And Then There Were Ten. . .

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!

Celebrating with Friends

Everybody knows there is no better way to celebrate success than with friends!  Today I am celebrating the 8-week anniversary of the release of The Sister Queens (hooray).  But I want to take a moment to celebrate how special this day is for two of my fellow historical authors as well.

Today is the 4-week anniversary of Kate Quinn’s brilliant Empress of the Seven Hills.  It is also the 4-week anniversary of Elizabeth Loupas’ entrancing The Flower Reader.  Now I could go on all day about how wonderful these ladies’ books are – but why take my word for it?  Both have received considerable praise since they hit shelves.

Peeking Between the Pages say’s of Kate’s Empress:

The characters in this novel just jump out at you. They have a depth to them and the life in Ancient Rome is described so vividly you feel sure you are experiencing it all with your favorite characters.”

 While Amy at Passages to the Past purrs:

 No one does Ancient Rome quite like author Kate Quinn”

 Damn straight!

 Praise for Elizabeth’s book includes this from The True Book Addict:

The Flower Reader is rich storytelling and its characters are real and interesting.  The historical details were obviously meticulously researched.  Throw in some intrigue and scandal and we have a book that will appeal to all readers, not only fans of historical fiction.”

I hope you’ll forgive me for rounding out this book-realease anniversary celebration with a clip from the newest review of my own book.  The Tulsa Book Review said:

The Sister Queens is historic fiction at its absolute finest. I simply cannot wait to see what this author does next. She’s already won herself a spot on my list of favorite authors. In all of its colorful prose, deep and eccentric characters, and historical brilliance, this book can be summed up with one word: phenomenal. Brava!”

Happy anniversary ladies! And many, many happy returns.

A Little Author Frivolity – Tag & Book Teasers

I’ve been tagged by author, Erika Robuck, whose novel Hemingway’s Girl will be out this September  with NAL (same imprint as The Sister Queens).   To play the game, she instructed me to do the following:

1. Go to the 77th page of my latest book (or wip – author’s choice).

2. Count down 7 lines.

3. Copy the 7 sentences that follow, and post them as a teaser.

4. Tag 7 other authors.

In this scene from The Sister Queens, Eleanor of Provence’s brother-in-law, the Earl Richard, returns to the English royal court furious over the secret marriage of his sister to Simon de Montfort.  The Earl confronts King Henry III during court festivities, interrupting Eleanor and Henry while they are dancing.   Without further ado, here are seven sentences (or thereabouts) from the 77th page of The Sister Queens:

Her welfare?  If that is all that worries you, be done.  Lady Montfort is quite abundantly happy with her situation.”  For the first time Henry looks in my direction.  “Is that not so Eleanor?  Our sister writes to the Queen glowingly of her new husband.”

“This is not a fanciful troubadour’s romance!  It is a royal marriage!  It ought not to be managed by women.”

My Uncle, silent himself, gives me a meaningful look, warning me to hold my tongue.

Now, I’ll tag 7  brilliant authors to give us teasers of their own:

1. Kate Quinn

2. Nancy Bilyeau

3. Elizabeth Loupas

4. Erin Cashman

5. Mindy McGinnis

6. Stephanie Dray

7. Lydia Netzer

Visit their websites in the next few days to get a peek into their latest work and discover who they’ll tag in turn.  Nothing like a little game to start the weekend.

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.

Go Sophie!

Stop by, learn more about my early attempts at fiction and what terrific books by fellow historical writers I’ve been reading lately!

The Best Gift an Author Could Ask for — Marvelous Endorsements for The Sister Queens

Last holiday season Santa outdid himself—I got my debut book deal for Christmas.

The past year has been full of wonderful experiences, from working with my very astute and caring editor at NAL to receiving my first reader’s review on goodreads. Each one of these pre-publication events shines like a foil-wrapped Christmas package in my memory.

Some of year’s most precious gifts came from fellow historical fiction writers—luminaries of the genre actually. I’ve been honored to receive a number of marvelous endorsements (known as “cover blurbs” in the business) for The Sister Queens from authors whose work I both read and admire. I am pleased and proud to unveil them – and the fabulous front cover that NAL created for The Sister Queens – at my newly renovated “My Books” page.

Here, with profound thanks to their authors, are a few blurbs to whet your appetite:

In her debut novel, The Sister Queens, Sophie Perinot breathes life into two of history’s most fascinating siblings. What Philippa Gregory did for Anne and Mary Boleyn, Perinot has done for Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence. This is without a doubt one of the best novels I’ve read all year!”

 —Michelle Moran, author of Madame Tussaud

Every page of The Sister Queens for me was like a morsel to savor. The Sister Queens is one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a very long time. Absolutely superb! I will certainly be adding it to my ‘keeper’ shelf.”

 —Diane Haeger, author of The Queen’s Rival

Sophie Perinot’s debut tour de force, The Sister Queens, gives the reader a detailed and racy look into the very public and most intimate lives of English and French royalty. The sister queens have two very different personalities, yet Perinot’s skills allow a modern woman to see herself in them and root for them both. This sweeping, compelling novel is a medieval, double-decker lifestyles of the rich, famous, and fascinating.”

—Karen Harper, author of The Queen’s Governess

 For more endorsements, including kind words from authors Elizabeth Loupas, Christy English, Leslie Carroll and Anne O’Brien please visit the “My Books” tab.

P.S. Santa, no need to leave anything under the tree for me this year, I am one of the luckiest ladies around.



 



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