Yea! We’re having a book giveaway today! And that’s always fun, but before we get to that, I want to talk about gothic novels. Not sure what that is? No problem. Gothic novels have a very distinct feel to them. Here’s a few of the characteristics:
- A castle setting, but modern day stories usually have a huge mansion instead.
- An atmosphere of mystery, suspense, or foreboding.
- And, of course, romance but often unrequited or a love triangle.
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, today I’m featuring a gothic novel today. It’s title–An American Gothic written by Alice K. Arenz. I’m so excited to have Alice as my Writer of the Day. Even though, we’ve never met, we share a special bond. I look forward to the day when we do get to meet, Alice.
An American Gothic is the new book of 2010 ACFW Carol Award winning author, Alice K. Arenz. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, her first two novels, cozy mysteries, The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (a 2009 ACFW Carol Awards finalist), and the 2010 winner of the ACFW Carol Award in Mystery, The Case of the Mystified M.D., were originally published under A.K. Arenz and have now been released under Alice K. Arenz. The more serious mystery/suspense Mirrored Image (a 2011 finalist for the Carol Award) will soon be re-released by Forget Me Not Romances. Visit her at her website www.akawriter.com .
AN AMERICAN GOTHIC by Alice K. Arenz
She came to Foxxemoor to write a mystery, not to become part of one.
Devastated by the death of a child in her care, Lyssie’s heart strings are tugged when she finds another child in danger. Amid past secrets, lies, and betrayals of an old college friend’s family, she must choose a twin brother to trust. If she makes the wrong decision, she could not only lose her own life, but also the life of the child she’s come to love.
I’m in the middle of reading An American Gothic right now. And enjoying it. So I don’t mind recommending it to all of you. Anyway, Alice wants to give one lucky reader the chance to win a print copy of the book. Leave a comment and you’ll be entered. Winner will be picked October 5!
UNTIL NEXT TIME…God bless & Good Reading!
Tiaras & Tennis Shoes 
I like the feeling of Gothic. Your premise is fresh and fascinating. Love it.
Pam, you’re a lucky winner of an e-copy of one of Alice’s other books. Please email me at lduncan512@aol.com for more details. Thanks!
Sounds intriguing. Looking forward to reading this.
Sounds like a really good one. Thanks for the opportunity to have a chance to win a copy.
What an awesome response, Lil! And thank you–all of you for stopping by and leaving a comment. God Bless, alice
I don’t usually like the old-time Gothic romances, but this one sounds interesting! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’m enjoying it.
You won! You’re the lucky winner of An American Gothic. Please email me at lduncan512@aol.com for more details. Thanks!
Wow, really?! Thanks! I’ll email you.
Hello! This looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance!! I’ve read Gothic and do like it.
Thanks for entering the contest, Amy.
Amy, you’re a lucky winner of an e-copy of one of Alice’s other books. Please email me at lduncan512@aol.com for more details. Thanks!
Hi to all! And hey, if you’re just a little older and/or ever read anything by Phyllis A. Whitney, Mary Stewart, Daphne Du Maurier, Victoria Holt . . . I could go on forever!–that would mean you actually read something that at one time was termed “Gothic.” We’re not talking about people who wear deathly white make-up outlined in black, it’s good old romantic suspense at it’s best. When Daphne Du Maurier wrote REBECCA, the term “romantic suspense” was at it’s height. Then, in the late sixties, early seventies, someone in the industry decided the period romantic suspense should be lumped in with all the ones with the description Lil gave–hence the “Gothic” novels. But to me, these are the classic romantic suspense.
Sorry, didn’t mean to lecture anyone. It’s just a subject near and dear to my heart. 😉
Thank you all for your awesome comments! alice
Thanks for the info, Alice. I’ll admit I had to look up gothic novels to get the info. I read “gothic” novels many, many years ago and to me they are little like what the Supreme Court said about pornography–hard to describe but I know it when I see it!
Would love to read this book. It sounds so good. Not sure I am familiar with Gothic reads but would love to try this one. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’ve not read a Gothic novel, but I like the 3 characteristics listed. Please put my name in the pot. Thanks so much for sharing!
rw620 AT aol DOT com
I don’t know whether I have read a Gothic novel. But I would like to have one and then I will share it with our church library at our church in N. Fort Myers, Fl. Thank you for considering me. reharmer at aol dot com
I’ve only read one Gothic romance book, “Mist of Midnight” by Sandra Byrd. I wasn’t sure what to expect, maybe a dark and foreboding almost eerie story. But I was pleasantly surprised how good it was! Yes, it had an air of mystery surrounding the Estate and an element of romance, but it wasn’t anywhere near eerie or scary! I really had a hard time putting it down, I must have read it in a day or two 🙂 I would love to read other Gothic romance books and “An American Gothic” will fit the bill! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Now that sounds like a great story I’d enjoy reading! !
dkstevensne AToutlook (D0t(com
I love the way Alice has managed to get the right feel, even if it’s contemporary.
I do enjoy a Gothic read. You are right in saying they have a certain feel to them. Love that.