Gothic Romance

Since mid-December 2016 my life has been upside down. My husband became ill with such a severe case of shingles on his face (and in his eye) he had to be hospitalized. That was just one part of the problem, as it turned out. He also had contracted an intense face eating bacteria all over the same area of his face. Four months later, after the bacteria kept returning—always worse than the time before—he is still on medication and unable to do much of anything. He also has new health issues caused by some of the drugs he had to take. 

I thought I’d just post a bit about my Gothic romance novella this month, and I apologize for not being around more. Many unexpected responsibilities fell into my lap during this time, and I’m doing my best but it leaves little time for writing-related activities.

Last year my novella length contemporary Gothic, Raven of Blackthorn Manor, became part of the A World of Gothic series. This was such an exciting experience! The story is set in a remote part of Ireland on a very haunted property.

Gothic romance is not a large genre, but there are many loyal fans who love stories set to a Gothic theme. A World of Gothic has a slight twist to the traditional theme—the stories are contemporary and are only novella length which is around 30,000 words.  

There's something about a perilous tale where an intelligent heroine is surrounded by danger and attracted to a hero who seems to be her greatest enemy that lures me ever deeper into the story.

Do you enjoy reading Gothic romance? If so, please share what you love most about the genre, or your favorite Gothic story ever.

These are the first five novellas in the A World of Gothic series, and there are several more now. They are all fabulous reads. 

About Raven of Blackthorn Manor:

When Morgana Pierce accepts an invitation to Blackthorn Manor, known as Ireland’s most haunted property, she hopes to convince the gloomy owner, Sir Dermott Blackthorn, to allow her crew to film the property for her paranormal series.

Morgana has a secret of her own. She’s on a quest to find the father she never knew. Her only clue to his whereabouts led her to this bleak property on an isolated windswept Irish peninsula, where myths, legends and goddesses still seem to live and breathe.

Morgana’s ability to communicate with the dead soon puts her in danger as she learns there have been several suspicious deaths and disappearances in recent years. Threats against her own life force her to decide how to navigate an ever darker reality.

Dermott Blackthorn’s ancestral line has been cursed for nine generations, and he is the last one. His death is imminent if things unfold as they have for the previous eight Blackthorns.

Morgana is attracted to Blackthorn’s mysterious and moody house guest, Ronan McIver. He is both protective and dismissive of her, sending mixed signals. What is he doing at Blackthorn Manor?

As the danger surrounding Morgana intensifies, the setting is ripe for the perfect storm. She must rely on someone, but who can she trust? 

~*~*~

GEMMA JULIANA lives in Texas, USA with her own personal hero. She has lived in many countries, including Ireland. She was very excited about setting this novella in Southern Ireland and weaving spooky ancient Irish mythology into the plot.

http://www.gemmajuliana.com 

 

Beloved Ireland ~ Land of Shamrocks and Pots of Gold

Ireland is a country that embeds itself in your heart. Once you’ve been there you’ll never forget it, and the love affair will continue for the rest of your life.

Since March is famous for St. Patrick’s Day, I thought it appropriate to post a tribute to Ireland, Eire, the ancient Hibernia, and all the other names by which this fair island has been known over the centuries.

Perhaps I’m trying to gain favor with the leprechauns so they might gift me some gold, or an insider’s map to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

In any event, Ireland is a fabulous place to set a romantic suspense.

Here are a few things Ireland is most famous for:

St. Patrick, Claddagh Rings, Guinness Beer, Blarney Castle, Jameson Whiskey, Aran Sweaters and other woolen works of art, The Cliffs of Moher, intricate crystal and glass (used to be Waterford Glass), wit and Irish music, Leprechauns and their Pots of Gold, Shamrocks and 4-Leaf Clovers, Kerrygold butter, and Bono’s U2…

Ireland has beautiful landscape. No matter what part of the small gem of a country you visit, there is a highly educated population with a strong work ethic, a thriving tourist trade with some of the friendliest locals in the world, top quality food, thanks to the rich soil and mournful climate, a fine health care system available to all citizens, and sadly, the loss of too many brilliant young people through emigration in search of opportunity elsewhere.

I’ve written two stories set in Ireland, with several more to come.

To Kiss A Leprechaun is a magical fantasy romance novella that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Raven of Blackthorn Manor is a Gothic romantic suspense novella in the brilliant A World of Gothic series. 

If you've ever been to Ireland, what was your favorite experience?

As you can see, I've been bitten by the little green lady bug... so, whether you are really Irish or just wish you were, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

GEMMA JULIANA writes all kinds of love stories, from contemporary to paranormal. She has a penchant for romantic international settings. Gemma lives in a cozy cottage in Texas with her very own hero, teen son, and a dog who rules them all. Chocolate and coffee nourish her muse and fuel her creativity. She loves hearing from readers.

www.gemmajuliana.com

http://gemmajuliana.blogspot.com/

amazon.com/author/gemmajuliana

www.twitter.com/gemma_juliana

www.facebook.com/gemma.juliana

https://www.pinterest.com/gemmajuliana/

Do You Believe In Banshees?

September is flying by, and Halloween is around the corner, so the theme of banshees seems like a timely topic.

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, a banshee is a female spirit in Irish and Scottish stories who cries loudly to warn people that someone is going to die soon, and another of their meanings is: a female spirit in Gaelic folklore whose appearance or wailing warns a family that one of them will soon die.

It’s easy to put it all down to too much whiskey or superstitious nonsense, but banshees actually exist. I’ve known Irish families that have had banshee activity over several generations. Furthermore, Irish folklore tells us that the “bean sidhe” was a fairy woman from the realm of the fairies, and that humans were very unhappy to see her combing her hair or wailing on their property. Such families saw her as a sign that one of their own would soon die.

Perhaps the most famous account of an ancient Banshee is that of Aibhill. She was attached to the tribe of Brian Boru, from the royal house of O’Brien. She haunted the rock Craglea near the palace at Kincora near Killaloe. The night before the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, she visited the old king and told him he would not survive the battle. With that, his fate was sealed.  

Irish history tells many stories of banshee sightings, experiences, visitations and subsequent family deaths.

~*~

I grew up reading the stories of Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, Daphne du Maurier, and other classic Gothic authors. I’m thrilled when I find a contemporary Gothic story, but sadly it’s an *underpopulated* genre. So, I was excited to be invited to write a contemporary Gothic mystery novella for the new series, A World of Gothic. I’ve blended a sprinkling of the paranormal with Irish mythology and the Gothic formula.

Here’s a blurb about my novella, Raven of Blackthorn Manor. It’s now available for a limited time exclusively on Amazon for $0.99.

When Morgana Pierce accepts an invitation to visit Blackthorn Manor, known as Ireland’s most haunted property, she hopes to convince the gloomy owner, Sir Dermott Blackthorn, to let her crew film the property for her paranormal television special.

But Morgana has a secret reason for being at Blackthorn Manor. Her only clue to the whereabouts of her father is a thirty-year old letter on the manor’s letterhead. Her quest leads her to this bleak property on an isolated windswept Irish peninsula.

Morgana’s ability to communicate with the dead soon lands her in danger as she learns about several suspicious deaths and disappearances in recent years. Threats against her life then force her to figure out how to navigate an ever darker reality.

Dermott Blackthorn’s ancestral line was cursed for nine generations, and he is the last. His death is imminent if things unfold as they have for the previous eight Blackthorns.

Morgana is attracted to Blackthorn’s mysterious and moody house guest, Ronan McIver. He is both protective and dismissive, sending mixed signals. Why is he staying at Blackthorn Manor?  

As danger intensifies, the setting becomes ripe for the perfect storm. The time arrives when she must rely on someone, but who can she trust?

RAVEN OF BLACKTHORN MANOR ~~ AMAZON BUY LINK: http://a.co/5qGdAdS

~*~

Have you got a banshee story to share? Are you from a culture where a creature similar to the banshee announces an impending death?

~*~

GEMMA JULIANA has traveled the world and lived in many countries, so she enjoys placing characters in international settings and sprinkling magical spice into her stories. Whether she’s turning up the heat on a character or playing matchmaker, writing gives her great satisfaction, especially when her muse cooperates. She shares a cozy Texas cottage with her true love, teen son, and a very crafty dog, who rules them all. Her muse is nourished with the finest fuel for creativity – chocolate.

Visit Gemma’s website, join her mailing list, and chat with her on social media.

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Leap Year ~ Facts, Fun & Fiction

Surely you’ve heard myths and legends about Leap Year. 
 

Whereas the truth behind the existence of Feb 29^th is purely astronomical, it has become a bit of an urban legend in itself. Our year can be measured by 365 days and approximately 6 hours. Therefore, every fourth year we have 366 days – an extra day to make up for the 6 extra hours over a four year period. 

Here's some of what is circulating about Leap Year:

Leap year happens every four years, when we add February 29^th to the calendar. Like everything else that humans are involved in, it has become a bit a legend over the years.

This is a time when women will succeed to positions of leadership and fame.

It’s considered a year of good fortune and luck. 

Christopher Columbus (portrait above is said to be him) could attest to that while he and his crew were marooned on the island of Jamaica, where the natives had grown tired of their arrogance and had stopped bringing them food. He made use of a lunar eclipse he knew was imminent on February 29th 1504. Gathering the chiefs, he told them God would punish them if they didn't resume feeding the foreigners and would soon show them His displeasure with a sign in the sky. As the eclipse moved in and the moon darkened, they grew terrified of God's wrath and the stranger's potent magic. They agreed to feed the crew again and of course the eclipse started to clear. There were no further problems with the locals while they were stuck on the island.

Leap year is when you should expect the unexpected. The entire year is full of surprises and usually the opposite of what you expect is what will happen.

Nowadays, women propose whenever they wish, but that was not always the case. It used to be unheard of for a woman to propose to a man. Only on February 29th could women propose marriage. 

Slemish Mountain, Co. Antrim where St Patrick is said to have shepherded as a slave

The tradition is said to have begun in 5^th century Ireland when something known as St. Bridget’s Complaint argued that women were having to wait too long to be asked to marry. St. Patrick gave permission for women to propose to the man they desired every February 29^th. Just one day every four years! 

St. Brigid of Kildare

Fast forward to 13^th century Scotland. Women were encouraged to wear red petticoats when proposing, and to make sure the object of their affection could see it beneath their skirts. If a man rejected a proposal made on Feb 29^th he had to pay a fine. Usually it was a kiss or a dozen pairs of gloves, so the embarrassed woman could hide the fact there was no ring on her finger.

It is said that back in the day, Feb 29^th was not recognized by English Law. Therefore, it was a day beyond the law and without legal status. Spunky women took advantage of it to make their proposals.

I saw a sweet movie called Leap Year that was filmed around 2010, starring Amy Adams. She played a young woman who traveled to Ireland – and then across the island – to propose to her love on that special date.

In Greece, it is considered unlucky to marry on February 29^th while in Finland women are encouraged to propose only on February 29th for good fortune. 

Whether leap year proposals are considered auspicious or inauspicious depends on who you ask. It's all in good sport, and at the same times gives us another snapshot into how women were viewed and treated hundreds of years ago.

As romance authors, our vivid imaginations can conjure all sorts of love stories unfolding into marriage proposals on that quirky day.

And since St. Patrick’s Day is just a hop, skip and a leap (no pun intended) from February 29^th, I thought I’d mention my sweet romance, To Kiss A Leprechaun. This magical love story speaks of kisses, marriages and fantasy such as one can only find in mythical Ireland. 

Do you have any Leap Year stories to share with us? Do you know a woman who proposed on February 29th?

GEMMA JULIANA writes all kinds of love stories, from contemporary to paranormal. She has a penchant for romantic international settings. Gemma lives in a cozy cottage in Texas with her very own hero, teen son, and a dog who rules them all. Chocolate and coffee nourish her muse and fuel her creativity. She loves hearing from readers.

www.gemmajuliana.com

http://gemmajuliana.blogspot.com/

amazon.com/author/gemmajuliana

www.twitter.com/gemma_juliana

www.facebook.com/gemma.juliana

https://www.pinterest.com/gemmajuliana/