I’m so excited to be able to welcome Gerri Brousseau, author of To Kill a Monarch, to The blue Rose Writing Room today!
Welcome Gerri!
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Gerri will be giving away a copy of To Kill A Monarch to one lucky commenter. Be sure to leave your email address when you comment.
Do you use a pen name/pseudo name? If so, why. If not, why did you decide to write under your own name?
No, I use my own name. I have such an unusual name that when you type it into Google, the first 10 pages are about me.
Wow, that’s so cool, and your name has a lovely ring to it. Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing?
I remember writing since I was 8 yrs. old, but I only became serious about it in 2009 when I wrote According to Legend.
What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?
I need to be alone. I can have the TV on, or the radio, but I can’t have people around me talking to me and asking me what I’m working on.
I can’t work without my laptop. When I first began my writing journey I wrote in a spiral notebook, but now I only use the computer. I have one of those little notebook computers and it’s great!
I can’t even have the TV on. What’s the funniest thing anyone has ever said to you about your writing? Or the unkindest? Or the oddest?
The funniest thing was when one of my beta readers was reading To Kill a Monarch and actually asked me if I knew which character was the Falcon.
The unkindest was when an editor told me I should go back to school to learn how to write. It should be noted that at the time I received this comment and rejection, I had already signed with Soul Mate Publishing.
The oddest, hmm, I don’t get that many odd comments. Oh, one person was upset with me because she figured out the identity of the Falcon before the end of the book.
I’m chuckling here about your beta reader. Cute! What’s one place you absolutely want to visit before you die?
Ireland. That is the land of my father’s fathers. I feel it calling to me. I feel the mystique of the emerald isle, so I will visit.
I’d like to do a tour of Ireland and Scotland. So, why did you choose to write in this genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?
I often think about certain points in history and what happened to normal every-day people. I enjoy doing the research too so historical was perfect for me. Right now I’m working on a YA, so I do plan to branch out in the future.
Good for you. Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?
I’m not a horror fan and not really fond of westerns. I write what I enjoy reading, which is historical romance. I enjoy being swept into another time.
I don’t read horror either. I get scared. What historical figure do you wish you could have met?
Anyone? Wow, that’s tough. Would have liked to meet Shakespeare, to ask him if he was the writer or if it was Bacon, and Charles Dickens to find out what inspired him to write A Christmas Carol. If I could have only one choice though I would probably choose Jesus.
Yeah, it’s hard to pick just one, especially if you are fascinated with history., Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.
I think it was the small fact about the perfume that Napoleon’s Josephine was noted for wearing. I couldn’t resist using it in the book.
I love those kinds of details! What are you most proud of about your writing?
I think that would be that I have had three full length novels be released in the span of one-year.
That’s pretty amazing! How do you respond to negative reviews?
I don’t respond at all. Any publicity is good publicity. I can’t afford to engage with readers in a negative way.
Great attitude. What’s one new thing you’d like to try?
Let’s see, I am a former SCUBA diver and a retired Skydiver, so I’m really not sure. At one point I wanted to try out for Master Chef, but chickened out. I do love to cook, but I don’t memorize my recipes!
Skydiver? What a woman. What is something you are determined to do?
Hit the NYT best seller list.
What are you most afraid of?
Disappointing my readers.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Never, never, never give up. (Winston Churchill)
Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself?
I write sitting on the recliner with my lap top and curled up with my two pugs.
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Pooh
Favorite Fruit? Pineapple
Favorite Hero? Batman
Favorite Eye Color? Blue
Best Vacation destination? Ireland
Food you can’t stand? Nothing too spicy
What annoys you? My lack of confidence
Coffee, tea, or something else? Coffee
Nightgown or Jammies? Sleep shorts and T-shirt
Prefer dogs or cats? I have both
~ My Review of To Kill A Monarch ~
To Kill a Monarch is not your typical historical romance where hero meets heroine, conflict ensues, then is resolved for a tidy happily-ever-after.
Four roses to To Kill A Monarch!
From page one until the end, Ms. Brousseau’s skillfully woven twists and turns keep the reader guessing. I have to confess, I figured out who the phantom was early on, but that didn’t take away from the intrigue or mystery. It was an nice change of pace to see the French as the ‘good guys’ rather than the expected British.
The interesting and colorful cast of characters added a nice dimension to this historical suspense with its surprise ending. You’ll want to plan on dedicating an afternoon or evening to reading the book. Once you start, you won’t want to stop.
Four roses to To Kill A Monarch!
A bit of about Gerri
A Pirates Ransom –released in e-book by Soul Mate Publishing in August 22, 2012. Released in paperback 6/19/13.
According To Legend released March 6, 2013 – will be available in print in early 2014.
To Kill a Monarch e-book release date- August 21, 2013 by Soul Mate Publishing. It will be available on Amazon for your Kindle and Barnes and Noble. To Kill a Monarch will be available in print in spring of 2014.
In 2012 Gerri served as the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America and is also a member of Romance Writers of America as well as Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association.
The blurb for To Kill a Monarch
Whispers in dark allies say Napoleon’s best assassin, The Falcon, has been sent to London to kill the Monarch. The problem – The Falcon’s identity is known only to the French Emperor. Sir Walter Tinsdale’s new partner, Philip Hamilton, arrives to discover their mission is to find the elusive bird of prey before he strikes. But their nemesis is like a phantom and always one step ahead of them. Enter the lovely Miss Charlotte Winston, the object of Sir Tinsdale’s affections, as well as those of Philip Hamilton. Unlikely alliances, deception, murder, and suicide will keep you turning the pages until the identity of The Falcon is finally revealed. With all the seduction and action of a James Bond movie, To Kill a Monarch is like 007 in 1811.
“Our dinner is getting cold, Mister Hamilton,” Charlotte whispered as she leaned against him.
He drew her into his embrace. “To hell with dinner, Charlotte,” he whispered into his kiss. Lifting her into his arms, he carried her upstairs to the bedroom they shared.
He set her feet gently upon the floor, but his lips never left hers. He ran his hand up her back, pressing her to him, molding her body to his, while his fingers fumbled with the tiny buttons that ran up the back of her gown.
Her delicate and nimble fingers had unbuttoned his waistcoat and shirt, and she rested the palm of her warm hand upon his exposed chest. His breath caught in his throat at her touch. She drew her lips from his. “Mister Hamilton, allow me help you out of these damp clothes,” she purred.
Here’s how you can contact Gerri
All my contact information is on my website www.gerribrousseau.com
BUY LINKS:
http://www.amazon.com/To-Kill-A-Monarch-ebook/dp/B00EOC3CGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377457063&sr=8-1&keywords=to+kill+a+monarch
Thanks again, Gerri, for joining me here today.
