There had been some theorizing in various webby corners that the new Judith Ivory might be a reprint of one of her early novels. But no. No, I say. It’s a new novel, and I am thrilled.
How sad. It is a reprint (but a revised reprint) of her first novel, Starlit Surrender. Robin was the first to dash my hopes, so credit goes to her.
However, she also informs us that Ivory is working on a new novel, and there’s soon to be an interview with her on the AAR website. So Robin dashed my hopes only to raise them up again.
First, a suggestion: If you ever run across either Bliss or Dance (written under Judy Cuevas) for less than twenty dollars each, I suggest you grab them as they are out of print. Set in France in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these novels demonstrate what historical romance can be. I like Dance a little better than Bliss, and in fact while Dance is a sequel, it does stand on its own.
I intend to give away both Bliss and Dance in a drawing sometime in the next couple months. Both novels, along with the new one. Watch this space.
The information on the new book (now up at Amazon) has this little blurb:
Beautiful, level-headed Christina Bower has every reason to avoid Adrien Hunt. He is an earl while she is of common birth-he will never offer marriage. He is a man of intrigue, perhaps playing both sides in a most perilous game. Worst of all, the arrogant, lethally charming rogue revels in his reputation as libertine, unrepentant of the many bedchambers through which he’s romped and the many hearts he’s broken.
If only the blurb writers were as talented as Judith Ivory. This sounds like run of the mill historical romance, but I have no doubt she will work her usual magic. The thing about Judith Ivory is this: no fluff. Humor, yes. She does humor well. But mostly she does interesting characters. Complex, intriguing, beautifully written characters. So I’m looking forward to this newest novel of hers (out one month from today), which I am sure will be worth the wait.
Note: I had a brief look on the web for reviews of Dance, and here’s what I came up with:
Three years ago Marie DuGard fled Paris on the eve of her wedding to Sebastien de Saint Vallier’s brother. Now she has returned, slimmer, prettier, bolder and even more of a challenge to Sebastien who has never forgotten their one illicit liaison. Marie has spent the intervening years in America where she has perfected her film-making skills and received some acclaim, yet she longs for her father’s acceptance and is secretly pleased that he has sent Sebastien to meet her at the station. […]Dazzling in its subtlety, brilliant in its ability to capture the aura of the changing times and sensually alluring, “Dance” is a novel to be savored by those who enjoy a sophisticated, thought-provoking read that stretches at the boundaries of the genre. Well done, Ms. Cuevas! Muze, Inc.
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This is actually a reprint, with, as far as I understand it, some edits, of Ivory’s first book, Starlit Surrender. I loved this book, even though it was rough in places, because Ivory took some interesting chances with her characters, and I really enjoyed the relationship between Adrian and Christina.
Apparently, though, Ivory IS writing a new novel, and IIRC, a new interview done by Sandy Coleman will be on AAR in September.
I always love hearing book suggestions for historical romance. So, thanks for the heads up.
A while ago I looked up on Amazon and the blurb for the new book is the same as the blurb for one of her really early books, Starlit Surrender, so I’m assuming that it is the same book. Doesn’t bother me as I haven’t read Starlit Surrender though its nice to see that she is writing another book. I actually liked Bliss better than Dance though that might have something to do with my current state of mind. I think I liked the relationship between the two main characters better in Bliss.
I just discovered Judith Ivory on your recomendation Rosina. I have read two so far and loved them both. She really does write a great and intelligent romance. I can’t wait to read more of her work. Thanks
oh, pooh. I was sure it was a new book. And I’ve read Starlit Surrender. I guess I just blocked it out in my hopes for a new Ivory novel.
Robin — where did you hear the bit about the upcoming interview and the (really) new book? I don’t usually read AAR but I’ll have to start lurking so as not to miss it.
Anita — you’re more than welcome.
Rosina, at AAR they were asking if anyone had questions to ask Judith Ivory for the September Writer’s Corner Interview. The link is here, but it’s not very informative. They’ve probably mentioned it somewhere else too.
If you don’t have the time to lurk at AAR (you did say earlier that the internet could be very time-consuming), you could sign up for their weekly mailing list, and then you’d get notification of the latest At The Back Fence columns and special things like author interviews. They only send one email a week. There’s a link to the sign up at the top of this page, if you click on the ‘Yahoo Groups’ box. It’s not the sort of Yahoo-group that people post messages to – it’s only used for sending the weekly message out.
Apparently the news of her upcoming books was printed in Romantic Times, but I’ve found an Ivory “fansite” that gives the same info: http://www.booktalk.com/jivory/
Here’s the post containing the info for the AAR interview:http://www.hwforums.com/2034/messages/38005.html
I’ve heard varying things, but apparently there has not been much revision or editing of this Ivory book. IIRC she made some comments to the effect that there were things in the book that bugged her upon reflection (perhaps historical inaccuracies?). Unless they’re going for irony, the title feels so, dare I say, Avonized? With Ivory writing again and Loretta Chase going back to Avon, I don’t know whether to feel hopeful or defeated about the future of innovative historical Romance.
Slightly OT — I’m very excited at the prospect of another Ivory novel, but perhaps even more pumped at the news that Sharon Curtis is apparently working on a new Romance (from the same RT)!!!! Tom, SC says, is driving a truck and is only partially contributing, but whoo damn!, someone must have been listening to all the offers of bribery for another Curtis masterpiece. Who, I wonder, will be publishing it?
Ya know, I had both of those books, Bliss and Dance, and never read either one. I moved them around from place to place til finally either a dog chewed them up or a cat peed on them (or the other way around), and finally had to throw them out. I didn’t know what I had. Now, thank you Rosina, I have to go find another copy of them.
Norma — you will thank me. Because they are that good.