Archive for April, 2010

Books Clubs, Booking Mama and The Queen’s Pawn

Friday, April 30th, 2010 | Guest Posts, Reviews, The Queen's Pawn, The Writing Life | 2 Comments

I have had the privilege of going to book clubs, raising a glass of wine, and listening as the members ask me questions about THE QUEEN’S PAWN, and then as they have the graciousness to listen to my answers. It is so amazing to see that my characters have come alive for other people besides myself. Sitting over wine and food, and speculating on Eleanor as a mother, and Alais as a princess, thrills me. 

If any book clubs are interested in hosting me in the future, just leave a comment here (I will not publish it) and I will get in touch.

And along this theme. here is a review from Booking Mama,

http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2010/04/review-queens-pawn.html

along with a guest post of mine in which I talk about my experiences with book clubs, both as a reader and as a writer.

http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-club-exchange-christy-english.html

Enchanted by Josephine & Hist-Fic Chick

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 | Guest Posts, Reviews, The Queen's Pawn | 2 Comments

I am absolutely enjoying everyone’s take on my novel…people are discussing the book and the ideas it raises.

Here is a guest post on Enchanted by Josephine in which I compare Hilary Rodham Clinton to Eleanor of Aquitaine.

http://enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.com/2010/04/guest-post-by-christy-english-giveaway.html

And here is another lovely review on Hist-Fic Chick that keeps the ideas flowing…thanks Allie!

http://histficchick.blogspot.com/2010/04/review-queens-pawn.html

Weddings and the Burton Review

Monday, April 26th, 2010 | Reviews, The Queen's Pawn, The Writing Life | 2 Comments

I had the pleasure of attending my agent and friend, Margaret O’Connor’s, wedding to a wonderful man this weekend, and I thought the whole time, as writers do, of my own characters’ weddings and lack thereof. Eleanor’s wedding the Louis VII, while hopeful for her, was business. Her wedding to Henry II was hasty and lustful and happy, but also business. I think Alais alone, had she been able to marry Richard at last, would have had the kind of wedding that Margaret and Jay had: beautiful, heartfelt, bound by honest oaths, with a party afterward.

I know little of the Count of Ponthieu, Alais’ eventual husband (chosen for her by her brother, King Philippe Auguste.)  Even though Ponthieu could not give Alais a wedding like the one my friends shared this weekend, I hope that during their marriage, he made her happy.

And on a happier note indeed, Marie has turned her discerning eye on THE QUEEN’S PAWN. Please read her review of my novel here on The Burton Review.

http://www.theburtonreview.com/2010/04/book-review-queens-pawn-by-christy.html

The Queen’s Pawn on Historically Obsessed

Friday, April 23rd, 2010 | Reviews, The Queen's Pawn | No Comments

There is a lovely review of THE QUEEN’S PAWN on Historically Obsessed…thanks Lizzy!

http://historicallyobsessed.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-review-queens-pawn-by-christy.html

The Queen’s Pawn on Medieval Woman

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 | Guest Posts, Princess Alais, The Queen's Pawn | No Comments

Thank you Susan Higganbotham for hosting me on your beautiful site! Here is a little about royal marriage treaties from Alais’ POV: Married to the Enemy: Medieval Marriage and Political Alliance

http://susandhigginbotham.blogspot.com/