A BIT OF BACKSTORY ON THE TEMPEST…
Ah, The Tempest. Or as some
like to call it, The Guy and Cassia Story.
What started out as a simple
fanfic in 2009 has snowballed into a series that
has found a worldwide
following. Even as I type that, I still find it hard to believe. These two
lovers have fans as far away as Austrailia and New Zealand, which is amazing. Of
course, I have to give most of the credit to RA. Without his beautiful
performance, this story wouldn’t have happened.
I never intended for this to be a
published work. I posted it on a few forums as it was being written, just like
a lot of Guy fanfics that were being created at the time. But for some reason,
the audience kept growing and growing and soon I was being asked if it was
available in print form. At the time, I had already self-published two books so
I knew I could do the same with The Tempest. I only intended to have
it printed for my family and the fans who were looking to buy a paperback copy.
I also discovered EBook publishing around that time, and I learned how to make
it available in several channels, such as Kindle and Nook. I knew the hardcore
Gisborne fans would enjoy it, but I didn’t expect much interest beyond that.
Boy, was I in for a shock!
To date, this story has sold over
30,000 copies in EBook format. To be sure, that may not sound like much to a
professional author, but for an obscure little writer like myself, that’s A
LOT! What shocked me even more was that the sequels, My Lady Gisborne and The
Baron’s Lady have been equally successful, and there is still a demand
for more of Guy and Cassia. In the near future, I hope to start work on another
book in the series.
As many people know, while the
story has its fans, there has also been some backlash. The biggest criticism
has been about the love scenes, which I’ve always found hard to understand. In
this day and age, when 50 Shades of Grey is a bestseller,
some readers are shocked and offended by what some refer to as “Graphic Sex
Scenes” in The Tempest. While I certainly value everyone’s opinion, I must
say that I still don’t see what the fuss is about. Yes, the scenes are a bit
steamy and descriptive, but I’ve tried to make sure that they’re not
gratuitous. They’re part of the relationship between two people who are deeply
in love and deeply passionate in their natures. In my opinion, the intense
physical relationship is merely an expression of their love for one another,
and if that happens to offend some readers…well, that’s unfortunate, but I won’t
apologize for it.
ABOUT THE SECOND EDITION
While the first edition was a
success, I am the first to admit that it had its flaws. It was written several
years ago, and at the time, my writing skills were not nearly as developed. The
story needed a bit of work, especially in the middle section, and many fans
were asking for a deeper development of the characters and their backgrounds.
So, this is why earlier this year, I set out to rewriting the story. In all
honesty, I had been contemplating a rewrite for a long time, as I was never completely
satisfied with the original version. Due to some real-life difficulties and a
lack of time, it took much longer than I had hoped. But FINALLY, it’s here! As you can see from the pic on the left, I've changed the title a tiny bit. Since this is now an ongoing series, I've added the subtitle "A Gisborne Novel" to this book and to the others in the series. I hope my readers don't mind the change. And
that brings me to my next subject…
THE FANS
What can I say that I haven’t
said before? I have the most incredible fanbase. My “Gisborne Ladies” have been
beyond amazing, and some of them have been with me since day one. I can’t thank
these lovely ladies enough, but I can make an attempt...
If you’re one of my “Gisborne
Ladies” (And you know who you are) I have a special gift in the works for you.
All I need is your contact information, and as soon as your gift is ready, I’ll
be mailing it out. PLEASE don’t worry about what it costs. Not only do I
consider it a an honor to send you this present, but it’s all part of my
business expenses, which I get back at the end of the year. How cool is that?
You can contact me through Twitter, or email me at
Charlotte1194@hotmail.com
If you’re not one of my Gisborne
Ladies but you’re still a fan, don’t think I’ve forgotten you! Starting in
early July, for a limited time, the second edition of The Tempest will be FREE
on Kindle, Nook, and in other EBook formats. Goodreads will also be doing a
book giveaway in July, so stay tuned.
The fans have spoken, and the
Gisbornes aren’t going away anytime soon. So look for a new story to come
towards the end of the year.
Thank you to everyone for all of
the love and support you’ve shown me. You’re awesome.
Happy Reading!
Love,
Charlotte
