A warm welcome to my website
I write historical romantic adventures set in Cornwall during the 18th and 19th centuries.
I have also written shorter novels for Mills & Boon: moving love stories set in exotic locations. Eight of these have recently been re-published in large print and are available in your local library. Click on the Books link for more information about these and other titles.
Other links will tell you more about me and how I started writing, and about my teaching and courses I'll be leading during the coming year.
I hope you enjoy browsing, and that you leave feeling informed, entertained and inspired to read some of the books it has given me so much pleasure to write.
Please feel free to email me about anything on the site. I'd love to hear from you.
Cornish smuggler, Devlin “Devil ” Varcoe, braves winter weather and
revenue men to fetch the contraband on which Porthinnis depends for survival.
Though drawn to Jenefer Trevanion, whose father finances the smuggling operation,
Devlin seduces beautiful wildchild Tamara Gillis.
When fire destroys her home, Jenefer is forced to work in the pilchard cellars.
Meanwhile, craving Tamara for himself, Thomas Varcoe plots to kill his brother.
Rejected by Devlin, the only man she has ever loved, a pregnant Tamara is pressured by her mother to accept Thomas.
Betrayed by his brother and captured by the Revenue cutter, Devlin negotiates release for himself and his imprisoned crew by promising to rescue a British agent from France. He succeeds, but on the voyage home is caught in the worst storm in living memory.
With death seeming inevitable, Devlin recognises the love he never believed he deserved. Urging on his exhausted crew he brings the boat within sight of the beach. Then disaster strikes and he must choose between his past and his future: loyalty or freedom?
Devil's Prize is published by Robert Hale in January 2008
Available from Amazon.co.uk in hardcover.
BOOKS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
The
chain garden: linked circular beds bright with summer colour present a
charming picture - unless you understand the coded language of flowers...
Guilt-ridden at the number of men dying in her father's tin mine, Grace Damerel works hard to help the village's bereaved families while caring for her frail mother, who is a passionate gardener, and preparing for her brothers' long-awaited homecoming.
The arrival in Treworthal of Edwin Philpotts, a former missionary, ignites a dramatic sequence of events that brings to light long-buried secrets.
What is the reason for Edwin's return to Cornwall, and how will Grace respond to his shocking confession?
'The Chain Garden is more than a straightforward romance; it is also a study into the nature of guilt and the effect it can have over the human mind and heart. Jane Jackson's novel is satisfying on many levels, well-written and pleasurable to read.' ~ Historical Novels Review.
'Wonderfully evocative, atmospheric and marvelously told, The Chain Garden is a spellbinding tale written by a writer who never fails to mesmerize and captivate her readers. '~ Click here to read the full review at Singletitles.com
The Chain Garden is published by Robert Hale August 2006
Available from Amazon.co.uk in hardcover.
With
her guardian planning to remarry, 20-year-old Phoebe Dymond finds she
is no longer welcome in his Falmouth home and is soon hustled aboard the
packet ship Providence bound for Jamaica and an arranged marriage.
A skilled herbalist and midwife, Phoebe clashes with ship’s surgeon, Jowan Crossley. But their professional antagonism evolves into mutual respect and a deepening attraction neither dare acknowledge.
Following a skirmish with a French privateer, Providence is robbed of crew by a Royal Navy frigate and arrives to find the island facing a slave revolt and Kingston flooded with French refugees.
Terrifying events on the plantation of which she will be mistress force Phoebe to relinquish all hope of the happiness she has glimpsed. But her journey is not yet over…
Dangerous Waters reached the top 20 out of 197 entries for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2007
'Gripping, enthralling and unputdownable, Dangerous Waters is historical romance at its absolute best!' ~ Click here to read the full review at SingleTitles.com
January - June 2006
Dangerous Waters is published by Robert Hale February 2006
Available from Falmouth Bookseller at www.signed-books.co.uk
Also from Amazon.co.uk in hardcover.
It's
1795 and 19-year-old Kerenza Vyvyan's estranged family has been missing
for a year on a trading voyage to the Mediterranean.
When her father returns fo raise the ransom needed to free his wife and
elder daughter held hostage in Tangier, he demands Kerenza sail back with
him on the packet, Kestrel. But the Kestrel's commander
is Nick Penrose, the man who broke Kerenza's heart.
Following an attack by a French privateer, and traumatic events on board,
Kestrel reaches Tangier. But the dangers survived are only a
taste of those to come. Tentatively reconciled, Kerenza and Nick draw
strength from each other. Then tragic events force Kerenza to make a promise
she fears will part them forever... until one final twist of fate.
Tide of Fortune published by Robert Hale in January 2004.
Available from Amazon.co.uk in Hardcover.
Magna Large Print edition available in libraries 2005.
It is 1795, a year since Lord Roland Stratton left Cornwall for France
to undertake a secret mission for the British Government. When Melissa
Tregonning's father is felled by a stroke brought on by desperate financial
problems, she has to try to keep the family boatyard running and pay off
his debts. Determined to protect his reputation, she must keep his plight
and her efforts a secret, even from the family.
She is aided by a mysterious stranger discovered living in the woods owned by her father. His presence there prompts many unanswered questions: Who is he? Why does he seek solitude? And what or whom caused his terrible wounds? Attraction neither dare acknowledge deepens into love. But dark secrets threaten to part them forever. Then Melissa's foolhardy courage leads to a revelation that changes everything.
Eye of the Wind was shortlisted for the Parker Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2002.
Available from Amazon.co.uk in hardcover.
Eye
of the Wind has also been published as an audiobook, narrated by Patricia
Gallimore
Patricia Gallimore has been broadcasting
regularly for the BBC since winning the Carleton Hobbs student drama award.
She is currently best known for her role as Pat Archer in The Archers.
Her other work includes poetry recitals, film dubbing and voiceovers.
Available direct from Soundings and also from Amazon.co.uk
Also available in Large Print from Amazon.co.uk
A PLACE OF BIRDS
In rebellion against her strict Quaker family and rejected by the doctor
she admires, nineteen-year-old Susanna Elliot flees to join her two cousins
on their mission to China.
"A well paced tale... lucid, effortless style with plenty of atmospheric period detail", said the Historical Novel Society Review.
Available as an unabridged audiobook direct from Soundings.
Read by Patricia Gallimore.
Originally published by Robert Hale and available from Amazon.co.uk in Large Print.
THE IRON ROAD
It is 1865, and the Great Western Railway has spread across Cornwall,
changing forever the face of the countryside with earthworks and viaducts.
Now a new line is under construction.
The invading army of navvies has many women but few wives. Heathens in
a Christian country, they are feared by the locals, ill-treated by the
railway company, and a source of amusement for bored aristocratic ladies.
This is the story of two men and two women of vastly differing backgrounds
drawn together by corruption, intrigue and tragedy. Yet, in the wake of
disaster, hope blossoms, and courage is rewarded with a love undreamed
of.
Available as an unabridged audiobook direct from Soundings.
Read by Patricia Gallimore.
Originally published by Robert Hale and available from Amazon.co.uk in Large Print.
Last revised 29 January, 2008 . Content © Jane Jackson and design © Artemis Web Design