INTRO:
I remember growing up in the mid-1980's as a teenager, I
loved going to the library and borrowing books by Victoria Holt and VC Andrews.
They took me to far away places, introduced me to intriguing mysteries and unexplainable
events. I encountered a damsel in distress and handsome, dark anti-heroes. Ah,
my first love was undoubtedly Gothic Romance.
From the Editor:
Gothic literature received its start in 1764 when Horace
Walpole wrote "The Castle of Oranto." Ann Radcliffe further defined
the genre, giving it a sense of legitimacy when she explained the supernatural
elements of the story with natural, believable, causes. She also introduced the
brooding hero. What Radcliffe did
though, was give the 'gothic' the twist that defines it, by showing
supernatural events grounded in reality.
Gothic romances were popular in the 1960's – 1980's. They're
still popular, but paranormal romances have taken over. Some of the elements in
a gothic romance include:
Atmosphere:
Mystery and suspense are important to the genre as well as darkness and "unexplainable" events. The more shadows the better.
Setting:
The setting compliments atmosphere. The setting is intended
to be dark, dreary, creating a feeling of claustrophia or fearfulness. The
setting is usually an old castle, or a family estate, possibly near a cave, or
even an old abbey. The setting is meant to emphase spooky sounds, secret passages,
mysterious rooms, trapped doors, and webbed staircases. The message of the
setting is to paint a place of decay and desolation.
Characters:
The heroine is usually a damsel in distress with no family
or very little family. She may be forced to do things she doesn't want to or
let down someone. The hero is her protector who falls madly in love with her
and will ultimately save her from the villain.
Emotion:
Gothic romance "ups" the emotion – sadness, fear, passion,
crying, agitation, screaming, terror and obsessive love help build absolute
desperation. Emotions also include great passion, panic, grief, and perhaps
this is the appeal to the young teenage girl who feels emotions tenfold, much
like the gothic heroine.
Plot:
A gothic plot involves the heroine's fall from grace and her
protector's efforts to save her. Complications include a powerful villain,
unexplainable events (rooted in natural causes) omens, prophecies, and the fear
of death.
Metonymies
This is a metaphor like rain which is used to represent
something else like sorrow.
Some modern gothic romance writers include Mary Stewart and
Victoria Holt. Question: Who is your favorite gothic romance author? Who would you recommend for your teenager daughter/neice?
Have a spooky Halloween!
Reivews for Sunrise Over Brasov:
"You will love this paranormal romantic novel." 5 Stars, Reader's Favorites Reviews
BLURB:
Prince Michael Sigmaringen joins his sister-in-law, Caroline, and the vampire prince, Darius, in a daring rescue of his beloved at Poiana Brasov. However things aren't what they appear. Upon freeing Rosa from the werewolf, Clement, another wolf, Rickard follows them.
Michael soon discovers Rickard is a new breed of werewolf – one who can control his lupine nature and his transformations. Michael and his companions arrive at the vampire fortress, Rasnov, but can go no further when Clement attacks wanting Rosa and Rickard back.
Michael's courage, strength, and convictions are challenged beyond his limits, but his love for Rosa proves his guiding force. Can Michael finally rid his family of their lupine haunting and win Rosa's heart?
EXCERPT:
He raised his hand and lowered his hood. An inherent strength filled his profile. Confidence. Concern. Relief.
Rosa's breath jammed in her throat. He looked familiar. He smelled familiar.
"Rosa, it's Michael. Let's go."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
A frown set against his rugged features. "I don't have time to argue -- now put on a warm dress and cloak."
"No." She was not going anywhere with him despite the relief in his voice.
He sighed and shut the door. Moving with fluid grace, he crossed the room, jerked the door to her closet open and threw the items he wanted her to wear on her bed. "Get. Dressed."
"No." She was determined not to budge, despite the danger outside.
"Rosa, we're leaving."
"I'm staying."
"Why would you want to stay? Clement kidnapped you."
Disconcerted, she pointedly glanced away from his hard stare. What did he mean by kidnapped? Clement didn't keep her behind bars and feed her only bread and water. Rosa could even go into Brasov to shop as long as Lucien or one of the bodyguards went with her.
"I'm going to take you back to your mother."
Her head snapped toward his direction. Mother? Of course she had a mother -- a family, even -- only she had no recollection of them. So why did her body fill with warmth at the mention of her mother by a man she hadn't seen before, but was hauntingly familiar? She pursed her lips, torn by conflicting emotions.
"Caroline and Darius can't keep this up. Now get dressed or I'll dress you myself."
"You'll find me an unwilling subject."
He drew in a deep breath and raked a hand through his thick ebony hair. "You are exasperating."
"So I've been told."
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