Interview & $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway: The King Must Die by Gemini Sasson

Original Title: The King Must Die
Author: N. Gemini Sasson
Publisher: Cader Idris Press
Published Date: April 4th 2012
Genre: History

What is done cannot be undone.

England, 1326. Edward II has been dethroned. Queen Isabella and her lover, Sir Roger Mortimer, are at the pinnacle of their power.

Fated to rule, Isabella’s son becomes King Edward III at the callow age of fourteen. Young Edward, however, must bide his time as the loyal son until he can break the shackles of his minority and dissolve the regency council which dictates his every action.

When the former king is found mysteriously dead in his cell, the truth becomes obscured and Isabella can no longer trust her own memory . . . or confide in those closest to her. Meanwhile, she struggles to keep her beloved Mortimer at her side and gain yet another crown—France’s—for the son who no longer trusts her.

Amidst a maelstrom of shifting loyalties, accusations of murder propel England to the brink of civil war.

In the sequel to Isabeau, secrecy and treason, conspiracy and revenge once again overtake England. The future rests in the hands of a mother and son whose bonds have reached a breaking point.

INTERVIEW WITH GEMINI SASSON

1.      Tell us something about your book that is not part of the book description (blurb).

It really happened.

2.      Who is your book cover designer and what do YOU think about the cover?

Graphic artist Lance Ganey has done all my covers. The King Must Die is my absolute favorite so far. The knight on the cover has an intensity behind his eyes that commands attention. Makes you wonder what he intends to do with that sword he’s pointing at you.

3.      What are your current literary works?  Any sneak peeks?

Right now I’m revising a novel set in the early 15^th century about the last Welsh prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr. His story has a lot of similarities to that of Robert the Bruce, but his nemesis turns out to be a much shrewder commander than the Bruce faced and outside alliances are tenuous. Since it will be out before the end of the year, I suppose I ought to come up with a title.

After that, I’m considering writing a book that incorporates one of my Scottish ancestors, who died at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. It will deal with past lives and the age-old question – do we have soul mates?

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

Snow White and the Huntsman! I love movies based on fairy tales, but with a dark twist to them.

5. If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

Well, if they have to be living people, I’d probably just invite five of my closest friends for an evening filled with gut-splitting laughter. Now if I could resurrect the dead: Queen Isabella, Edward III, Robert the Bruce, James Douglas and Owain Glyndwr. Since I can’t/couldn’t do that though, I wrote about them.

6. What's the craziest writing idea you've had?

The first book I ever wrote was a fantasy . . . sort of. There wasn’t any magic in it. Epic fail.

7. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. 

Because you may actually learn a few things about the Middle Ages, but you’ll be so wrapped up in the characters you won’t even realize it. The early 14^th century was a very tumultuous time in England and Scotland. Iit’s a period that hasn’t been novelized a lot, so much of it will be fresh, even to avid readers of historical fiction.

8. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

I’d say the very first piece of fan mail I ever got. In the past two years, I’ve papered the wall behind my desk in my office with letters from devoted readers. Recently, I got an e-mail from a reader who said she’d devoured all five of my books – and learned afterwards that she was a direct descendent of Queen Isabella. She said that must have been why she felt so compelled to read about the period. Connecting her with her past was an unexpected thrill.

9. What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Don’t be afraid to join a critique group, but know when to trust your gut. Critique groups can be fantastic if you have insightful writers who can gently point things out that will improve your writing, but they can also contain people who are overly harsh or just plain wrong. I’ve come across both. You learn how to recognize valuable advice and politely ignore those who miss the mark entirely. You have to have confidence in your writing voice to recognize when advice is worth taking, but always be open to making your work better. It usually takes a pair of outside eyes to help with that.

10. If you could jump into a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

Doctor Doolittle. I’d love to be able to talk to animals. For one, I’d ask my dogs why they bark at our own cat when it has lived here longer than most of them have been alive.

11. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?

1001 Things You Thought You Needed To Do, But Really Didn’t (a how-not-to live book for those who over commit).

12. What is your favorite scene in the book and why do you love it?

When Edward III sneaks into Philippa’s room on their wedding night. Their wedding was close to Lent, so they were supposed to abstain, but . . . Anyway, he’s suddenly got butterflies, which makes him seem very vulnerable. They repeat their wedding vows and you get the sense that these two were meant for each other.

13. What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

The Bachelorette/Bachelor. (Guess I just said it out loud, didn’t I?)

14. What is one book everyone should read (apart from yours)?

The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom. It gets you thinking about how we’re all connected and how one action or exchange can change not only your life, but someone else’s.

15. What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?

Reading, working out and watching TV.

QUICK ANSWERS

Favorite place? 

My yard. The view is incredible.

Best Christmas present? 

A record player when I was 10. I played my Perry Como record until the needle wore out.

Favorite book? 

Bruce Cameron’s A Dog’s Purpose.

Favorite author?

Mitch Albom.

Favorite smell?

Freshly cut grass.

Favorite series? 

TV series? I’m a reality TV junkie.

Nickname? 

Gemi.

Favorite writing spot? 

My office desk.

Favorite movie? 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Favorite dish? 

Olive Garden's Ravioli di Portobello

Favorite color? 

Orange! (I even base my car purchases on whether or not they come in orange.)

Favorite quote? 

“If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it. Every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

A bunch of small gifts or one big expensive one? 

One big one. Not necessarily expensive.

Your best trait? 

I’m self-motivated. No one needs to light a fire under me to get me going.

Your worst trait? 

The fact that I am so goal-oriented. Sometimes I have to remind myself that distractions like family events are reminders to slow down and value what’s really important in life. 

GIVEAWAY

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.


In order to enter this $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway, please comment in this post WITH your email ID.  Anonymous comments are also accepted, as long as you put your name and email ID in your comments.  

Open INTERNATIONALLY!  Giveaway ends June 29th, 2012!

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