I am delighted to welcome Sara Turnquist to Ms. Stuart's table. Sara's wonderful historical romances sweep from the American Civil war to 19th century eastern Europe, to her latest release THE GENERAL'S WIFE set in ancient Egypt. I cornered Sara to ask her a few questions about herself and her writing process.
What would we find under your bed?
Honest, you would only find my wrapping paper box and our ornament box.
What was the scariest moment of your life?
When my 2 year old went head first down our stairs.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Most often, yes. Mostly instrumental. I actually love to listen to the music of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and The Dark Crystal. I did listen to a lot of Celtic Woman when writing my debut novel. It just inspired me more for that novel.
What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I’d like to decide once and for all if I need an agent. And if so, secure one.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Wow…though this is my second book published, it was the first book I ever wrote. So, I’m going to say a couple of years. Now I can finish a book in 4-6 months.
Honest, you would only find my wrapping paper box and our ornament box.
What was the scariest moment of your life?
When my 2 year old went head first down our stairs.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Most often, yes. Mostly instrumental. I actually love to listen to the music of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and The Dark Crystal. I did listen to a lot of Celtic Woman when writing my debut novel. It just inspired me more for that novel.
What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I’d like to decide once and for all if I need an agent. And if so, secure one.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Wow…though this is my second book published, it was the first book I ever wrote. So, I’m going to say a couple of years. Now I can finish a book in 4-6 months.
To celebrate the release of THE GENERAL'S WIFE, Sara is offering a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Scroll down for details of how to enter...
THE GENERAL'S WIFE
Ismene, a beautiful, somewhat naïve, young noblewoman, is torn from her childhood home in Greece and her first love. Bound by honor and duty, she marries Pharoah's chief military commander, Alistair. Though determined to remain true to the man she left behind, her new husband stirs feelings in her she cannot ignore. Attempting to accept this brazen new culture, it isn't long before she discovers that the locals don't like her. The Alexandrian mob starts making anonymous threats.
This face-less group will stop at nothing to achieve its goal of driving out the unwelcome Greeks. In the midst of these heightening attacks, the general must leave for battle. Ismene fears that she is on her own. Evidence of a spy within her own household arises. It soon becomes apparent that one of these Egyptian rebels wants her dead. The safety of Ismene, and possibly the entire ruling class of Egypt, hangs in the balance.
This face-less group will stop at nothing to achieve its goal of driving out the unwelcome Greeks. In the midst of these heightening attacks, the general must leave for battle. Ismene fears that she is on her own. Evidence of a spy within her own household arises. It soon becomes apparent that one of these Egyptian rebels wants her dead. The safety of Ismene, and possibly the entire ruling class of Egypt, hangs in the balance.
Read an excerpt...
A din of whispered conversation among the servants could be heard, but only just. No one wanted to speak out for fear of enraging the general further. Many of the servants were unable to read Greek and had no idea what important message was scarred into their master's most prized sanctuary. As if the vandalism alone wasn't enough to evoke a great anger in him, the message itself had pushed him closer to the edge of violence. They had never seen their kind master in such a state.
“What is everybody...” Ismene's voice interrupted their musings. No one, not even Alistair, had even noticed that she had arrived at the grand estate, least of all made it all the way out to the gardens. Her voice, which started light and happy, trailed off as she noticed the source of everyone's fixation.
There were many audible gasps as the servants, like Alistair, turned and saw Ismene's paled face, her mouth moving as if trying to form words, though none came forth.
Alistair rushed over to her, “Ismene, don't look...it's...” he said, trying to turn her away, to go back in direction she had just come.
It was only then that he realized—the message—it was for her. Ismene and Alonah came to the gardens each day to check on her tiger lilies. This wall faced the entrance into the gardens closest to her bedchambers, the entrance she came through every day. How did anyone outside of his house and Pharaoh's know that? His heart sank. There was a leak in one of these houses.
“What is everybody...” Ismene's voice interrupted their musings. No one, not even Alistair, had even noticed that she had arrived at the grand estate, least of all made it all the way out to the gardens. Her voice, which started light and happy, trailed off as she noticed the source of everyone's fixation.
There were many audible gasps as the servants, like Alistair, turned and saw Ismene's paled face, her mouth moving as if trying to form words, though none came forth.
Alistair rushed over to her, “Ismene, don't look...it's...” he said, trying to turn her away, to go back in direction she had just come.
It was only then that he realized—the message—it was for her. Ismene and Alonah came to the gardens each day to check on her tiger lilies. This wall faced the entrance into the gardens closest to her bedchambers, the entrance she came through every day. How did anyone outside of his house and Pharaoh's know that? His heart sank. There was a leak in one of these houses.
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About Sara Turnquist
Sara is originally from middle TN. After a short stint in Memphis, where she earned a degree in Biology and began a career as both a Zoo Educator and a Sleep Technician, she then followed a dream to work for a large zoo in Orlando, FL as an Educator. Once she and her husband started their family, they moved back to Tennessee. Sara and her husband now enjoy a full life with their three beautiful and very active children. Sara enjoys many creative outlets – singing, piano, drawing, drama, and organizing anything. And even though she has enjoyed her career as a Zoo Educator, Sara's great love of the written word continued to draw her to write. She has always been an avid reader and, for many years, has been what she terms a “closet writer”. Her travels and love of history have served to inspire her to write Historical Fiction. Sara has made several trips overseas to the Czech Republic. Her time among the Czech people and the landscapes of the country inspired her and greatly influenced her work on her debut novel, The Lady Bornekova, set in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. Sara is also a member of the ACFW.
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