The historical author talks about the spiritual implications found in her treasure hunt adventure.
Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano captivated readers and reviewers with her 2017 novel Lady Jayne Disappears. Her latest novel, A Rumored Fortune (Revell), finds a destitute heiress and her greedy relatives competing in a fast-paced treasure hunt to find a vast fortune hidden somewhere on an estate in the south of England. In this interview, the author talks about the inspiration for the adventure, why she’s drawn to writing about Victorian England, and the surprising spiritual truths she discovered while researching gardening…
What sparked the idea behind A Rumored Fortune?
Two very special people inspired all the pieces of this novel. The first was a dear family friend who told me about her grandfather who buried his money and died suddenly without telling anyone, even his wife and four kids, where he’d put it. I loved that concept for a novel!
The second inspiration was my husband. When we first met, I couldn’t stand him and we were—and still are—complete opposites. Yet we turned out to be the perfect fit for each other. It was an unusual romance with an interesting trajectory, and it became the basis of the love story in this novel.
I’m especially excited for this novel because of the two very personal sources of inspiration behind the story!
Both Lady Jayne Disappears and A Rumored Fortune are set in Victorian England. What attracts you to this time of history?
When a person describes something as “Victorian,” you picture delicate scrollwork and ornate décor with soft, vintage hues, all of which I love. I also think of a veil of imposed morality that hid many interesting secrets, of big old houses, and of deep, colorful Dickens-like characters.
When it comes down to it, though, human nature remains the same across all eras. The setting and costumes may change, but deep down you always have the same characters.
Lady Jayne Disappears has received rave reviews. Why do you think readers are resonating so well with your novels?
I think it’s resonating because Lady Jayne is a book lover’s book. With themes of storytelling, classic literature, and a writer heroine, it speaks to the heart of many avid readers, as it did to mine when I wrote it.
The heroine reached in and grabbed my heart and I couldn’t help but love this kindred-spirit writer. Her story is all about books, from her best moments to her worst.
Click though to discover the spiritual implications she discovered during her research for the novel…