Otherworld
Renegade
Otherworld
Series
Book
Two
Jane
Godman
Genre:
Paranormal Romance
Publisher:
Harlequin Nocturne
Date
of Publication: May 1st 2016
ISBN:
9780373009695
ASIN:
B015CJXYMO
Number
of pages: 304
Word
Count: 80 000
Cover
Artist: Harlequin
Book
Description:
Claiming
her felt like his destiny…but could prove to be his ultimate
undoing.
Desperate
to flee a horrific arranged marriage, Princess Tanzi turned to the
only man who could help. Lorcan Malone, infamous necromancer, had
vowed to come to her aid whenever she needed him. And even as they
traveled from the mortal world into the fantastical Otherworld, Tanzi
knew her true need ran deeper than just a rescue.
She
was his enemy's daughter. A renegade like Lorcan had no business
craving a Fae princess, one intended for a greater calling. Yet he
was powerless to resist the pull to do more than protect Tanzi…
Excerpt:
“Trust
me, Tanzi. If you need me, I will know.”
Those
words, spoken by Lorcan Malone in the heat of battle, must have been
a bit of Irish blarney. He probably didn’t even remember who she
was, let alone recall their strange encounter on that fateful day. So
why, in this moment—when she was in more trouble than she could
ever have imagined possible—was she suddenly experiencing a fierce
longing for the bad-boy necromancer with the twinkling blue eyes?
It’s
called clutching at straws, she told herself. It’s what you’re
doing right now instead of facing reality and finding your own way
out of this madness.
“What
are you thinking, my daughter?” Moncoya, exiled King of the
Faeries, watched her face.
“I’m
thinking that defeat has unhinged you. That you have finally done
what others have whispered of for years and taken leave of your
senses.” Never before had Tanzi spoken so boldly to him. Defiance
was the trait her twin sister, Vashti, proudly exhibited. Tanzi had
always been the acquiescent one. Until now. There were some things
she could not bow down and agree to. This was one of them.
Moncoya’s
perfect features hardened with fury. His blue eyes, so like her own
with their sidhe ring of fire encircling the iris, lit with a
brighter inner blaze. His fingers tightened on the arm of his chair
so that his knuckles gleamed white in stark contrast to the black
polish that decorated his perfectly manicured nails. Tanzi braced
herself. His retribution would be swift and merciless. She couldn’t
hope to match him in strength, but she might be able to outrun him.
The
outcome hung in the balance for seconds that stretched into minutes.
Then Moncoya laughed. It was a brittle, mirthless sound that set
Tanzi’s teeth buzzing. She knew that laugh well. It had never boded
well in her childhood. She didn’t imagine things had changed.
Unexpectedly, he relaxed back into his seat.
“My
child, you are overwhelmed by the honor I have arranged for you. I
should have foreseen this.” He rose, draping a deceptively casual
arm about her shoulders. “Walk with me a while.”
They
stepped through a set of double doors straight onto a
sand-and-shingle beach. The entire island, known locally as the
Silver Isle, seemed to be made up of sand. Even the ocher-hued cliffs
looked ready to crumble into grit at the touch of a fingertip. Ferns,
wild fennel and coarse bamboo grasses clung determinedly to soil that
was a combination of granule and dust. Tanzi thought of her father’s
palace, of the precisely laid-out gardens leading down to the elegant
lake. She glanced back over her shoulder at the beachside villa they
had just left. Sea breezes and salt water had taken their toll on its
elegance so that it had a faded charm she doubted her father would
acknowledge. In comparison with the soaring, white marble palace she
had called “home” for all her life, it was a shack. Moncoya was
as out of place here as a diamond in a dung heap.
“You
made sure no one followed you?” Moncoya withdrew his arm from about
her shoulders as they walked along the water’s edge. Secrecy
surrounded this hiding place. If he was discovered, he faced trial
and inevitable execution.
“Of
course.” Tanzi was offended at the question. Would he have asked
Vashti the same thing? She doubted it. Yet we both trained with the
Valkyrie. We are equally astute when it comes to warfare and
subterfuge. It came back to the same weary argument. The same reason
Tanzi had been summoned to be the recipient of his latest piece of
“good news” instead of her twin. Moncoya viewed Vashti as the son
he had never had. Tanzi’s only value to her father was as a pawn in
the marriage stakes. Not this marriage, father. The sacrifice you are
asking of me is too great.
“Tell
me what has been happening at the palace in my absence.” Three
months had passed since the cataclysmic battle that had forced
Moncoya into hiding. It felt like three years.
“There
is a peacekeeping council known as the Alliance in place. Each of the
Otherworld dynasties has representation on it. The Alliance itself is
led by Merlin Caledonius.”
Moncoya’s
expression hardened further at the name. “That half-blood cur will
pay dearly for his part in this.”
Merlin,
the greatest sorcerer the world had ever known, was Moncoya’s half
brother and the man who had brought about his exile. Cal, as he
preferred to be called these days, had widened the existing gulf of
hatred between the two men further by falling in love with and
marrying the woman Moncoya had hoped to make his queen.
Tanzi
paused, looking out across the turquoise waters toward the horizon.
She drew a deep breath. “My father, you wrong him. He is man of
conscience who is doing a fine job of uniting the dynasties…”
Moncoya’s growl of rage told her she had gone too far.
“Am
I, the greatest leader Otherworld has ever known, to be forced into
hiding while he lives in luxury in my royal palace? Am I to endure
the knowledge that he has stolen the necromancer star, the woman I
chose as my own, from under my nose? Must I kick my heels in this
backwater while you, my own daughter, take the seat that should be
mine at this pathetic council table—” He broke off, his voice
ragged. When he spoke again, his tone was softer, the words a caress.
“But you know nothing of these things, my child. It is wrong of
these men to ask you to involve yourself in their political
machinations. They seek to trick you.”
Tanzi
bit her lip. How could she explain it to him when he insisted on
viewing her as a helpless dupe? Being part of the Alliance had
brought her new life. Oh, she had been regarded with suspicion
initially by many of the council members. She was Moncoya’s
daughter, after all. They saw her as the spoiled brat sidhe princess
who had been his consort—his puppet—in the past. Together with
Vashti, she had blindly carried out his wishes. But things had
changed three months ago on that battlefield. She had changed.
A
pair of laughing Irish eyes came into her mind once more and she
determinedly dismissed them. Cal and his wife, Stella, treated her as
their equal, and with their help she was learning how to be the voice
and conscience of her people. She was developing an understanding of
compassion and democracy. Tanzi cast a sidelong glance at her father.
She was learning that there was a way to rule other than Moncoya’s
iron-fisted style.
“Let
us leave this talk of the mongrel sorcerer for another day. I look
forward to dealing with him when the time comes. This marriage I have
arranged for you is the highest distinction ever to be bestowed upon
a woman. Through this union, I will not only be able to come out of
this undignified hiding and return to my palace, I will be the
undisputed ruler of all Otherworld.” Moncoya’s lips thinned into
a smile. “There will be no need for their puny Alliance when that
day dawns.”
“And
what of me, Father? While you become all powerful, what will I
become?”
He
paused then, perhaps considering for the first time the true
implications of what he was asking of her. Such was his arrogance,
she might have known he would not allow her feelings to influence him
for long. “You will be revered above all others.”
She
shook her head. “I will not do it.”
His
face was set. The silken note in his voice made the threat even more
menacing. “You have no choice.”
“By
all the angels, Father, you cannot intend to force me into this!”
Moncoya’s
lips smiled but Tanzi’s heart quailed at the look in his eyes.
“Given the bridegroom I have chosen for you, might I suggest you
refrain from speaking of angels in the future?”
About
the Author:
Jane
Godman writes in a variety of romance genres including paranormal,
gothic and romantic suspense. Her Otherworld series is published by
Harlequin Nocturne and she has a new series coming out soon with
Harlequin Romantic Suspense. 2017 will see the publication of a new
paranormal series for SMP Swerve.
Jane
lives in England and loves to travel to European cities, which are
steeped in history and romance—Venice, Dubrovnik and Vienna are
among her favorites. Jane is married to a lovely man and is mom to
two grown-up children.
Interview – Jane Godman
Hello, I’m Jane Godman,
author of the Otherworld Series. Otherworld is a magical realm existing just
beyond mortal sight. The Otherworld Series tells the stories of the compelling
heroes who fight to protect this beautiful place from the battles threatening
to tear it apart.
Where are you from?
I
live in the Wirral, which is a beautiful peninsula in Cheshire in the North
West of England. It’s across the River Mersey from Liverpool (home of The
Beatles) and is the place where the iconic ‘Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey’ song
originates.
My
mum is from The Wirral, which is why I call this land my home (a line from the
song), but I’ve lived all over the world. I was born in Scotland and have lived
in Germany, Wales, Malta and South Africa.
Tell us your latest
news?
Where
to start? I write paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne and, after
Otherworld Renegade, there are three more books to come in the Otherworld
Series plus a gothic paranormal romance. I have a confession to make… gothic
romance is my first love! The title of this book is IMMORTAL BILLIONAIRE (and,
let's face it, who wouldn't want to capture the heart of one of those?). For
Connie Lacey, an all-expenses-paid holiday on a privately owned, heart-shaped
Floridian island seems too good to be true. And maybe it is...
I
have also recently signed a three book contract with Harlequin Romantic
Suspense and I can't wait to share these exciting, romantic stories that will
get your pulse racing in more ways than one!
In
2017, I have a six book paranormal series with St Martin's Press new digital
romance line, SMP Swerve, coming out. Watch out for my hot Arctic werewolves
(trust me, they are irresistible)!
I
also write historical romance and the third book in my Georgian Rebel Series,
The Jacobite's Return, will be released at the end of May 2016. It seems safe
to say this is a busy year, publication-wise, but I wouldn't have it any other
way!
When and why did you
begin writing?
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’. When I had a big birthday (let’s just say it had a zero at the
end), 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, hand written in felt tip
pen. I’m very proud of it and it gave me the push I needed to start submitting
my work to publishers.
My first
Harlequin book, Legacy of Darkness, was published in January 2014 as part of a Shivers
digital box set and I haven’t looked back since.
When did you first
consider yourself a writer?
I’ve
always considered myself a writer, but the first time I thought of myself as an
author was when I saw my name on the Harlequin Sold! Blog as a debut Harlequin
author. That was when it seemed real.
I
still have to pinch myself when I realize I write books that people find
pleasure in reading. That’s the best part for me. When someone tells me they’ve
enjoyed one of my books, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.
What inspired you to write
your first book?
Apart
from the Kathleen E Woodiwiss inspired
medieval novel, you mean? I love gothic romances and feel strongly that this is
an under-represented genre. I’d love to see them make a come-back and hope to
do my bit by writing my own. My first gothic romance, Legacy of Darkness, was
what I think of as a ‘true gothic’ with the following features:
1. The setting is dark, gloomy and atmospheric
2. A feisty heroine who pushes the boundaries
3. A villain you fall in love with …
4. And a hero you fall in love with (for different reasons)
5. Dark secrets, the past comes back to haunt the present
6. Some surprises along the way
Sometimes
I find it easier to explain what gothic romances are not, rather than what they are:
Gothics
are not paranormal romances. As a rule of thumb, the main protagonists should
be human beings who may be affected by the supernatural or the unexplained.
It’s possible they may be reincarnated. If they are vampires, werewolves,
shifters etc. you are writing a paranormal not a gothic.
Gothics
are not horror stories. They may have strong elements of horror, but it is
implied rather than explicit. It’s a creaking board in the attic or a trail of
blood on the stairs. If your story features a chainsaw wielding killer carrying
a severed head, you are writing horror not gothic.
New
gothics have strong elements of eroticism. This can be implied or explicit.
Steamy is good. But they are not erotic romances. If that’s all your story has,
you are not writing gothic!
Do you have a specific
writing style?
I
like to think so. I hope people who pick up my books and then come back to read
others find something unique in them.
I’m
not very fluffy. And I’m not saying that in a derogatory way about people who
are fluffy! We all need a book that gives us a hug. My books are a bit darker.
I’m
definitely steamy. I don’t shy away from difficult subjects and I don’t have an
off button for horror. If you like love stories with a dash of the
supernatural, beautiful, tortured heroes and feisty heroines and
edge-of-your-seat twists and turns, then you’ll probably like my stories!
How did you come up
with the title?
Otherworld
Renegade is part of a series (the second book), although each one stands alone.
Otherworld
is a mystical realm and Tanzi, the heroine, is on the run from her fae home.
She has arrived here in the mortal realm with no idea what our world is
like.
I’m
fascinated by the ancient Celtic idea of an ‘otherworld’ that is situated, not
in some distant, unknown region of planetary space, but here on our own earth
just out of sight and within our grasp (if we really believe in it and want it
enough). The Otherworld of my imagination is a beautiful place inhabited by
many races, including faeries, vampires, lycanthropes, phantoms and gods.
Unfortunately, the constant battles between these warring dynasties threaten to
spill over into the mortal realm.
The
renegade in the title refers to the hero, Lorcan Malone. He is a rebellious
necromancer who comes to Tanzi’s aid. But in reality, Tanzi is forced to turn
her back on her past and become a renegade herself.
Is there a message in
your novel that you want readers to grasp?
As
well as being a paranormal romance, Otherworld Renegade is the story of how opposites
can attract. How we are drawn to those who are different. Homebody vs. party
animal, for example. Or shy guy vs. outgoing girl.
In
this book, the differences between my hero and heroine go so much deeper…
Lorcan
Malone is an Irish charmer who never stays in one place for long. He is also a
necromancer, one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all, and leader of the
resistance who are sworn to fight Moncoya, the evil Faerie King.
Tanzi
is a sidhe. And not just any sidhe. She is one of Moncoya’s twin daughters, a
Valkyrie trained warrior and a pampered Otherworld celebrity.
As
if those contrasts aren’t enough, the emotional chasm between them is huge.
Tanzi doesn’t do feelings, while Lorcan is acutely intuitive. Yet when Tanzi is
forced to ask for Lorcan’s help, they can’t deny the sizzling attraction
between them.
How much of the book is
realistic?
Hmm.
Tough question when it comes to a paranormal romance! I think the romance can
be realistic, even when the paranormal elements aren’t. Drawing on very deep
emotions is always an important job for a romance writer and these two
characters were tough ones to write.
Tanzi,
in particular, was a difficult character to capture. I had to take her on a
journey from being a person with no feelings to someone who falls in love. I think
I did her justice.
I
hope anyone who reads the story will let me know what they think!
Are experiences based
on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Again,
that’s tough to answer when the story in question is a paranormal romance. Part
of the story is set in Barcelona, which is one of my favorite cities and
Lorcan’s opening scene is in the Kasbah in Tangier. I enjoyed writing that
because I loved visiting the Kasbah a few years ago. It was such a vibrant,
exciting place with so much going on.
Lorcan’s
lovely, lilting Irish accent is definitely a combination of a few people I know
in real life.
As
for the Arthurian legends that run like a thread through all of these books,
those have been an influence on me. I adore those stories and including them in
my writing has been such a thrill. I can’t say too much about them because
there is a huge surprise coming up in Otherworld Challenger (Book Three)!
What books have most
influenced your life most?
As
a reader, I’m quite eclectic and that obviously influences my writing. I love
romance (of course) and historical romance in particular. Jane Austen and
Georgette Heyer are my favorite historical romance authors. I also like
mysteries, crime novels and I do love a good horror story. Not blood and guts,
but proper spine-tinglers.
As
I’ve already said, gothic romance is my first love, both in my reading and my
writing. Think Jayne Eyre by Charlotte Bronte or Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Love stories with a dash of horror! Romances that scare the life out of you!
What’s not to love about that? I like to think I’m at the point where Jane
Austen and Stephen King meet and overlap.
If you had to choose,
which writer would you consider a mentor?
Beyond
doubt it would be Georgette Heyer. She is the cleverest, wittiest writer ever.
I come back to her books time and again and always find something new in them.
She does everything so well. Humor, romance, suspense. I recommend her books to
everyone.
What book are you
reading now?
Pretty
Baby by Mary Kubica. I’ve only just started it, but it comes highly
recommended.
Are there any new
authors that have grasped your interest?
I’ve
enjoyed Alessandra Torre’s erotic suspense stories (The Girl in 6E and Do Not
Disturb). I think there’s a third, but I haven’t read it yet.
What are your current
projects?
I’ve
got a lot going on, so I’m concentrating on my Otherworld series and my
Harlequin Romantic Suspense titles (which I’m VERY excited about). I do have a
new idea floating around at the back of my mind, sort of psychological
thriller/erotic romance, but it’s early days.
What would you like my
readers to know?
This
sounds very dramatic…but it’s really not. I have a brain tumor. I’m lucky. My
tumor is low grade and slow growing.
I
tell people about it so anyone who may be struggling with their own issues as
they read this can hopefully see there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
You can still write the book, climb the mountain, be whatever you want to be,
no matter what the obstacles are.
Website:
http://www.janegodmanauthor.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JaneGodman
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