I am delighted to have been tagged in a series called, “Meet My Main Character.” It is the brain child of my host Debra Brown who is the Administrator of English Historical Fiction Authors and our Host. Although I have written Blog pieces before, I stuck to historical figures or vainglorious deeds. There is no end to them thank heavens, for those of us that love history and never tire of it. Research has me following it down each rabbit hole. This works out very nicely for Historical Fiction. It’s important to include rich details of actual events.
You can read my excerpt here which I have been working on like mad. It’s very different from the mysteries I write set in the 1930's and still in its early stages, so this is just a taste of things to come.
This is set in the Court of Louis XIV with all its twists and turns. There was so much to choose from in the wealth of material I could have read for years. I chose to start with the Memoirs of Madame de Montespan as she had so many little tidbits to share. I found her utterly fascinating...charming and ruthless. I had to tuck her into my Fiction. She is one of my inspirations, so I include her Portrait. How could it be otherwise?
1) What is the name of your character? Is she fictional or a historic person?
My main Character is fictional although set in actual events. Louise de Mortemart is a very distant Cousin of Madame de Montespan, favorite Mistress of Louis XIV at this time. The Marquise and the Court of Versailles are very real.
2) When and where is the story set?
The Story is primarily set around Versailles during the year 1680. But the beginning opens in 1677 with a series of murders directly in Paris.
3) What should we know about her?
Louise is a distant Cousin of the illustrious branch of the de Rochechouart de Mortemart family and a very poor one at that. Due to misfortune with no hopes of a well-connected Marriage she is sent to amend that by ingratiating herself to the King. As a distant relative she hopes to please Athénaïs, Marquis de Montespan during her stay. She may be enticed to introduce her to the King who would take an interest in her and give her a dowry. It had been known to happen.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up her life?
She is asked to perform a task that on the surface appears simple. Go to a certain Lady and pick up a love potion... that is all the rage in Paris at the time. She is unaware that the dealer of herbs and love potions is also performing little favors that include poison. “Not until she arrives at the home of Madame, that is, and then it becomes apparent there are some horrible things going on.”
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
In the beginning Louise hopes to repair the poverty of her family. However once she is caught at the home of a poisoner, picking up a love potion, she is then hunted by his Agent. She desperately tries not to get caught up in the web of events.
6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
Poison is a Woman’s Game, and you can read more here.
7) When can we expect the book to be published?
Tentatively, at the end of the year. I am writing furiously.
Thank you for visiting with me. I would like to tag three Authors who will publish their posts on April 17th.
Denise Wilson Falvo
Francine Howarth
Ella Quinn
You can read my excerpt here which I have been working on like mad. It’s very different from the mysteries I write set in the 1930's and still in its early stages, so this is just a taste of things to come.
1) What is the name of your character? Is she fictional or a historic person?
My main Character is fictional although set in actual events. Louise de Mortemart is a very distant Cousin of Madame de Montespan, favorite Mistress of Louis XIV at this time. The Marquise and the Court of Versailles are very real.
2) When and where is the story set?
The Story is primarily set around Versailles during the year 1680. But the beginning opens in 1677 with a series of murders directly in Paris.
3) What should we know about her?
Louise is a distant Cousin of the illustrious branch of the de Rochechouart de Mortemart family and a very poor one at that. Due to misfortune with no hopes of a well-connected Marriage she is sent to amend that by ingratiating herself to the King. As a distant relative she hopes to please Athénaïs, Marquis de Montespan during her stay. She may be enticed to introduce her to the King who would take an interest in her and give her a dowry. It had been known to happen.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up her life?
She is asked to perform a task that on the surface appears simple. Go to a certain Lady and pick up a love potion... that is all the rage in Paris at the time. She is unaware that the dealer of herbs and love potions is also performing little favors that include poison. “Not until she arrives at the home of Madame, that is, and then it becomes apparent there are some horrible things going on.”
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
In the beginning Louise hopes to repair the poverty of her family. However once she is caught at the home of a poisoner, picking up a love potion, she is then hunted by his Agent. She desperately tries not to get caught up in the web of events.
6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
Poison is a Woman’s Game, and you can read more here.
7) When can we expect the book to be published?
Tentatively, at the end of the year. I am writing furiously.
Thank you for visiting with me. I would like to tag three Authors who will publish their posts on April 17th.
Denise Wilson Falvo
Francine Howarth
Ella Quinn
3 comments:
The premise of your novel sounds fascinating, Marilyn! You had me at love potions, b/c I love even a hint of magic + history. Can't wait.
Good title! Novels with mystery and intrigue are by far more exciting, and the setting is a great period in history to work with. The excerpt portrays a good atmospheric feel and sense of evil foreboding. Shall look forward to reading this one.
best
F
I love the title, too. It grabs the reader immediately--a good place to get his/her attention.
I'm interested to find out how this lowly girl ends up in high circles. So write on!
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