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I have a funny story with this book and by story I mean an epic fail. I was returning some books back to the library and somehow Lady Anne sneaked back with them. When I realized what I’d done it was as if I’d been amputated! So painful. Of course I returned the books on a Sunday; the only day in the week the library isn’t open until late in the afternoon or early in the day.
After a pretty good freak out, I waited until I could call. Ended hanging up once because I was on hold for five minutes and called back. Then I had to wait on the phone for twenty plus minutes before somebody from circulation got to me. They either forgot me or they were busy. I told them about the book and the person I talked with probably never got a call like this before because I was given a hard time.
Finally, I managed to convince them that the book was mine and not a library book. I don’t understand how this was so difficult as 1) it is not stamped with the library name nor was it 2) tagged with a detector strip or that pocket thing and 3) clearly says advance review copy on the cover! This is why I write in books to identify and claim them.
In the end they put the book on hold for me and now it was a matter of getting back over there. The library where I dropped the books off while on errands was all the way across town. I really didn’t make this easy on myself. Luckily I got there, but it was close! One more red light and it would have been better luck next time. Needless to say I was very, very pleased to get this book back and finish it… which I did later that night.
What I liked best about Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark was its tribute to Gothic romance, followed swiftly by a capable intelligent heroine. The hero liked that best about her too so how could you not fall in love with him? Lady Anne is very plain and a spinster to boot, which are some of my very favorite things to read in romance.
Simpson writes in a witty and engaging voice. I loved Lady Anne. She was such a treat. Her musings on Lord Darkefell are particularly fabulous:
It was either that or go back to pondering the feel of Lord Darkefell’s too-perfect lips pressed against hers. And his too-perfect body against hers. He was entirely too perfect—if there was such a concept as overabundant perfection—in a physical sense and entirely too maddeningly imperfect in every other way.
Without giving anything else away I will say this: if you like mystery, intrigue, werewolves, and Gothic you will love this book! Oh and chances are you're going to jump to conclusions about the mystery and be totally wrong - I was!
Gothic romance is a genre you can't find all too easily today. It was a popular genre a few decades ago and lovers of this romance sub-genre will have to troll secondhand bookstores to find titles. Classics of this genre are novels such as Wuthering Heights and Scarlet Letter. Well known authors of Gothic romance/horror include Ann Radcliffe of the past and Stephen King of the present.
A typical Gothic romance revolved around conflict and mysteries. It made the heroine choose between two male characters for love. One is bright, sunny, cheerful and charming. The other was dark, mysterious, secretive, and brooding. Plotlines of cursed leads and daring adventures took place on wind-swept moors, and places that were haunted. The heroine would embark on a thrilling journey to discover if her hero was worthy of love. Her task usually boiled down to find out if the hero really murdered his first wife, brother, mother, insert other relation.
It is interesting to note that Radcliffe introduced this brooding male as the Gothic villain, which developed into the Byronic hero. She is considered a pioneer of the genre. The movie Becoming Jane shows a meeting between Radcliffe and Jane Austen but there's not basis for this meeting. However it does provide an interesting backdrop on the dual rise of the two types of popular novels.
As Gothic or dark romanticism developed it became more distinctly separated. The first direction of Gothic novels glorifies gore. The second took on the key aspects of modern romance. This new evolution made the focus on the romance instead of the mystery. These are the romances that disappeared after the eighties.
So what is a Byronic hero?
Trivia: The name of this hero comes from the English poet Lord Bryon.
The hero himself is highly intelligent, urbane, sophisticated and introspective. In other words he's arrogant, mysterious, seductive, and moody (see bipolar). We see male figures like this all over, you could make the argument that Mr. Darcy is a Byronic hero on top of being a Regency hero, as Byronic heroes dislike social formalities and functions. Of course Mr. Darcy doesn't have a troubled past or flippant air towards the wealthy and privileged, as he is one of that set. While Mr. Darcy was disliked he was not a complete social outcast and exiled from polite company. All these things are attributed to the Byronic hero.
What's a good modern Gothic romance?
Some titles of the modern Gothic romance include:Bells of Widow's Bay by Miriam Lynch, Castle Midnight by Evelyn McKenna, and Satan's Rock by Marilyn Ross.
Authors to look for include (past and present authors): Victoria Holt, Dorothy Daniels, Theresa Weir, Phyllis Whitney, Barbara Michaels, Allison Knight, Mary Stewart, Joanna Challis, and Megan McKinney, Kay Hooper, Eve Silver... to name a few.
Trivia: In the 1980s Harlequin had an all Gothic line of books. See here for Gothic titles. Harlequin Intrigue also contains several titles that could satisfy your craving.
Originally posted 2008-09-24 15:10:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Come join me for a fun interview with Amanda Grange, author of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre!
Keira: Mr. Darcy, Vampyre has a very Gothic romance feel to it. What inspired you to write it that way as opposed to straight paranormal? Do you feel that Gothic romance and paranormal are similar beasts?
Amanda: I love Gothic novels and they inspired Vampyre, so it was always going to have that feel to it. I think that Gothic romance and paranormal have a lot in common, but to me, Gothics hint at things that paranormals make plain. Gothics are about seeing the shadow on the wall, paranormals are about the monster appearing in front of you.
Keira: Do you read many in those genres and if you do what do you consider your favorite Gothic and paranormal romances to be?
Amanda: My favourite Gothic romance is probably Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It’s a very atmospheric book, with lots of subtle hints and mystery. My favourite paranormal is probably You Had Me at Halo by Amanda Ashby, which is actually a very funny book, but the heroine happens to be dead.
Keira: In addition to Mr. Darcy, Vampyre what other work(s) of yours would you recommend to (new) readers to try out to get a feel for you as an author?
Amanda: I think my books fall into different categories. I’ve written five retellings of Jane Austen’s novels from the heroes’ points of view, in the form of diaries, and Mr. Darcy's Diary probably gives a good feel of the books, but if people prefer a different hero I think they should read about their favourite! I’ve also written about a dozen Georgette Heyer-like Regencies, and Lord Deverill's Secret gives a good idea of their flavour.
Keira: Who would be your ideal reader?
Amanda: Someone who loves my books!
Keira: You draw much inspiration from Jane Austen for some of your writings. Which is your favorite Jane Austen hero, heroine, and novel?
Amanda: Oh, that’s hard! I think my favourite hero has to be Darcy, although I’m very fond of Captain Wentworth, too. My favourite heroine is Lizzy and favourite novel is Pride and Prejudice.
Keira: Mr. Darcy changes into a bat in the novel. If you could transform into an animal and pick the animal you would become, what would you be and why?
Amanda: A snow leopard, because it’s beautiful and graceful.
Keira: What do you like best about historical romance novels?
Amanda: I like the fact that they take place in another world. The rules are different. It’s like going on holiday, seeing different sights, meeting different people.
Keira: When it comes to reading, what is your secret guilty plot or character type that you love beyond reason?
Amanda: I love the aloof hero with a heart of gold. That moment when he becomes human is magical.
Keira: Here’s a very tough question. Your book trailer is brilliant and features both of the covers for the US and UK editions of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre. Both are gorgeous; but which is your favorite?
Amanda: I keep trying to answer this question myself. It depends on my mood. But I think I gravitate more towards the UK edition because it has Darcy on it!
Keira: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Amanda: I have a Darcy short story in an anthology called Loves Me, Loves Me Not, which is available now. I also have another Darcy short story coming out in a Christmas anthology, published by Sourcebooks, so look out for that in December!
Welcome to the fourth edition of romancing the novel. This one is pretty much a link frenzy. We have links on RWA, romance in general, book reviews, author interviews, industry professional interviews, writing tips and more! If you read all of the articles shared below I could conceive that a majority of your day would be taken up, but what a way to spend a day!
Teach Me Tonight pulls together a little something on Gothic Romance.
Romance Cliches we love to hate, and ones we love to love… by Kathleen OReilly. I completely agree with the point on Judy Greer. In a romance as opposed to a romantic comedy, we would have Judy Greer starring her own story instead of always playing the BFF.
That concludes this edition of romancing the novel. It's now time for you to submit your relevant blog articles to the next edition of using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Technorati tags: romancing the novel, blog carnival.
shows a meeting between Radcliffe and Jane Austen but there's not basis for this meeting. However it does provide an interesting backdrop on the dual rise of the two types of popular novels.
has a very Gothic romance feel to it. What inspired you to write it that way as opposed to straight paranormal? Do you feel that Gothic romance and paranormal are similar beasts? 
by Charlotte Bronte. It’s a very atmospheric book, with lots of subtle hints and mystery. My favourite paranormal is probably 
by Amanda Ashby, which is actually a very funny book, but the heroine happens to be dead.
probably gives a good feel of the books, but if people prefer a different hero I think they should read about their favourite! I’ve also written about a dozen Georgette Heyer-like Regencies, and 
gives a good idea of their flavour.
Keira: Who would be your ideal reader?
