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Interview with Mimi Matthews, author of Gentleman Jim

Today, I have a special guest in the historical fiction sub-genre and while not Austen-related, it caught my attention because it reminded me of one of my favorite books (though they are both quite different). Hidden identities always fascinate me, and this novel has that and more.

Book Synopsis:

She Couldn’t Forget…

Wealthy squire’s daughter Margaret Honeywell was always meant to marry her neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe, but it’s bastard-born Nicholas Seaton who has her heart. Raised alongside her on her father’s estate, Nick is the rumored son of notorious highwayman Gentleman Jim. When Fred frames him for theft, Nick escapes into the night, vowing to find his legendary sire. But Nick never returns. A decade later, he’s long been presumed dead.

He Wouldn’t Forgive…

After years spent on the continent, John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has finally come home to England. Tall, blond, and dangerous, he’s on a mission to restore his family’s honor. If he can mete out a bit of revenge along the way, so much the better. But he hasn’t reckoned for Maggie Honeywell. She’s bold and beautiful– and entirely convinced he’s someone else. As danger closes in, St. Clare is torn between love and vengeance. Will he sacrifice one to gain other? Or, with a little daring, will he find a way to have them both?

This reminds me of the Scarlet Pimpernel in some ways. This could be an escape for those who need it most.

Let’s chat with Mimi Matthews:

What inspired you to write Gentleman Jim?

Mimi Matthews: Gentleman Jim was inspired by two historical novels: Henry Fielding’s 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, and Alexandre Dumas’s 1844 novel The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s my attempt at a swashbuckling Regency adventure novel, with lots of romance and revenge.

Your novels are usually set in the Victorian era, why did you decide to set this one in the Regency?

MM: The Regency era was much less restrictive than the Victorian era. There wasn’t as much restraint to it, and Gentleman Jim is a story that doesn’t have a great deal of restraint between the characters, whether they’re dueling, brawling, or falling passionately in love.

Though still closed door, this is your hottest novel to date. Is this going to be a trend going forward?

MM: The heat level of my stories very much depends on the characters. For this novel, it had to be hotter. That’s just the kind of romance the hero and heroine have. They’re both incredibly passionate, hot-tempered people.

The title of this novel is similar to a recent HBO series, Gentleman Jack. Do the stories have any similarities?

MM: None at all. The fact is, I wrote the first 1/3 of Gentleman Jim many years ago. Then, it was actually titled Gentleman Jack. By the time I got around to finishing it, the HBO series had already come out, so I knew I’d have to change my title. I just tried to keep it as close to my original as possible.

Any plans to write a sequel to Gentleman Jim?

MM: Actually, I do have a few ideas for the children of the hero and heroine. It all depends on my writing schedule, and—of course—how well Gentleman Jim sells!

What’s next for you?

MM: Right now, I’m working on The Siren of Sussex, the first book in a new Victorian series I’m writing for the Berkley imprint at Penguin Random House. It’s the story of Ahmad Malik, a half Indian habit-maker in 1860s London, and Sussex- born Evelyn Maltravers, the bold bluestocking equestrienne who becomes his love and his muse. Ahmad was a supporting character in my USA Today bestselling Parish Orphans of Devon series.

Thank you, Mimi, for joining us today and sharing some insight into Gentleman Jim.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Her next romance, The Siren of Sussex, will be out in 2022 from Berkley/Penguin Random House. Follow her on GoodReads, BookBub, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

Follow the rest of the blog tour (Nov. 9 to Dec. 6) with the hashtags: #GentlemanJim, #HistoricalRomance, #HistoricalFiction, #RegencyRomance, #SwashbucklingHero, #MimiMatthews, #BlogTour

Check out the previous tour stops at Relz Reviewz for a Character Spotlight, a review at Life of Literature, and a review at Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog.

Also today, check out the review at Greenish Bookshelf.