Category: Book Launch Blog Blitzkrieg
Calling All New England Sister Queens Spotters
My map of the USA is filling up (and so is my collage) as kind friends and readers snap and send pictures of The Sister Queens from various locations around the nation. New York leads the tally with pictures from all over the state (but oddly not Manhattan, publishing central). I have photos of The Sister Queens with adorable children, crazy friends, B&N workers, and even with a Tennessee spring field in the background. Thanks to all the spotters who have contacted me so far.
I am eager to finish up New England. So, I am going to make things a little interesting. I have these lovely bookplates 
(which I distribute to book clubs I visit virtually) and I will sign and send one each to the first people to spot, snap and send photographs of The Sister Queens from Maine ,Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Just post a comment below letting me know you’ve spotted The Sister Queens (and where) or use the contact form here at the website. I’ll let you know how to get your photo to me and you can let me know where you want your bookplate mailed.
What Do Jane Austen and Robert Munsch Have in Common?
I won’t keep you in suspense; quotes from these authors embody guiding principals of my life. I share them (along with several other favorite quotes) in an interview at Layered Pages today. I also discuss why I find Louis IX of France even less likeable than his harridan of a mother, Blanch of Castile. Please stop by, Stephanie asked some excellent questions!
Sex and the Historical Novelist
Birds do it, bees do it, and our ancestors most definitely did it, but should sex be included in the pages of historical novels? 
Today at Peeking Between the Pages I discuss the expansion of sexual content from historical romance into straight historical fiction and my views on this trend.
Meanwhile, the latest review of The Sister Queens is in! The Broke and the Bookish says:
an excellent slice of an extremely interesting period of time. We get the politics and social aspects of not one but two countries (always a bonus!) as well as in the latter part of the book, Louis’ crusade to theHoly Land. I felt very connected to them and their personalities were extremely opposite and varied. I enjoyed watching the sisters grow from young teenagers to mature mothers, queens, and friends. Recommended to all historical fiction lovers!
Another Lovely Review for The Sister Queens
The Sister Queens received another lovely review, this time from Kathleen at A CelticLady’s Reviews:
Sophie Perinot tells a very compelling story of two very diverse but strong women. In the writing of this book, I could tell that there was extensive research …into the lives of these two women and their families and they were portrayed as very real women who adored their children and would do anything to keep them safe and protect their heritage.
Stop by, Kathleen is also running a giveaway for those still hoping to win a copy of the novel.
The Verdict from “Peeking Between the Pages”
Can I just say I love the name of this blog – Peeking Between the Pages. Perhaps that’s because when I open a book I feel as if I am peeking into another world and into other people’s lives without them knowing it. There is a certain amount of voyeurism (but not in the creepy sense) involved.
Today Dar at Peeking Between the Pages takes a look between the covers of The Sister Queens and proclaims:
The Sister Queens has it all… court life, balls, rivalry, politics, love and lust; with the added element of it seeming so real to the reader as though watching a film. A fantastic debut!
Merci, Madame!
A Cozy Chat with a Celtic Lady and a Little Luxury
Another double-dip day for me in blog-land my friends.
First, I discuss how The Sister Queen’s focus on how sisters shape each other makes it very personal in an interview with Kathleen at Celtic Lady’s Reviews. Kathleen and I also chat about how I got interested in writing historical fiction and what my typical writing day looks like.
Then, The Sister Queens is reviewed at Luxury Reading (“I found myself sucked into the story and could not put the book down”).
A Happy One-Week Anniversary for The Sister Queens
What better way to celebrate the one-week anniversary of The Sister Queens launch than with a trio of marvelous reviews for the novel!
The first review comes from Jessie at Ageless Pages Reviews, who says:
This is the type of book I am constantly looking for in the historical fiction genre, and rarely seem to stumble across; it’s very engaging from the outset, it’s lively to read with actualized characters in stead of cardboard historical cutouts, and it’s mostly, somewhat accurate. Sophie Perinot may indeed be a first-time author, but you certainly wouldn’t know that from reading her debut novel.
Jessie notes that:
One of the most enjoyable aspects of The Sister Queens is that no matter how convoluted the relationship, how twisted the tale, how unfamiliar the person at Court, Sophie Perinot never talks down to her readers.
and concludes with a call for a sequel (I’d SO love to do one) declaring:
This was a wonderful read and one of my favorites so far this year. Move over Tudors, I think I have a new historical royal family obsession
The second review is from The Owl Bookmark, where Siobian awards The Sister Queens 4.5 owls (= “marvelous”). She declares:
this is a novel that I quickly lost myself in. It was written beautifully and Perinot does an amazing job of bringing these two characters to life. The sisters were well balanced in their personalities and I found myself vacillating between admiration and favor of one sister to the other sister and then back again as I progressed in the story.
Siobian ends her review with this strong recommendation:
It was a wonderful book and I cannot recommend it enough because of its realistic characters and the historical setting that it was obvious Perinot took years researching to create.
Finally, at Romance Dish, Janga praises the novel for revealing:
the hearts of these two women—their memories of Provence and family ties, the concerns they have for their own children, and the struggles each faces as the dreams of girlhood are replaced by the realities of womanhood. Connecting all these things are the strands of jealousy, competition, forgiveness, loyalty, and abiding love that make up the bond of sisterhood.
and concludes by saying:
If you are a reader of historical fiction or a fan of Medieval romance, I highly recommend The Sister Queens. If you are neither but enjoy stories about the many relationships that define a woman, you may find more to like here than you expect.
Thank you ladies! You’ve made my one-week anniversary very special indeed. Thanks also to readers and fans who have been following my blog tour and who purchased The Sister Queens in its release week. I am collecting photos of “sister queens spottings.” So if you see the book in the wild (or in a bookstore) please snap a picture and contact me.
A Reluctant Time Traveler
Today I am guest blogging at The Book Vault. My gracious host, Dominique, asked me to consider which era I’d like to visit if I could travel back in time, and what I would do once I got there. If you think you know where I would head, my answer may surprise you.
Banana-Fiction (My First Love)
Things get a little zany in my interview at Unabridged Chick today. Did you know, for example, that I was the first (and possibly remain the only) writer to attempt to make a career out of banana-fiction? Yes, I am a master of the genre, but *blushes* downright terrible at titles.
Stop by, learn more about my early attempts at fiction and what terrific books by fellow historical writers I’ve been reading lately!
5 out of 5 Apples for The Sister Queens!
The Sister Queens just received five apples from Debbie’s Book Bag! I am thrilled and feeling a bit of the teacher’s pet at the moment. Here are some highlights from Debbie’s review:
In The Sister Queens, Perinot writes with rich flavor and attention to the smallest of details. She brings to life the reigns of both Henry III and Louis IX and the women who loved them. This both takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level and shows the bonds that exist between sisters despite being separated by miles and country boundaries. Historical fiction fans can’t afford to miss this dynamic debut novel by a strong new voice in the genre
And
This book shows impeccable research and the ability to put those details to good use. To bring out the most important things and know what to leave out. Perinot’s descriptions of court life were vivid and riveting. Her portrayal of the crusades and their brutality was gripping. This is one of the few historical fiction stories that I’ve read lately that I would consider a page turner.
