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Guest Post with Christy English, author of The Queen’s Pawn & GIVEAWAY
April 8th, 2010
Welcome to Peeking Between the Pages Christy! It’s a pleasure to have you here today. Christy English is the author of The Queen’s Pawn which released on April 6, 2010. I had intended to have my review post today but circumstances prevented me from finishing it as I had hoped. So I’m going to post the guest post/giveaway today and my review hopefully Friday. I can say though that the book is fantastic so far and I hated not having a chance to pick it up and keep reading! Let’s see what Christy has to say about…Location and Inspiration: Writing at the Cloisters…
The Cloisters is an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, a separate branch that holds much of the museum’s medieval collection. It is a place of beautiful art, flowering trees, and square colonnades, or cloisters, where water runs in fountains all through the spring and summer, giving the visitor an oasis of peace in the midst of Manhattan’s constant motion.
The Cloisters is where I first wrote the outline for THE QUEEN’S PAWN, a novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine and Princess Alais of France. In one of the museum’s three outdoor cloisters, Alais and I settled down to work out the details of THE QUEEN’S PAWN. Writing a synopsis can be as much work for me as writing the novel itself, but the soothing, tranquil atmosphere of the museum relaxed me and gave me a feeling for the kind of religious devotion that sustained Alais throughout her childhood and for much of her life.
This statue of the Holy Mother and the Christ child, while from a later period, gives you a good idea of the kind of art Alais loved. The character as she developed on the pages of my novel has a deep devotion to the Church. She is especially drawn to the Virgin Mary, who serves as an aid and comfort to her during the dark, lonely days of her childhood, and later, after the events of THE QUEEN’S PAWN have drawn to a close
The Cloisters is full of such beauty, objects of devotion and shaded colonnades of tranquility. As I wrote, I felt as if I was given a window into Alais’ time in her own cloister, when she was able to escape the political tumult of her life, and spend her time in contemplation and prayer. I would have written the book without the Cloisters to shelter me, but the experience would not have been nearly as rewarding. I am grateful to the museum for creating such a place of serenity where, as with THE QUEEN’S PAWN, we can seek a window into the past.
__________
Thank you so much for the wonderful post Christy. I would love to visit the Cloisters. It sounds like a beautiful place for writing.
__________
About the Book (from Amazon.com)
A historical novel of the legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine and the one person she loved more than power-her rival for the throne.
At only nine, Princess Alais of France is sent to live in England until she is of age to wed Prince Richard, son of King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Alais is an innocent pawn on the chessboard of dynastic marriage, her betrothal intended to broker an uneasy truce between the nations.
Estranged from her husband, Eleanor sees a kindred spirit in this determined young girl. She embraces Alais as a daughter, teaching the princess what it takes to be a woman of power in a world of men. But as Alais grows to maturity and develops ambitions of her own, Eleanor begins to see her as a threat-and their love for each other becomes overshadowed by their bitter rivalry, dark betrayals, conflicting passions, and a battle for revenge over the throne of England itself.
About the Author (from Christy English’s blog)
I am a writer of historical fiction centering on Eleanor of Aquitaine, Alais of France, and the Plantagenets of the 12th Century. Look for my novel THE QUEEN’S PAWN from the New American Library, an imprint of Penguin.
My second novel, about Eleanor of Aquitaine’s marriage to Louis VII of France, TO BE QUEEN, will be published by the New American Library in April 2011.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have 1 copy of The Queen’s Pawn courtesy of the publisher to share with US residents only and I will offer up my very gently read copy to everyone! So, that’s 2 copies up for grabs! To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
- For 2 entries follow my blog. If you do, thank you, and let me know in your comment please.
- For 3 entries, blog or tweet this post and giveaway.
I will draw for the winners on May 8, 2010. Good luck everyone!
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
I have been eying this book for some weeks. I have never read anything about Alais, and this sounds like one good book.
The Cloisters definitely looks very inspiring! Looks like a great book, thanks for the chance to win.
+2 I'm a follower
Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this book!!
I follow your blog
TWEET!!
http://twitter.com/carriesymes/status/11831052088
one of my favorite genres nothing better than a good book on a rainy afternoon
i follow i have learned about some great books thanks so much
I have been to the Cloisters and it is a gorgeous little museum.
I would love to win.
thank you
I follow
kaiminani at gmail dot com
Please count me in.
+2 I follow.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
This book sounds so interesting, and I enjoyed reading about the Cloisters – would love to visit it myself. Thanks for the giveaway.
I follow through Google Reader.
Thanks for the guest post and giveaway! Sounds like a great book I would love to read!
I follow your blog.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/11838928182
Kelsey
krae991@yahoo.com
Very cool guest post! I would be so excited to win this book. It looks like a great read. Please enter me in your giveaway!
zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
I am also a follower of your blog!
Please enter me!
I am a follower.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/squiggles87/status/11847887732
xxsquigglesxx(At)Gmail(dot)Com
I'd love to read this!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
This book sounds good! I would love to be entered.
email bangersis(at)msn(dot)com
+2 I follow your blog
+3 i tweeted http://twitter.com/bangersis/status/11856288339
Looks like a great book and thank you for hosting this giveaway.
+2 I follow.
mystica123athotmaildotcom
Looks interesting…
teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com
I am a follower.
This one looks good! Please enter me for it.
I follow on google friend connect
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
+1 I'm an international reader
really love to read this book.
uniquas at ymail dot com
+2 A follower via GFC
+ 3 i tweeted : http://twitter.com/becunique/status/11862234270
Would love to win!
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
Please enter me. I follow.
sliugarcia@gmail.com
I'd like to be entered. Contact me at Chirth7@yahoo.com
I'm a follower-chirth7@gmail.com
I tweeted the giveway also.
http://twitter.com/home
Romantic73
I would love to read this! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I'm a follower.
mittens0831 at aol dot com
This sounds like a great book!
dmkayes@gmail.com
I follow via Google Friend Connect
dmkayes@gmail.com
Dar, thanks for having this giveaway! Please count me in!
cmcdermitt1@carolina.rr.com
I'd love to enter! Thanks!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I’m a follower.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I tweeted about this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/11914284338
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Great giveaway!
Please count me in. Thanks.
avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it
It's really cool how where you write can really impact your writting. No need to enter me for the giveaway as I already have it. thanks for the great guest post.
I love historical fiction and thank you Darlene for introducing me to a new author in the genre. I can't wait to read The Queen's Pawn.
I'm a follower and have tweeted about the giveaway.
This sounds so good, I love historical fiction.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I love the cover of this novel. The dresses are so beautiful. I'm an historical fiction lover and would love to be entered in your drawing.
I'm a follower
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
I would love to win a copy of this book. It looks like a great read
I can't wait to read this book, and would love to be entered in the giveaway. I've just posted your blog on twitter: http://twitter.com/LibbySkala
easkala at gmail dot com
Sounds interesting.
cyderryATyahooDOTcom
Chèli
Cheli's Shelves
I am a follower.
cyderryATyahooDOTcom
Chèli
Cheli's Shelves
I'd love this. And you're drawing it on my birthday… {hint, hint}
Thanks for the giveaway!
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
I have never heard of The Cloisters!
I must be living under a rock…..
Historical fiction is my favorite and I would appreciate being entered
in your book drawing.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I follow your blog via Google Friend
Connect!
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I am a follower of your blog. #2
Many thanks to you….. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
"Tweet!" #1
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/12190652296.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
"Tweet!" #2
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/12190652296.
Merci, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
"Tweet!" #3
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/12190652296.
Again, thanks very much!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Eleanor of Aquitaine one of the most powerful Women in English History..love anything about her and her Court! Please put my email in…
ewatvess@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great book. Please count me in. Thank you!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I follow
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Blogged:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-04-10-10.html
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I would like to be entered!
Google follower!
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love historical fiction !! kindly enter me for this giveaway plz
itzme(dot)insi(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog
itzme(dot)insi(at)gmail(dot)com
+1 Book sounds great. Please enter me.
bodicerippernovels at gmail dot com
+2, I'm a Google follower
+3, I blogged about it here, http://bodicerippernovels.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/christy-english-contest-at-peeking-between-the-pages/
I am a Follower.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
You have found the ideal place to work on your book. The quiet plus the atmosphere must be an inspiration of their own. I would think where you work would have an effect on you and the book you produce. I am looking forward to reading this one.
It's been many, many years since I went to the Cloisters, but oddly it's come up three times in the last few days… hmmm…
The book sounds very intriguing.
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
yes – I'm a new follower – great blog
Count me in on this giveaway.
I'm a follower.
caliblue7@gmail.com
Eleanor Aquitaine is a fantastic character, lots of strength and always in the midst of any kind of trouble. But I must say that I do love to read about the stories of real characters in the shadows of the main players stories that are so often told. Sometimes you come across their stories in a few sentences of a book, and you can't help but wonder about the rest of that persons life. Alais seems to have been very much the pawn. I hope she had some happiness in her life. This book is on my wish list….but thanks for the chance to be in the draw to win!
I am a follower
nellista @ yahoo dot com dot au
Thank you for the give away offer this looks like a great read.
I also follow.
jgoffice(at)cox.net
please sign me up
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com
I follow
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com
I would love to be able to read this. Please enter me.
I'm a follower.
Marie
utah91960[at]yahoo[dot]com
I love a great historical fiction book. Please enter me. bchild5@aol.com
I am also a follower.
bchild5@aol.com
Hi Chriisty,
The Cloisters must have been an amazing and inspiring place to write.
I love the blurb I read and definitely have to read it.And the sequel in 2011.sigh…
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
Sounds like a great book. I just finished an amazing book about Eleanore called Power of a Woman, which I could not put down.
Holdenj – the cloisters are amazing. I had the chance to go during college and you would never think you were in the middle of NYC. Its like a world apart.
I have always been fascinated by Eleanor of Aquitaine. I would have loved to sit down and talk with her, Queen Elizabeth the First and Dolly Madison. All strong women.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
I'd love to be entered!
-ronna
ronna15_ajkc@yahoo.com
I love historical fiction, especially european history, I am a HUGE fan of Alison Weir and she has a new novel about Eleanor of Aquitane coming out this year, and it would be great to compare them.
candc320@gmail.com
I follow via google friend connect.
candc320@gmail.com
Please enter me in this giveaway – Thanks!
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
And I am a follower!
I'd love to read this! I'm for the international one.
I'm a follower
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/Elysianfield/statuses/13060660051
crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would love to read The Queen's Pawn as I am such a great fan of historical fiction, especially from this time period.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
Entry 1
I am a follower of your blog.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
Entry 2
I am a follower of your blog.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
Entry 1
I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/13114193831
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
Entry 2
I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/13114193831
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
Entry 3
I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/13114193831
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
Please enter me in this giveaway!
familyhistree at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I follow your blog.
familyhistree at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/13242036779
familyhistree at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I would love to win this book. Thanks for a giveaway.
msdarcy22@aol.com
I am a follower
I'd love to win it!
magabygc AT gmail DOT com
Please enter me
hawkes(at)citlink.net
I'm a follower of your blog
hawkes(at)citlink.net
i've heard a few good reviews on this one.and a story of a princess and a queen threatening each other/one side will create some actions =)
i'm a follower and i'm from Malaysia
twitted http://twitter.com/darlyn5/status/13491307127
darlyn225(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to entered for this giveaway. Thanks!
follower
tweeted http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/13496243219
gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com
This book sounds great and I'd love to be entered for it!
~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'm a follower.
~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/thebookpixie/statuses/13532824328
~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com