Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Welcome, Diane Scott Lewis


Ginger, I’m so thrilled you invited me to post on your blog. I’ve been writing since a small child and have worked as an editor for The Wild Rose Press. I recently received a contract for my debut historical novel, The False Light. I anticipate starting edits any day now as the book will release in April from Eternal Press.

I’ve researched the eighteenth century for several years, even poring over old texts in the Library of Congress, to get my history correct.

Here’s the gist of my story:

“Fleeing the French Revolution, Bettina Jonquiere struggles to survive in a remote Cornish village, discover the secret behind her father's death, while attracted to a man who may have murdered his wife.” The novel is full of adventure, intrigue and romance.

Below is an UNEDITED excerpt.

Lisbette de Jonquiere crushed the small bundle to her chest and hurried across the main square of Boulogne’s Haute Ville. She glanced back at the townhouse. A place where she’d resented being sequestered this last week, yet it was preferable to the night’s shadows. Blinking drizzle from her eyelashes, she glared at the elderly man walking beside her. His lantern pushed a small pool of light before them. “If I must sail, why can’t I travel as a passenger on a packet boat?”
“There is…no time to obtain a passport.” Armand rasped this out, ending in a cough. He moved closer and hooked his arm with hers as if they led a nocturnal dance. “When you arrive in Dover catch the first coach to Bath.”
They passed the cathedral and the pink-bricked Town Hall. Around a corner, Lisbette started when a figure emerged from an alley and blocked their path. Armand halted, twitching his shoulders before the huge man who trudged into their lantern’s glow. Lisbette cringed at his filthy clothes. His face looked as if someone had tried to carve their initials into his cheeks. A stench rolled off him, like the slime washed up from beneath the sea.
“So, this is the one?” The giant tugged a frayed hat low on his forehead. Water dripping off the roof behind him smacked the cobbles and stirred the mist around his bulky frame.
“Certainement. This is she, and please be gentle.” Armand glanced at her, his eyes droopy above gaunt cheeks, sadder than she’d ever seen them. “Is it quiet down there, at the harbor?”
“Quiet enough for what we need. Only one from customs. I’ll be there.” The man turned around and in a splat of footfalls the gloom swallowed him up once more.
Lisbette shivered and bunched together the edges of her cloak, already damp from the increasing rain. “Who is that dirty man, Armand? I still don’t understand why you insist on sending me off at this hour and with no decent companion.”
“I’ve explained that it’s too late to engage anyone. But I promised your mother I’d keep you from harm.” He averted his eyes when he mentioned her mother, then coughed into his hand. “Let’s keep walking, my dear.”
“Maman will not approve of this. We should go back to the house. You’re ill. I feel the heat in your arm.” Lisbette wondered if his fever had confused him. The shock of being dragged from bed, her interrupted sleep, scrambled for reason in her head. But the cold air sharpened her fears like a needle. “Ma foi, why is my leaving so urgent?”

I hope you will visit my website to find out more about me and my novels in progress:
dianescottlewis.com



Note from Ginger: I'm honored that Diane shared an Advanced Reading Copy of The False Light with me, and I'll be reviewing this exciting novel soon on my new Examiner.com site: E-Book Reviews.

20 comments:

  1. ving been privileged to read this novel, I can heartily recommend it to all those who love to be taken back to the England of the eithteenth century. Bettina is a lovely heroine and her story has all the elements of a perfect romance novel. Adventure, heartache, betrayal and love. I'd pre-order it to avoid disappointment!

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  2. Woohooo Diane!

    Congrats. It sounds like a very heart racing read. I hope you have many sales and nothing but great reviews!

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  3. Thanks, Anita and Trent! I worked harder on this novel than any other.

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  4. Diane,
    I can't wait to see The False Light in print. You so deserve it!
    As one of Diane's CPs, I can attest to the quality of writing and the excitement of the story.

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  5. Great work, Diane! Loved the excerpt and will definitely buy a copy when it's released.
    Now I see why you are such a fab editor!

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  6. Diane, I enjoyed your excerpt. Lovely details, and the story sounds wonderful. Congratulations on its forthcoming release! I wish you many sales and lots more contracts.

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  7. Congratulations! I know it must feel wonderful to have your book finally out. Here's a hats off to great sales!

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  8. Hi Ginger and Diane,
    thanks for the tease on the new book! Anita makes a good point about pre-ordering (I also went on a bunny trail to various other sites while here.)

    Diane, I'm hooked.

    Best wishes on your debut with Wild Rose Press!

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  9. Thanks for everyone's kind wishes.
    I can't wait to get my book cover and start edits.

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  10. Hi Diane,

    Loved the excerpt. Sounds like a great read! Congratulations on what I know will be a very successful release!

    Maggie
    www.maggiedove.net

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  11. Diane,
    I am absolutely hooked from this excerpt! Brilliant melodious voice. Can't wait to buy an autographed copy.

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  12. I really liked your excerpt, Diane. Wishing you lots of sales.

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  13. I'm so happy you all came to read my excerpt. I hope you'll look forward to the book's release in April.

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  14. Good luck on your release, Diane! I know it will do well!
    Congratulations.

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  15. Hi Diane,
    Nice interview, your story sounds like a wonderfully exciting read, best of luck with it. I'll keep a look out for it once it is released.
    Regards
    Margaret

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  16. Intriguing excerpt, Diane. Best of luck with your book.

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  17. Just this small excerpt sets up a dark, unsettled beginning for the heroine -- and the reader. Makes me want to read more.

    I look forward to buying a copy!

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  18. Three cheers, Diane!

    I'm so excited that your work is finally going to see print. Your excerpt puts me in your heroine's shoes, shivering in the damp night, looking over my shoulder in fear and wondering what is going to happen to me. I can't wait to find out!

    Jan Gunia

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  20. Having just read a snippet, I am excited to enter this novel! An already beautifully written beginning of 18th century England by Diane Scott Lewis is about to hit the book shelves!
    The murky backdrop quickly unfolds as the urgency of foreboding adventure comes alive. The herioine, not yet fully aware of the intentions of those around her, suggests there will be much for her to learn on her journey.
    I can't wait to get my own copy!

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