Hello everybody! I'm glad and honoured to welcome a new author to our online book club. Jen Geigle Johnson has granted us an interview on the occasion of the release of her new Regency novel, TO WIN HER HAND. Ready to discover more? Scroll down and enjoy!
Hello and Welcome to My Jane Austen Book Club, Jen! To Win Her Handis the first novel in A Gentleman’s Match series. What was your inspiration for the series and the characters?
I really enjoy reading and writing about matchmakers. As I thought about how I could make a matchmaker series that had a unique spin, I remembered the movie HITCH with Will Smith. I loved the idea of a male matchmaker and even more so, a man who was an expert at wooing women. I still get giddy thinking about it. A specific character came to mind; his huge closet with everything a man would need to be more acceptable to a woman, and a woman who would be elusive enough to keep his attention and win his heart. And voila! To Win Her Hand was born.
Can you briefly share the moment when your hero and heroine meet? What was your biggest challenge in writing this scene?
They meet while trying to assist their own clients. SHE is a matchmaker as well. And as they stand together, attempting to marry off their clients, they both realize that they are in the same business. They make a wager and challenge each other. It’s a fun scene. But difficult to get just right.
What are the strengths and weakness of your main characters?
Lord Featherstone is wonderful at listening, watching and being aware of the emotional needs of others. But he is so aware that he is overly afraid of stepping on toes. He gives her as much space as she says she wants. But really, she needs him to be a little more insistent.
Lady Loveluck is responsible and resourceful and is able to earn enough to provide for herself in a very modest way. But she is afraid to trust, and so independent she won’t rely on others.
Do you have favorite moments or scenes in the story that you can share without revealing spoilers?
I love the balls, the beginning, the lead in. I also just love when they finally kiss. I love the ending. As with any ending, I wish I could linger there longer. But hopefully it creates a desire to come back for more as I’m planning at least three books in this series. I love the moment he discovers who she really is. I get chills thinking about it. Is that normal? I don’t know, but it happens. Writing books is a thrill.
How important was marrying the right person during the Regency-era?
Marrying in the Regency era is all about survival. People need good matches to survive. Estates needed good matches to survive. Love wasn’t always a part of the process sadly. If a person could marry for survival and love, they were incredibly blessed and lucky. It was everything to them all, likely the most important thing they ever did or talked about.
What up next in your writing career?
I am having so much fun writing historical fiction for Shadow Mountain. I also have two more Regencies based series in the works. I just love the era and all that is involved in it.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
An expert at winning a woman's hand. A woman who cannot be won.
Lord Featherstone has the world on his shoulders. Or at least his world. With two brothers and a failing estate he must make funds somehow. But what happens when he falls for a woman? Will his tactics work when the situation is so close and personal?Everyone thinks Lady Loveluck is a wealthy widow. What they don't know is that she is on the brink of hiring herself out as a Governess in order to pay for her next meal. The only thing keeping her from employment is a growing reputation as a matchmaker. As long as she never falls for another man, as long as she doesn't allow herself to be fooled into marrying, she will be just fine.
But she never counted on being caught up in the beguiling tactics of London's renowned and not so secret matchmaker for men.
PRAISE FOR TO WIN HER HAND
- "I loved the character growth, watching them learn more about the other’s heart and hardships, and the realization that perhaps they had more choices than they first thought. Such a sweet regency. I’m so grateful I had the chance to read this one."— Makayla Branson, Reading Past Bedtime
- “The house party, the quiet moments, the collection of other characters, and much more all combined together made this is delightful read.”— Julie Carpenter, Goodreads
- “Two matchmakers with a wager. What fun for all! [A] heart touching story.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON|BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP| GOODREADS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jen Geigle Johnson is an award-winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and LDSPMA Praiseworthy's top award for Romance,
Jen has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well.
Six children and an inspiring husband keep her going and make certain she doesn't stay glued to a keyboard or lost in obscure fascinating details of old castles.
Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.
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