Please join me in welcoming Cecelia Holland to Debbie's Book Bag today. Cecelia is here to talk about her latest book, The King's Witch and to let us in on how her research affects her writing. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Cecelia's book to one lucky commenter. See giveaway details at the end of the post.Cecelia Holland 6/23/2011
I love doing research, not only reading old sources and out of the way scholarly books but also traveling to the places where the history happened. Seeing the places I've read about for years moves me sometimes almost to crying. I did cry the first time I saw the Danewerk, the old wall that Charlemagne built to hold in the Danes. But also, there are places where the past seems almost tangible. The old city of Istanbul has a few monuments left from the days of Basil II and the amorous Empress Zoë, but if you walk around a while, especially in the company of an old text like Pierre Gilles ANTIQUITIES OF CONSTANTINOPLE, you begin to see where things were, and then it's as if it appears around you, almost visible.
THE KING'S WITCH takes place in the Holy Land. I love the whole Middle East, where the past is everywhere evident, and every name evokes some old story or song or prayer. Nothing charges a book with more energy than absorbing where the events took place. Sometimes, as in old battlefields, you can't understand what happened any other way.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
The publisher has been kind enough to offer one copy of The King's Witch for giveaway to one lucky winner from Debbie's Book Bag!
~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate.
~ US Addresses only (Publisher Request)
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST August 1st.
1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
17 comments:
Sounds Great!!
vidishamun@gmail.com
I can really feel Cecelia Holland's love of History while reading her words. It's not just a job for her. It's a passion. Would luv to read The King's Witch.
teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com
The King's Witch sound great!
I enjoyed the review and it certainly looks like a good historical read. Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway. Your book sounds really great. Tore923@aol.com
This sounds like a really great read!
hawkes(at)citlink.net
I have this book on my wish list!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I envy you seeing the places where your books are set. Doesn't that make the events so much more real?
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I appreciate research in a book. Thanks for the giveaway!
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I cannot wait to read this! I think an author being immersed in the setting of their novels make their writing seem that much more vivid and real. It sounds like this book accomplishes that!
candc320@gmail.com
I'm so intrigued by this book! I'm sure it's amazing seeing the places you have only read about and dreamed of seeing!! thanks for the contest!
Sounds interesting. I'm a huge fan of historical books and the Holy Land is a fascinating setting.
mizztuts AT bellsouth DOT net
I hadn't realized the book was set in the Holy Land. Only makes it more awesome. :)
Thank you for the giveaway.
susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org
I totally love that connection to history - and I understand tears welling up at just the thought of some of these places. In some ways, life in the past seems so odd and almost alien, and yet, we are them and they are us - human nature hasn't really chanced over the centuries. Looking forward to reading THE KING'S WITCH. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Cecelia Holland is one of my favorite authors. I've been looking forward to reading this book.
I love this time period, and can't wait to see how this "witch" is worked into it. I'm really looking forward to reading this book.
Just found your blog today. Wish I had known about it sooner. Nice variety of books.
Cecelia, You are so right that the best way to do research is to physically visit the place and touch the things about which the story will be written. As a reader, I bring books written about the area we are visiting. You get a better feel for the place and the book.
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