Harlequin Historical author,Isabelle Goddard on the pleasures of research

Now, I’ve been looking forward to this moment for well over a year! I’m delighted to welcome Isabelle Goddard, whose first book for Harlequin Historical is on sale now. 

Under the pergola at the Watermill

I first met Isabelle under a pergola in sunny Tuscany.  She joined my romance writing course at the Watermill at Posara, but much as I would love to claim some credit for her success, I’m afraid I can’t – Isabelle had already submitted Reprobate Lord, Runaway Lady to Mills & Boon and was waiting to hear back from them, so she did it all on her own, without any help from me.  But all of us on that course were thrilled when she told us that she had had an offer for her book, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the others will get a similar call in due course – keep at it, girls!  (In the meantime, Isabelle, we want to know what happened to your dairy maid …)

Reprobate Lord, Runaway Lady has a real Georgette Heyer quality to it – and when it comes to Regency, you can’t say better than that!  Isabelle has a copy to give away, so read on for details … Here she is:

"Jessica’s course was great.  By the time I went to Tuscany, I’d been waiting for a final verdict on Reprobate Lord, Runaway Lady for over two years and was beginning to lose heart.  But the course kept my motivation from flagging and a few months later when I was snuffling miserably on the sofa suffering from flu – and real flu at that – the call came.  I had a two book contract!

So why choose to write an historical novel?  One of the reasons must be that I grew up reading Georgette Heyer and when I finally plucked up to the courage to try writing a novel myself, a Regency romance seemed to come naturally.  I could hear the characters speak in my head.  And I really loved the research involved: working out stage coach routes and journey times, discovering the protocols around the Assembly Rooms in Bath, understanding the way in which gambling was viewed at the time.  Regency England had an elegance – clothes, architecture, manners – which is fascinating but life could also have a darker undercurrent.  Sometimes it’s just mischievous high spirits, other times real wickedness, and it was into this heady mix that I decided to plunge my heroine.

 ©2011 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited

I wanted a heroine who was feisty and brave and the character of Amelie sprang into being.  I had a vision of a high spirited young woman, living a sheltered if lonely life, who suddenly finds herself threatened by the darkest of fates.  She refuses to accept her father’s decree and meets the troubles that follow with determination and courage.  Naturally she has to have a lover who shares the same qualities: Gareth is estranged from his family, tough, courageous but with a strong sense of humour.  And naturally this unconventional couple have to meet in a very unconventional way!

Research isn’t just for historical novels, of course.  As soon as writers venture out of their own small worlds, they are faced with the need to discover.  So I wonder what’s the most unusual thing you’ve had to research for your writing?  A hardback copy of Reprobate Lord, Runaway Lady is on offer for the most interesting reply.

And while you’re thinking about it, do check out my website!"

Thanks, Isabelle!  As it happens, I've spent the day reading about medieval shipping but I feel sure there are more interesting research topics out there, so tell us what YOU have most enjoyed researching, and you could be in with a chance to read Isabelle's new book.