Book: The Reluctant Queen
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I have written and published all of my life. But always nonfiction. Fiction is new. Well, new within the last ten years. My 7th novel, The Reluctant Queen is the third in the ancient novel series.
The 1st four are a medical mystery series featuring cardiologist Dr. Lindsey McCall. I am now working on the 5th in that series, Plausible Liars.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Reluctant Queen’ book?
Since I’d written I Claudia and My Name is Saul, I thought the research and writing of a story about the ancient Persian Kingdom would be more of the same. But, unfortunately, I was wholly, totally wrong. Finding reliable information about a book in the Bible current scholars believe to be fictional was exceedingly difficult.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Every book I read influences me. Reading other people’s novels relaxes me. Hence I read a lot. And I notice the good and poor plots, character development and coherence of the story. But, more and more frequently, I stop reading after fifty pages because of the lack of the previous attributes.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Maybe because I write about places worldwide, I feel as if I travel a lot. Malthus Revisited, the 4h Dr. Lindsey McCall novel, features Slovakia, the California central coast, Germany, China, and Zurich. Traveling in my head saves enormous hassle.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
Yes.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Reluctant Queen’ book?
About a year.
Q7. What all platforms can readers find ‘The Reluctant Queen’ book to buy?
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Books, and many of the venues carrying Ebooks.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Reluctant Queen’ ?
I work closely with a design/ publisher. And need the cover before I start the story. For some reason, having the cover is a critical first step.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I think readers look for compelling stories with plots that grab. And they need characters with flesh and blood who feel as if they are sitting beside them. To accomplish this, I send the 1st iteration of my manuscript to four readers. I look for plot coherence, character development, and consistency, not editing. Their feedback sometimes require extensive rewrites but the finished product is always far better because of their input.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Reviewers to date tell me that they find Esther’s story compelling. Several have said that one of their favorite characters is Queen Atossa, the mother of King Xerxes. They also enjoy the story of the Achaemenid Empire and the mix of history with fiction.
Book Is Available On Amazon
Sassy Reviews 