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Interview and Giveaway: Jeanne Kalogridis, author of The Scarlet Contessa
I’m thrilled to have the awesome Jeanne Kalogridis on the blog today! Jeanne is the author of The Scarlet Contessa, The Borgia Bride, The Devil’s Queen, and much, much more! She’s also generously offered two copies of The Scarlet Contessa to two lucky winners, so be sure to check out the details at the end of the post!
Please welcome Jeanne to the blog!
You have a B.A. in Russian and M.A. in Linguistics and taught ESL at The American University for eight years. In all that time did you have an idea you would become a full-time writer?
Quite honestly, no. I mean, I’d always written little novels and stories as a kid and throughout high school, but my college roomie wanted to be a writer, and convinced me it was really impossible for anyone to make a living as a writer. So I didn’t try–at least, not until I was fired for helping to unionize the English as a Second Language instructors at The American University in Washington, D.C. I wound up laid off for an entire semester, so… I had always threatened to write a novel, so I did. Imagine my surprise when it actually sold!
You’ve written historical novels about such diverse subjects as Mona Lisa, Catherine de’ Medici, the Borgias, and Vlad the Impaler. Which one has been your favorite so far?
Y’know, it’s like asking me which of my dogs is/was my favorite. I’m always passionately in love with my current project–if I weren’t, I wouldn’t be writing it! But, looking back over the years, the books I associate with the most fun and creative freedom were the three books of the FAMILY DRACUL trilogy: COVENANT WITH THE VAMPIRE, CHILDREN OF THE VAMPIRE, and last, LORD OF THE VAMPIRES. It was my first real foray outside the limited world of STAR TREK fiction, and so it represented a period of unrestrained freedom to write what I wished as an artist. Of course, I’m still free to do that now… it’s just that the initial giddiness has worn off a bit. 
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I prefer to write in bed with my dog sleeping next to me, beginning at sunrise. I like to get most of the writing out of the way in time for a late lunch, and then it’s time to take care of other business. I need white noise or silence–I have no clue how other writers can write with the music going!
For someone just starting to read Historical Fiction, can you suggest a few titles?
True confession time: My tastes aren’t those of a typical historical fiction reader. My tastes run very dark, very unromantic. I adore Sarah Waters’ FINGERSMITH, and Dan Simmons’ THE TERROR and DROOD.
What’s some of the best writing advice you’ve ever gotten?
“Writing is re-writing.”
Do you like to travel, and if so, do you have a favorite destination?
YES!!!! Right now: Italy, southern Spain, southern France. Look out, world!
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
When I was 23, I put out my burning cigar on the head of an unenlightened Southern male who was explaining how “unfeminine” it looked for me to be smoking a cigar. (I’m much more polite now. 
)
Do you have news of any upcoming events or projects that you’d like to share?
Yes. I’m finishing up another historical for St. Martin’s, currently titled THE INQUISITOR’S WIFE. Once that’s done, I am going to be attending as many conventions as my writing schedule permits and connecting with readers as much as possible in person and on-line! Hope to see you ALL sometime in the near future. Oh! And I’ll be tweeting and posting regularly from now on at my blog, History is a Bitch.
Keep up with Jeanne: Website | Blog | Twitter
**GIVEAWAY DETAILS**
1. Giveaway is for two copies of The Scarlet Contessa to two winners.
**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**
About The Scarlet Contessa:
Daughter of the Duke of Milan and wife of the conniving Count Girolamo Riario, Caterina Sforza was the bravest warrior Renaissance Italy ever knew. She ruled her own lands, fought her own battles, and openly took lovers whenever she pleased.
Her remarkable tale is told by her lady-in-waiting, Dea, a woman knowledgeable in reading the “triumph cards,” the predecessor of modern-day Tarot. As Dea tries to unravel the truth about her husband’s murder, Caterina single-handedly holds off invaders who would steal her title and lands. However, Dea’s reading of the cards reveals that Caterina cannot withstand a third and final invader—none other than Cesare Borgia, son of the corrupt Pope Alexander VI, who has an old score to settle with Caterina. Trapped inside the Fortress at Ravaldino as Borgia’s cannons pound the walls, Dea reviews Caterina’s scandalous past and struggles to understand their joint destiny, while Caterina valiantly tries to fight off Borgia’s unconquerable army.
24 Responses to “Interview and Giveaway: Jeanne Kalogridis, author of The Scarlet Contessa”
Author comments are in a darker gray color for you to easily identify the posts author in the comments
The book sounds sooo intetrsting. I would love to win one of the books
OOOOH! This was one of the books I agonized over getting during the Border’s Death sale. I had a basket full of books and I ended up putting it back! I even went back to get it and it was gone! Thanks for such a wonderful post and giveaway! I hope I get a second chance to read this great book!
GFC ~ erin
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the chance. This looks really great! Loving the sound of it
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I’ve heard a lot about this book, thank you very much for the awesome giveaway! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom How did you decide on the time period to write in?
What is your favorite way to do research on the time period and
person that you are writing about?
Many thanks, Cindi
Oh wow the cover alone is breathtaking!! I’d love to win a copy of this book! Why do you write historical’s?
macladie25 at yahoo dot com
Oh that is an amazing cover! carrieannryanwrites (at) gmail.com
I love finding new to me authors, and your books sound like my kind of books =D
Can’t wait to check them out!
emilytardy@yahoo.com
These look so goood!!! I have The Devil’s Queen on my TBR pile already. Now I will have The Scarlet Contessa with it! The Scarlet Contessa’s cover is gorgeous.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this.
Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com
This looks wonderful-I love strong female characters in historical settings. I wonder what Jeanne’s research process is like and if she writes toward a defined ending or do things sort of unfold as she goes? Beautiful cover, too. Many thanks for the interview and giveaway.
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. I would love to read this book. tore923@aol.com
The book sounds wonderful, I love getting lost in historical fiction. Thanks for the great giveaway.
areeths at new dot rr dot com
Sound awesome!! I read The Devil’s Queen and loved it!!
Kait.Reader at gmail dot com
Lovely covers, I would love to win a copy.
kliu107(at)gmail(dot)com
What beautiful covers!! Thanks for the chance to win this awesome book
Book sounds great, will also have to check out the vampire series.
Thanks for the giveaway! Love the covers — very eye-catching! ♥LOVE♥ the “most daring thing”! You go, girl! Sounds like you were (are?) quite the rebel.
BornajhawkATaolDOTcom
Love the title of your blog, ha!
Historical fiction is such a great category, so many different options and variations of the same things. You can read about a certain time period and still get different views and feelings. This book sounds great, thanks for the chance to win a copy.
eyesofblueice (at) gmail (dot) com
Is there a time period and place that you like to read about, but don’t want to write about?
ladymystra(at)gmail(dot)com
This book sounds amazing! I have never read any Italian Renaissance books before. Definitely a “to-read”! Thanks for the giveaway and good luck to all!
kendraedens@gmail.com
This sounds really good! It’s just the type of book I like to read! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
Definitely looks like something I would enjoy reading. I loved the most daring thing you’ve ever done! Sounds like he deserved it and I’m not sure if I like that you’re more polite now… but I’m guessing you’d have to be to stay out of trouble(well too much trouble).
pypercharmed@yahoo.com
I loved your Daring story…that is great.
I really would love to read your books.
musicalfrog @ comcast dot net