CTR: Welcome to our next author, Marilee Brothers. First, please give us a bit of information about the book or books you’re sharing today. At least ISBN, Publisher and buy link please! Also the genre and heat level if applicable.
MB: I’m sharing a short story called The First Thanksgiving. Currently, I’m working on the fourth book in my young adult urban fantasy series called Unbidden Magic. The first three books are Moonstone, Moon Rise and Moon Spun. Two more are planned in the series.
CTR: What is your favorite historical period or region and why? Did you enjoy history while you were in school or was it frankly boring? How would you suggest we teach history to kids now””(i.e.) can fiction maybe be a tool here? Do you think we can and should learn from the past or is it now irrelevant to modern times and issues?
MB: My grandmother was French and several years ago, I had a chance to visit her home area of Angers, France in the Loire valley. Angers was the medieval capital of the ancient region of Anjou. In the center of town, there’s a beautiful walled castle on the banks of the Maine River. I’d love to go back to that time and drop in for a visit.
I had some wonderful history teachers that made the subject fascinating. I had others that made it dry as dust. I would love to see historical fiction used more frequently by teachers. Also, movies like “Saving Private Ryan.” It’s amazing how little today’s kids know about World War II. As the saying goes, “Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.”
CTR: Do you think historical accuracy is important in fiction? How about the use of modern speech and politically correct ideas instead of those that faithfully portray the period? Do you find this good, bad, a necessary evil or something you shun?
MB: Readers of historical fiction are pretty savvy. They want to be transported to a different time and place. I don’t think they would tolerate historical inaccuracy or using political correctness in place of an honest portrayal. I know I wouldn’t.
CTR: Can you share a favorite author and title that perhaps inspired you to write in the historical genre?
MB: Along with millions of others, I love Diane Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Time travel and historical accuracy are a dynamite combination. And who could resist Jamie and Claire’s on-going love story?
CTR: Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving family tradition or story to share? Does the old “Over the river and through the woods to grandma’s” verse resonate with you in terms of childhood memories or stories you heard or was your family pattern quite different? How about a recipe that you associate with this harvest and thankfulness time of year? What is your favorite dish of your family or circle’s traditional feast?
MB: Well, there was the time our Labrador Retriever snagged the half-thawed turkey from the counter and made a run for it. “Nuff said!
CTR: If there was such a thing as a time machine where would be the first place you would go once you had a ticket to ride? Do you think you’d want to stay or just look around and then come right back to today?
MB: I wrote a book called Castle Ladyslipper that was set in 1172 during the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Between the two, they ruled all of England and a large portion of France. They had a severe falling out. Each raised an army and they waged war against each other. I’d love to travel back in time and drop into one of their castles. Wouldn’t want to stay, though. No antibiotics. Women were basically chattel who were married off to improve their families’ fortunes. Life expectancy was roughly 30 years.
CTR: I have to agree with you there! The middle ages were pretty horrible in a lot of ways; most of the romance books set at that time are really fantasy IMHO!! But we can still enjoy them!
Where can our readers find out more about you and your writing? Please share your web site, social network pages, blogs or any other contact areas you maintain
MB: Please visit me at www.marileebrothers.com. While you’re there, enter my monthly contest for a chance to win a $10 iTunes download or a box of Aplets and Cotlets from my home state of Washington. My newsletter is called the Obsessive Page Turner. If you subscribe, you will be entered in another contest for a signed copy of one of my books. I’m also on Twitter and Face Book.
CTR: Thanks for being part of our November event and please come back whenever you have a book to share that fits the theme or just to visit with us!!
0 COMMENTS
Yadira A.
14 years agoHi Marilee!
I haven’t had the chance to read Diane Gabaldon’s Outlander series, but I hear so much good things about it I’ll have to pick up soon:) Castle Ladyslipper sounds like a good read… I agree with that time period is fascinating but I wouldn’t want to stay either. Washington is my home state too!
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