Guest post by author Catherine Delors + 2 copy giveaway of FOR THE KING

Passages to the Past welcomes the lovely Catherine Delors

Catherine is here today with a guest post in honor of the July 5th paperback release of her novel, For the King and thanks to Penguin Publishing, I have a 2 copy giveaway!

Take it away, Catherine...

FOR THE KING, or what’s in a title?

Some writers are blessed with the gift of finding titles easily. I am not one of those, and I sometimes feel that coming up with a title is the hardest part of bringing a novel to fruition.

For my debut novel, MISTRESS OF THE REVOLUTION, finding a title involved much brainstorming with my friends, my agent, Stephanie Cabot, and my publisher, Penguin. FOR THE KING, which was just released in paperback, likewise went through several names.

The first one that came to mind was CHRISTMAS EVE ASSASSINS. It was the most obviously descriptive: the novel tells the story of a group of men and women who conspire to detonate a bomb on the path of Napoléon’s carriage on Christmas Eve 1800. But the title lacked something, and had a rather unfortunate “Bad Santa” connotation.

I found NIVOSE very evocative: it is the name of the month in the revolutionary calendar that corresponds to the end of December and much of January. In the calendar used at the time of the plot, the attempt on Napoléon’s life took place on the 3rd of Nivose, Year Nine of the French Republic. The word Nivose itself is based on the Latin word for snow. The novel takes place over a few months, in the bitter cold of a Parisian winter. But, as my agent pointed out, how many readers would make the same connections as I to snow, cold, winter, post-revolutionary Paris? She had an excellent point. Exit NIVOSE.

I very much liked PAINTERS AND ASSASSINS as a title. As I was researching and writing the novel, I was amazed to discover many unexpected connections between the assassins and painters, famous and obscure, historical and fictional. From the great artist Jacques-Louis David to the killer Limoélan, painters kept cropping up at every turn of the plot. I also like the sound of PAINTERS AND ASSASSINS, the rhythm of it. But I seemed to be the only one taken by it.

So finally, FOR THE KING came to mind. For one thing, the assassins act “for the King” (Louis XVIII, younger brother of Louis XVI) or so they believe. Actually the result they achieved was to comfort Napoléon’s grip on power. But they were convinced that they were sacrificing their lives, and many others besides, for the King. There was another reason why FOR THE KING worked: in the novel, it is the code name of one of the assassins. Which one? I am not telling…

ABOUT THE BOOK

SYNOPSIS

The Reign of Terror has ended six years earlier, and Napoléon Bonaparte has seized power, but shifting political loyalties still tear apart families and lovers.

On Christmas Eve 1800, a bomb explores along Bonaparte’s route, narrowly missing him but striking dozens of bystanders. Chief Inspector Roch Miquel, a young policeman with a bright future and a beautiful mistress, must arrest the assassins before they attack again. Complicating Miquel’s investigation are the maneuverings of his superior, the redoubtable Fouché, the indiscretions of his own father, a former Jacobin, and two intriguing women.

For The King takes readers through the dark alleys and glittering salons of post-revolutionary Paris. It is a romantic thriller, a tale of love, betrayal and redemption.

BOOK TRAILER




ABOUT CATHERINE...

Catherine Delors was born and raised in France. She graduated from the University of Paris-Sorbonne School of Law and became the youngest member of the Bar of Paris at the age of twenty-one.

She later moved to the United States and passed the California Bar. She worked at a few large American law firms before setting up a solo practice following the birth of her son.
She now splits her time between London and Paris, while remaining a partner in an international law firm based in Los Angeles.

Catherine is the author of Mistress of the Revolution and For the King. Catherine is currently writing on a third novel, a prequel to Mistress of the Revolution. She is also researching a fourth one, which shall revolve about Jane Austen and her French connections.

For more information please visit Catherine's WEBSITE and BLOG.


GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

- To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address (only comments with email addresses will be entered in the giveaway).
- Giveaway is open to US entries only.
- For +5 additional entries become a follower of Passages to the Past. If you are already a follower you will automatically receive the bonus entries. 
- For +3 additional entries join the Passages to the Past FB Page.
- For +1 additional entry each, please help spread the word by blogging, posting on sidebar, tweeting or posting this giveaway on Facebook.  You can use the SHARE buttons below.
- Giveaway ends on July 19th.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
 

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55 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great book

    anne(dot)reeths at gmail (dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Enter me, please!

    beth-martin AT live DOT com

    +5 I'm already a Follower
    +3 I'm already a Facebooker!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks so much for hosting this post, Amy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I enjoyed the guest post. It is always interesting to see the process the authors go through. I would love to read the book.

    I am a old gfc follower
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I won this book at a prior giveaway then never received it. Then Ms. Delors herself promised to send me a copy but never did. I HOPE third times a charm!

    I follow by mail and twitter and FB. Please don't let me down again!


    annfesATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the guest post and giveaway! This looks like such a fascinating novel!

    +5 old GFC follower
    +3 requested to join FB page
    +1 retweet: http://twitter.com/#!/SusieBookworm/status/88942675692236800

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

    ReplyDelete
  8. Catherine's books sound very interesting, I haven't read anything by her yet, but would love to change that :-) Please enter me for the giveaway, I'm also a follower.
    Thanks, Carine
    carine_devos@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I read and enjoyed Mistress of the Revolution so I'm sure I'll like this book too. Thanks for the giveaway.

    +5 GFC follower

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I still have to read a Catherine Delors book, but they sound so good. I follow you and I placed the giveaway in my sidebar. http://themusingsofabookjunkie.blogspot.com/
    Thanks!
    allisonmharper@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks so much for this giveaway!

    +5 long time follower
    +1 I tweeted via twitter share buttons

    taylor_ward11@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awesome post! Loved reading about how the title came to be. :)

    Please enter me in the giveaway!

    -already a follower
    -member of Facebook page.
    -tweeted the giveaway
    -posted to my facebook

    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

    Thanks!
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would love to read this! It sounds really good!

    I follow on GFC.
    tweet
    http://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/88998362757595136

    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I adored Mistress of the Revolution. I find it rare that historical fiction is set in France. I can't wait to read For the King.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ashley.l.mikowski@gmail.com

    I am an GFC Follower.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Rena

    I loved Catherine's Mistress of the Revolution and look forward to reading the new one. Please count me in for this giveaway. I'm a Passages to the Past Facebook follower, a long time follower of this blog and shared about this giveaway on my facebook page.

    rena.mcgrath@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello Amy, it's me again! I would love this book: how can a French blogger resist in front of a historical novel written by a French writer!
    As you know, I follow you, I also asked to join your FB group, which I didn't know of before, shame on me, and I advertized your giveaway through FB, Twitter and Google+.
    ehc16e at yahoo dot com
    Emma @ Words And Peace

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gah, I loved this book -- one of my favorites for 2010!! I loved this bit of trivia about the title -- thanks, Ms. Delors!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love to win this.
    gardnerad@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really, really, really wanna win this book!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. +5 follower of Passages to the Past
    +3 joined the Passages to the Past FB Page (mamabunny shelor)
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. boatlady@sherrychristie.comJuly 7, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    I read Mistress of the Revolution and literally couldn't put it down! FOR THE KING sounds like a winner! Please enter me in the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd love to win this!

    LIS859@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. This novel sounds so intriguing. I lived in Paris for a number of years and became totally fascinated with French history. I love France and miss it so much. Just watching the book trailer and the map of Paris made me homesick. But I digress. I am sincerely hoping to be a winner of this fabulous book. If not, I shall find another way to read it. Can't wait! I also learned that finding a title of a book is definitely not an easy task!

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    I am a follower of Passages to the Past - and -
    part of the Passages to the Past Facebook page

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oops -- I'm not sure if my email address was supposed to be in the body of the comment (didn't do this earlier). Anyway, I'd love to win a copy of For the King! And I'm a subscriber to "Passages to the Past" -- does that make me a follower, or do I have to follow on Twitter?

    boatlady@sherrychristie.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would love to read this book. I love your blog.

    jenniferlladd@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. This book sounds great. I would love to read it. I love your blog.

    jenniferlladd@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to win a copy of Catherine's book. I enjoyed reading the information about finding a title. For what it's worth, I like For the King the best.

    Lori
    booknutsreadingclub @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would love the opportunity to win this fantastic novel. Please count me in!

    +5 I'm a follower and,
    +3 I'm a member of your FB page since day one :)

    Bella

    Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom

    ReplyDelete
  29. This book sounds really interesting! I am a GFC follower and a member of the facebook page.

    dmlkunze@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you for an interesting post. The painter and assassin connection is one I would not expect. I like that title. Maybe you'll have to write a book focused on that connection so you can use it.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am a GFC Follower as librarypat.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  32. I have joined your Facebook page as Patricia Barraclough.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have joined your Facebook page as Patricia Barraclough.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have joined your Facebook page as Patricia Barraclough.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  35. I would love to win a copy! And I just became a follower

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh I am dying to read and own this one. Catherine Delors is an amazing author and I love her blog. I actually tried buying this at Borders - I NEVER buy books new - and they were all out. Sigh. Thanks for the giveaway!

    By the way, I love the title she ended up going with although Painters and Assassins does have a fun ring to it too.


    I follower your blog and your Facebook page too.

    I also shared on Facebook and Tweeted @vegasbookgirl

    Thanks!
    Amanda
    libraryofmyown at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh my yesterday blogger was being such a pain with comments and I had such a good response to the post in regards to the editor thinking us readers would not be intriqued with the title of: Nivose. Anyhow...I think it would have been great and it would have peaked my interest enough to make me pick up the book and read the jacket! Thanks for a great giveaway! Fondly, Roberta
    rlphilbr13@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Already posted this giveaway on my sidebar: http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/love_shack_nonsense/

    rlphilbr13@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Just tweeted this giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/rlphilbr13

    rlphilbr13@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Just shared this giveaway on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1222723325

    rlphilbr13@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Already a FB Fan and a Follower of PthP so not SURE? if I'm suppose to leave a comment every time on your giveaways...so I'm covering my bases {aka...butt ;} Thanks Amy
    rlphilbr13@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Please enter me.
    ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

    Follower of your blog +5
    sent a request to join the passage to the past fb group ruthhill74 +3

    tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ruthhill74/status/90861171611152384 +1

    ReplyDelete
  43. PLease enter me in the contest. I am a follower of your blog +5, and a member of the FB group, +3.

    Thanks!

    Mindy
    thekoose@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. oh my I finally took time to watch the trailer: it is so well done, fabulous, I really really want to read that book!
    Emma @ Words And Peace

    ReplyDelete
  45. I've been wanting to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Old GFC follower
    Like your page on FB (Michelle Stockard Miller)

    tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/truebookaddict/status/92162302337490944

    FB: http://www.facebook.com/michellestockardmiller/posts/192827687438785

    truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  46. Nice post. "For the King" sounds like a great novel. I was not aware of this particular plot. Can't wait to read about it.
    Thank You.

    pamo321(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  47. sounds like a really intersting book for me

    trustjesus7771 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I like reading books about Bonaparte & this looks like a good one.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. GFC follower
    #3
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. GFC follower
    #4
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. GFC follower
    #5
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. FB fan of Passages to the Past (Cheryl S)
    #1
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. FB fan of Passages to the Past (Cheryl S)
    #2
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. FB fan of Passages to the Past (Cheryl S)
    #3
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
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