really in a gothic castle perched high on a cliff trying to figure out how to rescue my heroine from imminent peril (rather than just checking the price of the cornflakes)!

I’m at my most productive early in the day so I get up early and write then when the house is quiet. Then I’ll fit some more writing in most evenings as well.  

4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’ll happily work on several books at once, switching between them so I don’t get bored. I’ve met a few writers who do the same thing, but others are horrified and say they would get their characters confused. It’s all about personal choice.   

5. How do books get published?

I’m a hybrid author, which means I have some books that I have self-published (my gothic romances) and others that are traditionally published. Both routes are equally valid, but I would urge anyone considering self-publishing to remember that it isn’t an ‘easy’ option. We owe it to readers to make our books the best they can be. That means ensuring they are professionally edited, that the covers reflect what’s inside etc. Self publishing offers us great freedom, and with that comes great responsibility.

Traditional publication, of course, means submitting your work to a publisher. My historical romances are published by Samhain Publishing and I have a series of paranormal romances coming out with Harlequin Nocturne later this year.      

6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I have a very vivid imagination. I’m always scribbling down new ideas. They can be triggered by a picture in an art gallery, an old photograph or a line from a song. I’m often inspired by old buildings and quirky architecture…I’ll think ‘who lived there? What’s their story?’. I also love Celtic myths and legends and enjoy weaving those into my stories.

On-line research is a great timesaver and is useful for some aspects of writing but you can’t find everything you need on-line and there is so much of it you can be led along paths you don’t want. So there is no substitute for ‘old-fashioned’ research ie. going to the library or museum, reading the book, studying the archive, looking at the painting.  

Reading in your chosen genre is invaluable as well. If I’m writing a gothic, I have to be immersed in that dark atmosphere. If it’s a historical, I need to get into the cadence of speech of the time.    

7. When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Well, there’s that medieval romance I wrote when I was fourteen… But I’ve always written stories. I can’t ever remember not writing! My mum talks about a story I wrote when I was about seven or eight. In it I described a scene in which I was looking down on a beach. There was a girl below me on the sand who was in danger and I was trying to call out to warn her, but she couldn’t hear me. When she looked up and I saw her face, it was me! It sounds like I was thinking ahead to a career as a gothic romance writer.

8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love travelling. I want to go everywhere and see everything! I particularly enjoy visiting European cities that are steeped in history. My favourite places include Venice, Dubrovnik and Vienna. Although I’m really lucky and I’ve been to lots of places, I still feel like there is so much of Europe, and even the UK, that I haven’t seen yet.

One area of Europe that I really want to explore more is the Northern part. I particularly love reading the history of the small states that made up what is now Germany. One day, I am going to indulge myself and travel around that area, visiting the beautiful countryside and castles and finding out more about those intriguing stories and some of the dark legends.     

9. What does your family think of your writing?

My family are chuffed to bits for me and very proud of what I’ve achieved. I have a bit of a double life going on because I write under a pseudonym, so some people I know don’t know anything about my writing. I quite like that. It makes me feel mysterious and rather like a character from one of my own novels. It also means I don’t really talk to many people about my writing, my family are the people who get to hear all about it. If they ever get bored, they do a very good job of covering it up!

10. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I’ve learned so much about the craft of writing from the great editors I’ve worked with. But another thing I’ve learned that might sound strange is that you can’t use up your creativity. I used to wonder if I’d run out of ideas after one or two books, but I needn’t have worried. If anything, the more you write, the more the ideas flow.  

11. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

‘How many books have you written?’ is actually a harder question to answer than you’d imagine! I’ve written dozens, but they are not all published (yet!).

My favourite book is always the one I’m working on. So, at the moment, it’s the second book in my Harlequin Nocturne paranormal series. The series is set in Otherworld, a beautiful land situated just out of sight of the mortal realm. It is inhabited by many races including faeries, vampires, lycanthropes, phantoms and gods. Unfortunately, the constant battles taking place between these warring dynasties threaten to spill over into the mortal realm. My books are about the compelling heroes who defend Otherworld.     

12. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Be yourself and stay true to your story. Don’t try and make your book something it’s not just to get it published, or to please other people. Listen to readers, but also think about what the advice they give you is actually saying. Is it saying something about your writing or about their personal preference? You have to accept you can’t please everyone. Oh, and stick at it. As Winston Churchill said, “Never, ever, ever give up!”

13. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I love hearing from readers, so if any anyone wants to get in touch with me to tell me what they think of my books, I hope they will. I got a message on Facebook just the other day from someone who’d read Kiss for a Highlander and described it as ‘spectacular’. It’s such a wonderful feeling to get feedback like that about one of your books.  

14. Do you like to create books for adults?

My books are mostly written for adults, although I do have a Young Adult horror novella coming out later this year with MuseItUp Publishing.

Because I write quite dark themes and my stories are very steamy, my audience is definitely an adult one!

15. What do you think makes a good story?

Great characters are a must. I write romance, so the hero is the pivotal character. He has to draw you in from the first page. Readers have to want him to succeed. The heroine has to be perfect foil for him, even if they appear to hate each other for over half the book! The dialogue between them is key to the story.

Pace is important as well. As a reader, I get frustrated with stories that ‘dip’ in the middle so I have to avoid that in my writing. Every scene needs to move the story along.  

And, of course, the ending has to wrap everything up. Hopefully happily…    

16. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

It’s a cliché, but I did really want to be a writer. How lucky am I to be doing what I always wanted to do?

17. What would you like my readers to know?

One thing I do like to tell people about myself is that I was diagnosed with a brain tumour this year. I’m lucky because my brain tumour is low grade and slow growing. I make a conscious effort to tell people about it in the hope that my story might give other people who are diagnosed with a serious condition the strength to fight on. If they see me living a relatively normal life and writing, then maybe they too will have something to aspire to. You can still write the book, paint the picture, and climb the mountain (even if your personal mountain is getting out of bed and getting dressed every day).

  Website: www.janegodmanauthor.com Follow Jane: Facebook Twitter