Look, I gush a lot, right? That’s because I love a lot of books and a lot of authors. I have enough love for everyone, people!
1) Okay, this story is SO fun. I love the royal aspect. What sparked the idea of a modern-day royalty story?
Much to my chagrin, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to watch Prince William marry Kate Middleton. I had watched William’s parents marry and thought, “I really can’t miss their son’s wedding!” Besides, I found Kate a fascinating character. She really captured me, along with the rest of the world, with her poise and charm, and beauty.
So, I dreamed up a royal story!
2) So I loved the historical/political aspect to this book. I know you did a lot of research, especially regarding royal houses and such. What was that process like? Learn anything extra interesting?
The process was grueling! Not the research part but making up my countries, figuring out their personalities and what kind of thousand-year history I could give them. How do I work in politics without being boring and burdensome, yet fascinating and “real?” I spent more time working on those countries than the characters. LOL. Because I had to know them so the characters could know them.
The most fascinating thing I learned was how inter-married Europe was because of Queen Victoria. She believed if all the royal families of Europe were related, they’d all get along. But when WW1 broke out, they went to war against each other. And many of the royal houses of Europe fell during and after the war. It completely changed a Milena of history for Europe. I knew all of that but not to the depth I learned from research.
3) You basically made up an entire kingdom for this book, including its government and all! I love that…did you fashion “Brighton” after a current country?
I used Great Britain as a boilerplate, but also looked at the royal houses of Spain, Luxembourg, Sweden and Norway. I made up rules to fit my country. I also used past royal history to fashion Brighton. Since a Constitutional Monarchy is very different from a Republic like we have here, it was a challenge to “explain” the gov’t so Americans understood without being “instructional.” And the characters can’t explain it to each other in dialog because well… they should know their own country! LOL.
“Oh, Prime Minister, as you know, we are a Constitutional Monarch and every five years, the government is actually dissolved! We hold elections and you, or a new Prime Minster, are elected by the parliament. Unless you resign, then I, being the King, ask another political leader to call forth a new government.”‘
“Well, said Your Majesty.”
OY!! Boring fiction!
(MT: Haha, it’d boring fiction, yes, but it made me laugh!)
Harry! What about you?
(MT: Oh, definitely Harry…because a) I try not to go after married people and b) he flies planes.)
5) Once Upon a Prince has like my favorite cover of ALL time. I adore it. Can you give us any kind of sneak peek as to how that cover came about?
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| See? Prettiest cover ever! |
Actually, that cover just “happened.” The designer at Zondervan sent that exact cover as a mock up and we all loved it. We went with another cover, same pose, same feel, with a model in a red dress but she looked posed and the red dress, which was originally in the book, looked too hoochie-mama. So we went back to the first cover. I love what Beth Vogt said about this cover, “She looks like, ‘I can’t believe this is happening to me!'” She’s exactly right!
6) And as long as we’re going sneak-peeky, can you give us a glimpse as to what you’re working on next?
Book Two, Princess Ever After. 🙂 About an American girl who discovers she’s a long lost princess!!
Thanks MTagg! Loved being here.
Comments 28
The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd, and Laura Frantz’s The Colonel’s Lady– my faves.
William–it’s that smile.
And watching royal weddings–it’s like one of those things you never forget where you were, how old, etc. Princess Di was married on my 13th birthday while my mom was visiting my Aunt in Amsterdam. For my wedding, my mom found a garter while traveling in Australia–made in the shop that made some lace for Princess Di’s wedding–or so it was said.
Anne, how cool is that… same lace used for Di’s wedding!
And yes, Sarah Ladd’s cover is great!
Ooh, those ARE both great covers, Anne. Cool story about Princess Di’s wedding…
I was a baby when she and Charles married…but I remember keenly in fifth grade when she died. And then when I was in college, I saw her memorial fountain in Hyde Park, I think it was, in London. Fascinating to me how she captured the hearts of people not only in her own country, but worldwide, really…
The book cover for your upcoming release — yeah, that’s a fave. And the art department did right by Susan May Warren with her 1920’s series, which just wrapped up with Duchess.
Prince Harry was just in Colorado for the Wounded Warrior games — and I respect his involvement with that organization. I think both young men have done admirably since the loss of their mother.
And OUP? I read it in less than a day — when I was on deadline!
Beth, I love Melissa’s new cover too! And all of the “ess” series by Susan May had great covers.
And Catch A Falling Star’s cover makes me want to sink into the book!
OH yeah, I agree…Susie’s 1920s covers were beautiful. And I echo Rachel’s comments on your latest cover, Beth. It so captured the heart of your book!
That book looks really good!! The cover is amazing.
I got up for the royal wedding too! William and Kate just seem so genuine. Love them.
Thanks Lisa!
I got up for the wedding too…only it was 4-ish around here instead of 5. 🙂 I wake up early anyway, but that was stretching it…still, I wanted to see it. 🙂
MTagg, I love hyperbole! 🙂
Thanks for having me. As for favorite people… back atcha!
Love lots!
Rachel
🙂
Love the cover and I can’t wait to read it! Just waiting for a chance, but it’s my next read! Woohoo!
Um, I don’t really think either Harry or William are that attractive…so I’ll pass on both. 😉
And I LOVE Becky Wade’s cover for Undeniably Yours. I think it’s the pink. I adore pink. And I want some shoes like the ones the model has on. So bad.
Great interview and I can’t wait to read your book, Rach!
Read, read, read, Linz. It’s soooo good!
I’m with you on Becky Wade’s cover. It’s one of my faves, too. So, I’m wearing this black dress this weekend for an event and I keep thinking about how sweet it’d be to have pink shoes like on her cover to go with it…I’m not even into shoes, and I loved those!
Thanks Lindsay!
One thing I miss about reading on my Kindle – I don’t really get to “know” the cover art, since I’m not seeing it every time I read the book. I’m afraid this will be an unintended consequence of the digital age!
I know, Kindles can kind of ruin the cover thing. Rachel’s books are usually ones I buy in paperback, actually, since I still like to read my favorite authors in hard copy. But I was too eager to read this one and couldn’t wait for it to ship. Haha!
Yay! I love seeing Rachel here. 🙂 This cover is beautiful–I love what Beth said, it’s so true. I can’t wait to read Once Upon a Prince. I also woke up for the Royal Wedding. It was so pretty and enchanting. I don’t remember Princess Di’s wedding (I think I was one or two years old), but I do remember growing up and hearing about her…and I definitely remember when she passed away.
I’ve always been a William fan. I like Harry’s personality, but I’ve always thought William was more handsome. 🙂
When I was younger, I definitely would’ve said William. But then Harry started flying planes… 🙂
Hey Gabby!
Good to be here!
Gabe — I stayed up wayyyy late reading it. It was so good. The spiritual message – oh my, it was so for me!
And I absolutely agree with Beth about the cover!
I can’t wait for your next one.
YES! I think Rachel’s cover is gorgeous. From the moment I saw it I was in love with its happy, whimsical feel and the story sounded equally delightful. (Bring on book two!)
How fun to know you created a fictional realm for ‘Prince,’ Rachel. That’s pretty neat and very creative – it worked really well; sure enjoyed the visit to Brighton, pretend or not.
Hmmm… other book covers I liked (I mean LOVED); Becky Wade’s Undeniably Yours, Dani Pettrey’s, Lisa’s ‘Grand Tour’ books, Jessica Dotta’s, SMW ‘Daughters of Fortune’ trio and a new author named Melissa Tagg. 🙂
Ahhh, thanks for including my cover. FUN! My favorite thing about my own cover, honestly, is the guy…because he looks uncannily similar to the way I pictured my hero. It’s crazy. And oh yes, Susie’s Daughters of Fortune series covers were beyond perfect…as were the stories inside. By FAR my favorite historical books ever!
Rissi, you’re blessing me girl! I also love MTagg’s cover!!
I really want to read this book!! I love the cover. I loved The Wedding Dress. I love royals. (I’d totally go for Harry.)
jill, we are soooo in sync … 🙂
I cannot wait to read this novel…I LOVE the cove art.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
On my TBR stack! Loved The Wedding Dress. You have the prettiest covers!
HEY! Shouldn’t you have a cover reveal coming up pretty soon, Pat?? If so, I can’t wait!