If one is going to query a publisher, Jennifer Linforth suggests not doing so in pink ink. Her first, written when she was twelve, was nothing if not colorful. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Romance Writers of America in addition to being a writing mentor. Writing historical fiction and historical romance with unusual themes and locations, such as autism and the social mores of the mentally ill in the 19th century, she has a passion for Austrian culture and is often found searching for stories in long forgotten histories.
It was her love of research and classic literature that brought her to expanding Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera.
Writing from a tiny loft office, Jennifer admits to being country mouse with city mouse tastes and is constantly fighting to keep the little critters in line. She can't pronounce pistachio, hates lollipops with gooey centers, and dearly loves to laugh. If asked for her motto in life, she points to the following poem upon her office wall:
Come to the edge. We might fall. Come to the edge. It's too high! COME TO THE EDGE! And they came, and he pushed, and they flew. ~ Christopher Logue Croyez.
Visit Jennifer's Website *** Blog *** Myspace *** Facebook *** Twitter
ABENDLIED - Book two in Jennifer Linforth's Madrigal Series about The Phantom of the Opera.
Desiring normalcy is difficult enough with a price on his head, but when Erik is falsely accused of killing Philippe de Chagny, brother of his nemesis Raoul, he is launched toward madness.Anna is an unlikely companion, sharing Erik's heart and the bounty on his head. As the manhunt heats, Erik's mysterious relationship with Philippe spurs the campaign against them and exposes her darkest secret: defending her honor ended in murder.
Plagued by his past as The Phantom of the Opera, Erik's memories enslave his heart to Raoul's wife Christine, whose shocking confession brings a ruthless bounty hunter into the fray and blackmail to the Chagny bloodline. Blackmail from a hunter who cares little about the Phantom or Philippe and everything about the one he has lusted for: Anna.
With the past weeping like an open wound, can love endure or will it take the memories of one unlikely man to heal them all?
Memories of Philippe Georges Marie, Comte de Chagny...
BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT
READ THE EXCERPT FROM BOOK ONE - MADRIGAL
WIN - Join the party and leave a question or comment for Jennifer today over here on our Cyber Launch Party and your name goes in the hat to win an autographed copy of her first book in the series MADRIGAL! Good luck and have fun! The winner will be announced right here, tomorrow - so be sure to check back!
Congrats on the new release!!! I love, love, love the Phantom of the Opera and I love that you've taken that story and expanded it so we can learn more about what makes the man behind the mask tick.
ReplyDeleteHow many books do you see in this series? And I can't imagine the research you've done to create this series - can you tell us a bit about it?
Enjoy your special day and your launch party - you deserve it!
YAY Mav!! I'm so excited to see Abendlied in print! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of your latest book. I think the Phantom of the Opera has always had a fascination about it. I would love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
Many thanks for your support!
ReplyDeleteThere are three books in the series, the third is currently being submitted to my editor. A possible fourth book is in negotiations. That is up to the fans if they so demand it. The research was involved. I had to shatter the walls erected by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s idea of The Phantom of the Opera. He created an iconic image of the in Gerald Butler while Leroux’s original is very different. In Leroux, Erik (The Phantom), was a murderously vengeful personality and a clear cut madman, while also being a passionate gentleman. Webber stripped away the unattainable parts of Leroux’s story to leave a basic romance (between Raoul, Christine and Erik) as the focus, and I tried to bring the story around again to Leroux’s roots while enhancing what I could to reach the broader market desired by my publisher. Add to that a great deal of research into captor bonding, the social classes, Leroux’s novels, and the many progeny of Phantom through the years and you have a labor of love.
PJ and Linda--Great to have you here and my thanks as well.
I do believe we met because of Erik - although my ALW Phantom is Colm Wilkinson. I love it that you've been faithful to the character created by LeRoux. I look forward to this book, and the next one!
ReplyDeletehalfmoon_mollie
Colm Wilkinson certainly has a voice that matches something I am sure Leroux would have seen for his version of Erik! All best to you and many thanks for your support. I have tried my hardest to be faithful to Leroux!
ReplyDeleteHere's a question I've wanted to ask you forEVER!
ReplyDeleteWhat gave you the initial idea for the Madrigals series? I mean, obviously it was Leroux's Phantom, but what sparked the specific idea that resulted in the stories?
Thanks and best of luck and you know I love your writing!
- Kathleen/inlaterdays
Kathleen...
ReplyDeleteI can tell you this... it was a footnote in Leroux's original book that sparked the idea. I can't give that away lest I give all my readers a major spoiler!
Philippe Georges Marie was the primary character that sparked the plot for The Madrigals. Though he is not seen in book one, his life and who he was within the opera house mystery is what gave me the overall idea. I was facinated by him and wondered how I could craft him as Leroux crafted Erik--something unexpected without overstepping any boundaries.
That likely didn't help your curoisity! I will be blogging on this topic more in coming months, so stay tuned! >GGGG<
Your website has such a great look and is easy to navigate. When you wrote the query in pink ink was it treated as a childhood prank or did you actually get a response?
ReplyDeleteLeni!
ReplyDeleteI am giggling my butt off! That query letter got... me.... zippo! I even think that publishing house is defunct now. It looked pretty at least! I remember for years having a list of publishers tucked in a folder amongst my scratch and sniff stickers...
I am sure publishers today get query letters like that. One simply has to have the guts to start somewhere!
My thanks about the website. I am glad you enjoy it!
PIE. And red wine, crack-tastic plots, and sex involving guns and manacles. But mostly pie. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you. :) And now insanely curious about the footnote...
ReplyDeleteJennifer -
ReplyDeleteCongratultion on the release! I'm sorry I missed the last one +shame on me+ but I'm excited for you!
Good luck and may the dreaded writer's block stay far, far away!!
Emily/darth_firefly
@angely78, silent-lorelei and Emily:
ReplyDeleteMy thanks... I figured many would be curious about that footnote now. Crack open your Leroux and solve the mystery!
I remember meeting you over on a POTO site back when your Madrigals were in their early days (and extremely exciting to read even in their infancy!) You have a love for the classic story that is much like my own, and yours is the only one I've read that has left Erik as he should be. I really hope to win an autographed copy (or earnestly beg you for one!! :0D Congratulations on realizing your dream my friend!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release of your newest book, Mav! I am proud to say that I know a (soon-to-be) world famous authoress! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDelete~Becky/librosamo
Congratulations Jennifer! I can't wait to read it!!
ReplyDeleteTara McKay
Congratulations on your new release. This is a fascinating & brilliant series. Well done!!
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
Hey, I am sooooo happy this book is FINALLY being released! I got to read this book in its infancy and LOVED it then. Can't wait to read the final version! Congrats Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI love Phantom of the opera. I am also an avid reader of historical romances. Congrats on the release and your books sound wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad I missed the party. Had relatives in for the holidays and haven't been able to do all my book surfing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good and it's on my to buy list for sure. Do the books have to be read in order?
Best of luck with the new release and have a blessed and happy new year!
Hi, Jennifer! Thank you so much for celebrating the Phantom! I do love Erik, in all his eerie glory!
ReplyDeletegcwhiskas at aol dot com
@Sharon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support. The book do not have to be read in order. There is enough backstory of MADRIGAL in ABENDLIED to assist you but naturally reading Madrigal does enhance it.
ABENDLIED -- I'm curious to what this title means. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI saw one Phantom of the Opera and enjoyed it. Congrats on this book.
Greetings robynl.
ReplyDeleteAn abendlied is a German song usually seen in opera and contemplative in nature. Often it speaks of flora and fauna and is sometimes used as a lullaby. The opera Hansel and Gretel for example uses abendlieds. Directly translated it means "evening song"
How fascinating your new series sounds! I can hardly wait to read it.
ReplyDeletemom1248atattdotnet
congrats ur work sounds awesome!
ReplyDeletewhats next for you now that ur new release is out?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your opinion on book trailers? Do you think they help in book sales?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Tracey D
Thanks to everyone for celebrating with Jennifer, I know she really appreciated all the support!
ReplyDeleteThe winner of an autographed copy of MADRIGAL is GLENNA - please email AuthorIsland at yahoo.com with your mailing address so Jennifer can get your prize to you.
@SiNn...
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your words. With ABENDLIED's release I am currently working on book three in the series to submit to my editor. I hope to have that to the readers in a timely manner. In it we will see three new characters to expland the plot. From there I have two non-phantom hisotricals being marketed.
@booklover0226..
ReplyDeleteI do believe in book trailers. We live in a visual and fast paced world. The right trailer targeted to the right market does up your books visibility. It provides a two fold punch. With the right script writer you book is told in under 50 words with the punch of memorable images for a reader to connect to. Marketing is hard no matter what. Trailers are an excellent tool.
@GLENNA...
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!