On this day in 1887, Sherlock Holmes begins his "Adventure of Dying Dectective" as a short story in The Strand. Likewise, on this day in 1896, Holmes starts his "Adventure of Sussex Vampire", also a short story in The Strand. I believe Sherlock Holmes would appreciate the political intrigue that Miss Hattie Blackwood faced in Anne Cleeland's DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING. Anne joins me today to chat about historical action adventure. From her bio (link),
Anne Cleeland holds a degree in English from UCLA as well as a degree in law from Pepperdine University, and is a member of the California State Bar.
She writes a historical fiction series set in the Regency period as well as a contemporary mystery series set in New Scotland Yard. A member of the Historical Novel Society and Mystery Writers of America, she lives in California and has four children.
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| Valley of the Kings Image by Nikater (link) |
Kim: You are a California girl! What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell from the Golden State?
Anne: California is like a country unto itself, between the beaches, the mountains, the deserts and everything in between. Once a year my extended family travels to a guest ranch just north of Yosemite National Park, and it is awe-inspiring country, with craggy, snow-capped mountains surrounding flowery meadows—a wonderful chance to relax and ride horses away from our normal busy lives. We look forward to it all year long.
Mahalo, Anne, for being my guest today. I posted my five star review of DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING on Amazon (link) and Goodreads (link).
The Cursed Tombs of Egypt Hold Many Secrets...
Miss Hattie Blackhouse has never been close to her parents...and no wonder, since the Blackhouses are renowned scholars who spend most of their time excavating ancient tombs in Egypt. But news of their disappearance forces Hattie to leave England and embark on a voyage that will reveal the long-buried secrets of her past. An encrypted senet board and a gold medallion lead Hattie on a perilous quest to track down her missing parents—and discover why people associated with the Blackhouses continue to turn up dead. What she uncovers is a secret that could alter the course of history...
Filled with intrigue, romance, and ancient secrets, Anne Cleeland's thrilling novel takes you on an unforgettable Egyptian adventure.
Anne: California is like a country unto itself, between the beaches, the mountains, the deserts and everything in between. Once a year my extended family travels to a guest ranch just north of Yosemite National Park, and it is awe-inspiring country, with craggy, snow-capped mountains surrounding flowery meadows—a wonderful chance to relax and ride horses away from our normal busy lives. We look forward to it all year long.
Kim: It would be obvious that your education and experience would help you write your contemporary mystery series set in New Scotland Yard. But does it help you with your historical fiction series set in Regency period? What is your go-to resource to research this era?
Anne: I’ve read about a million Regency romances, and I think you begin to absorb a sense of the period from the other authors who have gone before you—authors like Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Stephanie Laurens. When I need to check on specifics, I run to Wikipedia and Google—researching is so much easier nowadays!
I think Regencies have such a huge following because the setting provides an immediate tension; young women in society had to operate under strict rules, while love and longing simmered just beneath the surface. Meanwhile, while tea was being sipped in formal drawing rooms, the world was in absolute turmoil. I use this contrast in Daughter of the God-King; the heroine has lived a protected and uneventful life until the world intrudes and she is suddenly swept up in cataclysmic events.
Kim: I grew up fascinated with Ancient Egypt. What inspired DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING?
Anne: There is an automatic tie-in between Egypt and the Regency era because it was during this time period that the treasures of Egypt—locked away for centuries—were finally unearthed for everyone to see. England went through an Egyptian craze, with Egyptian-style furniture and jewelry all the rage. And of course, Egypt is romantic and mysterious at the same time, and the setting is perfect for an adventure story.
Kim: What's next for Anne Cleeland?
Anne: I’ve read about a million Regency romances, and I think you begin to absorb a sense of the period from the other authors who have gone before you—authors like Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Stephanie Laurens. When I need to check on specifics, I run to Wikipedia and Google—researching is so much easier nowadays!
I think Regencies have such a huge following because the setting provides an immediate tension; young women in society had to operate under strict rules, while love and longing simmered just beneath the surface. Meanwhile, while tea was being sipped in formal drawing rooms, the world was in absolute turmoil. I use this contrast in Daughter of the God-King; the heroine has lived a protected and uneventful life until the world intrudes and she is suddenly swept up in cataclysmic events.
Kim: I grew up fascinated with Ancient Egypt. What inspired DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING?
Anne: There is an automatic tie-in between Egypt and the Regency era because it was during this time period that the treasures of Egypt—locked away for centuries—were finally unearthed for everyone to see. England went through an Egyptian craze, with Egyptian-style furniture and jewelry all the rage. And of course, Egypt is romantic and mysterious at the same time, and the setting is perfect for an adventure story.
Kim: What's next for Anne Cleeland?
Anne: I have a few more books already written that continue with this theme; it is 1814 and the villains are trying to amass treasure to fund Napoleon’s next war. One is set in India, one is set in Algiers, and one is set in Spain.
I also am working on my contemporary mystery series—those of you who are fans of British detective books may like that series, which also has a strong romantic plotline. Murder in Thrall is on sale now, and Murder in Retribution will be available summer of 2014. Please visit annecleeland.com if you’d like to read an excerpt.
I also am working on my contemporary mystery series—those of you who are fans of British detective books may like that series, which also has a strong romantic plotline. Murder in Thrall is on sale now, and Murder in Retribution will be available summer of 2014. Please visit annecleeland.com if you’d like to read an excerpt.
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| Battle of the Pyramids by François Baron Lejeune Public Domain (link) |
Mahalo, Anne, for being my guest today. I posted my five star review of DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING on Amazon (link) and Goodreads (link).
Miss Hattie Blackhouse has never been close to her parents...and no wonder, since the Blackhouses are renowned scholars who spend most of their time excavating ancient tombs in Egypt. But news of their disappearance forces Hattie to leave England and embark on a voyage that will reveal the long-buried secrets of her past. An encrypted senet board and a gold medallion lead Hattie on a perilous quest to track down her missing parents—and discover why people associated with the Blackhouses continue to turn up dead. What she uncovers is a secret that could alter the course of history...
Filled with intrigue, romance, and ancient secrets, Anne Cleeland's thrilling novel takes you on an unforgettable Egyptian adventure.
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| The Temple of Hathor at Dendera Image by Steve F-E-Cameron (link) |
Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. What are your thoughts on Egypt - lured by the mythology? Enchanted by the history? Curious about the treasure?
2. This giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, November 23, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 24.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
