Having thoroughly enjoyed both of her novels I am very excited to have her here and to be hosting a giveaway for 1 copy of Daughters of Rome
First, the interview...
What inspired you to write Daughters of Rome
?
As soon as I read about that turbulent period of Roman history known as the Year of Four Emperors, I knew I had to write a book about it. It’s the name that grabbed me - like the War of the Roses or the War of Jenkins’ Ear, it’s an instantly fascinating combination of words to any bored history student looking desperately for passion and bloodshed between all the dry lists of dates and treaties. And the Year of Four Emperors has such an extraordinary cast of characters; not even Hollywood could have cast four more different men to wear the same crown: a bad-tempered old crank, a metrosexual party boy, a fat ex-jock, and a genial Everyman. Who could resist? All I had to do was plop four girls down in all the chaos with the four Emperors, and stir to a boil for a hell of a ride.
Daughters of Rome
is your second book set in ancient Rome, what is it about this time period and place that draws you to write about it?
What I love about ancient Rome is how relatable it is to the 21st century. Sure, some things about their society make us blink – gladiatorial shows, slavery, all-powerful emperors. But so much of their culture was far advanced for its time; a modern girl plunked down in 1st century Rome would find running water, bikini waxes, birth control, no-fault divorce, wine bars, sports fans, religious freedom . . . many things that for the most part disappeared in later centuries and weren’t seen again until far more modern days. And Roman women struggled with so many of the same problems modern women do. One of my heroines in “Daughters of Rome” has two marriages end in divorce – a process just as depressing whether it involves a team of expensive lawyers (the modern way) or simply moving out of the house (the Roman way). Another of my heroines is confronted with an unplanned pregnancy; just like any modern girl, she faces the agonizing choice of “adoption, abortion, or motherhood?” And a passionate affair with the wrong man is just as confusing and heartbreaking whether the man in question is a 21st century ex-boyfriend with commitment issues, or a handsome slave from 1st century Gaul. Roman women and modern women, I think, would understand each other very well in lots of ways.
What kind of research went behind the writing of Daughters of Rome
?
I read Gwyn Morgan’s non-fiction book “69 A.D: The Year of Four Emperors” to tatters – I carried it around like a security blanket until I had whole chapters memorized. Original sources like Tacitus and Suetonius were also a big help. And I’d have been lost without Wikipedia, which is one of the greatest tools for a writer ever made.
How do you feel your writing has evolved since your first book?
I’m not sure it’s all that different, because I was working on both books at the same time. I was halfway done with “Daughters of Rome
” when “Mistress of Rome
” was picked up for publication, so I had to drop my work in progress and dive back to an earlier book in order to meet the deadline. As soon as MoR was completed, I went straight back and finished up DoR. Definitely a screwy way to write a prequel-and-sequel. Next time I’ll plan things a bit better!
Daughters of Rome
takes place in the time period called the Year of the Four Emperors. Can you tell us a little about this period in Rome's history and how it affected the people of Rome?
It was the period just after Nero died, when the throne changed hands four times in one year. It was a very uneasy time for the people of Rome, just struggling to keep up with the shifts in power. You might fare badly under one emperor, see your fortunes rise with the next emperor, then lose it all for supporting him by the time the third emperor rolled around. By the end of the year the city was literally being torn apart, with two different claimants and their soldiers fighting battles in the streets, and Roman citizens watching fearfully from the sidelines. It all ended in peace, with an emperor who kept things stable for the next ten years, but no one ever felt quite secure about the transfer of power again. This was the year that proved you didn’t need legality to become Emperor of Rome – all you needed was an army. That was the fatal flaw that would eventually bring the whole empire down, hundreds of years further along the line – and it all started with the Year of Four Emperors.
If you could re-read any book for the first time, what would it be and why?
Oooh, what a good question. “Gone With the Wind
,” maybe, or Anya Seton’s “Katherine,” or Pauline Gedge’s “The Eagle and the Raven
” – one of those big juicy historicals that grabbed me by the throat and transported me to another world so thoroughly on first reading that I didn’t come down to earth for days. Or maybe Shakespeare’s “Henry V
” – I’d love to read the St. Crispin’s Day speech and get chills all over the way I did the first time through.
Who are your writing influences?
Judith Merkle Riley taught me that it’s okay for historical fiction to be funny. Eva Ibbotson showed me how to humanize a hero or heroine with human quirks, and how to surround them with a fantastic array of secondary characters. Pauline Gedge showed me how to write strong compelling heroines, and C.S. Forester brought home the importance of having an absolute hunk of a hero.
Lastly, my signature question - Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
One word: read. Writers can’t exist in a vacuum; you have to keep feeding your brain with other books so you have something to measure your own work against. Read classics and try to figure out why they’ve stood the test of time; read trash to figure out why it’s terrible; read bestsellers to figure out why they sell. Read books you love, and then read romances or fantasy or sci-fi even though you hate those genres, just to figure out what makes you hate them. Read everything.
Thanks so much for having me! Thank you so much Kate for stopping by, it was a pleasure having you!! And thank you for the recommendation, I immediately added The Eagle and The Raven to my wishlist!
For more information, please visit Kate Quinn's WEBSITE.
ABOUT THE BOOK
SYNOPSIS
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. The Year of Four Emperors will change everything-especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome. Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside-down, both women must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:
- To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address.
- Giveaway is open to US and Canada entries ONLY!
- 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.
- Giveaway ends on April 18th.GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Thanks for the opportunity...would love to win this book.
ReplyDeletepocokat AT gmail DOT com
Great post, Amy! It was very interesting to read about the year of The Four Emperors, a very interesting piece of History I didn't know - thank you, Kate :)
ReplyDelete~Bella
Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom
I don't know much about Roman culture or history so I would love to give this a try! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletecandc320@gmail.com
I haven't really read any stories from that period. I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
Thanks for hosting! I also loved Mistress of Rome so can't wait to get my hands on this book!
ReplyDeleteamandatheaker@gmail.com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/bookaddictdiary/status/55243554162884608
This sounds great. Historical fiction is my favorite! ReadHandedLibrarian at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I loved Mistress of Rome and can't wait to read Daughters of Rome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this author! I loved her Mistress of Rome book and cannot wait to read her second. I would love to be entered into the drawing :)
ReplyDeletestrawn (dot) elizabeth (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!
I'm fascinated with Ancient Rome so this book sounds right down my alley. I also added The Eagle and The Raven, which looks like another really good book.
ReplyDeleteJust walking around the ruins of Rome, one can only imagine the people who walked there long ago and wonder what their lives were like. Fascinating period in history. I do so hope to be selected to win a copy of this intriguing novel.
ReplyDeleteConnie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
Ooohhh I am so excited about this book! THE MISTRESS OF ROME was such a delight, I just know that this one will be, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
Amy
tiger_fan_1997 AT yahoo DOT com
Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteRachelhwallen@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated to learn of the year of four emporors, and I loved the answer to the question about writing influences. I love novels with a sense of humor, characters with human quirks, great secondary characters, and "an absolute hunk of a hero."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
Please enter me! JDQ1175@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI'm reading and reviewing her book, Mistress of Rome later this month as part of my Italy Tour!
Rena,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the last book the Mistress of Rome and have no doubt that this new book about the time right after Emperor Nero, the year of the 4 emperors will be wonderful. Thanks for this great giveaway. I shared about the book on my facebook page.
rena.mcgrath@yahoo.com
I've always been interested in the Roman times. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMargaret (goodreads)
singitm@hotmail.com
I have Ms. Quinn's first book in my TBR pile and would love to add this one as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I shared on:
facebook
twitter
google buzz
kaiminani at gmail dot com
Please include me, this sounds like a wonderful read!
ReplyDeletefreda.mans[at]gmail.com
+1 tweet; http://twitter.com/#!/fredalicious/status/55315459872014336
Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting period of ROman history - can't wait to read all about it! Thanks for the interview! :)
ReplyDeleteapereiraorama[at[gmail[dot]com
I enjoy stories about Rome. This one sounds like another great one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win a copy.
Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com
I absolutely love her first book and am really looking forward to reading this one. Would love to add it to my collection
ReplyDeletetmrtini at gmail dot com
Oh boy, now I want to read both books. Do you remember 'I, Claudias' on PBS a long ago. That ols show makes me really want to read both books. Roman history is exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteI tweeted:
http://www.passagestothepast.com/2011/04/interview-with-kate-quinn-author-of.html? Giveaway of 'Daughters of Rome'
My Twitter name is Carolee888.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
This sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletebookflamereviews@gmail.com
Would love the opportunity to read this one. =)
ReplyDeletetiredwkids at live dot com
Oh I would LOVE to win! I'm so enfatuated with Rome! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDelete+1 I tweeted via share buttons.
taylor_ward11@yahoo.com
I absolutely LOVED Mistress of Rome and would love a chance to win a copy of Daughters of Rome. I am already waiting to hear about when to hopefully expect a sequel to Mistress of Rome, I just can't get enough! Thanks!
ReplyDeletemlkelly_1226@yahoo.com
I'd love to win a copy of this!
ReplyDeleteLIS859@gmail.com
Ever since the series Rome was on HBO I've loved all things Roman...lol So much so that we just bought the series on DVD so that we can watch it over and over. This story reminds me of the mother and daughter in the HBO series...just trying to survive...and you know how much I love a smart woman who knows how to survive ;) Fondly, Roberta
ReplyDeleterlphilbr13@aol.com
Shared this giveaway on facebook.
ReplyDeleterlphilbr13@aol.com
Just tweeted this giveaway.
ReplyDeleterlphilbr13@aol.com
Just added this giveaway to my sidebar.
ReplyDeletehttp://con-tain-it.typepad.com
rlphilbr13@aol.com
Wow, what lovely comments! Amy, you have such nice followers. Thanks to everybody who entered to win "Daughters of Rome" - and for Michelle, I can tell you that the sequel to "Mistress of Rome" will be released right around this time in 2012. Tentatively it's been titled "Empress of the Seven Hills."
ReplyDeleteThanks again for having me, Amy!
Great giveaway! Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteLaura
laura.leahj@gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway! Yet another fantastic book to look forward to reading. :)
ReplyDeletejmartinez0415 [at] gmail [dot] com
This looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI loved Mistress of Rome so I'd love to win this :)
ReplyDelete+1 Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/starmetaloak/status/55776766060527616
+1 sidebar:
http://starmetaloak.blogspot.com/
starmetaloak(at)gmail(dot)com
I so want to win this book!
ReplyDeleteclenna at aol dot com
Had to jump over to Amazon to check on THE EAGLE AND THE RAVEN. It is now on my wish list. Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI have read few stories that were set in Ancient Rome. I know a bit about the society, but the history is another story. I had not heard of the Year of the Four Emperors. It is easy to imagine the instability this would cause. Sounds like another great story.
Tweeted the giveaway as pbbearclaw at 12:37 AM on 4/8.
Shared the giveaway on Facebook as Patricia Barraclough at 12:39 AM on 4/8.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
I think I forgot to leave my email:
ReplyDeletelibrarypat AT comcast DOT net
Great Interview... I've been waiting for this book after I finished 'Mistress of Rome' Quinn is a wonderful writer.
ReplyDeleteleeaplank at yahoo dot com
What a fabulous cover! this book sounds interesting. I love how she relates their problems to our modern day ones!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your book !
ReplyDeletelynda716@hotmail.com
I love Roman history and would love to win this one. Thanks for this great giveaway!
ReplyDeletelaura at laurafabiani dot com
Like many, I love reading about Ancient Rome. I will definitely check out this book.
ReplyDeleteMay at mchan929 at yahoo dot ca
Loved the first book. Looking forward to reading this one. I hope the sequel to Mistress of Rome will follow soon
ReplyDeleterobinbir@gmail.com
I love books about the Roman Empire, and this one sounds really good. Would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I have this on my list. Please enter my name for the drawing.
ReplyDeletejerejlyhodges@yahoo.com
Just finished Mistress of Rome and dying to read this one! Lindsayp1019@cox.net
ReplyDeleteWill definitely add this to my TBR-ASAP list. I love historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
teawench at gmail dot com
I enjoy reading author interviews because it is interesting learning about the person behind the books they create!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
"Tweet!"
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/cmh512/status/58288939534000128...
Again, many thanks to you!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Rome...the beginnings of our civilization, and sounds like a cautionary tale of politics!
ReplyDeleteWill post to fb for ongoing feeds of historical fiction notices.
Cheryl
Dallas, Tx
nycn93@yahoo.com
Great interview! Kate is such an interesting and entertaining person. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletetweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/truebookaddict/status/59082961030627330
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michellestockardmiller/posts/186451531401006
truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom
I loved Mistress of Rome and can't wait to read Daughters of Rome!
ReplyDeleteZubrus99(at)aol(dot)com
Please enter me to win.
ReplyDeleteruthaw_1974@yahoo.com
I tweeted and facebooked this giveaway.
user name (ruthhill74)
This looks like an excellent book! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
ReplyDeletethebookfaeryreviews AT gmail DOT com