Monday, February 11, 2013

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:

 
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.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

66 comments:

  1. I haven't read any of Michelle's book yet but I'm definitely interested with The Emperor's Conspiracy. Sounds like a great book and the cover is gorgeous!

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  2. As you know, I've read The Emperor's Conspiracy and loved it. Now I need to check out In a Treacherous Court to meet John. :D Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!

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  3. Fantastic interview, but I expect nothing less from you Steph :) I haven't read any of Michelle Diener's books but I want to since you are always raving about them. Exciting stuff!

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  4. Great interview, never heard of Michelle though

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  5. Nice interview. Never heard her books.

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  6. I have yet to read any of Michelle's books but I've had my eye on The Emperor's Conspiracy for quite a while now. That will be the one I choose if I win. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway.

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  7. Great interview, I have never read any of Michelle's books but, they sound amazing.

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  8. I havent read any of her books but I will definitely be checking them out now. She has some great covers too. :)
    -Amber

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  9. I haven't read her books. The covers look so pretty though!!!

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  10. Lovely interview. I like how her favorite character type are characters out of their comfort zone because that is a favorite character type to read for me!

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  11. I haven't read her books, but may look into them.

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  12. I haven't read her books, but I like historical fiction.
    I so understand what she means by not finding stories you'd like to read so you have to make them up:)

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  13. I haven't read any of her books yet, but I can always start

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  14. haven't read michelle books before but i want to..
    thx u for the chance :)

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  15. I haven't read any, but I have plans on The Emperor's conspiracy. Thanks for the giveaway

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  16. Nice interview!
    Unfortunately, I haven't read any of Michelle's books but I would definitely interested in reading The Emperor's Conspiracy :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. I haven't read any books by Michelle Diener, but I really want one of her books that is on my TBR for too long

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  18. I haven't read any of the books but they sound really good :)

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  19. Great interview. I have The Emperor's Conspiracy but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

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  20. i havent read anything yet, i really like the interview
    i would like to read The Emperor's Conspiracy
    thanks!

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  21. Have not read Michelle's book but I'm so excited with The Emperor's Conspiracy

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  22. I have not read any of her books yet but they all look very interesting. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  23. I have not read any yet, but seriously intend to

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  24. Nope I haven't read any of her books but The Emperor's Conspiracy looks promising! :)

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  25. I haven't read any of her book by now but they sound really nice, so they are now on my watchlist!

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  26. Haven't read any of her books but they do looks great, especially the covers.

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  27. Great interview!
    haven't read any of her books yet no.

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  28. great interview
    would love to read some of her books

    @sarahrees151286

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  29. Have never read her books but there is always a first time

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  30. This is the first time I have come across these books, sound interesting though. I enjoyed reading the interview.

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  31. Michelle Diener is also one of my all-time favorite authors. - Judith R.

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  32. I haven't read any of her books and thought it was a very interesting interview.

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  33. I read the interview and let's just say even though I've never heard of her, I am intrigued. I will definitely read her books, off to the library I go :)

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  34. great interview.... i love this kind of books!! my book shelves are full!!!

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  35. would love to read one of Michelle's books now, i love reading, full stop!

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  36. Hi there, i would love to read one of these books - i've never read one of hers before and they sound very interesting!! fingers crossed xx

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  37. I've never read any of Michelle's books but I'm glad that I've come across a new series of historical fiction books that looks really good. They can be very hard to come by.

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  38. Period dramas my favourite, i cant wait to introduce your books to my bookclubbers!

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  39. I love period dramas. An interesting story set against actual historical events

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  40. The Emperor's Conspiracy would be the first book i chose to read!

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  41. I have read The Emperor's Conspiracy and loved it xxx

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  42. Brilliant interveiw. I have not read any of Michelle's book yet, but they are just my up of tea!

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  43. Good interview but I have not read any of her books. This has made me want to read Michelle's work now though.

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  44. I haven't read any but they sure do interest me after reading this!

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  45. Great interview good insight into personal thoughts and professional ones well balanced. I have not read any of Michelle's books but will be looking out for her know i am aware of her

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  46. i have not read any of her books yet

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  47. I haven't read any of Michelle's books but I'll be looking out for them!

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  48. Have to admit ive never heard of her before but the covers would definitely make me pick one up.

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  49. emperors conspiracy

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  50. this is a fantastic interview. i can't wait to read the books.

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  51. I have not read any of the books so far but would love to.

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  52. I've never read any of Michelle's novels so far, but I do love historical period novels, and the YA readership has some fantastic novelists writing in the genre.

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  53. i havent read any of them but they look fab and wouldnt mind reading them

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  54. Oh my mum loves her books, she's so down to earth too!

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  55. I have never read any, but they look fab!

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  56. Have never read her books but have now added her to my reading list

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  57. great interview, looking forward to her next book

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  58. I really enjoyed the interview. I haven't read any of Michelle's books but I'm going to have to change that

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  59. never heard of her until now, not something i would normally pick up, but i like the interview, and may pick one of her books up

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  60. Great interview, haven't read any though.

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  61. Have not read any of Michelle's books but I like historical fiction so this sounds amazing!

    Thanks for the giveaway too

    Raffle name: Nikki O

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  62. Great interview and great author :)

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  63. Not read any of her books yet but i will now after reading the interview and the books are so my kinda book.

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  64. I haven't read any of her books yet, but I love the Tudor period too....so will be checking them out!

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