Author Interview with Christine Trent, author of A Royal Likeness + GIVEAWAY

Passages to the Past is pleased to bring you an interview with the lovely Christine Trent, author of the recently released A Royal Likeness!  

Christine has graciously stopped by to answer a few questions and she's also provided PTTP one copy of A Royal Likeness to give away to one of my lucky readers!  Make sure to enter the INTERNATIONAL giveaway at the end of this post!

Okay, I have to ask....you have a personal library that includes 3,000 books?!

Well, when you put it like that, it sounds like I might have a little collecting problem! Actually, with the amount of research I’ve been doing over the last couple of years (plus all of the great historical novels coming out that I cannot live without), I think my collection is fast approaching 4,000. And because I have a mother-in-law who was a librarian before she retired, they’re catalogued with cards filed in an old school card catalogue, and mylar jackets protect all of the hardbacks. OK, this is really beginning to sound a little obsessive-compulsive, isn’t it?

A Royal Likeness is your second novel, how do you feel you've grown as an author since the writing of your first, The Queen's Dollmaker?

Interesting question. I’d say that I’m more confident about creating a more complex story with several subplots woven through it. The reader will meet many more characters in A ROYAL LIKENESS than in THE QUEEN’S DOLLMAKER. Most of the characters are real historical figures. It’s fun to try to bring to life real people from the past.

What book (or books) are you reading now?

Well, I keep trying to crack open Ken Follett’s latest, FALL OF GIANTS, but my own book research always gets in the way. I’ve recently read THE HERETIC’S WIFE by Brenda Rickman Vantrease, THE COUNTESS AND THE KING, by Susan Holloway Scott, and LADY OF MILKWEED MANOR, by Julie Klassen. All really different historical reads, but all fast-paced and entertaining. I can’t recommend all three of these authors enough.

Can you give us a teaser as to what your next project is about? Will Marguerite be making a return appearance?

Sorry to say, Marguerite’s adventures have come to an end. My next novel, tentatively titled THE PRINCE’S PAVILION, is about a cloth merchant named Annabelle Stirling. Thanks to her patron and great architect, John Nash, Belle Stirling is a rising star in the homes of London’s fashionable elite. Even the prince regent wants her elegant, high quality fabrics used in the decoration of his new palace, Brighton Pavilion. But when those closest to her conspire against Parliament, she risks losing her reputation, her business. . .and even her life.

This story will be a dash through the Regency England you’ve never known: the exploding cloth manufacturing industry, the deadly Luddite riots, and the radical Cato Street Conspiracy all play parts in the novel.

Did you come across anything particularly surprising while researching Marie Tussaud's life?

Wow, where to begin with Madame Tussaud? I think there were two things that impressed me the most about her. First was that, as a woman born in the 18th century with seemingly limited opportunities, she rose to be one of the greatest entrepreneurs of her time. She knew how to carry herself at all levels of a stratified society, was a consummate businesswoman who kept her eye on the bottom line, and never let anyone get in her way of success.

Next was the fact that she maintained her high energy and a firm grip on her business well into eighties. In fact, she died not long before her 90th birthday, and had remained very active in her wax exhibition until just a few months prior to her death.

I don’t know how the woman managed such endless vigor and oomph. I truly admire her for it.

How do you think Marie resigned herself to displaying wax figures of the executed royals who were her friends?

Tussaud was, first and foremost, a businesswoman. She knew that the public was dying (pardon the pun) to see figures of the executed royal family, and that the success of her business hinged largely on giving the public what they wanted. I suspect Tussaud dealt with it by imagining that putting her friends out was a way to honor them and keep their memories alive.

And lastly, do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring historical fiction writers?

I would encourage all aspiring historical fiction writers out there to join as many relevant writing organizations as possible, and get involved with them. For example, the Historical Novel Society (www.historicalnovelsociety.org) is the premier organization for historical writers, but then also consider organizations for your sub-genre. Writing a historical mystery? Join Mystery Writers of America (www.mysterwriters.org). Is your book a historical thriller? Join International Thriller Writers (thrillerwriters.org). If you’re considering a historical romance, Romance Writers of America (www.rwanational.org) is a great organization with fabulous networking opportunities. All of these organizations put on conferences, where you can meet fellow writers, pitch to editors and agents, and attend numerous classes to help you hone your craft.

My second piece of advice is: be patient. This is not a quick industry. The wheels grind very slowly, and it can seem to take an eternity to sell a book. Don’t give up hope! Keep submitting, keep attending conferences, and keep writing more manuscripts.

Now that's some good advice!  Thanks so much to Christine Trent for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk with us!  I hope you have a fabulous release day Christine!

ABOUT THE BOOK

SYNOPSIS:  As heiress to the famous Laurent Fashion Dolls business, Marguerite Ashby's future seems secure. But France still seethes with violence in the wake of the Revolution. And when Marguerite's husband is killed during a riot, the young widow travels to Edinburgh and becomes apprentice to her old friend, Marie Tussaud, who has established a wax exhibition. When Prime Minister William Pitt commissions a wax figure of Admiral Nelson, Marguerite becomes immersed in a dangerous adventure - and earns the admiration of two very different men. And as Britain battles to overthrow Napoleon, Marguerite will find her loyalties under fire from all sides. With a masterful eye for details, Christine Trent brings one of history's most fascinating eras to life in of a story of desire, ambition, treachery, and courage.

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

- To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address.

- Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

- For +1 additional entry each, please help spread the word by blogging, posting on sidebar, tweeting or posting on Facebook.  You can use the SHARE buttons below and please include the info in the comment section below.

- Giveaway ends on December 28th.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!