Interview & Giveaway: Marci Jefferson, author of Enchantress of Paris

Hello lovely readers! Today I have an interview with the fabulous Marci Jefferson about her latest release, Enchantress of Paris: A Novel of the Sun King's Court, and a chance for two of you to win a copy of the book, or a costume diamond bracelet!

03_Marci Jefferson

To begin, can you tell us a little about yourself and your novel, Enchantress of Paris?


Growing up in an Air Force family took Marci around the world, but her passion for history sparked while living in Yorktown, Virginia, where locals still share Revolutionary War tales. Years after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, immersing herself in a Quality Assurance nursing career, and then having children, she realized she'd neglected her love of writing. She now pens novels about historical women who dared to defy powerful men. She resides in the Midwest with her husband and two young children in a house full of books and toys. ENCHANTRESS OF PARIS is her second novel.

The alignment of the stars at Marie Mancini’s birth warned that although she would be gifted at divination, she was destined to disgrace her family. Ignoring the dark warnings of his sister and astrologers, Cardinal Mazarin brings his niece to the French court, where the forbidden occult arts thrive in secret. In France, Marie learns her uncle has become the power behind the throne by using her sister Olympia to hold the Sun King, Louis XIV, in thrall.

Desperate to avoid her mother’s dying wish that she spend her life in a convent, Marie burns her grimoire, trading Italian superstitions for polite sophistication. But as her star rises, King Louis becomes enchanted by Marie’s charm. Sensing a chance to grasp even greater glory, Cardinal Mazarin pits the sisters against each other, showering Marie with diamonds and silks in exchange for bending King Louis to his will.

Disgusted by Mazarin’s ruthlessness, Marie rebels. She sacrifices everything, but exposing Mazarin’s deepest secret threatens to tear France apart. When even King Louis’s love fails to protect Marie, she must summon her forbidden powers of divination to shield her family, protect France, and help the Sun King fulfill his destiny.

What inspired you to write Enchantress of Paris?

I actually learned about Marie Mancini while I was doing research for GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN. In most sources she is mentioned as King Louis’ first love, someone he might have married if not for his duty to his country. But a deeper study revealed a story far more complex. Her affair with the king helped shape him as a leader, and her choice to leave him is one of the greatest acts of self-respect I’ve seen in a historical figure.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The scene where Marie is forced to leave the king, watching the king chose to obey Cardinal Mazarin’s edicts rather than his own heart. She knew she had lost the king, lost the battle for France, and was about to lose her own freedom.

What was your favorite scene to write?

The scene where Marie casts a magic circle to conjure the forces of heaven to help her decide whether to elope with King Louis and cause a war, or let him go and leave herself broken hearted. I gave Marie a copy of Peter de Abano’s Heptameron, a forbidden grimoire used centuries ago for conjuring angels, to use as a guide.

What do you want readers to take away from Enchantress of Paris?


In an age where women had few rights, Marie valued her personal liberty and felt she was worthy of respect. She fought nobly for her freedom and made herself heard. We take our rights for granted today, but some of us still face these struggles in our personal lives. I hope Marie is an inspiration.

What appeals to you most about writing in the historical fiction genre?


Historical fiction is an opportunity for amateur historians like myself to answer the questions about things we cannot know. Why did people act as they did, how did they feel? Most of history was written by powerful men, and I tend to enjoy writing about the women who dared to oppose them. Fiction is an opportunity to highlight a lesser-known figure’s point of view on history.

Who are your writing inspirations?

Margaret George, Michelle Moran, Tracy Chevalier, Alice Hoffman.

What was the first historical novel you read?

The first historical biography I read was The Other Boleyn Girl. It changed the way I viewed historical fiction forever.

What is the last historical novel you read?

I was fortunate enough to snag a signed copy of PLAGUE by CC Humphreys at the Historical Novel Society conference in Denver last month (as you know, that was one memorable conference!). This award winning novel is set in Restoration England, and it’s nonstop thrills! Plus, Frances Stuart (also known as the GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN) makes an appearance!

What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?


My favorite historicals tend to be biographical. I really love all fiction, not just historical, and it would be too hard to chose a period! I don’t think I could chose a favorite genre, either!

If there was a soundtrack for your novel, what songs might we find on it?​


I’m so glad you asked this question! The touching rendition of Say Something with A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera speaks to the soul of ENCHANTRESS OF PARIS. Every word, every note, could fill Marie and King Louis’ hearts. In the book they beg each other to let love be enough to change the world. They, like anyone who hears this haunting song, left each other profoundly changed. But, of course, lots of other songs suit the book, too....

Say Something - A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera
Rude (Marry That Girl) - MAGIC!
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - The Police
The Heart Wants What it Wants - Selena Gomez
That Old Black Magic - Frank Sinatra
Who Loves The Sun - Velvet Underground
We’re Not Gonna Take it - Twisted Sister
I Won’t Back Down - Tom Petty
Stardust - Harry Connick Jr
Shining Star - Earth, Wind, and Fire
Witchy Woman - The Eagles
Venus - Bananarama
Wandering Stars - Portishead
When I Ruled the World - Coldplay

02_Enchantress of Paris 

Enchantress of Paris: A Novel of the Sun King's Court
by Marci Jefferson


Pub Date: August 4, 2015 | Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press | Hardcover & eBook; 336 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


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Fraught with conspiracy and passion, the Sun King's opulent court is brought to vivid life in this captivating tale about a woman whose love was more powerful than magic.

The alignment of the stars at Marie Mancini's birth warned that although she would be gifted at divination, she was destined to disgrace her family. Ignoring the dark warnings of his sister and astrologers, Cardinal Mazarin brings his niece to the French court, where the forbidden occult arts thrive in secret. In France, Marie learns her uncle has become the power behind the throne by using her sister Olympia to hold the Sun King, Louis XIV, in thrall.

Desperate to avoid her mother's dying wish that she spend her life in a convent, Marie burns her grimoire, trading Italian superstitions for polite sophistication. But as her star rises, King Louis becomes enchanted by Marie's charm. Sensing a chance to grasp even greater glory, Cardinal Mazarin pits the sisters against each other, showering Marie with diamonds and silks in exchange for bending King Louis to his will.

Disgusted by Mazarin's ruthlessness, Marie rebels. She sacrifices everything, but exposing Mazarin's deepest secret threatens to tear France apart. When even King Louis's love fails to protect Marie, she must summon her forbidden powers of divination to shield her family, protect France, and help the Sun King fulfill his destiny.


Praise

“Told with vivid historical detail and packed with court intrigue, this is sure to please fans of royal fiction.” — Library Journal

About the Author

Years after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, immersing herself in a Quality Assurance nursing career, and then having children, Marci realized she’d neglected her passion for history and writing. She began traveling, writing along the way, delving into various bits of history that caught her fancy. The plot for GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN evolved slowly after a trip to London, where she first learned about the Stuart royals. Marci is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, making hair-bows for their daughter, trying not to step on their son’s Legos, and teaching a tiny Pacific Parrotlet to talk.

For more information visit Marci Jefferson’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Enchantress of Paris (courtesy of St. Martin's Press) OR one of the costume diamond bracelets (courtesy of Marci Jefferson) below, please leave a comment with your email address.

Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

15 comments:

  1. Enchantment of Paris would be captivating and special. Thanks for this fascinating giveaway and wonderful feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I LOVED Girl on the Golden Coin, can't wait to read Enchantress of Paris!
    DeniseK1 at Outlook dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds quite intriguing. I love the occult element and would like to win a copy of the book!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been waiting for this to release forever it seems.
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks like a good book. Thank you for the chance to win. griperang at embarqmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. This book sounds great! I love the idea of magic in the courts and then the element of love.

    Thunder[dot]breaths[@]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great interview! Thanks for sharing it with us. I would love to win a copy of the book.

    tmrtini at gmail) dot) com)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I so enjoyed reading this interview. I've been looking forward to reading this book and would love to win a copy! I adore the fact that you're focusing on strong women in an historical setting - those are my favorite reads. My email is krista[dot]mercer[at]gmail[dot]com.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a pretty cover! The book sounds good, too!
    Time2Read {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  10. It sounds like a fabulous book and it has a lovely cover!
    alto1jr @ hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both the bracelets and the book cover are gorgeous!! LindseyAylward at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I absolutely LOVED this book and I adore Marci's writing voice. I would love one of those glamorous bracelets! clockbirdstar@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. It sounds wonderful - anything sent in the Sun King's court will be fascinating. visalia126 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am very intrigued by the idea of the occult in the court. This would be a very interesting read.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such a fascinating story. Looking forward to reading Enchantress of Paris. Gorgeous cover too. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete

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