What La Traviata and The Sister Queens Have in Common

Mar 062013

March 6th is a good day for debuts.  One hundred and sixty years ago today (March 6, 1853)   La Traviata premiered at the La Fenice opera house in Venice.  One year ago today (March 6, 2012) my debut novel, The Sister Queens, hit shelves.  Auspicious.  And while I never expect to be as popular as Verdi, I’ve been overwhelmed by the generous responses of critics and the kind and often moving responses of readers.  Thanks all! 

Readers—Visit my Sister Queens Facebook page for instructions on how to get one of twenty signed bookplates (there are still a few left) for your copy of The Sister Queens.

Writer friends — The day after its premiere Giuseppe Verdi worried that La Traviata was a failure so EVERYBODY has artistic angst.  Have faith in your work and its ability to find an audience.

Finally, for those who haven’t tried The Sister Queens yet — I believe that Amazon still has the book on sale for $6 a copy (limit 2).  Wouldn’t now be an excellent time to add it to your TBR pile?

Posted by Sophie on March 6, 2013 For Historical Fiction Fans, Reviews, Uncategorized 2 Responses » Tagged with: , , , ,

Happy Valentines Day Marguerite and Jean

Feb 142013

I  might rather be Eleanor with her faithful Henry, but when it comes to the sort of on-fire, head-over-heels love usually associated with Valentines Day, Marguerite and Jean carry the day.

 

Posted by Sophie on February 14, 2013 Uncategorized No Responses » Tagged with: , , ,

And Then There Were Ten. . .

Jan 082013

The Sister Queens just made its TENTH “best of  2012” list thanks to Kayla at the Historical Fiction Examiner.  Make sure to check out Kayla’s entire Top 10– lots of great books to add to your TBR pile there.  My debut is listed with novels by so many authors I truly admire including, Michelle Moran, Juliet Grey, Elizabeth Loupas and Susan Higginbotham.

Must admit it feels overwhelming to make see my book alongside the work of so many luminaries of the genre.  This time I am actually one-of-ten with Philippa Gregory.  Weird.  But weird in a good way!

Posted by Sophie on January 8, 2013 For Historical Fiction Fans, Reviews No Responses » Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

The Sister Queens Makes More "Best Of" Lists

Jan 022013

While I was baking up a storm and wrapping gifts for friends and family I received a couple of very special year-end presents.  The Sister Queens made several  ”best of” lists” (in addition to the list at Let Them Read Books  mentioned in a previous post).

I am exceedingly flattered that The True Book Addict, has my debut keeping company with books by the likes of C.W. Gortner, Hilary Mantel and my good friend Nancy Bilyeau. Holly’s list at Bippity Boppity Book lets me rub elbows with Ken Follett and Diana Gabaldon (wow).  Book Drunkard’s “Top 12″  and Tanzinite’s Castle Full of Books  both also have me in very august company.   I am  thrilled that Kate Quinn, author of a brilliant trilogy set in ancient Rome that I personally devoured, also picked The Sister Queens as one of her 2012 favorites and Space Station Mir named me as one of her “Top Ten New-To-Me Authors for 2012.”  Finally, I feel very privileged that The Sister Queens made two of the “personal favorites” 2012 lists at Romantic Historical Lovers—Meagan’s and Jenny’s. 

Not so sound like The Count from Sesame Street, but by my reckoning that makes nine favorites lists  I am gobsmacked and grateful. Thank you to the book bloggers who did me such honor and thank you to all the readers who embraced my first novel so warmly!

Posted by Sophie on January 2, 2013 News, Reviews 4 Responses » Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A “Wrap Up” of Places you Can Win Books (Including Mine) This Season

Dec 162012

Nine days until Christmas, have you finished shopping?  Well, never mind that. Have you entered all these SUPER holiday book giveaways?  There is no time to waste, many of these giveaways are ending shortly.

1) The Historical Holiday Blog Hop at Passages to the Past – This is the jackpot!  FOUR fantastic prize packages each an overstuffed holiday stocking of super historical fiction titles (and I mean win a prize and take home more than a dozen historical novels).  Check it out!  The Sister Queens is part of oh-so-impressive “Prize Package #4.”

2) Over at Let Them Read Books you could win ANY historical title of your choice (valued $15 or less) shipped to you wherever you live (yes, this one is international folks).  Jenny has some recommendations based on her favorite reads of the year if you are looking for suggestions. 

3) At Tanzinites Castle Full of Books three lucky winners will chose two, gently-read titles each in another historical fiction giveaway.

4) Giveaway number four, at Peeking Between the Pages,  has four fantastic historical titles on offer including books by Michelle Moran and yours truly.

5) And finally, if you are looking to step outside of the historical fiction box I have a pair of giveaways for you.

First, the authors of Book Pregnant are celebrating the “book baby” births of 2012 by hosting a giveaway of 2012 debuts.  There are fourteen titles to choose from including literary fiction, women’s fiction, YA, historical fiction and more.  At the moment there are more books on offer than entries—you have to like those odds.

Second, there is a very nice Books for Christmas giveaway at the blog of author  Genevieve Graham featuring ten titles (including mine) across various genres and each with it’s own rafflecopter entry form. When you click the link you will be at the top of a string of posts, make sure to scroll down to see and enter all the contests.

I’ve just given you six excellent reasons to take a break from your baking and wrapping.  GET TO IT!

Posted by Sophie on December 16, 2012 For Historical Fiction Fans, Giveaways No Responses » Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

The Sister Queens on a 2012 Top Picks List!

Dec 102012

I am very pleased to announce that The Sister Queens is a TOP PICKS of 2012 for historical fiction at Let Them Read Books (and in the august company of CW Gortner and Robin Maxwell no less).  See which books made Jenny’s list for historical fiction, historical romance and historical fantasy and enter to WIN a title of your choice as part of the “Historical Holiday Blog Hop”.

Posted by Sophie on December 10, 2012 For Historical Fiction Fans, Giveaways, News, Uncategorized No Responses » Tagged with: , , ,

A Sneak Peek Into THE SISTER QUEENS and a Chance to Have It for a Stocking Stuffer

Dec 072012

As I mentioned in my last post, the marvelous Genevieve Graham is running a “Books for Christmas” promotion all month to introduce you to ten author’s whose books would make brilliant holiday gifts.  She’s even offering you a chance to win their books to slip into the stockings of someone you love (or to install on your own bedside table as the case may be).

Today it’s my turn.  Since you’re here at my blog I presume you’ve already met me (*waves cheerfully*).  But if you haven’t read The Sister Queens yet here is your chance to have a sneak peek inside the book and meet Marguerite of Provence, Queen of France, on her WEDDING NIGHT!  In addition, there is a chance for you to win the entire book for yourself or—if you’ve already read it (bless you)—to give as a holiday gift to a historical fiction lover on your list.  When you arrive at Genevieve’s promotion page if I am not at the top of the post just scroll down — I am the December 7th feature.

Posted by Sophie on December 7, 2012 For Historical Fiction Fans, Giveaways 2 Responses » Tagged with: , , ,

FREE Books for Christmas!!!

Dec 032012

Here’s an event that incorporates three of my favorite words – “free,” “books,” and “Christmas.”  Author Genevieve Graham (Under the Same Sky & Sound of the Heart) has put together a marvelous two week celebration of books as holiday gifts—everyday a different author will be featured with an excerpt from her/his work and A BOOK TO WIN!!!

That’s TEN free books to be won.  And on top of that, there are TWO triple-book grand prize packages on offer (entries for those opened today)!!!  So that’s TWELVE chances to win (talk about the Twelve Days of Christmas!)  Check out the author schedule below and check this link EVERYDAY for your chance to win another good book just in time for holiday gift-giving!

December 3rd — Joanna Bourne

December 4th — Pamela Callow

December 5th — MK McClintock

December 6th –Steve Vernon

December 7th – yours truly, Sophie Perinot

*** Weekend to do your shopping and wrapping (psst. . . buy books) ***

December 10th — Rona Altrows

December 11th — Kaki Warner

December 12th –Katherine S.Crawford

December 13th — Nya Rawlyns

December 14th Victoria Vane

PRIZE PACKAGES (entry period opened today): GRAND PRIZE #1 – Kaki Warner’s “Runaway Bride” series (3 books); GRAND PRIZE #2 – Pamela Callow’s “Kate Lange thriller series” (3 books)

Good luck all and never say I don’t share THE BEST giveaways and gift giving tips!

Posted by Sophie on December 3, 2012 Get To Know the WRiters I Know, Giveaways 4 Responses » Tagged with: , , , , ,

Just a thought . . . books make GREAT stocking stuffers!

Nov 282012

Books are what I AM dreaming of for Christmas! Shown here from left to right: The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau on Kindle, Empress of the Seven Hills by Kate Quinn, Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer, and The Sister Queens by yours truly.

Posted by Sophie on November 28, 2012 For Historical Fiction Fans, News No Responses » Tagged with: , , , ,

A Murder Mystery from the Era of The Sister Queens

Oct 262012

Saw this article today and thought many here might enjoy it.  Researchers in western England  have found the body of a 13th century knight who killed by a single sword blow to the back.  They speculate he was Geoffrey Dutton a prominent local.  How he received the mortal wound  “that may have left him alive for several hours, yet unable to walk” is uncertain.  I see a book plot in there somewhere.  What do you think? 

Posted by Sophie on October 26, 2012 For Historical Fiction Fans No Responses » Tagged with: , ,
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