Interview with Michelle Diener + Giveaway! (INT)

Hi everyone! :D

I got to interview historical fiction author, Michelle Diener.

I'm so glad I got to do this because she's one of my all-time favorite authors.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below! ^^

Enjoy!

Hi Michelle!
Welcome to Bookfever for this interview and thank you, I'm very honored! :D
Here are my questions...

1. Have you always wanted to be a writer? Where did the inspiration for your books come from?

Hi Stephanie

Yes, I always wanted to be a writer. And my inspiration comes from all around me. The books I read, the movies I watch, the songs I listen to, the people I observe, and in my historical novels, in the history of the time I'm writing.

2. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Interesting writing quirk? Mmmm. I can't stand anyone looking over my shoulder while I'm trying to write. I just freeze up.

3. Do you have any favorite characters in your books, if so, who and why?

It is more a character type that I love. I can't really choose favorites. I love them all. But I especially love characters who are out of their comfort zone, trying to cope. And I love writing villains who the reader can identify with and understand. I love a little grey, rather than plain black and white.

4. Since your books are historical fiction, can you tell us which era is your favorite?

I love the Tudor period, it is so lush and rich in stories for a writer to use, but I love the Victorian period, the Georgian / Regency period, the Middle Ages. I really find it difficult to choose.

5. What's next for you? Are you working on something new?

I just turned in a new book to my editor, Banquet of Lies, which is connected to The Emperor's Conspiracy, although Charlotte and Edward are secondary characters in this one. It should be out in October of this year. At the moment I'm working on putting the final polish on a Victorian era historical set during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. I grew up in KwaZulu-Natal, so this one's a bit more personal for me, and has romance, action, danger, betrayal and redemption and I really love it. It's called Daughter of the Sky, and I'm hoping it'll be out by May this year.

6. Which author would you love to co-author a book with someday?

I'm just not the co-author type. I see a story in a very specific way, and I don't know that I'd be able to compromise enough with someone else to work with them like that. Never say never, though :).

7. Which male character from your books do you personally prefer more, John Parker or Edward Durnham?

No mother can pick favorites! I love Parker for the way he never hesitates from doing. If he sees a course of action, he takes it straight away without second-guessing himself, and that includes violence. And yet, though he is a formidable enemy, once you have his loyalty, you have it for life. And I love Edward for his inner strength. He has chosen a path that seems honest to him, no matter what it may look like to others, and he isn't afraid to follow it.

8. If you could jump into any book and live in that world. Which book would it be?
One of the book worlds I would love to jump into is the world of Eve Dallas from the In Death series. I find Nora Robert's world-building in that series so well done I can really picture it, and I love spending time there. But I don't know that I could pick just one. That's why I love reading, so I don't have to choose. I can dip in and visit anywhere, whenever I want, and it's just waiting for me.

9. What three books would you recommend people to read?

My personal favorites are legion, and I would first find out what the person likes to read, because some books just don't work for some people, no matter how well written. But if I were to throw out a three book list at random, I'd say USE OF WEAPONS by Iain M. Banks, ALPHA AND OMEGA by Patricia Briggs, and ALIAS GRACE by Margaret Atwood. By no means my definitive favorites, but they are up there, and they sprang to mind first.

10. Tell us something random about yourself.

I love fantasy and science fiction novels, and because I couldn't find enough sci-fi and fantasy that I personally like to read, I've started writing my own between my historicals when I can. I'm so desperate I'm writing stories for myself. :) But hopefully, they will get published (one may even be published this year! I hope!) so other people can read them, too. :)

Thank you, Michelle! I loved your answers and I can't wait to read your upcoming books this year. :D

Thanks for having me over to visit, Stephanie!

And now on to the giveaway! :D

It's open internationally, so anyone can enter.

~Prize:

Winner's choice of any book written by Michelle Diener! (send by Michelle herself.)

Books I've read and reviewed by Michelle:

 

The Emperor's Conspiracy

In a Treacherous Court (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #1)

Dangerous Sanctuary (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #1.5)

Personally I loved loved The Emperor's Conspiracy the most but her Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series are amazing too! I still have yet to read the second book in that  series but I definitely will readit soon, so look out for my review of it. ^^

To view all the books Michelle has written click here.

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