I’m delighted to have Luisa on the blog today.
Hello Georgia, and thank you for inviting me to participate in your lovely blog. It’s such a pleasure to take part and discuss books.
You’re very welcome, Luisa, it’s lovely to have you here. What book would you like to have written? Hard question!
Oh my, there are so many! Every time I read a book I admire, I wish I could have written it. It especially happens if a phrase is so beautifully written that I have to go back and appreciate it all over again, or if a book makes me laugh, or if it makes me cry. For that reason, I think I’ll have to choose The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes. There were many humorous moments, but it’s also a book that made me sob until my chest hurt because I rooted so hard for Jess, the main character. She’s a single mum with two kids, and on a low income. She faces struggle after struggle as she endeavours to make a good life for her little family. When an author makes me love a character enough to cry big, snotty, gulping tears, and then lifts me up with a big, goofy smile with a happy ending, that’s pure magic.
Have to confess I haven’t read it. Going on the TBR immediately! What book inspires you the most, Luisa?
I think I must choose The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Penman. It’s a very long book, and I first read it as a teenager borrowing my stepmother’s incredibly heavy hardback copy. It’s the story of Richard III, whom the author was convinced has been unfairly portrayed as a villain down the centuries. The characters and storyline had me enthralled, I fell in love with Richard’s charming brother Edward, and the impeccable research made me feel immersed in the life and politics of the late fifteenth century. As an example of historical fiction, it’s hard to beat. But the most inspirational aspect for me is that the author lost her original manuscript and had to rewrite the entire book from scratch. What an awesome example of resilience and determination!
Now this one I have read and completely agree with you. Fabulous book.
Now tell us about your most recent publication. I just love this cover!
My most recent book is The Gilded Cage, published by Storm Publishing. Here’s the blurb:
1897. Rosamund bows her head and steps slowly down the aisle. The satin of her gown whispers against the stone floor and a single tear falls into the bunch of yellow roses twisted in her trembling hands. Despite rumours of his cruelty, Rosamund has no choice but to become this man’s second wife.
After her wedding, Rosamund finds herself trapped in Sir Lucien Fitznorton’s lonely country estate. As she wanders the chilly halls, made shadowy by drapes of heavy velvet, she longs for the lost comforts of her childhood home, where she was the beloved only daughter to a doting father, now buried miles away. As a young woman with no fortune of her own, only death can release her from this misery.
Until she meets Joseph, her husband’s gruffly handsome new chauffeur. With his mop of salt-and-pepper hair and lilting accent, Joseph is from another world. One of clambering children and tea at scrubbed kitchen tables, the hollow scratch of hunger and long hours of hard work. Despite their differences, they find themselves increasingly drawn to each other.
But Sir Lucien is not only cruel, he’s devious too, and soon Rosamund finds herself caught in a dangerous web of secrets and lies. Is Rosamund’s fragile marriage nothing but a golden cage, trapping her between two men who desire her… and to what end?
One holds her captive and the other offers a hope of escape… but who really holds the key to Rosamund’s gilded prison?
A gripping and emotional historical novel, fans of Lucinda Riley and Tracy Rees won’t be able to put this book down.
Now share the linky things so we can find you on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/LuisaAJonesauthor/
https://www.instagram.com/luisa_a_jones_author/
And here’s a little background about Luisa:
Luisa lives in South Wales, and takes inspiration from the Welsh countryside, towns, history, and of course its people. Her writing explores the dynamics within relationships, the pressures that mental health issues can exert on people, and how these can be overcome.
Luisa studied Classical Studies at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London. Her previous jobs have included tour guide in an historic house; teacher in both primary and secondary schools; careers adviser; and corporate trainer/assessor.
Luisa loves using her creativity for crafting and baking, as well as writing historical and contemporary fiction with romantic elements. She and her husband are the proud owners of Gwynnie, a Volkswagen camper van built in 1974, which inspired the story behind Luisa’s first book, Goes Without Saying. They have three children, a dog and two cats.
Becoming an author fulfilled a lifelong ambition.
I’m thrilled you’ve achieved that ambition. Thank you so much for coming on the blog and huge luck with the new book!
