a new series - posted every Friday
#IndieBragNovConv
#IndieBragNovConv
To be a little different from the usual 'meet the author'
let's meet a character...
Sir Anthony Peters
Q: Hello, I’m Helen the host of Novel
Conversations, welcome. Would you like a drink?
Tea, coffee, wine – something stronger? On the side table there are chocolates and a
bowl of fruit, please do help yourself. I believe you are
a character in Julia Brannan’s novel Mask of Duplicity. Would you like to
introduce yourself? Are you a lead character or a supporting role?
Q: Is your author working on anything else at the moment?
 |
| Portrait of a Georgian Gentleman |
from
A: Good evening. I must say I am most honoured to be invited to
converse with you. You look absolutely delightful this evening, might I say? [He takes Helen's hand and kisses it. Helen, with a slight blush: Why, thank you sir] And this room! Oh, I can see you are a lady of great taste, which I do so
admire! A sense of taste and fashion are so important in today’s world, do you
not agree? But forgive me, in my enchantment at being invited here, I have
quite forgotten my manners! [bows] I am, my dear lady, Sir Anthony Peters, and I
believe my role to be quite central to the novel, as I do impart a little je ne said quoi to it, I must say.
Q: [gestures to the chair] Please, do sit. What genre is the novel and what is it about?
A: The novel is historical fiction. This is the 'blurb' - what a peculiar little word that is? "Following the death of their father, Beth’s
brother Richard returns from the army to claim his share of the family estate.
However, Beth’s hopes of a quiet life are dashed when Richard, dissatisfied
with his meagre inheritance and desperate for promotion, decides to force her into
a marriage for his military gain. And he will stop at nothing to get his way.
Beth is coerced into a
reconciliation with her noble cousins in order to marry well and escape her
brutal brother. She is then thrown into the glittering social whirl of Georgian
high society and struggles to conform. The effeminate but witty socialite Sir
Anthony Peters (moi!) offers to ease her passage into society and she is soon besieged
by suitors eager to get their hands on her considerable dowry. Beth, however,
wants love and passion for herself, and to break free from the artificial life
she is growing to hate. She finds herself plunged into a world where nothing is
as it seems and everyone hides behind a mask. Can she trust the people
professing to care for her?
The first in the series about the
fascinating lives of beautiful Beth Cunningham, her family and friends during
the tempestuous days leading up to the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, which
attempted to overthrow the Hanoverian King George II and restore the Stuarts to
the British throne."
Q: No spoilers, but are you a ‘goody’ or a ‘baddie’? (Or maybe you
are both!)
A: Oh, I would say that absolutely no one is completely good or bad. We all have a little of the angel and the
devil about us. I would prefer to think of myself as, shall we say,
interesting. I am most interested in people and like to learn as much as
possible about everybody, in order to entertain guests at any party! And I do
have friends in all echelons of life, I might add. In fact, my dear, if you
would care for a length of silk for a new gown, please allow me not only to
procure it for you (although you must not tell any customs men where it came
from) but also to advise you on the latest in fashion, to ensure you will look
your very best in the finished garment! Although judging from the bouquet of
this excellent claret, I think you may yourself be acquainted with some men who
regard the law as a mere nuisance, if I may be so bold?
Q: [Helen smiles at his reference to her pirate character] Indeed sir, I am not at liberty to divulge an answer. Tell me about another
character in the novel – maybe your best friend, lover or partner … or maybe
your arch enemy!
A: Oh, my dear, I assure you I have no enemies, although there are a
number of people who are frequently away from home when I pay them a visit, but
I’m sure that is mere coincidence. I am quite renowned for my witty
conversation, and only the most staid do not approve. Why, King George himself
is a close acquaintance of mine! Really, though, of late I have been most
intrigued with a newcomer to London society, a young lady by the name of
Elizabeth Cunningham. A most delightful woman, in looks and figure at least,
and refreshingly honest and down-to-earth, not a trait one would expect from
her family in general. Elizabeth is causing a good many ripples with her stuffy
cousins, I must say. She really is quite entrancing! Although she appears not
to view me with the same favour, but I always behave impeccably in her
company, and if I were interested in acquiring a wife…but I am not.
Q: Is this the only novel you have appeared in, or are there
others in a series?
A:
There are six novels in total in the
series, I believe, and some of them take place in the most appalling places!
The Highlands of Scotland, for example! I mean the people there are
fascinating, and many are very well educated, if somewhat fierce, but really,
their sense of fashion is deplorable. They wear clothing merely for its
practical use! Can you imagine anything so appalling? One cannot wear a silk
frockcoat in the mountains – it would be ruined in a moment! And then of
course, there is a good deal of fighting I believe, with I am sure a large amount
of bloodshed. Even the thought of it makes me feel quite faint! Do you have a
smelling bottle to hand, madam?
Q: What is one of your least favourite scenes you appear in?
A: Oh, any scene in which I am not fully in fashionable dress, of
course. I believe the most distasteful scene was one in which I was compelled
to ride some considerable distance in a state of undress – without my coat, you
understand, and then threaten the life of a most disreputable rake in order to
rescue a very close…ah…friend, from an appalling situation! I am sure everyone
commented on my fashion faux pas. It was most embarrassing to me.
Q: And your favourite scene?
A: That surely must be a dinner party I attended at the Cunningham
household, in which Elizabeth, of whom I have spoken already, you will
remember, behaved in her customary courageous, direct manner and caused utter
uproar in the house. It was most amusing! I really thought Lord Edward – her
cousin – would have an apoplexy! I do worry about Elizabeth, though. I believe
her to be most unhappy. I must see if there is anything I can do to assist her
in achieving a happier state.
Q: Tell me a little about your author. Has she written any
other books?
 |
| Julia |
A: The author, Julia Brannan, is a delightful person, extremely
knowledgeable on the period about which she writes and really not afraid to
become heavily involved in the most unsavoury events! She mixes equally well
with society and the criminal echelons of England, Scotland and indeed Europe,
as you will discover if you read her novels. After finishing the series in
which I make an extended appearance, she’s now engaged in writing about some of
the more minor characters. Her first subject is Sarah, who was ladies’ maid to
Elizabeth for a time, and who, it seems, had a quite remarkable life before
Elizabeth became acquainted with her. I like Sarah very much, and am looking
forward to reading about her early life, later this year.
Q: Is your author working on anything else at the moment?
A: Yes. As well as writing the
book I’ve just mentioned, and plotting more minor characters’ stories, she’s
also researching for a new series! I am sure she will not mind me stating
she confided in me that this series will deal with the start of the Jacobite
risings, and will feature the MacDonalds of Glencoe, who fought in everything,
in some detail. (Elizabeth’s mother was a Glencoe MacDonald, you know, and I
believe her grandmother, Ealasaid – that’s Gaelic for Elizabeth – will be in
the series).
Q: How do you think indie authors, such as your author, can be
helped or supported by readers or groups? What does your author think is the
most useful for him/her personally?
A: Julia would undoubtedly say that the best way a reader can support
her is to recommend her books to others; to their friends, but also on social
media (with a link to the books!) and in groups whose members the reader thinks
might enjoy her novels. She’s told me that many Outlander fans like her books,
because they are written about the same time period, and yet are very
different, so recommending them in such groups is always helpful. Also, writing
reviews for Amazon and Goodreads or Bookbub is extremely important, as it
encourages others who love books to try hers out. And, of course her first
book, Mask of Duplicity, is free to download, so new readers lose nothing by
trying it to see if they like her style!
Q: Finally, before we must
bid adieu, the novel you appear in
has been awarded a prestigious IndieBRAG Medallion, does your
author find this helpful, and is there anything else he/she would like
IndieBRAG to do to help indie authors receive the recognition they deserve?
A: Julia was extremely delighted to hear that she had won an
IndieBRAG Medallion, and is very proud of it. It is helpful, as it tells
readers that her book stands out among the very many indie novels published, as
a novel of quality. I think that IndieBRAG must keep their standards high, and
should endeavour to ensure their name is known by as many readers as possible
as a recommender of excellent indie novels.
Helen: Thank you Sir Anthony, it was a pleasure talking to you. Would
your author like to add a short excerpt?
Sir Anthony: Indeed, Madam, I suspect she would,.
Helen: While she is adding it... more wine I think? Salute! Here’s to being a successful Brag Medallion Honouree!
Helen: While she is adding it... more wine I think? Salute! Here’s to being a successful Brag Medallion Honouree!
 |
| Reviewed by Discovering Diamonds |
Excerpt:
The shadowed man now turned his head towards her.
She was aware of his close scrutiny, although she couldn’t see his eyes, and
she ran her tongue around her lips nervously.
“Welcome to our gathering, lassie,” he said
mockingly. “Would you care for some refreshment?”
She shook her head quickly, once, and remained
silent. Her breathing was fast and shallow and her hands were trembling
violently. She pressed them into her sides in an attempt to stop him observing
how frightened she was, and forced herself to stand erect. However terrified
she felt, she was determined not to give these men the satisfaction of seeing
it.
“Now then, it seems to me that ye owe us an
explanation for coming upon us in so unexpected a manner,” the man said
conversationally. As he spoke, he casually produced an object from the folds of
his cloak and placed it on the table. Beth regarded the twelve-inch-long, razor-sharp
tapering blade with something close to mindless terror. His hand rested lightly
on the wooden hilt, which was intricately carved with an interlacing knotwork
pattern.
“First of all, are ye alone? I’ll have the truth,
mind.” His voice was deep, with a soft Scottish accent. In more favourable
circumstances she would have found it seductive rather than menacing.
Normally when faced with extreme danger, there is a
choice between fight and flight. Inability to decide between the two leads to
paralysis of the mind and body. Beth had no such problem. Flight was
impossible; she had no choice but to fight. Relieved of the necessity of making
a decision, her mind cleared. She decided to opt for honesty, instinctively
feeling it to be the safest option.
“Yes, I am alone,” she admitted.
“Good,” he replied, and she wondered if he meant
that it was good that she had told the truth and he was now going to release
her unharmed, or good because he could now kill her without having to deal with
her companions as well. She glanced around the room again. All attention was
fixed on her. None of the other men had spoken yet, and she found their silence
unnerving.
“Now it seems to me a wee bit strange that a young
lady should be strolling about this part of the town at night armed with a
blade,” the man with the knife continued amiably. “Are ye a whore?”
“No, I am not a whore!” she retorted in outrage.
CONNECT WITH JULIA BRANNAN
Website: www.juliabrannan.com
Twitter: @BrannanJulia
Amazon: Author.to/JuliaBrannanAmazonPage
INDIE BRAG LINKS:
Website: https://www.bragmedallion.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Indiebrag/
Twitter: @IndieBrag
HELEN HOLLICK:
Website: www.helenhollick.net
On Amazon: http://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick
Subscribe to newsletter: http://tinyletter.com/HelenHollick
Twitter: @HelenHollick
