Thursday with Luisa Jones
I’ve been asked by a couple of readers if I’ve read all the books I’m introducing in this mini-series on my blog.
Hand on heart, I have not read them all. I know I (and perhaps many others) tend to largely read the same kind of book but it’s good to stretch reading wings and dip into other genres and styles. Not every book will please every reader but we will never know if we are missing out unless we try. The idea of inviting various authors to share a short extract from one of their books was born when I was editing my own book, to be released in a few days time. As I read my words in The Sicilian Secret for the umpteenth time, I wondered which extracts I could pick out to give a feeling of the book. I’ve won a couple of flash fiction competitions and this was on my mind. My novels recently have a wordcount in excess of 100,000. No matter what we write, each word should count. It’s so easy to waffle (I know I am guilty of this). So, I set a limit of 150 words. It’s not easy, but I believe it is doable.
This week, Luisa Jones is my guest. I have read her book and it is gritty, informative, romantic, sad and a wonderful debut historical novel. I shall post my review below.
Here is Luisa’s extract from The Gilded Cage
Naked admiration lent a kind of rough beauty to his face. His expression, and the closeness of him; the way his eyes had focused on her parted lips, so intent and filled with concentration. It was madness, but she couldn’t help herself. She leaned forward, closing the short distance between their bodies, and pressed her lips against his. They were warm, his breath was warm. She’d never before experienced a kiss that was gentle, from soft, generous lips. For a long, golden moment there was a marvellous tenderness that filled her with a kind of molten glow.
This extract depicts a scene of passion, all the more intense as the reader already knows how hard the heroine’s life has become, but let Luisa explain why she chose these lines.
I chose this extract from my historical novel The Gilded Cage because it’s a turning point for my main character Lady Rosamund Fitznorton. Trapped in an abusive marriage, her relationship with the working-class Joseph Cadwalader brings about not only a new independence when he teaches her to drive, but also an awakening to physical pleasure through a gentleness she’s never experienced before.
Here is my own 5-star review of Luisa’s book.
I’ve recently re-read D. H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” and (she says in a low voice), to be honest, I enjoyed The Gilded Cage more. Some of the themes are similar: unfulfilled young bride, sexual awakening, lovers from different social classes etc. “The Gilded Cage” is written with a touch of period voice – but it’s also written in 2023 and therefore more accessible. I loved it. There’s a hint of Downton Abbey meets Upstairs, Downstairs. But “The Gilded Cage” is its own book and beautifully written. The vintage tone is very fitting: “There was reverence in his touch, and wonder in his countenance.” And: “Suddenly the desires she had discovered within herself seemed dangerously transgressive.” This book will sound marvellous on audio.
There’s a lot going on and the sexual scenes are on opposite ends of the scale. I’m not going to give spoilers, but there is cruel sex and there is beautiful, passionate, sensual sex – both very hard to write. The subject is tricky and the author has dealt with it head-on, with courage and skill. The characters are complex and vividly drawn. I was thoroughly convinced by them all. I felt so sorry for the heroine Rosamund, who, as a woman living at the end of the nineteenth century, has such a rough deal and such resulting low self-esteem, “whiling away her days reading and playing the piano,” when she is not preyed on by her older husband. “Living with Sir Lucien was like living on the slopes of a volcano.” “It was better for the staff to see her as a social misfit than as the filthy, debased creature she knew she really was.” I wanted to take the poor young woman in my arms and comfort her.
How wonderful that the motor car brought her freedom to escape for a while from her cage and embark on “a secret life”. Her life as a result became more complex, bringing issues for both parties and it was this part of the book that I enjoyed the most, wondering how the story would develop. I might have taken off half a star at what I felt was rather a convenient ending, but I didn’t because I still couldn’t put the book (aka my kindle) down.
I enjoyed reading at the back of the book about the author’s research into motoring during this period. In fact, I was totally immersed in this world and look forward to reading more from the pen of this talented author. Thank you for transporting me in the Wolsey 24/30 Limousine-Landaulette and into your clever story. More!
I received an early copy of this book from Netgalley and I thank the publishers for the opportunity. This is my honest review.
Luisa A Jones 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. Her first historical novels in The Fitznortons series, The Gilded Cage and The Broken Vow, were published by Storm Publishing. She is currently writing another novel for Storm, set at the outbreak of WWII.
Tweets by Taffy_luluWishing you the best of luck in all your writing as you go forward, Luisa. And thanks for dropping by.
