Welcome to my Amanda Quick world – a guest post by Jayne Ann Krentz
Greetings from Seattle:
What a perfect opportunity to wish my readers in the UK a glorious spring!
Welcome to my Amanda Quick world.
I’m often asked why I chose the Victorian era for my novels of historical romantic-suspense. The answer, of course, is that it is absolutely perfect for the kind of stories I love to write. There is gaslight and fog and a sense of change in the atmosphere. Scientists are at last starting to unlock the secrets of the natural world and people are becoming aware of both the wonders and the dangers that the future hold — and a public raised on “horrid” novels laced with dread and the supernatural are discovering that there are real monsters such as Jack-the-Ripper prowling the dark streets of London.
What better time for the return of Mr. Slater Roxton? He can be forgiven a few eccentricities, don’t you think? After all, they say he was entombed alive on a strange island. And there is that talk about the strange sexual rituals that take place in a secret room below his mansion. Nevertheless, as far as Miss Ursula Kern is concerned, Roxton is an excellent client and he pays well for her secretarial services. It’s all business between them. What could possibly go wrong, hmm?
Sincerely,
Jayne Ann Krentz
Writing as:
Amanda Quick
The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman. His intentions are purely practical - he simply wants someone sensible and suitably lovely to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks among polite society. He has his own agenda to pursue, and a false fiance will keep the husband-hunters at bay while he goes about his business. The simplest solution is to hire a paid companion. Finding the right candidate proves more of a challenge than he expected. But when he encounters Miss Elenora Lodge, her feisty manner and golden eyes sway him to make a generous offer. Elenora's sorry financial circumstances - and dreams of a life of independence - leave her little choice but to accept. But St. Merryn appears to be hiding a secret or two, and things seem oddly amiss in his gloomy London home. Elenora soon discovers that this lark will be a far more dangerous adventure than she'd been led to believe. And the Earl of St. Merryn will find that the meek and mild companion he'd initially envisioned has become a partner in his quest to catch a killer - and an outspoken belle of the ball who stirs a bothersome passion in his practical heart.
